i believe in god whole heartedly. is it a big deal if i don't attened church though?

Answer 1

No, Church is not a requirement. However ... It certainly is easier when you go to the church Service to serve. So often I hear people say they believe in God but don’t see a need for church. Most times I quote:

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

That is an interesting passage to me because the body of Christ gathered corporately is challenging. It’s uplifting as well. I love to worship with the church. I love to make someone’s day by praying for them or just listening and being compassionate. I love hearing testimonies of God’s faithfulness. I love giving to further the gospel. I love the word of God. I love that people at church care about me and will stand by me when I mess up.

Answer 2

Just a couple of things: The Catholic teaching on Hell is that hell is nothing more or less than separation from God. Since we were literally made for God, if someone chooses separation, they have turned their backs on what is supporting them and would enable them to be happy. That's the main reason that the Church teaches that hell is so terrible. No one can go to Hell who has not knowingly chosen to turn their backs on God. That means that people who are confused, or mentally ill, or who believe that they are doing the right thing even though they aren't, won't go to Hell. Hell really is for those who have knowingly done things that are against God's law. The Catholic Church acknowledges a homosexual tendency, just like there are tendencies to alchoholism, etc. What matters is what you do with that tendency, like any other tendency in our human nature. There are Catholic support groups for homosexual people and those people who hate gay people aren't acting in the spirit of Catholicism. Belief in the existence of God is based on faith but also very much on reason. That means that if you want to confirm or deny the existence of God, you should read as much as you can on the arguments for God's existence and see if they make sense to you (St. Thomas Aquinas wrote about it) and find some Catholic apologetics books that would focus more on it. I haven't read it myself, but I've heard that "Reasons to Believe" by Scott Hahn is good. See if the reasons make sense to you, and at the same time ask God to help you. It might seem contradictory to pray if you don't believe, but there's no harm in saying, "God, if you're there, help me find You!" Read the Bible, of course, too. In the Catholic view, different parts of the Bible are either literal or symbolic. If something seems really strange to you, it might be one of the symbolic parts. A concordance of the Bible can explain as you go along. I'm not sure what's the best concordance but I'm sure you could find a good one on Amazon or in a Catholic bookstore. The Bible would be accepted as a primary source by more people (it has just as much or more support as other primary sources) except for the fact that what it says is so unbelievable to some people. I know what you mean about some of the things that you've read sounding crazy, but I think it's clear that we live in a world where some very strange events take place even now, and the history of mankind has always been full of the terrible things that you mention. Anyway, read it again and read more about it, too- at least give it another fair chance and see how you feel. Sorry this is long and rambling but I hope it helps!

Answer 3

Church cannot save you. In fact, it's good that you don't go to church as God is no longer there.

2 Thessalonians 2:2-4 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

1 Peter 4:17 For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Matthew 24:3-5 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Matthew 24:15-18 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

Jeremiah 7:34 Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.

Looking at the spiritual context above, Jerusalem was to have the temple of God (house of God) like the church is supposed to today and the bride is spoken of in the Bible as the true Church (the true believers) and the bridegroom is Christ (see Matthew 25). The church that is the local congregation is not a good place to be. The bridegroom (Christ) has left Jerusalem (the local congregation).

1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

You can fellowship outside of the church's authority with other believers. The church was to have spiritual authority over the congregation but that was before Christ left the church as in 2 Thess. 2.

Answer 4

It is not a big deal per se. But, how do you justify not going to church with what the Word teaches in Hebrews 10:25 says we are to do? Yes-it is far more important to have a close one-on-one relationship with the Lord. But He also want us to fellowship with other believers. And there it may be church or even just a group of close Christian friends gathered together for Bible study.

Answer 5

Well, it is hard to believe in God without believing in His Words. What is believing in God if you don't believe what He says. And His Word says that we are members of the body (the church) and no one can say "I have no need of..." the church. We are told in Hebrews to not forsake the assembling together and particularily as you see the end approaching. So how can you "whole heartedly" believe in God without being involved in the church?

Answer 6

i believe in god whole heartedly too...but i don't belong to any church. My faith is in God and in His words. It's all that matters.

Answer 7

Has anyone ever reported back to you that God required it? Of course not. Men made churches, so don't worry about it.

Answer 8

Nope, you are experiencing a personal relationship with God. Keep up the good work.

Answer 9

If you want to believe in God, do so in whatever way makes sense to you.

Answer 10

You are doing just fine with your beliefs . going to church just teaches us to believe what they want us to believe.. Who are they to decide for anyone. .