2007-09-16 13:24:44 · 22 answers · asked by Bartaba 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Church building are man made, God don't live in buildings. God lives in peoples hearts, all living creatures and in nature.
Belonging to a church is not important to me at all!
2007-09-16 13:32:20 · answer #1 · answered by DrMichael 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
In the Old Testament, God told David that He didn't mind being in a tent, but David insisted on building Him a temple. For some, being in a building, belonging to a group of like-minded individuals, is extremely important. I no longer belong to a church simply because I found that too many of the congregation would not practice what they preached, and also, that I could worship God anywhere, anytime. In truth, each of us ARE the church. In my view, to God, it isn't where you worship, but what is in your heart.
2007-09-16 20:41:50 · answer #2 · answered by KS57 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is vitally important!
While not going to church has nothing to do with your salvation, if you aren't going to church, you will have to face your Lord and explain why you were disobedient.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us continue to consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another even more as you see the day coming nearer."
When a Christian separates themselves from the Body of Christ, they not only deny the church the gifts that they could bring to the table, they open themselves up to attack.
Satan and his minions are a lot like pack animals. Wolves, hyenas, and the like. They never hunt fairly. They will stalk the weak, the sick, and the lame. When one of these is separated from the herd or flock, that's when the pack attacks. 5, 8, maybe even 10 predators to one. This is why Peter taught us, "Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." (I Peter 5:8) If you allow Satan to have his way with you, your faith will be unproductive and perhaps even die.
So, you can avoid church if you like, but when you do, you are being disobedient. And that being the case, you might consider questioning if you really are in the faith. "Keep examining yourselves to see whether you are continuing in the faith. Test yourselves! You know, do not you, that Jesus Christ lives in you? Could it be that you are failing the test?" (II Corinthians 13:5)
Besides, it has been said that the church is a lot like Noah's Ark. The stench on the inside would be unbearable, except for the storm outside.
2007-09-16 20:38:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not at all. Organized religion has gotten out of hand. You can hear the same passage being preached about in two totally different meanings, so .... who is right?
I haven't been to church since I was 17 (weddings and funerals excluded). I can 'worship' anywhere, I don't need a designated building to go to, where I end up watching the fashion show as everyone wears their Sunday's best.
2007-09-16 20:30:56 · answer #4 · answered by Cat Lover 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Very important. If a person says "I believe in God and the Bible and want to be saved, but I don't want to go to church" then it sounds like a man saying to his bride "I love you, I want to marry you, but I don't want to live with you." It's like saying you want the benefits of marriage but not the relationship that goes along with it. When we're saved we are saved into the body of Christ, which is the church. (Colossians 3:15; 1:18; Acts 2:47)
2007-09-16 21:02:28 · answer #5 · answered by Vilaro 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is totally important to me for one reason-
if I do not belong to a Church, and base my view of life, the world and myself upon its teachings, then I am inventing my own religion based upon what either makes me feel OK or what doesn't disturb or confuse me---in other words PREJUDICE! Even believing in God's existence based upon my own preferences is self-deception or self-hypnosis.
If it is really from God, then I EXPECT it to be a little confusing and sometimes hard to do, unlike the totally easy path I would invent to make myself feel religious.
Besides, I need the company of others to keep myself in perspective.
2007-09-16 20:37:39 · answer #6 · answered by mongoemperor 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
On a scale of 1 to 10 it's about an 0.
I've gone into details before but "church" directly and indirectly almost led to my ruin. Literally.
If it's important to you, I'm glad you have found it.
2007-09-16 20:32:26 · answer #7 · answered by Zimmia 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It was very important to me, until about 3 years ago. Now I could care less, about belonging to any kind of organized religion.
2007-09-16 20:29:31 · answer #8 · answered by Antdak 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would give up my whole life and luxuries to belong to the Catholic church
2007-09-16 20:42:17 · answer #9 · answered by Giorgio P. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How can you belong to a church if you are the church?
2007-09-16 20:29:19 · answer #10 · answered by George 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋