what do you think of a person like me who...?

Question

believes in God , reads his bible , tries to do as it is written but refuses to go to church or call himself religious. This is due to the fact that churches today are a case of fraud and hipocrits and they think they can judge others.

Answer 1

I would think "Come back when you know how to spell 'hypocrite'..."

Answer 2

So you're saying that all people going to church are "fraud and hipocrits [sic]"? Then I would say that you are narrow minded and judgemental, and that does NOT reflect Christ.

Or you're saying that because there are "fraud and hipocrits [sic]" in the church, that's a good excuse to NOT get involved, stand up for the truth and spend the time and effort necessary to find a good body of believers where you can learn and grow. Then I would say that you are just looking for an excuse not to roll out of bed on Sunday mornings or not to TRULY engage with other believers.

Nobody says you have to 'call yourself religious'. That doesn't mean anything.

When you say "they think they can judge others", let me set you straight on something: we are INSTRUCTED to make judgements about some things as a church. Though we are not to judge the ultimate state of someone's heart or soul, we ARE supposed to draw lines in the sand about issues where God is clear about what is good and bad. If you don't understand that, you have a naive view of the gospel.

I mean, let's be honest....you say you don't like churches who 'judge others' yet YOU YOURSELF judge them. That's the kind of nonsense Christians need to avoid at all costs. Read the article below before you send me a nasty email.

Answer 3

We must fellowship....So many people who have relationship with Jesus leave fellowship out.

To be honest with you...it is the 1 thing (if i could avoid in my spiritual walk- I would)! I worshipped, prayed, read and followed the bible-just like u! I didn't attend a church bc of the people and their issues. But there was always something missing....and that was direction and order. We need a shephard 2 lead us.

And people say, pray and HE will lead u; but I went on a search- a journey, and found the House of God that allowed me to rest in my soul!

Now when u get there...no1 said the path was clear. People are placed in front of u as demonstrations. Either u like what u see and can hold on 2 that-or u dislike it...and decide never to be like that! Every1 in church is not correct...but the church is a hospital, full of people who struggle just like us.

I said at 1 point...well i can struggle in the world! The difference is....the world doesnt sit under the Word and get convicted. When a Christian is wrong..they know it! And when they r mature they can admit it!

So seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you....God bless u!

Answer 4

I can understand your case about the churches. There are many hippocritical churches. But as Christians we have to know that humans are not perfect and therefore no church will be perfect. If someone finds a perfect church they should not join it because they will mess it up.
Ghandi once went to a Christian church but did not go back because he was ostracized for the color of his skin. Later, Ghandi was asked why he had a problem with the Christian God. Ghandi said that he loved the Christian God- it was His people who were the problem.
I'm sorry that you have been turned away from churches by Christians. The Bible says that we should fellowship with others, though, so I would encourage you to find a church that you like. And I don't believe that you have to go to church to be religious.

Answer 5

Judgmental and proud.

If you are calling your brothers and sisters hypocrites and corrupt liars, then you are passing judgment on the motives and character of other people, which is ultimately something that only God is allowed to do because only God can read minds. besides, you are probably slandering the majority of decent people in the church who are not hypocritical or mean.

Besides, if you really thought that the church was bad, then you are admitting that they need your help. The Bible says that we Christians are to try to help tho use who are immature and failing, and we cannot do that from far away, we must help each other in person:

--James 5:19-20 (NIV)
"My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins."

--Galatians 6:1-6 (NIV)
"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load. Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. "

Notice that the last sentence implies that you should be supporting your local pastor by donating money to a church (there are other verse which say this also); you cannot do that from afar either.

If you are not going to church, then you cannot help correct the people who are sinning, and they cannot help you either since you too have blind spots and sins that you probably cannot see, but I'm sure that other people are aware of (like being impatient with immature people, excessive pride, and being overly judgemenal).

Also, if you do not go to church, then you do not know who is sick, or in need, so you cannot help them -- which means that you are braking a command from Jesus to help other people, especally other Christians (Mat. 25:31-46 for example).

Finally, the Bible commands us to go to church (Hebrews 10:25).

So, you are breaking several commands by not going.

Answer 6

I think that you have a set of beliefs that are based on purely on faith, if you are like most Christians that I know then you will not accept any evidence that will show you that your book is wrong. This is not due to you lacking intelligence, but rather you have a strong belief in something you feel is real and anything that goes against that said faith is incorporated into your belief structure and as such you feel we are going against your God and/or attacking you in some manner.

It is like you are in your own fantasy world, and believe we are part of that fantasy world. There is little we can do to try to pull you out of it.

This does not make you a mean spirited person, or in any other way aberrant.. It just robs you of the truth.

I don't know you, I am just basing this diagnosis from what I have seen in other liberal Christians..

Answer 7

I'm like that. I absolutely refuse to attend church and follow a religion for the simple fact that some religions want a copy of your W-2, some have dress codes, others seriously pass judgment on others for not being able to keep up with the Joneses or sitting in their pathetic little social groups, if you marry someone of a different religion, or are on power trips.

Answer 8

I think you should never refuse to go to church because that would be separating yourself from the body of Christ.
And when Jesus comes back he isn't just gathering one person but all believers together who are all his bride/his body.
But the bible instructs us not to do so because it's actually a sin not to go to church. (Heb. 10:25) Now of course there are plenty of churches out there that aren't fraud churches or judgmental or hypocritical.
And the Lord knows who/where they are. If you pray about it, the Lord can direct you, or show you, or even place in your lap the very church he wants you to be at to assemble and fellowship with other believers. It's in accordance with his goodwill.
Even still, on that day of judgment, he'll ask you why you refused to go to church and pay tithes to him in his house, and worship him in his house, and also fellowship with your neighbor in his house....And it will do you no good to say that they were hypocritical, and that they did so and so. Why? Because you should be going to church firsthand for God, and not for other people. Unfortunately in this world there will be plenty of people who, even though they say they're christian, just don't follow the word of God. You don't have to be one of them. You can be an example even to them, but you don't let them keep you from going to church. You have to keep yourself undefiled by the wickedness of this world, by staying away from those things that are impure and so forth. But the Lord will utterly direct your steps to the place of worship he would have you to join.
Go in peace and God Bless.
I pray that you find your church home that is pure and unblemished in God's sight.
Where you can worship God freely without interruption, and where you can grow in HIm and learn the things He would give to you for your growth in HIm and in your walk. So that you can go forward and be the ultimate person whom He's called you to be. Even from your mother's very womb.
He loves you and wants you to prosper. Even as your soul prospers...I pray these things
In Jesus' name Amen.

Answer 9

I don't have a problem with you not going to church, but if you believe in a god then you are religious. Look it up.

I understand the distinction you're trying to make, but 'religious' already has a meaning, you can't just change it to mean whatever you like.

Answer 10

did you know that church is a man made structure - do not dwell in just a house of stone - rather find God outside in the trees, in the air, in other people, in yourself.

You are right.....sad so many people out there think setting foot inside a building makes them a good Christian.

Answer 11

I think you're doing great! I don't go to church either. I consider myself spiritual, not religious. I make this distinction because the root word of "religious" (religion) implies a set of doctrines and beliefs. I believe that dogmas, creeds, and religious doctrines are perpetuating lies. This causes the soul to become stagnated and complacent.