How do Christians justify not going to church?

Question

When the Bible clearly tells us not to forsake the esembling (plz forgive splg) of ourselves together?

Answer 1

Good point! There is no such thing as a lone ranger Christian - we are meant to be in community with each other so that we can share our gifts with others and benefit from their gifts as well.

Taking a Christian out of a church is like removing a hot coal from the fire - over time the fire will die down and the coal will go out!

Answer 2

you think they are JUST trying to justify why they dont go? do you feel they MUST go to church? well I'm one of those Christians that was going and just couldn't get satisfied with the ones i tried. there are more cliques in churches then there was in school. more MAN made doctrine then whats actually in the bible. Ive felt His Spirit on me MORE at my house loving on Him then in alot of these churches. churches today are DEAD! they are more interested in other stuff then actually preaching TRUTH. they candy coat so they don't step on toes! they don't want to lose their congregation! they are NOT worried bout souls! what happen to alter call? there scared their gonna push ppl away! then you have the ones that preach "your going to hell" cause you didnt brush your teeth this morning! at least at my house im reading His word, actually praying from the heart, and sincerly loving and worshiping Him from my heart and not just during the "scheduled time"! please! you give me a sincere church like how they use to be and id be MORE then happy to start going back!! you can feel im justifying if you wish, but like i said churches "today" are DEAD!!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

Good question. I think most people are disgusted by the hypocrisy that goes on in some churches and some realy do think that it is not necessary others think it is just overrated. I agree with all three. I do miss church and for me I would like to go more than what I do, I enjoy visiting some of them.
But please remember Going to church does not make one holy. Jesus also said that where 2 or 3 are gathered together in his name he is there in the midst of them.
I also agree with what tuberoot said up there.

Answer 4

Which use of the word do you mean? And which tradition means that Hebrews is violated?
American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition -
A group of Christians; church is a biblical word for “assembly.” It can mean any of the following: (1) All Christians, living and dead. (See saints.) (2) All Christians living in the world. (3) One of the large divisions or denominations of Christianity, such as the Eastern Orthodox Church, Methodist Church, or Roman Catholic Church. (4) An individual congregation of Christians meeting in one building; also the building itself.

I 'church' nightly with people on the internet and IM. We congregate using IM.

I 'church' at those times because I am with other "out called one's" when we meet and talk about Jesus, and other things having to do with the Bible.

So the modern traditional sense of 'church' is a new one compared to the one I am talking about.

Have you ever heard that before?

Answer 5

Only when the church, or the members of said church, become so apostate and unchristian that Christ's Spirit no longer abides there. Then all you are doing is abstaining from a church of man. I had one occasion when a pastor of a certain church almost physically assaulted me and had to be restrained because I debunked some of his false teachings. Sure made me want to go back... about as much love as a barfight.

Answer 6

I did this for years! With the exception of about a year in 2001 (and until I came back a year ago), I didn't attend church for most of of my adult life (80s, 90s, and into 2000).

I tried to justify it in a variety of ways. Most of my excuses came down to one thing...I just didn't like Christians all that much! I didn't like pastors or elders that told me I was a sinner because I didn't agree with their position on some debatable issue, I didn't like worshipping with people that spent their time gossiping about other people that weren't "like them", I didn't like all the begging and emotional blackmail designed to make me give more money to the church, etc... Basically, I was tried of wasting my time with hypocrites who said and did one thing in church and then said or did something entirely different outside of church! "We are the body" by Casting Crowns...one of the best songs I've ever heard related to my experiences with churches!

When I returned in 2001, it was mainly because I thought it was important for my son (born in Jan. 2001) to grow up in church the way I had...and I walked away again because of him! The reason...the pastor constantly talked about how important children were to God and to the church and their idea of child care during the service was to park the infants and toddlers in a converted broom closet to be supervised by a bunch of teenagers. They had NO programs for the little ones so I took my son into the services with me. ...until the day of my son's "dedication" when the pastor gave me a certificate with the verse "let the little children come to me and hinder them not" inscribed on it during the service...then after the service, he told me that I really needed to put my son in that closet because he might start disrupting the service! I stared at him in total disbelief and said something like, "how is that consistent with letting the little children come" and he said that verse was great but that we needed to be considerate of other worshippers. I never returned to that church!

I returned to church (a different church) last year because I finally realized that I was only hurting myself (and my son) by harboring such negative feelings toward Christians. I was blessed to find a pastor and a church that actually practices what it preaches...and for the first time in my life, I have been able to overlook the little insults and slights that come my way. I guess I finally matured enough to realize that Christians aren't perfect and that those who hurt or insult me have their own problems...that I should pray for these people instead of cutting them out of my life.

Answer 7

I have been ill from a car accident and so I am not able to go to church, but my husband still goes. I read the scriptures, spend my time studing and praying when I feel ok. I think that some people do not search out a church that is a good match for them. They go to a church that is boring and then they don't want to go again and they justify it by saying that they don't learn any thing because it is boring. I say find one that moves you and teaches you. If you don't enjoy your church, then you are going to a boring church and you need to find one that you find exciting. I agree, we need to assemble and spread the word!

Answer 8

There isn't any law/commandment telling Christians to go to church. Jesus said that people could pray to the Father anywhere at any time.

Answer 9

There are no valid excuses. Even if there is gossip or other bad habits (sins) you must ask the Lord for instructions:
* should I remain in this church to be the salt to cure this, or
* should I follow your guidance to another congregation where I can serve you and serve the church.

Answer 10

I nor anyone has to justify it to anyone...... How and where I worship God is between me and him...... I do gather with others of *faith*, and I might add a *building* is NOT the true church, the believers are...... I am the *church* therefore I am going to *church* constantly and in *faith*....... The gathering of the *faithful* is for edification and learning..... I am edified daily through the study of Gods word, talking with other *churches* (people) about God and sending out my testimony , by which ever means God so desires of me each and every day........ I am NOT confined to a building to pray or worship...... I am NOT confined by *traditions*, which if you would read is a big NO NO in Gods eyes....... *religion* falls into that catagory..... I go by no other tittle than *Gods child*....... There are 3 witnesses to my *faith*, God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit........ and a few humans.......... I pray continualy and in *faith*...... I seek Gods council and grace ONLY........ go in peace........ God bless