If Christianity is simply a relationship with Christ and not a religion, why all the churches and trappings?

Answer 1

Because the Pope needs his cash too and also if you havent realized have you seen how fancy the catholic church is? have you any idea of how much gold is in that church well why not get all that gold and use it to help the people in the poor countries who can't even afford shoes. through out history the church has been corrupt, those motherfuckers who call them selves popes and priests and all those stupid church ppl. you know what they used to do b4 the rennaissance? they used to charge people to confess their sins and the hierarchy was horrible. all ppl wanted to do back then was just be good and hope they will die soon so that they could go to heaven and start living the good life. that is if there is even a heaven that has been controversial too. but the church is corrupt. thats without mensioning priests raping little kids all the time. DO YOU THINK THAT THE CHURCH IS A GOOD THING?


TRY READING A LITTLE ABOUT BEFORE THE RENNAISSANCE THAT IS THE DARK AGES AND FOCUS ON THE CHURCH PART

Answer 2

It's not the building that makes the church, it's the people . When Jesus said he came to establish his church on earth, he was talking about the fellowship of believers, not a building. However, the buildings we meet in have become known as churches. It's just a name, not important really. As for all 'the trappings', it's a question of what you believe the church is there for. I believe, from a Biblical perspective, Jesus came to do away with all the rituals, the only 2 things we are asked to respect and to do are water baptism and communion. All the rest man has added, not Jesus. The heart of Christianity really is a relationship with Jesus, too many people get carried away by 'tradition' .

Answer 3

I do not attend a Church and I am guilty of many sins, but I have my own faith in my head and it comforts me. I am sure it says somewhere in the bible that you have to gather and worship together, that probably could mean in a field or a garage or a rock concert or the bath. Whoopy! The trappings are to enhance the atmosphere and instead of being comforting some of our Scottish churches are frightening, especially the "Wee Frees" . The ones I have met are narrowminded, wet handed, buns on head, wan faces - no make up, the women don't cut their hair hence the buns. Hats, long dreary skirts, flat shoes and look like they must have to suffer to worship. Ever been to one of their funerals, the body is not treated with reverence as the soul has left it. They are in to hell fire and damnation and they are vexatious to the soul. No music, no cooking on Sunday, if you will pardon me its a wonder they procreate, but who knows what goes on behind closed doors. Their kids are protected from us heathens and not allowed to go to discos, smoke, must obey their father and all this tosh. Oh, and they drink like efffing fish and no wonder. The are mean and clicky and gather in their bare churches to suffer long and frightening preachers and even the singing is like the wail of the dying. Ever met one?

Answer 4

I was born a Christian
and because of that' I go on a defencive etc'
like someone who puts down your family,
and in saying that' I am not the normal run of the mill Christian, I smoke and drink just like any other man
I question the church and still do
We have made a lot of mistakes' and will continue to do so
like all big organisations
But you must realise that' it is man who makes the errors
not God
It is a relief for me, and others to go to church' to intermingle
and socialise who have lost their loved ones,
especially me' for errors committed when she was alive
and ask for forgiveness' Please don't take that from us

Answer 5

Christianity is a relationship with Christ and His Bride the Church.

Answer 6

Christ salvation is a choice there are no traps ropes, chains, or guns you can walk away any time you want. religion is what you chose to do for your fellow man, that's all religion means.

God Bless.

Answer 7

At best, and I mean at best, church is simply a place where you can meet and serve other people like you and enjoy a different form of group worship. But other than making friends and corporate worship, the rest for me has been nothing more than a headache and an inconvenience.

Answer 8

Because most humans herd animals. They feel compelled to organize things so they can "belong" to the organizations. We join clubs, teams, and committees for the same reason. Very few people are comfortable being individuals.

The Bible says we should come together to worship. That is good because we can support one another, however, many people get trapped in the idea that the church is the center of their spiritual life and not God.

Answer 9

Christianity is first of all a relationship, but it is also a fellowship of those who believe. The Bible said, "forsake NOT the assembling together of yourselves." There aren't supposed to be any "Lone Ranger" Christians. The Bible talks about how the "devil is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour". God knows we don't have it all-together by ourselves. He gives each one gifts that we are to share for the good of the group, not just for ourselves. I need your insights and abilities, you need mine - its reciprocal. In Ecclesiastes 4 there are some verses that say, 'two are better than one because they can accomplish more together, two can stay warm while one would just be cold, it will be bad for someone who falls if there is no one to lift him up.Christianity is the kingdom of God - a corporate union of believers. The New Testament calls Christians the Body of Christ, you can't have a healthy body of only one part. It also calls us a building of "living stones" and says Jesus is our cornerstone-foundation.

So, we are supposed to be "The" church. God meant for us all to worship in unity as one group. BUT, there are things that work against us doing it that way. (1)One problem is sin can get in peoples' way. Paul and Barnabus, got into a conflict over a guy named John Mark and ended up going on two separate missions(they worked it out eventually) Paul got onto some Jewish believers for telling others they must follow the law as well as believe in Jesus. Even from the beginning of Christianity there were misunderstandings/ problems. (2) Another problem that works against having one church only is people understand things differently. To follow their own convictions they separate into different church groups. For hundreds of years the body of Christ was represented by the Roman Catholic church. In the middle ages, Martin Luther, a priest pulled away from the church over the belief that a man is saved by faith alone; the Catholic church believed there are things a man must do/ buy to be right with God and that a man needs a priest as an intercessor between man and God.(this issue takes a very long explanation which I can't go into here, so I'm just being brief). Others believed like he did and the Lutheran church came into being as a result. Since that time there have been offshoot groups that came as people followed their convictions/understandings of the Bible - to the best of their knowledge.(there are also counterfeits of Christianity, another extensive subject I can't get into today)

Now, the Trappings!!! That is a real can of worms. People have different ideas how one should worship corporately. Some churches have more ritual and "trappings" than others do. We have freedom to worship Christ as we see fit. Many have different ideas of how to do that, so for freedom/peace sake we all just do it differently.

As believers in Jesus Christ there are some absolutes and some things that are up for interpretation. Some things are major issues, some are minor.

For me personally, I believe Jesus is the Son of God, who was born of a woman/Holy Spirit union. He came in the flesh, was crucified for our sins, died, was buried and then was resurrected on the third day. He ascended back to heaven and will come and take the church up to heaven with Him, make a new Kingdom here on earth. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus and is in every believer in Jesus, to lead, teach, comfort and counsel us. These are bedrock, foundational for me. I prefer to keep it simple in my worship. I attend a protestant church, but identify myself as a Christian/Believer when asked rather than by the name of the kind of church I attend. I try to live at peace with all Christians, and be respectful of all people even if I disagree with their beliefs. Hope this helps! :) You realise there are whole libraries devoted to this question....I'm sure my answer has gaps/limitations to it, but I tried! :)

Answer 10

God expects His people to support the works of the ministry. An example of religion is trying to work to earn your salvation. In a relationship salvation is already established, but you seek to please God by obeying His instructions by faith. those instructions need to be taught and monitored to make sure the faith is shared accurately according to the bible. Worship of God led by experienced people is necessary also. Compassionate services need to be rendered. All these things and more need to be directed by the Holy Spirit not manmade traditions.(religion)