Believe in God, but not the church?

[hokiefan33]

I don't understand why you take this snide and condensending tone.

Its easy to sit back and criticize a Christian when they fall short of your definition of what it means to be a Christian. They avoid criticisms themselves because they dont identify themselves with anything.

He takes this tone with a lot of people. Don't feel singled out.

I think you hit the nail on the head squarely with your other comment. I heard a good quote in a sermon at our church a few weeks ago. The preacher said "We are so used to subnormality in our churches, that anytime a Christian does something that would otherwise be considered normal according to the Bible, they are viewed as abnormal because nobody is used to seeing it!" I think that's absolutely true. A lot of times, when a Christian takes a hard stand that is completely backed up by Scripture, a lot of people who are unwilling to take a stand, or don't realize the Scripture behind the stand, criticize that person, but avoid controversy themselves by never stating their own beliefs or true opinions on anything, to avoid the confrontation. It's the chicken's way out.

 

[L107ANGEL]

Hey Hokie, Haven't seen you in a while! How are you doing Fella

I see you found a friend too. How cool


Oops edited to add that a new member found his/her way right to the Community Board. Must have been divine intervention or something

 

[hokiefan33]

Maybe I don't, but like most humans I'm doing the best I can.

Churches can be very demanding and very insular. Sometimes it feels like they want you to shut off all contact you have with anything outside of the Church.

There are many Charities and Activities that I feel are important -- that are not Church led. There are some Mission projects that our Church runs (one in particular) that I prefer not to participate in because I feel it is wrong.

If Church were simly about the Sunday scripture message, then I would have no problem with it. But when it comes down to the constant bickering between a certain group of ladies over who gets to stand up on the stage in front of the microphones and lead the singing every Sunday....

well it gives me a headache and there are weeks that I just need a break.

Again, you need to get down to what church is and what it isn't. And it will be what YOU make of it. If you don't like the bickering, ignore it. Not by skipping church, but by ignoring it while you're there. Nobody said you can't do activities outside the church - if your church says that, they're incorrect in their thinking. Of course, there are always activities that you shouldn't be doing, due to the nature of the activity, but just b/c it is outside church is not reason enough to forbid it, that's for sure.

It's not churches that are demanding, it is God who demands a life from us that glorifies Him. That often means sacrificing our own personal wants, desires, opinions, etc... and giving ourselves over to His will. Sometimes we need to relinquish what WE think, and listen to what God thinks!

There is bickering, back-biting, infighting, etc... in most every church. That won't change, b/c we're all human, we all sin (Christian or not), and we always will. But if you use that as your excuse to not be involved in church, you never will be. Be bold and break free from those excuses, and go to church and be the best Christian witness you can be for the Lord!

 

[cardaway]

Oops edited to add that a new member found his/her way right to the Community Board. Must have been divine intervention or something

Or something.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Hey 2funny2c, your writing style is kind of familiar.
Remind me, who were you before?

ford family

Or who he may still be. I love when people talk to themselves.

 

[L107ANGEL]

Or something.

Is it 5:00 yet?

 

[cardaway]

Or who he may still be. I love when people talk to themselves.

Ranks right up there with phantom sermons.

 

[ford family]

Or who he may still be. I love when people talk to themselves.

Good point.

ford family

 

[Tasha+Scott]

Yeah, Hokie's back with his infinite wisdom! Now my day is complete!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

There is bickering, back-biting, infighting, etc... in most every church. That won't change, b/c we're all human, we all sin (Christian or not), and we always will. But if you use that as your excuse to not be involved in church, you never will be. Be bold and break free from those excuses, and go to church and be the best Christian witness you can be for the Lord!

Sure Hokie, but let me tell you

Even Jesus himself found the need to occassionaly dump those Apostles and run off to the Garden to pray in solitude.

And I'm definately not a stronger person than he was.

 

[Buckalew11]

Sure Hokie, but let me tell you

Even Jesus himself found the need to occassionaly dump those Apostles and run off to the Garden to pray in solitude.

And I'm definately not a stronger person than he was.

He sure did. I was amazed when looking at just how often he went to the wilderness alone.

And yet, those beloved disciples, well, I must say I would have been (am) a lot like them. I am sure that I would have run Him off to the wilderness too.
(I'd love to place a smilie here but I wouldn't want it to come off wrong.)

 

[Wishing on a star]

I am not knocking church...
When my DH and I met, it was in a wonderful church, where the pastor seemed divinely led. He would, purely and simply, preach the Word of God. And the congregation would worship God. No pressures for commitments. No barrage of man-made church doctrine. It was AMAZING!!!!

I think that we do have a situation where churches like this are hard to find. DH and I have been married many years now. And, have kind of given up searching.

I think that it is interesting to note that the pro-churchers here are kind of assuming and blaming the non-churchers of being afraid of commitment to a church. And afraid of being 'accountable' to a church.

While this may sometimes be very true. I think in the case of most posters here. This is NOT true at all!

I would like to mention that my commitment is to Christ!!! Christ ONLY!!!
I am accountable to Christ!!! Christ ONLY!!!

I just wish that churches would acknowledge this.
Sadly, they do not.

There-in lies the whole problem.

If a Chuch requires 'commitment'. If a church requires a person to follow their 'dogma'. If a church requires 'accountability'. Then it almost becomes an abomination. Following man, and the institutions of man, instead of Christ.

Edited to add: This also goes ten-fold when it comes to the idea of people feeling 'judged' by the church, or by church-goers. I will be judged by the Lord. The Lord only.

 

[glass-slipper]

Yes to God, no to organized religion (church)

Me too!

 

[HOGFAN]

I love, love,love Sunday School but do not stay for Worship Service. Why?, I want to hear the word, not spend 30 minutes listening to announcements, singing(or listening to soloists sing) before the preacher finally gets his turn.

 

[dzneprincess]

That's pretty much my question..

Is there anyone here who believes in God and Jesus (obviously I'm working with Christian based beliefs here) but does not attend church, or does not 'believe' in the church?

A simple yes/no answer will suffice, but any details of why you do/do not are also appreciated!

Please, no fighting - I'm not saying either is right or wrong, but am just interested if all Christians who consider themselves 'practicing Christians' attend church.

TIA

Yes...my DH and I both feel this way. We have faith and believe in God, but I do not attend church nor do I want to. People in the church can be so hypocritical...it really bothers me.

 

[Buckalew11]

I am not knocking church...
When my DH and I met, it was in a wonderful church, where the pastor seemed divinely led. He would, purely and simply, preach the Word of God. And the congregation would worship God. No pressures for commitments. No barrage of man-made church doctrine. It was AMAZING!!!!

I think that we do have a situation where churches like this are hard to find. DH and I have been married many years now. And, have kind of given up searching.

I think that it is interesting to note that the pro-churchers here are kind of assuming and blaming the non-churchers of being afraid of commitment to a church. And afraid of being 'accountable' to a church.

While this may sometimes be very true. I think in the case of most posters here. This is NOT true at all!

I would like to mention that my commitment is to Christ!!! Christ ONLY!!!
I am accountable to Christ!!! Christ ONLY!!!

I just wish that churches would acknowledge this.
Sadly, they do not.

There-in lies the whole problem.

If a Chuch requires 'commitment'. If a church requires a person to follow their 'dogma'. If a church requires 'accountability'. Then it almost becomes an abomination. Following man, and the institutions of man, instead of Christ.

Edited to add: This also goes ten-fold when it comes to the idea of people feeling 'judged' by the church, or by church-goers. I will be judged by the Lord. The Lord only.

When I speak of commitments and accountability, I am certainly not saying that my church requires anything. It does not. I am only required to Love God and love others. I am required to Believe that Jesus was the Son of God, who died on the cross for my sins and rose again on the third day.

However, I do think there is commitment involved. Commitment to be in a class or lead a class. We are taught in the Bible to hold each other accountable. I'm not talking about walking around judging people or harshly making comments about them or their choices. No, not at all.

My commitment is to God. But through that commitment comes some commitment to others. I don't answer to them. I don't worship them. I don't think my preacher can do no wrong.

I am accountable to others, IMO, accountable to Christians and non-Christians alike. I should try very hard not to cause another to stumble. Therefore, I think that makes me accountable.

While I agree that only God will judge me, in the meantime many, many people (Christian or not, on this board or in RL) will also be judging me. That really won't/doesn't matter as God is the real Judge but still, there's a lot of judging in this world.

 

[panfan]

I just wanted to add my two cents....
ONe's belief in God has nothing to do with attending church AT ALL!!! ... Just my opinion though.....
God has been around long before organized religion of any kind .....I don't feel the need to share my belief , my journey, or my spiritual path with others. It is between God and me alone. The "community" aspects of attending Church are beneficial to some I know but I don't feel the need for it personally.
Again...just my opinons

 

[JPN4265]

I, nor anyone else on here, never said you're NOT a Christian if you don't go to church, just that SINCE you are a Christian that you SHOULD go to church. As to being shallow, I guess the Bible is also similarly shallow when it says "do not forsake the gathering together of believers." Of course, if God Himself told you you're OK, who is anyone else to say different, right?

Thank you so much for proving my point. This is the best example of why organized religion is so dangerous.

 

[kdibattista]

I have a question for those who believe in God but not the Church. I guess this is more for the "non practicing Catholics" because I am not familiar with other religious practices (although please chime in if this applies to you). Anyway, if you do not go to Church, do you (or your children) participate in the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation and were you wed in the Church?

The reason I ask is because that is something I struggled with for quite awhile myself.

 

[chyam]

I believe in God but I do not believe that one has to worship him in a man made building along with all the crap that goes with it. To many people I know who attend church on a regular basis are the biggest hypocrites I know (not all, but alot) God is worshipped in your heart and in your actions everyday, not just on a Sunday. Churches to me have become to money hungry. I also went to a catholic school as a youngster (many years ago) where the nuns were the meanest people on earth.........so I guess that is why I am so against the church! I spent WAY to many hours on my knees! Now I pray and believe when I have time and in my own way, and also try to live by some of the "golden rules" Do onto others...........