Believe in God, but not the church?

[hokiefan33]

Some of the reasons people give for going TO church could be called "excuses" as well.

But of course, in THAT case, doing so would be rude.

I agree (which may be one of the first times ever I've agreed with Cardaway ), some reasons for GOING could also be called excuses, I don't doubt that for a second.

I don't think calling those "excuses" would be rude at all, it would be just as truthful as calling the reasons people DON'T go "excuses."

 

[jimmiej]

Interesting that you only think that by going to Church you can be more than one.

I didn't say that, you did. I said the Bible says it's important that we are part of a "group" of fellow believers.

Seems to be more people not attending church then going to church and they are helping each other. But, I have seen many people going to church who receive no help from other church members because of the way they look or act. Clothes not nice enough, or they dare to question the churches preachings.

How many of you that don't go to church have a group of Christians that you study the Bible with, pray with, help & hold each other accountable? Do you do these things on your own? What do you do to grow spiritually?

The example you give above goes against Biblical teaching. A church like that will be held accountable by God. Read the first few chapters of The Revelation.

 

[cardaway]

Could you give an example of what some excuses FOR going to church would be?

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=954749&page=1&pp=15

And for the record, I would not call any reasons on this subject excuses, just making a point. I know my reasons for not going are not excuses, nor are the reasons my in-laws go to church excuses. We do what makes sense given what we believe.

People usually use the term excuse when they want judge somebody pretty harshly, and that sure does appear to be following suit here.

 

[hokiefan33]

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=954749&page=1&pp=15

And for the record, I would not call any reasons on this subject excuses, just making a point. I know my reasons for not going are not excuses, nor are the reasons my in-laws go to church excuses. We do what makes sense given what we believe.

People usually use the term excuse when they want judge somebody pretty harshly, and that sure does appear to be following suit here.

Cardaway - evasive as always.

 

[RickinNYC]

Yes, they are still "excuses", even to those who give them, b/c they are poor reasons to not come to church. Whether people specifically mentioned them in prior posts or not, you get her drift.

And despite your attitude(s), Cardaway, I'd still love to have you in my church!

How about me Hokie? Would you love to have Joe and I in your church, sitting next to you? Would you hold our hand in prayer? Would you give each of us a warm embrace of welcome and brotherhood? Would you allow us to sit next to you, listening quietly to the sermon, as Joe and I hold hands?

I already know your answer.

 

[jekajekalynn]

Can't we all just agree to disagree?

After all, the way I do things, and the way everyone else does things do NOT personally effect anyone here or their own relationship with God. You all can 'shame shame' us non churchy ppl all you want , but when it comes down to it , the way I do things has no bearing on your own relationship. So why debate it so much? Just a thought.

 

[twojo21]

we believe in god & have faith but we do not attend church. theres to much politics & hypocrisy in the church.

 

[RickinNYC]

I should answer the OP's question as well. I believe very much in God and Jesus. I don't, however, feel it's necessary to go to church to worship.

I'd still like to know whether Hokie would invite and welcome my partner and I to his church as his personal guests.

 

[hokiefan33]

How about me Hokie? Would you love to have Joe and I in your church, sitting next to you? Would you hold our hand in prayer? Would you give each of us a warm embrace of welcome and brotherhood? Would you allow us to sit next to you, listening quietly to the sermon, as Joe and I hold hands?

I already know your answer.

I would love to have you and Joe in my church, as would my pastor. However, we would also tell you plainly that the Bible does not condone certain activities and lifestyles (whatever they might be), and that if you happened to be engaged in any of those activities or lifestyles (whatever they might be), that it is sin and you should stop. And if it continued to be a problem, our church would follow the Biblical basis for church discipline, outlined in Matthew.

 

[RickinNYC]

I would love to have you and Joe in my church, as would my pastor. However, we would also tell you plainly that the Bible does not condone certain activities and lifestyles (whatever they might be), and that if you happened to be engaged in any of those activities or lifestyles (whatever they might be), that it is sin and you should stop. And if it continued to be a problem, our church would follow the Biblical basis for church discipline, outlined in Matthew.

So what's your answer?

If you follow along the lines of your thinking, you'd have one heck of an empty building with a cross slapped on top.

 

[hokiefan33]

we believe in god & have faith but we do not attend church. theres to much politics & hypocrisy in the church.

Sorry, I missed the verse in the Bible that said "do not forsake the gathering of believers, unless there's too much politics & hypocrisy, in which case it is then OK to not go at all." Could you show me where that is found, please?

 

[hokiefan33]

So what's your answer?

You just got it. Please come, but know that sinful actions that openly oppose Scripture can't be tolerated, and will be addressed, which is also our job according to 1 Corinthians 5.

By the way, have you reconciled the "judging" verse in Matthew with the "judging" verse in 1 Corinthians yet? Didn't think so...

 

[RickinNYC]

You just got it. Please come, but know that sinful actions that openly oppose Scripture can't be tolerated, and will be addressed, which is also our job according to 1 Corinthians 5.

By the way, have you reconciled the "judging" verse in Matthew with the "judging" verse in 1 Corinthians yet? Didn't think so...

And know that any sinning done in the privacy of my own home is none of you or your pastor's business. This is strictly between God and me, not ever you. But you don't seem to be able to undestand that.

As for "judging", I'm not going to waste my time. Time is too short to show others the value of your wisdom.

 

[L107ANGEL]

I would love to have you and Joe in my church, as would my pastor. However, we would also tell you plainly that the Bible does not condone certain activities and lifestyles (whatever they might be), and that if you happened to be engaged in any of those activities or lifestyles (whatever they might be), that it is sin and you should stop. And if it continued to be a problem, our church would follow the Biblical basis for church discipline, outlined in Matthew.

May I ask what the curch discipline would involve?

 

[RickinNYC]

Hokie, also forgot to add that as much as I begged for the invite, I know its disengenuous. Besides, I'd never want to be your "look everyone! I'm saving a..." You get the idea.

I'd like to think the powers that DIS be have put your nasty little phrase for gay men into the word censor but I don't want to risk any lashings to find out.

 

[jekajekalynn]

Thought I would interject some humor.

Well isn't that EXTRA special......

 

[hokiefan33]

And know that any sinning done in the privacy of my own home is none of you or your pastor's business. This is strictly between God and me, not ever you. But you don't seem to be able to undestand that.

As for "judging", I'm not going to waste my time. Time is too short to show others the value of your wisdom.

Oh that's right - I forgot that there's 2 standards for sin - 1 for private sin and 1 for public sin. Please. What's scary is you actually believe it.

 

[hokiefan33]

May I ask what the curch discipline would involve?

No - you're not allowed to ask.

 

[L107ANGEL]

No - you're not allowed to ask.

Really Is it a secret, I am very good about keeping secrets

 

[RickinNYC]

Oh that's right - I forgot that there's 2 standards for sin - 1 for private sin and 1 for public sin. Please. What's scary is you actually believe it.

Clearly you are fascinated by what I do behind closed doors. Hence your interest in making a private love life a public one.