live4christp1 said:
When someone says to me "I don't go to church because there are to many hypocrites there" IMO that is an excuse and I don't think it is harsh. When DH and I didn't go to church many years ago, an old Sunday school teacher asked us to come and MY EXCUSE was Sunday was my only day off, only day to sleep in, etc. It was an excuse, nothing more, nothing less. I don't see anything harsh about calling it that.
As people, we come into contact with hyprocrites every single day, in every area and aspect of our life......to avoid one particular area with the reason being "hypocrites" is an excuse, if that were the true reason then we would avoid most of or daily activities in life.
I had an excuse back then, while the real reason was that I knew if I went, I would have to face the fact with some of the things I was doing in my life that weren't right (and I knew they weren't right) and I wasn't ready to do that, so I had an excuse.
You may very well be right, but I honestly think the "hypocrisy" answer is the tip of the iceburg, that there is a much deeper and very personal reason why they choose not to go. That initial reason may be knee jerk to avoid any invasive questions or indepth conversation. Like a Christian's relationship with God, any person's choice in manner of worship, or not for that matter, is a very private one.
Some simply choose not to go because it's simply not for them. There is no hidden meaning, no deeper rationale. They don't want to, 'nuff said.
Others, however, have been hurt by the church, whether by a minister or priest, by members of the congregation, or by the policies themselves. That hurt and pain translates to anger.
And yet others, whether hurt by the church, confused by the hypocrisy, or out of fear of not belonging, do indeed want to go, very badly sometimes, but given their past experiences, they choose not to attend for the moment. But one day, when they are comfortable, they will come back. And during this time of indecision, they do pray and do have their relationship with God. It's not for anyone else to judge or decide what is right for them. It's only up to them what they choose to do.
But whatever the case may be, whatever excuse or rationale, whatever anyone decides is best in terms of what faith one practices or how frequent one attends services, there's no need to judge another or make decisions on another by using one's own belief system as the barometer. That's just not right and very un-Christian like.
Thankfully, most of you understand and recognize this. That's why I personally like to lurk on this thread and occasionally stick my head in to say hello.
It's okay, sometimes I just pop in and start posting and don't realize how it reads if your looking at all the posts as a whole. I'm sure I have misread or misunderstand things just as many times as someone might see my posts different than I intended it to be.
