I was asked to leave a church service because I was drinking beer and eating hot dogs. Whats the big deal?
406478
Oh,  you must go to that church in Houston (Lakewood, I think they call it). Do they sell peanuts in the stands, too??
418952
if you mean, once or twice a month, i say nothing wrong with that, smoking, don't think so, mainly because it is more addictive and life threatening than alcohol.  if not done in abundancy then things should be fine when talking about drinking.  as far as working in a pub, yeah, go ahead!  nothing wrong with a job, it is a honest job.  and in the bible Jesus too walked among the sinners.  i'm a Christian and my minister has a saying it is ok to be "of the world but not in it"  you can be around those doing wrong as long as you don't join in. and yes Jesus drank wine, but there was no alcohol then, it was a simple mixture of grapes, and berries. but smoking, ehh, i would try not to do that one.  i mean if your body is suppose to be a temple for God, then, who wants a smoked up chimney?  hope that helps.  take care and many blessings.
176309
The most embarrassing thing for me was when I was younger and visiting a church in the area.  It was a strange non-denomiational church that had some really odd beliefs.  I used to smoke back in those days and the pastor was telling his congregation that people should not be afraid to do what they want.  If you feel like jumping up and dancing in church then do it.  Church should be about freedom.  \n\nSo I lit a cigarette and started smoking.  He stopped and told me that there was no smoking in church.  I told him I was just following his lead.  He said that was no what he meant.  I apologized for interrupting his freedom speech and left.  \n\nIt was embarrassing to me now but it was funny then.
197570
This was a Sunday, and in some respects this was the first "church service." After realizing who he was when repeating the very last meal Christ ate, they saw immediately who he was and the significance of what had happened.\n\nHaving accomplished this, Jesus left them.
770840
Wow, that is amazing that you ask such a question, because I am a member of a COG church and our pastor was asked to resign.  Not just for simple petty reasons, like he stepped on toes, or he didn't preach the right sermons.  He was more into adultery, abusing his wife, and neglecting his children.  Basically, not living or attempting to lead a christian life.\n\nI knew this was going on but chose to step back and let others handle it and that is exactly what happened.  Eventually, the state overseer came down investigated and out of guilt the pastor fessed up.\n\nIf you do decide to contact your state office, do this for the right reasons, not for personal gratification.
400011
As a Pastor I have experienced the same thing and even thought that perhaps God was just cleaning house for some new arrivals. In all honesty after I got my pride and bull headiness out of the way I realized that I had made mistakes in the way I treated people. I was to busy judging them instead of sharing God's Word with them and letting the Holy Spirit do HIS JOB. I naturally don't know if this is the problem at your church or not, however I would suggest some deep soul searching and prayer to find out what GOD wants for your church.  May God Bless.
865111
That ranks right up there with mine.  I was in a wedding a few years back and nothing to eat + drinking waaaaay too much = not a pretty picture.  First of all remember this is a wedding and I'm in this beautiful red dress and there is a videographer taping everything.  So, after downing a few beers, and 8 or 9 jack and cokes, and then being stingy with not 1, but 2 bottles of champagne I decide to dance and hop around like the friggin easter bunny, after getting tired I suppose,  I head down into the ladies room to get some cold water and I end up laying on the floor (yeah, yuck) with an audience watching as someone is trying to make me drink some coffee and eat some bread.  Now, I must tell you this part so I can tell you the next part, this wedding was a friend and co-worker so keep in mind that ALOT of co-workers were there as well.  After having a few sips of water my boss....yes you heard right, my boss picks me up off the floor of the ladies room and takes me outside, so there I sat like a lawn ornament for a little while, I believe I had my picture taken with anyone who was out there at the time.  So on to how I get home....my boss puts me into the back of his pickup truck and sits with me while his wife drives me home.  As we pull into the driveway and the tailgate comes down....right there in front of everyone who followed me home to make sure I was ok it happened.   I puked on my boss and his brand new suit....not once, no, not twice, no, but three (3) times.   The story does not end there, my boss, his wife and the maintenance guy from where I work were all at my house and to this day I have no idea how I got out of the now ruined red dress and into my pajamas.  Oh I also woke up on the front porch of my house with my head in my nephew's car seat.  The great thing about all of this is....I still have my job.   Hope you enjoyed the story ;)
864921
You are right , no church is perfect - sometimes you are going to be offended and sometimes you are going to be the offendee-  we all make mistakes and we are all in need of the grace and mercy of God.  We sometimes have to offer that grace and mercy to others.  Regarding leaving the church, you did not give details of the problem so here is what I would say about that.\nYou have to discern a couple of things here-  is the offense over personality issues and clashes or is it over sinfulness according to God's word?  If it is over personality issues, that needs to be talked out, worked out so that you can walk in unity-  we all have different personalities and sometimes we can grate on each others nerves and unintentionally offend others by our words and actions- iron sharpens iron and we learn patience, forgiveness and grace through this.  We need to be willing to humble ourselves and apologize when we have offended and talk to the offender when we have been offended- often the other person did not even realize they did something hurtful and it should be worked out before it causes bigger rifts in the church.\n\nNow if there is an issue of flat out sin, then we have to approach it biblically-  without gossip or slander, we need to bring one other witness or go to the leadership of the church and confront the person-  if the person is leadership, there should be a body of authority that they are accountable to,  the problem needs to be addressed.  If the person is willing to seek counsel and is repentent, then forgiveness is given and encouragement in their walk towards healing.  If they are not repentent then it is up to leadership on how to deal with this person-  if there is a coverup by leadership or action that is unbiblical is taken, then it might be wise to find a new body of believers to worship with.\nYou should not be quick to up and leave the church-  there are going to be difficult things and it is for your strengthening and training in righteousness- you cannot grow if you are church hopping and always looking to be comfortable - we are called to deal with and not run from our personal issues , we must learn to have right relationship with our brother if we are ver to have right relationship with Christ - BUT if you are being taught and led in ways that are unbiblical then you should not remain in that body, if leadership is walking in sin and continually being allowed to walk in sin, I would seriously pray and seek discernment over whether or not you should stay and confront the issue or move on.\n\nIn whatever oyu do, seek wisdom in prayer from the Lord, He gives wisdom to all that ask-  fervently pray over your decision and for the leadership of your church- you will have a peace about the direction you should take.
918594
I've never walked out on a service but I did "leave" the Catholic church at age 17.  I realized that gods don't exist.  I couldn't remain a Catholic when I knew it was based on delusion.
55957
Most churches I've neen to have a social gathering after mass. For example...my church offers free coffee and donouts afterwards. The other cathloic church has a pancake breakfast afeter each mass
32788
Certainly it is ok for a Christian to go - as you said, no drinking, drugs, sex --- we are to live in the world - just not be of it. I think this can be risky because you could be put under a lot of peer pressure to "just have one drink" or things like that - so I think this largely depends on your maturity level as a Christian...how is your walk?  I had a pastor at a church I used to go to who would regularily go to local bars, with another Christian, and use the time to witness to others.  Even if you are going with just friends, you can be a witness by how you have "fun".  Good Luck & God Bless!
607089
O.k..\nLast week my sister got married and I was her bridesmaid...\nI dont know whether it was the cappucino or not but I Pooted during the blessing prayer!!..lol\nNo... Im not going to lie I farted and it was sooo loud because it was quiet then... the smell started to spread and the preacher was making twisted faces and stuff... and my BIL was laughing my sister was too...\nand someone was taping it for my mom so the next day she was showing it to people who didnt get to see it and they were laughin because the fart was audible... I was soo embaressed... the thought still makes me cringe n wanna cry...
1019071
The bible was written by man and has been interpreted and twisted many times over.  Nobody really knows what the original books looked like.  Some of these things were surely taken out of context.  You can take anything and twist it into something it isn't.  Also lets face it times change.  Many believe the part of the bible (forgive me I cant give you an exact place) that tells you not to eat certain things such as animals with a split hoof (pork) were written for the protection of the people at the time.  Can you imagine what food poisoning rates must have been like before the fridge and stove?  Not to mention the safety practices of the FDA keeping our meat safe for us.  So the church asked us not to eat unsafe things.  Food poisoning still happens but I don't believe that I am going to hell for eating the pork chops in my freezer.  (of course some religions hold this belief very dear...please excuse me no offense intended) With religion you must have faith in what you believe.  God also gave us the wisdom to choose what we believe.  Are you asking us to tell you what to believe?  It sounds like you are having issues with your faith and are unsure where to place your belief.  I suggest you seek counseling within the church.  They can answer these questions for you.
688183
That's totally unfair!  If you had drank the beer instead, then he would have had you on a drink & drive charge.  What else were you suppose to have done with your beer?
140522
orrnancy and WT&WJ have it right.  Religion can be detrimental to a person.  In "religion" one can get so caught up in trying to "do all the right things" and such that they get burned out.  Religion was not what we were intended to have.  We were intended to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, not to think that we have to serve people all the time.\n\nDon't get me wrong - serving is a great thing, but if that's all you focus on, then you're going to be hurt one of these days.  It's the same with anything else that you feel you are required to do to get into heaven.  All that's required of you is to accept Jesus as your Savior, and the rest of the things in "relgion" are simply perks that you can do to show the rest of the world how much they need Jesus.
967028
There's a passage of Scripture that speaks of how "A LITTLE wine is good for the infirmities of the stomach", and the Bible speaks openly of it's SYMBOLISM involving purity. Therefore, I would say, don't drink it in excess, for being drunk displeases God and damages the Temple (us) in which He wants to dwell.
1155684
That is your decision. I'm sorry to hear you felt brainwashed at your church - I've been to some of those. I'm Catholic, and for a time I wandered to other churches, 'bible-believing' churches with charismatic ministers who, after a service, would order me to leave "the romish lies" or some bigoted thoughts like that. I like Catholic Mass, there's the connection to Christ, there's the connection to the community, there's the worship and the Word. \n\nGo wherever you are fed. If you find yourself hungry, come to the table.