why does the church encouarge us to live chastely?
462313
The irresponsible use of sex is one of the greatest sources of suffering of all generations; I think, second only to violence itself. Chastity would save so much trouble if only we stuck to it.\n\nIf you look at the bok of Proverbs, for example, much of it is devoted to teaching a young person how to avoid trouble and have a relatively better life. Some of these lessons are taken from hard experience by older persons. One of the reasons that the Church was formed was to help us live better, safer, happier lives. \n\nWhen Jesus said, \n"All authority  in heaven and on Earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples out of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and--" get this part, now--  "teaching them to obey ALL that I have commanded you,"\n\nHe wasn't trying to throw His weight around. He was giving us a plan that would achieve His goals and keep us out of trouble. Chastity is part of that, along with honesty, faith, hope and charity, love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. They have to come from within. \n\nThe best we can do is to legislate against the lack of such things. That way, if anybody protests "You can't legislate against such things!" intending to get everybody else doing them and then go do their own thing, thinking of themselves as the one-eyed man in the country of the blind, they won't fool anybody.\n\nSuch things are, in a sense, higher than any law can be. They don't need any law to recognize them to be worthwhile, or to lend them validity in order to be valid.\n\nThat's why the Church doesn't have to force us. They can't. But they can encourage us. That is their responsibility.
534201
jesus christ is another fiction fousted on us at a young age to frighten us into conforming to society. without him we could enjoy ourselves and develop naturally. its funny that mankind needs to have higher powers, whatever they call themselves. its just a way of keeping us good little children. why do churches of all religeions have magnificent buildings covered in riches and glory? and we have sod all?
394230
They are control freaks and their view-points come straight from the Puritanical Movement in America. If you remember how the Church was like the first Communism during the Middle Ages, it makes sense. If you feel free to do anything you want, you might not need them to help 'guide' you. This looses them money, power, and influence in your life. Its not enough for them to be decent, honest people. They feel the need to force you to be that way too, 'for your own good'. How patronizing! Let them know that you are an adult and make your own choices fully aware of the consequences and that you dont need their 'help'.
1081412
do you mean  living as a priest or minister to serve and help my fellows in a religious way.  the answer is no
815069
Because you have not allowed the saintly worshipping of jesus christ swallow your entire life. Allow prayer take over your life and you will be fulfilled with heveanly wisdom. May the power of christ compell you!
520652
Because you're human. We all feel that way sometimes. But, if you're a Christian you have His promise. He said He would never leave us or forsake. Walk by faith in His promise not by your feelings which are unreliable.
145660
You cannot love and worship the Lord and not go to church. God created the church to carry out His mission. Also the church is God's family in a small unit. There is no way a Christian can function properly apart from the church. Jesus is the head of the church. We are expected to be apart of it.\n\nChristianity is about relationships. Your relationship with God, your relationships with your brother and sisters in Chirst, and the outside world. We are referred to as His children. We belong to one another and are expected to serve one another. \n\nIf you are not part of a church you are not functioning the way God designed you to function. You have a spiritual gift that is to be used to minister to your brothers and sisters.\n\nHebrews 10:24-25 (NASB)\n\nAnd let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.\n \nYou have a responsibility to help your brothers and sisters grown in Christ. \n\nEphesians 4:11-16 (NASB)\n\nAnd He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for  the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which  belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no  longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. \n\nGod has given you a gift to be used to help your brothers and sisters grow. You need to around them so you can minister to them. There are no lone ranger Christians you are called to be apart of the body. You are called to be apart of a church.
1175817
because some people think that all they have to do is go to church to be saved.
657779
Where SIN abounds, GRACE abounds even more.\n\nThough we have the potetial for evil doing, within us; through JESUS' death on the cross, we now have HOPE of\na better life.
151787
to allow the flesh to rule in our lives, giving into lust,greed, jealousy, hatred etc, we are held in bondage to sin. when we have overcome these fleshly emotions and actions, we are free, from guilt of sin, we are at peace, we can learn to love without expectations and demands.\nI hope this is what you were looking for.
502694
The Bible tells us that we need to attend church so we can worship God with other believers and be taught His Word for our spiritual growth (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25). Church is the place where believers can love one another (1 John 4:12), encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13), “spur” one another (Hebrews 10:24), serve one another (Galatians 5:13), instruct one another (Romans 15:14), honor one another (Romans 12:10), and be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32).\n\nWhen a person trusts Jesus Christ for salvation, he or she is made a member of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). For a church body to function properly, all of its "body parts" need to be present (1 Corinthians 12:14-20). Likewise, a believer will never reach full spiritual maturity without the assistance and encouragement of other believers (1 Corinthians 12:21-26). For these reasons, church attendance, participation, and fellowship should be regular aspects of a believer's life. Weekly church attendance is not required for believers, but someone who has trusted Christ should have a desire to worship God, be taught His Word, and fellowship with other believers.
585822
The Church is the Body of Christ.\nIt's not a building made of stone & glass.\nYou are BORN into it.\nYou cannot join it by siging a membership book.\nBut the Word of God tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.\nIt also says we must be in subjection one to another.\nYou cannot make it on your own.\n\nEPHESIANS 4:11-16\n   11    And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; \n   12    For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: \n   13    Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: \n   14    That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; \n   15    But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: \n   16    From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
665149
just staying true. staying close to God and in His will, all this stuff about going to church EVERY week AND midweek service and never thinking bad thoughts and all that...well its good but not imperative. whats important is your walk. if your in His will your in a good place. (= good luck!
538978
great question.\n\nwe should stop talking about all the theoretical and theological aspects of our faith, and start DOing something about it!\n\ni wish i had a real answer for you other than that.\nas for as i can see it we can each only do our part: that means loving our neighbors, spreading the notion of peace, preaching a spirituality of love and acceptance, etc.\n\nif you agree at all then you should read the book: "buried alive - a discussion on overcoming the seven lifeless sins".\nit's the best book i've ever read.  and it's relevant to nearly every aspect of life!
546888
Because if we could do it from heaven the church on Earth would have no power, no wealth and no say... And we CAN'T have that, can we?!\n\nOrganised religion is the biggest fraud on the face of the planet. Believe in god and Jesus or even Leprechauns if you must, but don't expect me to put a penny into lavish churches or feeding priests, bishops, cardinals or whoever.\n\nBy forcing people to 'behave' on Earth, organised religion makes slaves.\n\nI am no slave and religion can go f*** itself if it thinks that I am going to swallow their cr4p just to keep the unemployable in jobs.
489331
People get caught up in carnal pleasures, and approval from the world.  It's easy to seek earthly things, they are here and now. Just like Adam and Eve had the whole of Eden to live in and walk in the cool of the day with the Lord, but choose instead the lie of Satan, we are still being deceived. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit can we overcome the "old man". \nOf course God's approval in most important. His Word should be our life map. be blessed
458034
i am catholic but i believe most of what you said especially the end part. people trust catholicism for the same reason they trust any other religion (i don't know why i follow the religion i am just guided) people use religion because they have weak minds and hearts. there is nothing wrong with this but religion gives them somethin to hold onto. someone in history i believe it was Marx or Stalin said the church was the "opiate of the masses"