Church? A pointless activity EVEN for religious people?!?
612800
True. You have a lot more common sense than most "Christians."  I do acknowledge God and sure enough, there are a lot of preachers who teach that their sanctuary is a holy place.  Rubbish!\n\nI am the church.  God lives in me, not in some building.  The body of Christ is composed of people, not religious institutions or pointy-topped architechture.\n\nCongratulations on your insight.  If I relied upon the information that preachers provided, I'd probably be an atheist too.  For example:\n\nHow is a person saved?  Can you be un-saved?  What would cause you to lose your salvation?  If you were to lose your salvation, could you ever be saved again?  Do you have any choice concerning your salvation (i.e., did God choose to love and save some and choose to hate and damn others?) If you are saved, will you speak in tongues?  \n\nPreachers teach pro and con on every aspect of religion listed above.  This is just the basic concept of Christianity and they cannot figure out numero uno - salvation.\n\nThe worst place for anyone to be is in a "church."  If you have any hope of redemption, it resides within your own willingness to seek out, learn and discover truth, apart from all of the religious false teachers.\n\nAbraham's belief was counted unto him as righteousness.\n\nYours is too.\n\nJohnny
72263
Well, I am a southern baptist. I know that there are many different thoughts on this subject. Let me tell you what I believe. I believe that if you go to church and think of it as a chore then you may not be getting the benefits of attending services. The whole purpose of worship service is to fellowship with other believers. If you go there with an open mind and open heart then you should find a connection with God. It is a good way to help you feel lifted up and know that you are not alone in your beliefs. Sometimes it may seem like a chore, but I can speak from my experience that when you don't go for a period of time you may find yourself wavering in your belief. To me it is a help and a blessing when I attend.
891287
Again, good point. Religion is the great distraction...
1147109
Intellectual surrender. Good phrase! I (as you may gather) am a member of the second group. I feel that some people cling to the Word or God and the word of God only idea because they are lazy. If everything I need to know is already written down and needs no interpretations then I don't have to think for myself. It gives them an out and makes the spiritual life a no brainer with no work required.\nIt's just "here are the rules, go live by the rules" They have no need to pray or listen to God speak to them. They never have to wonder about anything. They never have to do any of the work of being human. Like cattle. Just follow the rules and then die. Easy instructions.\nThis is why I belong to a church that values education and thought.
130601
I do not currently attend church on a regular basis although I have in the past.I do agree that you can worship and praise God anywhere and anytime and that for some people they may be able to survive spiritually in that way. But as for me personally I really need the refreshing experience of group worship and praise and some good old fashioned christain socialization to stay spiritually uplifted.
142895
Are you crazy?  Only 10% of Catholic even go to church each Sunday.  Are you asking why are they not preaching on street corners, or knocking on doors.  I accept there would be value to that.  \n\nThere are some small groups, Legion of Mary for example that visit homes and encourage prayer and practice.  St Vincent de Paul Society carry out welfare work in the name of the Church as well as praying together.  Orders of Nuns have set up Hospitals.  Many orders (nuns and brothers) set up schools.  Chaplains and lay-people are appointed to help Seaman at ports, the blind, defence forces personal, Scripture lesson at state schools- buy the thousands, the elderly, the deaf, the house bound, prisoners; there are priest scientists, church sponsored counsellors, marriage guidance, pregnancy help, I'll stop...  it surprises me just how many Church Ministries are carried out without making a big fuss.
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.
668963
i REALLY don't see the problem. people should not just blindly follow a faith but actively question it, otherwise aren't they just sheep??\nThey should neither encourage nor discourage just let people make up their own minds. if the churchgoers are that commited to their religion they are hardly gonna leave it over a movie are they??!!
207640
What do you mean "the church?"  Even if we assume you mean christianity, every denomination is doing things differently.  There's nothing they're all doing well or badly in.
918699
Non-practising Roman Catholic
625171
Bible study instead of Bible preaching, talking about current events,  dances/social gatherings for like-minded young adults, community service.\n\nMost kids probably have a misconception about church activities being all about preaching and Bible thumping.  If presented in a new light, bible study and being a "do-gooder" can be less "uncool" and will attract more young people.
527806
I think people need to PUT DOWN THE RELIGIOUS LITERATURE, AND SLOWLY BACK AWAY! lol.
841440
Church !!! sounds weird, but I made soooooo many "good" friends who are understanding and genuine. You have to get plugged into those "Life Group or Small Group" meetings, and they have like weekly meetings to hang out, talk, go places, eat at somewhere nice, etc. Try it... you'll love it... i promise =)
168349
YES....  I think church is just a big party for god, and that is ok!  I do not attend church, and I believe.  It's just ya have to goto church or your a  bad type person.  I never will understand that.  I always hear, if you don't attend church then your not doing anything good, you don't believe,  and I say ya know I have enough bills to pay without donations to the church!  That collection thing gets to me?  Why?  Everyone is in a daze?  TAKE MONEY!!!!!
232217
I beleive people are trying to find some sort of excuse for everything they do in life, and it is always easy to find some excuse or to blame somebody else. For me, it is really annoying when people put religion in everything they do, regardless of the religion.
1006472
Technically, we are asking the saints to intercede with God on our behalf, not praying to them. You are correct, though, most people don't get it and that is a problem. Most people go to church out of habit and just do things without thinking about them--not a good practice at all! There is a fine line between worshiping Saints and asking for intercession!
921115
I don't go to church, though I am a Christian.  I am a republican, but left my church because it preached the republican agenda from the pulpit.  Politics has no place in the church