Do you think one has to go to church in order to be considered religious?
812885
I received a blessing once that explained it like this. \nEven like a  coal from a fire burns brightly. If left alone for long it's flame soon ebbs and dies. But returned to the heat of the fire, it is rekindled and it's flame burns brightly, being fed by the flame of those around it! \n We are energized by the testimonies of others.  Our testimonies grow and are strengthened by the testimonies of others.Yes we may be considered religious without going to church. But our faith and testimonies will be much stronger if we go and and let our vessels be refilled by those around us!!
1185710
Good question. I agree with cantcu on what I call "Sunday Christians". Some are this way, but not most of the ones I've seen. My honest opinion is that your personal relationship with God is just that, personal. If you chose to not participate in organized worship, but worship on your own, that does not make you less of a Christian. I attend church 3 or 4 times a year, not on holidays, not because I don't like church, but because I prefer to worship in my own way. I feel that God will judge you by your deeds and actions, not whether your church attendance card is full.\n\nIf you lose your way, however, a good church will help you get back on track. I do recommend you go once in a while, though. If you don't like the way a certain church is, try another. Eventually you will find one that is a good fit for you.\n\nI believe that when God said "come to my house", he meant in a spiritual sense, not a literal one.
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.
556453
i think that people only have a religion because the feel the chaos and random-ness of the world and it scares them.  If you think there is someone who is in control and knows what is going on you feel like they will step in and make sure that u aren't going to get into anything really bad.  i don't belive in god and don't have a religion but if u can make yourself belive in it, i;m all for it.  at your church or temple you have a really great family that will be there for you no matter what and that is nice to have.  also religion gives us a sense of belonging and importance tha we all strive for.  Just as long as you don't use religion to alianate people, it is a good thing.
414856
Only if you think worshipping God is hard work. Compared to my job, attending Church is a reward, not a requirement.
277712
Just because someone is spiritual does not make them religious. I think that you should rephrase your question. There is a diffrence in being a Christian and religion. Religion is man made, everyone thinking that their way is the only way, and Christiaity is believing that Christ is your savior so you do as He asked and worship Him. But just because I do this does not make me a fanatic, but it's cool if you believe that because I love God I'm a fanatic.
60853
Yeap, Church is the place to go, I'm not even that religious but it is the truth.
883810
Sounds like you are a kid still living at home?\nIf so.. you have no choices until you are emotionally maturely financially able to take care of yourself with your own place\nPeople will mock unusual or out of the norm religions ( Wicca I presume?)\n\nIf you are living on your own.. \nnot to sure how you are forced to go to parents house, and are hog tied to get you into church
187165
I believe that only applies to Catholic religion and possibly a few other religions such as the church of england but not to sure on that, it is a religious tradition and does not apply to all christians or christian doctrine, being religious and being christian, two different things....
668264
You are correct, one can be religious, or one can walk in the spirit.  Religion is carnal indulgence.
682063
ok...I go to a christian church called Rock Harbor and we all just went over this question...and every pastor in this church said that they believe that the only important thing is that you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins. and everything else you do has to come from the good of your heart....god knows your feelings and if you are doing something that you know is wrong then THAT is what may be called a sin. You can be religious on your own term because its YOUR relationship with god. You dont HAVE to go to church....you dont HAVE to dress up all nice, you dont HAVE to do what the priest make you do as a practice...as long as god knows your heart is true to him and good.
1061317
Yes... I believe so. I am technically "christian"... but i am open to a lot of beliefs from other religions as well. I definitely take certain beliefs and values from other religions as well as christianity. I don't think I could say that I "worship" Jesus either. I worship GOD. Whichever god that may be. I choose to have a personal spiritual relationship with god and live my life the way I should.
693021
absolutely he can and he does. I think sometimes He can exist better without religion. Some people get so wrapped up in religion that they forget God. They get wrapped up in memorized prayers and chants that they forget to just talk to God. They get tied up with their rituals that they are too busy for worshipping Christ. The best church (without regard to religion) is the church that does not allow you to lose focus- usually a smaller church. Thanks for your question.
155081
No I do not believe religion is the only way to become a good person but I do believe good deeds are counted, but not on a religious level. I am not religious but consider myself a good person. I donate to charity, treat others with respect, am faithful to my husband, and raise my daughters the best I know how. If there is a heaven I believe just by being a good person I will end up there, if reincarnation is what I have to look forward to than I believe I will be reancarnated into another human being rather than a lesser species and if there is nothing after death than bring it on because so far I have lived a good life and intend to continue my good life...
317390
some would say so\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_experience
487631
Yes, though you 'adopt' a culture.\n\nA religion is both a faith (what you believe) and a culture (what you do).  When people convert to a religion, they generally also adopt the culture associated with it.\n\nCulture is pretty hard to adopt just by will.  There are so many subtleties and one's native culture is so deeply ingrained that it takes years to immerse oneself fully.  I've been living abroad for three years, and I'm still culturally American, and not for lack of trying.
273022
I was baptized Catholic as a baby and raised that way throughout my early childhood. After a while my family stopped going to church, and I went on a period of self-exploration. I studied different religious ideas, beliefs, doctrines, etc. and pieced together what made logical, rational, reasonable sense in my opinion. From that I formed my own personal path. I followed it, and preferred not being a part of organized religion because creating my own path meant that my faith could grow and change as I grew and changed (and learned more) instead of remaining fixed and never evolving into something better.\n\nThen a friend of mine introduced me to Wicca. It takes a lot of work and study (I am still), but it allows solitary paths. Its lack of dogma also allows for your faith to grow and change. The more I learned about it, the more it coincided with the beliefs I'd already put together through my soul-searching. Since then I have considered myself a solitary Wiccan.\n\nI think this is the proper way to go about finding religion. Everyone's always saying things like, "I've found religion," or (specifically), "I've found Jesus," but more often than not, IT finds THEM. They believe it because they were raised to believe it, and/or people told them to. They didn't find it for themselves, or even bothered to figure it out. I formed a religion to fit me, rather than conforming myself to fit a religion.