Attending Religious Services

[froggylover227]

Ok, so I grew up in pretty tight-knit Catholic family and community. I was a good little girl, went to Church every Sunday, said my prayers, I even was an alter girl for a period of time. As I got older though, I felt that going to Church was rather pointless. My parents, of course, found this upsetting. But here's my view on this: I still follow my religion, I still believe and pray to God, but why should I have to do all this in the presence of other people? Honoring the Sabbath does not mean attending Church. Why is it that just because I stopped going to Church, I'm "forgetting" all the things that God has done for me? That's bull, because everyday that I wake up, I thank God. And I'll be damned if I am told that I have to thank Him by waking up at the *bleep*-crack of dawn on one of my only days off from school and work to spend an hour in a place full of people who don't even belong there!! I have vowed that when the time comes, and I have children of my own, I will give them the choice as to whether or not they want to attend Church services. I feel that the major reason I don't want to go to Church anymore is because it was more or less forced on me as a kid, and it became more of a pain in the butt than anything else. Anyway, didn't mean to go off on a tangent...but what do you guys think? Whatever religion you follow, do you think it should be mandatory to attend services?   

[scollontrade]

My Catholic upbringing was very much like yours. I wandered away in my twenties thinking much the same way. Then one day I realized I should NOT go to Mass for being with other people or for my parents or even for me. I should go to Mass because God did not have to create me. I should go to Mass to give my God honor and praise in the way He provided at the Last Supper before He dide for ME. God bless you. I will say a Hail Mary for you at Mass this morning.

[emiyasato]

I believe everyone praises God in their own way.  So I don't believe it's necessary. 

[dreamyxo]

I believe everyone praises God in their own way.  So I don't believe it's necessary. 

Me too.  I don't follow any organized religion.  I wasn't raised going to church except during the summers when I would go down south to stay with relatives when I was a kid we went to church every Sunday but when I came back home up north we didn't go to church.  I don't need to go.  I find a lot of people who attend church are total hypocrites.  They think going one day a week is going to make them appear to be good people when the other six days they spend "sinning", gossiping, hating other people and generally being "unchristianlike" in a lot of other ways.

[foreverinlove05]

absolutely not. if you're forced to do something, chances are it's only going to make you dislike the religion more. that's supposed to be the beauty of religion, you practice it the way you want to.

[nickit]

It is not necessary

[chavasarah]

No! If it is mandatory then where is your free choice? G-d puts you in this world to have free choice. He puts you in a dark place in order for you to choose light, to choose life. So if you go to services, even if you don't feel like to, you're CHOOSING to do so. And that's a merit.

[amyrouse]

When I attend Shabbat on Friday evenings, the way I feel is indescribable.  I go to services not only to worship but because it is what feels right to me.  There are times that I don't attend, however, and that doesn't make my religion any less strong.  I once slept in during the High Holy Days instead of going to services, and when I spoke to the rabbi, he told me that g-d knew where my heart was, and that if I needed to rest, so be it.  It didn't make me any less of a Jew.  Your religion is your religion, and no one else has the right to dictate the terms of it. 

[shernajwine]

God doesn't want lip service. So if you don't feel like going to church then don't bother. I personally choose to go to church because I love it. I love the people, I love hearing God's word and I love worshiping God with people who love Him as much as I do. I think church is important but I also think that going "just to make an appearance" is silly.

God knows your heart and he doesn't need or desire insincerity in people's actions in regards to their faith.

I find a lot of people who attend church are total hypocrites.  They think going one day a week is going to make them appear to be good people when the other six days they spend "sinning", gossiping, hating other people and generally being "unchristianlike" in a lot of other ways.

Basically, people who go to church (no matter what their reason for doing so) are imperfect people who need Jesus just as much as the next person. However a hypocrite is not someone who claims to be Christian and yet sins. A hypocrite is someone who pretends to be Christian but lives their lives in obvious disagreement with biblical teachings.

And I think anyone who says they don't go to church because it's a full of hypocrites, is a hypocrite themselves (by their definition) because they just passed judgment on a heck of a lot of people. And judging is wrong right? 

[jcribb16]

   The Bible discusses the importance of, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)

Going to church is a great way to meet with other believers who have God in common, where they can praise Him together.  Friends within the church are wonderful encouragers when someone else is grieving, hurting, or going through a rough time.  They are also there for others when they are on the mountain tops (so to speak.) There are opportunities to grow spiritually and knowledgable in the Lord through taking classes of different things that relate to what you are going through or are interested in.  The main thing I believe Hebrews 10:25 is trying to say is how important it is for believers to stay focused on the Lord and His ways, and by meeting together, believers encourage one another and help each other and build the church with more believers, and to prepare for the coming of the Lord.

Having said that, though, there are many believers who feel that one-on-one worship with the Lord or maybe with a friend or spouse or family member is considered assembling together to worship the Lord.  I believe it is a very personal and private decision between you and the Lord as to how you choose to worship Him.  We need to remember, however, we need the fellowship of other believers for encouragement and sharing opportunities to others.

Unfortunately, there are some who attend church for show.  Are they really Christians?  Only that person and God knows for sure.  They may not act like a Christian during the week and that messes their testimony up for the Lord (if they are really saved.)  Church is not for people to just make appearances only to go out and act the opposite the rest of the time.  I pray that since they are actually attending church, that one day there will be something in the message that will *bleep* their hearts and lead them to make a genuine decision for the Lord.  Don't let the possibility of these type people being there mess up your desire to go to church if you so desire.  If you don't like what they are doing there, maybe you could pray and ask the Lord to help guide you to the church He would want you to attend and be a part of.

No matter what is said though, the important thing here is to trust in the Lord and build your relationship with Him, and then it's up to you and the Lord as to how you are going to worship Him, and where.