Sometime ago, we had some new people move into the neighborhood and they invited some from the neighborhood to their home for an open house. While there, there was lots of discussions and questions about religions and local churches. When the host asked me "Are you churched?"...and I didn't know what he meant, I knew I was in trouble. He proceeded to tell me how it was "a shame" that we didn't attend church regularly and that we were bringing up our kids that way. We haven't been back to their house.

Anyways, fast forward to my son's college application essay question on diversity and I have to say that he wrote the most eloquent essay on diversity that came from being an un-churched kid at a Catholic high school Gosh, I don't feel so bad after all.

Anyways......back to the point....do you and your family regularly attend church? Or are you holiday attendees like us? Do you think a person needs to attend church to be good and worthwhile and to follow God's teachings? Or can he/she do that outside of the church?

I am interested to hear where folks stand on religion and church attendance.

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

We are not church goers at all. Last time I was at a church was my FIL's funeral. I believe in God- I talk to him daily - I just feel that God hears me where ever I am. I was raised Catholic- floated between different religions and churches for years- I never really found one that felt right to me.

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We do not attend church anymore (not even for the religious holidays) or several reasons. Both DH and I were brought up as Baptists. Our children are brought up reading the Bible.
I do not think going to a church service makes you anymore religious than anyone else.
I guess I am not traditional religious person.

Yes, my family attends church every week. I am the Youth Director at our church and on the board of trustees and in the UMW (womens group), DH is on the finance committee. I personally like to spend time with people that have the same values and ideals that I do and I find more of them in church that outside of church. This does not mean I like all the people that attend my church or wish to hang out with them. I do have friends outside of my church, but most do attend church somewhere else. For us as a family it is important for us to have friends that don't drink, go to bars, smoke, etc. DH is a drug/alcohol and gambling addiction counselor and a recovering alcoholic himself, I myself haven't had a drug or alcohol in 23 years, so we choose not to expose ourselves to certain types of people in our "off time". I am also picky about where DD goes to play, spend the night, etc. I do not want her where people are drinking or smoking, etc. She does not go anywhere unless I know the parents values. That may be harsh to some, but I have raised two adult DD's and they are productive and well adjusted so I can't have been too wrong with the way I chose to raise them. One is a legal secretary and one hopes to become a psychiatrist. I am in an odd sort of position in that being and ex-counselor for gang members, an ex-investigator for child abuse and neglect and an ex-counselor for incarcerated teenagers and in my past life from being younger, getting pregnant at 15, etc. these are the people who all have in common the fact they didn't attend church. I know there are people out there that do attend church that did these things, but I never came across any during my 15 years in the field, so I am biased in this respect. Another viewpoint I have, which is different from many, comes from being a volunteer for the Oklahoma DOC (Department of Corrections) in my 4 years of volunteering with Redemption Church and working with prisoners who have turned their life over to God, I see what a huge difference accepting God and regulary attending church helps these guys.

I know church is not for everyone, but for me it helps keep my life on track. Whatever works for your family is fine. It's all a personal choice.

We go every sunday. Our church is so small there isnt a wed nite service Most of the people are older and dont drive at nite. No matter how bad my week has been or how bad I feel on sunday mornings, I ALWAYS come out feeling better.. we also are involved in all the activites we have at church . vacation bible school , birthday bashes, hanging of the greens. Have always went to this church and the folks there have known me since I was a baby. They are family .
I dont think going to church makes me any better than the folks who choise not to. It just seems to make life a little easier if I go to church on sundays. Not just holidays.

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We're born-again Christians and attending church as a family is very important to us.

We don't go to church at all. When the boys were little we would go on holidays. I was raised southern baptist. My beliefs have changed since I have been grown and could make my own choices. My kids are still raised baptist as that is what their dad is. They know it's not completely what I believe and we do discuss what I do believe.

I don't consider myself religious either, more spiritual. I believe there is a higher power, call it God or whatever name you want. I seem to be getting more and more spiritual as I get older.

Laura

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Yes we attend church every week. Sometimes if we are out of town or something we dont. We go on Sundays and Wednesdays.

I would never talk to someone the way the OP was talked to by their neighbors for not going.
It is a personal decision whether to go to church.

You took the words right out of my mouth... I couldn't have said it better.

We are not regular church-goers.

None of my non-churchgoing friends have done any of these things...

Mine, either.

DH was raised a Methodist, I was raised a Lutheran (where a friend was raped and went to the minister for counseling and he raped her and he was allowed to resign and move out of state "for personal reasons"). We were married Presbyterian. We do not go to church and neither do our kids (except when they spend the night at a friends and the friend goes). We have nothing against it. I agree with the above poster that I seem to be feeling more spiritual as I get older, but it has nothing to do with going to church obviously.

One huge turn off for me is that my beliefs are of an all-inclusive and accepting god. Our very close friens are "born again Christians" and if you do not believe exactly as they do and find Christ exactly as they do, you are doomed to hell. They think all Catholics are wrong, the Pope doesn't know what he's talking about and no one else has read and studied the bible as thoroughly as they. They push their religion on us all the time and when you resist, the husband gets very condenscending about how stupid we are because we have not read the bible and accepted Christ into our heart.

That just isn't true - we just don't believe they way they do and are much more accepting of others opinions. DH & I believe there are lots of different paths to the same place.

Lisa

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We attend church regularly as a family. Simply because we believe it is important to fellowship with fellow believers, and to hear God's Word preached. We do not believe it is necessary to attend church to gain Gods favor or enter heaven. That is the work of Christ alone.
I find it interesting though that most of these responses believe there is a "higher authority", people do what they "feel" is ok instead of what the "higher authority" says is right. (hence the word authority) as God says in his word..."there is a way that seems right to a man but the end there of is destruction."

We attend regularly.

For us, it is a matter of faith. I absolutely believe it is not the place of any human to judge the salvation or lack thereof of anyone else, so my comments are not meant as an indictment on anyone who does not interpret the Bible the way I do. Here is my position:

If I believe God is God - truly God, the one who took nothing and made life, came to the world in the form of a man, died, and rose again, then I have a responsibility to do the best I can to acknowledge his plan for mankind. We all have free will, and using that free will to choose the things *He* wants from me, regardless of whether they're what I might gravitate towards, is pleasing to Him. He desires that we are faithful to our spouses, so I am, even on the days I don't feel particularly thrilled with my husband. He desires that we treat others as we would like to be treated, so I try to do that even when the other person is less than kind.

We also know from scripture that it was important to *Him* that his people have a sense of community amongst themselves, and that communities of faith should gather to worship together, to encourage one another, to bear one another's burdens, to make sure widows are fed and orphans are cared for. There are times in the Bible where Christians are chastised for not adhering to this spirit of community - where the wealthy had turned "church" into an opportunity to show off their finery, where those who had much were getting there early and getting drunk on communion wine before other members had even arrived, etc. When those things would occur, it seems an apostle would write a letter to the elders/leaders in those churches and give them what for, telling them to worship in spirit and in truth, etc.

Do I think a person can be a good person without attending church? That depends on what your definition of "good" is. Law-abiding, kind, considerate, compassionate,and friendly.... Absolutely! A person can be any or all of those things separate and apart from church attendance or even faith of any kind.

For me, though, if I'm going to believe that God is real, and that the Bible is his word revealed to mankind - that if he was capable of creating everything we see and more that he is certainly capable of ensuring that his word survives the generations intact - then I have a duty to learn what he wants of me, and do my best to live up to it. It's a matter of love - not a cumbersome chore.

And because from almost the beginning of time, or at least since Moses' time, it was important to God that his people gather together to offer up worship to him, then we make it a priority in our lives, as well. If I can faithfully make it home in time for a certain tv show, never miss work, never let my kids miss school... how much more important is something that has an eternal impact?

It's not just how I *feel* about God. It's acknowledging that he has communicated *to* us through his word, and fulfilling my obligation to do my best to understand what he is trying to say to *me*... not just what *I* might need or want to say to *Him*.

The Bible says He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

The God of the Old Testament is described sometimes as jealous and angry. He is also described as loving. We are created in his image. And while I know he mourns when we go off track, I think it is short-sighted to presume that the only side of him that exists is the "love and forgivness" side.

It's no more a burden for me to want to please him and follow him than it is for a 10 year old to want to meet Hannah Montana. When you are enamored of someone or something, your service and your life is a gift you give. Because of this, I wouldn't feel right just showing up twice a year on holidays, letting the 'more committed' members spend the rest of the year keeping the preacher paid, the electricity going, the lawn mowed, and the church's widows fed all so that twice a year, it would be *available* to me when it was convenient for me and made *me* feel good.

It's a commitment, and I wouldn't feel right not being a participating member. I'd feel like I was using the other members if they kept the fire burning year round and I just showed up twice/year. On the other hand, I'm delighted to see anyone who walks in, no matter when they were there last... but for *me*, I would feel like I was mooching and "using" them if I wasn't willing to commit to the day to day struggles of being part of a faith community, yet partook when it made me feel fuzzy twice/year.

Again, please know I realize there are a thousand different solid reasons someone might not attend regularly, and some of those reasons might be very valid and also very hidden from the surface that I can see, so I would never presume to judge someone else's attendance or lack thereof. That just describes the way *I* would feel were I to be a twice-a-year attender. I'd feel like a boy scout who had better things to do than attend the weekly meetings, but who showed up for all the fun camping trips.

Penny, I do know exactly what you are saying. A friend of mine is working on a PhD in a family therapy related field, and her professor (at a large state university) has always professed atheism. Interestingly, though, over the course of his lifetime, as he has studied healthy families and what makes them healthy, he discovered that pretty consistently, they tend to attend church regularly. She said that several years ago, he told his wife, "You know I've never believed in a specific God, but I've come to the conclusion that we need to be going to church. Families who have their churches as grounding points have much lower rates of divorce, abuse, and neglect than those who do not, and I want us to be as healthy as we can be, so we need to go." They now attend a Unitarian church, which doesn't profess that the God of the Bible is *THE* God, but more or less acknowledges that there is a "higher power" to whom humans should pay homage.

Sorry I've rambled endlessly here. My faith is really the core of who I am, so it's easy for me to get carried away.

We go to church every week. My oldest is in the youth group and hubby and I attend Wed night Bible study, although we haven't been there for a few weeks.

I think people can attend church and not be "good or worthwhile." Just because someone attends church doesn't mean they will get to heaven. I believe that going to church and hearing the word are important. Just like reading the Bible at home. We believe, 100% what the Bible says.

We go to church and take our kids because we want them to be raised in a God centered home.

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Yes,
Yes, Sundays, Wednesdays, and other misc activities including Church Trips
Southern Baptist

IMO You can't base one's "religious-ness" on Church attendance because I consider church a place to "worship, connect and recharge one's batteries". On any given Sunday each of the persons attending can be at a different place in their daily walk or daily needs.
Example: I could be going every time the doors opened but if I'm just there to mingle and make contacts for business purposes or appearances, is it fair then for people to judge that I must be a good Christian? -
Or what about during the summer when my family goes camping multiple weekends and we atttend either the local camp's service or we do a simple Sunday morning devotional right there at our picnic table. (nobody knows except for God, us and the forest animals)
Nope, attendance isn't a qualifier for "better than" most believers in my book.

I go to give praise but believe you me, I always end up getting more out of it..
God's Blessings are good!


X

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Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

I totally agree with this statement.

We do not attend church. We have strong beliefs that we have not found any church to hold. We do not believe, nor disbelieve in God. I do not think people need to attend church or be religious to be a good person. Quite the opposite in fact. I know many "religious" and "church going people" who I do not deem *good people*...they are hippocrites if in fact they believe their church's teachings and then live the life they lead. We are very happy with ourselves, our beliefs and the way we are raising our children to be good and contributing members of society. That said, it's not easy. My DH's family is Catholic so it's hard for them to see us "not Catholic" but I totally disagree (as does DH) with the Catholic set of beliefs. We would like to teach our children many aspects of different religions and let them choose what suits them best when they are older.

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I am a regular church attender but times I miss, but that doesn't change who I am or what I believe!
As for religion! religion won't get you to heaven or keep you out! I believe in a relationship with God through Jesus, no religion here!

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Wowitsdark, thank you for so eloquently saying what I was thinking, and for saving me the typing time!!!

I am actually in the process of finding a church. Ugh....I miss being plugged in. Right now my family is Faith and myself. DH is an otr truck driver and the older kids are gone. We really don't fit in tidily anywhere, so it oughta be interesting. 41 yo mother's of infants have a hard time fitting in I'm finding!!

We are regular church goers, every Sunday and my kids are involved in the church activites. I love our church, and our church family, whatever is going on in my life, I feel so much better when I take the time to worship our Lord.

I do not attend church.
I don't have good experience with organized religon. And I base this on the having been baptised Methodist, confirmed WS Lutheran, took instruction and married Catholic.
My father did not believe but thought his childern should have the education and knowledge to make their own decisions.

I believe that a persons actions and deeds say more about their beliefs than the fact that they state loudly that "their" religion is the answer.

I believe in the golden rule, what goes around comes around, karma, divine reciprocity, casting bread upon the waters, what ever name you would like to call it.

I am a good person who knows right from wrong and I try to stay square with myself.

Religious, no. Spiritual, yes.

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It's about learning to dance in the rain.

Trent and I hadn't been to church together once in 13 years until Fletcher died. I would half heartedly try and get him to go to a Catholic mass every now and then.. and then I just gave up trying to get him to go (and I gave up going myself). Then, when Fletcher came back from being dead and we were granted those two days to say goodbye.. dh saw it as a miracle that couldn't have come from anyone but God. We have a close family friend that has always wanted us to come with her to church and we now do. I can't say that I understand what my faith is exactly, but those are the two hours out of every week that I personally feel at peace.

I am a regular church goer. I feel that going to church strengthens my relationship with God, and when I miss church, I feel a void.

It is also how I personally interpret and obey the commandment: "You Shall Keep Holy the Sabbath Day."

I know there are many people who don't go to church or another place of worship, but still feel connected to God in their own unique way. If that's truly fulfilling to them and their families, then I'm happy for them.

What I dislike is when people who do not affiliate with any organized religion actually criticize the people who DO worship in a church/temple. For example, I hear that often people who go to church are actually hypocrites. How is that? I have never felt that church-goers are making a statement that they are "holier than thou" merely by their regular attendance at church. I see church-going people as people who need help, need the strength of a community/parish, need the words of a reverend, songs of a choir to help keep their connection. Church doesn't make anyone perfect, it just brings its people closer in their relationship with God.

I also hear of people's distrust in clergy because of unfortunate occurrences (which I do understand). I remind myself of this: I am not there to worship the clergy, I am there to honor my God. If the clergy members have done something horrible, that absolutely needs to be addressed, and not swept under the table. Many churches, like ours have strict laws now, and a very thorough screening process for anyone wishing to work or volunteer in the church, due to the recent horrific abuse scandals. But I'm not here for them, I'm here for God. Going to church was never about my connection with the priests/deacons/reverends/pastors, it was about my connection with God through fellowship.

I believe anybody can consider herself/himself spiritual if she/he truly do what is in their heart and mind to be the right thing to do. I don't judge anyone else's interpretation of what that might be.

I can only explain my reasoning on this. I don't think ALL people who attend church are hippocrates but I DO know a lot of church goers who I do think are simply because they live their lives in a way that is not part of the teachings of their church. I don't think a person needs to follow 100% of the teachings of their church but I do think it should be above 90%. That is just me though. I have a big problem with organized religion as a whole but I am glad that many people find solace in it and happiness.

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

What you said CashChik! I do not attend church; however, I was raised and confirmed ELCA Lutheran. I consider myself spiritual, not religious.

I love this quote:

God made so many different kinds of people. Why would he allow only one way to serve him? ~Martin Buber

I also like this quote from Brad Pitt:

I didn't understand this idea of a God who says, 'You have to acknowledge me. You have to say that I'm the best, and then I'll give you eternal happiness. If you won't, then you don't get it!' It seemed to be about ego. I can't see God operating from ego, so it made no sense to me.

Mine either. I was raised Unitarian, where it isn't believed that to be religious you have to attend church.

I think it is plain ignorant to say that people who engage in illegal activity do so because they don't attend church. What about people who aren't Christian and therefore don't attend church? They're all law-breakers too? What about all the religious leaders who turn out to be pedophiles and or rip-off artists?? I could just as easily say that none of my non-church-going friends are pedophiles or scammers, therefore the church must cause pedophilia and scamming behavior.

Yes to both. I was raised Catholic, attended Catholic school through 7th grade. I was away for a long time although I never lost my faith in God. I'm back mainly because of my dear friendship with the family who now has 9 kids who showed me how to live the faith that I finally "get it" and have great peace!!! To all who have left the faith, check it out again with a devoted Catholic. Once you "get it" it's awesome!!

no God hears me where ever I am, i dont have to be in a certain building for him to hear. I did have to call a church back this week to let them know I would not be attending as they for some reason thought i would, i politely told them that I just wouldnt be able to make the trip from Philly to Georgia every weekend where their church was located

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Nope, we're a two religion family. We teach the kids the important aspects of each one and then they decide which, if any they want to practice. We have raised 3 very well mannered, responsible children and a building had nothing to do with it.

Noway! I was raised Catholic, my sisters all attended Catholic schools k-12. I will keep my family away from any religion or clergy members until I'm good and ready. Hard to follow a religion when it's own preachers can't do it.. I've never felt so betrayed in my life. To be born into a religion and live and breath it for so long only to have this happen...nope not going to happen to my kids. physically or mentally.

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Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like. - Will Rogers

Say what you want about being "spiritual" and all but you can't rewrite what the Bible says.

No you cant rewrite what the bible says, but you can live a good moral and spirutual life without going to church.

"If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" Romans 10:9
"The just shall live by faith"Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16


Where does it say, that ye has to go to church to be saved?

God is only concerned with what is in your heart. You will not be forsaken by God just because you don't attend church.
To walk in the barn, does not make you a cow any more than to go to church makes you Christian. It is a personal relationship that one develops with God. You “know” Him, and He “knows” you.



The two things I said that I would never address on here is religion and politics...... and I have done both!

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Why not? It wouldn't be the first time that it's happened...

...or the Koran, the Torah, etc., etc., etc.

Yes, We go to church every week.

Our faith has helped our family thru some really tough medical problems.



I have always wondered about people who don't feel the need to go to church.

Did you use a church for a wedding?
Who do you call when there is a funeral?

I did get married by a peacher at a church buliding ..but it was only DH, me and the preacher...that is the way I wanted it.
Also you do not have to have a preacher at your funeral..only if you chose...lots of them are on a register at a hospital/nursing home/funeral home that will provide a funeral service for a fee.

We were married in a church with a priest & a rabbi, but it wasn't for us as much as it was to appease the families.

There is always clergy provided by the funeral home as part of the arrangements if necessary.

I have issues with organized religion as well. Many of the most hateful people I have ever met to to church every Sunday and proclaim they are true Christians. I have heard them judge people, talk about sleeping around, swear like sailors and flat out lie. Sitting in a building does not grant you access into heaven. True faith is in your heart. You don't need to shove it down anyones throat. It is an immensely personal relationship between you and your higher power. Living everyday being true to yourself and the ones you love, loving the earth, helping fellow human beings that is true religion to me. Million dollar churches and Sunday best clothing make you no more religious than a bar-b-que shared with family acknowledging your blessings around a picnic table. The bible is a book simply interpretted by many different faiths, each claiming to be the true one.

I have been to funerals that were simply celebrations of the persons life. There was no church involved. The body was cremated and a hall was used for celebrating the life. You only need someone who is licensed by the state to marry you. It can be done in a home, on a hillside in a flower garden. It is quite amusing to me that a friend was making fun of my niece who was married at her family farm by a judge, said it wasn't special. She was married by a priest who was found guilty of child molestation. Nuff said

Justice of the Peace can solemnize weddings/marriage ceremonies.
From a funeral site:

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Real eyes...realize...real lies.

I did get married in a church BUT we did not have a religious ceremony. We wrote the ceremony out and the pastor agreed to it. DH's cousin got married on the top of Vail mountain (we got married in January so a tad cold for that or we might have done that one)

We have funerals at a funeral home and then the cemetery. I have only ever been to 3 funerals that were held in a church (out of about 9)

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

Well THAT gives a good story to tell LOL DH grew up Catholic (mom made his) and one of the priests at his church was convicted of child molestation as well. Luckily, DH wasn't involved but I think it has a lot to do with his aversion to religion now

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

I know that most funerals are held at funeral homes. I was refering to having a minister take care of the service.

I don't see that many people chosing to get married by them though? I am just curious why someone would want to be married in a church if they don't want to belong to one?

Even if there were no guests there.

The funerals of my family members were led by the funeral director and then friends and family spoke.

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

"I am just curious why someone would want to be married in a church if they don't want to belong to one?
Even if there were no guests there.[/quote]"

When I got married 24 years ago I was still going to a church. Over the years things have changed my views of going to church.

Well I was married by one. I also know there were plenty of people in line after us to get married.

Besides, you asked how do people marry if they don't belong to a church. I gave you the option. Does it matter really how many people go that route?

I can't give a definitive answer but I presume it was a personal choice based on their comfort level at the time, like maybe they thought that's the way things were done or maybe they did so to appease friends and family.

__________________
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l/ l/ l/
Dont go through life,
GROW through life

Real eyes...realize...real lies.

What is ironic to me is that the people here who DO go to church/temple report only the most favorable, peaceful experiences, yet it's some of the people who don't go who have some of the most extremely negative things to say about organized religion and/or places of worship/people who practice their religion.

I don't feel that one type of belief is better than another, but I do want to understand better the people who judge/criticize many church-going people and pastors. I haven't read any posts from people who DO go to church that were judging people who don't, but I've sure read plenty of people sitting in judgement here who don't go.



Again, not sure how many people come to think of "many" church goers as people who think they have been granted "access into heaven" but the ones you know and refer to here obviously need church very much - I'm glad they found one.

Has this really been your experience - that in some form of a church, you sat and experienced or witnessed it being shoved down anyone's throat?

I don't know what kind of place of worship you were in, but it sounds frightening. I'm sorry it happened to you, or that you watched it happen to someone else. Can you share what kind of religion this is? How old were you, and what exactly occurred?

It sounds exactly opposite of the experiences that people who do attend places of worship have been sharing - I haven't heard anyone here who attends any type of church say that they receive anything but fellowship, connectedness, peace, and closeness with their higher power.

I used to be part of an organized Christian religion and DH was raised Catholic (and attended church up until 2 years before we got married). We both have extreme personal experiences within organized religion that has turned us off of it. I try not to make judgements about something I know nothing about. I base my opinion on experience.

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

No, I said

"Did you use a church for a wedding? "

Yes I go to a Lutheran church & maybe transfering my kids to the Lutheran school soon. I didnt go my whole life until about 2yrs ago its a different church than when I was a kid its more modern now & I really get it & my whole life just changed when I accepted it & started going regularly I think each to thier own thiers all religions & everyone has thier own opinions but for me it helped so much more than I knew it & I am positive this is something no one could have pushed on me it had to come on my own time.But when it did come I came to peace with all of my lifes screwups.

BTW like I said this happened just 2 yrs ago & when dh & I got married years before that we went to the justice of the peace. Now I would get married in a church in fact I wanted a huge wedding my whole life but when I got married in fact today is our anniversary I wanted to just go get it over with LOL

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mom of 3 greats girls

No, got married on a riverboat, by the captain.

When my MIL died, we called a place that was offering $600 cremations and later took her ashes to different water sites she liked and scattered them.

You said

Isn't that essentially people who don't belong to a church?

Regardless, did the answers help you understand there is another option for those that do not belong/feel the need to go to a church?

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Dont go through life,
GROW through life

Real eyes...realize...real lies.

Yes I our family does go to church and we are very involved...we go to a independent, fundamental Baptist church...I like the quote the person made....that their faith is the core of who they are...that is how I feel...We believe the bible wholeheartedly and believe that the words were inspired of God...No religion here either..Its about a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and repenting of your sins and accepting him as your Savior......You can be saved anywhere, anytime...No the bible doesnt say you have to be saved in church but I believe once you are, you need to find a good bible believing church and attend...you need to be taught, learn...and study his word...The bible says to " Not to forsake the assembling of yourselves together...we as christians need that fellowship of likewise believers, we need to learn and grow in our chrisitan walk...so I firmly believe in attending church regularly....My bible says being a good person or just doing good works wont get you to heaven....you must repent of your sins and ask his forgiveness....I know not everyone believes the way I do, and I respect that....I would never try to push my christian faith down anyone's throat...I am just stating what I believe....Sherri

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"It isn't that liberals are ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so."
- Ronald Reagan

Sherri, you said something that clicked with me that I didn't mention in my long ramble. I learn so much from being with others who share my faith. Today in our adult Bible class, we were studying about Legion, and others brought up points I'd never really considered. Why did Christ tell Legion to go tell people what had happened to him, but tell Jairius (sp?) not to tell a soul about the fact that he raised his daughter from the dead? Why did some have a somewhat fearful reaction to Legion's change? Our teacher mentioned that a "legion" is a division of a Roman army consisting of 3000 - 6000 infantry troops. Were there possibly that many demons inhabiting him? The healing within the healing - where the woman with the issue if blood touches Christ's garment as he is headed to see Jairus' daughter - how much did she know about Christ prior to that? An MD friend of ours who is in the class mentioned that she'd had her affliction for 12 years and had seen a number of people about it, and was surely a little jaded after going through one dr. after another, each one supposedly THE one to finally help her, and each time leaving in a worse condition than before. And yet, it says she KNEW simply touching Christ's garment would heal her. Why was that? And is there anything significant in that those two healings are dovetailed together, and the woman had had her bleeding for 12 years, and the dead daughter was 12 years old. Is there some significant symbolism we might've overlooked in that?

One of the most interesting things I remember learning in a class had to do with the scriptures (in 1 Cor., I believe) where the author is chastising a group of Christians, mentioning that he's heard tell of someone sleeping with his father's wife. A man whose PhD is in some OT-related field mentioned that in those days, women nearly always eventually died in childbirth by the age of 30. He said they'd marry much older men at the age of 12-13, and have a number of children by those men over the next 10-15 years... and then they'd be apt to die in childbirth. The husband would then take on a new young wife of 13 or so... and his oldest sons by his first wife would be his new wife's peers, age-wise. Our PhD-guy teacher pointed out that the father would be gone all day at his job, and his teenage sons and his new wife would be left at home to tend to the needs of the household, and it was not uncommon for the 13 yo wife to fall for the 15 yo young man she spent all day hanging out with. That's interesting information I would never have known had I not been discussing the Bible with others who share my faith,

Our discussions bring me to awareness I couldn't have achieved on my own. That awareness leads me to a deeper faith and appreciation for who God is and what I have. In the same way a deeper knowledge about America's forefathers helps me appreciate the freedoms I have as an American in a way more potent than just *feeling* patriotic on July 4, greater background knowledge of who God is has been invaluable to me. I always come home from class ready to google something.

We had a fascinating study awhile back about the tradition of meeting on Sunday. Interestingly, when Acts begins, shortly after the resurrection/ascension, the disciples met daily and "broke bread." The same Greek terms are used there as are used during the scene Luke paints (same author, btw) of the last supper in the upper room, where communion was instituted. Christ didn't say, "Do this in remembrance of me on Sunday mornings." He just said to do it in remembrance of him... and the earliest Christians did it *daily*. He also didn't command them to use unleavened bread, tho we presume it was unleavened because they were in Jerusalem for Passover, which would've meant eating unleavened bread. It's only by deductive reasoning that we decided Christians needed unleavened crackers.

By the end of Acts, Christianity is spreading to other nations - nations where Judaism has not been the norm, and where Sunday - the first day of the week - is culturally the "normal" day off. Those people (I can't recall if it was Romans or Greeks) would've had all day on Sunday to woship, and that's when they worshipped. Then, we read the verses describing that they broke bread on the first day of the week, and saw it as precedent we needed to follow. And again, Luke uses the same Greek terms to describe "breaking bread" in yet a third instance here. So we went from a Thursday/Friday night institution of a remembrance feast of bread-breaking to having disciples who break bread daily to some new disciples in a remote country breaking bread on a Sunday, likely because that was their weekly free day.

And today, we bind Sunday on people when in reality, that's probably not an accurate picture of what God had mind. I don't think he *doesnt* like our worshipping on Sunday, but I think other days would be fine, as well.

Thank you for all your contributions, this post is now being closed due to length. Please feel free to continue your discussion with a new post.....Thanks Karrie

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"Madison AnnMarie " 6/13/2008

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