Hands up 'Who goes to church?'

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Unfortunately, there is a lot of validity in genie's post but- it is not the church, it's those in the church.
Bible study in private is sometimes the best route.
 

Aunt Bea said:
I religiously avoid church services.

I grew up in a church-going family and attended regularly until I was old enough to make up my own mind about such things.

When I was a tweenager, I remember having to put green stamps in books for my mother on those Sundays when I didn't go to church with her. I never told my mother that instead of licking them I used a sponge to wet them.

I think the last time I was in a church was for a funeral in the late 80s early 90s.

I have nothing against attending church or those that get some comfort from it, it's just not for me and my personal beliefs.
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Great pun!
 
Like many here, I attended church regularly as a youth, when possible during military service, and when I met and married my wife. We attended fairly regularly when the kids were growing up. Sunday school and some summer activities.

As the kids grew and became young adults, we all drifted away from regular attendance. None of us had any bitter feelings towards our little church and still don't today. Of our 4 kids and 13 grandkids, only one grand-daughter is closely aligned with a church and she, her husband, and their 3 little ones are quite active in their church. When we visit them a few times each year, in Connecticut, we attend church with them.

We always enjoy the service and the music but not enough to take up regular attendance here at home. To each his own but I have no criticism of churches and those who derive comfort from them.
 

Sidebar-off topic, I suppose
Turner Classic Films: "Black Narcissus" 1947, Story of Nuns in Himalayan Mission.
Hollywood and religion do not mix.; however, some of the epic films are good-Mel Gibson's effort is well worth the watch.
 
gennie said:
I went regularly for many years but stopped when the hypocrisy became too much. Modern religion has little to do with faith.
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I do agree to a point. Organised religion is man made and to me is a crutch, a pillar of support to one's personal faith and in Christianity, God as they see and believe in a Diety. I do feel that religion as we know it is flawed and by human beings, who put many dictates into the religion they profess to follow. Religious doctrines can and do cause dissention and hatred and misunderstanding imo.
 
jerry r. garner said:
Unfortunately, there is a lot of validity in genie's post but- it is not the church, it's those in the church.
Bible study in private is sometimes the best route.
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You are pretty close to what our Priest just talked about before Christmas. He was speaking about “the church” and he told us to keep in mind that “the church” is just another building. People “are” the church, not the building.

As for Bible study, those of us that are Catholic know that Bible study inside the church is available 2-3 times per week. Each week, we get a list of passages to read for the week. I am not exactly a true believer in the Old Testament, but the New Testament has many more scriptures in it that I can believe in. I do believe that Jesus Christ is my Savior and I do believe that he created miracles.

It never hurts for any of us to believe. It doesn’t take any effort, money or even your attendance in church. All you need to do is to say to yourself, “I believe in Jesus Christ and accept him as my Savior.”
 
CrackerJack said:
I do agree to a point. Organised religion is man made and to me is a crutch, a pillar of support to one's personal faith and in Christianity, God as they see and believe in a Diety. I do feel that religion as we know it is flawed and by human beings, who put many dictates into the religion they profess to follow. Religious doctrines can and do cause dissention and hatred and misunderstanding imo.
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Each one of us decides for ourself if we are going to follow that path.
 
Churches can be way off center.
Congregations can be off center
But, here's the rub: Paul states, 'Do not forsake the assembly.'
Keep looking till you find a church you can agree with, if they get weird, look further.
 
Judycat said:
I think when you notice too much repetition in the service and the message it is time to move on.
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I have never noticed this in our church. We have a really good man for our Priest. He really knows how to hold your attention. He is different than most Priests. He doesn’t just read out of the Bible and pray. Our service is not quite what I would call a conventional service. He came to us over 25 years ago and we were his first parish. He has even condemned other Priests who have been found guilty of child molestation, which is something that most Dioceses has directed their Priests to avoid mentioning.

Our Priest also does community service work. He told us that he loves making his mother’s recipe for homemade ham and bean soup for the local volunteer fire company’s annual rummage, soup and bake sale. Let me tell you, his soup is grrreat! He also holds a golf tournament benefit with the proceeds going to the local food bank.
 
From my late teens to age 33 I was an atheist, then one day I was not. It took me another two years before I ventured inside a church. I found a home there and stayed.

I take the children out with me during the grown up part of the Sunday service and, if they are old enough, I educate them. If not, I care for them while their parents are in church.

I host a weekly bible study in my home and we have a progressive view of the scriptures. Our minister is able to shed light on historical background and Jewish culture that help us to understand the meaning and intent of the writings. We are in no way fundamentalists.

I also serve on the management committee of our church sponsored long day care centre which is run on a not for profit basis. Twice a week I volunteer at the church run playgroup. I provide and serve morning tea for the children and their parents or other carers. I love doing this.

For me the most important bible story is the one that follows immediately after the question, "Who is my neighbour ?". My personal aim is to serve God by serving people. I am very happy in the service.

Church is not a building and service is not something that happens inside a building every Sunday.
 
I was raised in a church going family but immediately lapsed when I left for college. At age 52 I wanted to be part of the church community again and joined the local Presbyterian Church. I've been an active member these last 15 years. They're good people there, the church has multiple public service missions, our pastor is the right guy in the right job, I attend every Sunday and being part of the congregation is an important part of my life.
 
I was sent to parochial school for 8 years and they scared me to death with all the talk of sin, sudden death and the devil. I left weekly services at age 16. It was much more peaceful for me to spend time in nature where my idea of what God was actually existed.

Now I go to weddings and lots of funerals but no more weekly services. Worship is a private thing to me.
 
Some keep the Sabbath going to Church – (236)

By Emily Dickinson

Some keep the Sabbath going to Church –
I keep it, staying at Home –
With a Bobolink for a Chorister –
And an Orchard, for a Dome –

Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice –
I, just wear my Wings –
And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,
Our little Sexton – sings.

God preaches, a noted Clergyman –
And the sermon is never long,
So instead of getting to Heaven, at last –
I’m going, all along.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Emily was a strange girl, very strange. Her father was the treasurer in their church; everyone in the house went to church
except Emily. No One quite knew to do with this strange girl.
Later in life she changed her opinions, but had become a recluse unable to leave her house.
 
jerry r. garner said:
Churches can be way off center.
Congregations can be off center
But, here's the rub: Paul states, 'Do not forsake the assembly.'
Keep looking till you find a church you can agree with, if they get weird, look further.
Click to expand...
There is joy there...some

a little story;


A while back, wife and I went to church

It’s refreshing, sometimes, to attend a church

Sometimes

Anyway, there was a song service
I don’t sing
Can’t
Tried
It’s not considered singing
So, there I was, mouthing the words.

A few rows back, a middle aged gentleman was singing his heart out.
A tenor, I believe.
I also believe he was a butcher by trade.
Cause he was doin’ a job of it on that song.
His voice, his voice literally hurt my good ear.

Seems there are several stanzas to ‘He Lives’.
He got louder with each one.
At the last of the chorus to the last stanza I looked back...

Had to

There he was, tears streaming down his face.

Yet,
His face....beaming

He wasn’t a good looking guy

He literally wrecked the hymn




I’ve seen a lot of beauty
A lot
In nature, mostly

But this

Was the most beautiful thing

I have ever seen
 
Gary O' said:
There is joy there...some

a little story;


A while back, wife and I went to church

It’s refreshing, sometimes, to attend a church

Sometimes

Anyway, there was a song service
I don’t sing
Can’t
Tried
It’s not considered singing
So, there I was, mouthing the words.

A few rows back, a middle aged gentleman was singing his heart out.
A tenor, I believe.
I also believe he was a butcher by trade.
Cause he was doin’ a job of it on that song.
His voice, his voice literally hurt my good ear.

Seems there are several stanzas to ‘He Lives’.
He got louder with each one.
At the last of the chorus to the last stanza I looked back...

Had to

There he was, tears streaming down his face.

Yet,
His face....beaming

He wasn’t a good looking guy

He literally wrecked the hymn




I’ve seen a lot of beauty
A lot
In nature, mostly

But this

Was the most beautiful thing

I have ever seen
Click to expand...

Church is the only place where I feel entitled to sing, despite all my musical limitations.
I am encouraged by this song by Bill Staines. Sung by Celtic Thunder

 
Love the Episcopal services and attend as much as I can. When I cannot attend I follow the services online and feel like I am there. About once a month I do confession. I get great peace from the services. During Lent I try to give up some habit that is not good for me. Love morning prayer and communion services.
 

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