Christians, Do You Attend Church Regularly?

I no longer do. I have been to so many different churches I can't even keep track.

Here is why: I feel the churches I've gone to are too hypocritical. They claim to be a religion of love. Yet they condemn people (homosexuals, etc) and cast them out. I was taught that God loves us, even the sinners. So why are most so against homosexuals? I believe that if one has TRULY felt Gods love, they can't help but love the same.

They teach that God is the only one who can judge us, yet they use religious beliefs as a way to keep people from being in sin. It isn't up to them. It's between God and the sinner.

And what upsets me the most is the misinformation I've heard spread from the lips of the pastor to the congregation.

I nannied for a Pagan woman in Washington. She became like a mother to me. She is caring, smart, nice, a wonderful person. Not long after, our pastor gave us a "teaching" about pagans. How they were demonic, evil people who use magic to wreak havoc. I was furious. That was the last time I went.

A more personal example of this uncaring, hypocritical behavior is my mother in law. I love her dearly but she has some issues. She is very much opposed to gay marriage and gay people in general. When I asked why and she said because it is a sin against God. I reminded her of when marriage wasn't considered valid unless the woman was a virgin (she wasn't a virgin) and I reminded her having a child out of wedlock is also a sin (she got pregnant with my husband before she got married.

Please bear in mind that these are my personal thoughts, beliefs, and experiences. I'm sure not ALL churches are this way but I've yet to find one.

Do you attended church regularly?? Why or why not?

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Asked by xXMarlyeXx at 2:47 PM on May. 30, 2012 in Religion & Beliefs

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yes. i love my church. i love being with people who believe similarly. UMC has a slogan, ''Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.''..my local church, the one where we hold membership, completely stands by that.

Answer by dullscissors at 2:56 PM on May. 30, 2012
Credits: 343459 Level 49 Religion & Beliefs Degree

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Yes, we attend church regularly, although we are currently looking for a new church family. Yes, I believe that some actions of the church are hypocritical, but since church is for worshiping and not condoning or opposing the actions of the church, I still attend. I also talk with those willing to talk to me about the issues that I have with the church, but I don't believe that it is wise for Christians to break corporate fellowship with God.

Answer by -Eilish- at 5:19 PM on May. 30, 2012
Credits: 33501 Level 28 Religion & Beliefs Minor

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No I do not because so far I have not found a church that I agree with. Like you said many churches are very judgmental and I hate that! There were a few when we lived in PA but now that we moved back home we haven't found one...yet.

Answer by LoViNmYbAbIeSs at 2:49 PM on May. 30, 2012
Credits: 29408 Level 27 Religion & Beliefs 101

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I did when i was younger, then in my eyes i seen what it really isnt. I quit that day, I asked our pastor questions he yelled and screamed at me for questioning the bible and i was done. I walked away and never looked back. Now my kids do believe in god and they go to church every other sunday.

Answer by Mrs_Harsh at 2:51 PM on May. 30, 2012
Credits: 115774 Level 40 Religion & Beliefs 101

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I recently met a woman looking for a nanny. She loved God but she is lesbian and married to a woman. She told me that most churches she and her "hersband" try to attend, ask them to leave. They have a son and their son has been asked by church officials ow he feels about the fact that his parents will burn in hell.

It amazes me. Churches complain about membership wanning, so they ask for people to invite friends, and then are unwelcoming. I've seen newcomers treated so badly. As if they're beneath being acknowledged.

Ahhh!

Comment by xXMarlyeXx (original poster) at 2:56 PM on May. 30, 2012
Credits: 5321 Level 18
Omg and another exampmrr. My husbands aunt, who went to the same church for over 20yrs, who volunteered, donated money to, gave her life to, KICKED her out for divorcing her abusive husband. Just like that. She spent years trying to make it work. I was shocked

Comment by xXMarlyeXx (original poster) at 2:59 PM on May. 30, 2012
Credits: 5321 Level 18
Like you said; It's between God and the sinner. Like everything really. I mean, I can imagine people going to church and not agree 100% with everything that is said there. Just trying to get out of it what they need for their own peace of mind and leave the rest. That's what I would do. If, however, the things you disagree with are taking over it's time to move on.
I do not go to church. Never felt comfortable. Too much "god-talk" (i don;t know what else to call it). There's a poem that describes very well how I feel about faith. Have to google first though.
DD loves sunday school! I hope she'll develop some kind of faith, because it can make people strong. She's going to need it later in life.

Answer by Pucki at 2:59 PM on May. 30, 2012
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It's much better in German, but I found a translation that's quiet good.

The words of humans fill me with fear (Rainer Maria Rilke)

Language: English

The words of humans fill me with fear.
They name all the things with articulate sound:
so this is called house and that is called hound,
and the end's over there and the start's over here.

Their thinking is scary, with scorn they have fun;
they know what will come and what came before;
and even the mountain is sacred no more:
their property ends just where God's has begun.

I'm meaning to warn them and stop them: Stay clear!
It's the singing of things I'm longing to hear.
You touch them and stiff and silent they turn.
You're killing the things for whose singing I yearn!

Says it all!

Answer by Pucki at 3:02 PM on May. 30, 2012
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Yes, I do. First of all, the Bible commands that we assemble with other believers on a regular basis(Hebrews 10:25). Secondly, the Bible teaches that every believer has been given a unique gift that is to be used within the body of Christ for the specific purpose of helping other believers( 1 Corinthians 12: 1-31). The third reason I attend worship and Bible study is because I need it. I need to be in contact with those who are wiser and more mature than I so that I may grow in the things of God. No church is perfect because it is made up of imperfect people, but it's a wonderful place to work together on our imperfections.

Answer by NannyB. at 3:03 PM on May. 30, 2012
Credits: 61159 Level 33 Religion & Beliefs Minor

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I dont go regularly due to my work schedule, but the Methodist Church here is very open and loving. Welcoming to everyone, even has a gay man working as the church sectretary, and the church people bust their butts helping the homeless... That is a church I can get behind!!!

Answer by Nimue930 at 3:04 PM on May. 30, 2012
Credits: 35889 Level 28 Religion & Beliefs Minor

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