Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

[SS MAYFLOAT]

This is controversal with my son and I. He says I shouldn't live by the 10 commandments since I don't attend church. True, I don't attend, but I was raised in a christian home. I do live by the 10 commandments since it does set moral standards to live by. My wife and I pray on a regular basis, and thank the lord for our lives everyday.<br /><br />During his pre-teen years, he did go to bible school and church on a regular basis. He just can't abide by the commandments now that he is 17. He gets mad at me when I tell him that treating girls like objects is wrong. He will date 3 or 4 at a time, and I have a hard time convincing him this is morally wrong. Having fun is one thing, but opening the door for a fatal disease is another. This is another thing that scares the hell out of me about him. There are other other areas of the commandments that he fails to follow as well.<br /><br />Hopefully later on, he will understand why religous morals are important.<br /><br />I just would like to know your opinion on this subject. Thanks

 

[plywoody]

Re: Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

In my opinion, you don't need any sort of faith, or church, to lead a moral life. Morals come from within.<br /><br />Unfortunately, you cannot impose your morals on someone else, wherever they originate.<br /><br />There is, however, a wealth of scientific evidence to argue against an at-risk lifestyle and it requires no particular faith or church to validate.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

SS,<br /><br />You ask and interesting question - one that I hear alot. I will give you my opinion and you can take it from there.<br /><br />Actually I think your question has 2 answers. The first answer would be - NO, you do not need to go to church to have faith. Faith is the belief in something you cannot see. Since you cannot see God, you mnust have faith if you are going to believe. So, by definition, church attendance does not enter into the faith equation.<br /><br />Now, for the second part of your answer - Heb 10:25 tells us, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Here Paul is telling the people, you really need to go to church. There is strength in numbers. You can get encouragement and help there. Church, as I know it, is more of a community than a Sunday service. In the Old Testament the people camped around the Tabernacle (church). In the New Testament it was a community of believers that looked out for each other (had everything in common) and were there to support one another financially, emotionally, and spiritually. There was accountability for your actions. That is the way that our church is designed and what we see happening is people support and encourage each other to live a life that reflects the scripture. Do we fail? Most certainly, we are human. But we are growing and changing.<br /><br />I will not make this lengthy, but I do feel an important part of an individual's Christian life should be to be a part of a congregation of like believers. There you should get spiritual food (that does not take away from personal prayer and Bible study) and support.<br /><br />Just my very humble opinion. Hope it helps.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

nope.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

IMO, no.<br />1hr in church don't make up for the other 167hrs<br />in the week if your not living right...<br />it don't hurt, but I see way too many people who<br />believe that 1hr/wk makes up for anything they<br />do in their lives.<br />a couple things JC said:<br />"wheresoever 2 or more are gathered in my name,<br />I too shall be there" (don't have to be church)<br /><br />the 2 commandments: <br />"love god with your whole heart, mind and soul"<br />"love one another as you love yourself"

 

[Ross J]

Re: Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

Church is for people who have too much time on their hands.<br />Faith, spirituality, religion, it all comes down to what you believe to be your calling. <br />I work in a hospital where there is no church. This results in people using the available space to pray and celebrate. I have witnessed their faith and can say it's second to none each time. I'm constantly amazed how their belief, no matter which faith they follow, is rewarded. The strength and fellowship is strong and all without a structured church on site. I feel a church would detract from some of their spirituallity.<br />I must state that I'm agnostic but am greatly heartened when I see folks faith strengthened through prayer or celebration of their faith. I'm oftened asked to pray and silently support others when they do. One dosen't need a church for that. <br />A church needs a flock and rules and then in sneaks the control factor, along with the sheep like like-mindedness I've seen before. Soon others are imposing their rules on you to follow. No that's not for my patients.<br />Ross

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

As far as I am concerned I am in church when I sit in the middle of the forrest, at one with nature if you will, or sitting lakeside on nice peaceful day. It is these times that you can appreciate the awesome work god does.<br /><br />With all the scandal plaguing the church's it has totally turned me off as far as organized religion. I do have faith but dont need the church.

 

[TennCain]

Re: Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

This is a question that is complex in a way, and yet is very simple.<br /><br />Peter went to Jerusalem to go before the Grand Counsel (which consisted of the remaining Disciples and was headed by James, brother of Jesus.) to inquire as to what laws the new Christians must abide by.<br /><br />This was preceded by a semi clash between the factions headed by Peter (converted Jews) and Paul (converted Gentiles) in the city of Antioch.<br />The Jews felt that the Gentiles must follow all the same laws as the Jews and, along with Peter, shunned the new converts. Paul took exception to this and the resulting meeting in the Bible is known as The Conference of Antioch. ---- after which Peter went to Jerusalem.<br /><br />The answers the Council gave does not include mandated gatherings.<br /><br />One way to get out of "Honor thy Father and Mother" is to disrespect the Commandments altogether.<br /><br />Just my thoughts.<br /><br />Tom

 

[one more cast]

Re: Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

I beleive you can be a good christian without going to church just as you can be a good hunter without joining a hunting club or a good business man without going to collage. Its whats inside that counts.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

I think all Jesus asks is that we believe and to try and live by his philosophy.

 

[tylerin]

Re: Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

I'm with Flathead on this one, to a T

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

If you live by a good moral standing, and treat others well, no edifice will compare. If there is a God, he will be more appreciative of the person who lives by a high moral standard but does not go to church than he will of the person who cheats, lies, treats others poorly, and begs forgiveness at church every sunday. Religious people will say that going to church every sunday is the sacrifice you must make. I believe that being a decent person all week long takes a bit more work than spending an hour a week in church and being an arse all week long....

 

[JB]

Re: Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

I agree with Flahthead and with Plywoody.<br /><br />Most religions and most civilized societies agree on basic morality. . .how to be a good person and how to treat others. It does not even require faith in the existence of a supernatural being, it only requires faith in the truth of laws of morality.<br /><br />If it is church meetings that reinforce your faith, go there. If it is wild places, go there.<br /><br />It doesn't even matter if you believe in an afterlife that rewards or punishes you for your behavior. Rewards and punishment come to us in this life in the form of inner peace, respect and love or guilt, anger and rejection.<br /><br />The 10 Commandments are an excellent recipe for a good and rewarding life for anyone, agnostics and athiests included.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

Way to go JB, you're right where it's at.<br />At the same time however,we should never forget that the ten commandments and most everything we see as good morals.In fact most of our culture as we know it,has come forth out of our religious beliefs.

 

[TennCain]

Re: Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

Mr. JB,<br /><br />Couldnt agree more, sir !

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

Rom10:17 "So then Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."<br /><br />Mat 4:4 "But he answered and said "It is written (Deut 8:3) Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone, But By Every Word That Proceedeth From The Mouth Of G-d."<br /><br />All you need for faith is the Word. It is nice to have a good church that refreshes you and helps you renew your spirit. For general faith and guidance, the Bible is all you need, assuming that you read it.

 

[Bassy]

Re: Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

Flahthead, you are so right in my opinion. That is our belief. It's personal and you can be anywhere to have faith and be with God. He comes through here on a regular basis; a ruffle of the leaves, a breeze that blows. He's right there.<br />Isn't it wonderful?

 

[neumanns]

Re: Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

Imo...Your heart is the house of god. The building many people attend is a temple to themselves and a tribute to there faith but it is not the house of god. Therefore my answer would be no. To Truly worship in the house of god you must believe and live by his word in your heart. What you do in church will have no bearing if you do not worship in the house of god.<br /><br />Mayfloat, I truly believe what your son is doing by raising this question is not to doubt you but rather help find what his own beliefs are. He is struggling to form his own conclusions. Tell him what you believe, he is not a mindless robot and will draw his own conclusion.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

Soulwinner and I will pray for you all! We are to worship our creator, not for him, but for ourselves! You "can" do it either at home or out in the forest, but do you! Why do so many people want to go to heaven when they do not go to church?<br /><br />We will worship God for eturnity there, If you do not do it here why would you want to do it there?<br /><br />Its not "the going to church" that saves you but the relationship you have with Christ!<br /><br />LubeDude

 

[dhud64]

Re: Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith?

My febale attempt to answer this-<br />No you do not HAVE to go to church to have the faith. Salvation comes, through, Faith which comes from believing in jesus Christ as Savior through your free will of choice. We SHOULD go to church as Christians as part of a regimen to train ourselves up so that we may be prepared to go out and fulfill the great commision. <br />Being a Christian and going to church will not make you perfect, that's why we are all sinners, but we can attempt to follow the example that was set in the bible.