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Religion

Can I be a Christian if I don't go to church?


Created By on 26/08/2016

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Anonymous
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AndreC
5th Feb 2024 23:28:24
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mrwildavson
9th Jan 2024 10:52:30
2
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This is a personal decision that you make in your heart, not something that depends on your church attendance.
Wendy1953
11th Oct 2023 16:28:41
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Of course you can! But I’de suggest you join a small group Bible study, as the Word says “not to forsake gathering together”. We need other Believers to encourage us, pray for us, and walk through this life together. Be blessed!
Wendy
ColoMtnMan
19th Apr 2020 19:14:53 (Last activity: 19th Apr 2020 23:31:51)
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Nanjo,

I suppose it depends on what you go to church for. For me I want to hear God's Word properly taught and to receive the Sacraments Christ appointed for His Church and in order to do that it necessarily means that I need to be where the Word is proclaimed and where the Sacraments are administered in accord with our Lord's institution.

There are lots of folks who claim the label of "Christian" and I am not here to judge any of them. That's way above my pay grade and I'll leave it up to Christ who will judge rightly upon His return. But to only go to Church and be nourished in the faith through God's appointed means of grace (Word & Sacrament), only twice each year at Christmas and Easter is about like a fellow who only wants to eat food twice each year. I am reasonably certain that such a person would certainly die. Likewise, if a person only received spiritual nourishment twice each year I am reasonably certain that person's faith will also eventually die.

I might also point out that at our Lord's direction the Apostles were sent out to form congregations and appoint pastors throughout the Mediterrenan world so it's not really man's invention, but the Lord's direction. If that is the case, then perhaps we should take a hint and do what He directs.
Response from Sally - Silversurfer's Editor made on 19th Apr 2020 23:31:51
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Nanjo
28th Aug 2016 09:38:11 (Last activity: 29th Nov 2019 20:45:35)
3
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I don't follow any religion, but a Christian friend of mine believes that God is all around so there's no need to go to church, some people attend to socialise. I never challenge the views of Christians as they interpret the bible to suit themselves
Response from jeanmark made on 25th Nov 2019 19:18:53
So MaryPoppins56, who upholds the prejudices of non-Christians?
Response from jeanmark made on 29th Nov 2019 20:45:35
The point I was trying to make was if the definition of prejudices is a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience, then some people may use their belief as a way of justifying their thoughts and opinions because they believe them to be reasonable. However, many would have the same prejudices even if they had no faith. We can not always 'blame' religion as the cause of such things.
ThatManViv
29th Aug 2016 12:45:13 (Last activity: 25th Nov 2019 19:15:27)
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course you can ... all the christians I ever met were hypocrites ... not to mention fantasists for accepting such twaddle as true ... so, you carry on ... btw, did you know history shows that there was no census until 60 yrs after Herod died, that stars dont travel across the sky and stop over lone buildings, that shepherds dont sit watching sheeps in the dark, or the day, and that people carrying gold and stuff would be set upon and robbed, so they werent so wise eh ... maybe the rest of that story is true tho ....
Response from KEITH_WL made on 29th Aug 2016 19:59:34
Quote: "all the christians I ever met were hypocrites". That's judgemental. There's also a hint here that if you meet somebody who declares himself to be a Christian then it might be that fact, not your observations, that guides your opinion.
Response from ThatManViv made on 31st Aug 2016 13:17:26
why shouldn't I be judgemental, all religious people are judgemental and talk about some nonsense day when we will alllll be judged .. please dont expect any special elitist respect from me because you proclaim you are a christian, you're more likely to find me smerking and laughing at you and you delusions.
Response from jeanmark made on 31st Aug 2016 15:51:50
That's a sweeping statement ThatManViv, you have obviously not been fortunate to meet the kind of people I have. Yes there are some people who proclaim to be Christian but don't demonstrate that in their behaviour, but there are more people who are Christian in both belief and behaviour.

Why do some atheists have to try and belittle someone who has a different viewpoint to them? Note I say 'some' as I have met many atheists who accept we are all different. I would no more laugh at you because of your belief i.e. there is no God, than I would laugh at someone who has a strong Christian belief.

My mother was a Christian, although not devout, my father an atheist. My father had experienced a very negative side of Christianity during his childhood but he never once blamed Christians, rather the people who claimed to follow that faith. They brought my sisters and I up to follow our own path and never once derided us for the one we chose, be that Christian or not.

I have already mentioned in this stream that I'm a grumpy old woman but that doesn't mean all pensioners are grumpy, but maybe I am delusional and all OAP's are grumpy!
Response from Shanny66 made on 27th Jan 2017 10:23:06
Well said!
Response from jeanmark made on 25th Nov 2019 19:15:27
How sad MaryPoppins56 as I know many people who 'belong' to the LGBT community who considers themselves practising Christians and are accepted by the church. I also believe the Catholic Church may have been responsible for their denial of the child abuse, but the individual was responsible for the abuse itself. There are many good Christians and many bad non-Christians, it is the individual who is responsible for the way they behaviour not the religion they follow.
[deleted]
28th Aug 2016 08:32:29 (Last activity: 25th Nov 2019 19:01:03)
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[deleted]
Response from jeanmark made on 28th Aug 2016 12:25:08
How sad Dollie, I know a number of people who follow the Christian faith, my sister included, and they are not hypocrites or martyrs just very nice people who happen to be Christians. I do accept there are hypocrites out there but I wouldn't tar everyone with the same brush. I'm a grumpy old woman but I wouldn't say that's because I'm an OAP and thus all OAP's are grumpy!
Response from KEITH_WL made on 29th Aug 2016 20:03:25
That's a much more balanced comment, Jeanmark, than some of the others in this discussion.
Response from jeanmark made on 25th Nov 2019 19:01:03
And a number of non-Christains respond in exactly there same way, they just don't quote the bible to defend their views.
David46
15th Aug 2018 17:39:33 (Last activity: 24th Aug 2018 03:11:13)
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Maybe, but try to join a church community which suits you, you will only grow in faith.
Such a lot of negative replies to this accusing Christians of being hypocrites. Please remember our faith has been around for 2000 years and is practised in just about every country in the world. You are absolutely entitled to disagree, you may have come across a few Christians who were hypocritical but the millions of others just practise our religion in peace and invite others to join us.
Response from David46 made on 16th Aug 2018 16:11:21
Lionel, a church community is not necessarily within a church building. The church is the people that gather together to worship and hopefully be inspired by the Holy Spirit. The decoration within the building helps some and deters others, some leaders ( call them what you will) wear ornate robes others wear ordinary dress.
There are so many styles to choose from because people are looking for what suits their own style and where they can feel closer to God.
Response from David46 made on 17th Aug 2018 06:11:39
Lionel, thank you for outlining your background, it is indeed different to mine. I was brought up by parents who regarded Christians as hypocrites and anything to do with religion was rubbish. 45 years ago my first born son died and I found myself ranting and raving to this God I thought I did not believe in. Somewhat like Job releasing my anger and frustration led me to a deeper appreciation of all God's blessings. Many years later I was ordained into the church and regularly lead worship, visit the sick and dying etc.
Worship for me is time when we put time aside, alone or with others to open ourselves to God. Rant and rave if we have to, question and doubt, but also to thank Him for all our blessings. That can take the form of hymns, scripture, praying or just being and letting the Holy Spirit speak, cleanse and revive us, enabling us to go out into the world showing the love of Jesus in thought, word and importantly in deed.
Response from David46 made on 18th Aug 2018 09:40:41
Lionel, my sympathy for the tragic loss of one so young. Certainly there is a great deal of pressure on young people these days, unfortunately some do not find their way through. As padre to some air training cadets they told me recently that their greatest fear was failure, that is so much pressure from parents to pass exams, pressure to get a good job and pay their way in life. You are quite right something has to change to make life a little more than a continuing struggle for many people.
I understand your view that the church does not appear as dynamic and forceful as once it did. To an extent I can agree with that view. But although times change God does not and He is still at work in the world, we do not always understand why things happen, but that is faith. The church continues to do much good work around the world with things like relief organisations, food banks and individuals giving of themselves to help others.
Can we agree that instead of buildings and the institutional view of church we can define church as the people of God being and living as the hands, feet and voice of Jesus, doing to the best of their ability and circumstances what he would do in the here and now,
Response from David46 made on 21st Aug 2018 10:14:35
Lion, I agree with much that you say. True that faith drives works. It is through the work we do be it food banks, charities etc that we hope people will see the love of Christians come to believe.
The kind of pentecostal action you adhere to no longer has results, indeed it can and has turned people away. That does not mean it is wrong, indeed it is a ideal. However we must work with what we have in a world that desperately needs faith. I believe that we must not dilute the gospel message in any way but approach evangelism in a different, gentler way. We need to lead and not push.
I don't know that anyone knows the answer so it is good we have different views. Whatever we do or do not God has a plan.
Response from ecarg made on 21st Aug 2018 13:45:25
David
People do not have to be Christain or have a Faith to work in food banks or other charities.Personally I have worked for a charity for 20 yrs. and am now a volunteer for Visability and am not a Christian ,I adhere to my own personal values and respect that others have their own views
Response from David46 made on 21st Aug 2018 13:54:34
That was never in doubt and not what I was suggesting. I am sure you are doing much good work.
Response from David46 made on 22nd Aug 2018 09:27:32
Lionel, yes those early disciples achieved so much and many since then has been been spreading the word of God, sometimes even risking their earthly lives to do so. Raising the dead remains a thing of the past_that is up to God in His judgement. Healing in the physical sense is more a matter of opinion, certainly praying for recovery is welcome and sometimes successful, but recovery in the sense that God,through ministry can make people at ease with their condition and ready to accept death. In my ministry I have been with a great many dying people, if they have faith their passing is so much more peaceful.
The question remains, are we doing enough to spread the word even when the world does not want to hear it? Do we repent of our failures? Yes we do at the very least at once a week in church. Do we ask for God's guidance? Yes frequently. So yes I agree with you we are failures in so many ways,, but I believe there are so many people out there, whether or not they acknowledge God coming His will among His people, so I am not as despondent as you and I truly believe that God is working His purpose out.
Response from David46 made on 24th Aug 2018 03:11:13
Thank you Lionel I have enjoyed our discussion immensely. I appreciate your views completely. I wish every one could respect each others differences so amicably.
ecarg
18th Aug 2018 20:27:43
2
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It is apparent from theses posts that being a Christian has a lot of confussion surrounding what it means therefore why give yourself a label and attend church where others may not share your point of view.
Why not just be true to yourself and whatever you believe because at the end of the day who really knows the truth and at the end of the day,well it won't really matter unless of course you expect to go to heaven and then find out you have ended up somewhere else.If people respected each others beliefs I think people of all religions would get along better,but unfortunately that is not the case and until tolerance improves there's not much hope of things improving.
ecarg
18th Aug 2018 07:12:21
2
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You don't need to go to church to be a Christian.I consider myself to have good values that may be called Christian but I am not a Christian.I have my own beliefs that guide my actions and am content that I do my best for others and myself.
kman35
4th Sep 2016 20:32:57 (Last activity: 12th Dec 2017 08:19:33)
1
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Of course you can be a Christian without attending Church, once you have excepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour then He becomes part of you and lives within you no matter where you are. However for building up of the faith and getting to know other Christians then it is good to think about being part of a church community....it doesn't have to be a big church, find one which you enjoy and can freely worship in.
Response from abitlikeruth made on 12th Dec 2017 08:19:33
Well said. Thank you for the accurate definition of "Christian".
dantheman
4th Sep 2016 16:52:40
3
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We are Born with a free will to accept or reject ,what path we take is down to us , for me I chose to be a Christian I go to Church my lifestyle means I have accepted that I am imperfect ,but every biblical figure was flawed ,only one hero and that is Jesus ,have heard all negative comments , often the one about Church full of hypocrites makes me smile, my reply is come join us always room for one more .
Iancw12
28th Aug 2016 08:30:44 (Last activity: 4th Sep 2016 10:38:27)
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Absolutely, no doubt at all.
Response from KEITH_WL made on 29th Aug 2016 23:46:42
By the way, there have been at least two assertions in this discussion that the universe is infinite. Well I hope nobody will try to tell me that atheists are the ones who apply science when forming their opinions. Whether the universe is infinite seems to be a sophisticated study with pointers to both beliefs, and sometimes a conclusion of uncertainty.
Response from celtwitch made on 4th Sep 2016 10:38:27
Science provides us with reliable and verifiable evidence, where religion relies on 'faith' and hearsay. Sam Harris said, 'faith is the licence religious people give to each other to believe in something when reasons fail.'
Professor Brian Cox has explained how the universe began, and how it will ultimately die; never once did he mention the word 'god.'
The universe is infinite, unless you can prove otherwise? I don't understand your 'pointers to both beliefs' and your 'conclusion of uncertainty.'
Robs sister
2nd Sep 2016 18:03:40 (Last activity: 3rd Sep 2016 20:08:41)
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Of course you can be a Christian without going to church.
Response from celtwitch made on 2nd Sep 2016 21:01:02
How does that work?
Response from celtwitch made on 3rd Sep 2016 20:08:41
So, just to be clear, what is Christianity?
Sunseeker1 Original Poster
3rd Sep 2016 20:06:07
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Alan247
3rd Sep 2016 18:59:33
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Last time I went to church, somebody tried to drown me
Sunseeker1 Original Poster
3rd Sep 2016 17:40:40
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Maybe I should have asked, "Do I need to go to church to be a Christian"
celtwitch
2nd Sep 2016 21:00:24
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Can you be a film fan without watching films,,,can you be a sprinter without going to the track?
celtwitch
30th Aug 2016 10:43:34 (Last activity: 1st Sep 2016 09:18:41)
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A Christian once told me that 'god' knows 'every hair on my head' and every hair on every person's head on the entire planet! There is a level of preposterous arrogance in a statement like that which is hard to understand. But, many devout Christians would agree that 'god' is indeed among our follicles. So, is 'god' everywhere?
Let me ask the devout among you, 'when you are in prayer - what do you think you are doing - and what do you think is happening?'
There is a difference between 'doing' and 'happening' so please try to answer both elements, if you can?
Response from Treehugger1 made on 30th Aug 2016 20:34:32
I wouldn't call myself devout celtwitch but I do pray, perhaps in desperation that there is nothing else I can do that might just possibly help those who need some relief or assistance in difficult circumstances.

I was raised as a Christian and as someone once said to me 'you can take the man out of the church, but you can't take the church out of the man, so perhaps that has some influence on me, but I doubt it somehow, as my current beliefs are anathema to most Christians.

As to what is happening when I pray, I often wonder that myself and have been known to silently scream that He probably doesn't exist anyway and i'm wasting my time but still I pray in the hope that just possibly He might be listening and i'm not wasting my time.
Response from ThatManViv made on 31st Aug 2016 13:11:00
I was raised by "christians"... I know they were "christians" because they were hypocrites, who swore, had no idea how to love, beat me mercilessly, made me and all there other brats go to church to be brainwashed with lies and imaginary stories, and then they went themselves to show how righteous they were, but the church didn't get into me, i saw thru it all at a very young age and soon as I was free I scoffed at it and never entertained it again. And I've been a nicer person than they ever were.
Response from jeanmark made on 31st Aug 2016 15:58:41
Surely ThatManViv, the way you turned out is down to you and you would have been the same even if you had followed the Christian faith. The fact someone attends church doesn't necessarily mean they are true Christians.

As to prayer Celtwitch, I pray most mornings that when I look in the mirror I won't see my mother. My prayer hasn't been answered yet but I can always hope for the impossible.
Response from ThatManViv made on 1st Sep 2016 09:18:41
we all wish this eh .... I know Im not my mother because I brought a child into this world and have loved him and been there for him every day of his life . . .
Alan247
31st Aug 2016 09:38:29
0
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I always wonder, just who are people praying to?
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