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

[BrianFD]

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

I was born and raised Roman Catholic in a German/Irish household. My parents sent me to a Catholic grade school, I was an altar boy, and attended Catholic high school. When we weren't in church, we were thinking about going to church, Saturday nights, Sunday mornings, Holy Days of Obligation, etc. I don't believe it made me any better of a Christian than if I didn't.<br />No, I don't believe that going to church is the do all/be all. There are places other than church that are just as holy. Believing in and having faith in God, realizing that His plan takes precedence over your plans, and accepting that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins is my key to obtaining inner peace. There's a lot more I could say, but won't. I will say that this is my own tenet, and that it works for me. It may or may not be what you're looking for, and I would never contend that my way is the best or only way.<br />I do wish peace for you & yours, SS.

 

[pjc]

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

Do you have to go to chruch to have the faith? <br /><br />--------NO-----------<br /><br />Does faith encompase an inner belief that mankind is inherently good, loving and embraces life of all mankind????<br /><br />---YES-----------

 

[POINTER94]

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

SS,<br /><br />I have followed your terribly unfortunate relationship you have outlined concerning your son. My prayers go out to you. Stand your ground and know that you have the life experience and know what self-destructive behavior is all about and what the future holds for your son if left on his current path.<br /><br />As to the point of this posting, it is a juvenile attempt by your son to make you question your faith and therefore your moral authority. If quoting the ten commandments creates an arguement, then call them the ten house rules!!! This is a poor attempt at getting the upper hand with you. Don't let him get over on you. You may find that the entire religion thing is something that is creating a barrier to him. Keep the tenents of your faith in how you conduct your life, but you may decide not to leverage them to motivate your sons behavior.<br /><br />No, you do not have to go to church to have faith. You may have to go to church to practice a specific religion. That is what makes religion so difficult to practice, rules. A lot of todays "Free Thinkers" frequently think that they have religion when what they have is a faith. A belief of ones interpretations lend themselves more to faith, as a religion is an organized group of people who try to live under a given set of rules that apply to everyone practicing.<br /><br />I hope that you can find the strength to overcome your tragic situation and hopefully allow your son to find his true potential. <br /><br />God be with you.

 

[mikeandronda]

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

Plywoody, the question is about following the 10 comandments but not going to church and if somebody could still have faith, So we are talking about Christianity and that being said I have to disagree with your statement of<br /><br />" In my opinion, you don't need any sort of faith, or church, to lead a moral life. Morals come from within."<br /><br />In Christianity the only way to clean ourselves of sin is through believing Christ died to pay for our sins and accepting that gift. If you believe that Jesus did this for you and you allow this gift to become yours you have faith. Going to a building once, twice or everyday and praising God for this gift does not mean any more to him then doing it in your boat or in a treestand or in your bathroom as long as you praise God. Church should be about worshiping God and often times it is about many other things that confuse and turn people off. Dont get me wrong there are many great things about alot of churches but SS mayfloat if you accepted Christs sacrafice for you have faith and your name has been writen in the book of life. Churches do provide fellowship which helps us in growing stronger by seeing other strong Christians walking the walk and by providing accountability. It also provides teaching to help you grow. Both these things can be done elsewhere as well.

 

[Link]

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

SS MAYFLOAT <br /><br />IMHO:<br />Flahthead nailed it for me anyway, then JB and rolmops elaborated it very well. This is from my point of view only.

 

[JB]

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

Just a reminder.<br /><br />According to the Bible and legend, God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses and the Jews. <br /><br />Though Christianity inherited and embraced them, they are not an exclusively Christian idea.

 

[Carphunter]

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

SS, I guess I will give my opinion also.<br /><br />I do not believe that you need to go to Church to have faith. I have said it before, (and to agree with Flahthead), many times I have felt closer to God while sitting in my treestand a mile back in the woods than sitting in a Church.<br /><br />.....that being said though, let me say that I try to attend Church on a regular basis for several reasons. I feel like a student and the Preacher is the teacher, and I am learning about God while I am in his classroom/Church. I do not come from a very religious background, so I really enjoy learning about something I have not had much exposure to. Its interesting to me.<br /><br />I have met some of the nicest people at my Church, people that pray for my family, and people I pray for. Religion is a very touchy subject, and I am able to share my faith and beliefs with the others in my congregation. <br /><br />Like most people, I sometimes live a hectic life, and for me, listening to the Preacher at Church tends to put things into perspective for me. There are things I worry about sometimes that I don't need to worry about, and after listening to the Preacher, and talking to members of my fellow congregation, those worries seem to disappear. Helps me understand the big picture. That 1 hour at Church each week tends to recharge my batteries so to speak.<br /><br />So, in closing, I don't believe you need to attend Church to have faith at all. I had faith before I attended Church, and I will continue to have faith whether I attend Church or not.<br /><br />.......but, I sure get a lot out of going to Church, that I wouldn't get if I stayed in bed every Sunday morning.

 

[dfish77777]

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

Just wondering, "morals come from within", and "man is inherently good". I never had a hard time teaching my kids to lie, or cheat or steal. Babies have selfish down pretty well. Schools are jammed with kids (younger all the time) having relations, its not a struggle to stay away from these things. The porn stores and strip joints are full of morally upright inherently good people, as are the gangs, third world countries where I could buy a child slave for dollars. Can inherently good people hunt and exterminate children as they do in South American sewer systems where they live? Obviously I disagree, Men are not inherently good, but those who live what in this conversation would be an upright life have to work hard to do just that, I don't think it comes easy. Those inherently good Catholic leaders taking young boys must have to fight that inherent goodness with all their strength to do what they have done. Church won't save you, or make you Holy. Following the 10 commandments perfectly is impossible, and ask 20 people about key scripture and you can get 20 interpretations. When you can stand before God, which I personally believe we all will, and can honestly tell Him you did your best to follow His designs for your life, including how you worship, your morality, what you know and believe and follow of Him, that you learned as much about Him as intellectually possible, you are probably okay. My first step would be to start with a Bible since this seems a Christian conversation, start at the beginning and finnish at the end. Then do that again, then go back and check the areas you found important. My guess, and I'd be pleased to be wrong is most people have not sat down and read that cover to cover, ever. Then follow your heart. And everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I've noticed too, that allot of kids sow their oats, and if raised well, come back around to where you would want them to be. I hope that is what happens for you, don't give up and be an example. very interesting reading all the opinions. And just as disclaimer, I am Christian, I do attend church weekly, and I have exceeded the reading regiment I suggested. God bless everyone of you, and I wish you all a happy new year.