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Personally, I gave up on religion years ago. The church as we know it today is modeled after the pagan temples during Constantine's reign - altars, choirs, platforms, etc.
Though I'm a Christian, I don't feel obligated to attend or be a member of a church. And before someone reminds me to "not forsake the assembling", I think that has nothing to do with assembling in a building. I meet in my home, or with a few on the porch over a cup of coffee.
Non-demoninational here also . but if you had to put it with a type penticostal sp.
same here. Non-Denom. but very similar to Pentecostal.
Who cares what our church is modeled after, as long as real worship is taking place? [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
I'm a Christian first, a Southern Baptist second.
If all Christians follow your lead on not feeling "obligated to attend or be a member of a church", where would Christianity be? Why is the bulk of the last 23 books of the Bible concentrated on church direction and doctrine? If nothing else, the early apostles' (like Peter and Paul) great mission was to establish and guide new churches.
Can you be a Christian and worship in your home or on the front porch with a group of friends? Certainly! I think its great that you do that, but you are missing many blessings if you're not attending / are a member of a local church.
The church is described as being like the human body, each part performing a valuable function for the good of the whole. I wonder which church body is missing a part since you choose not to obligate yourself?
For me, I need my church family. I need to feel involved and supported in God's work. Having fellow Christians in my living room or front porch just becomes an added bonus to the sweet fellowship I already enjoy in my church setting.
Don't miss out on some of the best stuff this side of Heaven!!! [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
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Jedi with a touch of freewill Sith.
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You and I need to have a looonnngggg talk! [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]
I'm happy for you...that you have a "church" that you really enjoy. However, I haven't found that. If the traditional church is the answer, why is the divorce rate higher in the traditional church than among nonbelievers? Why is alcoholism, pornography use, adultery, etc. no different in the church than among non-believers? Is it possible that we as believers have come to play games and accept merely a portion of truth rather than the whole truth? Have we learned to live behind a mask? I know from experience that once we become TRANSPARENT, then, and only then, can we begin to walk in fullness of what Christ has to offer. As long as the traditional church has a hireling (i.e., pastor) on staff, I don't expect things to change.
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I'm happy for you...that you have a "church" that you really enjoy. However, I haven't found that. If the traditional church is the answer, why is the divorce rate higher in the traditional church than among nonbelievers? Why is alcoholism, pornography use, adultery, etc. no different in the church than among non-believers? Is it possible that we as believers have come to play games and accept merely a portion of truth rather than the whole truth? Have we learned to live behind a mask? I know from experience that once we become TRANSPARENT, then, and only then, can we begin to walk in fullness of what Christ has to offer. As long as the traditional church has a hireling (i.e., pastor) on staff, I don't expect things to change.
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Just because someone goes to church doesn't mean they're even a Christian. When I was going to church on a regular basis, I knew of quite a few people in the church who were there every Sunday, but just as a show.
It seems a lot of people who like to condemn religions for 'judging' are all too quick to judge themselves.
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Jedi with a touch of freewill Sith.
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You and I need to have a looonnngggg talk! [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]
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About? [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Oh, clueless one, thou knowest. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
I fully agree. My premise is that many who go to the traditional church merely worship the church and/or the pastor...it's misplaced faith, I think.