Which Is Your Religion?

**Unchained** · November 16th, 2006, 04:23 PM

Freewill Baptist here.

**1inStripes** · November 16th, 2006, 04:50 PM

Non-demoninational. The church I attend would probably fall into the freewill side of things, but its also nice not being apart of the "community meetings" of freewill churches and such being on your own.

**plantsman** · November 17th, 2006, 04:34 PM

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.

**Big_AL** · November 17th, 2006, 05:40 PM

Non-demoninational here also . but if you had to put it with a type penticostal sp.

**smarty** · November 17th, 2006, 07:30 PM

same here. Non-Denom. but very similar to Pentecostal.

**imported_ut1** · November 17th, 2006, 09:55 PM

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]

**plantsman** · November 17th, 2006, 10:06 PM

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.

**NotSoSilentBob** · November 17th, 2006, 10:10 PM

[ QUOTE ]
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.

[/ QUOTE ]

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.

**imported_ut1** · November 17th, 2006, 10:27 PM

Ah, my friend, but what do you find in a church? Human beings. If the Bible is clear on one thing, it is that we as human beings are sinful. Just as you expect that a dog will behave like a dog, so must human beings behave as human beings. God never tried to hide the fact that his children were misbehavers. Look at David, look at Samson, look at Moses. All failed God and fell short of the mark, but God is good. Why else would He allow us to know the sins of great heroes in the Bible??? They found love and restitution in God's eyes. Isn't that our whole aim in worshipping??
If I go to church thinking that I am perfect and am being joined by scores of other perfect people, Satan doesn't have to deceive me as I've already done that to myself.

Yes, there are a lot of hypocrites in church. In a way, we all are to some degree. But at least we're there. Just as Jesus pointed out that only the sick needed a physician, so too must I point out that the church is the closest thing you'll find to a spiritual hospital, and that is where the sin-sick (us human beings) need to be.