Going to Church

OffHeGoes29

I never went to church growing up, was only baptized Catholic. Well after leaving CT for a couple of years and traveling some, I got a chance to meet people of different faiths. I gained a lot of respect for some people's devotion for faith. I always believed in some "higher power" but never in the Catholic image. Most people have a negative opinion of the Catholic Church, and I shared the same view with out never experiencing it first hand. My great grandmother was straight off the boat Italian. She went to mass a couple of times a week and read the bible constantly. She was honestly a great woman who loved her family and cared about everyone, more so then anyone I have ever met in my life. So I wonder if her faith in the Catholic Church had anything to do with it. Most people I know that bad mouth Catholics never been to Catholic Church, so how can they be a creditable source?

My question is for anyone that goes to church/temple/mosque etc., what do you personally gain from your faith? I know this is a big question, and I'm not looking for a debate about faiths here, just what kind of personal satisfaction do you get from going? I'm thinking about going, because I want to form my own person opinion.

drivingrl

This sounds cheesy, but I go to church to thank God for what he's given me. I go to a small church where the congregation knows each other, and we volunteer at the local food pantry and various places. It helps remind me of what I have, what I'm grateful for, and who I owe it all to.

OffHeGoes29

Its hard to get people to talk about it, for some people its personal.

CHANGEinWAVES

I used to go to church all the time, but drifted after I got married. Sometimes I feel I need to venture back.

ForestBrain

In my opinion, a person needs to learn of God from God, not some man. Read the Bible (KJV. Others are not the real Bible). I guarantee you it's a million times better than what a church will teach you.
Of course, if you don't really believe the Bible, then completely ignore my statement
But then again, some people go to church for the social reasons. Oh boy. Well, for me, I just want the truth and I want to serve God the way he wants me to. I don't go to church because none I have found really know the Bible. They have an interpretation of it, which is always wrong. Which begs the question, how do you know what is right? The interesting thing about the Bible is that it itself teaches the interpretation. You just have to really seek God and read it.

Vedd Hedd

ForestBrain wrote:

In my opinion, a person needs to learn of God from God, not some man. Read the Bible (KJV. Others are not the real Bible). I guarantee you it's a million times better than what a church will teach you.
Of course, if you don't really believe the Bible, then completely ignore my statement

hehe, its just funny how you say the King James version is the "Real" bible......no offense, but the bible existed for centures before it got to King James, and was translated dozens upon dozens of times. What make styou think that THAT edition is REAL....and all other translations/versions/editions are NOT real?

That being said, i think what most people gain from church is peace of mind. Peace that they know that there is something bigger than them, and that everything is going according to some larger plan that includes them. As a catholic thats what I felt when I went to church.

But, I dont believe in any of that at all now, so I get my peace of mind knowing that I love my family and friends and I try to help those around me as much as I can without going insane at the lack of compassion in the world.

That, and the occasional doughnut.

OffHeGoes29

I want to avoid a debate here.....


Why are some of you turned off about a person preaching vs. just reading it on your own. I tried to read it on my own, its a little hard to understand at times.

Do you think people go for the wrong reasons?

in_hiding79

I was baptized a Catholic, made my first holy communion, got confirmed, went to church camp, went to church every freakin Sunday until one day when I was 21........I just said "fuck it"......:eek:


I'm not going to bash you or anyone else for believing in something that doesn't exist and tell you that you are wasting your time.....if it makes you feel better, then that is good!


My Parent's are still devout Catholics and wonder what they did wrong raising their baby girl!! hehehe


BTW, if you like hearing about dragons, talking donkeys, talking snakes, and child abuse...then the "real bible" is the book for you!!

Vedd Hedd

OffHeGoes29 wrote:

I want to avoid a debate here.....


Why are some of you turned off about a person preaching vs. just reading it on your own. I tried to read it on my own, its a little hard to understand at times.

Do you think people go for the wrong reasons?

Yeah, I have no problem with a person preaching, but early Catholicism needed a priest to "teach" what the stories meant, as most people were illiterate, and there werent enough copies of books/bibles to go around. (No printing press)

After the Gutenberg bible was printed on a printing press, more and more people gained access to copies of the bible, and more people becase literate.

As other sects of Christianity sprouted up (Protestant, etc) and people were literate, and as the chuch went through some very corrupt times, people decided that they dont need a corrupt priest to tell them what the stories meant.

The good news of that was that people were free to explore the meaning behind the stories for themselves. Some people then began to teach the bible as a literal translation....which is a debatable topic, so Ill skip that......but, even still, most organized Christians religions have some sort of "preacher" who translates the stories and decifers the meanings.


Its hard to understand becasue of the MANY translations. People forget.....that book wasnt "written" in the traditional sense....it is a COLLECTION of books, stone tablets copied to paper, written in Hebrew, Aramiaic, Greek, etc.....and MADE into a bible.....

Some belive it is the collevtive word of God, others a collection of great stories....others....a collection of "fable-like" metaphors......and others believe it is just something to calm the masses.

So when you have a "Preacher", a lot of people dont like that becasue they feel that they dont necessarily trust the opinion/spin that the individual might put on it....but that they can read and learn it for themselves...

OffHeGoes29

Vedd Hedd wrote:

Yeah, I have no problem with a person preaching, but early Catholicism needed a priest to "teach" what the stories meant, as most people were illiterate, and there werent enough copies of books/bibles to go around. (No printing press)

After the Gutenberg bible was printed on a printing press, more and more people gained access to copies of the bible, and more people becase literate.

As other sects of Christianity sprouted up (Protestant, etc) and people were literate, and as the chuch went through some very corrupt times, people decided that they dont need a corrupt priest to tell them what the stories meant.

The good news of that was that people were free to explore the meaning behind the stories for themselves. Some people then began to teach the bible as a literal translation....which is a debatable topic, so Ill skip that......but, even still, most organized Christians religions have some sort of "preacher" who translates the stories and decifers the meanings.


Its hard to understand becasue of the MANY translations. People forget.....that book wasnt "written" in the traditional sense....it is a COLLECTION of books, stone tablets copied to paper, written in Hebrew, Aramiaic, Greek, etc.....and MADE into a bible.....

Some belive it is the collevtive word of God, others a collection of great stories....others....a collection of "fable-like" metaphors......and others believe it is just something to calm the masses.

So when you have a "Preacher", a lot of people dont like that becasue they feel that they dont necessarily trust the opinion/spin that the individual might put on it....but that they can read and learn it for themselves...

Thank you, thats a great responce to my question.

OffHeGoes29

in_hiding79 wrote:

I was baptized a Catholic, made my first holy communion, got confirmed, went to church camp, went to church every freakin Sunday until one day when I was 21........I just said "fuck it"......:eek:


I'm not going to bash you or anyone else for believing in something that doesn't exist and tell you that you are wasting your time.....if it makes you feel better, then that is good!


My Parent's are still devout Catholics and wonder what they did wrong raising their baby girl!! hehehe


BTW, if you like hearing about dragons, talking donkeys, talking snakes, and child abuse...then the "real bible" is the book for you!!

You're not the only person I've met that shares the same story growing up. Do you think that you didn't like going because of the forced nature of it? I'm just looking to form my own opinion of it, but its good to see what other people think of it.

catefrances

in_hiding79 wrote:

I was baptized a Catholic, made my first holy communion, got confirmed,....

ditto. but i wasnt christened until my baby brother was born. he's 2 and a bit years younger than me. i often wonder if he not been born would i have been christened? anyhoo we never went to church save the couple of times palm sunday intrigued me enough to waltz across the road to the catholic church and see what those crazy cats were up to. when i was 11 i renounced any religiosity i might of had. i have never doubted nor regretted the path ive taken in regards to this.

writersu

well, I went to my church for like 7 years. I thought I had a church family. It felt good although I knew we were in no way like the ones there who seemed to follow so thoroughly; their walk with God. My intention was there but I am not going to say I did not mess up from time to time. I felt close to God when I went there. Then something bad happened and I can't seem to get myself back there.

Boom The Cat

My family are slightly pagan-ish, so I've never really been to a church. Last year I went to one for the first time to attend a wedding. I got drunk beforehand and burped during the vowels :-\

Not a good start I suppose

harmless_little_f***

ForestBrain wrote:

In my opinion, a person needs to learn of God from God, not some man. Read the Bible (KJV. Others are not the real Bible).

Are you kidding me? The KJV is a hotbed of bad translation, full of words, concepts and phrases which only existed in the middle ages - compiled for a political agenda. I'm staggered that anyone actually believes that any one translation, coloured as some of them are by cultural bias and political agenda, is the 'real bible'.

And btw, the problem most people have is that men actually wrote the Bible.

Jeremy1012

harmless_little_f*** wrote:

Are you kidding me? The KJV is a hotbed of bad translation, full of words, concepts and phrases which only existed in the middle ages - compiled for a political agenda. I'm staggered that anyone actually believes that any one translation, coloured as some of them are by cultural bias and political agenda, is the 'real bible'.

And btw, the problem most people have is that men actually wrote the Bible.

What Mark said. Word for word.

Snake

Well in regards to your first question, I think that its important not to let any person tell yo what to believe. I say always go to God first. I have a good church, Its a contemporary church. I dont like denominations very much, to me it just shows how unreliable peoples own translation of Gods word can be. I dont read the bible much, I dont really believe that its as important as so many people say it is. It is still important though. But to me its most important just to talk to God. For me the comfort I have is knowing that, since I put my life in His hands, that whatever happens is because theres something better that He has set for me.
My analogy would be: life is like a play. You do your part as you see best. When your part is finished for the time being, step back, let others do their part. Over all each person there contributes to the overall direction and climax of the play. Its all written and directed by the one who knows best. But as actors we still may not understand why we are doing what we are doing. But we put our parts in Gods hands, so we just do our parts and leave the rest to his direction.

Its long but I hope it helps.

writersu

drivingrl wrote:

This sounds cheesy, but I go to church to thank God for what he's given me. I go to a small church where the congregation knows each other, and we volunteer at the local food pantry and various places. It helps remind me of what I have, what I'm grateful for, and who I owe it all to.

That's how mine began and I loved it and then we did major outreaches, got a great Pastor and his family (it is not his fault at all), and ended up with so many people that we ended up having church in a gym.....IN A GYM!!!...just like Joyce Meyers...........now too much fluff; no substance and no one knows what happened ................be careful what you wish for, right?

I sure hope your church stays that way because I know how awesome that feels.

writersu

Vedd Hedd wrote:

Yeah, I have no problem with a person preaching, but early Catholicism needed a priest to "teach" what the stories meant, as most people were illiterate, and there werent enough copies of books/bibles to go around. (No printing press)

After the Gutenberg bible was printed on a printing press, more and more people gained access to copies of the bible, and more people becase literate.

As other sects of Christianity sprouted up (Protestant, etc) and people were literate, and as the chuch went through some very corrupt times, people decided that they dont need a corrupt priest to tell them what the stories meant.

The good news of that was that people were free to explore the meaning behind the stories for themselves. Some people then began to teach the bible as a literal translation....which is a debatable topic, so Ill skip that......but, even still, most organized Christians religions have some sort of "preacher" who translates the stories and decifers the meanings.


Its hard to understand becasue of the MANY translations. People forget.....that book wasnt "written" in the traditional sense....it is a COLLECTION of books, stone tablets copied to paper, written in Hebrew, Aramiaic, Greek, etc.....and MADE into a bible.....

Some belive it is the collevtive word of God, others a collection of great stories....others....a collection of "fable-like" metaphors......and others believe it is just something to calm the masses.

So when you have a "Preacher", a lot of people dont like that becasue they feel that they dont necessarily trust the opinion/spin that the individual might put on it....but that they can read and learn it for themselves...

yeah, but too you have to remember that Jesus came to tear the barrier apart that had us and God seperated with only high priests to intercede for us. I am not as schooled in the Bible as I had hoped to be by now, but I do recall that Holy Of Holies tearing when Jesus was crucified, to testify that we had our one and only intercessor.

prljmngrl

ForestBrain wrote:

In my opinion, a person needs to learn of God from God, not some man. Read the Bible (KJV. Others are not the real Bible). .

actually the KJV is very altered from the original texts so be careful which one you choose to read. The KJV version was changed to reflect the opinions of King James...thus the name King James Version.

prljmngrl

I think you you really want to choose a faith, you have to experience them and learn about them so you know what you agree with and what you don't. My husband looked for religion for years before I met him. He went from church to church posing a simple question to the Priests/Elders/Rabbis/etc. "What makes your faith the right one? Why should I follow it?" He chose a religion based on the answers he was given. Some were quite shocking. When he finally settled on one religion, it was because he was given logical and verifyable answers with scriptural proof. Nothing else compared and he has been very happy with his choice since.

So get out there. Talk to people. Determine what you believe to be true and right based on your own moral standards.

reversedarwinism

writersu wrote:

yeah, but too you have to remember that Jesus came to tear the barrier apart that had us and God seperated with only high priests to intercede for us. I am not as schooled in the Bible as I had hoped to be by now, but I do recall that Holy Of Holies tearing when Jesus was crucified, to testify that we had our one and only intercessor.

true that.

I live in the "bible belt". On some Sundays, I'll listen to the local preachers on the radio. Its a good healthy reminder that the Americans living around me are just a ignorant and crazy as any other group of people. When I'm hearing this crazy, crazy shit come out of the preachers mouth, I'm truely amazed. Amazed because people I know, respect, and deal with are just eating it up. People I would think have a rational brain.

I did go to church as a youth and remember beleiving. I found it all very interesting. Once my mind started exploring the subject and applying common sense, religion didn't stand a chance; and I was still very young then. Religion (well, western religions) are purely political. We don't know how the world would be shaped with out it. I'm sure its been good in some ways, but nothing has been worse for humanity.

As far as Catholism, I don't know how anyone could look themselves in the mirror and say they beleive something like that, I know I couldn't, lol. As far as Christianity, I'm at the point now where I'll say its crazy to anyone - not in a mean, argumentative way, just say it. Resurection??? (amongst everything else) come on now people. What do miricles have to do with anything going on in your everyday life? Jesus's message was simple and did have everything to do with everyday life. The miricles are how they sucker in the simple minded masses, IMO. The religions is about control, probably the opposite of what Jesus wanted. I don't debate the subject, even though it blows me away that people can be so easily taken in. I beleive in eternal life, but no one knows what happens when you die any better than I do. Well, there's my two cents.

in_hiding79

Yeah, I have read that KJV book, the beginning was funny, the middle was plain weird, but the ending sucked ass!

sponger

reversedarwinism wrote:

Once my mind started exploring the subject and applying common sense, religion didn't stand a chance;

Exactly. All it takes is a bit of intuitive common sense and the shams are exposed for what they are.

Lizard

Boom The Cat wrote:

I got drunk beforehand and burped during the vowels :-\

Oh Shit...was Vanna White there??? Sorry...that seriously made me giggle a lot!

Vedd Hedd

writersu wrote:

yeah, but too you have to remember that Jesus came to tear the barrier apart that had us and God seperated with only high priests to intercede for us. I am not as schooled in the Bible as I had hoped to be by now, but I do recall that Holy Of Holies tearing when Jesus was crucified, to testify that we had our one and only intercessor.

hehe, Im an athiest, so its all pretty much giggles to me.....

roar

reversedarwinism wrote:

As far as Catholism, I don't know how anyone could look themselves in the mirror and say they beleive something like that, I know I couldn't, lol.

I can.

back to the original post:

I am Catholic and there are a million reasons why I like being Catholic. The Mass is one of them.

You can talk to God-pray-worship-meditate on your own time, any time, but I go to church to receive the body of Christ through Holy Communion and because the Mass is a sensual form of worshipping God (through music, food, candlelight, incense, touch, etc.) shared with my faith community -- hand in hand, in one powerful voice.

OffHeGoes29

Does going to church make anyone a better person?

Jeremy1012

OffHeGoes29 wrote:

Does going to church make anyone a better person?

No, not specifically. It might make you a happier person but you can still be the best person you can be without going to church and you can even be devoted to a god without going to a church. It's not a necessity. In fact, it's probably the main corrupting factor in a lot of religions. Church = order = power = money = corruption.

A person undertaking private study and worship of a faith is not subject to the same corruption and can reap whatever benefits a church has. If it's about the community, start a tea and biscuit group.

My one fundamental grievance with religion is the organisation of it. My mother is a training baptist minister and we get on well, in spite of my absence of faith and I support her choice but if she, you or anyone else asked me if I agree with what she does, I'd say no. I'm happy for her to dedicate her life to God if it makes her happy but I'm not so big on making other people hang on her every word as if she's somehow now more authoritarian as a christian than others. She's not, she's just read more. She has read more stuff written by men and subject to men's agendas.

If I ever witness an act of God and my belief system is wholly transformed, I'll still never go to church. Don't see the need for it

drivingrl

Jeremy1012 wrote:

No, not specifically. It might make you a happier person but you can still be the best person you can be without going to church and you can even be devoted to a god without going to a church. It's not a necessity. In fact, it's probably the main corrupting factor in a lot of religions. Church = order = power = money = corruption.

A person undertaking private study and worship of a faith is not subject to the same corruption and can reap whatever benefits a church has. If it's about the community, start a tea and biscuit group.

I agree. And that's essentially the reason why Martin Luther pulled away from the Catholic Church. Not attending church or not confessing one's sins was something that Christians felt they were required to do, because the Church had such a stranglehold over everyday life. But our understanding today is completely different; you can communicate with God directly, and you don't need a body church or a priest to be apart of that exchange.

And, heavens, there are millions of people on this planet who are great people who have never stepped foot in a place of worship, so there you go.

jamie uk

I totally agree with him ^.
Saying that, I went to church last Friday, this one

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Holy_Trinity_Lawrence_Hill_Bristol.jpg/260px-Holy_Trinity_Lawrence_Hill_Bristol.jpg


Now the most excellent of concert venues and at least 4 massage parlours within 2 minutes walk, I mean I just happened to notice them on my way there from the car park....:o