When I was little I was forced to go to church on Sundays with my family. In high school I stopped going because I didn't enjoy it. I wasn't getting thing out of it. I still don't go to church because I don't feel the need to go if I don't view it as a helpful concept. I understand that it I don't go to mass I won't receive the host, but what does that really even mean? I talked to my former priest and he told me I wouldn't go to hell if I didn't go to church.

Is it more of a thing you do because you like it? You feel better about your week when you go? I wish I felt like that afterward, but it's never been like that for me.

Necessary for what ?

Necessary for being Christian-Catholic

Actually yes. If you planned to become a devote catholic, its normal that you connect with a church community.

I think you can just pray from your heart/home, I don't think its necessary.. But ya, that's just my opinion.



In my honest opinion, that's like saying if you don't go to church, you don't believe in god... There are people who go to church and believe in god and pray, and there's people who don't go to church and also still pray/believe in god.

This post was edited by Intermediate on Jun 29 2012 01:54am

Well you are not required to go to Church in order to get to Heaven. People go to Church to understand The Bible more. All the friends and gatherings comes out from that. However, the focal point in all of this is The Cross.

Dunno how it works how where you live, but people 50% + here, go to church to say all week long: "I've done the right thing". "I'm a better person now"."Those poor bastards that don't go to church will burn in hell". Something like that.

Imo, this is enough for me.

Acts 17:24

24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.

New International Version (NIV)

He is everywhere

This post was edited by skelter on Jun 29 2012 09:27am

Yes it is necessary. Does your salvation rest on it? No. But since you are saved you should WANT to obey the word and spend time in fellowship with other Christians. Read Hebrews 10:25.

Also, church was never supposed to be about you. You are there to worship God, serve the church, and encourage one another through fellowship.

This post was edited by Dune1 on Jun 29 2012 10:05am

Jesus didn't go to the church of his time, in fact he was crucified after the manipulations of his own church. Also, Jesus didn't preach in The Temple, he preached in the hills of nearby cities and villages. In the temple, he kicked the ass of those selling pigeons and lambs for the offerings.

Just read the Gospels if you dont believe me. (I could search for bible quotes but in english is not very easy)

This post was edited by the_rest on Jun 29 2012 12:01pm

Jesus had a separate mission than you and I have...

Paul preached to all the CHURCHES.. all of his letters were addressed to them.