Christian, do you ever feel this way?

[Master Vigil]

I don't think anyone will every find a denomination that they agree 100% with unless they start their own. Hence all of the denominations.

 

[SonOfNun]

When you take into account what it is we are "fighting" here on earth seperating yourself from other believers isn't a good idea. That is, our greatest enemy here on earth is our will, or what we want to do. Christianity is all about killing our will and submiting and immitating God, or becoming an extention of his will, something you can only do if you have the Holy Spirit. When we seperate ourselves from other believers we are taking away a valuable asset. Other people do not face the same problem we do, so they have a clear mind when it comes to certian problems. I know personally that I can be tempted by sin vary easily and it effects how I think. After the temptation has passed I think how could I ever think that way. This is why God says not to forsake the gathering of yourselves together. ALL the rules God has handed down over the years, old testament and new are for our benefit. Their sole purpose are to help us return to that submissive relationship that Adam and Eve had in the Garden.

It comes down to who are you going to trust, God's word, or yourself... I don't know your entire situation... I don't know what the churches are like your way. Good churches are hard to come by. I am a fairly conservative guy in an ever growing libral world.

I hope this helps.... I am not trying to be judgmental... just don't do it a lone!

 

[blackout]

I find no music outside the boundaries of tradition. And the music that does deny tradition sounds horrible. And I have heard some of your music, and I believe you rely much on tradition. You are subject to note lengths, tones, augmentation, scale, etc... There is that saying that "nothing is new" just a twist on something old. It is an evolution, and that evolution is tradition. Just as martial arts must rely on the natural way the body moves, and the practical application of that natural movement in regards to manipulation... so does music rely on the scale and notes on which rest in the scale. One can change what makes the sound of the note, but not the note itself.

By this thinking there is practiclly NOTHING that we do that is not rooted in "tradition". Just using the English language means that everything we say--all of our speech-- is rooted in tradition. We dress by tradition, walk by tradition, think, talk, eat with a fork and knife, sit on chairs, and sleep in beds by tradition.

This was not at all what I was pointing to.
I was speaking of the ineffable...
God as Source direct.

(While we may play on pre-existing instruments,
Music itself CAN be made on the transcendent level.
It is it's own syntax, it's own tendency, and it makes itself... through the musician.
At best, it is the musician who becomes the instrument of the Music.)

 

[leahrachelle]

I don't think anyone will every find a denomination that they agree 100% with unless they start their own. Hence all of the denominations.

True. Which is another reason it's hard to actually find a church you agree with. There are millions of things religions break down into and everyone has different opinions.

 

[Scuba Pete]

I attend the Altamonte Chapel, but I don't think that I could become a member. Good points and bad points. I get a lot of fellowship right here and with others that I hang with. That's enough for me.

All you need is Love!

 

[madhatter85]

I posted this in another thread but I'm curious if anyone else ever feels this way.

Currently, I'm not a member of a church and am not affiliating myself with any particular religious denomination.

I have issues with organized religion. I'm a very spiritual person and I do believe that there are significant benefits to praise and worship in groups but I find it hard to root myself in a church.

I find that I'm more at peace when I simply live my life in love, as instructed...without adding traditions and sermons to the mix. Sometimes, just clinging to Christ...believing and doing the best I can each day feels more real...more solid than going through this phoney show at church.

I feel more honest with my God when I worship on my own.

That seems really awful, doesn't it? But it's the truth.

In LDS belief we are supposed to worship on our own, the only reason we meet together is to edify one another spiritually. we each learn from eachother and can help one another through our trials. It's like a support group, you make friends, you learn about eachother and grow close in that respect.

I reject alot of religions because they distance you from your Father in Heaven. being LDS it is completely the opposite. It is personal between you and the Lord, there is nobody that acts as some sort of "intermediary" for you to feel the spirit.

 

[Jeremy Mason]

In LDS belief we are supposed to worship on our own, the only reason we meet together is to edify one another spiritually. we each learn from eachother and can help one another through our trials. It's like a support group, you make friends, you learn about eachother and grow close in that respect.

I reject alot of religions because they distance you from your Father in Heaven. being LDS it is completely the opposite. It is personal between you and the Lord, there is nobody that acts as some sort of "intermediary" for you to feel the spirit.

While not all Christian churches behave this way, I find that most of them are cold and unwilling to help one another in times of distress. What a shame. :sad:

 

[DarkLink2135]

In response to OP:

I definitely feel this way, pretty much all the time. I enjoy fellowship with other believers, and learning in a smaller group setting, maybe even one-on-one, and by myself as well. I've got plenty of issues with organized religion that would take too long to type up here .

I don't think the Bible is as adamant on attending the modern concept of "church" as it is simply worshiping with other believers.

Not to say that you can't learn anything on your own, but I believe from the Bible and my own experiences that SOME fellowship with other Christians is necessary, for good spiritual growth.

 

[Mon Jihad]

In response to the first post:

I feel that if you are true to yourself in Christ, and know what to do you really do not need a church. Although church is a good place for community if you are set with what you are doing, and know how to follow Christ fully I do not think you need a church at all. I keep going to church because I am new still, but someone who might know what they are doing, and know what is going on would not need a need in church like I do. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Hope]

I posted this in another thread but I'm curious if anyone else ever feels this way.

Currently, I'm not a member of a church and am not affiliating myself with any particular religious denomination.

I have issues with organized religion. I'm a very spiritual person and I do believe that there are significant benefits to praise and worship in groups but I find it hard to root myself in a church.

I find that I'm more at peace when I simply live my life in love, as instructed...without adding traditions and sermons to the mix. Sometimes, just clinging to Christ...believing and doing the best I can each day feels more real...more solid than going through this phoney show at church.

I feel more honest with my God when I worship on my own.

That seems really awful, doesn't it? But it's the truth.

It's not awful, Dawn. I think you are just one of thousands of Christians who are dissatisfied and disillusioned with organized Christianity (myself being one). As others have said, being a Christian has nothing to do with simply "going to church." We, the Body of Christ, and the Bride of Christ, are the Church.

But I do want to urge you to at least find some kind of fellowship. We are all members of one Body, and as such, we need each other. Just getting together with a few other believers regularly would be sufficient. Wherever, whenever.

My parents, for instance, no longer attend a "church," but they meet every Sunday with a few other believers in their homes, and they say that their times of fellowship and worship are incredibly intimate and sweet. Far more than in any "church" setting.

So I totally understand where you are coming from. Just make sure you're not totally alone in your walk with God.

 

[dawny0826]

That was how I spent my last three years as a christian.

I got incomparably more out of those three years, personally,
than I did out of the ten years I spent in church/organized christianity.

Thanks to everyone for posting. I appreciate your thoughts and comments.

It's nice to know that I'm not alone, UV. :hug:

 

[dawny0826]

To remain outside Christian community is to reject the community into which you have been saved. Since God saved you out of the world and into the church, that's tantamount to rejecting the gracious work of God.

Personally, I don't really feel these way. Christ saved me and brought me into the Body...His body. In my mind, this body isn't a religious institution but moreso a family, if you will of people of like faith.

That's not to say that you're not a Christian;

Well thank you. I certainly am a Christian.

it's only to warn of the danger that lies ahead along this road. God does not intend for you to remain in isolation. No doubt churches can do more to foster a sense of community and belonging, especially among certain groups. University-aged persons come to mind, as do unmarried persons in their thirties who are often unintentionally made to feel a bit like freaks.

I'm not isolated, per se. I go to church from time to time. I have trusted friends and family members that I will pray. But I feel I get more out of private study. Sometimes, I get irritated with the biblical interpretation of others. I know it's awful but it's true. Sometimes, preachers irk me.

I'd also like to point out that worship (traditions and sermons) is not an adjunct to human existence. It's at the heart of what it means to be human. (It's worth pointing out that the sermon represents less than one-third of a typical worship service unless you belong to a charismatic church, in which case it's better than half.) The Holy Spirit's primary desire is to honor and praise the Father through Jesus. If the Holy Spirit resides in you, then you share that desire at some level.

I do have the desire which is why I'm disheartened by the fact that I always feel so out of place at every church I've gone to. My heart is in the right place but I don't feel at home...like belong. It's like choosing a political candidate to vote for. I always feel like I'm settling...like there's a church home for me that truly meshes with my beliefs but it's not within my grasp.

If you don't share that desire at all, if you're truly indifferent to worship in the sense that you really don't even want to praise God in community with his saints, then it's well worth asking the question whether the Holy Spirit abides in you and whether that possibility bothers you

My relationship isn't as strong with my Heavenly Father as it once was and I admit that part of this is because I haven't fed my spirit but I'm not sure if church is the answer. I feel like there's something very wrong with me.

 

[dawny0826]

So being a Christian requires you to have others dictate your relationship with Christ?

(You changed your avatar.)

Depends on which "brand" of Christianity you subscribe to.

 

[dawny0826]

I don't think that is awful at all... it actually sounds pretty great.

I would hope that you are able to be part of the community in other ways... possibly contributing to a charitable event put on by the church or something like that... it's not good to be TOTALLY alone in your faith, but pray and follow your conscience.

You can be an official member of my church.... the First Church of RF.

Your friend in Christ,
Scott



Just send me some money...kidding!

Thanks, Scott. And I hope that all is well with you and yours.

I work for a non-profit organization and though it's not a religious organization, I am filled with great joy, being part of something good that helps others.

I don't pray enough and thank God enough for all that He's blessed me with. I have much to be thankful for. God is so good when we are so not.

 

[Gilberto Alicea]

My Friends I have also experience this I was race in the catholic church and married to a Pentecostal I felt that some how I didn't agreed with their teaching and doctrine in result to this after over 20 years I begging to study the Kingdom of God and I have found so much joy and wisdom and understanding that I feel that many of the churches out their need this message it is so powerful and so important for every one here that I decided to help others I can now visit my wife church my own or any one and know the real meaning of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom he brought back to us . I have plenty of information to offer to every one here. Many churches have not understand the message of the Kingdom of God and have not been teaching this message that Jesus Christ him self preach true out the Nation. I promise you all that if you learn what I learn you be able to take back to your church this message and Gods glory will be manifested .

 

[Gilberto Alicea]

Yeah, dawn, I'm just about where you are... but it's slightly different.

I've been in ministry and invovlved in every aspect of church life for years, and after that I don't want to ever go to church again.

It's less "sermons and tradition" than going around pointlessly in circles.

do you mind sharing what made you feel this way ,I went true this experience my self it was a bit deferent but later learn something else

 

[Gilberto Alicea]

I absolutely feel the same way
And also, I cannot find a denomination that I agree with everything with.

can you share what do you feel or belive I would like to hear your point of view if you don't mind sharing it in this forum

 

[Gilberto Alicea]

I don't go to church either. I fined RF to be a great place to fellowship with believers and non-believers.

I my self have difficulty getting involve with one church I respect them and I have visit a couple but my reason is that my understanding for God original intention for creation is different than many out there and I don't seem to find one that teaches in a way that I understand, but I'm very knowledgeable about the word of God and when ever I can help some one understand I do my best .In my opinion God never wanted religions he wanted a Nation and there is more to this but I will answer if people ask.

 

[Shiranui117]

do you mind sharing what made you feel this way ,I went true this experience my self it was a bit deferent but later learn something else

I hope you realize this thread has been dead for 7 years...

 

[ChristineES]

Wow! A very old thread. I like it. Jesus/Yeshua cared about faith, he never said anything about religion.