churches-why?

[darkpenguin]

What are you talking about? No RC would object to being called Christian, because they are, no Protestant would, no Orthodox would. There is no group called simply Christian, it describes the faith of various churches, so the analogy is exactly as I said. In case it's not clear, mammals are the equivalent to Christianity, cow to Roman Catholicism. So just as cows (and dogs, cats, pigs, etc.) are all mammals, so RCs (and Protestants, Orthodox, OOs etc.) are all Christian. Why do you seem unable to grasp this simple truth?

James

so i could quite happily go to southern ireland and ask a catholic, hey are you a christian and not get a funny look? i think not!

 

[James the Persian]

so i could quite happily go to southern ireland and ask a catholic, hey are you a christian and not get a funny look? i think not!

Absolutely. No RC, not even an Irish one (not sure why you picked on them in particular - there are RCs in the UK you know, my son goes to a school full of them) would ever object to being called Christian. In fact, they'd call themselves Christian. Ask Victor if you don't believe me.

What on earth do you think it means to be a Christian? And where on earth do you get your information on religion from, because you really need some better sources.

James

 

[sojourner]

i think that we are superior to 'god' and i don't measure my worth against a 'god', did 'god' make evolution happen? no!did 'god' make the big bang happen? no!i have an idea that a higher power may have done or maybe a random act did, who knows? i don't see the need to pray in churches to a 'god' who has been pretty much disproved by science. but thats just my view and i respect that you hae yours too and if you want to believe in your god then so be it, i just feel no need to!and although i have an idea and views they can easily be changed, could your beliefs?

I'm just trying to explain to you that this is not an ego trip for Christians, nor do we perceive God as being on an ego trip. This, to Christians is about a love relationship -- and there is no place for ego, of the type you mention, in a love relationship.

 

[CaptainXeroid]

...i'm pretty sure...

Unless you can back up your assertion, then I am completely sure that you made it up to support a thread that is little more than a disingenuous slap at people who worship in church.:tsk:

 

[darkpenguin]

Unless you can back up your assertion, then I am completely sure that you made it up to support a thread that is little more than a disingenuous slap at people who worship in church.:tsk:

i am mearly trying to understand other peoples views as to why they feel the need to build buildings and pray in them in the name of god, also i wonder why people treat going to church as a burden and a chance to 'balance their cheque books' rather than a spiritual time with 'god' :areyoucra

 

[ayani]

i am mearly trying to understand other peoples views as to why they feel the need to build buildings and pray in them in the name of god, also i wonder why people treat going to church as a burden and a chance to 'balance their cheque books' rather than a spiritual time with 'god'.

folks have already answered the first question you have, as to why people build houses or worship.

many people may treat church as a burden- or going to temple, friday prayers, puja, etc. but even in this case there could be many reasons why a person may feel going to religious services is a "burden". they may feel they are wasting their time, they may feel spirituall "dry" and wonder if attending services is spiritually helpful, or they may feel uncomfortable within their religious community.

while i do not worship in a house of worship, i pray to seek Gods' guidance and to offer thanks to Him. thanks for my time on earth and the people and things i love, thanks for another day, thanks for the opportunities He gives me to humble myself in prayer and remember Him.

one could assume that similar feelings inspire people to come together as a community in a given place and worship.

 

[Smoke]

i'm intrigued as to why various religions namely christianity and catholocism pray in churches when in the bible 'god' protests against being prayed to in a building specificaly built for him/her, why would people pray in churches when it would obviously upset their god as 'god' is everywhere and doesn't need a building in his/her name? just a thought!

Not all Christians build church buildings. The Amish traditionally hold their services in the front rooms of members' homes, and there are a lot of small, independent "house churches" that meet in people's homes, too.

But most churches do build church buildings, and most churches meeting in rented quarters are hoping to build a building someday. For some of the liturgical churches, like the Catholics and Orthodox, it's not very convenient to cart around all the equipment used in worship -- an altar, iconostasis, vestments, etc. -- and set it up for every service and take it down afterwards. In Orthodox worship, in particular, aesthetics are very important, and services are meant -- in part -- to appeal to the senses. It's much easier to achieve a pleasing aesthetic if you have a separate place for worship. Also, churches that believe the Eucharist is really the body and blood of Christ take special measures: you want a piscina for cleaning the altar service, for instance; you don't risk washing the Blood of Christ down the sewer.

Basically, churches build buildings for the same reason other groups, like the Lions Club or the Shriners do: because they can afford to, and because it's convenient to have a place set aside for their services, meetings and programs, and because when any group grows large enough, nobody really wants all those people coming over to their house every week. Also, if you're trying to attract new members -- and most churches are -- you'll find that newcomers are usually more comfortable if their first visit isn't to a private home. Makes it easier to blend in a bit, and to slip out the back unnoticed if need be.

Now churches have found they can attract even more new members if they put in a day care, a gymnasium, a playground, a soccer field, a carwash, etc. I haven't seen a church with its own golf course, yet, but I expect to see one any time now. I'm the last person to defend these "country club" churches.

I'm not sure it's clear in the scriptures that church buildings anger God. There were no church buildings that I know of in Bible times; Christians in the New Testament met in members' homes. Jesus did urge his followers to privately and in secret, and not to make a show of piety. It seems to me it's mostly a matter of proportion, and of wise use of resources. Which is better: to build a new activities building, or to use that money to help the poor?

 

[Smoke]

Absolutely. No RC, not even an Irish one (not sure why you picked on them in particular - there are RCs in the UK you know, my son goes to a school full of them) would ever object to being called Christian. In fact, they'd call themselves Christian. Ask Victor if you don't believe me.

In the American South, though, the word "Christian" has been so appropriated by Christians of the Evangelical/fundamentalist variety that a friend's daughter told me, "I'm not a Christian, I'm Catholic. Christians are stupid."

 

[darkpenguin]

Not all Christians build church buildings. The Amish traditionally hold their services in the front rooms of members' homes, and there are a lot of small, independent "house churches" that meet in people's homes, too.

But most churches do build church buildings, and most churches meeting in rented quarters are hoping to build a building someday. For some of the liturgical churches, like the Catholics and Orthodox, it's not very convenient to cart around all the equipment used in worship -- an altar, iconostasis, vestments, etc. -- and set it up for every service and take it down afterwards. In Orthodox worship, in particular, aesthetics are very important, and services are meant -- in part -- to appeal to the senses. It's much easier to achieve a pleasing aesthetic if you have a separate place for worship. Also, churches that believe the Eucharist is really the body and blood of Christ take special measures: you want a piscina for cleaning the altar service, for instance; you don't risk washing the Blood of Christ down the sewer.

Basically, churches build buildings for the same reason other groups, like the Lions Club or the Shriners do: because they can afford to, and because it's convenient to have a place set aside for their services, meetings and programs, and because when any group grows large enough, nobody really wants all those people coming over to their house every week. Also, if you're trying to attract new members -- and most churches are -- you'll find that newcomers are usually more comfortable if their first visit isn't to a private home. Makes it easier to blend in a bit, and to slip out the back unnoticed if need be.

Now churches have found they can attract even more new members if they put in a day care, a gymnasium, a playground, a soccer field, a carwash, etc. I haven't seen a church with its own golf course, yet, but I expect to see one any time now. I'm the last person to defend these "country club" churches.

I'm not sure it's clear in the scriptures that church buildings anger God. There were no church buildings that I know of in Bible times; Christians in the New Testament met in members' homes. Jesus did urge his followers to privately and in secret, and not to make a show of piety. It seems to me it's mostly a matter of proportion, and of wise use of resources. Which is better: to build a new activities building, or to use that money to help the poor?

then why are people continualy dissobeying jesus' orders by going to church instead of praying in private/secret, it would make more sense to me and be more compasionate to spend money spent on churches helping people dying every minute of world hunger and disease, i resent anyone who would rather give money to their religion then help those who need helping, religion doesn't need or deserve money, other humans do!:yes:

 

[MaddLlama]

then why are people continualy dissobeying jesus' orders by going to church instead of praying in private/secret, it would make more sense to me and be more compasionate to spend money spent on churches helping people dying every minute of world hunger and disease, i resent anyone who would rather give money to their religion then help those who need helping, religion doesn't need or deserve money, other humans do!:yes:

Church funds don't go to the pockets of the people who run it, it's given to charities and community outreach programs.

And, nowhere in the Bible does it say that Christians are not permitted to pray in a building, or that no churches should be built. I don't know what crack you pulled that out of, but it is 100% not true. The vferse that commands Christians to "pray in secret" is not about not building houses of worship or not only praying when no-one can hear you, but it is an admoition against superficial piety - praying in front of others for the sake of being seen praying. It has absolutely nothing to do with building a house for worship.

 

[MaddLlama]

ok i'm not going to do chapter and verse as it's been a long time since ive read the story that is the bible, but i'm pretty sure that in no place did god want churches in his name and as far as i'm aware he didn't want churches in his name but hey i may be wrong, and if i can be proved so then i will accept that i am wrong!

You cannot cite the verse, and nobody has ever heard of such a thing. If you cannot site the verse and give us the text, then the passage does not exist, and you are wrong. Please accept that no such decree exists and move on.

 

[Quiddity]

In the American South, though, the word "Christian" has been so appropriated by Christians of the Evangelical/fundamentalist variety that a friend's daughter told me, "I'm not a Christian, I'm Catholic. Christians are stupid."

Goes to show that ignorance runs on both ends. RC's, EO's, OO's, C of E, Protestants, etc. are all Christians. I'm sure this isn't something you personally would contend or even care to defend but there is some ignorant folks out there.

Just recently I came across a catholic who identified himself as a Christian and never even mentioned he was Catholic Christian. I had to ask a few questions just to figure it out. I asked him why he identified himself as such and he said he just got tired of exaplaining himself to Protestant Christians at work. So he just trys to avoid squabbling about words by calling himself Christian.

 

[jewscout]

i'm intrigued as to why various religions namely christianity and catholocism pray in churches when in the bible 'god' protests against being prayed to in a building specificaly built for him/her, why would people pray in churches when it would obviously upset their god as 'god' is everywhere and doesn't need a building in his/her name? just a thought!

ummmm....

can we say...
TABERNACLE

Say it with me kids...
TAB-ER-NACLE

...very good!:clap

 

[kai]

For the umpteenth time Catholics are Christian. Saying Christianity and Catholicism is like saying mammals and cows. It's completely absurd.

James

seems fair lol, although i don't think either religion would like to see it that way!

oh man you are so funny i have to frubal you!

 

[R34P3R]

For the umpteenth time Catholics are Christian. Saying Christianity and Catholicism is like saying mammals and cows. It's completely absurd.

I dunno...That cannable argument is a pretty good one...

 

[Bishka]

ok i'm not going to do chapter and verse as it's been a long time since ive read the story that is the bible, but i'm pretty sure that in no place did god want churches in his name and as far as i'm aware he didn't want churches in his name

So then you have no assertion and have no basis for an argument if you are not going to provide a source for what you claim to be.

 

[Bishka]

so i could quite happily go to southern ireland and ask a catholic, hey are you a christian and not get a funny look? i think not!

Are you really up to making false assertations and biased statements about someones faith, when you have said you don't even practice it anymore?

 

[Bishka]

i am mearly trying to understand other peoples views as to why they feel the need to build buildings and pray in them in the name of god, also i wonder why people treat going to church as a burden and a chance to 'balance their cheque books' rather than a spiritual time with 'god' :areyoucra

Who treats going to Church as a burden?

I love going to church, and I love going to the temple. Those are some of the best times in my life.

Who are you talking to, or are you just making things up again?

 

[Bishka]

then why are people continualy dissobeying jesus' orders by going to church instead of praying in private/secret, it would make more sense to me and be more compasionate to spend money spent on churches helping people dying every minute of world hunger and disease, i resent anyone who would rather give money to their religion then help those who need helping, religion doesn't need or deserve money, other humans do!:yes:

Apparently you havne't done any research into the community outreach programs thousands of Christians Chruches have.

For example

LDS Church donates 250 wheelchairs to the Republic of Palau. Link here.

That's just one thing, we also have fast offerings collected once a month where members of the Church forgoe a couple of meals and instead of buying that food, turn it into money for the less fortunate in their very own community.

 

[Smoke]

Goes to show that ignorance runs on both ends. RC's, EO's, OO's, C of E, Protestants, etc. are all Christians. I'm sure this isn't something you personally would contend or even care to defend but there is some ignorant folks out there.

Well, she was ignorant of the correct terminology, but she was quite correctly asserting her own faith as opposed to the "Christianity" she heard about from her neighbors and classmates.

But no, of course I'm not saying that Catholics aren't Christians; if anybody says they're Christian, that's good enough for me -- including Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons. My grandfather, on the other hand, would have been quick to tell you that Protestants aren't really Christians.