churches-why?

[Bishka]

i just have an issue with religion in general, surely any god with fortitude would have built their own shrines and churches for people to pray at and wouldn't remain hidden,

What?

i have an issue with religions who pray to different gods but can't prove their existence

It's called faith, and they have nothing to prove to you if you have no inkling of wanting to believe.

but still preach that 'they have the right religion and they must be right because their god said so.' did he/she really? having said that i'm guessing any god would be wise enough to be afraid of showing themselves what with the state they let the world get into!

God has shown Himself, but He is not going to "cast His pearls before swine."

 

[Bishka]

The primary use of churches is to teach religions, and that is the way it should be. Religions should NOT be taught in public, tax-supported schools. Praying can be done anywhere. In some places, such as public schools and government facilities, praying is best done silently.

Well said!

 

[Quiddity]

I have often wondered why there is a need for churches. The verdict is still out on the subject of whether GOD needs or deserves worship. Some religions will explain that the need of a church is to keep the congregation organized but I find it kind of redundant. I once started a thread about religion and money and what it took to keep these buildings afloat but it seems some people were very proud of these structures and I could not argue the beauty of such architectural developments. Another thing I had trouble understanding, if people of similar faiths wanted to congregate, I would think that each individual who attended a church must have some dwelling that they returned to after church. Couldn’t these same people open up their homes and invite a few people to carry out their worship or instruction in their own house? This would certainly free up the funds and the responsibilities of many designated structures. I have attended a few services that were held at people’s houses and they are downright homey and comfortable. I am also of the belief that GOD is everywhere, whether it is just one or whether there is more people. If everyone can agree with this statement the question remains; what do we need churches for? Ceremonies, worship, gatherings? Ghandi once said that are bodies are our temples, I would think that this would be enough to enter and maintain a REAlationship with GOD.

I don't think you'll bump into any Christian that doesn't believe that God is everywhere. But even with this reality, God was very specific about location in the OT. Where people could point to a place and say "Moses talked to God in that mountain". There is literally tons of examples where God gravitates people to locations. Eventually causing the tabernacle to come to be. So this attitude of "why do you have to go there?" really is foreign to Abrahamaic religions. God knows us far to well and trys to shower us with tangible things to attach meaning to. Refusing to do so is actually what is odd.

 

[cardero]

Gracie writes: i see what you're saying, cardero. and as someone else pointed out, the thing with meeting in houses is that those meeting places will often get too small for a congregation.

You have also brought out many good points and I will try to address them all.

For every family that goes to church there is a house that goes unused. There is one time, many years ago, when I visited a home book study of the congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. There was learning, study, camaraderie, hospitality, friendly gatherings and if I remember correctly, refreshments. This is not a problem of space or room or even swelled membership but a problem does exist and that may include employing enough people qualified to teach or lead. In the JW’s book studies, this was not a problem because there was always an elder to reside over the book study. In other religious beliefs you have the matter of habitual ceremony or there may not seem to be enough leaders available to lead a congregation but this concern could easily be remedied.

Gracie writes: the number of believers will grow, and the community will seek the building of a house of worship where they may go specifically to worship and congregate.

Believers should be more concerned about what they could do to personally strengthen and encourage their REALationship with GOD. Almost every religion can agree; that church is about the people and not about a place.

Gracie writes: it's the whole idea of a sacred space. which could be argued around if one supposes that no one place is less or more holy than another.

Muslims will drop and pray wherever they are when it is time to pray, I believe they feel that the space that they have occupied is sacred. Though many religions have a different idea to what exactly constitutes sacredness, I can confidentially admit, that right now, wherever you stand to approach GOD is important and personable.

Gracie writes: yet there is something in the human nature which tends towards longing for a home-space.

Many religions will explain that human nature does not take precedence over GODly nature. There are many religions that are not more financially secure than others. If GOD does not provide a home base for religions, does this mean that a religion cannot connect, worship, talk, teach, appreciate and interact with GOD or that this religion does not have the approval of GOD? I am going to have to side with Ghandi and reiterate that our own bodies are our own home-space. GOD has provided for everyone in this respect.

Gracie writes: whether a nation, homeland, house, or temple. it is a way we can draw closer to one another, use our creativity and skill to build a place that reflects something of the magificence we understand God to be, something of His grandness and wonder, and it is a way to gather in His name. if one is so inclined.

And this I feel is one of the attractions to religion but is it realistic? Does one need the support, the sight of seeing other families and friends to understand and appreciate the wonder and grace of GOD? What do we collect from these experiences that we cannot initiate outside of a religious building? I have also seen the guilt associated with such buildings. A member of a church feels personal guilt if he or she has not attended church in awhile and suddenly feels as if a disservice has been paid to GOD. A religious leader kindly reminds a former churchgoer, who they have not seen in awhile, that the right thing to do would to begin attending services again. Some ceremonial practices such as weddings or baptisms cannot proceed unless an agreement is confirmed upon being present and active in church services. Never has GOD needed to verify or determine His reflection. I believe that churches serve the purpose to secure human’s reflections. If the average religious service exceeds an hour’s time this may indeed border on vanity. GOD does not worry how we look but I think He might be interested in how we act.