Christians. (church goers)

[CurvyEm]

I've never really been a believer in god. The only times I've been to church is pre-11 when my school made me and for two funerals. Recently over the last year I've started to believe a little in god, and more so over the last few months. Now I'm at the point where I pray every night to thank him for all he's given me and blah blah blah.
Now I really don't want to go to church, it's the last thing I want to do. I don't get on with christians and I certainly don't want to go and listen to someone preaching hellfire at me every sunday. Ok so my question is, does that matter? Will god mind? Or is it only people who go to church all the time who don't go to hell?

[BBW Betty]

Hi Em! I hardly ever miss going to Mass on Sunday, and I would like to encourage you to attend a service now and then of different denominations just to see if there is a community you might find comfortable. It might make it easier to learn something about Christianity in general. You might be surprised; I very seldom hear a fire and brimstone-type sermon.

However, I really think it's more about how you live the life God gave you and how you treat others than it is about "roll call" in the church buildings. For me, attending is about being part of a community that worships together. People from all walks of life--including many who don't attend church on a regular basis--will get to Heaven, I think.

Hope you find happiness in your new faith. Any time you want to "talk" or discuss this, or need support of any kind, please feel free to PM me. I'd love to hear how this goes for you.

[Boteroesque Babe]

I think you can have a relationship with God without involving organized religion, Curvy. Might even be easier.

[TheSadeianLinguist]

Originally Posted by Boteroesque Babe

I think you can have a relationship with God without involving organized religion, Curvy. Might even be easier.

Both wise bits of advice here, but I'd going with the former preacher's wife/current harlot.

[loves2laugh]

i started out the same way em. what i did was find a bible that i was actually aboe to read and understand- i just cant stand the king james version! and started reading stroies i was familiar with, the chritmas story, daniel in the lion's den and so forth. these are the things that helped me grow as a christian. therre seem to be a lot of good people here that i am sure would be happy to answer whatever questions you have. just remember- there are always going to be fundies and people with a very angry view of God. eventually you will learn what is reallyt he heart of God and what is really the heart of man.

[Observer]

Wow - over in the Social Darwinism thread I've already done plenty of religion today! But here goes.

The biblical church is simply the ecclesia - the spiritual body of believers who have accepted Jesus as saviour, His blood for their sins and have a personal relatiuonship with Him and God. It isn't, at least in my view, any particulsar deomination or group of doctrines.

That said, the Bible does teach that those who have done the forgoing shuld not forsake the assembling of themselves together. The purpose should beutual service, fellowship and strengthening. We as Christians are to do exploits and apply our religious understanding - which often entails group effort. God will guide you to the best place for you to do that if you seek his will - likely you will do some shopping first. I would avoid those who try to control you instead of letting you work that out with God and let Hom show you where and how to serve Him.

Good luck in your quest!

[Sandie S-R]

Originally Posted by CurvyEm

I've never really been a believer in god. The only times I've been to church is pre-11 when my school made me and for two funerals. Recently over the last year I've started to believe a little in god, and more so over the last few months. Now I'm at the point where I pray every night to thank him for all he's given me and blah blah blah.
Now I really don't want to go to church, it's the last thing I want to do. I don't get on with christians and I certainly don't want to go and listen to someone preaching hellfire at me every sunday. Ok so my question is, does that matter? Will god mind? Or is it only people who go to church all the time who don't go to hell?

Em...

I'm sure you will get a lot of opinions about this...however, in my opinion, God is about love and doing the right thing. You know in your heart what is right; we all do. As long as you can look yourself in the mirror each morning and feel good about who you are then all is well. God isn't about church, God is about living right. Treating people the way you want them to treat you. And quite frankly if the only prayer you ever say is "thank you", then you have done what you needed. God knows what is in your heart. Just stay true to yourself, and if you are meant to hang out in a church on Sundays, you will find one that you are comfortable in. If not...go out into nature where God is, and have your own church service on Sundays.

Peace

[missaf]

In the Bible "Church" is defined as the body of Christ, with Christ at the head. Each of us fills a role, but to fill your role, I don't believe you have to be a part of an organized group of people, but, if you can find one you feel comfortable and encouraged with, I believe you learn through other people's experiences.

My longest lasting belief in life is that God puts every single person in my path for a reason, so that I might learn something about Him through that person. When I keep myself aware of those around me, and treat them the way I want to be treated, I learn far more than just reading the Bible and commentaries on my own.

And always know we're here for you, too

[Ned Sonntag]

And Christ was actually Mithra. Augustus wasn't even taxing people that year either. Stick to Gnosticism and you won't be disappointed later.

[rainyday]

Em, I think first and foremost we're asked to believe Christ died for us and to have a relationship with Him, not give an accounting of how many times we went to church.

If you're dead-set against attending church but want to learn more, there are many books you can read. If you go into a Christian bookstore and tell them you want to learn more, they can suggest some titles.

I don't think going to church is what makes you right with God, but it can help you grow and learn. I enjoy sermons that expand my knowledge and make me think, and I love when a sermon takes a passage in the Bible and gives me a new understanding of it.

Betty's suggestion to try a few different denominations to see what fits you is a good one. Many churches have websites now which give some idea of their philosophy and can help you decide if it's one you want to try.

[HappyFatChick]

Em- What you're experiencing is a calling. He calls us back to Him. You will probably be more sensitive to "God-type" things. He will send people into your life to help you. You will notice God-type things more. (Books,tv shows,news articles,etc...)

You're on the right path by praying. He wants a personal relationship with you.
A great Bible is called "New Believers." Even if you aren't one, it's an easy read and explains everything.

You don't have to go to church, but eventually you may want to. It's where people get "fed" the word of God. And some people need/want more feeding than others. Find a good,non-denominational one for starters. Maybe ask some friends or neighbors for recommendations?

Going to church does not keep you out of hell. My Bible says that accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior does that. (However, one of the 10 commandments does say to keep the Sabbath holy.)

God Bless You in your journey

[1300 Class]

Originally Posted by Boteroesque Babe

I think you can have a relationship with God without involving organized religion, Curvy. Might even be easier.

Thats usually the best way.

[FitChick]

Originally Posted by CurvyEm

I've never really been a believer in god. The only times I've been to church is pre-11 when my school made me and for two funerals. Recently over the last year I've started to believe a little in god, and more so over the last few months. Now I'm at the point where I pray every night to thank him for all he's given me and blah blah blah.
Now I really don't want to go to church, it's the last thing I want to do. I don't get on with christians and I certainly don't want to go and listen to someone preaching hellfire at me every sunday. Ok so my question is, does that matter? Will god mind? Or is it only people who go to church all the time who don't go to hell?

G-d is everywhere. You don't need to "go to church/synagogue", etc to talk to Him....due to being geographically isolated these last few years from a Jewish community, I have not been able to attend synagogue. I've had to rely on cyber-shul (an online Jewish spiritual group), and private prayer at home. Honestly, I find I PREFER it except for holidays. I feel it has brought me closer to G-d than if I'd been a part of a big Jewish community these last few years.


Pretty soon we're moving back to my home city to live in a religious Jewish neighborhood, and many things will be easier...going to synagogue, getting a wider variety of kosher food, easier to take the kids to Hebrew school, Jewish Girl Scouts, Jewish social events and study groups, etc Yet a part of me wonders if my spiritual life will ironically lessen...because I feel the isolation has been very helpful for me and has actually strengthened my faith out of necessity.

[CurvyEm]

Thank you everyone for your advice

Fitchick, may I ask why you say G-d? I don't understand?

[FitChick]

Originally Posted by CurvyEm

Thank you everyone for your advice

Fitchick, may I ask why you say G-d? I don't understand?

In Judaism we write G-d's Name with a dash, so that if we need to erase it, we are not erasing His Name. It involves the commandment against desecrating or taking His name in vain. Some Jews write it that way out of habit/tradition, others due to actual belief in the custom.

[CurvyEm]

Originally Posted by FitChick

In Judaism we write G-d's Name with a dash, so that if we need to erase it, we are not erasing His Name. It involves the commandment against desecrating or taking His name in vain. Some Jews write it that way out of habit/tradition, others due to actual belief in the custom.

Ahh right thank you. I've seen that before and always been a little confused.

[missaf]

Anita, I've heard the rule interpreted as not permitted to write His name at all - is that the case?

[CurvaceousBBWLover]

Em, I know how you feel. For different reasons from yours, I felt quite alienated by the conservative Baptist church I used to attend and I stopped going to church for 7 years. Not every church preaches brimstone, vengeance and hellfire. There are a lot of churches that preach about human dignity and the redemptive power of Jesus. Jesus didn't only come to earth to prevent people from being burned alive for all eternity. Jesus came to teach people a different way to live. He came to redeem us from lifestyles and habits that were holding us back. He came to empower us so that God could use us.

Finding a church is not easy. I have started going back to church over the last few months, but I have not yet found one I wish to join. My advise is to check out www.beliefnet.org. That may help to lead you to something you will feel comfortable with.

Also, check out the Unitarian Universalists. They're not a Christian denomination, but they are very open-minded and they don't force you to believe anything. Go to www.uua.org.

God loves you. If you ever have any questions about the Christian faith, feel free to email me at curvaceousbbwlover@yahoo.com.

Originally Posted by CurvyEm

I've never really been a believer in god. The only times I've been to church is pre-11 when my school made me and for two funerals. Recently over the last year I've started to believe a little in god, and more so over the last few months. Now I'm at the point where I pray every night to thank him for all he's given me and blah blah blah.
Now I really don't want to go to church, it's the last thing I want to do. I don't get on with christians and I certainly don't want to go and listen to someone preaching hellfire at me every sunday. Ok so my question is, does that matter? Will god mind? Or is it only people who go to church all the time who don't go to hell?

[Echoes]

What we call churches today used to be called meeting houses. The Church consisted of the people inside the meeting house, not the building itself. Over the years the idea has evolved in some denominations that you MUST be present in church x amount of times a week and so forth. Personally, I don't believe that. I say so long as you bring the Church to the meeting house (no matter where that might be), then there you have it. A friend and I meet up a couple times a week at his house and have Church. Do whatever is comfortable for you.

[PolarKat]

Originally Posted by missaf

Anita, I've heard the rule interpreted as not permitted to write His name at all - is that the case?

It's just as she mentioned, it mainly due to having to desecrate it later on, if you write it down then discard the paper. The name has to be rewitten since you have to print/write new bibles.
What you're probably refering to is that the name isn't said, even in prayer, again due to the same interpretation/caution where the name is replaced with "our lord".. (Became practice only in helenistic time 2000yrs ago..)
Christians mostly retained the same practice (Our Lord/Our Father)..

small note though.. technically god's name was never actually said.. all we have is "I am that I am" (Jehova) and "AL" (EL.. Elohim.. Allah.. MichaEL GabriEL") while AL/EL historically is the name of the god of cannan it's also used generically like the word god, and the god of abraham never said that was the name either..

[FitChick]

Originally Posted by missaf

Anita, I've heard the rule interpreted as not permitted to write His name at all - is that the case?

Most religious (and some other) Jews just write "G-d" when they need to refer to Him in some way, that way they feel they're not really writing His Name, since they left a letter out. For them it also avoids the prohibition against writing, and then maybe erasing His Name. Personally I recognize that the word "god" is not His Name anyway, which is why I normally call Him "Hashem" (Hebrew for "The Name")..but I don't do it here because nobody would know what I mean.

[jack]

I miss you.

I'm not going to preach at you or whatever, but I think you might care to know this useful tip: people who preach hellfire are not following the bible and are often not really christians, despite what they claim.

Other than that, to answer your original question in the post, God wants you to trust Him and love Him. He doesn't care whether you go to church or not.

[vlrga]

I've known people that weren't raised religiously that converted/started into their religion on their own by praying and reading/learning about it without ever getting into anything organized. If you want to go that route (good luck if you do ) and aren't comfortable attending anywhere, doing well independently certainly isn't impossible!

[CurvaceousBBWLover]

Most people who preach hellfire are hypocrites by nature. I do not believe that a loving God would burn people alive for eternity.

Originally Posted by jack

I miss you.

I'm not going to preach at you or whatever, but I think you might care to know this useful tip: people who preach hellfire are not following the bible and are often not really christians, despite what they claim.

Other than that, to answer your original question in the post, God wants you to trust Him and love Him. He doesn't care whether you go to church or not.

[jack]

Originally Posted by CurvaceousBBWLover

Most people who preach hellfire are hypocrites by nature. I do not believe that a loving God would burn people alive for eternity.

I'm okay with people believing that. I don't think I need to start arguments with anyone who may or may not believe what I believe. My big issue is that Jesus preached LOVE for EVERYBODY. Standing up and saying "You're going to HELL if you don't ACCEPT JEESUS as your personal LORD AND SAVIOR!!!" is totally against the character of Christ. And aren't Christians supposed to be "like-Christ"?