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Do Christians believe that going to church is winning favor with God?
Do you Christians believe going to Church makes you a better Christian?
You must understand that any attempt to question this faith your gf or the church has will be met with concern and attention on their part to make you become one of them. They will make you their project. They have to, otherwise they are not "fishers of men". The higher up the hierarchy the more obsessed they are with this. The more they have to prove this is what they are doing.
WarminIndy
reply to post by Akragon
Some of us aren't able to get out, but would love to go.
No, it does not make you a better person, but if you enjoy the service and the people, then it's ok. Maybe your girlfriend is committed to something she believes in? Has it done her harm?
There is one thing about going to Mass every Sunday or everyday. You have the knowledge that every Catholic in the world is reading and talking/preaching the same part of the Bible. It is sort of a feeling of oneness. As I have said before, I am not a very good Catholic, but I try, and when you do try, it feels good.
Akragon
Thank you all for your replies... though it seems that you've all been jaded by something or another in regards to "going to church"
I would like to hear from someone on our forum that is a regular at his/her church, so they could explain why they believe its necessary to attend.
I believe my girlfriend would probably be there every day if she had that option... but the interesting thing is, she actually takes notes on the sermons... I've read through a few of her "notes", and I've noticed that they barely touch on the gospels...
Now I do know that most churches do not deal much with the gospels for some reason, they tend to preach about everything within the bible except the words where their "God" is found...
This has always confused me....
Akragon
reply to post by intrptr
You must understand that any attempt to question this faith your gf or the church has will be met with concern and attention on their part to make you become one of them. They will make you their project. They have to, otherwise they are not "fishers of men". The higher up the hierarchy the more obsessed they are with this. The more they have to prove this is what they are doing.
Oh I understand my friend... I've already been asked to attend one of their services... I've gotten a book called "rediscovering the richness of the reformed faith"... which is basically an inspirational book about how this guy found his faith in this particular sect of Christianity...
They've talked to a minister apparently... and from what im hearing, they will do whatever it takes to convert me up to and until 3 years of marriage... after which they will give up...
Fortunately they have no idea who their dealing with...
Akragon
Thank you all for your replies... though it seems that you've all been jaded by something or another in regards to "going to church"
I would like to hear from someone on our forum that is a regular at his/her church, so they could explain why they believe its necessary to attend.
I believe my girlfriend would probably be there every day if she had that option... but the interesting thing is, she actually takes notes on the sermons... I've read through a few of her "notes", and I've noticed that they barely touch on the gospels...
Now I do know that most churches do not deal much with the gospels for some reason, they tend to preach about everything within the bible except the words where their "God" is found...
This has always confused me....
That's Reform Theology.
What it boils down to is this, since they don't know who is going to heaven, only God does because God predestined some people, then you are lucky if you are predestined, otherwise the atonement at the cross isn't for you if you aren't predestined. And because God predestined some people, it didn't matter their condition that He seals them in, until they get there.
Under predestination, you don't even have to believe in the first place. But you are SOL if you aren't predestined.
And if you did believe, it was all a waste of your time if you were not predestined. So if they argue with you, just tell them how do they know you aren't predestined already?
Fortunately they have no idea who their dealing with…
intrptr
reply to post by Akragon
Fortunately they have no idea who their dealing with…
Thanks for the chuckle.
So you're going to play along? Your going to rescue her or something?
It is you who doesn't realize whom you are dealing with. I have a friend who swore church was the best place to meet girls. He used to go on about, they're so pretty, so many and soo single. He married one and she turned on him, changed from the sweet innocent girl to this horrible controlling monster. Like a whole new person came out of her after the vows. He anguished over this for years before finally divorcing her.
Then he told me don't pick up on women from church, they are all friends and all think alike. They have hidden agendas, complex psychological problems and are raging lunatics just under that sweet surface. Thats why there are so many there, they are misfits and hang in church where they are "forgiven" and don't have to change. Nobody wants them.
Be warned dude. My mom is like this, my brothers wife is like this too. They are both church women. Run for your life.
Besides, you would be competing with their definition of a real man, Jesus. How can you hope to measure up? Unless you are a higher level demon than the ones under church roofs, don't mess with the beast.
Sorry about being direct… and not. Just relaying my experience for what its worth.