Why you go to church?

[enoch]

This is all about the why, not the if......can you follow?

I only go to Catholic mass at his point in my life, but I am familiar with a great variety of services.

I go quite often, and why.....

for me it is the ritual and connection to both my and the past, a near meditative experience -
not the only place I feel the holy, but probably the most comforting

what is your why?

[Sil3nce]

i dont go

[enoch]

i dont go

there are no atheists in foxholes......

[Imperator Sulla]

I go to church to worship my Creator and my Savior, to give him praise for being the God that He is. I go to church to thank God for the sacrifice of His Son to pay for our sins. I go to ask forgiveness for my sins and those of my fellow christians. I go to pray for this world, that it may come to see His light. I go to hear His word from the bible so I can get to know my Lord better. I go to show Him that I am gratefull for all that He does for me and this world. I go because I love my brothers and sisters, we have been given to one and other by God and we want to worship the Lord together for it. I could go on and on..

God came to me personally, with His word and his mercy when I was baptised. He called me His son and wants to have a relationship with me(and all His childeren) so He calls me/us to His service(s). And when God calls, how can you say no? Can you truly have better things to do then to meet God?

I know it sounds a bit 'holier than thou' and although I don't always "feel" this way these are the reasons why I go to church. And the funny thing is I know that when you would ask someone from my church the same question he/she would probably say the same thing.

[Hjalmar]

there are no atheists in foxholes......

You know, because only some ******* who thinks he's going to go to heaven is willing to die for some ******** cause.

[Ummon]

I may go to Church soon to thank because the mess in the Dawkins thread is over...

Jokes aside: I don't go to organized functions. When I did it, it was always to accompany some fiancée. You can indeed meditate while everyone else is following mass, but I prefer to do it alone.

[Rhinosaur]

Hard question, odd answer. I started going to the mass this year, after twelve without, because I like what the Church has to offer. Redemption is a good thing, and so is community. Being a part of something so magnificent and historic as the Roman Church is a really cool experience too, and I love the teachings of Jesus, which I find are better represented in the Catholic Church than any of the Protestant denominations. Purely a subjective personal experience to be sure, but mine nonetheless.

[Zenith Darksea]

Why? For the communion with my fellows and with Christ, and for the healing of soul and body.

[Sidus Preclarum]

because I like the taste of the Host

[Curtana]

Everyone one was doing it....I just wanted to be popular!
As a kid I got a calming, warm meditative feeling and I learned music and musical appreciation.
Now I'm an evil atheist and its true what they say....you can never go back.

[Zenith Darksea]

Have you ever tried going back?

[felicissimus]

As a kid I felt it -the Kingdom of the Other World ,something mysterious that is far beyond everyday life and I enjoyed it .Besides the loving and divinely simple feeling that you get from the services is worth sacrificing your time no matter how busy you are .
When you add to this a unique atmosphere of an ancient byzantine service ,you even feel better than playing TWC

[removeduser_426582376423734]

I go to the temple with my family on some religious occasions, they dont know I'm not hindu so I give into the lie.

[Curtana]

You can't go back in time, Zenith Darksea, you literal minded buffoon. Hmph. You try to make a heart felt philosophical social commentary and some minor loon tries to convert you. Respect my way of thinking and I'll respect yours. Sorry, rant over. You can uncurl your toes again. Can we still be fwends? Aaw shucks.

[felicissimus]

I go to the temple with my family on some religious occasions, they dont know I'm not hindu so I give into the lie.

Where's that ? In India ?!

I remember when I was in a monastery in Thrace.Founded in 1044 .The sent of the ascence together with the prayor of the priest came to my ears "Mention Lord,the well passed away into your Kingdom Byzantine and Bulgarian Kings and Despots ,first of all the Emperor Alexios Comnenus founder of this holy place ...." Then I thought "God this place exists untouched for about 900 years, all people contributed to it are still somehow alive,the hostility of ordinary life is here neutralised ,time does not at all exist as even the buildings and the gowns of the clergy are the same ,everything is still alive here,the things that change don't affect everything,what was yesterday is the same as what was 900 years ago, maybe the eternal life is also possible "

[removeduser_426582376423734]

Where's that ? In India ?!

England.

[Leonidas The Lion]

I go firstly because i am a well 'papadaki'.
I also go for the communion and for the healing pf my soul.

[Zenith Darksea]

You can't go back in time, Zenith Darksea, you literal minded buffoon.

I want some of what you've been smoking

I was referring to 'going back to church', actually, in the physical sense, not 'going back in time'.

[Curtana]

Smoking? No. The nurses give me all these pills in little plastic cups. You can't get them without some fairly heavy duty prescriptions. You can't get the prescriptions without a minor psychotic episode. So not much chance there, I'm afraid. <Suddenly realises the other, other reason no longer attends church!>

[GershomPatmos]

WHY do I go to church?

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. [John 15:13]

Love for God, and love for "friends"...those are my reasons. And I think that's what the "atheist" will never get - it's not about "you"...I can have more of "me" at home by myself. It's the "sacrifice" of my time and life to spend and share the love of Christ with others. It's the passing of His sacrificial love through Him, me, and others...it's not the embracing of one another's selfish cares and considerations. There are no "lone wolf Christians", nor Jews - it's been communal from the beginning, and for very good reasons which I believe God Himself has ordained.

Your friend in Messiah,
Gersh