Can some one explain organized worship?

stamford · 08-06-2008, 03:46 PM

Well, I have been wondering for a while now and never really asked before but why do some think going to church on Sunday is necessary to get into heaven?

I have known a few people and have 1 friend who believes it is necessary to go to church every Sunday to get into heaven. What is so special? Does the bible say one must go to an organized place of worship every Sunday? Is it about "enlightenment" where you must go to church to learn about god or something?

jerome_oneil · 08-06-2008, 03:50 PM

You might want to find someone that thinks that, and ask them.

I don't know anyone who professes that.

stamford · 08-06-2008, 03:57 PM

I have but it was sometime during the winter. They were talking about you must go to church to learn about god through a preacher or pastor or whatever there called and doing things by yourself in your own time is not sufficient.... That was the basic gist of it.

And maybe I should be also asking, why do so many people feel it is necessary to go to church every sunday.

jerome_oneil · 08-06-2008, 04:00 PM

Well, I look at it like I *get* to go to church on Sundays. I like it there. My kids enjoy it. They're nice people. They have great coffee and pastry. It's a positive message. Everyone wins!

YMMV.

EEfz6 · 08-06-2008, 04:08 PM

There is nothing that says you have to go to church every sunday to get into heaven. Furthermore, the bible says that there are NO works you can do to get you into heaven.

county · 08-06-2008, 04:30 PM

You may be missing the point. Churches, for the most part, are communities.

You don't just go to church on Sunday morning. You join the community. Which provides, at least in theory, an opportunity to serve God, your fellow man and your community and be with like minded individuals.

And, when I was growing up @ Bethel Church in North Mississippi you got some really good fried chicken at homecoming every year.

county · 08-06-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EEfz6

There is nothing that says you have to go to church every sunday to get into heaven. Furthermore, the bible says that there are NO works you can do to get you into heaven.

Actually it does not say that. More along the lines of good works alone will not get you into heaven.

User Name · 08-06-2008, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stamford

Well, I have been wondering for a while now and never really asked before but why do some think going to church on Sunday is necessary to get into heaven?

Ignorance and brain washing, plain and simple. Most people are weak and need to be told what to do. "I want to go to heaven, I can't be bothered actually reading and understanding the bible for myself, so just tell me what to do and I'll do it". And, of course, the answer from the church is a self-serving one - come to church every Sunday so you can donate and keep the church alive.

I'm an atheist, the only occasions I go to church are weddings and funerals, and that's only because it's part of the process everyone else subscribes to. When I die, I do not want to be brought into a church, just burn me and spread the ashes somewhere, flush 'em down the toilet for all I care. But if there is a Heaven, I suspect I'll be welcomed just like anyone else.

Trash · 08-06-2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by User Name

But if there is a Heaven, I suspect I'll be welcomed just like anyone else.

You better buy insurance then. That means becoming a religious fanatic a few years before you die.

county · 08-06-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by User Name

Ignorance and brain washing, plain and simple. Most people are weak and need to be told what to do. "I want to go to heaven, I can't be bothered actually reading and understanding the bible for myself, so just tell me what to do and I'll do it". And, of course, the answer from the church is a self-serving one - come to church every Sunday so you can donate and keep the church alive.

I'm an atheist, the only occasions I go to church are weddings and funerals, and that's only because it's part of the process everyone else subscribes to. When I die, I do not want to be brought into a church, just burn me and spread the ashes somewhere, flush 'em down the toilet for all I care. But if there is a Heaven, I suspect I'll be welcomed just like anyone else.

Jesus Fcuking Christ, with that attitude you couldn't get into a birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese.

User Name · 08-06-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trash

You better buy insurance then. That means becoming a religious fanatic a few years before you die.

Unless he contacts me personally, I will deny god's existence until my last breath, and I still suspect I'll be welcomed into heaven if such a place should exist.

"The highest praise to god is the disbelief of a scholar who's convinced the perfection of the universe makes his existence unnecessary".

-Some astrophysicist I read about

Quote:

Originally Posted by county

Jesus Fcuking Christ, with that attitude you couldn't get into a birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese.

EEfz6 · 08-06-2008, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by county

Actually it does not say that. More along the lines of good works alone will not get you into heaven.

Ephesians 2:8-9 does say that. Good works will not get you into heaven. Faith alone in Christ alone is the ticket into heaven. Good works is just a natural end result of that faith.

VTEC_EATER · 08-06-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EEfz6

Ephesians 2:8-9 does say that. Good works will not get you into heaven. Faith alone in Christ alone is the ticket into heaven. Good works is just a natural end result of that faith.

Of course this is what Christians have to subscribe to. It probably wouldn't work if you are Jewish...

I'm not a big subscriber to organized religion. I can understand why people go. Its much like SBN here. Its a community where like-minded people can gather to talk. Not only that, but it is also positive reinforcement. I don't look at it as brainwashing, or a place for the weak-minded. Its just a place for people to gather and practice their religion with other people of that same religion.

I'm a Christian, and I do believe in Christ dying for my sins, but I don't need to go to a church to have someone repeat this to me over and over again. I also don't believe that you need to go to church to confess sins, or pray. God is everywhere. He/she/it/whatever doesn't just hang out at church waiting for people to come in and praise him. You can be anywhere and communicate with God.

At this time in my life, I don't feel I need to practice my religion with a community of people, but my thoughts may change as I get older, or if I have children, or if I'm going through a rough time in my life. Its always there if you need it.

R1100S-Rider · 08-06-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stamford

I have but it was sometime during the winter. They were talking about you must go to church to learn about god through a preacher or pastor or whatever there called and doing things by yourself in your own time is not sufficient.... That was the basic gist of it.

And maybe I should be also asking, why do so many people feel it is necessary to go to church every sunday.

Because *god* has a problem with money. They want to make you think doing it at home isn't good enough. Then they say *Give us money!*... And then you'll spose to feel better. It's all a load of crap.

jerome_oneil · 08-06-2008, 05:21 PM

So, we've heard from several people on all sides of the faith issue, and no one (none) thinks that you gotta go to church every Sunday to go to heaven.

So lets broaden that a bit.

Other than the OP, does anyone *know* anyone that thinks that.

I go every Sunday. I know no one (as in, no one) that thinks it.

How about you?