Church?

[Bad JuJu]

I'm with Mimi and Grog and Tattiefritter, though I was raised in a church other than the Catholic. I was put off by the hypocrisy of a group of people who preached and espoused a philosophy of love but often didn't exercise it, and who sanctioned the inequality of women. Though I wasn't always able to articulate these dissatisfactions with the church, I think I had an inkling of them from an early age. Still, I loved my grandmother, and she loved the church, so I went, and for a while I really got into the spirit of it--I was baptized at the age of 12, being dunked by the pastor into cold, murky water and coming up feeling like everything after that would be all right. I was so trusting and took everything about church teachings so literally.

But when I got older, at some point I realized that my "close personal relationship" with the church, that I grew up learning to cultivate, was pretty much one-sided. I won't go into details--but now I ride my bike on Sunday mornings and find better things to do with my Sunday evenings and Wednesday evenings. I find joy in the world and the people around me.

Sorry if I've shared too much, but this topic hits a nerve.

[spokewench]

Boy that is opening a can of worms! I'm not religious - no excuses just don't think church is necessary in my life. My grandma who was a Mennonite, a great woman and very open minded, once asked me when I was little "Are you a christian? I then asked her what is a "christian" and even though she was from a very fundamental type of church she said "it means treating people like you would like to be treated yourself". My answer then was "yes" and I definitely try to make that a part of my interactions with others so I guess in those terms, I am a "Christian". In other people's definitions, I'm sure I am not!

I know that many people find strength and belief in formal religion and I applaud them for that. I don't like a lot of things that are caused by formal religion so I am really not able to believe in any specific church/religious tenents myself. But, that is why we live in a diverse world so that people can believe anything and everything they want to.

[bcipam]

Boy that is opening a can of worms! I'm not religious - no excuses just don't think church is necessary in my life. My grandma who was a Mennonite, a great woman and very open minded, once asked me when I was little "Are you a christian? I then asked her what is a "christian" and even though she was from a very fundamental type of church she said "it means treating people like you would like to be treated yourself". My answer then was "yes" and I definitely try to make that a part of my interactions with others so I guess in those terms, I am a "Christian". In other people's definitions, I'm sure I am not!

I know that many people find strength and belief in formal religion and I applaud them for that. I don't like a lot of things that are caused by formal religion so I am really not able to believe in any specific church/religious tenents myself. But, that is why we live in a diverse world so that people can believe anything and everything they want to.

I know this discussion is maybe getting off topic, but as a reponse - a Christian is one who has accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. That doesn't mean if you have not, that you aren't a good person. I know many wonderful people who are good, and gracious and wonderful but have not accepted Jesus. Many philosophies (I grew up as Buddist) have as a core belief "to do unto others...".

Also I know it's hard, but please separate faith from religion. Faith is my belief. It's how the Spirit fills me. Religion is my "church" or how I practice my belief. Religion does have it problems. Again houses of worship are run by people. People set doctrine for religion, so there are flaws. This is why one is encouraged to independently study the Bible in order to gain the skills to discern between the truth and well, lies and deceitful behavior. Yes I know Christian people to have affairs. I know them to lie and cheat and abuse their fellow man. They can be rascist, bigots, just plain jerks but none of this is condoned by the teachings of Christ. We, sadly and pitifully are flawed beings.

I do have the right to judge others and I know this meets the disapproval of some. But if I am unwilling to discern between right and wrong, good and bad, then there is no right/wrong or good/bad, everyone would have the right to act as he pleased. Thankfully Christian values keeps us from legally murdering one another, or stealing or cheating. The one misunderstanding I hear and read most often is that "I don't like religion becasue it forces certain beliefs on me (such as no abortion etc)" A true Christian knows and understands that God would never forced anyone to do what they are not willing to do. He has given us free choice and does not for want to force His love on us. Yes I understand some Churches are very judgmental and would condemn one for their beliefs, but don't judge his all by that Church or that religion.

Again these are just my views. I enjoy hearing how others feel and think. I believe we are all entitled to choose our paths in life...

[wannaduacentury]

I live in the bible belt and attend church regularly(I do sleep in occasionally and miss one due to a trip or cycling event). As long as you're comfortable with it. I know people love to ride on sundays, I usually wait til the afternoon myself, but then I ride on my own so I don't have to keep anyone's schedule. It's a personal choice to ride or not on sunday mornings. Jennifer

[GLC1968]

I also live in the bible belt (the 'buckle' as a friend of mine pointed out! ) and while my DH and I are not church goers, we are in the definite minority. There are NO organized rides on Sunday mornings in our area. Even two day events have services held for those who want to attend (they did this on Sunday of our local MS150).

[Geonz]

We've got the Saturday evening vigil option if there's something going on on Sunday, though I'll miss a Sunday now and again. It's a loving, rather socially and politically active congregation like the one I grew up in ( my parents used our microbus for shuttles to D.C. marches from the church parking lot and we learned "four dead in Ohio" in music class...) - I can fully understand those who can't stomach the hierarchy but sometimes there are pockets of devout defection.
I knew I was prob'ly in a rightful place when the first sermon included the words "menstrual period" (explaining just how radical it was to hang out with those unclean women in New Testament times).

[makbike]

I once attended, drifted away, came back and drifted away again. There are many things I love about my religion and many things I don't. I was raised that I could believe without having to attend an organized service. I know some will agree with this and others will shake their heads in sadness. I do have some of my best conversations with the Lord while I'm on my bike. More often than not I feel like a huge, heavy weight has been lifted from my shoulders by the time I make it home. I know I'm being heard, I know I'm being guided and I know I'm loved so life is good, very good.