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my question is plain and to the point. are churches really needed today? it seems like modern man has discovered the religion within and realized that their body is their sacred temple and don't need a physcial church to worship in. why go when you can step outside and discover a place of beauty and peace that can easily become a self made church for that moment in time. it seems to me like more and more churches are becoming places for socializing, economic exchanged, and financial competion *whoever donated the most money to the church box is the better christian*. i guess the reason why i am posting this is because it really seems like some (not all here) but people that go to church really are poor christians, in fact they are so clueless on what the meaning of being a faithful servant to God is it is laughable. I have met some of the truest and kindest christians that have never stepped in a church, read the bible, but had one of the closest relationships with God that I have ever witnessed...hmm. i guess i am just babbling here. bare with me everyone smile

Well, the Bible is the word of God, so I don't see how they can never read the Bible, but still have a good relationship with God. I mean, you can, but there's so much that He can speak to us with through the Bible.

Anyways, about the church thing, God told us to fellowship with other believers. Thats why we should go to church. And while some people might not think they get anything out of church, they can be a blessing to others in the church. Or a blessing to God even.

The church is there for learning and guidance if you have questions. You don't really need the church to have relations and commune with other people. The church is more of a focal point for people to discuss god, not neccesarily a place where people are actually better followers. It's not so what you think that defines you, but what you do (with the exception of going through the motions).

Absolutely! A friend of mine from youth group is pregnant (an unmarried) and she said that she didnt know she would find so much support from the church smile We put on a baby shower for her and we have just accepted her and loved her and supported her thru all of it. She needs that right now and i dont think she would have found that kind of support outside of church.

Why do you need to connect to him in a communal fashion? And why in a special building? Why not in a park. This reminds me of a still unanswered question I asked in philosophy once:

When people talk to god, they look up to the sky and start to speak. That's known as being a good christian. Why is it that when I speak to god as I walk down the street I get hauled away by the men in white coats? Is this not proof that prayer is insanity?

"first, before i answer that, i'm going to say a little bit of what i learned from my church, here in new mexico, and i'll use an example."

"you know why we break the bread every sunday right? jesus tells us to do this in rememberence of him. plain and simple. and it is that same reason, that we go to church every sunday. we do this in honor of rememberance to GOD. if we didn't... then knowing human nature, then in time, we'd forget about god."

"that's why god established churches for everyone to go to every week, so we can remember him."

"long story short, from what i've learned, we go to church every day, so we can remember what god has done for us. wich is obviously, sending his son to die for our sins, so we can have a second shot at attaining eternity with god."

"obviously, there's more to chapel-time thatn just that, but that should be the core reason why we attend church." 3nodding

Why does all that stuff matter in praying? Prayer is prayer. There shouldn't be rules for what you can talk to god about and what you can't.

That is a very respectable thing you said, although an exaggeration. Prayer is something between you and God; no one else. How you pray, and where, are your own methods.

"There is method to this Madness," ~ Pollonius.

I pray wherever and whenever I feel the need, and I don't care what other people think.

When I want to thank God, I yell it in the parking lot or on the sidewalk.

Men in white coats have never done anything to stop me, and at most I make some people laugh or look at me weird.

There is nothing to lose, especially since I do not believe in Emberessment.

Really, a House of God is there to provide tangible connection to a community that respects God in the same way you do. This sort of experience can come from any community, anywhere. If you follow a Christian faith, you believe that Gods house is not some sacred plot of ground--it is everywhere, in every person, and within you; therefor, any place can be considered holy, as well as every place, and any place can be used for a communal gathering.

Period.

I do not need a Church to enjoy community or Love.

Read up on a group called "The Simple Way".

Salaam~