Resistance to Organized Religion

[LuxPerpetua]

I post on another message board that has absolutely nothing to do with religion but occasionally religious questions pop up. Well, yesterday someone asked everyone "Do you believe in God and go to church," and I was really surprised to see that over a third of people did state that they believe in God but that they don't see the point of organized religion or regular church attendance. Do you have any thoughts as to why people have a fear of attending church, and how do you think we may be able to encourage them to move past that? I really don't think that God wants us to be "independent" Christians.

What's really frightening to me is that one of my friends actually posted this when asked if she believed in God:
It really isn't a pressing issue on me to decide what I believe. It's largely irrelevant to my life. Sometimes I believe in God, sometimes I don't. I stated on the other thread it doesn't really matter to me. But I go to church sometimes if I am with family or friends who are going. I just roll along with whatever!

I just find this response incredibly sad. I just cannot imagine how empty my life would be if God was "irrelevant." :( I find it absolutely frightening that this attitude is so prevalent in our society these days. Scary, scary stuff!

I snuck in my 2 cents as a Lutheran, but I don't know if it will do any good where hearts are hardened, ya know? In case you are interested, this is what I wrote in regard to why I go to church. Let me know if I'm incorrect in my response. I'm still learnin' so be gentle :P :

I go to church to receive both the Word and the Sacraments of God's grace for the forgiveness of sins. Communal worship is a renewal of my spirit and a time of communal confession, absolution, and personal healing. It reminds me of the "family" that God has created in His church (technically, for Christians, "church" is not a physical building but the entire body of believers, past and present). God has called Christians to be dependent upon one another for prayer, fellowship, help (financial, physical, and emotional), and to be reminded of our unity in Christ. In church, I am celebrating with my fellow believers and with the angels and church in heaven. In church, God reminds me of my need for His grace through confession and of His forgiveness through the absolution pronounced by the minister. In church, I receive the true body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist which assures me of God's forgiveness and love. I could truly go on and on forever about how much I love the gift of "church" but that would be rather boring for most of you I bet. In conclusion, in church I am served by God Himself, and in thanks I offer my life in service to Him. It's an incredibly beautiful experience, I think.

I have one friend there who was raised SBC and is considering Catholicism because she likes liturgical worship, so I'm hoping that she'll at least think about the Lutheran church. Heck, that's where I was only a few months ago. Anyway, I was sneaky and put the LCMS website in my siggy in case she had any questions. You never know how or where God will work.

But, back to the real question (in case you have forgotten it after my ramblings): Do you have any thoughts as to why people have a fear of attending church, and how do you think we may be able to encourage them to move past that?

[Flipper]

Lux, how do you choose your friends? By who they are, right? By their friendship to you, right? Something about them is fun and interesting, right? You don’t necessarily have to agree with them and still be friends, right? You would prefer them to be themselves, and that’s what makes them unique and special to you.

My experience in most churches (and at times, even the church I currently go to), is that more is expected of a person for them to be accepted in any type of friendship capacity. While the pastor should be held to a higher standard, a lot of the times, the congregants expect that of each other as well. Those added expectations and pressures makes people uncomfortable.

Why go through that when you can worship God by yourself in your own way without being judged by others?

[KagomeShuko]

[QUOTE=LuxPerpetua]
Let me know if I'm incorrect in my response. I'm still learnin' so be gentle :P :[QUOTE]

I don't think you were too harsh, but there are many churches where people expect a new member to suddenly join in activities and such instead of letting them become comfortable with the environment or even just see if they are comfortable there. Instead, the members jump on them to get involved, so they'd rather stay at home and just be with God.

Sure, I think it is important to gather with other believers and to go to church and have that time together. However, others see it as a challenge to not get pushed into doing things they don't want to do.


Stein Auf!
Bridget

[SPALATIN]

I post on another message board that has absolutely nothing to do with religion but occasionally religious questions pop up. Well, yesterday someone asked everyone "Do you believe in God and go to church," and I was really surprised to see that over a third of people did state that they believe in God but that they don't see the point of organized religion or regular church attendance. Do you have any thoughts as to why people have a fear of attending church, and how do you think we may be able to encourage them to move past that? I really don't think that God wants us to be "independent" Christians.

What's really frightening to me is that one of my friends actually posted this when asked if she believed in God:


I just find this response incredibly sad. I just cannot imagine how empty my life would be if God was "irrelevant." :( I find it absolutely frightening that this attitude is so prevalent in our society these days. Scary, scary stuff!

I snuck in my 2 cents as a Lutheran, but I don't know if it will do any good where hearts are hardened, ya know? In case you are interested, this is what I wrote in regard to why I go to church. Let me know if I'm incorrect in my response. I'm still learnin' so be gentle :P :



I have one friend there who was raised SBC and is considering Catholicism because she likes liturgical worship, so I'm hoping that she'll at least think about the Lutheran church. Heck, that's where I was only a few months ago. Anyway, I was sneaky and put the LCMS website in my siggy in case she had any questions. You never know how or where God will work.

But, back to the real question (in case you have forgotten it after my ramblings): Do you have any thoughts as to why people have a fear of attending church, and how do you think we may be able to encourage them to move past that?
Ask some thought provoking questions like would you go to a church that wasn't organized? Hopefully they will take a second to think about it and respond "Huh?" I would say that they are afraid of some kind of commitment to a belief especially in a God. Most people who aren't Christian are fence sitters all their lives. They are afraid of what they might be asked to do.

Ask them if they believe in the total depravity of man. If they say no ask "why?" (open ended questions provoke more than a yes or no answer). Ask them what they are afraid of at church. There are so many questions that you can ask that may drag out their true objections. The organized religion excuse is just a stall.

Hope these help.

[sculpturegirl]

Personal anecdote: Both of my parent's grew up in "Sundy only Christian" homes, my mother being Catholic and my father United Bretheren, I think. My mother's family all polished up to go to church on Sunday, only to return to an abusive, alcoholic home. She loved God dearly as a child and wanted to be a nun, as she saw that was the only way to serve God. As she got older, aparently no one told her about grace because she was scared to death to breathe wrong, lest she be cast into the depths of hell. As a teen she esacaped her terrible homelife with drugs and alcohol. My father's church was very very strict: no dancing, no facial hair, no beer, no tvs, no roller skating, no dating... you get the idea. Then at home, his father drank beer and watched the tv he hid in the basement. Plus, my father's first wife was raped by a priest. Both of them only saw hypocracy and corruption in the church and thought, "If this is God, I want no part of it." In the 70s they were part of an awesome independent church where they came to Christ and took on dramatically new lives. (Incidently, this is where they met :) ) My brother and I were raised with a deep knowledge of the Bible and of Christ. My father would even play Psalms to music on his guitar. We would gather together with believers and break bread in our homes, much like the very early church. I loved those days! I was free to go to a church if I wanted to, but they were not too interested in "organized religion."

I think that a lot of people see the hypocracy and powerless lives in many people who go to church. After many years of living in Maryland and church hopping, I stumbled upon a little Lutheran church in town. I remember seeing a film in history class freshman year of college about Martin Luther. I wept through the whole movie. I was so moved. All of the Lutherans I have known throughout my life have been such wonderful souls. So, I have been at the church since October. I am reading some writing by Martin Luther and have the Book of Concord out on the table- ready to dive in. I love his devotion to Christ and the Cross! (I am getting goosebumps!) So, I have been on both sides and do understand the resistance to organized religion as well as the beauty.

During my "resisiting" days, one of my dear wise friends said to me, "Just because our government is corupt, doesn't mean that we ought to give up on democracy. The church is full of sinful men and women saved by grace, some of them are hypocrites, but many of them aren't. Don't give up on God's people, Sarah."

[Metanoia02]

But, back to the real question (in case you have forgotten it after my ramblings): Do you have any thoughts as to why people have a fear of attending church, and how do you think we may be able to encourage them to move past that?
One of the main reasons that people fear attending church is they are well aware of what is expected of them. They will give you a million an one excuses why they don't attend. They fully understand that to be a faithful Christian they must change the way they live there lives. They are unwilling to abandon self-love. They see no good reason why they should live a life of self-sacrafice.

A common mistake many people make when they want to evangelize is that they think there is a knowledge defecit. But in reality, there is a defecit of the heart.

Peace

[LuxPerpetua]

A common mistake many people make when they want to evangelize is that they think there is a knowledge defecit. But in reality, there is a defecit of the heart.

I think that is very true, the more I've pondered my own question in this thread. People, especially folks my age, just aren't willing to take up their cross and follow Christ. There seems to be a real problem of selfishness these days--everything seems to revolve around "how something makes me *feel* rather than God. Well, I take comfort in knowing that God will create faith where He will create faith, and all I can do is spread the Gospel through my own actions and kind words to others. Being an "independent Christian" just seems like such a paradox to me.

[SPALATIN]

I think that is very true, the more I've pondered my own question in this thread. People, especially folks my age, just aren't willing to take up their cross and follow Christ. There seems to be a real problem of selfishness these days--everything seems to revolve around "how something makes me *feel* rather than God. Well, I take comfort in knowing that God will create faith where He will create faith, and all I can do is spread the Gospel through my own actions and kind words to others. Being an "independent Christian" just seems like such a paradox to me.
Considering that scripture says it is only going to get worse does it really surprise anyone that people are more self-involved today than say 20 or even 30 years ago. I have noticed that neighbors are not the same as they once were. When was the last time you went to a neighbor's house for a cup of coffee and chat? Maybe it was this morning? maybe last week or month or year or never.

\_/@

:preach:

[sculpturegirl]

I have never been in any of my neighbor's homes, but some of them have been to mine. We chit-chat over the fence sometimes; it's cute that three of us have white cats. I really do long for community!

[LuxPerpetua]

Well, I wasn't alive 30 years ago, but I do think things have definitely changed--or at least from what I can tell from watching reruns on TV Land. :P

Unfortunately for my neighbors, my hubby and I are rather outgoing, friendly people so they get forced into chatting with us whether they like it or not. I do wish, though, that that was the norm. Our generation tends to be loners. Tis a shame.

[sculpturegirl]

I wish I were your neighbor, Luxperpetua!!!!!!!!

[LuxPerpetua]

I wish I were your neighbor, Luxperpetua!!!!!!!!

Me too!! Do you live anywhere near Cleveland, OH?

[sculpturegirl]

NO :( Washington DC