If you are Christian but don't go to "Church" what are your reasons?

[Cazee]

Reading another thread made me wonder. I am a Catholic, and I find Church deeply spiritual, I engage with my Christian brothers and sisters, I hear the word of God proclaimed and discussed and I reaffirm my faith. What's not to like ? I know many christians don't like to go to church, and I was wondering why. Perhaps negative experiences, grumpy parishoners?

yes

I have asked to be removed frmo the church rota

I fell out with the village over an electric fence (dont ask) and when I went to the xmas service so many people were frosty and unfriendly

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bloss, really interesting post, thank you. I also would love to have more intellectual discussions. I think a lot of people feel left out, which is a terrible thing to happen at a Christian gathering. Do you feel, even if the priest/minister is boring and some people are unfriendly, that attending church gives you a chance to think over the week, and how to do better next week? I feel it is invaluable in that. It brings my week, and goals and thoughts, back to Jesus. Perhaps that is what Jesus meant when He said "Do this in memory of me"?

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PMSL at what Cod said.
I am a lasped Catholic - the lapsed part being that I don't go to church regularly at all. I do still consider myself catholic though. I got married in a catholic church which was v important to me and when we have DCs, I will get them baptised. I worry that thsi is a little hupocritical but I do see a community-based catholic life in my future just not now, iykwim.
DH is a "nothing", very sciencey and brought up in a v liberal family - went to a CofE school and managed to argue his way out of attending any relgious services.
So, in answer to the OP I don't go to mass on Sundays because at the weekends
(a) I'm spending time with my DH who works very hard and I would have to go on my own. (b) the nearest church is not that far from me but is in the middle of a rough estate and I've never felt comfortable walking there.

I don't know what to do to change this. Grateful to hear any ideas.

I love the idea of what Marina gets out of church in her Fri 04-May-07 10:25:17 post.

I think being a 'christian' is not a term for somebody that goes to church anymore, in our village we have alot of people that attend different sorts of worship, be it happy clappy, church, sunday school, bible groups, bell ringing, prayer meetings, taize services, healing services, evening praise, church lockin-ins (teenagers) outings etc etc.....

If all of these groups went to church on a sunday morning we would be bursting at the seems, I think we now have to look at the youngsters of today and see what they like and how they like to worship.

I think church is going out of fashion, we have to be clear of that and praise the 'new ways' not fight with them.

Smaller different types of christian groups are forming instead. But at the end of the day remember 'we are all still reading from the same page'

So don't worry if you don't go to 'church' Christianity is still alive!

Interesting thread although I haven't read it in full!

Basically, isn't it always the Christians that give Christianity a bad name.

I come from a very staunch Christian background. My mum at her old age still visits people, 'evangelises' and prayers with them. I myself have seen God's faithfulness to me in my life. I will never abandon my faith in God, but I don't go to church. The reasons are probably the same as most given here. My relationship with God is that of a 'father-daughter' - I go to Him mostly when I need to, but I am ever so grateful to Him for what He's been and done for me.

Also, from where I come from, people go to church because they want to. No other reason. Here, I've found that many go just so that their children can get into the schools. I cannot reconcile with that type of 'hypocrisy'.

interesting thread; particularly what bloss has to say.

though my (beloved) pa is a vicar, the majority of christians i've met have made me unhappy. there doesn't seem to be a lot of joy about them, and to be honest some shockingly unchristian behaviour from people who call themselves christian. perhaps i've been over-exposed to the inner workings of it all. perhaps also feel uncomfortable with the punative messages i so often hear (bit of a fan of alfie kohn, it has to be said).

so, put off by the religion, but not by faith, if that makes sense.

still looking... and this thread is really helpful.

"Isn't it a shame that so hard upon the heels of Christ come the Christians?" or something like that, a quote I read on the back of a book once.

I am really saddened to hear that so many people have been put off attending church by so called "Christians" who are judgemental or not friendly. I am particularly sad, as I really believe, with all my heart, that you need the support of beautiful loving Christians to help you to grow spiritually. That is why Jesus founded the Church. He didn't say to the Apostles, go, write a book, tell people to read it now and again. He established the living church. It is so easy to get pulled down by day to day life, making excuses not to pray, not to examine your behaviour over the week, not to see God in all. So all you lovely posters who have been hurt by church, what about finding at least one other Christian friend and praying together for an hour or so a week? Does anyone think that would help them?