Another Post On Religion
So there was topic on a natural hair forum that I'm on. The question was "Does going to church really make a difference or is it more about your relationship with God?"
Here is my response:
My interest in religion has a faltered a lot over the years. I was raised Baptist. My parents went to a church in our neighborhood for years, but they started to feel as though the church was changing a lot. It was all about money and people judging others. So we eventually stopped going. When I met my boyfriend in college, he took me to his church one Sunday. I really liked the vibe of it. It was mixed, people came in t shirts and jeans. I never understood why I had to get dressed up for church. Didn't God say come as you are? I know not to wear club clothes, but there shouldn't be any harm in t-shirt and jeans. Long story short, I got saved, mostly because the preacher told us to close our eyes, raise your hand if you need to be saved or something like that and then he told us to put our hands down and asked the ones who raised their hands to come forward. I honestly didn't want to, but the preacher looked at me and just called me out. So I had no other choice.
But after that, nothing really changed. I still didn't go to church and whenever I attempted to read my bible, it just bore me. I question my religion a lot, but I think I should save that for another discussion. But I feel like you don't really have to go to church to have that relationship with God. If you're reading your bible and fully understand it, you should be fine. If you feel like you need more guidance in your life, sure, go to church. I get that tithes are to benefit the church, but why do I need to pay the preacher to read what I can read to myself at home? Someone mentioned about coming to a church that doesn't have electricity. A preacher can preach anywhere. They can always do it like in the old days, find a nice spot with shade and set up shop right there. You really don't need a roof over your head to get the word out.
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In response to that people kept saying that you have to worship with like minded people. Become a fellowship. Now my question to that is, "What if I don't like people?" What if I feel more comfortable studying my bible by myself or may having a one on one session with the pastor? I didn't post that on the forum because people were starting to get a little testy about the subject. If I were to go back and get all spiritual again. I want a church that is mixed, no one is judging you, you don't have to get dressed up and I actually believe what the pastor is telling me. I want that comfy feeling. Now just because the church feels like home to you doesn't mean I will feel the same way.
I don't know. I'm just not big on the religion thing anymore. People get too testy about it and it's only because they think they can't speak out on it.
Here is my response:
My interest in religion has a faltered a lot over the years. I was raised Baptist. My parents went to a church in our neighborhood for years, but they started to feel as though the church was changing a lot. It was all about money and people judging others. So we eventually stopped going. When I met my boyfriend in college, he took me to his church one Sunday. I really liked the vibe of it. It was mixed, people came in t shirts and jeans. I never understood why I had to get dressed up for church. Didn't God say come as you are? I know not to wear club clothes, but there shouldn't be any harm in t-shirt and jeans. Long story short, I got saved, mostly because the preacher told us to close our eyes, raise your hand if you need to be saved or something like that and then he told us to put our hands down and asked the ones who raised their hands to come forward. I honestly didn't want to, but the preacher looked at me and just called me out. So I had no other choice.
But after that, nothing really changed. I still didn't go to church and whenever I attempted to read my bible, it just bore me. I question my religion a lot, but I think I should save that for another discussion. But I feel like you don't really have to go to church to have that relationship with God. If you're reading your bible and fully understand it, you should be fine. If you feel like you need more guidance in your life, sure, go to church. I get that tithes are to benefit the church, but why do I need to pay the preacher to read what I can read to myself at home? Someone mentioned about coming to a church that doesn't have electricity. A preacher can preach anywhere. They can always do it like in the old days, find a nice spot with shade and set up shop right there. You really don't need a roof over your head to get the word out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
In response to that people kept saying that you have to worship with like minded people. Become a fellowship. Now my question to that is, "What if I don't like people?" What if I feel more comfortable studying my bible by myself or may having a one on one session with the pastor? I didn't post that on the forum because people were starting to get a little testy about the subject. If I were to go back and get all spiritual again. I want a church that is mixed, no one is judging you, you don't have to get dressed up and I actually believe what the pastor is telling me. I want that comfy feeling. Now just because the church feels like home to you doesn't mean I will feel the same way.
I don't know. I'm just not big on the religion thing anymore. People get too testy about it and it's only because they think they can't speak out on it.