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Readers Respond: Why Don't You Go to Church?
Responses: 52

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From the article: What Does the Bible Say About Church Attendance?

I receive frequent emails and comments from Christians who have given up on the idea of church attendance. Some blame bad experiences that have left a bitter taste in their mouths, causing them to become disenchanted with the practice of going to church. Others say that conventional church activities are missing the biblical mark. If you are a follower of Christ, and you've quit attending church, we'd like to know why.

Tell Us Why

Reading the Bible is Much Better

Though I have a hunger for his words, I never attend the church regularly. All I find there is a preaching, concluding with a donation request. Reading the Bible is much better to feed your thirst and hunger for the Lord.
—Guest subrata

I Go, But Not Every Week

I go to church, but not every week. I guess I am not as disciplined or don't take it seriously enough to go. I am in a good situation with a good congregation and everyone seems to be very friendly. I guess from past hurts and disappointments, I just have not gotten past them yet.
—skullmurphy62

Living for God

I think we must redefine what "church" means. It's not a fancy building with all kinds of special events for the membership. It's the body of believers. I'd love to know how many times Paul attended church during his long, dangerous journeys ministering for God. Jesus said where two or more are joined in my name, there will I be in the midst of them. He also mentioned not hiding that lamp on the hill. Yes, we need to surround ourselves with other believers for encouragement and growth, but you don't have to step into a building to do that. My closest friends & companions are all Christians and we all keep each other challenged and encouraged. In fact, since leaving "religion," I've become more loving, patient, kind, etc. I don't need my brothers and sisters to tell me when I'm sinning. I have the Holy Spirit to do that. Today's churches are just as the apostle John predicted...they are apostate. They claim to be Bible teaching, but they are teacher's of their own version of the Bible.
—Guest Mary

Never on Sunday

I don't really care much for Sunday services - they have developed into something which makes me uncomfortable - too much about dress and too much pomp. I go on Wednesdays, with the 15 or so people who usually come. To me this is closer to the time Jesus spent with his disciples. We have a small sermon, share the peace, celebrate the Eucharist, and have Unction (which is not done on Sundays). It's very comfortable and cozy, like we were meeting in someone's home. If anyone is wondering - I'm an Episcopalian. (My apologies to Melina Mercouri for using the title of one of her movies...)
—chilehead53

The Catholic Mass Has Changed

I don't go because Catholic churches in New Zealand are so much different than what I had been used to. Churches tend to become places of social gatherings, rather than God's house. The concept of confession has lost its merit and all attendees participate in Eucharist, regardless of their spiritual cleanness.
—dimbroane

An Unhealthy Obsession with Church

I can't settle in any church. I see bits of what I'm looking for in different churches, but can't find one that ticks all the boxes. I have issues with the worship style, the preaching, doctrine, the people and fellowship. Why can't I just overlook the negatives and just get on with it? I go for so long, and then wham, I can't cope with the things I don't like. I must dwell on church 365 days a year. If Sunday isn't a good day it affects me for the rest of the week! Pray for me!
—Gemma23

Not Necessary for Heaven

You really don't need church to go heaven. My heart is with the lord 100%, and I read my Bible all the time, so I am living and breathing God's love every day. Church is just for people to show off what they have. That's my opinion.
—sashafierce123

My Marriage Fell Apart

I don't go to church because my marriage fell apart because of a woman in my church. My husband takes part in church activities with unholiness. It breaks my heart when I think that the very same church where I got married, was the place that ruined my marriage. Church leaders said adultery is like lying and cheating, and they sent me away, demanding forgiveness.
—Guest grace

Single Mother - Confused

I am a single mother of two children and we had been attending church. I pulled myself out from going to church when I started seeing another man. We were living together, but are married now. My church elder has asked me to go back to church, so I told him everything. He said we both are welcome to attend church services together, but my new husband is from a different denomination. We have also agreed that he can attend his church and I can attend mine with the children. It's just that this person really loves me and we have my children, but he was married previously too. Sometimes I accept his daughter to come and stay with us. I didn't know at first that he had been married, so now I have no choice but to accept his child. We are always happy when our children are together. I really want to go back to church, but I feel sorry for my husband's first wife. What am I supposed to do?
—Guest Guest - Agnes

I am Deaf

I am deaf, therefore, I cannot sing nor hear the sermon. I have not learned signing language either.
—Guest Maurice Lampl

Bad Experiences

I have had a lot of bad experiences, including the church trying to force me to give up my son for adoption. They also told told me to foreclose on my house and move to a rental.
—Guest julie russell

Hurt by the Pastor

Because I was told by a pastor that my service to God was deceitful and manipulative to everyone.
—Guest elliemae

Questions About Church

This is a question I asked a pastor on this subject: no matter how much Scripture anyone can pull out, none says to go to church as we have it now in this world. When Christians come together to pray and read the Bible, it doesn't say this has to be in a building. Matthew 18:20 - "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Ok, but this does not say you must go to church to do this. I worship, pray, and have Bible study and reading with my husband and son and with friends. I pray all throughout the day. I live my life the best I can according to how God wants it. I am saved by Jesus Christ. So it says "where two or three" but does not say it must be in a church. God wants us to get together for the purpose of prayer and Christian fellowship. I have Christian fellowship with family and friends at home, in conversation, emails, and in sharing the Word of God and in prayer.
—Guest M

I Used to Believe Anything

I stopped going to church when I read in my Bible that Christ defeated the written code on the cross as well as died for my sins. I also stopped going to church because Christ does not dwell in temples made with hands. Then there there is the case of Nicolatanism in the Christian church, which explains why Christianity is a religion. As an anti-religious believer I know that Christ hates it with a passion. But I do not attend church anymore because of the doctrine being fed to me, thinking they're teaching Christ, when I can read the Word for myself. My eyes have been opened since I left the church. But I will never leave Christ.
—Anti.religionman

Churches are Clubs

We homeschooled our children and all our church did was tell our children that we were sheltering them. Today, 3 out of 6 of our kids attend church. The other 3 want nothing to do with it. I taught Sunday School, headed up a Wednesday night children's program, led children's musicals, played the church piano, started a church children's library, attended services 3 times a week, helped whenever anyone needed anything. It took 32 years of this to realize that the church no longer holds dear the truths of the Bible. It seeks now to make people "comfortable" by omitting the preaching of the Good News that God wants to save us from our sins. It's all about the blonde up in front bouncing around and singing to the ceiling. Church for me now is in front of Ed Hines or John Hagee on Sunday morning TV. I started an Internet ministry for homeschooling moms. On Sundays I'd rather hang out at the flea market and talk to the people there who are starving for God's love.
—patches1951