Do you think god will punish us if we stop going to church?

[Aiko_E_Lara]

I am a Christian but more of an agnostic one because i don't believe in the practices people just made but i do believe in the wise words of God himself. My older bro stopped going to church regularly every Sunday since he had been busy for work. One time, he got sick. My grandma just said "if you stop going to church, you're going to suffer and don't say i didn't warn you." It pissed him off and me and my aunt just got disgusted of how she said it. It even caused a big argument in between both of them and both raising their voices. I don't believe god is that selfish. He gave us life and freedom and i am using his gift to the fullest and remembering him for it and i don't believe he is a narcissist who'd let people kneel in front of him. It's just like if i have children, i would let them kneel in front of me and praise me every week for an hour or else i will beat them up because they don't "respect" me. That doesn't sound right. And the kind of mindset is what causes the war of religion like what the Romans do and i don't think God wants that. He wants peace not supremacy.

Updates

+1 y

Oh by the way, i had been so brainwashed that i just tend to go to church out of guilt. Even if i don't want to. That still doesn't sound genuine now is it?

[qwert1234]

No.

I am an atheist but raised Catholic.

I've seen people sleep in the middle of the sermon.

I've seen people do bad (wife beaters, robbers, and so on) things after going to church.

I've known priests who molested kids.

If there is a god, those are the people who are going to get punished.

It's never stated on the 10 commandments that people are required to church. Just keep the Sabbath Day holy, whatever that means.

And according to Catholic church, their god is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent.

That means even if you are on the deepest of caves, their god will know, will hear, will see. No need to be in a congregation now, eh?

[Cheerfull009]

There are bad people also, every bad person will be punished either in the world or when he will die

[andreasderjuengere]

The entire world is God's church - in some way.

If specific clubs or organizations set up dedicated buildings to celebrate their rituals, it's a ''local'' arrangement. Out of good will, I assume... but not as a requirement.

If it weren't like this... God would have chided his own son to arrange open-air meetings instead :)

[jennifer_bloom]

I am 37 and I've been a Christian since I was 14 and I have not gone to a bible study since around 2020 and I view the teachings of God as sacred but I do not view the church as a sacred place. I don't like most churches or Christian music cause I think they make too many theological errors when they sing their songs. I believe God expects kindness, productivity, modesty, respect, conscience, patience, open mindedness, trust in His goodness and belief in his final justification for all good and bad things that happen to people that were not dealt with in this life. I think imperfect people who try to do what is right can go to heaven because I believe God loves people and does not look for excuses to destroy them when they make a mistake. As a Christian, a lot of Christian music disgusts me because these people sing like they do not understand the bible.

[loveslongnails]

You answered your own question - you've been brainwashed. Your relationship with your Creator and what has evolved into "the Church", especially the Roman Catholic Church, are two different things. You don't need the latter to have the former.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

I didn't know i answered my own question because i could be wrong but it turns out i'm correct because there is already one fanatic here showing up

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Who couldn't even argue properly

[loveslongnails]

There are fanatics around every corner, dude.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

I just would like to see how it would turn out if i have to argue one.

[loveslongnails]

You should know the answer to that one too, before you even start.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

It's not my fault i've been fed with lies

[loveslongnails]

No, that's not your fault, but it IS your responsibility to see through them, overcome them and search out the truth.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

I never said it isn't. Which is why i don't exactly judge anyone nor follow in their footsteps.

[HighValue]

You don't have to go to church to be a good Christian. The Bible doesn't say that you have to go to church. Plus, some priests (mostly Catholics) violate what the Bible teaches and spread falsehoods about what God wants.

[all_hayl]

I’ve been a Christian for a while. Respectfully, you (and your grandma) sound like you’ve been brainwashed. Makes me wonder which Bible you’ve been reading. Whichever one it is, I don’t think I’ve ever read the one you’re reading.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

I don't read the bible. But we have one and i don't even know that there are many kinds.

[anon171999]

No. I believe the only consequences come when you fail to treat yourself and others with love. You don't need to go to church for that.

[jshm2]

He will probably punish you more for going to church, these days.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Well maybe if i was in a different country. So far, the church gospels here haven't attacked anyone. Maybe just yet

[NamerOfStars]

What would be the point of that? God, as per Christianity, wants followers, not slaves.

[Revvl6pro]

No way in hell. Church is a man-made joke, and so is the bible.

[call_me_scar]

Their is no correlation and causation here thats like saying when ice cream sales go up murder does to in the summer so ice cream kills people

[Cheerfull009]

Yes, your Mom is right, your brother knows the laws of God, you must be thankful to God, Who has given you eyes, hands, feet and other parts of your body,

[Aiko_E_Lara]

I didn't mention anything about my mom here

[Anonymous]

God rarely punishes us in this life but you can't give 1 hour in your week to God?

[Aiko_E_Lara]

For the same reason i dont visit my friend's house for an hour once a week. Does that mean the will cut ties with me?

[Opinion Owner]

Sounds like you cut the ties.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Then they're narcissistic. I don't believe God is like that.

[Opinion Owner]

Is it not narcissistic to interpret the word of God so that it suits your personal desires ie you not wanting to get out of bed to go to church on Sunday?

[Aiko_E_Lara]

God gave us life and freedom and i'm using it to the fullest. If it's for my personal desire then God wants us to be happy and not harm anyone. Tell me, how does it even harm people for just not going to church? Again we're not obligated to visit our friends for one hour every week.

"As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind - Romans 14:1-23."

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Oh and if I have children, i don't force them to be Christians. I'd rather just spread the words of God himself as I give them life advice, I don't teach them the practices people just make for their own gains.

[Opinion Owner]

Yes it's very narcissistic indeed to quote bible verses to justify the fact that you can't give God an hour in your week and you'd rather stay in bed.

Hebrews 10:25
25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Except encouraging isn't really different from forcing nor manipulating. And when did I even say I'd rather stay in bed? It's bold of you to make assumptions on anyone which also proves how narrow minded fanatics like you can be. If i was like God who'd punish anyone if they stop going to church, that would basically be the same as if I was a parent, I would beat up my children if they stop kneeling in front of me every once a week. And i don't think God would be happy with that. You're interpreting your Hebrews 10:25 wrong just like how the Romans basically misinterpret the words of God who would murder, crucify and torture anyone who don't believe. It's either you'd be surprised to hear that that's what cause wars or you just don't care at all.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

And even if i'd say i'd rather stay in bed, so what? I'd rather stay in bed more instead of going to the concert. I'd rather stay in bed instead of going to watch the games. What are you even doing right now when you yourself could've been in church? What do you think my bedroom is for? You see what a hypocrite you are?

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Or I could also say, id rather stay in bed than to murder people outside.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Oh by the way, you can't prove how it's narcissistic it is to use the bible verse to prove your hypocrisy. I'd rather believe in that verse alone than to believe in fanatics whining. And i can't even take you seriously when you yourself is trying to use a bible verse you can't even comprehend.

[Opinion Owner]

The Romans didn't misinterpret anything. They were converted to Christianity by the first Christians who preached the gospel.
Be honest with yourself. You are too lazy to give one hour per week rather than trying to cherry pick bible verses to make yourself feel better. But you reap what you sow.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

If they didn't misinterpret anything, then how come they go out of their way to murder and conquer those natives just to get them to believe in Christ? Here's another example for you. Like those other different groups who believes in Christ but in different ways such as Roman Catholics, Christians and Protestants, they had a war at Northern Europe because they all believe their way of believing in Christ was the real way. www.history.com/.../thirty-years-war which resulted to people becoming Athiest because they can't decide which is real which basically brought peace to them. You can call it cherry picking but that doesn't really remove the FACT that it's written over there. If I'll be honest, im simply not that interested. It has nothing to do with laziness. And by the way, the rest of what I said still stands and all you've been saying is just some sort of a denial. "It's not because i said so" is basically what you're saying.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

And I'm much more interested in believing in God instead of believing in lunatics like you.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Another thing i'd like to say is, if you say you're not brainwashed, then you're lying to yourself.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

And whatever examples you're gonna give, i bet you're gonna show me how great christians are, then you'd just basically give me examples of Christians that aren't fanatics like you.

[Opinion Owner]

The Romans were vert tolerant of other religions in their empire except for Jews and Christians.
Yes Christians have fought Christians, have fought Muslims, Muslims have fought Muslims. The largest battles in history were fought between atheists.
Nothing fanatical about not being lazy and giving God an hour a week, be Jones with yourself. You are just lazy. Make your bed also.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

And are you sure just not being lazy about going to church is so the only thing you are doing here? I think you're just so blind know what you are doing just like simply calling someone lazy because they don't go to church then if that is the case and i can call you a fanatic so what's the matter? Are you a hypocrite? You can judge anyone by calling then lazy just because they don't go to church but of course you don't like to get judged by being called a lunatic because of your views. Ok i can also make assumptions about you being someone who would also burn anyone just because you believed they are witches. You would also burn anyone for not going to church. And also you still failed to realize what started those wars in the first place. You failed to realize that it is your kind of mindset that started it

[Opinion Owner]

All those wars you mention go back to Cain and able. Cain grew jealous of Able and how the Lord blessed him, while Cain being lazy and not worshipping the Lord did not receive the same blessings so decided to kill Able. The moral of the story is don't be lazy and set aside an hour a day for God rather than try to take the blessings of the Lord and the reward of hard work.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Except you don't act like Abel at all because Abel himself don't make any false assumptions on Cain but he loves Cain regardless of his belief and not guilt trip nor manipulate him to believe in God. And when did I even say I'm jealous over those who received more blessings than me? You're acting like going to church is the only productive thing anyone can lol.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

I mean sure there are also plenty of Athiests who are much more successful than me and kind hearted than me and even more successful than you. So tell me how a lazy person can be more successful than you?

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Also it's not even considered a "war" because it only involved 2 people and it was even one sided because Abel never fought back. That still doesn't really relate to the Thirty Years' War which involved the groups believing in the same God but differently.

[Opinion Owner]

I never never met a successful person who was lazy.
Cain was "a sullen, self-willed, haughty, vindictive man; wanting the religious element in his character, and defiant even in his attitude towards God." It came to pass "in process of time" (marg. "at the end of days"), i. e., probably on the Sabbath, that the two brothers presented their offerings to the Lord. Abel's offering was of the "firstlings of his flock and of the fat," while Cain's was "of the fruit of the ground." Abel's sacrifice was "more excellent" (Hebrews 11:4) than Cain's, and was accepted by God. On this account, Cain was "very wroth," and cherished feelings of murderous hatred against his brother, and was at length guilty of the desperate outrage of putting him to death (1 John 3:12). For this crime, he was expelled from Eden, and henceforth led the life of an exile, bearing upon him some mark which God had set upon him in answer to his own cry for mercy, so that thereby he might be protected from the wrath of his fellow-men; or it may be that God only gave him some sign to assure him that he would not be slain (Genesis 4:15). Doomed to be a wanderer and a fugitive in the earth, he went forth into the "land of Nod", i. e., the land of "exile", which is said to have been in the "east of Eden," and there he built a city, the first we read of, and called it after his son's name, Enoch. His descendants are enumerated to the sixth generation. They gradually degenerated in their moral and spiritual condition till they became wholly corrupt before God. This corruption prevailed, and at length the Deluge was sent by God to prevent the final triumph of evil.

[Opinion Owner]

It was the first time a human killed another on earth. Whether it be the 30 years war or the Han dynasty conquering and slaughtering the other natives of today's China to colonise their lands.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

I thought you associate laziness with just simply not going to church. But if you truly mean lazy then sure no one gets successful by being lazy but still has nothing to do with just not going to church. So call Bill Gates lazy for being an Atheist despite all the hard work he did in creating Microsoft. And I really love how you use Genesis as if it's a factual data. As if writing already exist in that time when it started in 3400 B. C. It's not really different to Greeks having their own Greek mythology and the Celts having their own Celtic mythology about how the world begone. Also tho, it seemed much more that the book of Genesis portrayed God to be a spoiled brat who just made people to let them suffer. The Han Dynasty has a completely different motive. Whether they wanted more land or they wanted the resources but that's still a different story. Han Dynasty conquering it's neighbors doesn't mean the 30 years war about religion didn't happened.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

"Genesis portrayed God to be a spoiled brat who just made people to let them suffer." <-- I mean not necessarily a spoiled brat who let people suffer but Cain was punished because he murdered Abel not because he was making a lot of effort in offering God. Cain being punished still has nothing to do with not going to church.

And maybe what you meant with "Triumph of evil" is just simply means when they started being more logical and know how to survive better. God should've been more proud of them. Because if that's not the case, then why did God even made humans evolve to live in civilizations? Ofcourse all you see is the "Triumph of evil" but you fail to see the "Triumph of good". You like to ignore the fact that an athiest can be the nicest and caring person you can meet. You pretty much wouldn't care if a person is a murderer, abuser, beater or a criminal as long as they believe in God right? Because those who just simply not believe in God means they're letting the "Triumph of evil" happen? Oh ok. Just murder anyone who'd stop believing in God and accuse them of witches like the fictional Character Claude Frollo. You'd resemble a believer just like him.

[Opinion Owner]

So basically you rewrite the bible to justify you being too lazy to give 1hr per week to God?
If you read the bible and investigate other civilisations across the globe they all speak of a global catastrophes that laid existing civilisation low. Ie the tower of babel or noah's flood, Atlantic myths etc

[Aiko_E_Lara]

No i but i use the bible to get people to get smart. And i'm not surprised that the chronicle of the noah's ark is actually put in the Genesis which is actually considered christianity myth just like greek mythology and celtic mythology. And even if that was true, god flooded the world because there was so much slavery and conflict going on and has nothing to do with people who stopped going to church. And if god were to flood the world just because of that then guess what, there are actually way more different kinds of religion and atheists now compared to back then and i know why god didn't flood the world. It's because he is not selfish like how you think he is. Or you may just be using god simply for your gains. So go ahead and use the word lazy again and judge people for not going to church and you're going to prove me right again

[Opinion Owner]

Geologists have confirmed there was a flood at this time.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

And if it was real, again, what I said about it was because of the slavery and conflicts that made God upset which is why they punish them. But really tho, natural calamities like those just happens just like the ice age. I can give you a country that's so prone to typhoon like the Philippines yet they're 90% Christians. If you like to argue that those calamities are God's way to punish people, then does it mean Filipinos aren't Christians enough? Because that would be greed. And God hates greed.

[Opinion Owner]

If you look at some of those countries in the south east Asia where tsunamis happen the natives used to live in the mountains and the other coast where tsunamis didn't strike. It happened here in America with hurricane katrina where in New Orleans houses got washed away because planners ignored the history of the area. It's like uf you are building a house you don't build it on a flood plain, a place where the river has flooded in the past or floods every year.

[Opinion Owner]

Again it comes back to Able. Hard working and pragmatic.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

And you see how you're trying to use Scientific explanations when explaining that? Then I can also explain the flood incident such as climate change like how Egypt having snow now which rarely happens in old times. I see you only like to use Science when it's convenient for you.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Yeah Abel works hard and not even judge Cain. However, people like you do. Maybe take your own bible's advice?

[Opinion Owner]

Geologists say the weathering on the spinx 5000 years ago in Egypt is from a wetter climate with snow. Also the Sahara desert was once a more greener place as the middle east.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

And you've still proven my point about the climate change. Also talk about hard work just like Abel, Bill Gates also worked hard to be successful. I guess he's a better Abel than you despite him being an Atheist. lol

[Opinion Owner]

So now it's my bible yet you cherry pick verses to pat yourself on the back for staying in bed on Sunday mornings rather than give an hour of your time to God?

[Opinion Owner]

You've a funny way of measuring success. If Bill Gates had of stayed in his bed like you do he wouldn't have been successful.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Oh sure he stay in bed because he don't go to church. Just because someone don't go to church means they stay in bed according to you since he is an atheist. Just with your logic. Proves dumb fanatics like you can be. At least i have cherry pick something but you didn't at all. And even if that was cherry-picked, it's still a fact that it is written in the bible that you can't even follow

[Opinion Owner]

I follow the bible and I can get up out of bed to give God and hour of my time. Make your bed in the morning

[Aiko_E_Lara]

And i follow the bible and not murder people just because i don't believe in god like what you do

[Aiko_E_Lara]

* just because they don't believe in god

[Opinion Owner]

OK you don't believe in God so why ask a question about going to church?

[Aiko_E_Lara]

To expose fanatics like you. You think I don't believe in God ok that's cool. I can just say you believe God is a psychopath

[Opinion Owner]

So really your Christianphobic.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

So really you're a delusional fanatic. You know, I can keep this up all day. If you just wanna continue with your ad hominems and not even give any proper arguments then I can just simply return the favor.

[Opinion Owner]

You've just admitted that you have concocted a whole question to attack people's religious beliefs based on your limited knowledge of Christianity. You bandy crooked words like a witless worm.
Bigotry is not cool.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

And you don't think you are attacking people calling them lazy just because you don't go to church and make assumptions on anyone just because they are religious for whatever reason. I'm just returning the favor actually unless you are just a hypocrite

[Aiko_E_Lara]

*Just because they aren't religious. And if you are so knowledgeable about christianity then how come you don't see your hypocrisy?

[Opinion Owner]

I never attacked anyone I merely stated the truth about being a good Christian, you wouldn't understand what with you posting this comment for underhanded Christianphobic reasons

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Then i've never attack anyone but i'm just telling the truth about you. You wouldn't understand people's different point of views which is why you just like to call them lazy and christianphobic

[Aiko_E_Lara]

And that is for whatever narrow-minded reason

[Opinion Owner]

You've posted a Christianphobic question because you despise others who don't believe what you do.

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Lol everything is Christianphobic according to Fanatics. I'm not surprised if you call Doritos Chistianphobic because they're triangles.

[Opinion Owner]

Typical nazi response

[Aiko_E_Lara]

Typical Roman response. What else can you provide other than just calling anything christianphobic?

[Opinion Owner]

I'm not Roman nor have I been to Italy. There haven't been any Romans in nearly 600 years which shows how little you know of anything. Maybe you can go criticise Hindus or Muslims instead.

[Sabretooth]

most of it's... well, ask me to prove the trinity...

[Anonymous]

I don't think God takes attendance.