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I gave up going to church

Posted: May 31, 2013

I used to be an avid church-goer. Catholic, back when you went into a confessional to confess what you felt was a sin. Then one day, the priest (in all his glory) during a mass said, "I forgive you all for whatever you have done." That really got my goat. You didn't even have to feel bad about whatever it was you did, you were just now automatically forgiven, in one big swoop.

I knew people in that church that were horrible to their children and spouses. So, I just knew that they went to church for their weekly dose of "I'm holy. I'm forgiven. I can do whatever bad thing I want." And then go home and be horrible.

I think they're just a bunch of hypocrites, a good deal of them anyway. I decided to just live my life and be a good person, not hang out with "those types." Makes my blood boil when people preach the Lord, holier than thou, make believe to live a truly Christian life...

;

Church - blessed

[ In Reply To ..]
Don't give up on God because of people. People will always let you down but the Lord won't. I don't hang with church people but I go to church for God not them. I suggest that maybe you try a non-denominational church like the Calvary Chapel. They are all over the place and only teach the bible verse by verse and have a great time of worship.

Did not give up on God - see msg pls

[ In Reply To ..]
I gave up on the church, not God or Christ. I just came to lose respect for it.

I gave up going to church decades ago - - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I was also brought up Catholic. IMHO, God doesn't care if you go to church or not.

I Think some people - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
...go to church so they "look good" to others. I tell you, I lead a more Christian life than most of the people who go to church.

When I was a kid, I knew this one girl and her family who went to church like we did every single Sunday. I used to hang out at their house often. I tell you, her mother screamed at her all the time, and her father beat the crap out of her (though he never did it in front of me).

I am not impressed when someone says they go to church every week. Really, it doesn't necessarily mean a darn thing about their character.

Also - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
I lost respect for the Catholic church. They kept changing the "rules" on what a sin was. It all made me just think that none of it meant anything,except the 10 Commandments.

You know, it's a sin not to wear a hat in church, then it wasn't. It's a sin to touch the communion host, then it wasn't. Stuff like that.

have you read - Bad Habits: Confessions of a Recovering Catholic ?

[ In Reply To ..]
It's hilarious and touches on the Catholic church constantly changing the rules.

Wow - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
I should read that. I hate to say it, but the Catholic church (which I grew up in from a tiny tot) is just a joke, IMHO. I'm not even talking about just the hypocrit thing, the whole shabang.

The 2 things that REALLY shook me were: (1) St. Christopher, the patron saint of travel, is no longer a saint. To be a saint, you have to have 3 miracles, and "they" found out he only had two. (2) "They" did away with purgatory. Now it's just heaven or hell. That is scary. Hubby and I made a little joke about how we figured we'd maybe burn for just a little while, then head on to heaven. Now we can't decide if we're going to the pearly gates, or we're completely toast.

They did away with Limbo too - - whatevs - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
xx

I Know, but - Limbo was dumb anyway

[ In Reply To ..]
Babies who die should just go on to heaven, baptized or not.

That whole thing where a baby is a sinner is just ridiculous. I know, I know, original sin.

Sorry, too much baloney for me.

I can understand your feeling like that, but anyone who believes - what the Bible says

[ In Reply To ..]
about right and wrong is a hypocrite at some point, yes? We're all sinners in need of forgiveness.

I believe God will complete that good work in us (as the Bible says), but I don't believe anyone achieves that ideal here on earth.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can all live a more Christian life, but we still fall short as long as we're human.

I understand, but... - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
Of course we are human and we fall short. Losing one's temper once in a while is normal, saying something mean now and then is normal, giving in to a strong temptation here and there is normal human behavior.

HOWEVER,that does not give us license to be horrible day in and day out, then just decide that it's "okay, I'm only human." "Okay, I'll go to church and get forgiven."

I forgive you - me

[ In Reply To ..]
What do you mean he said I forgive you?? What context was that in? I thought only God can forgive you for your sins. Any way, there are non-denominational churches that are so great to go to and really understand the bible and how to talk to people.

The forgiveness thing - see msg pls

[ In Reply To ..]
The priest was just giving everyone in the church (during a mass) a blanket forgiveness. Forgiveness drives me bonkers when the person isn't even sorry for whatever it was they did.

I thought most of you Christians do that, anyway. You forgave the Boston bomber and he didn't ask for any forgiveness.

Forgiveness - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
We are to forgive someone for our own sake, not because the other person wants it or needs it. It is given to help release the anger, pain, hate, etc from our own souls.

I do not forgive - I just accept and MOVE ON-nm

[ In Reply To ..]
xxxx

In that event - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I feel sad for you.

Why? - see msg pls

[ In Reply To ..]
Don't feel sorry for me. I have perfect peace in my life. I just am not the type to say "it's okay, all is forgiven," when the person doesn't give a hoot. I just accept that they're jerks, then move on with my life.

I'm trying to make the point that one doesn't have to "forgive" anything to have some peace and joy in their life. To me, forgiving someone who is purposely awful and continues to be awful and shows no remorse, is just silly. It is NOT okay to be awful all the time. But I accept that is who you are, and I choose to not spend time on it or you.

P.S. - You, not meaning "you."

[ In Reply To ..]
Gosh darn, I just re-read my post. I don't mean you specifically---almost sounded like I was calling you horrible! Not so. I meant "you" whoever it may be in my life who is being awful.....

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