It's hard to feel close to God in Church when you don't ever go to Church.

If you would find a good Church and get involved I think you would have a different attitude. I already know what's coming next... " I went to Church for X number of years and this guy did this and that guy did that..". I did too. Quit going for a few years. Once I made my mind up to find a Church and go to work it changed my life.

Is it God absent from the church or is that the fishing boat "church" is absent from God?

never tried to tell you what to do or how to worship.

If there were people assembled in the boat worshiping God it would be church. One guy fishing thinking about the birds and the bee's don't cut it for my definition, maybe it does for yours. Wonder how it weighs in with the only opinion that really maters? Some day we will all find out. There are as many fat people at a gym as there are liars at a church so I guess we should stay out of them too.

I hear ya man. And you're right. At first, it was just bad experiences at the particular church I last went to. I wont go into details, because it's not important. I know all churches aren't like that. But now, it's a number of other reasons really. Mostly, my thoughts on religion are just drastically different now. I strongly believe in God, just not in the same way you and most other people do. I just believe in different things. I'll leave it at that.

I agree the boat on a lake is not church as described in the new testament. That being said I have attended church all of my life and continue to do so and can honestly say that most times it is does not live up to church as described in the new testament.

I was born and raised in an evangelical reform church. There was a lot of bickering and disagreement amongst members, who should do what how much money you should be giving what preacher we should have and when it was time to hire one and fire one, created big issues amongst parishioners and for the church in general.

I converted to be a catholic when I got married. It has opened my eyes a little... not so much in what to believe as that is almost identical, but how the church is run. It is much simpler and since the decisions are made by father and higher up the problems are literally non existent compared to my old church. Give it a thought. Its night and day to me. As far as sinners in church... well I guarantee you 100% of them are sinners me included.

I think what we all need to do, is find a common area, gather there, and beat the crap out of each other with bats.

PASS

redchevy - You're judgemental of people on almost everything.

Terribly un-Christian.

Better spend more time in Church. You're not grasping the concepts.

O.k how about with pillows.

Only if there's rocks in the pillows.

And only if we can shoot some hogs after we're done.

You want hogs I got 'em all over my area...

Heck I'll go fishing with lot of ya.

I didn't judge anyone. Maybe you think I did though. I have expressed my opinions that is it. Maybe you have guilt and feel judged? I don't know.

Sure is a pretty day.

Catholicism would probably be one of the last religions I'd ever join.

I'm going to have to agree with Cameron00, you do seem judgmental toward people. And I've seen you be that way in other threads in the past. I do not believe you to be a bad person at all, but its that sort of thing that initially drove me away from going to church.

I do not consider myself apart of any religion. Nor will I ever.

God does not equal religion.

Wish I was fishin

That leaves me baffled.

There was a time I would have said did say the same thing about Catholicism.

Well, so much for trying to lighten the mood.

Whew! Glad I do not feel qualified to join in this debate...

Worked for me. It is a miserable day here. Snowin, Blowin, 15 below and an hour ago they closed all the roads in the county except one due to the weather.

I will jump in for one post.

First the "church" refereed to in the New Testament is not a building, it is his people. So when Christ said I will build my church, he wasn't talking about a building. Therefore the sign on the building does not make the occupants inside. Just like if we were in a garage we would not be a car. So a boat on a lake is not a church.

Second, we can worship anywhere, deer lease, lake, race track or in our home. But was that what Christ wanted or his example? Are there any "Lone Ranger Christians"? I don't think that is Biblical. Now Christ did at times go to secluded places away from all distractions and prayed. Nothing wrong with that all. We all need times away from distractions including others to sometimes rejuvenate. But in those times are we truly worshiping or just enjoying God's creation? Both are fine but not interchangeable. Only God can judge the heart.

Third, we are told not to stop meeting together. That is where we and others connect and mutually draw on each others strength and server each other.

Hebrews 10 vs 21-25:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 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.

Lastly we are not called to be religious but to have a relationship. People can and are religious about a vast number of things but do they actually have a relationship with Christ? That was God's whole and sole purpose for creation, a relationship.

great, another freakin' yankee.

Keep at it you might get it there...