It is from my observation that there have been comments of members on this board that affiliate themselves to be Christians but said that they don't go to church, not often, or not been to church for a while. My question is this: Is there a particular reason that you don't go to church as often? Is there an actual reason that you thought of, or is it something personal? Or is there no reason at all and you just don't?

I personally am expecting certain answers to show up but I would like to hear from you.

(Those of you who are not Christians, please don't say that you don't go to church because you are not a Christian. That is like an obvious "Duh" and would be a useless post)

Well I haven't gone for a while...reason being is that I encountered a lot of two faced individuals, and I just don't know how to deal with that in my walk right now.

One reason why I don't go to church is I look weird to them (I tend to wear lot of black), I have satanic tattoos on me, yeah that just would not feel right attending a church. Many of them dress up I suppose and yeah it would be like me walking into a business meeting with wrong attire

Also, I HATE crowds I cannot stand being around lots of people.

And main reason why I don't go, is because I don't follow religion or gods. I like the option of an open book instead of a closed one. So I make it what it is. If I believe Jesus is an alien then I believe Jesus is an alien I like thinking on my own and making my own conclusions to things, even though I'm not christian there is one lesson to be learned from Jesus whether you believe him or not and that is you are your own god (metaphorically speaking).

JigSaw : Uh, hate to burst your bubble, but Jesus teaches strictly the opposite of that; His message is rely on God, NOT yourself, not treat yourself like God .

bigNATE : I didn't mean it in that way I meant it in bigger picture of things and the concept of Jesus. Someone can claim to be a god and start a religion and people would follow or they can claim someone else to be a god (who really is not a god, making them the god since its their creation). It also doesn't have to apply to just religion either its used in varies ways through products, government, and celebrities. Theres a slight difference in storyline between them but the concept is the same. Simply put, if you have a following your a god in of some sort (maybe not a god to the entire universe but a god to your own creation).

Anyway, this isnt about what Jesus taught just giving reasons why I dont attend

I go to church. But when I was living with my moma I didn't go to church, but now that I live with my grandma I go to church.

I'd suggest that I should go to church...I think church is categorized as either a house for saints, or a hospital for sinners. I'm going with the latter. However, it doesn't mean that I'm any less of a Christian because I'm not going currently, just that my life is probably harder to deal with because I'm not.

I have to admit that I don't go to church often anymore.

There are a couple of reasons:
-it's too early and I prefer to sleep
-most of people are dressing in a bit different way than I do (e.g. I don't like wearing a skirt), and because of that they're looking me in a bit weird way (maybe it's my imagination though)
-and I do prefer praying alone in my home (I can't focus so much on my praying, while I'm with others)

I think I should go more often though, maybe I'll try it in the future

I don't know. I mean, the atmosphere is nice (at least where I grew up going) but I just never make it. Maybe I'll go back sometime.

Speaking in all honesty I haven't been to church in a while. It's because I am an unusual person who often isolates himself, I have struggled with my relationship with God and I have not made time to seek Him inside of a church because I have convinced myself that I do not belong there. Again, speaking in all honesty, I know I need to do something about this as it's only to my detriment. I know that there's a church out there where I belong and I do need to make some effort to find it. If I don't, I know that I'll be one very lonely Christian and it will probably invite temptation into my life.

I go to chuch all the time. But if I was to give a reason why I wouldn't attend, it would be because of some two-faced adults, and arrogant teenagers.

When i miss church it is either because I have to work or it is my only day off that week and i want to sleep in. Not the greatest reason not to go. I also feel i dont need to go every Sunday. I can worship in my home, outside, anywhere i might go, and I do.

Where as I believe in god I don't go church because I just haven't taken the time to find the right one :/. Maybe someday I'll find a nice church to go to and visit it.

I am a former Christian (now atheist) so I can answer this question.

I never went to church, because I didn't see it essential to being a Christian. Just as there are multiple religions, there are multiple ways to show your beliefs. When I was a Christian, I went three times, and none of those times did I feel any different than practice at home.

i believe that i don't need 4 walls to connect me with God
my faith is my own and i don't lead a typical Christian life
we are sinners and i sin but i know there is forgiveness in prayer
that being said most churches offend me anyways

It should be noted that going to church is not a requirement for a Christian, but it is highly recommended to grow in Christ. It should also be noted that church is made for Christians. One of the ways a person grows in Christ is through a community of Christians who love God and love brothers and sisters in Christ. It is in this community that people can share about what God has been showing them in their lives, encourage one another, confess sins to one another and help each other fight sin, not on their own. It is a blessing to be with like minded Christians and help each other grow. I have even heard a well-known pastor that said that one cannot grow in Christ without community and God designed it to be for a community of Christians, not singular.

It should also be noted that there is no such thing as a perfect church, but one must also be careful not to go to bad churches that are not Christ-centered and whether they don't love God nor love other Christians. Everyone should try to find a good church. Don't avoid a church because the message is not pleasing to your heart or because the facilities are not up-to-date. One should go to a church that values truth and cares about everyone's lives

I'm not going to make excuses...the reason I don't go to church is because I don't want to. Yes, I do believe in GOD, but no I am not a deeply religious person. I do read the bible for comfort and have a few deeply religious friends that I enjoy being around. Me not going to church to praise GOD doesn't make me a bad person, although I should.

Well even though I was brought up to be Christian/ catholic I found church ridiculously boring and after a while I found science and disproved all the theories of god I had in my head and so I didn't deem it necessary to go to church anymore and my parents put up a fight at first but then I said I didn't really believe in god anymore so to prevent arguments and debates we decided that as long as I don't try to convert them away (which I wouldn't of anyway) or like say why god inst real I'm allowed to not go to church, no biggie really it just means we don't have convo's about god which we never really did anyway

i go almost every week only when we don't feel good or we don't get up in time

I go to church for spiritual "food".  It's hard since I moved to a different city for university because now I have to tap into a church.  Since my university is a Christian one, when there are tons of university students, the church might feel too much like school.  So that's one reason why I wouldn't to a particular church.  I started going to one that more family-oriented, not too big, and I have to say, it's okay.  The hard part is that I don't know anyone and so I feel like an outsider whenever I go, but it's better that other churches I've tried.  But most of the time, I do go to church.  The only time I didn't go was because I was taking Bible courses or because of soccer on Sundays.

It would cost me $15 every Sunday just to go to Church, and I would have to wait 40 minutes by the time the city bus got there, it would take literally 8 hours of my day, and I would have to eat food right before I left and leave practically before the sun even rose.


At that, the church doesn't exactly like homosexuals (this entire city does) and I'm homosexual.


For a deity I'm unsure if He even exists, I'm sorry, but it's not worth it at all.

Because the bible does not command that?

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body," (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

I've been studying the bible for a good while now. Born Catholic, Raised agnostic, born again baptist, and now I am an adulterated non-denominational.

I've, of course; go to a church. But it's more like a home in which I do bible study in as well as fellowship. But honestly, you don't need to make "That day you go to church" to learn more about God. I mean guys, everyone, get to know him! Don't let one single day of your week a set schedule to get to know him. A true Christian get's to know him every day of the year, all years, and forever more.

I do daily videos from a guy named David C. Pack, whom I know for a fact, knows what he is talking about. he quotes the bible in the most simple, I repeat, the absolute most Simple way possible.

Who is David C. Pack? : http://www.thercg.org/dcp-bio.html?s_kwcid=TC|19911|david%20c.%20pack||S|e|9240912841&gclid=CJfA7NiRnqoCFZBU7AodvHJW6g#c

A lot of people don't usually go to church, because they don't like waking up early on a Sunday morning while they can stay home and get some sleep.

While some people are atheist in the family and doesn't give a crap about going to church.

There are some churches that hate homosexuals while there are some people who are homosexuals that believe in god. Which I kind of hate, because everyone is created equally, and being gay is not a choice for the people.

I go to church every Sunday that I can. I find it very relaxing and really I think that most Christians should go to church, it renews your faith for the week.

I go to church two times on Sunday and once on Wednesday. Personally, I really don't like excuses that people make, like they don't like to get up early. My church starts at 9:15 and ends at 12. I don't mind getting up though, because I have to be at my high school everyday during the school year at 7:15. During the summer I go to sports practice 3 times a week in the morning at 8 AM. So getting up is not a problem. As for the way people are dressed, people at my church wear suits and ties a lot. However, people there are taught that no matter how people dress or look, they should be greeted warmly. And for people who don't like their preacher, just find another church. I recommend a southern baptist church. People say that they would rather worship God alone, but the Bible says that if you stumble in your faith, no one is there to bring you up, but if someone falls when others are around, they are there to pick you back up, so you can continue your walk with Christ and don't fall into darkness.

Well the reason i didn't go to church for the longest while was because i really didn't believe there was a god,
so why go to church when you don't believe. but i started going again as my faith was restored. all tho
i'm slowly losing it again.

i go to church a lot just can't right now working on house family and my mom hasn't felt good

Lets see why don't I go to church....One reason is my wife works on Sundays and I don't want to bring the 2 yr old and 6 mo old to church by myself.
Second reason, I'm a PK (Pastors Kid) about six years ago my dad accepted to be a pastors for an assembly of god church in Northwestern WI. He was told different things about the church that were false. The church was not growing like he was told in fact it was shrinking. Soon my dad was force not to take a pay check from the church because there was not enough people giving to pay the churches bills. As a result my dad went to the state council to ask for help. He thought he had friends on his side and was very surprised when the state council voted to close his church. This happened two days before my parents wedding anniversary, and were told they have three days to move out of the house that was provided by the church.  As a result my parents and I ending up being homeless for 5 months, it wasn't so bad as we have our own property up by where this church was so it was more like camping for 5 months. February came, and my dad felt like he was called to go out to Idaho. So he found a church in Bulh, ID they were friendly at first but all three of us felt that there was something wrong. They housed us in a run down trailer home promising my parents that they would move us to something better. Well, at month five they had an "emergency board meeting" and voted my dad out of the church. The reason why they gave was that my dad was too community oriented and was focused on making the church grow. As the result of this my Parents and I were stranded in Idaho a total of over 1600 miles away from family and friends that could help us. The good that came out of this is my fiancée at the time moved out to Idaho where with in a month of that we were married at a small Baptist church. However, her family paid for us to move back to WI which is where we are now.
Third reason, I don't go to church is I feel like today's church is going off the path that God originally plan for the church. Also, because of these two past experiences I'm more sensitive to people faking they are glad to see you and all the BS that they seem to vomit out of their mouth. I know that not all churches are like this but my radar seems to goes off every time I step foot into a church, because I feel like I just don't belong there.
  

I just recently started going to church again. Its been a month since I went.

I personally go To Church every Sunday. I love my congregation, and I'm not forced to dress up or anything (in fact I normally wear a t-shirt and jeans). I'm also an assistant Youth Director for my Church's Youth Group. It's really a lot of fun and I get a much different worship experience from the Sunday Worship. That all being said, I can understand many of the reasons that people don't like to go to Church. Getting up early is a hassle for many people. Back when I was Catholic, we used to go to an afternoon service so that we wouldn't have to wake up early. The service I attend now is from 9:30-11:00 with a fellowship time afterwards, and I'm usually there until noon. I also understand that people don't like to be in big crowds. If that is the case, find a local Pastor that you really feel is in touch with God, and most of the time they will be willing to make a house call every once in a while. There are also online Church Streams for many Church's now. Even my church does one and we only have a congregation of about 120 people. Alright time to stop rambling XD.

I do go to church, just not very often. Being in social situations is simply really hard on me. I get anxiety attacks during or right after church, as well. I like the people at y church, and love the preacher, but have too much trouble just being there. I used to attend the youth group for a short time, as well, but my curious nature and need to comment on everything made that a thing I never will do again...

KlawedFlaw : Do you mean to say that you were asking questions in youth group? Did they simply shoot you down or something? Because if it is how I picture it, I can only assume that they wanted you away before other members started questioning the leaderships' message --does not justify it in my opinion, but I am just curious to know.

AuraBlaze : No. I wasn't shot down. My church is pretty accepting. My mom didn't want me to cause the youth minister any problems, which I was. I didn't mean to, but it's just in my nature to want to know more, comment on everything, and simply be extremely curious. I actually caused emotional distress for the minister and he was scared of me because of the constant questions I would ask.

I'm just a highly curious creature who was accidentally almost trying to teach... I even would unknowingly try to start debates. I won't blame my autism on this, because that wasn't the cause of any of it. The people in the youth group liked me, by the way. I just was interrupting half the time.

While I'm not extremely religious anymore, I'm still a Christian, and I have quite a lot to say about the Bible, and people say I know a lot about it. There's just things you don't take Klawed Flaw to. It's like taking me to E3, which is even worse of an idea since I know so much about video games, I could publish a book on odd facts and the like.

I can understand why you'd think the church or minister were scared of people questioning, but that wasn't the case. It was just that I asked too many questions. My mom was the one who took me out of the group. She knew I was too curious and was an interruption.