Do you know someone who goes to church but doesn't really listen?

Yes I do and that would be me.LOL I use to go to church alot when I was growing up actually I was made to go. So there were times I would sit and daydream while the mass was going on.

I think the good thing is that we don't have to worry about those people getting away with things like that. I mean, people can say and do all they want, but if their heart isn't right with God, then it is all meaningless. Sometimes I'll see a person like that in church, and it bothers me. But when I look around, I began to see that you know, I'm not the only one who sees through this person. I would hate for anyone to mistake them as a Christian, because Christians get a bad enough rap for things that haven't anything to do with them. But they become more transparent as they prolong their act, don't you think? Ultimately, God is the being they will face, and I would hate to be in their shoes, even if those shoes had made regular visits to church. : )

I think that is a very good post, and I agree that there are many people like that. In my view, you do not have to go to Church to be a good person, - you can worshiop God (if you believe in Him) in your own way, without ever setting foot in a building and doing it in front of others. To me a good person must be loving and forgiving, show compassion, kindness and understanding to people and to animals, not judge others who have diffeent morals, values or religious beliefs, not look down on others, and try to live their lives in a decent way without hurting anyone else. You don't have to go to Church or be a Christian to do that - atheists, agnostics, Humanists, Wiccans, Mulims, Hindus - people from all these backgrounds and beliefs can do that, and many do. To judge them or look down on them is wrong.

I have noticed a lot of Christians who do this inside the Church premises and I would be a hypocrite if I say I have not done anything like that. Yes, I admit, there were a lot of times I attend the Holy Mass but doesn't feel like listening to the homily especially if the Priest himself is kinda boring and if he speaks a lot too slow. I say it definitely affects me because how can I ever participate well if the Priest himself does that. I know it's a mistake. I know it's wrong. But these are some simple things that we, not only Christians, can't totally avoid in this world. But, having done so many mistakes in my Christian life doesn't mean to say I'm no longer loved by God. I know He loves me unconditionally. It's just that we HUMANS can't love God back more than the love He has given us. It even takes time to know Him even more. I'm not a bad person nor a very good one. I'm still in the process of thirsting for His presence. I believe in Him and I want to know Him more each day. :)

From what I have seen, most organized religions have people like that. They go to church, synagogue, temple, whatever you call it on the required day of the week. Then the rest of the time, they do as they please and do not appear to act like a person who truly follows the true spirit of the religion they profess to follow. To me it is the difference between "the letter of the law or the spirit of the law". I have been a member of at least two Christian congregations that have become splintered and broke apart because the various members have had differences that have nothing to do with the worship and fellowship of the church, but instead were more political and human issues. Because of these examples, I no longer attend a church. I believe in God and the Holy Trinity and consider myself a practicing Christian. I believe but I am not a member of an organized religion or congregation. With as many horrid things throughout the ages up to modern times that have been done in God's name, or any other religion's diety's name, I cannot believe in a "religion". Last I looked at a Bible, I cannot believe that Christians can say, do or think some of the things they appear to and believe that they are leading thier lives in the fashion Christ preached in the New Testament. From my favorite Bible Text: I Corinthians 13 (I like it best in King James) V 2-3: And though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains and have no charity I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and though I give my body to be burned and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing v4-7: Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not ini iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

It is very unfortunate...no doubt about it...and it is a very easy trap to fall into...human nature tells us to do wrong and ,im not going to lie...its easy to to wrong over right...but as christians, we should strive to do good and live a Godly life no matter how hard it is...

This is an interesting concept to ponder. I don't think it is up to us to evaluate various people as we all have faults. Having said that, we all know from the scriptures that there are people who regularly sit in churches that will not be saved because they have not actually ever established a relationship with God by allowing the blood of Christ to cover their sins. In the end, it is up to God to judge a person's heart, but the scriptures are correct in saying that we can generally tell whether a professing Christian is the real deal or not by the "fruit they produce".

we do see them all the time and we cannot really say that they are not listening, they look like they aren't interested though. im just giving them the benefit of the doubt.

A Christian is a person who follows the doctrines or teachings of the Christian religion laid down in the Holy Bible. First of all, he/she must be baptized into Christ. Even if a person does everything good according to standards believed by people to be good if he/she does not do according to the standards of God, that's nothing in front of God. The Holy Bible should be followed with respect to religious standards for people differ in what is referred to as "good" for something good might be good according to some but bad that is bad according to others. What are good are those that are good in the sight of God and those could only be found in the Holy Bible.

that's it, the best we can do is lead by example. its up to God to touch their hearts and allow them to realize how they're living their lives. sometimes dealing with these people in church makes me feel a bit discouraged, and often i lose the drive to go to church. but then i'm reminded that its all about God, and not about us or others. prayer, example, and leaving the rest to GoD...those are things we can do.

Hm... not all the people do that. Well there's so many kind of people. Some people go to church just looking for something... maybe they're not listening, but they can find any peace inside the church.... well its God's house anyway. For the gossiper.... they just want to find the peace too, by looking someone's unluck.. so they can think that their problem isn't that big. I know that's not a good thing, a very horrible thing if u done that in church.... well we're just only a human.. who wants to find a piece of happiness, n we do it in different way... Well , you've done so many good things.. it's amazing. I'm sure i can't do it... need half may life to do exactly the same like you do.. Keep it going.. :)