How often do you visit a Church / Temple?
By daliaj
@daliaj (5674)
India
July 27, 2009 2:55am CST
I am a Roman Catholic. According to the rules of my caste, I am supposed to attend holy mass in church every Sunday. I am unable to perform this now a days because I don't know any churches nearby my home. I have to seriously find a church nearby.
How often do you visit a church/temple?
Do you think it is important to visit church/temple often?
Do you force your children to visit temple/church often?
12 people like this
72 responses
@fanxiangqian (185)
• China
29 Jul 09
i didn't visit s church,but i will visit a temple sometimes.as you said there isn't a church nearby our home,but the temple is near.
when i have a baby,i will not force it to the temple or church except it likes it for itself!
1 person likes this
@daliaj (5674)
• India
30 Jul 09
Thanks for the response. My parents are very traditional and very strict about beliefs and following rituals of the church. They got the same belief from my grand parents. So, I think I will force my kids to go to church and follow the rituals even though my husbnad is not that intersted in compellilg kids to go to church and he seldom goes to church.
@vicky30 (4766)
• India
8 Aug 09
I go to the church every alternate sundays
.I know i have to go to church daily as it is a commandment in the Bible.You can search for churches through the internet by putting the location in the search bar.Yes it is very important to visit church on sunday.It will be good for our spiritual life.It will also give us strength to work during the whole week.
.I know i have to go to church daily as it is a commandment in the Bible.You can search for churches through the internet by putting the location in the search bar.Yes it is very important to visit church on sunday.It will be good for our spiritual life.It will also give us strength to work during the whole week.
@rainmark (4302)
•
28 Jul 09
Hiya,
Im a roman catholic too and every sunday i always going to church for the holy mass when i was in Philippines.
But when i moved overseas, i can't find any catholic church nearby home. So i never go for a mass, but i went couple of times at the methodist church with my mum-in-law.
Happy posting.
@daliaj (5674)
• India
29 Jul 09
Yes, the problem occurs when you move to a differnt place. My situation is I moved to a city as a part of my work and I don't know many churches in this place. My room mate is also a Christian, but not Catholic. I went to Pentacost church with her, but I am not that happy about it. I didn't get the feel of me attending Holy mass in a Catholic church. Thanks for the response.
@daliaj (5674)
• India
29 Jul 09
You can also pray every Sunday at that time so that you can compensate for not going to church. More than whetehr you are going to church or not. The important part is whether you are close to god through prayer or not. Also, whether you are living according to the teachings of Jesus. Thanks for the response.
@dorothyDauphinee (534)
• United States
28 Jul 09
i am of the firm belief that Christ is more interested in what the content is of your heart not the contents of a building,Sitting in a church no more makes you a christian,than sitting in a garage will make you a car!
@rainmark (4302)
•
28 Jul 09
I do agree with you Dorothy. Some of the church goer, when they act, they looks like not christian. I have known someone, she always in the church, but her attitude is not christian, after holy mass, she and her friends started tohave gossips lolz.
Happy posting.
@daliaj (5674)
• India
29 Jul 09
Both of you have a very good point. Sitting in the church won't make somebody a good Christian. I have seen people gossiping sitting inside the church. Some people think going to church or temple is an occassion to meet friends and start gossiping. That is not what Christ wants. Some people consider worship places are spots for their children to meet friends and play. Thanks for the response.
@calyxus (825)
• Philippines
27 Jul 09
It is important for me to go to church and have fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ and God Himself, and I do go every Sunday.
But if ever I can't go to church for some reason, I do not worry because I know He is with me everyday of my life. And it seldom happens that I won't be able to go to church. LOL
Great lots,
calyxus
But if ever I can't go to church for some reason, I do not worry because I know He is with me everyday of my life. And it seldom happens that I won't be able to go to church. LOL
Great lots,
calyxus
@calyxus (825)
• Philippines
29 Jul 09
Yeah, I think so, too.
If you miss one, then it will seem easy to miss more services every Sunday.
I think it's the work of the enemy.
He will make us feel that is OK to miss Sunday service.
But what he doesn't know is that even though we miss Sunday, it doesn't matter because we have God everyday in our hearts.
@kjjjs5 (13)
• United States
28 Jul 09
I agree with your approach to attending church. To say that we must be in church every Sunday is legalism but He wants us to want to be there and not out of obligation. He also doesn't want us to feel condemned when we miss; however, I have found that if I miss more than one service in a row, it gets easier to miss.
@vinslounge (1295)
• India
27 Jul 09
I am a Hindu and there is no rules and regulations laid upon me to visit temple or not. We follow 'SANATHANA DHARMA'rule which means any place of worship is regarded to be a holy place and there is no ardent rule on us that on particular days we must definitely visit a temple. But I definitely goto temple once in a week and i am a staunch devotee of Lord Ganesha and Lordess Kaali. I have a catholic friend who is very close to me and once in a month or 2, I attend the Midnight mass in Tamil that will be held in Santhome Church(Chennai). I love visiting temple and I wish to goto Mount Kailash one day which is the abode of Lord Shiva.
@daliaj (5674)
• India
27 Jul 09
That is very nice of you. I appreciate your way of respecting all religions which many people can't do or they don't prefer to do. I also visited Santhome church three times and I like the place a lot. I think Mount Kailash is in heaven and you will go to mount Kailash if you go to heaven. I have many friends who are fond of Lord Ganesha. Thanks for the response.
@daliaj (5674)
• India
28 Jul 09
Thanks for the information. I thought that mountain Kailash is just a character in old classical stories and there is nothing exists like that. I had gone to the place where Krishana was born - Vrindhavan. It is nearby Agra and Delhi. Is it the exact place where Krishna was born? I thought all these are stories. Vrindhavan is a big temple. I am sorry, I am not that good in Hindu relgion related beliefs. When I was a kid, my grand father only taught me stories of Pandavas and Kauravas, Ramayana, and about Valmiki.
@vinslounge (1295)
• India
27 Jul 09
Mount Kailash is situated in earth. It is located in TIBET and Mount Kailash is one of the famous mountain ranges in Himalayas. It is considered to be the abode of lord shiva and the entire Mountain range will be in the form of SHIVA LINGA and that is the speciality of Mount kailash. Yes, Ganesha is the favourite god to many Hindus. Not only to hindus but even my friends who are christians and jains like Ganesha. He is one favourite god to many.
@sapphirelilac88 (91)
• Philippines
29 Jul 09
i try to go to churh on sundays, as it is a requirement being a catholic. but lately i attend as often as i can. because i need big help from Him lately. i am hoping that He will hear me out and always bewith me... and He has ^_^
@daliaj (5674)
• India
29 Jul 09
I strongly believe in Jesus and try to attend the holy mass on all Sudnays whenever possible. He is my first person to remember when I am in a problem or agonay. There are some issues in my life, but I am sure that Jesus will turn everything to my good and I am hoping that this issues are happening to turn finally good for me. Thanks for the response.
@sweetie1026 (1718)
• Philippines
29 Jul 09
Hi, i am a Catholic and is just lucky enough to be living near our church, so going to mass on Sundays is not a problem at all. I grew up in a family which is very active in the church, my mom used to be the leader of the Pastoral Council here in our locality. We grew up in the Roman Catholic belief and we love being one. But i also believe that no one should force us to go to church/temple on a regular basis. It should be one's choice, one should love his/her religion/or religious belief to be able to live it fully.Children will follow what their parents or elders do as long as they see good in what their elders do. As they grow into adults they will make their own choice and we should be ready to accept whatever that is. I have a daughter who is in another country and she seldom goes to church there because as in your situation it is very far from her. I just advised her not to forget to say her prayers and her beliefs. What is important is we do not forget to say our prayers no matter where we are.
@daliaj (5674)
• India
29 Jul 09
My family is also very traditional and forced us to go to church during weekends and whenever we find time on holidays. My grand parents used to go to church everyday even though the church was not that close to our house. Now a days they are sick and unable to go to church. Thanks for the response.
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
28 Jul 09
I'm not religious, so I never do. I don't really think that it is important. You can still be a spiritual/religious person with good moral standing if you don't go.
@daliaj (5674)
• India
29 Jul 09
Yes, for sure. You can be a good moral person without going to church or temple. But, going to church or temple activates or reinsist the morality in you. You listen to the speech of priest and pray with group, which reinforce your morality. So, I feel it is good to go to chuch whenever I have time. I don't deny that you can be a good person without going to church.
@sweetashoney (3594)
• United States
29 Jul 09
I know your going to think that this is bad but I have not gone to church in about 20 years. I feel that you can be just as close to God by yourself as going to church with all the Hippocrates in the world.
@daliaj (5674)
• India
29 Jul 09
Twenty years???? OMG. I think it is a very long time. I do agree that you can be close to god through prayers and your good deeds without going to church. I suggest you to please go to church sometime and get the feel of it - get the feel of praying and singing together - get the feel of watching people praising lord together. Thanks for the response.
@abbypringles (1613)
• Philippines
27 Jul 09
i try to go to church at least every sunday. but in times wherein i have an important appointment, i miss sunday mass. but i try to make it up by attending the next mass :) it is my own decision basically and am not forced by my parents to go to church.
@daliaj (5674)
• India
27 Jul 09
It is nice to hear that you are interested to go to church every Sunday like me. I also used to attend Monday mass if I miss Sunday mass. Now, I don't find time for it because the churches are far away from my home. My parents force me and my sister to go to church, but I would like to follow it and force my kids to do it. Thanks for the response.
@abbypringles (1613)
• Philippines
28 Jul 09
of course. im interested to see what others think of this as well :)
@daliaj (5674)
• India
30 Jul 09
You don't have to be shy to tell the truth. Anyway, ti is nice to hear that you have Buddha in your heart. I have Jesus in my heart and he spokes to me somtimes whenever I am in agonay and in the middle of some problems. He is the first person whom I call whenever I am in troubles. Thanks for the response.
@levanueb (132)
• Philippines
29 Jul 09
Hi there daliaj!I am a Baptist Christian and my church visit I can say that 100% attendance. I don't miss any Sunday Worship Service because I wanted to hear God's Word and to have fellowship with fellow Christians. I also dedicated my talent in Music to the Lord. I am the Choir directness and pianist. I can only miss Sunday worship service when I am sick and in business trip. But if I cannot attend I do pray and meditate. Happy MyLotting!
@daliaj (5674)
• India
29 Jul 09
It is great to know about hundred percent atetndance. I appreciate it. It is also great to get a chance to sing in coir. I think it requires some more effort. I am not good at singing and therefore I won't get admittd in coir. My former roommate was in coir. She used to go to church on Sautrday evenings to practice songs. Thanks for the response.
@daliaj (5674)
• India
27 Jul 09
There is a connection between the Muslim religion and Christianity and it is easy and nice to follow both. Yes, prayer makes me also feel relaxed. I agree that going to church or temple to pray is not very important, the significant part is whether you are praying or not. Thanks for the response.
@agv0419 (3022)
• Philippines
27 Jul 09
For 3 years I'm stop going to church every Sunday because I dislike the sermon of the priest in our place it's always political. Sometimes I don't want to believe in what they preach. I know that it is my obligation to go to church I only go theer every every Lenten season. I'm lost my interest once when I don't find any answer why God is so unfair to me but I then realize that in the end God going to give us answer and hope. I'm never stop believing in him but I can't force myself to go to church every Sunday.
@fec139 (810)
• United States
28 Jul 09
I think the key to being a good Christian/Jew/Muslim/Hindu etc is how you live your everyday life, and not whether or not you walk into a church/temple/synagogue/mosque and say some words that you are taught to say. It s whether you believe those words and live those words that counts. Living a life of love, faith, honesty, and integrity is possible without attending a formal congregation.
@daliaj (5674)
• India
29 Jul 09
Yes, the important point is are you a good believer or follower and not whether you frequently visit the place of worship. There is no point in being a good believer, following all the rituals perfectly and do wrongn to human beings going against the rules and policies of the religion doing sins. Thanks for the response.
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
28 Jul 09
I am also a Catholic and see to it to go to church every Sunday and on days of obligations. If time still permits I go to churches with saint on a particular day, Holy Spirit on Monday, St. Anthony on Tuesday, Perpetual Help on Wednesday, st. Jude on Thursday, St. Nazarene on Friday, Senora del Pilar on Saturday and so on and so on. If you dont have any church or temple in your place you can read the mass sequence on the book or pray the rosary or just pray. It is understandable that you cant attend the mass as no availabe church nearby.
@daliaj (5674)
• India
28 Jul 09
It seems you are a very religious person. It is ncie to meet you. I also like to go to church everyday if time permits. When my sister comes home for holidays from her school, she goes to church everyday. I also used to go to church every saturday for morning mass when I used to stay at my parents' house. Thanks for the response.
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
28 Jul 09
I attend church every Sunday and sometimes on Wednesday. I do think it's important to visit church regularly. I think when you don't attend on a regular bases, you loose your closeness with God. We let the secular world start to take over our lives.
Your last question doesn't apply to me. I have no children.
@daliaj (5674)
• India
29 Jul 09
It is very nice to visit Church on a regularly basis. I enjoy praying and singing along with a big crowd. It is refreshing and relaxing. Everybody sings in church even if they are very poor in singing. We sing to god and nobody cares about how we sing. It is nice to meet the people in church and say 'praise the lord' to them. It is great to see so many people praising god at the same time. Thanks for your response.
@arpanbasu (10)
• Sweden
28 Jul 09
Well I am a very strong beleiver.Though I am not bound by my religion to do so,but I do visit temple every day and keep fast also on special occasions.It all depends on what you believe/follow.There are many rules that are impossible to follow in a busy life that we lead today.But some of them yes we can.I also do have a catholic friend,she used to go to church every sunday,but off late I know she also has started skipping some sundays
@daliaj (5674)
• India
29 Jul 09
Yes, I also used to go to church on all Sundays, but it is not happening now a days. Even now I go to Sundays if I get a chance. I think the belif is important. Regarding rituals, some rituals are impossible follow in this century. They have developed many many years ago and now the world have changed a lot.
For example the Hindu law says women should not go outside the house when she is having period. But, it is not possibel in this society. It is not possible for a working women and it is very hard to run the family with one person working. Thanks for the response.
@daliaj (5674)
• India
28 Jul 09
I agree that god is inside us, but in church we get in contact with lots of people who have come to praise the lord. It is a very nice feeling to pray and sing along with the crowd even though you are not good at singing. Prayig with a crows gives you a very refreshing feeling and a postive energy. This is my personal opinion and I say it from experience. Thanks for the response.
