How would you feel about this?

Ha? Does that thing happen in your locality, averygirl? If that happens in our church, i would change church where i can worship without being annoyed of some people who seems to think that they are the ones that run the church.

That is really something that would rather undermine the credibility of the church but this kind of elitist attitude tends to pop up with many religions. There are people who think that they are the backbone of the church. They are going to really think that it is their faith that is the strongest and obviously everyone is not the strongest believers out there. That is a bad thing. Yet it is going to really going to happen a lot of the time, there are going to be people like this. It would make anyone feel bad and feel slightly soured right towards the final church. There are people like this in every walk of life, who think of themselves as to be superior. There are just many times where this happens and it is frustrating. It would be a downer if something like that occurred.

I have never been in a church like that. the minister however, is always given the respect because he is the minister. I wouldn't stay in a church where I didn't feel welcome.

Hello mylotter, i am a Catholic. I go to church every Sunday not to please other people or the members of church community . I go there to pray,worship God, listen to the homily of the officiating priest. We are visiting the church to worship God, attend the mass.But if you feel you're not at ease in that place, better look for another place. I regularly visited Jesus Of Light Ministry , and i feel so blessed everytime i attended in their community. Preachers are very kind and nice, their explanations to the bible are simple and well understandable.

Well if you were in America, I would tell you that it happens a lot. We have preachers televised in which many people will flock to a reverend, or church choir group, and they expect you to believe that they are above you. If you don't, then yes I have seen and heard people speak about being ridiculed for not living up to their "expertise" and talent. It starts to diminish the credibility of religion all over, because people follow others who seem to believe themselves to be GOD. They even take on what is supposed to be God's job as some would put it. Judging, saying they can save people, saying that they are the one who was chosen to deliver the message of god by god and.. well that list goes on. To them they are the elite. They can speak publicly, preach, teach, sing, dance, play instruments, raise the most money for the church, etc. and you can't which to them makes you less of a person or make it seem you aren't doing enough. I would say ignore them. To put it lightly.... Religion is corrupt. Most religious people are corrupt. Even the tools of religion are corrupt. Your faith in the God you worship, should never be. If you want a good relationship with God and don't want to have to deal with "church people", then you can build a relationship with him on your own.

That's how it is even during the time of Jesus. We have our own ways of expressing our love for God. Even a simple prayer is very much appreciated by God if given wholeheartedly. I dont go to church much for various reasons but I pray to God most of time. What you pointed out would most likely not make me go to church in order to avoid me pointing my fingers on them. but if you have the guts, tell them what you see. if God would appreciate what they are doing. always remember...you worship God, not them. no matter what they say, do your best for god even as an audience.

People being human, that happens a lot. More often than not, I believe. It's hard to be in any position of leadership or power and not abuse it at all. I'm not making excuses for them because anyone who claims to follow Christ had better be careful about it. That's one thing that's wrong with the church as it has evolved from a far different thing. The church in the New Testament spoke of people gathering because they wanted to be with each other, not gathering out of some sense of propriety and then not even speaking to each other. Pastors, teachers, etc., were just people who were in the congregation - part of them, not above them. If anyone seems above a congregation, that is not of God. Being a preacher is a tough spot to be in. I think that's why the Bible doesn't call for them to be in the position we have somehow put them in (or they have put themselves in).

obviously it defeats the whole purpose of going to church for the right reasons. a church like that have lost their ways.

This is happening actually, there are church groups that do this and this is one of the reason as to why i do not like going to church.

I don't go to church myself.I respect those who do everyones different,if we were all the same it would be a boring world.I would have a word with the vicar or priest and talk to them and tell them about your worries.They actually call that condition the god complex,where someone rises above all around and generally cheeses all around them off.Everybody is special and everybody has talents.You should not feel the need to compete in any environment like a church after all you are all gods children.

I will stop going with people like them. In my religion, I can say that there are members who still have sinned and made mistakes. But, never I saw one who acts like what you have written. Why should they act like that- everyone is equal in the eyes of the Lord. Whether you have talent or not, whether you can sing better or the best instrument player in the church- no one has the right to lift him/herself- everyone is equal and no one is important in the true church. A true believer and follower should and must have a low profile and will always consider the others as best and better than him/herself.

I'm glad that i don't go to a church with these kind of people. I'm glad that i'm surrounded by true worshiper of God who think we are all equal, brothers and sisters no matter what our standing in the society is or in church. I would definitely wouldn't go to a church with those kind of people that you mentioned about.

there are many people who only speak nicely about the church, about his faith, but they are actually klamliwi.Nie vacuum and many are those that really believe, trust and go to church for God, a lot of people go because others do, because it falls because that are taught.

it is a tradition he, we not happy whit it all us should not be angry.

I go to church to worship God, I don't just wait for church to do it though. If people think that their God given gifts make them better than me then the devil has used those gifts against God. I'm not a fan at church, I'm a sinner. I don't like applauding after a worship song, I'd rather point to God or give the heavy metal horns (who would notice anyway) so having others look down on me because they think they are better than me, well, that's the congregation isn't it. We all judge people for what they can and can't do. I would look for another church, the holy spirit is being snuffed out and he doesn't go where he isn't wanted.

It is one of the reasons that I have not attended a church in many years. I don't like the fact that people use it sometimes to benefit themselves or that they go by the rules when it suits them. I know that all churches are not like that but it has become pretty common.

That sounds like a religious lynch mob! Oh, you are not American! Well, even more surprised!

I feel I would read the bible and learn about all this there. There are many people with gifts for different things. If someone has a gift and is good at something they can do it. If it is about talent and it is enjoyable I would say that is a good thing. Ridicule is not though and those that ridicule should be made to understand that sometimes the smaller sheep with a loving heart will be noticed more by the angels and a delight to God. They should watch not to ridicule those close to God. It would be bad for them. Churches are made of stone, wood, and only are buildings where people go for social gatherings. Every person in this world is not perfect and do have many needs so if they are thinking of themselves only then that will be their reward. Anyone that desires to get close to God however will be jealous for that but then the bible does say to be jealous for that. I feel getting close to God is something I could be jealous for and want it with all my heart.