Why do you attend?

I agree nanna8. We are ALL trying to reach the same end goal, just using different staircases or ladders to get there.
Wasn't yesterday's Coronation service an affirmation of this?

In my Father’s house there are many mansions -comes to mind.
John 14 v2 . I don’t subscribe to the view that every one is wrong except me, it is not biblical. I feel uncomfortable when some say Catholics/ Uniting Church/ Anglicans are not ‘proper’ Christians- sort of feels very wrong to me.

What Norah said!!!!

Travelsafar, if you are wondering how people choose a church, why not start trying different ones?

This question was posed to people who go to church. The OP did not ask why people don't go. I wonder why so many people feel they have to push in and make sure that everyone knows that they have no faith.

For MatBe70, who said the world would be better if people all had Christian, but not Catholic, beliefs, I am surprised at your remark. The Catholic church was the original Christian Church. Catholics ARE Christians, and they hold Christian values. I actually had a friend ask me the other day why Catholics do not believe in Christ. I burst out laughing. Where do people get such ideas?

Cherrylover

Once heard this and never forgotten it. There are no dead atheists.

Took me a minute to get that Cherrylover. 🙄

Once heard this and never forgotten it. There are no dead atheists.

I know that you are modest as well and probably not given to wanting compliments.

Look, Marydoll made the relevant comment that I was labouring the point, so I have desisted from commenting again, because she is a sensible person.

Volver, that did make me laugh. Damned by faint praise!

I don’t enjoy challenges to be honest. Life has thrown a few things at me that I would prefer it had not, so I understand if people feel they gain the strength to cope with challenges through prayer, but not actual enjoyment of life’s challenges. I’m not talking about improving at a sport, or working hard to get into a particular university, or anything like that, I’m talking about the truly awful challenges that we face at times in life; illness or loss of a partner or other beloved family member for example. These challenges are not enjoyable because they are testing us, they are hard and unpleasant.

Look, Marydoll made the relevant comment that I was labouring the point, so I have desisted from commenting again, because she is a sensible person.

Another poster entirely, not you Stormystar, wrote that they were "revelling in their ordeals." That was in the context of whether Christians sometimes like to see themselves as martyrs. A subject that I brought up.

So anybody who considers that it is relevant to tell people that they are "revelling in their ordeals" might be considered as a bit of a martyr. "Revelling in your ordeals" isn't the same as "enjoying a challenge".

Nothing to do with your comments Stormystar

Volver 3 I put up three short posts and you wrote I was odd weird and strange, although you know absolutely nothing about me. But I accept your compliments with grace and gratitude.

Whitewavemark2

My church I visited this morning was a field surrounded by woodland, fresh with dew, birdsong and peace.

I love this Whitewavemark2. My church is nature too. Fortunately for people like us, we can manage without a building to recognise the beauty of life and our thankfulness for it. For me, Yoga also helps me get in touch with my spirituality and love for others.

Love this song, always liked Leonard Cohen.

Interesting posts Stormystar and Joseanne on challenges/ordeals.

Nanna8 that's how I feel.

Love Anthem (love Cohen)

This version is beautiful. .

Perla Batalla Julie Chrisensen.

youtu.be/b4bYDxbVIKE

Wyllow3 I’m on your wavelength I just love the L Cohen song That’s how the light gets in.

Doodle, my most difficult pupil ever 😉, I have missed seeing you posting! X

I go to church because I want to. Because taking communion means something to me. For the quiet and a place to contemplate. For closeness and companionship in my faith and to pray.

I go because I like to meet with other Christians ( not many people I know/ deal with share my faith ) . I like to sing praises to my God and I like to listen to the message because I always gain something from it. I also like to pray in a group for others and for the world in general because of the spiritual feelings and atmosphere and that ,sometimes, I wouldn’t have known of the difficulties facing others who desperately need our prayers. I was a latecomer to faith- always envied those who had it and I am just so thankful that one day I received it through no effort of my own. That’s my miracle because I am cynical by nature.

And throw in Albert Camus for good measure too;
il y a aussi une volonté de vivre sans rien refuser de la vie, qui est la vertu que j'honore le plus en ce monde.
The idea that we shouldn't reject anything bad in life, but embrace it.

Leonard Cohen:

"Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in."

(Song - Anthem)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDTph7mer3I

do listen

Volvor3 I’m sure your aware of the Stoic concept of “Amor Fati “ to not only accept everything that life brings you, good or bad, but to love , to embrace it, to revel in it.” Every single bit of your life, yes even the truly awful, regrettable times. And so turning your wounds into wisdom, in order to thrive and succeed through dealing with adversity. Of course ultimately this is up to ourselves, our own individual choice.

Oh, it came through my PC Screen. 😉

Marydoll

I think you have made your point Volver.

No need to labour it.

I did use my best exasperrated teacher's voice.😉

I live next door to a Church and I sometimes go and sit for 10 minutes in the churchyard as it is so peaceful.

I do not attend Church but I do see maybe a dozen people going in on a Sunday and that’s from a village with a population of over 1,000 people. Christenings and funerals are better attended.