Why is it that nonchurc goers believe that only perfect people can go to church

just remember friend that sitting in Church will no more make one a christian than sitting in a garrage will make one a car !!!its whats in the heart that matters not legalism

In my opinion everyone should go to church - it's good for anyone and everyone but I also know there are lots who don't agree, that's their choice. I can't say I 'want' anyone to feel guilty but would hope and pray that God will touch that person's heart and they will come closer to Him.

It is a rationalization, so that they can excuse themselves for not going to church. An old saying I have heard is "It's better to be in church with the hypocrites than in he11 with them." I do not agree than only hypocrites go to church, and I also do not believe that going to church was a prerequisite to be saved. We are known by our fruit. I agree, though, that many things can be remedied by a good old fashioned preacher.

This reminds me of something Dear Abby said one time "Church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints". I know a person or two that makes a point of telling me they don't go to church because of all the hypocrites there. I think its kind of funny. There are some hypocrites in church but there are just as many outside of church...and frankly it looks to me like they are the ones being judgmental. Everyone of those people who made those comments would not know I was going to church if they minded their own business cause I didn't tell them. Religion and spirituality is a personal matter. I don't bother people about theirs and don't expect them to bother me about mine.

Well first off their is only one perfect and thats God/Jesus..The Bible says no man is perfect No not one,so that sorta blows that theroy out ...People do not get perfect to get God,they get God to get perfect,is always the way i see it..People who say anyone is a hypocrite is judging ,and thats a sin within itsself.,we are not judges..We are just human and we fail & we make mistakes but we have a just God and he knows our heart..I think people who say they are christians simply means they believe in God,but that does not make them a christian.The devil believes in God & trimbles,so the Bible says but hes not a christian..I think a person who is a real christian and lives the life of a christian would want to go to church to hear & feel God, that is IF they are able,many christians are bed ridden or sick..The most important thing about living a chritian is to get your eyes off of people & keep your eyes on Jesus..People will always let you down not because they are bad people its just human nature..I don't care what people think ,if they say i am a hyocrite,let them..God knows the heart of each of us..Only he knows who his children are,and he never cared what the world though,he was pleasing his father in heaven,and thats what we have to do,please God & forget all the negative...I think anyone can go to church ,good ,bad or whatever.God searches the hearts of men,not people...

Are you speaking for church goers or against? HOnestly no one should go to church to be taught or reminded of how they live their life. It should be a stepping stone for someone to start their own religious journey or relationship with God, but not soley as they only action to prove their righteousness. Those are the hypocrites and cheats and liars. I knew a guy once who said he is not sure he believes in God but he goes to church just in case. DUH....

well, i agree with you that we are sinners and non-perfect... that's why we need Jesus and we go to church... if we are a perfect human being, then we won't need Jesus and we don't have to attend church and listen to the sermon... so for non christians to think that only perfect people go to church is just so wrong... take care and have a nice day...

They call them hypocrites because they are being judgemental. People need to examine themselves and stop judging other people. The bible says that all have sinned and come short of his glory. So there's no such thing as only perfect people going to church.

i dont often go to church but i do try to visit every once in a while and i never think that i am perfect and that others are perfect, especially the church goers. i even think that at some point more hypocrites can be found at the church. hehe

This is an excellent question. Maybe they expect perfection in OTHERS, but not themselves.

I am a christian and I believe in God but I don't go to church anymore. I feel that church is now a money thing so I just don't go anymore, but that doesn't make me a bad person or a nonbeliever. When my church burned down they built another one and all they seem to care about is collecting more money for it. I know someone has to pay for it, but to tell us how much we need to give, to me, is against all godly things. They handed out envelopes to each of us with our names on them, so they know who gave what, we a dollar figure on the envelopes. They say it is based on how much we make, and I say how do they know what I make, or anybody else for that matter. On my envelope it stated that I needed to give them $100 a week and I just lauged and said they need to give me $100 a week since I am not working and I barely make do with what I have now. That was about 15 years ago and I have never gone back since. For one thing, I couldn't afford to give them $5 never mind $100 a week at that time. I felt that if I didn't give them the $100 a week, I wasn't welcome in my church. My mother and one of my sisters still go to that church and they give the money they were assigned to give even though they can't afford to either, especially my sister. My mom gives $50 a week and my sister gives $75 a week even though she lives from paycheck to paycheck and sometimes doesn't have money to pay her bills on time. The church I am talking about is in the city you live in, as I used to live in Winnipeg, too. It is Imanual Luthern Church on Keewatin and used to be on McKenzie and College in the northend.

Hi Suspenseful I have been guilty of using that sort of terminology myself but I do go to church although only to the family services as my son is so small. When I was using it though it was when I was annoyed that the people from a particular church were more concerned over how good their flowers arrangements in the church looked than of the welfare of a parishoner who was ill at the time and not one had been round to see how she was. I did, and to me that is part of what being a Christian is, to be caring and concerned for others and in this instance that wasn't being shown. Ellie :D

hi there, that doesn't mean that everyone who attends Sunday service is holy. we have to acknowledge that we are all sinners and God sent His only son Jesus Christ to redeem us all from sins. I think it is a wrong notion that only perfect people can go to church or attend the service. no one is perfect in this world. we always have to remember that. we can't deny the fact that when we hear the sermon and we are guilty of it we felt bad but it is only a reminder of us that what we are doing is a sin and we have to mend our ways. Remember the Church is not the builing but rather it is within us for God dwells on us. just my two cents. :) Happy Mylotting.

Not everyone who believes in another religion says christians have to be perfect. I don't go to church every day, only once per month usually, and i am spiritualist, not christian. I think it's up to the person to go when they feel the need to. I don't bring other religions down just because i don't believe in them. I have known christians who did different to what they preached but that was only a few. I don't expect people to be perfect. Although some do act like they want to be or expect others to think they are perfect. Interesting topic. :)

I think that non-churchgoers think church-goers are perfect because we go to church. They think we see ourselves a perfect and above others when in actuality we aren't. I will b e the first to admit I am not perfect, I have my flaws and I fall short of the glory of God, we all do. Think non-churchgoers think we are perfect because we go to church and they think we follow the "rules" of Christianity to an farout extent.

Outsiders would never understand and always misunderstand unless they come inside. To fellow insiders, No sinner would like to expose his sins, that makes everyone a hypocrite. We are not perfect but we are in the process of being perfected. Since there are more sick people in a hospital than there are doctors and nurses, there are also more sinners in the church than there are righteous. We all want to be made well but the symptoms of our sicknesses are still evident while we are in the process of healing. Taking one's imperfection or others' imperfection as an excuse to not attend church meetings is bribery of the conscience. There is no perfect church, because it becomes imperfect once you join in.

I don't think that whether or not you go to church is going to determine whether you do the right things or not. I've known preachers that don't do the right thing and their supposed to be closer to God. I really think it all comes down to choices...what a person does or doesn't do, right or wrong, is up to them. But then again I also don't believe that you have to sit in a church to be close to God, to pray or to live a good life with God. [b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~ **STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]

I think going to church should be each person's choice...sinner or Christian. I believe in God but I don't believe that I have to go to church to talk to him or to have him in my heart. I also don't see why a sinner would go to church and be guilted into being good...either he wants to do what's right or he doesn't. As for who can go to church, I don't think I've ever saw a church that only allows perfect ppl b/c it would be empty...no one is perfect and any Christian that claims to be is only fooling themselves. [b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~ **STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]

Well i believe that it all depends on how these people were taught about religion.....there are certain people who are not at all religious but do wonderful things as a person, and also love god in their own hearts but they never like to disclose it....... And there are certain people who who just love showing how religious they are......but if you peep into their lives you will notice how egoistic,and troublesome these people can be...... This may not apply to all but yes i have seen people who are like these......as you rightly say....... These people should be given the right kind of inspiration and teaching which will help them become beautiful human being and also who can make a difference in others life by their testimony and should not at all be neglected......praise god !!!!