How important is it to go to church?

No Offense Intended! No offense Taken! I agree with you, that to find a "truly Biblical Church," could be a chore, such a Church would be difficult to find. In this area, half empty Churches, in deep financial trouble, are hiring non religious Entertainers during the week to bolster their empty coffers on Sundays. I gave up Christianity over 50 years ago, to take up Spirituality, and Meditation. God,(instead of limiting) has been very generous with me, even filling my cup to overflowing. Indeed, Christianity makes the rules of war. The Vaults of the Vatican vouch for this, packed as they are with an untold Wealth of Stolen, priceless artifacts, gathered during the Holy Wars, and Crusades of the Middle Ages, during which time the Church murdered millions of so called " Witches," in the name of God. Yes, the Church has always made the Rules of War! Your quotes from "The Holy Book," do not impress, as its been said, " The Devil too, can quote Scripture." I don't knock the Church! There have been far to many of the Christian Heirachy, who for decades, and even centuries, have been caught doing the devil's work. Even Papal Father himself, the very Pillar of Christianity, is sinking into the mire!

You're right - Satan can quote scripture. But I doubt he would do so in the favour of God, as I have done. Satan always quotes scripture only to twist it against God. And I wasn't quoting to impress. I was quoting to prove my point by backing myself up with scripture. The church has indeed done many terrifying things in the name of religion. It just goes to show how Satan can get one little foothold and cause big trouble. None of the things you mentioned were ever intended by God, and I'm sure He will make that clear to the people involved on Judgment Day. Those people will be sorry they ever lived. I do have one more question for you. Please don't take offense, I'm just curious: If you're not reading the Bible and following His Commandments (or at least trying to) every day, how can you be sure thad the god you serve is the Christian god, and that the blessings you're receiving are from Him? You sound like you're serving a god, but not the same god we're talking about. I'm talking about the Hebrew God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Joseph, who guided the Jewish people through the dessert with a pillar of fire by night, a pillar of fire by day. That pillar being a foreshadow for Jesus Christ, who made the ultimate sacrifice for all humanity. Please ask not what God can do for you, but what you can do for God. You say you are receiving many blessings. What are you doing for God in order to receive those blessings?

barehugs: What I am about to say is not to be taken personally. I have absolutely nothing against you. But I have to express my opinion here. :) If you find a church that is truly BIBLICAL, you won't have to worry about "christianity collecting your money". It's possible to find a place of worship where collecting tithes and offerings is not the most important agenda. I go to a church where there's an offering box and we don't pass the plate. You can go put money in the box if you want but no one is going to scoff at you if you don't. It's about FELLOWSHIP. How are you going to get fellowship with other believers if you don't go to a church? And FYI, God will most certainly limit how much He will bless you financially if you're not willing to give what you can to Him. How can you say that God will love you even more, for free? He has commandments, you know. His SACRIFICE, Yeshua Ha'Mashiach (Jesus Christ) was free. But once you decide to live for HIM you have to follow the rules! Not following the rules is what got us in this mess to begin with (war, poverty, hardship, etc.)! If you're not willing to make some sort of a financial sacrifice from the heart (to give cheerfully what you can in stead of begrudgingly), God won't provide financially in the fullness that he most certainly can. You're correct in that God has no use for money. But YOU do, and He will provide what he knows you are worthy of based on your willingness to give (and to prove that money is not something that you put above HIM). Also, you're right that God is Spirit. But don't forget that he is Father, Son, AND Spirit. "Sh'ma Y'Israel!" Hear O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is ONE! (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) He is Spirit ("...the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters." - Genesis 1:2), Father, and Son (Isaiah 9:6 - "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wondrful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal FATHER, Prince of Peace.") Don't knock church. It is possible to find a scripture based church nowadays, it's just harder to come by.

I dont know to what kind of church you go, but i have gone to church for 12 years or so and they have never asked me nor my parents any schedule payments. Sorry this has happened to you.

ladym33: that's something a synagogue would do. I'm surprised that a church has picked that up.

Indeed. :) It's so important to come together with other believers, especially in this day and age. It's getting harder for us in today's society to stand up for God, and to TELL people what we believe!

Actually, during the time of Jesus there was a temple system in place. In addition, our Lord went to shul (synagogue) every sabbath to worship. You are correct when you say there doesn't have to be a specific building. However, there is definitely a specific TIME and formula that needs to be obeyed. The Lord's day of worship is the Shabbat (Saturday), so Jesus would have worshiped on that day. "Church", or more correctly, "Ecclesia" is a GATHERING, and God requires that you are part of one. Otherwise he wouldn't have sanctioned a special day and required a temple to be constructed. Fellowship is very important, as is receiving solid, Biblical teaching.