who attends a church now?

by meems101 44 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Stephanus

  The bottom line is, the church is a place, where even those on the inside, have referred to as a hospital for the spiritually sick. You wouldn't go to a hospital if you were well, would you?

  There was a sign outside a defunct church around for months that read "Church is not a hotel for saints, but a hospital for sinners". How different is that from the Dub philosophy? Basically a Kingdom Hall IS a hotel for saints; you have to always be showing your best side, it is referred to as a spiritual paradise and the patrons are supposed to be the happiest people on earth. It is a hotel in the sense that there is no concept of it being a home - socialisation other than in field service is discouraged and everyone nicks off when the meetings are over.
• 

  caligirl

  We go when we feel moved to do so, and when we don't go ( like today) we are content with the knowledge that no record is being kept, no one will knock at our door trying to figure out how we could have the audacity to stay home for a day or go do something as a family, no excuses to be made, etc.

  It makes it so much more enjoyable and meaningful to know that when we go, we are there because we want to be there, not because we feel some guilt or obligation to do so.
• 

  KW13

  Yep, i go to church and love it.

  Odd i remember the times the witnesses said the numbers of churches are at an all time low, in our church you can't move
• 

  jaffacake

  No, I don't attend these days except for 'occasions' but I do miss it sometimes. I was never a JW but have experienced three or four other religions.

  Just now I don't see attendance a big part of my Christianity, although sometimes I miss the fellowship, and the feelgood factor I sometimes experienced in the past.
• 

  prophecor

  
  

  .....and it would appear that I'm getting better at going to church.

  I went to services tonight and was reluctant, but there is an entire missing level of energy that is not able to be experienced in the Kingdom Hall, the aspect of the emotional experience when it comes to ones worship. This is something completely missing among Jehovah's Witnesses and is actually frowned upon.

  When the music is playing, and you see all those who are aching and hurting reaching out to God at the altar, going up for prayer, it's an amaxing experience. It would seem that power of the spirit of God begins to rain down upon you, and you are immersed in such a flowment of dynamic energy.

  I am not one who is so easily conditioned to going to church, either. I actually rebel as a rule before going, and as soon as I get there, the entire moment changes, I begin to be moved by what's happening there. I begin to feel as if I might really belong here. I release myself from my religious prejudices, and allow myself to experience the energy of oneness in emotional release, without care or concern as to how I might be presenting myself to the community. I've been allowed to just let go, and let God