Being forced to go to church?

Question

I am Christian, and I do believe in God, very much. I pray every night. But, I hate going to church, I don't get anything out of it, but my mom is making me go. Should I have to go to church? She thinks I NEED to go to church, but, again, I don't get anything out of it and it is boring.

Feedback?
Thanks.

Answer 1

you shouldn't go because of someone telling you to go. ok see my dad makes me go to church and after like a few months of not going and all that the revrin says that you shouldn't force someone to go to church, because when the really then want to go they should go. hope this helps:)

Answer 2

Church is sooo boring. Especially the Christian/Catholic churches. I was always told that you don't need a church to pray to God.



If your still a young woman/girl living at home, going to school, etc. I can't see how you can get out of church. Mothers can be very demanding and stubborn.

You can try to meet a happy medium with your mother. Join a church youth group in place of going to church. Volenteer at a shelter in place of going to church. Stay home and read the bible. These are just some things that you can try to compromise with your mom. But if she's not willing to budge, I think you'll be going to church until you move out and become an adult.

Answer 3

Maybe your church isn't right for you or doesn't cater to your needs properly. I don't know how old you are but i wonder if you're in your teens. Lots of people lose their faith at that age, temporarily or permanently, and this is probably partly because their churches don't focus enough on addressing what matters to them. I wonder if you could find a different church more relevant to you, or whether you could raise your concerns with someone who has influence in it. If not, it might be a sign that you're in the wrong place anyway. However, there is also the issue of whether you feel it's right to go or not.



It should be up to you to decide, and your decision needn't be permanent, but at the same time, either the church or you could possibly make more effort to find out how you can serve each other better. As i said, there may also be somewhere else which works better for you if that's not possible.

Answer 4

I used to be the same exact way as you...but then I heard this quote by Derek Webb:



"There is no other context for your faith as a Christian then to be in community with other people. I’ve heard people say over the years, ‘Its just me and Jesus, and that’s all I need!’ Well that’s not the Gospel in Scripture. If you claim to love Jesus then you and I will be compelled to love what He loved. And He not only loved but He came and gave Himself up for the Church."



God calls us to be in community with other people. This way we can be a support for each other, take care of each other. Furthermore, we can never hear enough of the gospel. The pastors are there to explain things that we otherwise might not be able to understand by ourselves because we don't have the resources. Just think about going.



I stopped going to church with my mom when I was 16 because I found a church that supported me in the way I needed. There were more people my age that understood what I was going through, and have continued to be a great support system even 5 years later!

Answer 5

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said: When you pray, go ye not into the synagogues, (church), for men do these things to be seen by others. When you pray, go into your closet and pray thus; Our Father....... Church is good for people who wish to be others that share the same beliefs but, beware. Some of the worst people I have ever met, I met in Church. Do as your Mother wishes until you are of age, then follow your heart.

Answer 6

You have no idea. I was in this exact situation, and still am. When I was younger, my parents forced me to go to church and Sunday school. I absolutely hated it. Eventually they realized it was my own choice, so I stopped going. Yes, i believe in God and I pray every night too.



It's one of those things where if you're like us, whom feel church doesn't really impact you, then what's the point? If your mom still feels you need to go to church, then I guess you have to listen to her. However, maybe you can sit her down and make her understand how you feel.



Good Luck!

Answer 7

How old are you? If you are at the age where someone needs to watch you, yes of course. If you can stay home by yourself, then no. It will just make you hate going to church. Maybe that church isn't for you. Suggest to your mom that you try another church.

Answer 8

I am a 35 year old women, I don't care to go as well, however I do offer it up as a sacrifice, like Jesus has done for us.....I joined a monthly moms group, where we discussed the upcoming readings, and how they somehow played into our lives....That helped, since I could relate to those stories....but I moved, and haven't been to one in 3 years, It's hard to go to church, I have 3 kids, that I have to try and get to pay attention....anyway the list is long.....but It is a sacrifice on our part to do things we don't want to do....that also includes, scrubbing toilets, picking up dog poop, that list is long too...but we don them because that's what asked of us, and we do it with a happy heart...God Bless.

Answer 9

The bible say fail not to assemble your self among Christian because through it is Power. The thing is by being made to go you have block yourself from wanted to getting anything out of it. Believe I have felt the same way at a point but as you go you will grow Good Luck.

Answer 10

You might tell your Mom exactly what you have said here. That you get nothing from going to Church. It might be fine for your Mom to go to Church as she gets something from it, but forcing you to go is wrong. Everyone's faith is different, we all pray and worship in our own way. It does not mean we have to go to Church to do it.

Answer 11

I'm not a christian. But I do have understandings of many things christian that one could -if necessary- refer to as substitutes.



It's not as much important that you go to church, as it is that you take that day off to... *cough* commune with god. Sorta ya know... clear your head, let your worries go for a day and just listen kinda thing. And of course I don't mean listen to the TV. More like, birds or silence or your own thoughts type of thing. personally i like ocean waves, real ones, not some recording.

Answer 12

I too as a child was forced to go to church. One thing you can do is ask question. They hate questions. Ask, how do you know that if it is only in the bible and nowhere else?



When the weather was nice I went in the front door and out the back and walked around town. When it was time to go home I went in the back door and out the front.

Answer 13

perhaps the church u r at isnt the right one for u. i used 2 hate my old church but now we've changed churches and i love going to church.

as a christian u dont hav 2 go 2 church, but god wants you to share your gifts with the community and if you worship alone, who will be your spiritual mentor?

Answer 14

i agree with you a little bit, but if your not looking to get anything out of it you wont. god wants you to fellowship with others, and thats when church comes in. but then again if people only go to church to check it off. or be what i say a sunday christian, then thats when you should stay home. you dont have to go every week but atleast make an effort to go sometimes. and be open to learning things. idk if you actually NEED church to go to heaven, but it works when you need to be a better christian. hope this helps.

Answer 15

i am not a christian but i do believe in family time! if your family goes to church i think you should follow them unless you feel like your in grave danger! if that wont help then you can use "where in this bible does it say i have to attend church every sunday! I do believe the bible states that sunday is used as a period of rest and that i am following what that bible says! and that right there makes me a great christian!!!"

Answer 16

Find another church. Not all churches are the same. Think of what you would want from a church.

Answer 17

I believe it is your choice whether to go to church, but I do not think you can be a Christian and NOT go to church.



However, if you are still a minor, your parents are in charge.

Answer 18

She's right.



Instead of wondering what you should GET from it, consider what you should give TO it. This isn't a show put on for your entertainment!



Get involved with the youth group if you can. Read a bit on what worship is supposed to be and prepare yourself for it.



You're young, you're supposed to feel like you do at times. Don't stay in that rut, Actively do something to involve yourself.

Answer 19

REBEL! stand up for yourself! dont let her make you go...



OR quote this verse, and tell your mum its a sin to go to church!!!!



"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret..." (Matthew 6:5-6 RSV)



Jesus CLEARY says dont pray in public1 you should only pray in private if you wanna be like jesus!

Answer 20

my parent are christians but dont go to church god is every where you can worship him every where and every month i use to go cause i went to a catcholic school

Answer 21

This is a domestic issue and in order to solve it, find out why your mother thinks you "need" to go.



Church can be a good or bad experience but it is not necessary in order to have a relationship with God.

Answer 22

Haven't you ever read that commandment "Thou shalt go to church?"



Well maybe that's not a commandment. But maybe you'll get something positive from church one of these days. Hang in there.

Answer 23

Tell her that maybe God is speaking to your heart, and telling you to stay away from a group that have a resemblance of God, but are far from him in thought and deed.

Answer 24

What does the Bible say versus what people want to believe! The entire context of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the early church was one of unity and support of one another holding fast to the teachings of our Lord. The concept of inividualism and lone worship of a god that one chooses to worship doesnt exist in the Bible.



Hebrews 10

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the 'assembling' of ourselves 'together', as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.



Act 20:28

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.



Rom 15

5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of 'unity' among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.



Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Act 1

14These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)



Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.



Eph 4:11

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Answer 25

I don't think you need to go to church to have faith. I believe but don't go, I don't think it makes me any worse or better then the average believer

Answer 26

It's tantamount to child abuse. Contact your local Social Services Department immediately! Maybe than can place you with a good atheist foster family!

Answer 27

i'm like that too.but recently i'm starting to WANT to go church so badly.haha...i guess it's about the maturity in us that makes us think differently.

Answer 28

i had and still have this problem --- my advice is to go 4 a queit life its only half hour a week its nt gonna kill ya.. just go save the fight and the drama and get over it.

Answer 29

Ok, seriously, you're alive right now because God created you. Who do you pray to at night if you don't pray to God?



In Christ's Love,

Dara

Answer 30

if its boring try another church or jus explain to her your not going

Answer 31

You don't have to do anything.

I mean if you don't want to go then you shouldn't.

I believe in god but I don't go to church.

Answer 32

OMG. i have exaclty the same problem i was going to ask this lol.

Omg your psychic lol.

Thnx for askin.

Answer 33

Yell. Scream. Kick things. Go crazy!

Answer 34

Yes, till your 18 and move out.........then you can ruin your life on your own..

Answer 35

you don't need to go to church to have faith

Answer 36

you shouldnt be forced to go

Answer 37

tell her that praying at home is good enough.

Answer 38

she fears that if you stop attending, you'll start to think for yourself.

Answer 39

no