THe church is the main reason I'm agnostic today

It does neither. Im atheist and thats all there is to it.

Church is my reason for being agnostic.

I've experienced both, but I think *A* church is vital to a Christian life. We're not called by God to be nomadic loners; we're called on to join the "body of Christ." Just like individual Christians, no church is perfect, but it is a far greater power than the individual.

I can agree with Laughie to a certain extent, however I think I take a looser view of what a church is. I guess that, because I hold most churches today in a very low opinion, I'm content to just fellowship with a small group of believers and be content with that until I can be a part of something that I feel is moving in a truely good direction.

Yes, I can agree with a similarly loose definition of what constitutes a church, Kepi.

I think church, for me, actually helps...

Church helps....there is a drastic difference in how people view the church as a whole and how they view individual churches....I hold the church as a whole as crap, but most individual churches are quite helpful in the communities.

The churches are the only reason that I really pay attention to religion at all.

It kills it, I think. Catholic church is the most non-exciting thing in the entire universe.

I don't attend church, so it really has no effect on me. I'm inclined to think that *the* Church is damaging, however, because I think it has too much sway, gets too involved in politics, and is too subject to the whim of its leaders.

There are two churches that I go to on a regular basis. One helps, one ruins it.

What? The Catholic Church is SO exciting. They have excommunication! POPES! Monks!

dont ever let churches turn you away from God. there will always be people who can ruin great things. God is perfect, but people aren't.

It ruined it because I hated having the idea of going to church hanging over my head every Sunday.

People turn me away from Church but not God.I am not a "good Christian"but I do believe the teachings of the Bible.It may be wrong but I say I am Christian I'm just not good at it.

A "church" will not get you into heaven. That takes a relationship with Christ. A church can be harmful if they don't preach what is in the bible. Too many churches get into politics and away from God or they preach a different God than whats in the bible. I quit going to church because of that but that doesn't make me any less of a christian and some of you know that by some of my posts. Its all up to the individual and how they feel. Sure its great to attend because God tells us forsake not the gathering of the saints. But he also tells us to be wiery of strangers who preach ungodly things.

Which Church is THE Church?

Neither, I have no religion.

The church has totally ruined religion from me, but I actually think its my parents that did. They make me go...they say its like a thank you fro everything they do for me. Its like, isn't being an easy person to live with enough? Why even bother going if I'm not even sure I beleive in God or not...I don't pray, sing, or even really pay attention. Its crap.

I don't agree with organized religion in such a way that a church is.

HUH??

you see... the problem is.. everyone is putting emphasis on having a religion. Strictly having a religion will not get you into heaven. You need to have a personal relationship with Christ. The purpose of a church is to help you grow in your relationship with Christ. Not to provide you with a religion. Atleast that's supposed to be the purpose anyway. A lot of people, including pastors and preachers and deacons view church in the way it's not and that's what it becomes to them. And thats what they make it for everyone else.

Too many people are so lost in that way. It's sad.

My churches denomination (i think theonly reason we classify ourselves is because of our doctrine of beliefs. we do a lot of things with other churches who share our beliefs. Either way, my denomination is Evangelical free, if that matters to anyone.

I don't go to church but religion is still w/ me a little, so, if its your thing to be brainwashed by a man in a funny lil hat and dress go for it.

We missed church for about a month or so (new baby, weekend trips, etc). We went last week and it was really refreshing to be back. I've had a better week in my personal walk with Christ than in most of the weeks where we'd missed it.