by dritterpunkt » July 9th, 2008, 3:03 pm
thanks for your right words! I think it's all correct, my post showed a way too simplicist view on church. I just try to explain how this happened: I think I still have a hard time combining all these community aspects of the life as a Christian with our generally very individualist way of life in society. I guess I was just looking for a way to "justify" my lazyness in that matter, and I agree with you both that this is just not possible because Church is like you said much more. But so far I must say, I have been more comfortable in churches when I'm there solitary. I would go there to calm down, contemplate and pray. And I would receive great satisfaction from doing this because all of this was triggered by my very own will/desire. When I was going to church I went there because it was a kind of social rule. And when went out of the church after service I wouldnt feel as emotionally effected and inspired as I experience now when I go there on my own.
I still agree with you that I must be missing out on the community aspect but this way it seems to work for me better? All praying that is done alone is worth so much more because there is no way of it being fake, it is the most sincere form of communication to God. I am a Lutheran and that's also an aspect I remember very well from my education as a child.
But yeah, I, no doubt understand this can't be all, there would be no Community of Believers if everyone was only exercizing their faith solitarily (or would there maybe still be such?)
I am struggling a lot to find my place in all this.. I'm looking forward to receiving that book, recommended by Karen. Thanks for that already! I like this forum :]