Faith or Community?

[PotBelliedCow]

My theology teacher posed this question for my class some time ago:

Why does one go to religious services? Is it because of faith and practice, or rather community, and the need to be with others? Can one really live without the other?

Would like your thoughts on this, b/c it's been bugging me for long long time. Just thought the perfect place to post was CAA...

[cbwing0]

I find the desire for community/fellowship and the need to be with others the most important reason for attending worship services. My own personal devotions are much more fruitful for building my faith as opposed to the actual church service.

This is not to say that I get nothing out of church services, just that they are not the primary source of my faith. I also do not go simply out of habit or practice.

[Zarn Ishtare]

its both. I could go into some long winded heavy handed theological discussion of how God made man to be social, but I figure UC or Straylight could do better.

[Zedian]

It's both, I feel like I am really acknowledging God by putting aside a few hours to go to church and worship. But I also look at it as a great means to connect with other faith-believers and it in itself strengthens my faith by tigthening it.

[Straylight]

I'd say they go hand in hand - fellowship with believers helps to build up your faith. So it's a bit of both really

[Ingemar]

I'd say it's more faith than community, but both are necessary. Let's face it--no one can make you believe in God. But the church helps each other stay focused.

[Zarn Ishtare]

Hey Ingemar, you know a guy named Cephas? He had an avatar just like that....

[shooraijin]

I posted my theory on this in the Easter thread, but paraphrased, I go to church because it's an offering of time back to God for the time He's given me, to visit His house and praise His name.

[Ingemar]

I was Cephas.

[EireWolf]

Definitely both... but it's slightly more about community, for me.

[PotBelliedCow]

I appreciate all the replies. Now I have a lot to say when I get back to class ^_^

I'm leaning more to the community side of it, b/c at least in my opinion, faith really isn't anything without community, and at least one other person to worship with...well that's just my idea, after reading all the replies.