Why have organized religion?

[Jessica M]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Please forgive my potentially offensive subject title, this was not my intention but I couldn't think of a delicate way to put it

I want to start by saying that I am an atheist, for many reasons principle of which is that I was raised with no religion really (but still catholic coz thats how Ireland works :/ ) and when I thought about it it didn't seem to make sense to me.

My point however is why do people of faith feel the need to organize that faith into groups. By which I don't mean different religions or even denominations but into churches and congregations. Forgive me if I underestimate the need to spread your faith through preaching so to speak but it seems to me that if you believe in a god or gods that should be enough shouldn't it?

Now I may be missing something in this equation but if you live a good life by your faith standards and commune with your god/gods why should there be a need for communal worship?

I'm asking this general question here by the way because not many atheists would be able to answer the question and what I know of faiths other than Christianity is purely academic. I have lived in a country the vast majority of people are Catholics, can't name one under 60 who goes to regular mass though, and to be honest the difference between Protestant denominations if you will is a little hazy.

I apologise if I am offending anyone or just grossly misinformed, I just wondered this.

Claire xoxo

[Michelle.]

I'll tackle this along the lines of in general.

Why do Muslims meet in a mosque?
Buddhists in a temple?
Jews in a synagogue?
Protestants in a church?
Catholics at mass?

Community, sense of belonging, common theology, gathering, common purpose, charity, worship.

[Jessica M]

I understand the community bit, but why not just a drop in centre if you get my drift. Why the need for rigid structure and clergy doing set ritualised things at each service? It seems to me, again looking at Catholicism, that most of it is more ritual based than spiritually based. Every mass I've been to has been the same to me, everyone seemed to be going through the motions more than considering the meaning of their belief. I don't want to assume but from what I've seen most faith services are similar in that regard, correct me if I'm wrong of course.

[Michelle.]

Right for you. Maybe you haven't found your own spiritual path.

I would argue when a service becomes just the same old "sit,stand, kneel" that people stay within the same general frame of faith but find a specific way to express themselves with like minded people.

[Del]

Claire,

According to scripture if the wife, sons and daughters in law hadn't assembled in the designated place with Noah they would have perished with the ungodly.

If Lot, his wife and daughters hadn't assembled and followed the angels they would have perished with the ungodly. Sadly Lot's wife who turned back is a prime example of the church today that follows those who are teaching them to covet a world the Lord said we should come out and be separate from.

If the children of Israel wouldn't have assembled at the mountain they would not have heard the voice of God.

If the children of Israel hadn't assembled in their homes and ate the passover having blood applied to the lintels and door posts they would have lost their firstborn when the destroyer came through.

In the new testament if the children of God hadn't assembled in homes and churches they would not have heard the foolishness of preaching which the Lord ordained to manifest His word and save them which believe.

If the early Christians hadn't assembled and prayed Peter may not have been delivered from prison and from the expectation of the Jews at Easter.

If the early Christians hadn't assembled and tarried at Jerusalem in the upper room they might not have gotten the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

If those who followed Jesus Christ hadn't assembled at the mount they would not have heard His sermon.

If the Apostles hadn't assembled at the last supper they would have missed being taught and partaking in the breaking of bread and the cup of wine and what it signified.

There are reasons to forsake not the assembling together.

The Lord always left the multitude and ministered to his disciples which were few in private. Had they not assembled with the Lord they would never have learned that which the Lord would show them and keep secret from the multitudes.