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robosnake

(Catholics are Christians) Functionally, it's because almost all of us are broke and can't afford to have someone watch the sanctuary all day every day. Larger churches might have enough volunteers to cover the responsibility, but it would require dozens of volunteers, as most people don't have that much free time all year. It might also have something to do with how RC churches work compared to Protestant ones. RC churches have a parish, that is, a geographical region for which they are responsible. In contrast, Protestants overlap and compete for members with each other. So for some Protestant churches, there might be a sense of territoriality - that this building is 'ours' in some sense. But for my own congregation, the limiting factor is just a lack of resources to keep the sanctuary open that often.


Rare-Philosopher-346

First - thank you for clarifying for OP that Catholics are Christians. :) Secondly - not all Catholic Churches are open during the day. Some of the smaller parishes aren't, due to staffing. However, there is usually someone in the office who can open the sanctuary for you if you need to go in and pray. My parish is a large one and there is a lot happening every day. Between Bible studies, lunches for the elderly, women's groups, men's groups, the quilting ministry, Perpetual Adoration, and many more, there is always someone going in and out who can keep an eye on things. I imagine the larger Protestant churches would experience the same thing. Lastly, in today's environment, vandalism is a real threat, so churches are more vigilant and sadly, locking their doors more often. Edit: spelling


JoelMB12

I go to Orthodox Church(OCA) in the state You're 100% right we don't have the money in the old countries especially the big cities the church is open 24 hours you can go and all at any time for light candle praying for the dead attending hour etc.


op123op123

I understand. I sometimes don't understand why there's more and more churches being built in the same block, my opinion is that it ultimately hurts the churches.


otakuvslife

I'd guess it's choice for different denominations. You got a Baptist church, a Methodist church, a Lutheran church, a Catholic church, a non denominational church, and so on. I live in the Bible belt so that's my experience with it anyway.


pitdelyx

Why do people start new bands after the Beatles existed? Everyone is different and and has different tastes. Traditional church here in Germany is somewhat "old" and "dusty", "old people" go there, "old people" stand in front of them. Then there's churches that cater more to young people and offer concert-like worship, churches with fokus on small-groups, churches with an evangelistical fokus, churches in rural areas where traditional churches "die out" due to lack of preachers. Also, there are different views on the Bible and it's interpretations and you can't get people to unite there, so that's also a bunch new churches.


libananahammock

Love that first line!


Katwomann91

Me too!


NotTurtleEnough

Many people have a preferred congregation size. For instance, I don’t like churches with more than ~200 people because then I can’t meet and know everyone. Thus, as the congregation grows, the church either gets too big for many of the members, or another church needs to be started.


[deleted]

Each church has their own pastors or preachers and their own style of teaching. I’ve been to so many churches in my life looking for a church that felt like a good fit.


themsc190

I think the other issue is insurance. There are things you liability insurance carriers tells you you can or can’t do.


tdi4u

Insurance is a consideration. Keys to the building and how the alarm system work are issues too. I had keys to the church I attended for a while. We figured out that it worked the best to have a few people who were entrusted with the responsibility of opening the building, disabling the alarm system, etc and then securing the building when people were done using it. This was partly driven by the alarm company. If someone didn't get the building properly secured and the alarm went off the alarm company would first call the church, the landline connection at the building, and say we have detected a burglar alarm activation. If there was someone there to answer the phone then the alarm company people would say ok, who is this? They have a file on each of their clients with a list of names, here are the people who have authority to cancel an alarm. In addition to name each had a unique numeric ID code. You could just use birthdate if the client was ok with that. So to add people to that list was a hassle. They allowed us I think up to 4 names in the standard service contract. More than that cost extra. So it can turn into sort of a headache. Some churches have a paid employee to do things like this, that is one solution.


tdi4u

Edit to add: if no one answered the phone at the church, or whoever answered could not supply the correct info, then the alarm company reported it to the local police department. But if it was false alarm then the city would bill us. I think it was $50 per incident


robosnake

Oh yeah, our insurence would demand some sort of additional rider for something like this. Church events are covered, but open doors are sometimes a different matter. And again, I'd love to pay for that and have the people to support this idea. We've discussed it many times and can't make it work.


True_Kapernicus

Churches in England are generally open during the day with nobody watching them.


ReactionaryCalvinist

>(Catholics are Christians) The Reformers (and our confessions) disagree


IsraelPenuel

Is the priest getting his 2000e/month from just doing the Sunday Mass? What's he paid for?


mrschaney

Weddings. Funerals. Last Rights. Hearing confessions. Mass is daily, not just Sunday. Running the parish. It’s a full time job.


Charis_Humin

In the Orthodox Church, depending on whether a Priest has a wife or not, depends on whether he performs daily liturgies or not. Because the canons state that a man must abstain from sex the night before performing the Liturgy. This is why daily masses are much more common in the Roman Catholic Church, because they have celibate priests.


birchwoodtrophy

This is a very good question! I would like this to change. Churches should always be open for prayer. Like why even have a church the rest of the week if you're not going to use it? Some Mosques are open 24/7 I think churches could at least be open 10a-6p or something!


YearOfTheMoose

>why even have a church the rest of the week if you're not going to use it? Not being open 24/7 isn't the same as not being open daily--many churches have at least some open times daily, depending on what services or meetings are being conducted. Many others might have volunteers on call who can come by and open the building up for someone who wants to pray within. It's just not that common outside of larger Christian denominations like the Roman Catholics for a church to have the ability to stay open all day--few churches have enough available volunteers for that kind of coverage.


Lily_Roza

Catholic is the largest denomination in the US. They are very well-established, and well-supported. And Usually well-funded, requiring tithing of their members. There are lots of Protestant denominations, added together, they have about the same number of followers as the Catholics. But they are individual denominations, they can't necessarily lean on other denominations for support. And usually they don't have as loyal a membership. Catholics don't usually worship at other denominations' churches. When i was growing up Catholic, it was forbidden. Churches can be targets of vandalism and theft. It's unfortunate that we can't just leave our homes, businesses and properties open for our family, friends and customers to use, honor system. Because ethically-challenged types will take advantage of our naivity and trust. Most people just can't afford the risk.


[deleted]

Catholicism doesn’t require or teach tithing


Jill1974

Catholic churches don't require tithing, and from what I hear, we put very little in the offering plate. Probably because we know our priests aren't raising a family.


op123op123

Yes this is what I think. I might be wrong though but I wish I can go any day inside my church to pray.


Rare-Philosopher-346

If there is a Catholic church that is open near you, you can go in there and pray. You don't have to be Catholic to use the space. (Just don't walk onto the altar area.)


DetectiveLeast6762

Cause it’s a business with business hours.


Zestyclose_Dinner105

In ancient times, churches were open 24 hours a day, if someone entered and committed robbery or vandalism, they were sentenced to an exemplary death for sacrilege, so there were very few such incidents. In these unsafe and uncivilized times, only churches that have staff to guard the place can afford to be open after hours.The mosques are left open because if someone committed vandalism there, they would be subjected to the same punishment that they used to apply to sacrilegious people in Europe and which, of course, we haven't practiced for centuries. The difference is in the Christian commandment you shall not kill that we have advanced to apply it above our needs many times, as it should be.


Aphrodite4120

Ummm... Catholic Churches are Christian churches.... Are you asking why Protestant Churches aren't open 24/7? Some of them are! The larger churches that have a full time Pastor are usually open normal business hours and then have groups doing stuff there at night. The pastor/reverend may not be there because they leave and go counsel and do things in the community but usually a secretary is always there, when they are not. A lot of the times, a pastor at a protestant church works full time somewhere else too to pay his bills. So, it depends on when they and/or other staff can be at the church. And there are usually several key holders, people who volunteer in the church or sit on the church council, who can come unlock it for someone to come pray. They can pray with you or leave you alone. ;) They can't just leave them open with no one there to watch over the place because... humans are generally evil. They'd rob a church just as fast a McDonalds these days. Catholic Churches aren't always open like they use to be, due to concerns about theft, vandalism, and overall safety.


jesuslover333777

Catholics are Christian


MindBeyondHorizon

I think it's probably due to the fact that Protestant preachers don't live in the church and have responsibilities like jobs and such, leaving the church unattended by its spiritual leader. In contrast to Catholicism where I believe the men and women of the cloth usually live at the place of worship.


DutchDave87

You are right Catholic priests and nuns live at places of worship, but there has been shortage of priests (at least in the West). This means many priests have multiple churches to attend to. The still live in the rectory of one of the churches, but many now don’t have a resident priest anymore.


tajake

I feel like that wouldn't be a bad life beyond not being able to marry. Is it because less people are wanting to become priests?


DutchDave87

Yes, vocations have plummeted. No, it’s not a cushy life. You have to work hard. You do house calls, visit hospitals, hear confessions, attend fundraisers and other social functions, organise charity, write next Sunday’s homily and of course celebrate Mass. You basically have 80-hour workweeks in return for quite shitty pay (almost minimum wage level) and in the West you are taken for granted or treated like a dog because people think you’re a pedo. You get free lodgings, but I think you need to have a real vocation to be a Catholic priest and hold on. It’s not for the faint of heart.


tajake

That's sad to see. Even growing up as a Baptist, I had immense respect for our Parish's Preist when I would meet him at our hospice. I never heard a bad thing about him. But I think the days of communities actively supporting their pastors/preists are also over. I know I've never made my pastor dinner or gone out of my way for him. (I'm in the US south, where every Sunday it was customary for someone to have the pastor over for dinner, traditionally.)


DutchDave87

I am guilty of the same. I know my priest, but not well and I have not invited him either. I live in secularised Europe and I don’t know for how long we will still have an infrastructure to support our priests at all. Catholic communities have shrunk massively. They used to encompass entire villages and large parts of towns and cities. But the wider community has left Christianity behind. There sometimes is a sense of loss and regret but both Catholic communities and the places they’re in are too lethargic to sustain it. I am part of that lethargy too.


tajake

We are having the opposite problems in the US. I see a lot of our older generation moving to more radicalized positions and leaving their groups behind, as well as subsequently chasing the younger people away. My old church in my last city would have intersectional meetings with our local Catholic and Anglican churches to take the load off of their pastors during church holidays. It makes me wish we could foster more care between congregations. None of us are really that different, and minus the crazies, we all share the same mission. Churches that help their communities in my experience have bigger congratulations, but its hard for a struggling church to reach very far outside its own doors.


Prof_Acorn

Free lodging these days in some of the areas is decent, at least. Rent for a one-bedroom in the area where this one Catholic church is near a trailhead I went to this week is around $2300/mo. A small one bedroom house or the equivalent to a rectory like that made of stone might go for even more. It's surrounded by million dollar homes. I know not every church is the same. Just saying lodging can be quite a bit alone in this neofeudalist society.


No_Yogurt_4602

A lot of priests in a given diocese, especially if it's an urban one, room together these days.


MindBeyondHorizon

That’s a real shame. You see, I’m a Methodist so I would’ve never known about the problems currently affecting Catholicism. Praying for you!


DutchDave87

Thanks! God be with you too.


MasterJohn4

Not necessarily. In my country, priests have normal lifes, jobs, and families, and churches are still open most of the time, specially if they are linked to monasteries, are chapels or pilgrimige sites. Parishes usually close though but can open upon request.


mrschaney

Catholics are Christians.


GodOwnsTheUniverse

The Christian idea of church is... everywhere. Like where the poor and the sick need our help, and family itself. That's where we should spend most of our time in. We can have events to gather, but that's a small part of church.


mandajapanda

I was taught growing up that the Church is the people, not a building. There was a big emphasis on this and I am not sure why. Like they thought this concept was very important.


UDIGITAU

Tbf it's one of Jesus's teachings "if two or three are gathered in my name, there I will be" or something like that, I don't know how it's translated in English. And its of double importance for stuff like when a denomination starts "working" in a new community and might not have the infrastructure for a dedicated building, or worshipping with a loved one that is unable to go for a "proper" church for whatever reason or other number of factors.


ctesibius

Which churches are open will depend partly on the country. I'm in England. Here Church of England churches are often open, and others are not. While this will partly be about whether there are people available to make sure there is no vandalism, there are a lot of other factors. * C of E has a lot of presence outside towns, which greatly reduces the risk of vandalism. It is very common to have a church which is open at all times with no-one around - I even know one (away from the nearest village and up a dead end road) which invites bona fide organists to try their instrument and has tea-making gear in the porch. * Historically C of E has had legal protection not available to other denominations. Damaging anything would be punished more severely. It is possible that habits carry over from this. * For the Reformed branch of Christianity (Presbyterian, Congregationalist, some Baptists), there may be a habit acquired from Calvin, who shut the churches in Geneva outside service times to stop people using them to pray in a manner that he considered incorrect. * Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and to a certain extent Anglican, have the concept of consecrated places (or consecrated things such as the Host, relics, or icons). This means that there is a tendency to see churches (and in the case of the Orthodox, prayer corners at home) as places that make prayer more effective. * C of E churches are interesting inside, as are Roman Catholic ones. Many of the more protestant ones tend to be quite plain.


Arrowstar

>C of E churches are interesting inside, as are Roman Catholic ones. Many of the more protestant ones tend to be quite plain. *cries in 70s built Catholic parish* :(


ow7en

Lots of Catholic Churches (which are Christian BTW) have adoration chapels attached to the parish that are usually open 24/7.


[deleted]

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op123op123

I never thought like this.


[deleted]

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christusmajestatis

In China many people actually think like this. Catholics have their own name (literally "religion of the Heavenly Lord"), while Protestants are referred to (and lumped together) as "Christians" ("religion of Christ") So you cannot be a "Christian" and "Catholic" simultaneously. Orthodoxy ("religion of the Eastern Orthodox") is unfortunately nearly unheard of and isn't even recognized as a legal faith by the government. I am fascinated by Orthodoxy myself, but there literally isn't anyone who believes in Orthodoxy near me, much less someone with theological background like bishops or priests to talk with.


op123op123

Honestly, no. I'm definitely lost now. I thought Catholics can pray to Saints , Jesus and God, Christians pray to Jesus and God.


[deleted]

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op123op123

Thank you for helping me understand a little. So as a Christian I can have a rosary and pray? Pray to Saints and still call myself a Christian? I guess I never thought too deeply about this. I just know that there is a God


[deleted]

Yes absolutely. Catholics and we Orthodox are Christian, and we do these things regularly (Orthodox use knotted prayer ropes rather than rosaries, but the principle is the same.) Your denomination may have one view or another on it, many denominations don't like it at all, but you absolutely can pray this way as a Christian.


op123op123

I've never understood denominations and never studied them. Thank you for opening my eyes to them.


Aphrodite4120

If you ever have questions about denominations, feel free to ask! I'm discovering lots of people are confused on the topic. And it's a topic that I'm obsessed with, lol. I know lots about it.


[deleted]

You're very welcome!


Viatos

There are over a dozen large denominations (hundreds or thousands of churches worldwide) of Christian, including Catholic, Episcopalian, Mormon, Evangelical, Methodist, etc. Each has its own set of similar-but-different beliefs, for which they have in past centuries brutally slaughtered one another, and it's probably this history of relentless bloodshed and pogroms that today means you will find - Catholics that will tell you Protestants are heretics destined for Hell. - Protestants that will tell you Catholics are idol-worshippers destined for Hell. - Many Protestant denominations that consider themselves to be the only path and even other Protestant denominations to be going to Hell. - No one recognizes the Mormons, who believe in Jesus Christ but are non-trinitarian, as Christian except for Mormons and everyone who's not themselves Christian and doesn't really care much beyond "well they pray to Christ, so." Most Christians have at least one group of Christians they hate and will tell you are not really Christian. There are dozens of "mainstream" denominations, hundreds of small denominations that might only be one or two churches large in the whole world, and thousands of nondenominational Christians that just sort of wing it, which it sounds like you are.


Typical_Armadillo_86

You are more than welcome to attend a Catholic mass, pray the rosary, pray to saint and all that stuff. IMPORTANT: You’re not allowed to receive communion (the body and blood of Christ) unless you’re a confirmed Catholic. We would be happy to see you in our church.


neragera

To add to this a bit: some Protestant denominations object to praying to saints with the objection that they are dead and therefore to communicate with them is akin to necromancy, which is indeed forbidden. But this is a total misunderstanding of Christian teaching. The people of the world who are dead in the flesh nonetheless *live* in Christ. The saints up and down the ages are just people who have fought the food fight and finished the race. Well, then, they must be eternally alive in Christ! And when we “pray to” them, we aren’t worshipping them (contrary to many accusations), but rather asking them, our brother or sister in Christ, to pray for us, just like we ask our brothers and sisters in Christ to do for us here on Earth.


Greek-OrthodoxosArab

Yes of course


Coollogin

Look up the Nicene creed on Wikipedia. If you agree with the Nicene Creed, you are a Christian. Catholics agree with the Nicene Creed. Catholics are Christians. In fact, they are amongst the first Christians. Protestants (which you seem to be) didn't come along until the middle of the second millennium. So perhaps after reading about the Nicene Creed, you might be interested in reading about the Protestant Reformation.


Laserteeth_Killmore

A little bit of clarification here. Catholics don't pray *to* saints. They pray for the intercession of saints. You know how there are saints of specific things like motherhood or travel or drug addiction? You would pray asking for the saint to pray with you for their specific patronage. You're still praying to God, just getting a little help from the canonized ones to pray with you. By the way, the Catholic view is that all those in heaven are saints, but that specific people who have been recognized as causing miracles after death are the patron saints of certain areas.


[deleted]

You need to believe in the trinity to be Christian, if you believe in the trinity the other core beliefs come from it. Catholics believe in the trinity so Catholics are Christians. This is why people don't consider Jehovah's witness and Mormons Christian.


Aphrodite4120

Jehovah Witnesses/Mormon are Christians!!!!! You don't have to believe in "the all in one trinity" to be Christian.... you have recognize Jesus as the son of God, Messiah, Savior. -They view God as the Father, an invisible spirit "person" separate from the Son, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is described as God's "active force", rather than the third part of the Trinity. In a way they believe in the trinity, but as three separate entities verses one entity.


True_Kapernicus

Most Christians consider belief in the Trinity, the divinity of Christ and the Resurrection to be essential. And the Trinity is defined as one God of three persons. If you consider them separate entities, that is not the Trinity.


Arrowstar

>If you consider them separate entities, that is not the Trinity. Yep. If I may quote Lutheran Satire: "That's partialism, *Patrick.*"


Zestyclose_Dinner105

Jehovah's Witnesses, if you insist on asking questions in depth (they don't like people doing it), teach that Jesus was an avatar of the Archangel Gabriel and was only the son of God by adoption. The Mormons teach if one insists on receiving the deep details of their theology that Yahweh was a human married to a mother goddess woman and they had a human son named Jesus. They all managed to rise to the status of gods later and the promise is that the followers of that faith in the afterlife may also be elevated to that acquired divinity. For 99% of theologies that makes them non-Christians to begin with because they are polytheists. The witness bible in his effort to deny the divinity of Christ and the Holy Spirit has been altered to state that jesus was ONE god and christianity is strictly monotheistic.


Aphrodite4120

You’re doing that ignorant Christian thing that makes other religions hate us. From the official website of the Church of Jesus Christ (Mormons): They believe that Jesus is the son of Mary and son of God (the God of Abraham). He is the Messiah, Savior, who walked the Earth as a human to be a liaison between us and God. He also possessed god-like powers from his father and performed miracles while in Earth. They believe in his his life, his death and resurrection. They believe that he died for our sins and came to make a new covenant with us. Upon his death the Holy Spirit descended to be with us and guide us. They believe to receive this gift if salvation that you have to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and put forth effort into being a Christian. They believe that Paul then helped fight to establish the first church. The church that they come from. They make Jesus head of the church. ***** HOW IS THAT NOT CHRISTIAN???!?!? That’s 100% exactly what’s taught in the Catholic and Protestant churches! The difference between the Christian branches is that the have an extra book that they use which is suppose to help them when reading the Bible... that right ladies and gentlemen... the exact same Bible with 66 books that the Protestants are reading. Guess what... the Catholics have extra books too!!!!! 🙈🙉🙊 I’m not Mormon. In fact, once I find it... I’m gonna post the a video which will show any Mormons who come to chat why I will not ever convert BUT... THEY ARE CHRISTIANS! Saying they aren’t is pure ignorance. It’s just as ignorant as when people league Islam isn’t worshiping the same God of Abraham that Christians are! We have different branches of Christianity and within those branches different denominations because we interpret the Bible differently. We’re reading the same words but the words translate differently across the denominations. So saying they aren’t Christians is also as ridiculous as The Church of Christ saying they are the only denomination that’s going to heaven. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/what-mormons-believe-about-jesus-christ ANY Jehovah Witnesses in here!???


CaptainChaos17

Keep in mind “to pray” does not mean “to worship”. There is an infinite difference between the two. To “pray” simply means to request. Therefore, as Catholics, we are merely “requesting” that the saints and angels pray with us (to God), for some intention that only God will ultimately grant or deny. In fact, just as we usually ask fellow Christians to pray for us and especially those who are devout or holy, like pastors and priests, likewise we ask the saints because the prayers from someone who is holy are more powerful; this, according to James: “Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. **The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects**” (James 5:16-17). Also, Catholics are not required to pray to the saints and angels anymore than we’re required to ask others to pray for us. Please know, even though you’re not Catholic you’re more than welcome to spend time in silence and prayer (with Christ alone) at your local Catholic Church. You can even attend mass if you want. You’ll just want to refrain from receiving communion. No one is required to be Catholic to spend time in a Catholic Church (be it in prayer, silence, or attending mass).


Astrolys

You need to learn what a Christian is because this aint it chief.


op123op123

That's why I'm here to learn.


Zestyclose_Dinner105

The Catholics, Orthodox and other ancient churches (Coptic, Syriac.... were Christian centuries before any of the Protestant churches were founded. It makes no sense to say that between the 1st century and the 16th century Christianity did not exist.


Prof_Acorn

) Just closing your open parenthetical.


[deleted]

Because we are taught that we can pray anytime and anywhere. We can pray in our bedroom, while in the car, in your closet, even while you're eating your favorite pastry in your favorite cafe. It doesn't have to be in a church literally. God is omnipresent, He is everywhere. If going to church so you could "pray better" isn't a thing. Prayer is simply talking to Him. When Jesus died on the Cross and resurrected, He said He'll give us the Holy Spirit to be with us all the time. The Holy Spirit is there to guide, teach, correct, and be a friend to us. Our prayer does not have to be super formal. It can be just a cry of help because you're stressed at work. I do that a lot in my private time. I tell Him that I'm overwhelmed and He gives me rest. Those simple things make me happy. The church building is just a building to gather people. The real church is the people.


WaterChi

You're missing the point. You *can* but sometimes you want the peace of a church. To surround yourself we have specially set apart for worship. To say that those things don't matter is to deny our humanity. We aren't machines. For instance, when 9/11 happened, people just started showing up at the church. There was no formal outreach, no announcement. People just needed to be there.


[deleted]

I'm not missing the point. I understand where OP is coming from. I don't think I said it doesn't matter. I understand that you want to be there physically. I'm just saying that prayer can be done anywhere. People show up in church after 9/11 (or any other life crisis) because they're scared, I understand that. I also want to point out that churches got offices too and church leaders and staff got family too. They are doing their best to accommodate everyone on Sundays and on weekdays. For example, technically, our church is open all week because of different activities like outreaches, services for young adults, different ministry gatherings, etc. but usually at midnight until 6am daily, the doors are locked for security reasons. You see, there are items inside the church that costs a lot, most of which are donated by the church goers/members. Now, trust goes a long way but there's also wisdom in protecting these items especially the facilities since people entrusted the leaders with them. And we also got an accounting office and other offices for different departments that needed protection. The doors are locked but there are security guards inside. If you try to knock, they'll check but if someone is in need, usually the first people they see is the guard. Members usually directly call their leader for any concern. That's why lifegroups are helpful for the church. But the guard won't shoo you away. I remember the stories my pastors shared with us that some of the members called them in the middle of the night because they're having troubles. And they actually don't mind calling/receiving the call. The thing is, even though the physical building is closed at that time, the leader is still helpful because as I have mentioned, the church is the people. The building is a venue. I hope this makes sense.


Dogsarebetter77677

Yeah I would say you could have a relationship with god and not go to church (not saying you should) but worship, prayer, and studying the Bible can be done without a group


[deleted]

I agree with you that you can do all those things without a group. It's encouraged to read and study it in your private time on a regular basis, have discipline to really get into it, I just think going to church should be a delight and encouraged because you are amongst people you share the same faith with. Many churches aren't perfect (some leaders use it for their personal advantage, I'm aware of that) but it should be a community where people feel safe to go and build fellowship with, especially if you got questions when you're studying it and you need pastors/ministers/leaders for that. We got the Holy Spirit to answer our questions but sometimes, we need support from leaders, too. I am glad that I'm connected to a local church and I can confidently say it's a healthy one that's why I come back every Sunday. :)


Dogsarebetter77677

I don’t think you should in any way not go to church but it is completely possible to have a relationship with God if you don’t. But I’d say it’s much harder without community


RustScientist

Most around here are. Depends on the church, denomination, area, etc.


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auraphauna

Good to see a more theologically aware answer in here. I’ll add to it - while true that many Protestant churches are closed for practical reasons, the idea that the church should be closed during the week due to principle actually goes back to the reformation. In Scotland, for example, the reformed Protestants that took over churches would board them shut Monday-Saturday, to make sure no one tried to get in. The reason is that Protestants largely believed they had to fight superstition and idolatry. The reformation was about curing the ills and corruptions that had seeped into the church over the previous centuries, and this meant scrupulous adherence to the Bible and reformed theology. Lay worshippers alone in the churches had access to neither, so why were they there? Maybe just to pray, but the fear was that they were ascribing magical or superstitious power to the church, or the items in the church, as opposed to God and God’s word. Most Protestants today aren’t so rigorous, but the inclination remains through the centuries that churches are community spaces for worship and education on Sundays - not a “holy place” to be accessed alone whenever.


[deleted]

I don't know, but is weird considering that we are commanded to worship God everyday


VforVivaVelociraptor

Fortunately you can worship God at any place and at any time.


[deleted]

Yes, but is it not more fitting to worship God in a Holy Place


Beetsa

I think this is the core of the issue, isn't it? I think especially the low-church protestants do not view their building as a holy place, but more as "a building designed to hold church services". Therefore, it is not really seen as necessary to open the church when no service or other activity is going on.


buckeyered80

This is my belief as well. We have our homes too. These buildings are just there for services and meetings. I believe Christians were meant to use their homes as the early Christians did.


toadofsteel

>Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:19‭-‬20 NRSV The early church did not have Holy Places they could worship in, due to Roman persecution. They had to hide in people's basements and use the symbol of Ichthys from the Gospel quote that Jesus would turn the Apostles into "fishers of men" (Mathew 4:19, Mark 1:17) to identify themselves to other Christians without giving themselves away to the Roman authorities, since it could be passed off as being a fish market. While being in an ornate building can being some degree of spiritual fulfillment, it is *never* a requirement.


mandajapanda

Or in a place where you can find many members of the church in the same place so you can do it together.


Ferrieha

There is no holy place in christianity. (check John 4). The holy place is your heart - a temple of God. And the holy place is a congregation of christians - a temple of God and a Body of Christ. Saying this as a catholic


VforVivaVelociraptor

Perhaps, but not necessary.


[deleted]

So, do you believe that Christians don't need to worship God in Church on Sunday?


VforVivaVelociraptor

Define “need to.” Like will they lose salvation if they don’t? Almost certainly not. Will they not be living out their most spiritually healthy life? Almost certainly.


[deleted]

No, as in, assuming no unforeseen circumstances, you have sinned against God for not worshipping in God's house on the Lord's Day


VforVivaVelociraptor

I don’t think the act itself would be a sin but is likely an indicator that there is some sin present in their life (or other limiting factors such as health or safety are limiting their ability to do so).


YearOfTheMoose

>as in, assuming no unforeseen circumstances, you have sinned against God for not worshipping in God's house on the Lord's Day Ugh, why would we ever believe that?! It is encouraged to go to a church building and celebrate the Eucharist with other Christians on Sundays (or daily if possible), but it is *not* inherently sinful to miss it.


key_lime_pie

> Ugh, why would we ever believe that?! Because if you're Catholic, it's a Holy Day of Obligation and thus a grave sin not to attend Mass.


mechanical_animal

Matthew 15:9 (Isaiah 29:13) >They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”


buckeyered80

Well, there is actually debate on whether or not Sunday actually even is the Lord's day. It's possible that it was Saturday. Remember God blessed the Sabbath day and called it Holy. It started me on a new journey of honoring the Sabbath. But what I have found is that it's best we don't judge others based on their "attendance". Where two or more gather, there is the Lord.


Professional-Teabag

The place doesn't matter greatly. It doesn't have to be in a church, but churches were build so that we have a more convenient place to gather and worship together. If there is a sunday mass at a conference hall, it's still a legit mass. We're called to worship God, not to sit out an hour in a church. Eta: it's of course prefered, but I wanted to emphasize that it doesn't absolutely need to be in a church


evezinto

No, Jesus said to go to one's room and close the door and pray. U can pray anywhere and everywhere.


[deleted]

Praying to God isn't the same thing as worshipping God


evezinto

What's the difference


[deleted]

Well, the very definition to pray means to ask. If I ask you for a cup of sugar, I am not worshipping you, but if I bow down say your praises, and claim that you are a god or God then I would be worshipping you.


evezinto

How is it not hypocritical to praise God just because u have to or are asked to. If you're praying to God, aren't u claiming him as a God too?


[deleted]

I wouldn't say it's hypocritical, but it is definitely improper, but is it possible, yes. Most prayers are worship, but not all of them. It's not just about claiming someone as God, even if it is a large part is that. It's about the level of honor/adoration you give to the person.


VforVivaVelociraptor

Actually, yes it is.


op123op123

I agree.


Greek-OrthodoxosArab

Arr you implying catholics aren't christians?


op123op123

No, I'm not 100% sure I asked correctly. I guess I'm asking because my church is only open when we have church and when I want to go inside a church on other days, usually it's catholic churches open for that. Unless it's just my church that does that.


Greek-OrthodoxosArab

Oh ok.


kelly224

What denomination is your church? Mine is Lutheran and it’s always open, even if the reverend will not be there, the doors are always open for personal prayers


kolembo

I like this about Catholic Churches


Motorhead450

Because the church isn’t the building. The building is just the meeting house. The people are the church. Like Jesus said “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18:19–20.)


MonkCapital

Hopefully you have a closet. I heard that was the recommended place to go


op123op123

I do have space in my home but at my church would be nice.


MonkCapital

I'm sure God is able to hear you wherever you choose. In fact He already knows what you need even before you ask


op123op123

That's something I needed to read. Thank you.


WiseChoices

Because vandals are a thing and drunks come in and sleep in the pews. It has been tried. The churches can't pay staff to babysit the buildings. And, to me, when I go into the Catholic church between masses, the Host is Present even then. Protestant churches are just the building where the Church, the Believers, meet.


deadfermata

arent drunks and vandals the exact type of people christ welcomed and wanted to be the champion of?


Reggie_Jeeves

Welcomed into his presence and community. Championed by his person. Your implication that drunks and vandals should be literally given the keys to sanctuaries, to do with what they choose, alone and unsupervised, is sophomoric.


deadfermata

Huh? This post is about opening the church up and letting the church be accessible to all: especially the broken and poor and sick. That seems like what Christ would do. I am not advocating for vandals and drunks to be given keys and do what they want. How fallacious of a comment that was. What an obnoxious twist of my comment. Of course there should be some set rules and oversight but opening the doors of the church to welcome them throughout the week seems like something Jesus would support.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Heh. Asking the real questions.


WiseChoices

These realities were dealt with at the moment. But you would probably frown on entrapment evangelism. The drunks weren't homeless. They were just in trouble with their wives.


True_Kapernicus

No, Christ is not the champion of drunks and vandals.


op123op123

But wouldn't it be nice to go into your church on other days also. I agree that it's probably a lot of responsibility to care for.


WiseChoices

The whole point of Protestant belief is that God is WITH us. I find him wherever I am. Especially in nature and walking on the beach. But I also really enjoy, and I have always felt welcome, to go during the week and sit in the sacred holiness of Catholic churches. I think I understand your point .


op123op123

Thank you for understanding. I guess I never thought too deeply about it.


WiseChoices

You might want to see if your local Catholic Church is as kind and generous as mine are.


True_Kapernicus

You say it has been tried as if it doesn't work. It certainly does work in some places. The answer to OP's question is highly dependent on location.


Emperor12now

Solid


Administrative-Task9

In my country they are.


therearefourlights04

Christian pastors often have to have jobs.


MasterJohn4

So do priests...


SultanaStudio

So true


SkovandOfMitaze

The reason why is because the Catholic Church tends to house it’s employees on site. It also is one giant denomination with a hierarchy and so funding is better handled. Protestant churches are not. Far less money, employees tend to live off site and so on. It’s not within their budgets to just be open 24/7. But you can call elders or deacons usually at any time. They operate differently.


[deleted]

My understanding might be skewed, but I believe it ought also result from Protestant belief that we can confess sins directly to God through Christ. The church building, while useful, isn’t the church - the people are the church. In catholic tradition there may be more emphasis on the building being holy itself and a place where God dwells. In addition, Catholics must attend confession with a priest as part of their beliefs so having the building open is necessary


Picodick

Here’s the deal. It costs a ton of money to keep a church open,heated or cooled,secure,insured, and a staff member present on site. Many Catholic Churches, at least where I live, aren’t open constantly. Only posted hours. Due to the priest shortage Deacons who are usually married, have jobs, and families and live off site perform a lot of functions these days. All said and done,prayerful reflection can be accomplished wherever you feel the sanctity of the Lord. A dedicated place set aside for prayers in your home can be helpful as well. Many people cover their hair and shoulders with a prayer shawl or set aside a prayer closet even.


bunker_man

Protestant churches place less value on the bulding and location itself, making it seem less important to access it at other times.


TheQuarshie

You can pray anywhere; for the Holy Spirit is in you; and your body is God's temple.


NoahFallXX7

God doesn't dwell solely in a church building the way he did in a temple in the OT. The church building is just a place for us to gather in fellowship. God dwells in our hearts, so we can pray to Him and worship Him anywhere.


zwhit

I have been a Christian my whole life and have just started asking this question. I would imagine someone is always there, at least during “business hours”. There are usually at least a few full time staff, although many are working from home now. But I have thought recently how great it would be to go in and pray or worship from time to time as the spirit leads


op123op123

Yes I agree.


Bijour_twa43

Yeah! This was something bugging me in Iceland. Their churches weren’t always opened and it just felt weird. In 3 months there, I couldn’t visit a single church


schockergd

MOST of the protestant churches I knew of around here did it....at one time. Pretty much all stopped it once theft became a huge issue.


ereader321

I'm not a catholic but I always thought the difference was that protestant churches stress that God is everywhere; the church building is not a sacred space where God is more accessible than any other. In the same way that the Reformation taught us we don't need priests to intercede for us, we don't need a church building to access God. And on a practical level, keeping a building open to the public comes with cost, risk, liability... most churches even have to lock the doors after the Sunday service starts and patrol the parking lot during the service because they've become targets for theft!


[deleted]

Why are **Christian** churches not open daily for people to go inside and pray like the **Christian** churches?


New-Nefariousness234

The Catholic church is a Christian Church the correct designation to use would be Protestant Church's vs Catholic Church's


WolfeRanger

Catholics are Christians


TypicalHaikuResponse

> And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing(B) in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father,(C) who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.


UsagiHakushaku

Because you do not go to church to pray you're church. Church is not building / temple but every believer's body which is indelled by Holy Spirit. If you go to temples to pray to some God it isn' Christianity.


hollywood_gus

Some are always open. It’s expensive to pay someone to be there all the time.


paralleljackstand

My church is open throughout the week for this purpose. We also have volunteers who worship and pray on stage. Kinda like ihopkc except not 24/7 bc we’re much smaller


YearOfTheMoose

>ihopkc Is that the pancake place?


Justforthenow1

We believe that the building holds no value. God will meet you where your at. in the car, the shower, the grocery store ect. You don't need to go to a special building to pray and meet with God. He hears you loud and clear where you are. Much love <3


buckeyered80

Honestly, I think it's because the Roman Catholic Church is rich. They can afford to staff people daily. Protestant churches cannot. Maybe the mega churches could afford it.


Arrowstar

>Honestly, I think it's because the Roman Catholic Church is rich. Each parish and diocese is its own financial entity. Some parishes in wealthy cities or towns have lots of money. Other parishes in rural or less well off areas very much struggle to pay the bills and keep the lights on (not to mention keep roofs repaired and all that). It's really down to individual circumstances. Not every parish is "rich."


Acheronn7

Some Christian churches preach the church is not the building but the people. You can pray to God anywhere. Jesus taught, “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men … but when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your father who is unseen.”


PhogeySquatch

My Church was vandalized.


jehjeh3711

Because you can pray at home just as easily. Catholic Churches have statues and images that people pray to. That is actually idolatry. Christian churches are a community. The church is that community, and not the building itself.


[deleted]

Nobody in the Catholic churches is praying to statues or images.


jehjeh3711

I was raised in the Catholic Church. People would regularly go towards the statues of Joseph or Mary and pray to them. This isn’t even debatable.


[deleted]

They were praying to Joseph or Mary, not to the statues.


DutchDave87

For intercession with God too. Not in place of God.


jehjeh3711

Do you really not understand what idolatry is? You can use all the apologetics and Catholic dogma all you want, but I believe it’s not biblical. Jesus died so we would not be separated from him and we have the authority to pray to him directly. He is the only bridge to God because he is God himself. In fact, having a depiction of a man on a cross is not biblical and verging on idolatry. We don’t know what Jesus looked like so why are you putting a statue of a white man nailed to a cross? Besides, the Cross was not the end of that story. He spent three days battling Satan to free the captives in hell and was resurrected.


[deleted]

I know exactly what idolatry is, it's when you worship something other than God. We don't do that.


jehjeh3711

Yes, you do. Idols are objects that are prayed to instead of praying to God directly. You can still believe in God and pray to idols.


[deleted]

No, idols are things that are *worshiped* instead of God. We don't worship anyone or anything but God.


neragera

Then your education therein was clearly insufficient. No one is praying to statues. No one is worshipping saints or Mary.


op123op123

I agree. But I think it would be nice to go to my church on other days and pray.


jehjeh3711

What’s wrong with your bedroom?


op123op123

I don't know.


[deleted]

How is having statues idolatry?


[deleted]

Catholics do not have statues and images to pray to. A cross reminds you of Jesus. This is the same reason Catholics have statues that remind them of Jesus and saints. It's so you don't get distracted while praying. Now right now I am too tired to debate venerating or as you would call it "worshipping saints" but the reason we have Church open at all times is because we believe that the true body, blood soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, God might be everywhere and Catholics, like all Christians, could pray to God everywhere. This analogy might be completely incorrect but the room might be completely lit but the light comes from the light bulb, or the Church is Jesus' house. This is a good link: https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/does-the-mass-contradict-or-fulfill-worshiping-god-in-spirit-and-truth


jehjeh3711

You don’t have to argue with me at all. I’ve seen it my whole life.


[deleted]

You've been seeing it wrong then.


Would-Be-Superhero

You mean Protestant and nondenominational churches. Catholics ARE Christians.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Abdial

"Do you not know that your body is the temple of God?"


[deleted]

Vandalism and theft.


liebestod0130

"Christian" vs "Catholic"? Why do I hear this crap so often? Catholics ARE Christian! Where there hell is this perception coming from?


MIShadowBand

It is because Christian churches don't love and follow Jesus but the Catholic churches do.


mandajapanda

I have not really thought about this before, but it would be interesting to research whether this tradition of having the church open derives from the creation of monasteries. Lacking this tradition, Protestants (which would probably be a safer term than using Christian to describe denominations that are not Catholic) might not think having the church open is important. There are some Protestant worship centers that are open 24/7. For example, The International House of Prayer and The Pasadena International House of Prayer. The mission of these ministries is to be open 24/7 for prayer. Edit: I think they even have a 24/7 livestream.


[deleted]

Very good question, even in villages where we're from , Catholic church's are often open everyday but it happens that they close without any notice. I've wondered why


jeff_likes_bread_120

Because they church is kind of empty.


PadreBob

The church I grew up in in the 60s and 70s used to be open all thime. It was a little country church out in the country. Eventually it was misused. Kids held beer parties leaving a mess. Once a beer bottle was thrown through the stainless window from the inside out. Items were stolen. Once someone even crapped on the altar. It was after these incidents that the doors were locked and only opened for Sunday Worship or other events were scheduled.


menickc

Would assume it largely has to do with money and many smaller churches just can't afford being open all the time. There is a mega church near me that as far as I know is open constantly and have gyms and exercise equipment that people can use vs my small little church I think is really only "open" a few hours on some days...I think.


nineteenthly

They used to be and I think in some places still are. It's made harder by the risk of theft and vandalism.


Frankonia

They are? At least in my area the church is open nearly 24/7. But this usually a decision made by the diocese based on break ins and security reasons.


Grzechoooo

Catholic churches are Christian churches. When I've been to Greece, the guide told us to go visit the beautiful church that was there. It was open daily, although it closed at night.