From a spiritual point of view, what is the significance of a place of worship?
I have come across a few people who do not believe in god or religion and the like.. But they feel that the ambiance of a temple or any such places of worship can uplift the spirits and help them in their spiritual journey.. So what is the significance of these places for the theists and the spiritualists?
Jassie
Question answered by АѴІλт✪Я
I think spiritualists believe in god but their belief is somewhat different from the beliefs of theist(s).....I have come across some atheists who rejected the notion of god but are still visiting the places of worship.They view the places of worship in an entirely different way.....they enjoy the idea of being part of their community/cultural group ,as a result they participate in various cultural activities,they follow traditions minus superstitions.....it is something related to psychology and personal interest.This maybe applicable to spiritualists also,but they accept dualism which means existence of two components in everything....one is mortal physical compnent and other is immortal soul which ultimately reunites with the god .We clearly know various theist/religious concept(s) of God and worship places.
I want to add what Emile Durkheim said about the religion....it has functional importance...he said " religion is central to the reproduction and maintenance of social order in societies." and major function of a worship place is group cohesion often performed by collectively attended rituals.Group meeting/gatherings (at worship places) provides a special kind of energy that can make members of a community lose their individuality and to feel united with the gods and thus with their community.
I will edit if I get any new ideas....
Is having so many different individual churches and places of worship a waste of resources?
In the future, will religious people go to a generic building designated as a place of worship that they will just have to share with other religious people? Maybe these buildings will have LCD panels on the walls and these panels will display the symbols of different religions when members of each religion have the building booked for their religious observances. What do you think? In this age of environmental awareness, we have to think about conserving resources like this, don’t we?
Desiree
Question answered by Stitch
It already happens in many places. Think of those generic mega churches preaching the prosperity gospel and the former churches in Europe being used for Muslim Friday prayer.
If God is omnipresent why do we need to go to Church or similar places of worship?
Isn't praying in your mind enough? Don't you think places of worship are just a ploy to attain power by the ones in control? Why worship at all? Isn't being good and doing good enough to satiate God?
Pratixa D
Question answered by Locoluis
Through the prophet Isaiah, God asked people this very question.
"This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?"
Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the LORD. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.
But whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a man, and whoever offers a lamb, like one who breaks a dog's neck; whoever makes a grain offering is like one who presents pig's blood, and whoever burns memorial incense, like one who worships an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and their souls delight in their abominations;
so I also will choose harsh treatment for them and will bring upon them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me."
Israel built its temples anyway, and the organized churches followed suit. But the Church is a place for people, fellow believers who practiced their faith together.
Believing that it's THE place of prayer is at best a sign of utter ignorance of the Scriptures. In fact, this is how Jesus instructed his disciples to pray:
“And 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 others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. "
Why do you think places of worship are so often targets of hate?
Desecrating or destroying places of worship is an all-too common form of violence in both historical and contemporary times.
SeaBee
Question answered by MC
Historically, Places of worship have been the places that are the crests if society. Currently, I think it's just a one up game.
Which religions or places of worship view homosexuality as a normal part of life?
Hey everyone!
So I am a deist and yesterday I decided to go to a Unitarian Universalist church to check it out. I saw some brochures on the table outside of the church about how the church embraces gay people and I thought that was very cool :)
How many other places of worship have this view of homosexuality?
:)
Question answered by Ted Pack
Some of the liberal Christian denominations accept LGBT people. UCC (The congregationalists) do. The Anglicans are currently splitting over the issue; some do, some don't.
If you are a Deist, though, the UUs are the only place in town for you.
Is it wrong to go to places of worship for entertainment?
I don't go there to learn something new or to fellowship with others... I go because I'm bored and I need something to do on a saturday night. Is this wrong?
I believe in God and that is why I find places of worship to be a suitable and fulfilling source of entertainment but I don't go for any other reason.
Isaiah 54
Question answered by
Many churches don't have entertainment, but you found one that does because that's their form of ministry; it is 100% appropriate to do what you are doing. Even if you don't go there to "fellowship," hanging out and being in the presence of other Christians is still fellowshipping. By doing so, you are still following God, in your own way.
Enjoy yourself.
Why places of worships running commercial outlets not be derecognised and taken over by the govt ?
Enough is enough. We can not allow some stupid people to enjoy life at the cost of ignorance of people in general . Places of worships belong to govt .All its wealth is the public property and must be utilised to fund NREGA . Any Doubt?
acsman123
Question answered by uk Jn
Is it the same thing with Masjids also?
What is taught in your place of worship that you do not agree with?
I have noticed that many people disagree with a lot of things taught at their church/place of worship, but yet still continue to attend or claim membership with that religious body. What if anything do you disagree with at your church, and why do you or do you not, continue to attend anyway?
SoandSo
Question answered by MrzBoopie
I wouldn't go to a church if I disagreed with the teaching, I would find one that is matching what the word of God says.
How can I find a list of every place to worship in Oak Park, IL?
So I've made it a goal of mine to visit every place of worship in Oak Park. I've limited it to just within the Town Limits of Oak Park, but I want it to include not just churches but temples and synagogues. I've had a hard time with Yellow Pages because they include ones from the surrounding towns and some in Chicago. Where can I find a list?
Also, don't say it's impossible. I have at least a year or two to do this.
Anonymous
Question answered by Vicky
I think you should pay a visit to the Village Hall:
VILLAGE of OAK PARK
Village Hall
123 Madison Street
Oak Park, Illinois 60302
708.383.6400 (Main line)
708.383.0048 (TTY)
Hours
General Business: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday
Parking: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday - Friday; 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m., Mondays
A prior phone call will probably get someone started on a list for you.
Do different Christian groups compete with each by building the fanciest places of worship?
How about those freakin Mormons? Have you seen their ghastly temples that look like something inspired by Walt Disney rather than the god of the Jews? And let’s not forget the Catholics with their entire city that is one big place of worship designed to intimidate their flock of fools and make them keep quiet if they suspect their local priest is interfering with their children. Is this how different Christian groups communicate non-verbally with other, by building big, garish places of worship?
Desiree
Question answered by Rene
Goes to show how people misuse God's money. That money should be given to the poor instead.