Are Church Buildings Necessary to Worship God?

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Worship is the, act of God the praise which is due to him as Creator and Saviour. But the question is, is this act possible without religious buildings such as churches or cathedrals? This is an extremely controversial issue, which has been debated about for many years. On the one hand, ‘at no point in the Holy Bible does it say, it is necessary for a follower of Christianity to attend a building of worship to show their thanks to God and to praise God.’ This type of statement which many believers that do not attend church or do not find it necessary to attend religious buildings tend to use. But on the other hand, those who believe that Christians should attend church or other buildings tend to say statements such as, ‘Churches, cathedrals and other buildings are statements, which display, to the public or non-followers, the importance and love that Christians show their faith.’

I totally agree with those who feel that religious buildings are not necessary for worship. This is because Christians believe that God is omnipresent (is present anywhere and at anytime). They also believe that God is omnipotent (all-powerful) so he should be able to know when people are giving him thanks or praise without them having to attend Church. Many Christians stay at home and worship on their own in silence. This is called private worship. Private worship is when one admits to the fact that they are dependent on God, and this includes the person giving glory to God for he is the almighty. In private worship one can read a hymn/song. Private worship can also include private reading of the Holy Bible or reciting short prayers. Most Christians start/finish the day with private worship.

Many do not sing hymns or recite prayers but solely read the Holy Bible to practise their devotions to God. Those who do this often find that through doing this they feel that God is actually speaking to their hearts and minds directly and about their needs only and how they can improve their lifestyles. Some often find it helpful to a reading plan that allows them to read the Bible in a special type of order, which is systematic or planned out. These plans can allow the readers to complete the Bible in one or three years.

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Also people just single out prayer to be the most important thing to do in Christianity and often go into a form of meditation and offer thanks and bring requests before the all powerful God. Prayers can range from meditation, which is a silent prayer all the way to praise, which is when one acknowledges God and his greatness.

But to this, those that think it is essential to visit church could argue that there are not the facilities required at ones house but they are all at the Church. They can not carry out all of the 7 sacraments at home. Such as baptism or confession. These are good points but this still does not mean that Christians must attend Church. The 7 sacraments are just a small factor in Christianity. There are many more factors, which are much more important in the religion. It is a fair argument that they do not have all of the facilities that a Church has but they can use other objects to pray. For example some Christians can use rosary beads. These beads are used to pray and are arranged into five groups of ten. A short phrase or prayer is said as each bead is slipped through the fingers. They can also use pictures or statues of Jesus (pbuh) or Mary (pbuh). These can be used to help remind the followers of Christianity of the founders of their religion. Christians set out an example for others to follow and so feel a closeness to God. Many people kiss the feet of statues of Jesus (pbuh) and pray to the statues and pictures, but feel as though they are talking to

Jesus (pbuh) himself. Some may light candles in their rooms and pray near them. The light suggests the power and truth of God and God’s presence everywhere.

Conclusion: Those Christians that feel that it is necessary to attend Church to worship God have many interesting points that hold quite a bit of weight. Such as there is an atmosphere, which is relaxing at Church and a community of believers (ecclesia). By going to Church you are uniting in prayer with many other Christian ages. And all the facilities are in a Church. Also there is an outwards and invisible sign of an inwards and spiritual grace. The one statement, which I find, contains a lot of room for thought is that you need to go to Church to complete the 7 sacraments. Some of these are mass, baptism, and confession. Another statement is that Church buildings are set apart to be spiritual homes of God. But I definitely do not agree with statements like going to Church confirms your faith. Some can be ill and so aren’t able to attend services at Church.

Also I do not agree with the statement that in Church there is silence and no one can be distracted from praying, but there is just as much silence at home if there is nobody else at the house where one is praying. Overall I think the reasons for not having to attend religious buildings to worship God outweigh the reasons that one must attend Church to worship God.

And so my conclusion is that people do not have to attend church to worship God Almighty.