Moral Imperative

[Anthony_Joseph]

I have a question for Non Catholics. And let me preface it with this. This is simply a question because I have an academic desire to know your theology.

Is it a moral imperative to go to church on Sunday and why is or isn’t it? Please cite your sources and why you think so. I know it sounds very college and academic, but we are all called to understand our faith both with reason and to take leaps of faith on issues of great import (such as heaven).

May you all be blessed in your lives and may the face of our Lord Jesus Christ Smile upon you.

 

[Bluegoat]

I would say that I have to have a really good reason not to attend my parishes main Sunday service. THe last time I missed my kids were all sick, which I consider a good reason. Ideally I would have got to another service during the week.

I think that we are commanded as Christians to meet together to worship God as a community. To be casual about that is a bad sign - it usually means something wrong in one’s spiritual life.

Sunday is the day that Christians have traditionally met to worship corporately for a long time, but I wouldn’t say that Sunday itself was important beyond that. (Which isn’t to say that it isn’t a weighty consideration.)

 

[Anthony_Joseph]

Bluegoat, I’m going to respond to you since you’re the only person who has responded to my post. Please do not take this as an attack or anything I’m only trying to learn.

I can understand missing church on Sunday because of children being sick. Its the same as when David gave the priests bread to his starving soldiers. (I think it was David). As a Catholic, I was taught that it is a sin to deliberately skip church on Sunday because it is the only day God is asking for and he actually commanded that his day be kept holy. As a sailor, there are times when I’m on a ship that doesn’t have a priest on it so I’ve not sinned by missing mass because I’m in the middle of the ocean but if there was one and I just didn’t go, that would be. I guess I should have asked if you think it is or is not a sin. And can you can you back your claim up with scripture?

 

[Bluegoat]

Bluegoat, I’m going to respond to you since you’re the only person who has responded to my post. Please do not take this as an attack or anything I’m only trying to learn.

I can understand missing church on Sunday because of children being sick. Its the same as when David gave the priests bread to his starving soldiers. (I think it was David). As a Catholic, I was taught that it is a sin to deliberately skip church on Sunday because it is the only day God is asking for and he actually commanded that his day be kept holy. As a sailor, there are times when I’m on a ship that doesn’t have a priest on it so I’ve not sinned by missing mass because I’m in the middle of the ocean but if there was one and I just didn’t go, that would be. I guess I should have asked if you think it is or is not a sin. And can you can you back your claim up with scripture?

It could be. How serious a sin would depend on many things. Why did the person miss? Does he not understand the importance of the community? Is he lazy? Trying to avoid God? Are there extenuating circumstances?

Scripture - well Paul tells us it is important to meet together, and our membership in the Body of Christ is emphasized again and again.