wow so this topic is very interesting and I could not stop myself from posting right this minute...some stuff being said actually is really bothering me. It really bothers me when people are ignorant and say that all churches are cults, or all people who pray the same words outloud with each other contribute to that cult stereotype. A church is a place where someone can go to feel at home and like they belong, somewhere a person can go to talk and worship God, and hear stories about living in a Christ like manner (whether through Bible stories or someone personally speaking). Yes, what many of you have said is true, no one is perfect. Everyone, even people who preach and stand in front of congregations sharing God's word, makes mistakes, breaks rules, and sins. But the whole thing about preachers telling you Jesus died for your sins... that is to remind you that it is natural to sin...everyone is a sinner. It is how you reflect and grow and ask to be forgiven for that sin that is what's important. And I'm not saying everyone should believe in God or Jesus or that to be a "good Christian" you need to attend church or anything like that...I respect that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. But I just really felt the need to speak up for people who do go to church and who do love being there and have close relationships with God, because some previous posts have been sort of the opposite in one way or another.
I'm Catholic, and very active in my parish. I serve communion, lead a high school small group, attend church weekly, and have a Catholic retreat coming up this weekend, actually, so this is interesting timing on this topic. Just because I do all these things and also make mistakes and sin does not mean I am a hypocrite. Yes I have broken rules and needed forgiveness and made tonnns of huge mistakes... but that doesn't mean I am a hypocrite. The retreat I have this weekend really explains what I mean... It's a retreat about learning who you are as a person, who Jesus is, how to incorperate Him in your daily life, and how to live it out every day. Living His word out every day doesn't mean standing in the hallways on a box screaming out the gospel... it's the little things. Remembering to be kind/respectful to others, even when they may not be your favorite person... doing the right thing even when people around you may be making bad choices on weekends or with friends... I truly believe that God is love... so whether you are Lutheran Protestant Jewish Catholic... you believe in Jesus or Allah or Mary...whether you attend church every week or haven't been since you were Confirmed... I think the main message of most churches is that God is Love and if we all treat each other with more kindness and patience, that'd be enough.
I don't really know how to end this post...I still feel like there are so many things I haven't said.

So I guess I just mainly wanted to say... whether someone wants to worship in church praying the Hail Mary with hundreds of people, or to worship by dancing and jumping in the aisles with their hands raised in the air, or silently at home in their head and not attend church.... I think we should all respect everyone's beliefs and remember that what may seem dumb and flamboyant to some really means a lot to others and we should all respect that.