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"Maybe you should read it again. Consider, the prophets of the Old Testament for example."

Did the prophets of the Old Testament go to "church"? Did they hangout in the temple? Nope.

How about John the Baptist? Nope.

My problem with your statement is that someone can love God and never enter a church. The whole church concept as we know it today is man contrived. We are told to not forsake the gathering of believers. I can do that at my house, their house or even Starbucks for that matter. It has nothing to do with my love for God.

This thread is rather silly. First, December 25th is most likely not the day Jesus was born. We really don't know. If someone chooses to mark his birthday that day by going to a building with a bunch of other people and singing some songs, that is great. If someone chooses to gather with their family and celebrate that way, who is to say that is wrong?

"If someone chooses to mark his birthday that day by going to a building with a bunch of other people and singing some songs, that is great. If someone chooses to gather with their family and celebrate that way, who is to say that is wrong?"

Superficially, that may be correct. But if I wanted to gather at the meeting house with other believers and you choose to keep the doors shut, it's wrong. Besides, I don't know your habits and am not pointing specifically at you, but VERY few who claim as you (the place of worship makes no difference) take the opportunity to worship at all outside the setting of gathered believers.

Did the prophets of the Old Testament go to "church"? Did they hangout in the temple? Nope.

You think the OT prophets didn't attend Temple services? On what do you base this?

My problem with your statement is that someone can love God and never enter a church. The whole church concept as we know it today is man contrived. We are told to not forsake the gathering of believers. I can do that at my house, their house or even Starbucks for that matter. It has nothing to do with my love for God.

Getting together with your own hand-picked friends and family is not a "gathering of believers." The Church is public and open to all believers, not just a private meeting.

If someone chooses to mark his birthday that day by going to a building with a bunch of other people and singing some songs, that is great. If someone chooses to gather with their family and celebrate that way, who is to say that is wrong?

Again, public versus private. Worship is supposed to be a gathering of all believers, not a bunch of little private parties.