Churches were never the means by which God meant people to find Him.
Jesus did precious few of His miracles in a *church* setting. Most of it was when He was traveling around the countryside going out to the people. Just like He told US to.
Go ye into all the world.
We're to take the good news out into a lost and dying world that doesn't know it needs Him or even wants Him. He DIDN'T say, *Build buildings you call churches and wait for people to come in and fill them up.*
People will never find God in church. All they'll find in church is religion and religion isn't God.
Point made. Mine was to say that forcing children into being part of ceremonies and traditions whether they chose to or not is why many children flee the church at the first opportunity and reject God. Better to teach children about a personal Savior who is understanding and forgiving and point them to His Word so they can choose this lifelong commitment. This is the role of parents to lead children to correct decisions rather than expect salvation by passing them through a checklist against their will.
My post to Erik was in sympathy, not criticism other than his tone. He seems to differentiate between Christianity and Catholicism which was all I was hoping for. He’s far better off than the children who passed through the checklist without ever understanding there is a personal Savior to trust and believe in.