Replace the word "church" with the word "temple" in this question and many people will start to think differently. The word "church" has earned a disreputable affinity with the organization of Christianity, whereas the term "temple" has a more universal affinity with the idea of a "house of God".

Now this question takes on a new breadth which will make many more people feel very comfortable with considering. What is a temple? A temple is a place of worship and it is a meeting place of congregations. A temple should be regarded as a holy place in which the deity that resides there is honored and payed respect to.

Already I am sure you are thinking, "Hmmm, there are lots of places that could be considered a temple." A sporting arena could be considered a temple. A theater could also be considered a temple. Or a library, a park, a classroom, the bedroom, an art gallery... Any place where people get together to concentrate on upon the essence of life.

Let's take this a little deeper. How about considering the mind as a temple. We've already heard that the body is a temple and that we should treat it as "the body of God". But what if we also started to treat our minds as temples and regarded them as a "home of God". I'm not talking about a judgmental or angry God but the being that is the essence of existence. That if we start to have an awareness that our minds are "holy places" and that no matter what we think or do, God is there.

This way we could become a people that carry God, and the "temple" and "church" with us wherever we go. Whenever we are alone or with others we would have an awareness that "this is a holy place" and that we should pay attention to what we think and what we choose to do with our actions. Conscious thinking, conscious living, walking temples of God. Wouldn't that make the world a better place? No matter who or what your God is, carry an unending awareness that you "are in the temple of God" with you wherever you are.

So yes, I think we should all go to church. And stay there!

Learn more about this author, Daryl Barnett.
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