Unit 6: Spiritual Renewal

Unit 6: Spiritual Renewal

Church attendance is a central religious practice for many Christians; some Christian denominations, such as the Catholic Church require church attendance on the Lord's Day (Sunday); the Westminster Confession of Faith is held by the Reformed Churches and teaches first-day Sabbatarianism, thus proclaiming the duty of public worship in keeping with the Ten Commandments.Similarly, The General Rules of the Methodist Church also requires "attending upon all the ordinances of God" including "the public worship of God". Until 1791, the government of the United Kingdom required attendance at church services of the Church of England (the mother Church of the Anglican Communion and a state Church) at least twice a year. To this end, all major branches of Christianity, however, encourage church attendance, with one Christian apostolate.

The Bible tells us we need to attend church so we can worship God with other believers and be taught His Word for our spiritual growth (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25). Church is the place where believers can love one another (1 John 4:12), encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13), "spur" one another (Hebrews 10:24), serve one another (Galatians 5:13), instruct one another (Romans 15:14), honor one another (Romans 12:10), and be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32).

Monasteries are places occupied by communities of people, called monks (males) or nuns (female), who follow strict religious vows, or promises. Monasteries transcend cultural, national, and religious boundaries: There are Buddhist, Indian, Christian, Hermit, and wandering monks. All monasteries throughout the world share a similar commitment: brotherly or sisterly love, harmony, prayer, and communal work.

Since centuries ago, people have found churches and monasteries as the places where they can have a connection with God, so, they think that he is the answer to their question about who really created this world. At churches and monasteries people have used to fast to have a better connection and relationship with the Lord. They also refrain from doing things that they understand are wrong according to their religions. In addition, religious people use to be ascetic and have humility, so they behave differently from other people.

In my opinion, I think that people can have their own beliefs in this world about religions; but the thing is that most of the religions seek the same God. Therefore, you should believe in God who is the creator of this world, but not believe in religions.

Count and non-count nouns

Count nouns

A lot of : There are a lot of monks in the Vaticano.
Many: Many nuns have sex with their monks at monasteries.
A large number of: A large number of religious people attent churches on Sundays.
A bunch of: In the United States there are a bunch of religions.
Certain: Certain people do not believe in religions but in God.
Not many: Not many people are ascetic nowaday.
Fewer: Fewer people are sending their children alone to churche these days.

Non-count nouns

A lot of: Religious people have a lot humility.
Quite a bit of: teenagers have quite a bit of gratitude when they know God.
A great amount of: Nuns have to do a great amount of work at monasteries.
Less: During the last century people have had less faith.
A little: when I finished reading this unit, I felt a little stress.