I have found it to be terribly ironic that the same folks that get upset when their doctrine is questioned (or "judged") have no problem asking why you were not at church event XYZ. As though attendance at a particular event is a sure fire indicator of your spiritual walk.
The questions do offer a great opportunity to attempt a deeper conversation on spiritual matters.
For those that want to know why I was not at the Fayette Observance of the National Day of Prayer, which had dancers, brides, young people, old people with collars, some dude painting, and lots of military fatigues, here are my reasons:
- pray without ceasing; (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
- Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)
- But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:6)
Yes, God’s people need to be on their faces in repentance and humility. But not just one day a year. Not with unbelievers. And not publicly for the world to see.