what is the purpose of attending church?

OY ... what a question ... and having looked at some of the answers ... hummm ... no comment.

If we address this within the narrow confines of the Church (Judo Christian) tradition, Church attendance is an offshoot of Temple observance.

The Temple existed in the Torah Observant times as a central location to come together with God, offer the sacrifice, and make atonement for sin. Understand with a careful reading of the OT you will find that such sacrifices serves two purposes.

1.) Was so that the person would feel as if he (in most cases it was he) was right before God;

2.) To have supper with God. What most people don't get is that only a small portion of the sacrifice was given to God. A portion was given to the priest, and the majority of it was cooked on the alter for the person's own consumption. Subtle facts are often overlooked as it is foreign to our culture and doesn’t fit the present expression of religion.

It is from those roots that the gathering together comes. Bring it forward to medieval times; the gather went from dining to ritual preformed for the benefit of the peasants so they would feel as if they have been given the grace of God.

Bring it forward to the reformation it was so that people could learn from the Bible. It needs to be noted that the Bible as a single cohesive document did not exist for the Church prior to the reformation. There is allot of history as to how that cam about, but the copies of the originals did exist in part or whole in archives but it was not considered important as the Cannon Law was the manifestation of God.

Bring it forward in time more, you have today. The Church is a source of fellowship of like minded believers and is devolving into a PAC (Political Action Committee).

It relies upon on your non secular needs, If there's a faith which u would want to stick to then Church or temple would be used for non secular growth/studying/debate and additionally as a accumulating place for those that have confidence the comparable as u with a view to motivate and help one yet another and the community. i think of thats the unique purpose of church homes/Temples.

Personally I like going to church because there's power in unity. When you come together as one and all agree there is a peaceful feeling of oneness. When we all sing and raise our hands to heaven and pray it's like an army storming the gates of heaven. I love praising God especialy with my church family

It is a 'given' that the required assembly of you with others of the same thinking be within a meeting place. Church is an assumption.

Jesus said "where 2 or more are gathered in my name, I will be there also."

God required men to assemble at various times for celibrations..........

The Bible and Church is all about choices that God gave us. He didn't say we had to do anything but breath and die.

The purpose is to put money in the collection plate and keep the profits of the corrupted religious corporation up!

To engage in fellowship. It's where people who believe the same can gain affirmation of their beliefs. I do not go to church but I see nothing wrong with people who do.

Hahahaha!! People attending church?! That's a good one.

the Bible tells us not to forsake the assembling together of ourselves. this means that we should get together with other Christians for fellowship and worship, but doing it in a church isn't specified. but, as a Christian, i find it spiritually uplifting to be among other Christians. it's almost like getting your batteries recharged to worship with others who feel the same way that you do, although anyone is welcome.

I think it's to keep a steady group of new kids coming in for the church to molest.

The Bible does say to assemble with your friends, but nowhere in the NT does it endorse going to church.

This I believe http://homelessheart.com/testimony.htm