Henry Khosrofian in his Silver Spring home (By Larry Morris – The Washington Post)

By Harry Khosrofian
Saturday, September 26, 1998; Page D08

I have never, in a serious way, really asked myself why I believe and what I believe in, in matters of the spirit. Why do I attend church to begin with? Certainly I could remain comfortably seated in my home on a peaceful Sunday morning and enjoy creature comforts and diversions such as reading the news over a cup of coffee or watching TV.

However, since the question has been posed to me and others of like mind by this series, I consider it a challenge. My reasons are few and simple and straightforward.

1. I am a social creature and like to relate to other humans and meet new and interesting people where the ins and outs of life can be discussed in a congenial and friendly atmosphere.

2. Ethics and morality mean a lot to me, as I am sure they do to millions of other ordinary folks who want nothing more from life than justice, peace and love. Where else but in church could one get such free advice? Even when money is involved, it's worth every cent of it.

3. Life is limited. So many things can happen to anyone, such as sickness, suffering and death. It's all part of life, and since this is the case, I seek, or at least try to find, something or someone out there in this grand universe who will stand by me and love me when life gets tough. Yes, I need this, as I believe millions of others do, and I would be a damn liar if I didn't admit it.

These are the bedrocks of my faith. Without them, I would have no reason to get out of a warm bed and go to church. After all, it's just as comfortable to sit reading the Sunday news over that cup of coffee. As a matter of fact, I do anyway since church starts so late – and I get up early enough to see the rising sun.

Harry Khosrofian, 73, is a retired electrical engineer who lives in Silver Spring. He was raised in an Armenian Orthodox church and was a Methodist for a time. But for now, he attends a Presbyterian church.