Do you have to go to church every week?

I grew up attending Mass every week with my family, but when I was 16 I joined the Unitarian church, and eventually I stopped attending church. After I divorced, the first time, the option to be forgiven was not available to me. I began to attend again, (a different church), but I've fallen back into my old habits in the past two years.

The truth is, it isn't all right, but when you stop attending church, you make it so.

Your stepmother is right. She knows that skipping church will lead you down a path of distance from your own religion.

I go to church regularly but not because I think that going to church plays any roll in my salvation. I go because I enjoy meeting with fellow believers and singing hymns and preaching and teaching and encouraging others in their faith walk.

Key thing here, is being made to go. You are an adult, it should be your choice. If you believe then going is something you want to do, if not then don't.

It's for her more than you I'd guess. I bet she puts posh gear on to go, too. My mum never did that. She's not against but she didn't force me to go. Just tell her the devil looks more fun than god.

I haven’t been to a synagogue since I was like 15.

Why can't you just pray at home? Not everyone likes to dress up and socialize.

Is it really that bad?

I visited the temple twice or thrice in 10 years.

I normally would go but given what is going on we don't. We pray from home. You don't need to go to church to pray.

Pfft when i was a kid my family went 3x a week

You don't. You're an adult, right?

Be a good boy and do as your told

I go

From your POV, maybe not. But if you were to find a church that offers proper fellowship and brings you closer to God, then yes; every week is good.