my birthday isnt until June 6th' date=' heheh... but thankyou anyway...[/quote']

 

 

:? :shock: stupid me, l was looking at the date you joined....:o l dunno what l was thinking :lol:

hehe, its ok

:D yah, lm so brilliant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

:roll: kind of

i need church....ive been acting up too much lately...it sux :roll:

go and see the minister Amanda, l used to do that a lot when l was younger, or go to Confession, it really clears your mind up

if only there were a church for me, that would rock... I was happy at the one I went to last, then my family was snubbed when I brought a friend with me, who happened to be black... They told my parents "whites shouldn't associate with blacks" then we left the church... Ever since then I've wanted to expose them, and just totally go off... but I forget about it, and just move on...

:o oh my god! where did you go to church, yr area sounds racist

im not catholic....or well yea

I dont like talking about it unless I talk about it in great detail... Either read all of this, or dont read it. Only read this with an open mind

 

Corruption in Church: I can understand why a lot people decide to become atheist, and I dont blame you. I blame the people who say they're Christians, who say things like "Believe in Jesus or Burn in Hell" and condemning people left and right. The Bible is the most misinterpreted book in the entire world. The numerous denominations are proof. Its the only connection between God and man. People want to change things to include their own opinions. A verse to one person may look like "discipline leads to maturity" and to another it will read "beating your children is good for them." House of Prayer is an example. They beat their children during the service for the "sins they have commited" The church was discovered and then shut down. Note: not every church is corrupt, I'm just stating that there is corruption in church, and its giving everyone the wrong idea about God.

 

Point / Counterpoint: Many atheist activists use people like Jerry Falwell as an example to try and prove that Christianity is corrupt. The thing about Christianity is that people like Jerry Falwell are not reflections of the belief itself, but a distortion; a misinterpretation of their own ignorance. God did not tell him that Women are inferior and non-believers are worthless pagans. Ignorance and bigotry can become so strong that it can lead to disillusions, distorting the truth, and in the end, it makes the person feel better, but they're still wrong. People like Jerry Falwell disappoint me, because they make decent, loving Christians look just like him, just because we bear the title "Christian." Jesus never approached someone and condemned them for their ways. He gave everyone a chance. Being understanding, forgiving, mature, and (above all else) loving are the major virtues that Christianity expresses. But people seem to forget that. Once again, we are far from perfect.

 

One of my best friends is an atheist. I dont blame him either, he has been scarred by his parents, who abuse their own belief structure. For years, they would wake him up every Sunday morning, and tell him he was going to hell if he didnt go to church. This lead him to associate God with his parents. And now his hatred for God is no different than his hatred for his parents.

 

In my song "The Witness" I talk about the corruption of the church.

 

"Condemn all you want, it'll only come back around"

 

A pastor from Alabama visited West Georgia University. He brought a camera man with him. He stood outside one of the buildings and condemned girls for wearing shorts, saying they were "trashy harlots." And he told them to repent and turn to Jesus or burn in hell. He had rights to visit the college, so no one could tell him to leave. The man with the camera recorded the whole thing and made sure that if anyone assaulted the pastor, that he would have evidence to press charges.

 

 

Why I Believe: I go outside and see all the beauty, the intricate design, the colors, and I think "how could this have come from nothing?" I believe in God because its logical and evident to me. Not because of a hunch, and not because of being raised to believe, we were given life, which is the most beautiful gift anyone could ever receive, and people take it for granted by having so much hatred.

 

If you're undecided, study, seach for what you believe in. And STAY AWAY FROM CHURCHES if you want to study Christianity. Stay away from people who dont know what they're talking about. Go check out some books by Dr. James Kennedy, who has 9 PHDs so he obviously knows what he's talking about. Or even watch "Dogma." Kevin Smith tells it like it is. Dont just float through life not knowing what you believe in.

 

Christianity is not about being religious, its about having faith, good ideas, and love.

 

i think this is a really well said post. *round of applause*

wow long and well said and i didnt see that...wieird

oh my god! where did you go to church, yr area sounds racist

 

I live in the Bible Belt... how ironic is that? I went to a Southern Baptist church... which I'll never do again... its like straight out of a movie...

 

 

i think this is a really well said post. *round of applause*

 

 

Thankyou, I spent a lot of time on it... I actually shortened it, too...

 

 

no jews??? weird

 

No Jews here.. I say before that I live in a small town, a very small so ther is onlt Catholics church in here. No Muslim, Jews, Protestan............. Sorry there is also Jehova "somenthing"

ah l see...Jehova's witness (thats a form of christianity...like a ''thread'' if you could say

Somenthing like that.... My aunts and cousin are that.........

 

That and Catholic is the only thing you know round here....... there is also some different Cathlics but they are all the same, I mean there are some wich are more into religion than other

oh, l see :) ....well, here there is like EVERY religion...but mostly christians

people seem to misunderstand a lot about religion- i find it was never intended to make people obey a figure and to control societies- religions have developed over the years to help people through difficult times. for the most part, that's what they still do today.

 

people seem to jump the gun and brand organised religion as evil, backward and naive- i disagree. IMPOSED religion i find to be completely wrong- certain beliefs stamped into people, they're the ones who give religion a bad name.

 

am i religious? no not at all. i do not find atheism an admirable quality, nor do i find theism an admirable quality, it's just something that you choose to believe and use to help you out, or you do not. simple as that. neither right nor wrong, good or bad. when people say religion is what has caused so many wars- i find such statements ill-founded- as wars are proclaimed in the name of religion, but when you look into it, they're really about money and power.

 

one criticism i have of many organised religions- they seem to be reluctant to move with modern times- many of it's principles ARE outdated, backward, and, frankly, wrong. for example- when the catholic church speaks out about contraception- you can just bet the teenage pregnancy rates will soar. but that's why so many modern christians, jews, muslims etc can form their own creeds... use many of the fundamental principles of these religions to make them better people- and to turn to divine sources for guidance through tougher times. that cannot be seen as a bad thing, whatsoever.

IMPOSED religion i find to be completely wrong- certain beliefs stamped into people, they're the ones who give religion a bad name.

 

Just like racism... its stamped into people countlessly until people start to believe it. It worked for Hitler, so its a scary concept. I'm not saying that church groups going out into public and approaching people are "imposing" but a lot of people find it very uncomfortable when someone approaches them and asks them if they've "accepted Jesus into their hearts." I know they mean well, they dont realize that they're making people feel uncomfortable. Because of that, other churches have started other methods of making people feel welcomed. There's a gospel church down the road from me that hosts a huge gathering called "Full Turn" where they use the gospel and make it appealing to teens. They start out with a metal band, and go on into hip-hop freestyling... The pastor talks like a teenager, he speaks bluntly, and sometimes swears. Because of this, other churches brand them as a "cult" (they tear up their brochures and spit at them) because they're they're "unorthodox."

 

one criticism i have of many organised religions- they seem to be reluctant to move with modern times

 

Thats right on the money, I know that all too well. Because times are changing, some kids are forced to go to Private schools (separated from the changing society) where the rules apply outside of school, even during the summer. Such rules include "no shorts" "no swim-suits (they show too much skin)" "no music, unless its hymnals" "no dating unless you're accompanied by your parents, and you keep atleast one foot of distance between you and your date." The ones I've talked to who attend these schools are deeply depressed people. They keep their depression hidden, because they're not supposed to question the rules. They're supposed to gladly obey them without question. They're being raised to keep things bottled up inside. Plus, how can one confide in a counselor at a school such as that? At Lee University in Tennessee, you're encouraged to rat on people if you catch them dancing. People are expelled for dancing! Even if there is no proof, they believe the rat. I think when the oldest generation passes on, and our generation reaches its peak, then this will be much less of an issue.

well said dear.

big topic huh! :shock:

wow! awsome opinions! thx very much for your posts little nemo and phil b, i absolutely agree with both of you..you're really creditably tollerant..

after reading about your experiences i am so glad about my parents not being religious and so me having the choice and opportunity to learn about different religions kinda not swayed..

I don't think God is a separate entity - I think God is actually each one of us - the 'Good' part of us, like the 'Devil' is the personification of the bad part. Sounds simplistic, I know, but it explains everything. When you 'look to God' for the answer, you look to yourself. When 'God has a plan' for you, it means that you are relinquishing your freedom of choice and giving yourself up to Fate - Fate, there you are, another word for God. I don't think God is outside us, beaming down on us in a kindly, fatherly way. We can stop looking outside ourselves for the answers and begin to rely on ourselves and take full responsibility for our actions - not saying 'it's God's will that I do this' - it's not, it's YOUR will that makes you do it!

 

I LIKE being grown up!! he he :D

 

 

I really like what you wrote. I never looked at it that way. :)

i would like to ask one question and state one point

Firstly alchol IS a drug- you cannot deny that. In holy communian they have wine representing jesus's blood which is alchoholic. So why do the majority of Christains- especially parents get all up tight about doing the odd bit of dope- or smoking? After all they are both drugs at the end of the day no matter in which shape form or effect.

I hope i didnt offend anybody here its just a question that has been going through my mind and i would really appreciate your thoughts here.

i would like to ask one question and state one point

Firstly alchol IS a drug- you cannot deny that. In holy communian they have wine representing jesus's blood which is alchoholic. So why do the majority of Christains- especially parents get all up tight about doing the odd bit of dope- or smoking? After all they are both drugs at the end of the day no matter in which shape form or effect.

I hope i didnt offend anybody here its just a question that has been going through my mind and i would really appreciate your thoughts here.

 

Taking a sip, A SIP, of wine during the mass is very different than going out and hitting a joint with your friends. :lol:

For one, (I'll point out again,) its a sip. Two, it represents something to them in their religion that they take seriously. Not something that they do for fun. (smoking weed)

I see the point you're trying to make and its got something to it. Its just it its obvious why drinking wine in church is different than hitting a joint.

Don't worry about offending, I don't believe in it, hell , I think a lot of the rituals in church are ridiculous. But to those that do believe in it, there is a significant difference. :)

its not like they're taking tequila shots during mass...

its not like they're taking tequila shots during mass...

 

Ha! Ha! Ha! Exactly my point! :lol: