The Religion Thread

[Boatrocker]

(trash, garbage, filth, lack of common decency, intelligence, etc......)

Words you can't even define definitively. And your sanctimonious crap leaves me unmoved.

[bannination]

Stay away from churches & preachers; if you're really lookin for God, they just get in the way anyhow.

That's good advice.

I thought about being a preacher at one point, I mean really, who knows more about the bible than atheists? Who better would know exactly what religious people eat up? However, I wouldn't feel very honest at the huge salary they'd be paying me to do basically nothing.... I mean really though, they make bank just for spouting off something they want to hear. One has to be careful though, if they suddenly disagree with you or the bible, there goes your job.

[Boatrocker]

"Say they're of women in skimpy clothes, the feminists griping while the lesbians are wanting to see them will be interesting to watch. Let me get you a beer and we'll grab ringside seats."

Many years ago I would have been pounding on your door before you finished typing this invite......

I'm finished commenting here....the Ugly Sisters have a close relative in our midst. He lives in a boat down on the sewage treatment pond.

After some consideration, I think I should say this:
My commentary was not directed at MrB directly; I see where they could be viewed that way and for that, I am sorry. My bad. For the commentary itself, I offer no further explanation other than to say that religion, churches & preachers are hot buttons for me. I detest them. Make of that whatever.
But I intended no direct assault on MrB. It is the general asskissing of churches and preachers on which I piss.

[bannination]

6 Reasons to NOT send your daughter to college.

0:-?>

[JTA]

6 Reasons to NOT send your daughter to college.

0:-?>

What about Bob Jones University? QED.

[bannination]

6 Reasons to NOT send your daughter to college.

0:-?>

What about Bob Jones University? QED.

Oh man.... the stories the graveyard could tell....

[homerfobe]

I suppose you all would have bitched if the preacher refused to marry her because she showed up necked.

And your sanctimonious crap leaves me unmoved.

Big words for such a small mind. We've known for some time you were unmoved because you're so full of shit.
Get you some Charmin; enjoy the go.

[Boatrocker]

. . . Big words for such a small mind.

Sorry; I don't consider it a big word, but then the smallness of your mind is your problem.

[homerfobe]

And your sanctimonious crap leaves me unmoved.

Big words for such a small mind. We've known for some time you were unmoved because you're so full of shit.

Sorry; I don't consider it a big word, but then the smallness of your mind is your problem.

You didn't address it, so I guess you agree you're full of shit. Proud of you.

[Mr.B]

I said I wasn't going to comment any more in this thread, but I felt compelled to address a couple of posts that were weighing on my conscience......

"I thought about being a preacher at one point, I mean really, who knows more about the bible than atheists?.....
One has to be careful though, if they suddenly disagree with you or the Bible, there goes your job."

Some good points there. There are atheists who are more knowledgeable about the Bible, but their knowledge is generally focused on the writings and situations in the Old Testament, where God and His believers can be ridiculed because of Old Testament Law.

Early Biblical times were a tumultuous period to live in because of the beginnings of people turning away from God and desiring to live as they wanted, rather than live with each other in harmony. The sins that were rampant then; rape, murder, thievery, homosexuality, fornication, spousal cheating, pedophilia, etc. are still prevalent today because God, in His mercy, allowed mankind free will rather than demand they live their lives in service to Him. Along with that, man was allowed to set up their own laws to deal with those sins, but today, some of those "sins" are being tossed asunder as a normal part of living.

So why are there so many different "religions" and denominations of those religions? Dissatisfaction.....everyone has different ideas and differing beliefs of how God intended mankind to strive and prosper. Even the Islam religion has offshoots because of dissatisfaction. Those who still weren't happy with how
worship "should be" chose to disassociate themselves with any religion. Today's churches are no different...as long as humans survive, there will differences in opinions, personal greed and desire for power will rear it's ugly heads, and that causes dissension in the church, which in turn causes a number of members to leave and start their own church. Like Banni said, if they suddenly disagree with you (the preacher) or the Bible, (or how you're teaching it) there goes your job."

Satan is alive and well; he's happy to see the mess the world's in, and he's happy to see churches torn apart, and he's extremely thrilled to see
people denounce God.

[Mr.B]

"My commentary was not directed at MrB directly; I see where they could be viewed that way and for that, I am sorry. My bad. For the commentary itself, I offer no further explanation other than to say that religion, churches & preachers are hot buttons for me. I detest them. Make of that whatever. But I intended no direct assault on MrB. It is the general a**kissing of churches and preachers on which I pi*s."

Apology accepted, but now I feel led to ask you this......

Atheism aside, why do you detest churches and preachers? Why do you have the opinion that all churches and preachers are "a**kissers"?

True that there are many out there in the pulpit that are charlatans and who live in mansions and own Rolls Royces, but you can't put all preachers in one grouping. I've not been saved that long, but as the Bible says, I know a pear tree from an apple tree and there's some churches I won't attend, but not all preachers are glory-seekers.

I may have told this before, but I feel it needs saying again.....

The man entered the big First Downtown Church one Sunday morning.....he was wearing jeans with a few holes in them, well-worn cowboy boots, and a checkered shirt that had seen it's better days. Clutching his ragged Bible, he chose a seat about three rows up from the back row of pews. People sitting on that pew quickly moved to other seating, leaving him to himself.

After the service, he was met at the door by the hand-shaking pastor who bid him welcome, then proceeded "We ah-pree-she-ate yo-wah being heah this mawning, but if you come back, I think you ought to have a talk with the Law-wud first about what would be appro-pri-ate to weah to His house". The man thanked him and left.

The next Sunday, he was back, wearing the same clothes and carrying the same worn Bible. The pastor met him at the door again and said "Well-suh, did you have that talk with the Law-wud?" The cowboy replied "Yes I did have that talk with the Lord" "Well what did he say?" the pastor asked.
The man said "The Lord said He couldn't tell me what was appropriate to wear here, because He's never been here".....

Thankfully, I do not attend a church like that, nor have I sat under any preaching that was preached by a man who had interests other than the church on his agenda. I have attended churches and heard preachers who were far right and a little too extreme (for me) in their messages, and that I don't care for myself.

[Mr.B]

"Isn't that in conflict with your thoughts on getting married in a sexy dress?"

No. She can get married naked if she wants, but not in a place of worship. The cowboy wasn't half naked. "Let all things be done decently and in order".

When in God's house, one should be aware of his/her surroundings; and have the presence of mind that the church is not a fashion show venue to show off clothes or bodies. I've never seen women in mini-skirts and breast revealing clothes in the church.

Common sense should dictate what respect is due in God's house.

[O Really]

Seems to me that the entire world is God's house. A particular building is chosen by humans for their own purposes.

[Mr.B]

"It's just aesthetics, Mr.B. I see little difference between you and the wedding pastor vs. the people sitting on that pew that quickly moved to other seating and their hand-shaking pastor. Y'all just get offended by different things."

If you're still referring to the dress, I'm afraid it's more than just "aesthetics". As I stated previously, the un-churched can't understand the whys of the pastors' decision.

There's supposedly another topless rally coming up. Do you think it would be proper for a topless woman to stroll into a church and request the preacher to perform a wedding ceremony, even though going topless is legal now in the eyes of the law?

[Mr.B]

"Seems to me that the entire world is God's house. A particular building is chosen by humans for their own purposes."

What do you mean by that? The entire world IS God's house. We just don't treat it as such anymore....mentally, physically, or spiritually.

A church, whether traditional or a converted shoe store, once dedicated to worship, is a "particular building...chosen by humans for their own purposes"...... but then, so is the house you live in.

[O Really]

"Seems to me that the entire world is God's house. A particular building is chosen by humans for their own purposes."

What do you mean by that? The entire world IS God's house. We just don't treat it as such anymore....mentally, physically, or spiritually.

A church, whether traditional or a converted shoe store, once dedicated to worship, is a "particular building...chosen by humans for their own purposes"...... but then, so is the house you live in.

The passive voice in "once dedicated to worship" is a bit vague, Mr.B. I'm guessing not just anybody can turn any building they want into a church, in the sense that a "church" is a different part of God's world than say, a golf course. While anybody can declare their own barn to be "dedicated to worship" and install a manger as an altar, who is it that is actually divinely authorized to make such a designation. Or can everybody create his/her own church?

[O Really]

Maybe we're being too hard on the minister. He had probably heard the Billy Graham quote, "Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion - it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ." And of course, Jesus would never minister to those who opposed or disrespected him, or who were non-believers, would he? Or never forgive those who know not what they do. Besides, word has it that Jesus was quite a good wedding guest himself, being willing to produce some pretty good wine to help out a host who had run out of the local version of Reunite.

[bannination]

Don't bring a prostitute to church. GOT IT.

Jesus would have.... wait.... actually, I don't think Jesus would step anywhere near a church, but if he did, he'd be traveling with a whore and the minister would no doubt kick him out.

'

[bannination]

I think a woman dressed like that is more likely to sin if she's single than if she's married.

You wouldn't understand being un-churched and logical and all.



(No offense Mr. B, not personal, just funny.)

[Mr.B]

"who is it that is actually divinely authorized to make such a designation. Or can everybody create his/her own church?"

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20 -- KJV)