The Religion Thread

[bannination]

Via today's News of the Weird:

Pastor Walter Houston of the Fourth Missionary Church in Houston repeatedly refused in November to conduct a funeral for longtime member Olivia Blair, who died recently at age 93 -- because she had come upon hard times in the last 10 years and had not paid her tithe. Ms. Blair's family had supported the church for 50 years, but Pastor Houston was defiant, explaining, "Membership has its privileges." (The family finally found another church for the funeral.) [Houston Chronicle, 11-26-2014]

I wanted to send this pious hypocrite a blistering email that would make him question his very reason to exist but alas, I could find no address for him. However, his phone number at the church is 713-659-7724 and I will be calling him this evening; it's Sunday and he's probably there counting the money. I figure on telling him what a disgrace he is to his god, as well as to Ms. Blair and her family and I will wish him the worst kind of eternal hell that he believes in. I may also ask how much he collected today and how much of it he will steal for his own vile purposes. I can't wait to hear what he has to say. Stay tuned.

Ok, the number is correct. When the man answered, I asked if this was Pastor Houston; he said no, that this is a deacon. He asked who I was and I told him. Then he says "hold on a minute" and another guy came on the line and asked if he could help me. I said I wanted to leave a message for Pastor Houston; tell him what a goddam hypocrite he is for the way he treated Ms. Blair and her family. But before I could suggest someone keep an eye on him while he's in there counting the collection, he hung up on me. I suspect they're all in this together. I gave them my name and location so if they have caller id perhaps Pastor Houston will call me back. I can only hope; I'll be here all night. Amen.

You're doing God's work son.

[bannination]

Via today's News of the Weird:

Pastor Walter Houston of the Fourth Missionary Church in Houston repeatedly refused in November to conduct a funeral for longtime member Olivia Blair, who died recently at age 93 -- because she had come upon hard times in the last 10 years and had not paid her tithe. Ms. Blair's family had supported the church for 50 years, but Pastor Houston was defiant, explaining, "Membership has its privileges." (The family finally found another church for the funeral.) [Houston Chronicle, 11-26-2014]

"It's a business, stop paying your subscription and they cancel service." :chalo:

Unbelievable. For once I agree with you Banni. I believe there's a special place in Hell for him and his ilk.

But we still disagree. He'll "repent" and he'll be one of your pals in heaven.

Good people end up in hell.

[neoplacebo]

Via today's News of the Weird:

Pastor Walter Houston of the Fourth Missionary Church in Houston repeatedly refused in November to conduct a funeral for longtime member Olivia Blair, who died recently at age 93 -- because she had come upon hard times in the last 10 years and had not paid her tithe. Ms. Blair's family had supported the church for 50 years, but Pastor Houston was defiant, explaining, "Membership has its privileges." (The family finally found another church for the funeral.) [Houston Chronicle, 11-26-2014]

I wanted to send this pious hypocrite a blistering email that would make him question his very reason to exist but alas, I could find no address for him. However, his phone number at the church is 713-659-7724 and I will be calling him this evening; it's Sunday and he's probably there counting the money. I figure on telling him what a disgrace he is to his god, as well as to Ms. Blair and her family and I will wish him the worst kind of eternal hell that he believes in. I may also ask how much he collected today and how much of it he will steal for his own vile purposes. I can't wait to hear what he has to say. Stay tuned.

Ok, the number is correct. When the man answered, I asked if this was Pastor Houston; he said no, that this is a deacon. He asked who I was and I told him. Then he says "hold on a minute" and another guy came on the line and asked if he could help me. I said I wanted to leave a message for Pastor Houston; tell him what a goddam hypocrite he is for the way he treated Ms. Blair and her family. But before I could suggest someone keep an eye on him while he's in there counting the collection, he hung up on me. I suspect they're all in this together. I gave them my name and location so if they have caller id perhaps Pastor Houston will call me back. I can only hope; I'll be here all night. Amen.

You're doing God's work son.

As Admiral of the Fleet I felt it was my duty.

[rstrong]

But we still disagree. He'll "repent" and he'll be one of your pals in heaven.

Good people end up in hell.

"You meet the damndest people in hell."
- Roger Zelazny

[Mr.B]

I had to see this for myself......Unbelievable.

From The Houston Chronicle.....11/26/14

The family of a Houston woman claims that a historic local church refused to conduct the woman's funeral because she hadn’t paid adequate tithes, according to reports.

Barbara Day says she was told by the pastor of the Fourth Missionary Church, Walter F. Houston, that he would not let the family hold the funeral of Olivia Blair, 93, at the church since she hadn’t paid dues in some time.

The incident, first reported by PimpPreacher.com and later picked by Raw Story, led to Isiah Carey with KRIV-TV airing a story on the ordeal this week.

Blair and her family had supported the church, located in the 2700 block of Webster, for at least 50 years, Day added. Day’s stepfather's funeral was previously conducted at the same church, which has been active since 1877.

Houston told Carey that Blair was no longer a member of the church because she had not paid tithes for a decade, a contention that Day disputed.

Day said Blair hadn’t been attending the church since she was in and out of nursing homes and hospitals the past two years. She died after falling into a coma earlier this month, Day said.

Houston has been the church’s pastor since Nov. 28, 1993, following the death of the Rev. A. H. Branch, who led the church for decades.

“Membership has its privileges,” the pastor reportedly told Day during their conversations.

On the church’s official website the act of tithing gets its own section.

Tyrone Jacques of PimpPreacher.com told Carey that he had offered to pay for the service at the church but that Houston declined.

According to Jacques, Houston had stern words for the family, which he relayed on his website.

“I am not changing my by-laws for someone who was not active. Olivia Blair had not been a member of this church in 8 or 9 years! If the family cared so much then why didn’t one of them at least send a dollar over here to reserve her membership?” Houston told Jacques.

("Reserve" her membership? Are you kidding me? You think maybe God takes membership reservations)

Day finally found a church to conduct the funeral.

Calls to the Fourth Missionary Church were not answered on Wednesday.

Jacques says that future protests are planned of the church and Pastor Houston.

[neoplacebo]

Yes, by god; that's the image from their website. These vile and treacherous bastards will stop at nothing to advance their evil agenda. I wouldn't be surprised if they dug up Ms. Blair just to see if she's holding out on them. I urge everyone to call them and pledge bogus donations of extravagant amounts.

[bannination]

From their website:
The Six Point Program

1. A deeper spiritual insight of God's Program and a closer fellowship with each other.

2. A more constant study of God's Word in carrying our Bibles to Church.

3. Giving more attention to the lost souls of the world.

4. A more consecrated life on God's Program.

5. A regular attendance to church and its meetings.

6. Giving a tenth of our income to God.


I guess it would have been tacky to make number 6 the first one?

:-)

[Mr.B]

"I guess it would have been tacky to make number 6 the first one? :-)

It probably is......"at least a dollar" and all that....

[JTA]

There was a big blowup between friends of mine on facebook over a local mega church having a "tithing challenge", where they challenge you to try to tithe 10% of your income for a certain period of time. They promised that if you don't see results (God giving you his blessings) they'll offer you a 100% refund of your tithes!!!!

I get that a church is going to have to use some money for operating costs or whatever. If most of the money goes towards some kind of charitable act then I guess I'm cool with it. I don't see a problem with that. But when you have a mega church with multiple campuses that put on extravagant shows I can't help but get be very skeptical. I'm not basing this off of anything really, for all I know they could be doing a lot of good.

[rstrong]

I wanted to send this pious hypocrite a blistering email that would make him question his very reason to exist but alas, I could find no address for him. However, his phone number at the church is 713-659-7724 and I will be calling him this evening; it's Sunday and he's probably there counting the money. I figure on telling him what a disgrace he is to his god, as well as to Ms. Blair and her family and I will wish him the worst kind of eternal hell that he believes in. I may also ask how much he collected today and how much of it he will steal for his own vile purposes. I can't wait to hear what he has to say. Stay tuned.

The long-time manager of Reddit recently quit his job.

The Washington Post tells the story about his new start-up: http://www.assholesondemand.com/

It sounds like something folks on all sides of the conversations here could support.

[neoplacebo]

I wanted to send this pious hypocrite a blistering email that would make him question his very reason to exist but alas, I could find no address for him. However, his phone number at the church is 713-659-7724 and I will be calling him this evening; it's Sunday and he's probably there counting the money. I figure on telling him what a disgrace he is to his god, as well as to Ms. Blair and her family and I will wish him the worst kind of eternal hell that he believes in. I may also ask how much he collected today and how much of it he will steal for his own vile purposes. I can't wait to hear what he has to say. Stay tuned.

The long-time manager of Reddit recently quit his job.

The Washington Post tells the story about his new start-up: http://www.assholesondemand.com/

It sounds like something folks on all sides of the conversations here could support.

I think this is fantastic. I recently became unemployed after nearly 16 years, and need a job, so I can't afford to volunteer for them at present. But should they become big enough to pay "associate assholes" I may have to apply. I do relish confronting those with no moral compass with their shortcomings; particularly those who never have anyone that stands up to them and tells them in brutal and graphic ways that they're not invincible. The fact that virtually all of them have had no such experience and are shocked that anyone would defy them is the best part of all. I like their motto on the site, too. Non Sibi Sed Suis "not for one's self but for one's own."

[bannination]

[rstrong]

I credit Morgan Freeman for - to some extent - paving the way for Obama to become President.

Freeman played the US President in Deep Impact (1998). No only was there no noticeable outrage from the usual crowd over a black man playing the President, but there wasn't even noticeable comment over the lack of outrage. Freeman's dignity simply made him the natural choice for the role.

It let those voting in the primaries know that those who wouldn't accept a black president were such a minority that they no longer mattered.

[rstrong]

Raw Story: 9 ways the Bible condones torture

[bannination]

There was a big blowup between friends of mine on facebook over a local mega church having a "tithing challenge", where they challenge you to try to tithe 10% of your income for a certain period of time. They promised that if you don't see results (God giving you his blessings) they'll offer you a 100% refund of your tithes!!!!

I get that a church is going to have to use some money for operating costs or whatever. If most of the money goes towards some kind of charitable act then I guess I'm cool with it. I don't see a problem with that. But when you have a mega church with multiple campuses that put on extravagant shows I can't help but get be very skeptical. I'm not basing this off of anything really, for all I know they could be doing a lot of good.

I wonder how you prove whether or not God did or did not give you blessings? If they're bastards it could make it extremely challenging or impossible to get a refund.

"See you didn't get cancer this month! God blessed you!"...... er......

[Boatrocker]

There was a big blowup between friends of mine on facebook over a local mega church having a "tithing challenge", where they challenge you to try to tithe 10% of your income for a certain period of time. They promised that if you don't see results (God giving you his blessings) they'll offer you a 100% refund of your tithes!!!!

I get that a church is going to have to use some money for operating costs or whatever. If most of the money goes towards some kind of charitable act then I guess I'm cool with it. I don't see a problem with that. But when you have a mega church with multiple campuses that put on extravagant shows I can't help but get be very skeptical. I'm not basing this off of anything really, for all I know they could be doing a lot of good.

I wonder how you prove whether or not God did or did not give you blessings? If they're bastards it could make it extremely challenging or impossible to get a refund.

"See you didn't get cancer this month! God blessed you!"...... er......

If you're dumb enough to keep writing checks to churches, well, caveat emptor. If you truly believe in the 10% stuff and want to be generous and useful, your money is better spent almost anywhere other than a church. A little research is both cheap and valuable.

[JTA]

There was a big blowup between friends of mine on facebook over a local mega church having a "tithing challenge", where they challenge you to try to tithe 10% of your income for a certain period of time. They promised that if you don't see results (God giving you his blessings) they'll offer you a 100% refund of your tithes!!!!

I get that a church is going to have to use some money for operating costs or whatever. If most of the money goes towards some kind of charitable act then I guess I'm cool with it. I don't see a problem with that. But when you have a mega church with multiple campuses that put on extravagant shows I can't help but get be very skeptical. I'm not basing this off of anything really, for all I know they could be doing a lot of good.

I wonder how you prove whether or not God did or did not give you blessings? If they're bastards it could make it extremely challenging or impossible to get a refund.

"See you didn't get cancer this month! God blessed you!"...... er......

Wait, so I've had both long stretches of time where no bad things have happened to me, and periods of time where I had really good luck and lots of good things happen to me. And I don't tithe because I don't go to church. Is that God's way of telling me to keep up the good work?

[Mr.B]

moved

[neoplacebo]

There was a big blowup between friends of mine on facebook over a local mega church having a "tithing challenge", where they challenge you to try to tithe 10% of your income for a certain period of time. They promised that if you don't see results (God giving you his blessings) they'll offer you a 100% refund of your tithes!!!!

I get that a church is going to have to use some money for operating costs or whatever. If most of the money goes towards some kind of charitable act then I guess I'm cool with it. I don't see a problem with that. But when you have a mega church with multiple campuses that put on extravagant shows I can't help but get be very skeptical. I'm not basing this off of anything really, for all I know they could be doing a lot of good.

I wonder how you prove whether or not God did or did not give you blessings? If they're bastards it could make it extremely challenging or impossible to get a refund.

"See you didn't get cancer this month! God blessed you!"...... er......

Wait, so I've had both long stretches of time where no bad things have happened to me, and periods of time where I had really good luck and lots of good things happen to me. And I don't tithe because I don't go to church. Is that God's way of telling me to keep up the good work?

Possibly, but it's more likely that the heaven called "chance" has not smitten you. This is the same heaven that determines if you'll be hit and killed by someone running a red light or if a rabid badger locks onto your neck during a leisurely stroll in the woods. In either case, it matters not how much you have given or hoarded. Keep up the good work.

[rstrong]

Possibly, but it's more likely that the heaven called "chance" has not smitten you. This is the same heaven that determines if you'll be hit and killed by someone running a red light or if a rabid badger locks onto your neck during a leisurely stroll in the woods. In either case, it matters not how much you have given or hoarded. Keep up the good work.

Be sure to know the signs, on whether you've been smitten.

I know someone who was told by a nun that her child died four days after birth because she married a protestant. On the other hand I had a deeply religious person tell me that a different child died because "God works in mysterious ways."

Examine that rabid badger locked on your neck for a Smite vs Just Being Mysterious" tag.