Hit a person with the car, then waits untill he dies....

[Dogbert]

KvHagedorn,

Know why ? Because usually there are minorities that sees the effect religion has on the masses and they try monopolising it.
When extreme minorities start monopolising religion, well that's when the shit really hits the fan.

We have this (huge) problem here in Israel because of the otrhodox. I hate their guts for monopolising the religion and turning a thing that had good and bad to something fundamentally horrible.
I hope I'll be able to raise my children as believers in the orthodox way (like myself) without actually being a religious numb-head stupid orthodox.

[ALBPM]

This is all I will say about the matter.

This is starting to sound like a Forest Gump story

I'm just glad that I'm just a lowly Reformed Druid reduced to worshiping small house plants and shrubs.

So, I guess me and my plants will all burn in Hell someday just because I haven't let Jesus drop-kick my Arse through the Goal posts of Life

No, I didn't have Hippy Parents either. My Father is a retired Colonel U.S. Army, who made my Brother and I go to Sunday school and Church.

And that's all I have to say about that...

Paul

[KvHagedorn]

I shoulda known better than to say that's all I would say..

My Father is a retired Colonel U.S. Army, who made my Brother and I go to Sunday school and Church.

Sorry your experience turned you off, Paul. There are radicals everywhere it seems, as Dogbert points out. Guess they put you off directly, as they have many others. My father happens to be a retired Episcopalian priest who never rammed religion down anyone's throat. He defined what he had been to me once as being a "pastor," meaning that sometimes people just need help* in life and that's what he was there for. That's the way religion should be practiced.. less preaching and more by example.

*Help meaning spiritually, emotionally, with a sense of belonging.. not help so much as just begging for handouts, though that's part of it too.

[Wombat]

No, it just sounds like it isn't a match for him. As a former Catholic, I can relate. Christianity isn't for everybody. Nothing is a panacea, and contrary to what I'm told all too often, I'm not going to Hell for that.

[Joel]

Hey guys,

We have gotten waaaay off subject here. If y'all want to open a new thread and discuss religion that is fine. But as always let's keep it civil which believe me is very hard in a discussion about relgion.

Joel

[KvHagedorn]

Originally posted by Wombat
As a former Catholic, I can relate.

It's a shame so many Catholics are turned off in this way. I remember Sinead O'Connor ripping up a picture of the Pope on Saturday Night Live once, so turned off was she by the ways of the Catholic church. Like I was saying, screaming at people that they are going to hell doesn't work very well. Catholicism isn't alone there, I can tell you. Look at the bishop in Ingmar Bergman's Fanny and Alexander (Bergman was a minister's son, to give some perspective.) That guy was about the most horrible person I could imagine, though he thought he was being a good Christian.

What you are doing in a roundabout way is proving my point, Rob. You say "it just sounds like it isn't a match for him." You seem to have been turned off in the same way. What I was saying was that, had your experiences in your particular church been more benevolent, perhaps you would feel differently about Christianity in general today. There are many denominations, and many communities among these denominations, and all of them are not so rigid and strict and emphatic about hellfire and damnation or whatnot.

[ALBPM]

Off subject or not... We are at least having a civil discussion on our differences for a change.

Nicely put Wombat. It just wasn't a match for me.

I truely believe that there are "Good" Ideals or Intentions in most Religions that are worth learning about. But, I won't have anyone tell me I have to live, eat, sleep, breath, etc.... a certain way. I lived my life without hurting anyone because of lack of organized Religion.

If Heaven is full of Religious Fanatics I'd rather burn in Hell with the others.
What a Sig....LOL

Paul

[Wombat]

I'm not "turned off" Christianity by the churches. I'll readily admit that I don't like most of the churches out there, but I do not make the mistake of confusing the institutions with the ideals they claim to represent.

I desire neither. I am not a Christian, nor will I be. I do not believe in the immaculate Conception, nor Christ, nor the spiritual teachings of the Bible. Neither Heaven nor Hell have sway upon me, though I wish well to those that believe in them. You're a Christian? Fine. I have no problem with that, and hope that it brings strength and stability to your life. I have problems once a Christian insists that was simply "turned off the path," or insists on informing me of the "facts" of what will happen to my soul. I'm not afraid or disgusted of Christians, I just ask that I am allowed to peacefully coexist without facing their silent condemnation. Oh, and just because it might be interesting to you, I'm currently in the middle of C.S. Lewis's <I>The Screwtape Letters</I>.

[Joel]

Hey guys can you not take a hint. After this discussion moves to a new thread I may consider unlocking this thread but for now...

click

Joel