Going to Church

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  • reversedarwinism
    reversedarwinism Posts: 1,151
    writersu wrote:
    yeah, but too you have to remember that Jesus came to tear the barrier apart that had us and God seperated with only high priests to intercede for us. I am not as schooled in the Bible as I had hoped to be by now, but I do recall that Holy Of Holies tearing when Jesus was crucified, to testify that we had our one and only intercessor.

    true that.

    I live in the "bible belt". On some Sundays, I'll listen to the local preachers on the radio. Its a good healthy reminder that the Americans living around me are just a ignorant and crazy as any other group of people. When I'm hearing this crazy, crazy shit come out of the preachers mouth, I'm truely amazed. Amazed because people I know, respect, and deal with are just eating it up. People I would think have a rational brain.

    I did go to church as a youth and remember beleiving. I found it all very interesting. Once my mind started exploring the subject and applying common sense, religion didn't stand a chance; and I was still very young then. Religion (well, western religions) are purely political. We don't know how the world would be shaped with out it. I'm sure its been good in some ways, but nothing has been worse for humanity.

    As far as Catholism, I don't know how anyone could look themselves in the mirror and say they beleive something like that, I know I couldn't, lol. As far as Christianity, I'm at the point now where I'll say its crazy to anyone - not in a mean, argumentative way, just say it. Resurection??? (amongst everything else) come on now people. What do miricles have to do with anything going on in your everyday life? Jesus's message was simple and did have everything to do with everyday life. The miricles are how they sucker in the simple minded masses, IMO. The religions is about control, probably the opposite of what Jesus wanted. I don't debate the subject, even though it blows me away that people can be so easily taken in. I beleive in eternal life, but no one knows what happens when you die any better than I do. Well, there's my two cents.
    bombs, dropping down, please forgive our hometown
  • in_hiding79
    in_hiding79 Posts: 4,315
    Yeah, I have read that KJV book, the beginning was funny, the middle was plain weird, but the ending sucked ass! ;)
    And so the lion fell in love with the lamb...,"
    "What a stupid lamb."
    "What a sick, masochistic lion."
  • sponger
    sponger Posts: 3,159
    reversedarwinism wrote:
    Once my mind started exploring the subject and applying common sense, religion didn't stand a chance;

    Exactly. All it takes is a bit of intuitive common sense and the shams are exposed for what they are.
    reigning champion

    http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=272825
  • Lizard
    Lizard So Cal Posts: 12,091
    Boom The Cat wrote:
    I got drunk beforehand and burped during the vowels :-\

    Oh Shit...was Vanna White there??? Sorry...that seriously made me giggle a lot!
    So I'll just lie down and wait for the dream
    Where I'm not ugly and you're lookin' at me
  • Vedd Hedd
    Vedd Hedd Posts: 4,631
    writersu wrote:
    yeah, but too you have to remember that Jesus came to tear the barrier apart that had us and God seperated with only high priests to intercede for us. I am not as schooled in the Bible as I had hoped to be by now, but I do recall that Holy Of Holies tearing when Jesus was crucified, to testify that we had our one and only intercessor.


    hehe, Im an athiest, so its all pretty much giggles to me.....
    Turn this anger into
    Nuclear fission
  • roar
    roar Posts: 1,116
    reversedarwinism wrote:
    As far as Catholism, I don't know how anyone could look themselves in the mirror and say they beleive something like that, I know I couldn't, lol.

    I can.

    back to the original post:

    I am Catholic and there are a million reasons why I like being Catholic. The Mass is one of them.

    You can talk to God-pray-worship-meditate on your own time, any time, but I go to church to receive the body of Christ through Holy Communion and because the Mass is a sensual form of worshipping God (through music, food, candlelight, incense, touch, etc.) shared with my faith community -- hand in hand, in one powerful voice.
  • OffHeGoes29
    OffHeGoes29 Posts: 1,240
    Does going to church make anyone a better person?
    BRING BACK THE WHALE
  • Jeremy1012
    Jeremy1012 Posts: 7,170
    OffHeGoes29 wrote:
    Does going to church make anyone a better person?
    No, not specifically. It might make you a happier person but you can still be the best person you can be without going to church and you can even be devoted to a god without going to a church. It's not a necessity. In fact, it's probably the main corrupting factor in a lot of religions. Church = order = power = money = corruption.

    A person undertaking private study and worship of a faith is not subject to the same corruption and can reap whatever benefits a church has. If it's about the community, start a tea and biscuit group.

    My one fundamental grievance with religion is the organisation of it. My mother is a training baptist minister and we get on well, in spite of my absence of faith and I support her choice but if she, you or anyone else asked me if I agree with what she does, I'd say no. I'm happy for her to dedicate her life to God if it makes her happy but I'm not so big on making other people hang on her every word as if she's somehow now more authoritarian as a christian than others. She's not, she's just read more. She has read more stuff written by men and subject to men's agendas.

    If I ever witness an act of God and my belief system is wholly transformed, I'll still never go to church. Don't see the need for it :)
    "I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
  • drivingrl
    drivingrl Posts: 1,448
    Jeremy1012 wrote:
    No, not specifically. It might make you a happier person but you can still be the best person you can be without going to church and you can even be devoted to a god without going to a church. It's not a necessity. In fact, it's probably the main corrupting factor in a lot of religions. Church = order = power = money = corruption.

    A person undertaking private study and worship of a faith is not subject to the same corruption and can reap whatever benefits a church has. If it's about the community, start a tea and biscuit group.

    I agree. And that's essentially the reason why Martin Luther pulled away from the Catholic Church. Not attending church or not confessing one's sins was something that Christians felt they were required to do, because the Church had such a stranglehold over everyday life. But our understanding today is completely different; you can communicate with God directly, and you don't need a body church or a priest to be apart of that exchange.

    And, heavens, there are millions of people on this planet who are great people who have never stepped foot in a place of worship, so there you go.
    drivingrl: "Will I ever get to meet Gwen Stefani?"
    kevinbeetle: "Yes. When her career washes up and her and Gavin move to Galveston, you will meet her at Hot Topic shopping for a Japanese cheerleader outfit.

    Next!"
  • jamie uk
    jamie uk Posts: 3,812
    I totally agree with him ^.
    Saying that, I went to church last Friday, this one

    http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Holy_Trinity_Lawrence_Hill_Bristol.jpg/260px-Holy_Trinity_Lawrence_Hill_Bristol.jpg


    Now the most excellent of concert venues :) and at least 4 massage parlours within 2 minutes walk, I mean I just happened to notice them on my way there from the car park....:o
    I came, I saw, I concurred.....
  • prljmngrl
    prljmngrl Posts: 320
    OffHeGoes29 wrote:
    Does going to church make anyone a better person?
    I think it can, depending on the religion of course. The problem is, most people don't apply religious morals correctly and alter the values behind what they "believe" to fit their own agendas.
  • Snake
    Snake Posts: 2,605
    OffHeGoes29 wrote:
    Does going to church make anyone a better person?
    I think it can, but not necessarily. It depends on if the church or temple etc. is teaching the right thing. Obviously some dont. But I still say, talk to God first. If you want He'll find you the right place, teach you the right things, maybe through a pastor or even just a book. Just ask him to lead you to the right place.


    Im reading the Tao Te Ching right now. Good book.
    Pirates had democracy too.

    "Its a secret to everybody."
  • OffHeGoes29
    OffHeGoes29 Posts: 1,240
    I figured there would be a good amount of people against going to church on this board, but I'm surprised to see how many of you actually go. I'm going to look into this a little more, I might as well form my own opinion on the subject.
    BRING BACK THE WHALE
  • Cosmo
    Cosmo Posts: 12,225
    I believe that all religions are the right religons... for the person who follows them. If you are a Catholic and find peace and comfort in their teachings... then, it is the right religion. The same goes for the Christian that finds salvation in his/her Church... or the Muslim that finds his peace in Islam. It also works for the Jew, the Buddhist, the Scientologist and the Atheist. If it works for you... then, it is the right religion.
    Me? I go to church... but, not every Sunday. I don't think that God is like a clock you need to wind up in order to keep Him going. I go to church... it all depends on where I'm at and how I feel... where my head is at... or how my heart is feeling. And although I love the Gothic Architecture of the grand cathedrals of the world (Notre Dame in Paris and St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminister Cathedral in London)... I find my peace and comfort at the beach. For me, I seek God while sitting on the sand, watching the Sun set over the Pacific... or on the banks of one of those crystal clear Sierra lakes... or under that blanket of stars that cover us at night. The sermons I understand are the sounds of the surf... the wind through the pine trees... the silence of the desert sky. I like to call it God's church. It welcomes and accepts everyone (even the homeless person who lives on Fairfax and is always carrying a conversation with God... I'm not sure if he'd be allowed a seat in the pews of other churches during Sunday Services... would he be welcomed in your church?).
    Yeah, I know... hippie/surfer bullshit, but like I said.. it works for me.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • elmer
    elmer Posts: 1,683
    The Catholic Church is one of the greatest forms of animal training (no disrespect intended), with or without a god.
  • OffHeGoes29
    OffHeGoes29 Posts: 1,240
    elmer wrote:
    The Catholic Church is one of the greatest forms of animal training (no disrespect intended), with or without a god.

    Are you Catholic?
    BRING BACK THE WHALE
  • fada
    fada Posts: 1,032
    I too was brought up a Catholic. Now going back lets say 15 years or so most Irish people went to mass. We then had the scandals and the church lost its vice gripe on society . People were free to choose to attend or not go. Alot of the later is down to laziness rather than lack of faith. People would still get their children baptized but they won't go to mass themselves.

    IMHO I believe that there is something there. I go to mass every Sunday( I'm 26) . I think would have it on my mind if I didn't and just WON'T FEEL RIGHT if I didn't.

    IF the church is to survive it needs to update the rules of priesthood rapid. Let the women in and get rid of chasity. IT was only bought in before when married priests left there wives..
  • elmer
    elmer Posts: 1,683
    OffHeGoes29 wrote:
    Are you Catholic?
    I was brought up a Catholic, baptised and confirmed, dragged to mass every sunday until I was about 13. It's something that I've not thought too much of since, though there's a cemetary that I sometimes pass by on the tube, I'll always then make the sign of the cross as I was told to do many years ago, but kinda without being fully aware of the act myself. I feel I could express a lot of feelings on the subject of faith as I see it, or have seen it should I say, but'd just go off on the wrong tangent and spew irrelevance.
  • patrickredeyes
    patrickredeyes Posts: 8,834
    I went to church this morning for the first time in a LONG time. I just felt the need to go. Can't say that I'll start going every week. But it was nice and I felt good that I went.
  • writersu
    writersu Posts: 1,867
    Cosmo wrote:
    I believe that all religions are the right religons... for the person who follows them. If you are a Catholic and find peace and comfort in their teachings... then, it is the right religion. The same goes for the Christian that finds salvation in his/her Church... or the Muslim that finds his peace in Islam. It also works for the Jew, the Buddhist, the Scientologist and the Atheist. If it works for you... then, it is the right religion.
    Me? I go to church... but, not every Sunday. I don't think that God is like a clock you need to wind up in order to keep Him going. I go to church... it all depends on where I'm at and how I feel... where my head is at... or how my heart is feeling. And although I love the Gothic Architecture of the grand cathedrals of the world (Notre Dame in Paris and St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminister Cathedral in London)... I find my peace and comfort at the beach. For me, I seek God while sitting on the sand, watching the Sun set over the Pacific... or on the banks of one of those crystal clear Sierra lakes... or under that blanket of stars that cover us at night. The sermons I understand are the sounds of the surf... the wind through the pine trees... the silence of the desert sky. I like to call it God's church. It welcomes and accepts everyone (even the homeless person who lives on Fairfax and is always carrying a conversation with God... I'm not sure if he'd be allowed a seat in the pews of other churches during Sunday Services... would he be welcomed in your church?).
    Yeah, I know... hippie/surfer bullshit, but like I said.. it works for me.


    wow, (Eddie is that YOU????) lol, kidding...........

    anyway, you said it so awesomely right. I feel the same way although I have not been to all the places you have mentioned--not by far; truthfully. But I was thinking last week how church is not to be just this little place where we all high five each other for being so awesome or where we just go to talk about the "damned". And it sure shouldn't be the place where we hide behind as reasons for someone to be a certain way. I think humans are innately good by nature. And yeah, while God sure has a part in it as well as Jesus' teachings, I don't think I want to use that as a reason for my actions. Bad or good. I feel like, He came, He taught, He left; now it is MY thing. Fuck it up or not. He left me the goods what I do is my fuck up or blessings.
    Baby, You Wouldn't Last a Minute on The Creek......


    Together we will float like angels.........

    In the moment that you left the room, the album started skipping, goodbye to beauty shared with the ones that you love.........

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