Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

[quote=BleedBurgundy;640108]Don't forget the mind control. And the voting bloc power. And the need for control over all aspects of a society...[/quote]
I guess your talking about the conservative right and Pat Robertson type.

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

[quote=firstdown;640524]I guess your talking about the conservative right and Pat Robertson type.[/quote]

I guess you're talking about baseless stereotypes.

Seriously, politics do not belong in this thread.

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

If you're in the Richmond area and looking for a church, I recommend Hyles Baptist Church.

[url=http://www.hylesbaptistchurch.com/]HYLES BAPTIST CHURCH[/url]

Preacher Ron shared a story with us about one of his street preaching missions downtown. He was approached by a crazy bum that he thought might do him or the candy-man harm. The Lord was with him that day because he had his favorite pistol on him. If the bum hadn't backed off he would've, "shot him in the knee for Jesus".

Now I'm not a Christian, but if I was, this would be my kind of preacherman. For those of you see things, [I]differently[/I], this is your kind of church.

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

[quote=SmootSmack;640102]Philosophy is the talk on a cereal box. Religion is the smile on a dog[/quote]
are you what you are or what?

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

[quote=firstdown;640524]I guess your talking about the conservative right and Pat Robertson type.[/quote]

Nope. All religion. The practice of knowing the unknowable and using it to exert control over the masses has not been monopolized by any one faction. I can find good in most faiths, but I can find a hell of a lot more bad in the practiced religions and their leaders.

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

[quote=Trample the Elderly;639641]I'd leave religion alone. My ex-girlfriend found Jesus. Now she'll not sleep with me anymore. If I ever see that ole Gebus, I'm going to have a word or two with him.[/quote]

She didn't stop sleeping with you cause of Jesus, she stop sleeping with you cause she getting it better somewhere else! Chew on that sissy.

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

[quote=Nomad;640714]She didn't stop sleeping with you cause of Jesus, she stop sleeping with you cause she getting it better somewhere else! Chew on that sissy.[/quote]
Hey Busters going to come along and say this does not belong in this thread.

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

[quote=Nomad;640714]She didn't stop sleeping with you cause of Jesus, she stop sleeping with you cause she getting it better somewhere else! Chew on that sissy.[/quote]

I doubt that, but it could be. Where have you been Sissy? Were you getting your nails done?

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

[quote=Trample the Elderly;640627]If you're in the Richmond area and looking for a church, I recommend Hyles Baptist Church.

[URL="http://www.hylesbaptistchurch.com/"]HYLES BAPTIST CHURCH[/URL]

Preacher Ron shared a story with us about one of his street preaching missions downtown. He was approached by a crazy bum that he thought might do him or the candy-man harm. The Lord was with him that day because he had his favorite pistol on him. If the bum hadn't backed off he would've, "shot him in the knee for Jesus".

Now I'm not a Christian, but if I was, this would be my kind of preacherman. For those of you see things, [I]differently[/I], this is your kind of church.[/quote]

preachers that gloat on things like this and try to turn them into comedy aren't really my type

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

[quote=tryfuhl;642011]preachers that gloat on things like this and try to turn them into comedy aren't really my type[/quote]

He wasn't joking.

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

One of my favorite scene of all time:

[yt]TAMocd4Ec-o[/yt]

The little bastard got what was coming to him at the end:

[yt]n4inIaEuGnY[/yt]

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

I went to a church thing last night and it was very boring so I decided to go to hell and have a little fun.

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

From what i've learned this far....people's opinion of church vary greatly. Most people i've talked to on here take the position that sitting in church is not what defines one's relationship with God. Another part of people say that Church is necessary because me, being a believer, need to be around and fellowship with other believers, even though it may be non-enjoyable and have many unsavory characters and preachers associate with it.

And then at the other end of the spectrum, people describe a crazy place...with people convulsing and speaking toungues...doing backflips and grabbing rattlesnakes and chickens...and yet those are the people who look foreward to it all week, etc...as compared to the people in the "regular" churches who look like they are made to go, etc...

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

"God has a hard on for Marines, because we kill everything we see. He plays His games, we play ours. To show our appreciation for so much power, we keep heaven packed with fresh souls. God was here before the Marine Corps, so you can give your heart to Jesus, but your ass belongs to the corps."

R.Lee, Ermey

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

[quote=Trample the Elderly;642022]He wasn't joking.[/quote]
I know.

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

[quote=SolidSnake84;642077]From what i've learned this far....people's opinion of church vary greatly. Most people i've talked to on here take the position that sitting in church is not what defines one's relationship with God. Another part of people say that Church is necessary because me, being a believer, need to be around and fellowship with other believers, even though it may be non-enjoyable and have many unsavory characters and preachers associate with it.

And then at the other end of the spectrum, people describe a crazy place...with people convulsing and speaking toungues...doing backflips and grabbing rattlesnakes and chickens...and yet those are the people who look foreward to it all week, etc...as compared to the people in the "regular" churches who look like they are made to go, etc...[/quote]
If you want to go to church and have fun find a black southern church and put on your Sunday best and go have fun. I had a teacher in school who was also a preacher and we went to his church several times and even though service lasted two hours we really enjoyed ourself. You know its going to be fun when you walk in the door the music is going and they hand you a tambourine to get things started.

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

Thats what i'm after...a happy balance. I have no problem worshipping publicly like that. I played the drums in the praise band at the last 3 churches i attended (Calvary Chapel from 2006-2007, Metro Morningstar, now called Every Nation for a spat in late 2007, and most recently played at Fellowship Bible Church in 2008)

It just seems like around here there is no in between...i like the idea of a black southern church...i went to one of those earlier this year and i can tell you no place i've ever been has treated us so nice...

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

Chruch is a great place to meet women. Especially Catholic women wearing their Sunday best :D Lol, I'm so going to hell.

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

[quote=Dirtbag359;642992]Chruch is a great place to meet women. Especially Catholic women wearing their Sunday best :D Lol, I'm so going to hell.[/quote]

Well, your name is Dirtbag after all. :)

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

I was raised in the Catholic Church. So were my parents and grandparents. I went to Catholic school from K-12th grade and received the sacraments.

Today I have basically zero affiliation with the Catholic Church. I just don't buy what they're selling. I still go to church with my Mom and stepdad on Easter and Xmas, but that's more for them than it is for me.

I think the best part about religion is the sense of community, focus on family, and giving back charitably. There is a lot of good there in that sense. I do believe in a higher power- I'm not agnostic- and I do say prayers to that higher power, but I'd have a hard time calling myself Catholic at this point.

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

[quote=SolidSnake84;642474]Thats what i'm after...a happy balance. I have no problem worshipping publicly like that. I played the drums in the praise band at the last 3 churches i attended (Calvary Chapel from 2006-2007, Metro Morningstar, now called Every Nation for a spat in late 2007, and most recently played at Fellowship Bible Church in 2008)

It just seems like around here there is no in between...i like the idea of a black southern church...i went to one of those earlier this year and i can tell you no place i've ever been has treated us so nice...[/quote]

Is it really religion that you're seeking?

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

[quote=Dirtbag359;642992]Chruch is a great place to meet women. Especially Catholic women wearing their Sunday best :D Lol, I'm so going to hell.[/quote]
This is true; you'll find more unselfish loving girls with ummm.. somewhat loose morals while in a relationship in church than almost anywhere else.

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

[quote=GMScud;643004]I was raised in the Catholic Church. So were my parents and grandparents. I went to Catholic school from K-12th grade and received the sacraments.

[B]Today I have basically zero affiliation with the Catholic Church. I just don't buy what they're selling. I still go to church with my Mom and stepdad on Easter and Xmas, but that's more for them than it is for me. [/B]

I think the best part about religion is the sense of community, focus on family, and giving back charitably. There is a lot of good there in that sense. I do believe in a higher power- I'm not agnostic- and I do say prayers to that higher power, but I'd have a hard time calling myself Catholic at this point.[/quote]

Same thing here. I mean personally I kind of enjoy it on the holidays, there's always something at church that makes for a great laugh later. Weather it be Father Mike adjusting the pitch of his voice in a seemingly random manner to the girl sitting in front of us wearing a thong. It was priceless to see my whole family crack up, including my ultra serious while at church father.

One of my favorite moments in church was when we had an Irish priest guest host a family mass in which during the sermon the children come up and sit around the alter. When the children were flocking towards the front the priest commented on how it seemed that people weren't using birth control in our town.

Either way this thread has led me to consider going back to religion. I mean personally I'm agnostic but when you think about it, there had to be some ultra powerful force of pure goodness that was strong enough to get Vinny fired. Without a God and a Messiah it's literally impossible.

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

SS84,

If it's Christ you are searching for, just continue to pray and He will lead you to the right church. Some here absolutely will despise you for even starting such a thread let alone make such a decision to follow Christ. Some will even make fun of you over it. You will lose any respect you may have had before, but just keep doing what you're doing man...and I swear you'll be more content with life.

And whichever denomination you feel most comfortable in is fine. There are some churches that are waaaay over the top and there are some who are more down to earth. Just seek the place that speaks to your heart the most and keep an open mind. If you need someone to pray with you, I'm always here.

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

[quote=skinsguy;645978]SS84,

If it's Christ you are searching for, just continue to pray and He will lead you to the right church. Some here absolutely will despise you for even starting such a thread let alone make such a decision to follow Christ. Some will even make fun of you over it. You will lose any respect you may have had before, but just keep doing what you're doing man...and I swear you'll be more content with life.

And whichever denomination you feel most comfortable in is fine. There are some churches that are waaaay over the top and there are some who are more down to earth. Just seek the place that speaks to your heart the most and keep an open mind. If you need someone to pray with you, I'm always here.[/quote]

I'd argue that denouncing faith will get you more disrespect in the real world. Presidents HAVE to claim a Christian faith or they're not going to make it; people assume that agnostics and atheists are evil, morally devoid devil worshippers.

It's just easier to talk online for some people.

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

Religion...

- Makes people feel a lot less scared about dying, believing there's an afterlife.

- Cannot be proven or disproven.

- Is a serious money-maker, supporting jobs for many.

If that's not the biggest grift of all time, I don't know what is. A lot of good comes from it because there are a lot of kind-hearted people involved. But that good comes from the kindness in their hearts, the tale that is religion is simply a catalyst for it.

There is no god, there is no afterlife, there is only life on Earth as we know it. If you want to believe otherwise, cool whatever. But don't waste your hard earned money supporting religion the institution, because it's all a load of crap.

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

[quote=tryfuhl;646007]I'd argue that denouncing faith will get you more disrespect in the real world. Presidents HAVE to claim a Christian faith or they're not going to make it; people assume that agnostics and atheists are evil, morally devoid devil worshippers.

It's just easier to talk online for some people.[/quote]

I'm not so sure about that nowadays. Maybe in certain areas within the bible belt, but I don't think the "real world", from personal experience, really finds it offensive to denounce faith. There are a lot of assumptions and unfair characterizations on both sides of the spectrum. Such as your example of Agnostics and Atheists. And I can add the example on the other end of it as well, with people of faith being weak minded and nothing but "sheep". Both sides are guilty of false characterizations.

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

[quote=Schneed10;646022]Religion...

- Makes people feel a lot less scared about dying, believing there's an afterlife.

- Cannot be proven or disproven.

- Is a serious money-maker, supporting jobs for many.

If that's not the biggest grift of all time, I don't know what is. A lot of good comes from it because there are a lot of kind-hearted people involved. But that good comes from the kindness in their hearts, the tale that is religion is simply a catalyst for it.

There is no god, there is no afterlife, there is only life on Earth as we know it. If you want to believe otherwise, cool whatever. But don't waste your hard earned money supporting religion the institution, because it's all a load of crap.[/quote]

Certainly entitled to your opinion Schneed and I respect you for that! Even though I believe thinking that there is no afterlife is also a load of crap! Cheers! ;) :food-smil

Re: I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??
 

[quote=Schneed10;646022]Religion...

- Makes people feel a lot less scared about dying, believing there's an afterlife.

- [B]Cannot be proven or disproven[/B].

- Is a serious money-maker, supporting jobs for many.

If that's not the biggest grift of all time, I don't know what is. A lot of good comes from it because there are a lot of kind-hearted people involved. But that good comes from the kindness in their hearts, the tale that is religion is simply a catalyst for it.

There is no god, there is no afterlife, there is only life on Earth as we know it. If you want to believe otherwise, cool whatever. But don't waste your hard earned money supporting religion the institution, because it's all a load of crap.[/quote]

I think this supercedes your subsequent analysis?