Why Do Christians make it so hard to be a Christian?

[Duckwater 0]

I really believe in the Bible and want to be a part of a Church and hopefully be a 'better' person because of it but, man, a large percentage of "Christians" are seriously whacked.

Why are they SOOO against gay marriage? Divorce, by definition, destroys the "sanctity" of marrage more than a gay couple. And, how is it hurting them? We have prriest abusing children and we are more worried about people making a commitment that love each other?

Why are they SOOO against Howard Stern? He is not piped into their houses. Set your dials to all Christian stations and forget it. He is not hurting you. Quit trying to force your morals on others by censorship. You certainly are not bringing people to Christ that way.

Why am I so bad if I get drunk or smoke pot. (I don't smoke). All it says in the Bible is that you are abusing your body. Do they confront all the 300lb women at the Church Suppers to go on slimfast?

Why are Churches so segregated? They might as well have back and white only signs on the door.

For a group that is supposed to be accepting, forgiving and non-judgemental, they seem to be just the opposite.

Im starting my own Church here in Waco if anyone is interested. Kool Aid will be served.

Im beginning to think George Carlin is right. Religion IS the root of all evil.

[Gawain 0]

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For a group that is supposed to be accepting, forgiving and non-judgemental, they seem to be just the opposite.

...

Im beginning to think George Carlin is right. Religion IS the root of all evil.

Carlin's not the only one that feels that way.

Hell, I think most of your concerns are kind of "second layer" deep, I can't get past the "starry-eyed-ram-rodded-smile-of-false-glee-while-passing-judgement-in-the-name-of-own-self-ego-crying-to-the-heavens" bullsh*t. They think promotion is better than attraction. Bunch of poseurs.

One thing I remember quite fondly of my experience in the Catholic church (as a child and later as an adult) was there was a far greater concentration on the "faith" needed maintain belief in the doctrine. I recall if there were ever comparisons made during the Father's or Monsignor's homily, they were comparisons with Protestants. I used to ask one Monsignor about what he thought of the other "Christians", one thing he said was, "They assume a great deal. Other than that, I don't think much about it." Naturally, that's open to interpretation, but I understood him at the time.

Anyway, if I ever chose to follow any Christian doctrine, I would go back to the Catholic Church.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[Duckwater 0]

I guess one of my big conundrums is the fact that I have found a group of people that are amazingly Christ Like, even though they don't carry it on a banner.

Per Capita, the best people I have ever met, honest, loving, forgiving, accepting, non-petty, non-materialistic are skydivers. I am MAD that I think, categorically, more of skydivers that live in a tent and smoke pot. Skydiving really opened my eyes (or made me nuts)

Where else do you have millionares and people that live in tents hang out, have lasting real friendships and do not judge each other. I can think of many skydivers that would give me their last cent if I was in trouble. Most Christians I know either wouldn't help me and judge me, or make me join their Bible Study. Of course, skydiving has its bad apples, but as a group...what great people.

Don't get me wrong, I know some really great Christians (Avid in the Church) too but they seem too few and far between.

Mabye all Christians should take up skydiving.

Mike

[Gawain 0]

What you describe about the skydiving community is the attraction of it. Even at our best, the skydiving world doesn't promote itself the way churches or religions sometimes do.

When people are attracted to something, it's because they want to be "a part of" and very often, they stick because they are willing to do what it takes. When people are pressured into something, they tend not to stick, or even "act as if" they are "a part of" because humans are adverse to being forced into anything.

It's a very broad line between those that want to be part of versus those that think they have to be a part of, and subsequently, adjust their behavior as a result.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[jakee 1,563]

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Mabye all Christians should take up skydiving.

And bring all the prats you were talking about onto the DZ?

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[Duckwater 0]

I think they would adapt and "see the light"

[nanook 1]

I remember in college the time I was invited to a little church thingy. Went there and when they started to open their mouths, I thought "Ah-Haaaa!!! they're nutbags!" You know what type i'm talking about. . .They have that "Inner Contentment" glow and all smiles and stuff, usually the losers of society. couldn't find a date or not cool enough so they go to the only place that would accept them. Really, what they are doing is using faith as a drug and go through withdrawls if not faithful enough. I consider those to be the wacky ones. the others, from the bigger churches and the talk to everyone crowd and keep in touch with their families outside the church, they just want a utopia world for thier kids and themselves. Anything outside their scope becomes a threat and they fear for their kids future. I'm not a Christian but I can kind of sympathize with them. I would hate to see my little nanooks live in a screwed up world.

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"The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine" - Abraham Lincoln

[Skyrad 0]

The problem with religion is people. It doesn't matter what religion either. Muslims say the same about the hardcore nutters in Islam and the Jews say similar things about their own hardcore nutters. Its about having a relationship with God not pointing out the splinter in your brothers eye and ignoring the plank in your own. Its a pity theirs so many people that feel they have an absolute right to interpret and impose their idea of the will of God on others. I belive in God and go to church, pray several times a day and try to live my life in an honorable way and I know many Christians that do the same.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[Zenister 0]

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Its a pity theirs so many people that feel they have an absolute right to interpret and impose their idea of the will of God on others.

amen.

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Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[freakflyer9999 1]

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Its a pity theirs so many people that feel they have an absolute right to interpret and impose their idea of the will of God on others.

amen.

I'll second that.

amen.

[meltdown 0]

Its a pity theirs so many people that feel they have an absolute right to interpret and impose their idea of the will of God on others
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It is a pity. But don't just look in one direction. This can just as easily apply to far left environmentalist types.

[kelel01 1]

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Why am I so bad if I get drunk or smoke pot.

This is the only one I feel I can answer. Not that I live by it in the slightest, but I can see the idea behind it.

The idea is that when you take it mind-altering substances, including alcohol, you are relinquishing the power of your spirit to your body. Your spirit (or conscience) is no longer in control, at the very least, not to the same degree as if you were sober.

Kelly

[wmw999 2,537]

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This can just as easily apply to far left environmentalist types

Why yes, as it can also apply to right-wingers who say that disagreeing in public or on dz.com with the President or the war is unpatriotic.

Folks, you can now get back to the original jabs at narrow-mindedness -- I dislike narrowmindedness, so dissing it is always good, because I know!

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Deuce 1]

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I dislike narrowmindedness, so dissing it is always good, because I know!

Fancy meeting you in here.

Church is fun and is good for my children.

[meltdown 0]

This can just as easily apply to far left environmentalist types

------------------------------------------------------------Why yes, as it can also apply to right-wingers who say that disagreeing in public or on dz.com with the President or the war is unpatriotic.

Folks, you can now get back to the original jabs at narrow-mindedness -- I dislike narrowmindedness, so dissing it is always good, because I know!

Wendy W.
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This thread already appeared to be aimed at "right wingers", that's why I pointed that out. But you are right, these people come from all over the political spectrum. They can all take a hike as far as I'm concerned.

[wmw999 2,537]

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Church is fun and is good for my children.

My son got turned off church when the (narrow-minded maybe?) council got rid of an extremely popular youth director because she wasn't a registered Episcopalian. Attendance at the activities among the adolescents went down by 50%. Attendance at the activities was predicated on regular church attendance, so I'm sure there were more fights at home before church, too.

I still go, he doesn't any more.

For me, church is about what I believe, and figuring out that belief, more than about announcing it so that everyone else will know how right I am and how wrong they are. And church is really good for spending some time each week focusing on things like what it means to be a good person, and what framework I want to do that in. It's kind of like meditation -- it takes a lot of practice to begin to realize the benefits.

And you can choose the the kinds of Christians (or people of other religions) that you mostly hang out with. You can find them -- yes -- at church! Look around.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[skydyvr 0]

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Its a pity theirs so many people that feel they have an absolute right to interpret and impose their idea of the will of God on others
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It is a pity. But don't just look in one direction. This can just as easily apply to far left environmentalist types.

Correct.

We love to put down those awful christians for having their say, but if it's an easily offended atheist complaining about a manger scene on public property, or a group of gays parading down the street in their pink undies, we won't identify that as an attempt by them to force their ideas down the throats of the citizenry. Instead, let's call it something grand like "the pursuit of civil rights". Blech.

. . =(_8^(1)

[Deuce 1]

Yeah, for us it's the whole school-church-social thing. We're basically a network of families with kids the same age who can depend on each other.

If it sucked, we definitely wouldn't be as in to it.

[Duckwater 0]

That brings up another quandry. I was brought up in Church and Private Christian Schools....I think it helped a little but having a Dad that would kill me if I got out of line was essential to the fact that I am not incarcerated right now. There are a bunch of people I went to school with that are neer-do-wells.

I think the answer is apply Chris Rock's take on politics, don't be a Republican or a Democrat, be an American. I will surrond myself with good people, whether they go to church or not. Im not a Baptist, Christian, or Methodist. I believe in the Bible and that Jesus was the Son of God and died for our sins. (Or so Mel Gibson says)
P.S..Have you all seen Chris Rock's new standup on HBO? It was more of a political commentary. He friggin sold me on affrmitave action! I really would vote for him for President.

Mike

[Skyrad 0]

So it seems from this thresd that the problem is not with Christians, but with narrow minded people no matter what they belive in.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[Deuce 1]

Yep. Goes for Conservatives and Liberals as well.

[joshjumps 0]

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So it seems from this thresd that the problem is not with Christians, but with narrow minded people no matter what they belive in.

This might be the most profound thing I've read on DZ.com. Everybody should reread that statement.

Josh

[wmw999 2,537]

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narrow minded people no matter what they belive in

Ahem (Wendy looks both ways and blows on fingernails) -- I said it first in this thread

Damn I'm good

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Deuce 1]

We expect nothing less from a rocket scientist.

[ROK 0]

"Per Capita, the best people I have ever met, honest, loving, forgiving, accepting, non-petty, non-materialistic are skydivers".

This is a profound truth for me...

I'm a Christian. As far back as I can remember, I've always believed in God. Unusual due to the fact that I was raised in a family that wasn't religeous in the least.

When I'm in church, I look at some people and wonder why they act one way while there, and another on the outside. I've found myself doing the same at times also. Which is disturbing. It's more than just respect for where we're at too.

If we would all just realize that it's ok to be human, and that our common bond is that not one of us is perfect, there would be a lot less fear and hate between us.

I love my skydiving family. I've met some twisted crazy bastards, some sane ones, and some who I never would have imagined that I'd call friend, but we sit around the fire with a beer and relish who we are, not who we think each other should be...