Do any of you go to church?

[Hollywood]

I go to a great Baptist church every Sunday. I believe in one God, One way to get to heaven. I only wish I lived my life like I believe I should.

[TXShooter]

Hollywood I go to a great Baptist church every Sunday. I believe in one God, One way to get to heaven. I only wish I lived my life like I believe I should.

I have the same struggle.

[Cory]

We are the roses in the garden, beauty with thorns among our leaves. To pick a rose you ask your hands to bleed. What is the reason for having roses when your blood is shed carelessly? It must be for something more than vanity.
Believe me, the truth is we're not honest, not the people that we dream. We're not as close as we could be. Willing to grow but rains are shallow. Barren and wind-scattered seed on stone and dry land, we will be. Waiting for the light arisen to flood inside the prison. And in that time kind words alone will teach us, no bitterness will reach us. Reason will be guided another way.
All in time, but the clock is another demon that devours our time in Eden, in our Paradise. Will our eyes see well beneath us, flowers all divine? Is there still time? If we wake and discover in life a precious love, will that waking become more heavenly?

[BUSTINOUT]

Originally posted by Billy_Bathgate



The other part, is solely my interpretation, didnt find that anywhere directly. Most of that is also based on a northern babtist belief. The acadamy I went to had very very strict rules that IMO were beyond what I would believe a god would want. Instances as not listening to any type of music that had any percussion instuments, as they typically carried a "beat" which would lead to a rythmic style of dance. Another big one, which is actually part of the reason I left is they dont believe in interracial dating or the wearing of blue jeans. All because these are things that in some parts of the world (wether right or wrong) are still contriversiol and assimilated with sin (like I said, I just dont agree).

B_B, great post man. I like this board more and more all the time. Imagine, someone actually expressing themself without flying off the handle. With exception to that Game clown. lol

I was raised Southern Baptist but have been exposed to many other denominations and beliefs, and SB is the one I have chose to go by. But based on the above quote, if I had been exposed to many of the same guidelines you were, I might very well have your same outlook. It is unfortunate that one of the main reasons people leave the church and abandon their faith alltogether is because of the rules that the church inforces. And I mean church with a small "c". Not because they do not believe in God. They use the Bible as their guideline yet they add a bunch of silly rules. Like in the Old Testement, these rules had a place, but the New Testement pretty much put an end to all the rules that nobody could ever live up to. Sure, Christianity calls for us to leave our old sinful nature behind(sorry to sound preachy), and that is exactly what some people dislike about it. But that is like taking a new job but telling the new boss, "I'm not really much of a morning person so can I come in at noon?" Why take the job in the first place? Because you want a better life. You are tired of being broke and not giving your family some of the nicer things in life. And you are willing to do what is required. Make sense? Certain things require sacrifice. I can only speak of Christianity here, but in the Bible when people followed Christ they were called Christians which interpreted meant "Little Christs". Or to be like Him. That is still what it means today. Not to be perfect of course, but to do our best. Of course, I'm certainly not trying to preach to you or anyone else here, just maybe clearing some stuff up for folks that may not have had the religious exposure others have. The worst thing people can do is make uninformed decisions. All too often people say what they don't like about "religion", and no wonder, what they are basing their thoughts on is information that is way off base. I love when people say what Christians or other faiths believe, yet they have never stepped foot in a church or read one word of scripture. lol

Sorry for rambling. Thanks again for the great post.

[trip]

Billy Bathgate, Busting Out and Others,

I agree this thread is impressive in it's civility and ability and tolerance for all people to express all views. This is personally how I like life. It allows all of us to expand our knowledge and learn from others. For me life is one constant glorious road of Learning and Growing, of which I am wholly partial to.

The thoughts you conveyed Billy were essentially the exact same conclusions I drew almost a decade ago. I had struggled with this issue internally for awhile, not to too great and extent, yet still a bother. Came from that 9 years of parachiol school.

My conclusions were the same, if God is the Father, the one thing I know for sure in life is that my real father like all parents wanted for me to be happy and safe. And for me to achieve this state it is required of me not to harms others, in any way shape or form. Which really just requires me to be kind and nice to all people at all times, regardless of what personal issues others may be struggling with, as long as they are not endangering me I do not disparage them.

I adopted this stance and acted this way for years. It is quite pleasureable. It is also the basic believe system of Budhism.
I like many others had no real idea what this was about, when I researched I was quite pleased due to the fact it made me feel not so alone in my views and that their were others. It was not earth shattering or it did not open my eyes, it was just a nice pleasant thing to know.

One of the things that I find interesting in General about the good old US of A, is that due to the fact that as a country, in terms of history, we are essential infants. And in some ways we have yet to experience a Philosphical Revolution, as some other country's have. America has been very busy building and growing and spreading freedom across the world, we haven't had much time to relaxe and reflect on what it's true meaning is, which is really the basis of Philosophy.

Like I said, find many things interesting, and the dignity and respect on this boad is some times awe inspiring.

Good Luck To All
Trip

[Auriflex]

I go to church every Sunday because my wife and daughter want me there. I despise it, but I know it makes my family happy.

This is why I have so many personal issues. Like am I a woman in a mans body? That kind of thing.

[Klash]

Religion is a belief into a higher power - fitness geared is not a religion. If we believed gearedup was god, that's different.

I was raised southern babtist - had to go for years, when it was up to me, I quit. Ministers are the best manipulators on the face of the planet.
Their (christian) success depends on your fear and guilt.

I just have a hard time believing god would put us down here on this earth give us free will and tell us if used it (free will) we will be punished for eternity.

[morebeefplease]

Originally posted by Hollywood
I go to a great Baptist church every Sunday. I believe in one God, One way to get to heaven. I only wish I lived my life like I believe I should.

see that is what is BS about religion. ppl go to church but don't practice what they preach.

[morebeefplease]

the church is also historically scandalist, criminal, dishonest, and manipulative.

[morebeefplease]

religion is the leading cause of death throughout history and even today. more lives have been lost to the name of god than any other cause.

[morebeefplease]

religion itself was important in early history to teach morals and civilizing cultures but today i think it is only a problem


one of the greatest things in the american constitution is seperation of church and state

[NecroPhreak]

Originally posted by LadiesMan
What do you do there?

You should know! Romancing the ladies of course!

[BUSTINOUT]

Originally posted by morebeefplease
see that is what is BS about religion. ppl go to church but don't practice what they preach.

That does not just apply to religion.

[morebeefplease]

Originally posted by BUSTINOUT
That does not just apply to religion.

i know but since this is a religious thread i am specificly talk about religion.

[Billy_Bathgate]

Originally posted by morebeefplease
religion is the leading cause of death throughout history and even today. more lives have been lost to the name of god than any other cause.

are you serious? You got some statistics for that? Im not saying I dont believe you, just never would have thought that.