Church.......

[TruBluCatFan]

Ok, just wondering if any of my fellow believers here in Lex would be interested in starting a men's' bible study group. Maybe get together a few times a month to study the word.

Tried this a couple years ago with a group of friends but got sidetracked by politics instead of the gospel.

Just throwing it out there.

 

[jwheat]

Anyone want to know how hypocritical churches are? Live in a dry county in Kentucky and start a petition to allow the sale of alcohol. Not that it changed my mind on religion or religious people but it brought out a lot of people's true colors.

I realize that there is a higher power than us humans but that higher power that genetically altered our Dna to make us what we are today lives beneath us not above in some imaginary world that we have to pray and go to church to achieve.

It is what it is though

 

[allabouttheUK]

Opinions can take heat also. And his opinions on what an atheist is, is garbage. If he were to stick to the topic instead of trying to tell us what he thinks being an atheist means, we'd be fine.

It's called tact, know when, where, and how.

We get that you like to talk down to and degrade others for their opinions as if your's is somehow superior. You have made that very clear. We are all fine, Ron...it appears you are the one with the issue.

 

[RonEJones]

It's called tact, no when, where, and how.

We get that you like to talk down to and degrade others for their opinions as if your's is somehow superior. You have made that very clear. We are all fine, Ron...it appears you are the one with the issue.

Sorry for getting your g-string in a wad but I don't just blindly attack posters; even if their take is horrible. I know who I am dealing with in SC and am acting accordingly.

 

[allabouttheUK]

Sorry for getting your g-string in a wad but I don't just blindly attack posters; even if their take is horrible. I know who I am dealing with in SC and am acting accordingly.

See there you go again. Was merely pointing out how you don't tolerate apposing opinions and resort to name calling and demeaning those that disagree with you. Thank you once again for proving my opinion on you as FACT.

Would also be worth noting that SC never once attacked you, just stated his opinion and you reacted in a manor that did not fit the tone of the thread up until that point.

 

[KentuckyStout]

Sorry for getting your g-string in a wad but I don't just blindly attack posters; even if their take is horrible. I know who I am dealing with in SC and am acting accordingly.

With all due respect, this (your behavior) is why nobody paid you much attention in the Ark thread and why I didn't get involved.

 

[RonEJones]

With all due respect, this (your behavior) is why nobody paid you much attention in the Ark thread and why I didn't get involved.

With all due respect, no one cares if you paid attention to me or anyone else in the Ark thread.

 

[RonEJones]

See there you go again. Was merely pointing out how you don't tolerate apposing opinions and resort to name calling and demeaning those that disagree with you. Thank you once again for proving my opinion on you as FACT.

Would also be worth noting that SC never once attacked you, just stated his opinion and you reacted in a manor that did not fit the tone of the thread up until that point.

Love opposing opinions. Love to debate. However, me pointing out the SC is ruining the thread by giving an incorrect statement about what an atheist is, is also my opinion. If I say that Christians are really agnostics, then that would be false and I would not be surprised if a catholic called me out on it.

 

[KentuckyStout]

Incapable of learning anything.

Bad place to be.

 

[RonEJones]

The irony...

 

[allabouttheUK]

Love opposing opinions. Love to debate. However, me pointing out the SC is ruining the thread by giving an incorrect statement about what an atheist is, is also my opinion. If I say that Christians are really agnostics, then that would be false and I would not be surprised if a catholic called me out on it.

He gave his OPINION. You do know what an opinion is, don't you? You are right, the Christians in this thread would have called you out on it, but they would have done it in a much different way than you.

Just so we are all clear:

Atheist - a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods.

Agnostic - a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God.

One is open to the possibility if proven, the other would deny it if God was was holding a sign 2 feet in front of them that said "I AM GOD".

 

[H. Lecter]

He gave his OPINION. You do know what an opinion is, don't you? You are right, the Christians in this thread would have called you out on it, but they would have done it in a much different way than you.

Just so we are all clear:

Atheist - a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods.

Agnostic - a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God.

One is open to the possibility if proven, the other would deny it if God was was holding a sign 2 feet in front of them that said "I AM GOD".

I've always claimed atheist but this makes me understand that I'm agnostic. Thx.

 

[rodgerblue]

[roll]

 

[BernieSadori]

Southeast Christian SW campus.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Heavy on guilt, really? Man, I have never met a catholic that came close to leading a somewhat holy life. They were all either crooked, cheaters, or drunks...maybe that's where the guilt comes from. lol They were all wealthy so they had that going for them.

Oh brother, from my time in Catholicism it was guilt central. My mother attends Mass daily. There also are many alcoholics in my family. We weren't wealthy at all, though. Must've missed out on that part. But, everything as a kid was a sin or evil or immoral. When I was a teenager my mom painted God as some sort of weird *** pedophile, telling me if I had the urge to touch myself, he'd be watching in disgust. :scream:

We also had that confession thing where you just tell ole dude what you did, say some prayers and ... boom ... clean slate. I've been through the steps. I'm an official (really bad) Catholic. I guess when I get closer to dying I might give into Pascal's Wager and go clean the ole slate. Just in case. Lol.

Going to old time country Baptist church twice with my wife was frankly terrifying and a little comical. Dude just yelling about Satan and sin for what seemed like 600 hours. I'd never seen a fellow rant and rave so much. It was really hard not to laugh. Everyone looked miserable and scared. Wife said it was like that every service.

 

[TruBluCatFan]

Oh brother, from my time in Catholicism it was guilt central. My mother attends Mass daily. There also are many alcoholics in my family. We weren't wealthy at all, though. Must've missed out on that part. But, everything as a kid was a sin or evil or immoral. When I was a teenager my mom painted God as some sort of weird *** pedophile, telling me if I had the urge to touch myself, he'd be watching in disgust. :scream:

We also had that confession thing where you just tell ole dude what you did, say some prayers and ... boom ... clean slate. I've been through the steps. I'm an official (really bad) Catholic. I guess when I get closer to dying I might give into Pascal's Wager and go clean the ole slate. Just in case. Lol.

Going to old time country Baptist church twice with my wife was frankly terrifying and a little comical. Dude just yelling about Satan and sin for what seemed like 600 hours. I'd never seen a fellow rant and rave so much. It was really hard not to laugh. Everyone looked miserable and scared. Wife said it was like that every service.

It is my belief that God doesn't care how we worship but cares infinitely in how we believe. There are so many different styles of worship, of preachers, of rituals, etc. Many of these let man get in the way of what God wants us to believe and do. I don't think it is done intentionally but it still happens.

There is nothing wrong in searching for God in different churches until you find the place where you find God. My belief is God is in all of them but our humanity makes each of us see him and seek him in different ways.

 

[allabouttheUK]

It is my belief that God doesn't care how we worship but cares infinitely in how we believe. There are so many different styles of worship, of preachers, of rituals, etc. Many of these let man get in the way of what God wants us to believe and do. I don't think it is done intentionally but it still happens.

There is nothing wrong in searching for God in different churches until you find the place where you find God. My belief is God is in all of them but our humanity makes each of us see him and seek him in different ways.

My belief is you don't even have to search for God in a church. I have found that my faith is more solid when my relationship with God is mine and stays personal rather than meeting with a bunch of people for an hour or two hours a week.

 

[TruBluCatFan]

My belief is you don't even have to search for God in a church. I have found that my faith is more solid when my relationship with God is mine and stays personal rather than meeting with a bunch of people for an hour or two hours a week.

Didn't mean to imply that was wrong. I apologize if you took it that way.

 

[allabouttheUK]

Didn't mean to imply that was wrong. I apologize if you took it that way.

Oh no, not at all. I had started typing my response, then got busy, then came back and changed it. i agree :100points: with your post. I was just adding that it's my belief that you can search for God in many other places besides the confine of a church.

Didn't mean to come off as confrontational, so I apologize for that.

 

[TruBluCatFan]

Oh no, not at all. I had started typing my response, then got busy, then came back and changed it. i agree :100points: with your post. I was just adding that it's my belief that you can search for God in many other places besides the confine of a church.

Didn't mean to come off as confrontational, so I apologize for that.

You didn't. Thanks.

 

[UKraziest]

I think I would catch fire.

ray:ray:ray:ray:ray:ray:

 

[MegaBlue05]

I must confess, I've been a member here since the mid-80s. Pretty laid back congregation. A lot of us look different. Some of us stink. We have foul mouths. We don't like mainstream stuff. Our hymns are br000tal as F. Our dogma is mostly to piss the mainline churches off and sell records. (Seriously, the album above is awesome. It's my selection of the evening to go with some Blanton's over ice.)

 

[jameslee32]

 

[JDHoss]

Not counting weddings, funerals,and Christmas plays where I was hounded to go see nieces and nephews in their roles, I probably been to maybe a total of 5 church services in my lifetime. I would probably classify myself as slightly agnostic, although I do believe there my be something to the afterlife.

 

[Teachable Moe]

I believe there's something.

As for church, I've avoided it for 25 years, although last year I did discuss with a Jewish friend getting instruction for converting to Judaism. I can't stick the Catholicism of my youth and think all this guilt should be put to good use.

 

[oldsports_]

I go, and believe. I don't make it every Sunday, but 75% of the time.
My take, and it's simple. People who go regularly, or believe, and may not go though, commit very few serious violent crimes. Christianity has seen a 20% decline over the last 20 years, but it didn't take a genius to figure that out, just look around.
I never speak ill of another's choice of denomination, I'm happy they are Christians.

 

[starchief]

I go, and believe. I don't make it every Sunday, but 75% of the time.
My take, and it's simple. People who go regularly, or believe, and may not go though, commit very few serious violent crimes. Christianity has seen a 20% decline over the last 20 years, but it didn't take a genius to figure that out, just look around.
I never speak ill of another's choice of denomination, I'm happy they are Christians.

Reports of Christianity in serious decline are greatly exaggerated. It is true that Christianity has declined in the US and the West. The decline is alarming in Catholicism and in the Mainline (liberal) denominations but among evangelicals and fundamentalists the decline has been relatively small (about 2% I believe). But worldwide, in countries where the gospel is allowed to be spread freely, (eg, not Muslim) the church is growing quite rapidly. Africa has seen phenomenal growth, as well as China, South Korea, and Japan. South America, which used to be almost totally Roman Catholic, is rapidly converting to conservative Protestantism.

There is a direct correlation between the degree a denomination which believes the Bible is God's word and those who disregard the Bible and only pay it lip service and regard their church as a glorified social club.

A simple google search will confirm what I say.

 

[oldsports_]

A simple google search will confirm what I say.

My post was from a "simple Google search".
1) Search "decline in Christianity " on Google
2) comprehend search results.

One result on the 1st page agreed with your post, all others agreed with mine. And yes, it was a simple Google search.

 

[starchief]

My post was from a "simple Google search".
1) Search "decline in Christianity " on Google
2) comprehend search results.

One result on the 1st page agreed with your post, all others agreed with mine. And yes, it was a simple Google search.

I googled "decline in christianity" and got the same page I presume you did (who knows with google?). Most reporting the decline in the US and the West (Europe) and in Muslim countries (decline by perscution and killings) - which I stated in my post.

 

[Ron Mehico]

Brazil is extremely religious (catholic or christian or whatever) and is one of the most violent countries on earth, as well as mexico which is also extremely religious. So the whole "christians don't commit violent crimes" opinion isn't really based on anything. Which I guess is what an opinion is anyway.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Ummm, guys, the U.S. crime rate was higher 30 years ago with 35 percent LESS population than today, so more religion = less crime is a bunk theory. The difference is there wasn't a computerized information source in everyone's pocket that would allow them to know every bad thing that happened every day.

The U.S. gets less religious by the decade. And I'm not shocked by the some of the rest of the world getting more religious. Religion spreads through indoctrination of young people. (Do you really think a middle-aged person could hear the tales of any religion for the first time and believe them now that his brain is fully developed and capable of thinking critically? Nope. But if you tell a 3-year-old an invisible man is watching their every move, they'll buy into it just like they buy into Santa Claus.)


Also, this:



The part about the train is kay:

 

[KingLlama]

I pastor(part-time) a small, relatively new church(8 years old) in central Kentucky. Casual, but definitely not cool/hip/trendy/etc. We keep it simple....a worship gathering on Sunday mornings, a small bible study on Wednesday nights, and service projects. We meet in a school gymnasium, so we set it up and take it down each week....which is kind of a pain, but not having the overhead of a mortgage/utilities allows us to give more of our offering $ to ministries and local benevolence.

 

[Pope John Wall II]

I believe there's something.

As for church, I've avoided it for 25 years, although last year I did discuss with a Jewish friend getting instruction for converting to Judaism. I can't stick the Catholicism of my youth and think all this guilt should be put to good use.

You'll never be more than a goy unless you pop out some babies with a (genetically provable) Jewish wife.

 

[mashburned]

Ummm, guys, the U.S. crime rate was higher 30 years ago with 35 percent LESS population than today,

LMAO

that's mid-coke pre-aids era, fyi. The single best era of our country. You couldn't be more dead wrong.

...now go pull a silly statistic from some website they have you.

 

[thebluestripes]

I can promise one thing, finding the right church and attending regularly will change your life for the better.

 

[Nubb16]

Born and raised southern baptist. I'm probably about as baptist as a plant but I'll die being a religious man who really believes and practices Christianity. Am I perfect? Lord no. I'm pretty awful sometimes but that doesn't change how I think and feel spiritually. I go every Sunday and I feel
I need that.

 

[westerncat]

Born and raised southern baptist. I'm probably about as baptist as a plant but I'll die being a religious man who really believes and practices Christianity. Am I perfect? Lord no. I'm pretty awful sometimes but that doesn't change how I think and feel spiritually. I go every Sunday and I feel
I need that.

Same here. Go to a small Southern Baptist Church and love what Jesus did for me. Far from perfect but I know where I am going when I leave this life.

 

[morgousky]

Ummm, guys, the U.S. crime rate was higher 30 years ago with 35 percent LESS population than today, so more religion = less crime is a bunk theory. The difference is there wasn't a computerized information source in everyone's pocket that would allow them to know every bad thing that happened every day.

The U.S. gets less religious by the decade. And I'm not shocked by the some of the rest of the world getting more religious. Religion spreads through indoctrination of young people. (Do you really think a middle-aged person could hear the tales of any religion for the first time and believe them now that his brain is fully developed and capable of thinking critically? Nope. But if you tell a 3-year-old an invisible man is watching their every move, they'll buy into it just like they buy into Santa Claus.)


Also, this:



The part about the train is kay:

This has got to be one of the most simpleton explanation of religion I've ever heard. Santa Clause isn't believable as you get older because he's not real. There is no big guy sneaking down a chimney placing gifts under a tree. Umm.....duh. Jesus Christ and christianity is a whole other topic, and MILLIONS of people aren't raised in church, do not have religious parents, and find him once they're gray and old; when they have a "fully developed brain".

It's called searching for truth and finding it. If you don't care to know him, or seek him, you'll never see it, and he'll never know you.

Keep putting your faith in a ridiculous notion that all was created from nada, it's much more "critical" in thought, right?

0 = everything? Is that settled science? Didn't you learn last year in 4th grade math that 0 = 0, not 0 = 1,000,000,000,000?

You might want to leave the door open so there's a way in, and maybe you'd come around eventually. Most of this "no God" nonsense is just children angry at daddy syndrome. Why is there suffering? Why did grandma die? Where does evil come from?

Only a human would believe they are supposed to have every answer they desire.

 

[IdaCat]

This has got to be one of the most simpleton explanation of religion I've ever heard. Santa Clause isn't believable as you get older because he's not real. There is no big guy sneaking down a chimney placing gifts under a tree. Umm.....duh. Jesus Christ and christianity is a whole other topic, and MILLIONS of people aren't raised in church, do not have religious parents, and find him once they're gray and old; when they have a "fully developed brain".

It's called searching for truth and finding it. If you don't care to know him, or seek him, you'll never see it, and he'll never know you.

Keep putting your faith in a ridiculous notion that all was created from nada, it's much more "critical" in thought, right?

0 = everything? Is that settled science? Didn't you learn last year in 4th grade math that 0 = 0, not 0 = 1,000,000,000,000?

You might want to leave the door open so there's a way in, and maybe you'd come around eventually. Most of this "no God" nonsense is just children angry at daddy syndrome. Why is there suffering? Why did grandma die? Where does evil come from?

Only a human would believe they are supposed to have every answer they desire.

Science has shown that the earth isn't flat, that it isn't the center of the universe, that the deaf, dumb, epileptic, and mentally ill aren't possessed by demons, and many other things your primitive, flawed holy book got totally wrong.

Yet because Science, in it's infancy, hasn't yet fully explained the origin of the cosmos to ignorant human satisfaction, Jesus is god. Not a more plausible deistic god or any of the thousands of other equally ridiculous gods worshiped by billions. Bronze age Jesus!

And you accuse non-believers of simpleton thinking. This kind of "thinking" is why I don't go to church. I will keep searching for "truth" while you pretend you've already found it.

 

[morgousky]

Science has shown that the earth isn't flat, that it isn't the center of the universe, that the deaf, dumb, epileptic, and mentally ill aren't possessed by demons, and many other things your primitive, flawed holy book got totally wrong.

Yet because Science, in it's infancy, hasn't yet fully explained the origin of the cosmos to ignorant human satisfaction, Jesus is god. Not a more plausible deistic god or any of the thousands of other equally ridiculous gods worshiped by billions. Bronze age Jesus!

And you accuse non-believers of simpleton thinking. This kind of "thinking" is why I don't go to church. I will keep searching for "truth" while you pretend you've already found it.

And who said the earth isn't round? That's right, humans. Nice debate platform you've started.

You haven't disproven anything in the bible, and scientist and NASA have tried for years to no avail. They never will. You'll die not knowing the truth waiting on it from them.

The big bang, which was universally accepted across the spectrum as the beginning of the cosmos, essentially proved Gods creation. Do you know what scientist call pre-BB? The nothing. Try explaining it. You can't. And now that the BB has given some evidence to the creation, many are backstopping because they can't stand the reality they've uncovered.

Jesus was sent to earth because humans were putting faith in many false prophets and Gods. That's the whole point of christianity. You believe what you want, I sure won't stop you. Just offer my opinion to people who are led astray by human frailty.