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Post by Lady Bookwyrm on Jun 22, 2005 22:33:09 GMT -5
Ok...so I am going to Steubenville...which, from what I can gather, is some sort of Jesus camp. How did I get roped into this? Well, my aunt described it as being a little singing, a little praying, a little theological discussion, but mostly just a weekend to hang out with other teens. I thought it sounded ok, so I went for it. Me, my sister, and two cousins will be the only ones from NC, as it will be a bunch of New England kids. Fine by me...I love meeting new people. There's a bunch of camp rules...like no cell phones, music, books other than the bible, shorts above mid-thigh, shirts without sleeves, open-toed shoes, etc. I can handle this...I love to go camping for weeks and "rough it" without technology or any of that crap. Again, fine on this point. My aunt then tells me she has alread paid for us to go (a pretty big sum...non-refundable) so I can't back out. And, oh by the way, if people start having fits, speaking in tongues, laughing/crying hysterically, etc., I shouldn't mind. It's "quite normal" and I should "feel free to join in." Um...how about NOT ON YOUR LIFE! No offense to anyone who likes to do all that "Feel the Spirit" stuff...if that's what floats your boat, fine by me. But leave me out of that crap...I find it to be pointless, humiliating, and utterly fake. I prefer to worship in silence and tradition...that's why I'm Catholic. Oh well...I'll muddle through it...might even raise some H-E-double hockey sticks while I'm at it, lol    |
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Post by Hinata on Jun 22, 2005 22:40:26 GMT -5
Booky. . .some advice that has been given to me recently. Don't hate them for what they do. Just know that to them, they are doing what they believe is right for them. accept them for that. they aren't going to force you to join in. But allow them to be themselves and they'll allow you to be yourself. don't worry about it, enjoy this experience. Who knows what could happen. . .you could make some life time friends. Keep an open heart to it all  *Hugs* you'll be fine, I know you will be |
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Post by dinadan on Jun 22, 2005 22:57:34 GMT -5
Booky, I feel your pain.
This is an opportunity to show your beliefs as much as to see theirs. There's nothing wrong with being skeptical of such...antics. I'm sure there are times/places where that stuff is for real, but in my experience they are few and far between. In the mean time, try not to be judgemental, and try to be a voice of reason--there always needs to be one of those in any religious gathering.
Good luck, and all my prayers.
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Post by chrystalized on Jun 22, 2005 23:13:02 GMT -5
I speak from experience, at these types of camps you meet all types of people.
Two years in a row I went to a local chrisitan camp. the first year I was in a cabin with a catholic, a mennonite, a presbreterian ( i'm a horrible speller, don't mind me) and three girls from different reformed churches. Despite our different beliefs we got along amazingly. It was also cool to learn about the differences between churches.
The second year I was the only christian (besides the counsller) that to was amazing. I saw many different perspectives on life. I have never grown as much as I did at those camps.
Trust me, You'll have fun
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Post by dgan on Jun 22, 2005 23:14:33 GMT -5
Now, I'm all for the "look on the bright side" sentiment, but I'm with Booky here. You can't let people, not even relatives, push you around into an uncomfortable situation without letting them know how you really feel. I encourage you to sit down and have a heart-to-heart with your aunt and whomever else makes your...uh...education decisions. Primarily, to let them know how you feel. Secondly, to discover some alternatives. Perhaps substituting someone else into your "enrollment". Or, perhaps at worst, an agreement that if things get out of control after 1 or 2 days, you can get a train home or something. Let them know truly how you feel - and be willing to compromise. Hopefully, you'll gain their respect. You'd gain mine. |
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Post by Lady Bookwyrm on Jun 22, 2005 23:52:53 GMT -5
Yeah...thanks everyone. I'll try not to be TOO judgemental...lol. I'm sure that there will be some people there who don't get into the whole Shaker deal...so hopefully, I won't be alone. And yes...it will be interesting to discuss theology with these guys. Very interesting. I'll just go and tough it out...who knows? It might even be fun. Maybe. Big maybe.
Ah well...I'll let everyone know how it goes in about two weeks, lol.
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Post by Dred on Jun 23, 2005 7:57:05 GMT -5
Good luck to you. I really hope you have a good time and will meet some people you can become friends with.
You'll be in my prayers.
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Post by Child of Immanuel on Jun 23, 2005 8:43:59 GMT -5
I'm sure you'll be okay, but I'll be praying for you as well. Enjoy as much as you can!
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Post by DanTheMan on Jun 23, 2005 9:59:16 GMT -5
I'll pray for you, too. I know I would be uncomfortable as well. I believe in the Holy Spirit, but not in the "tongues" and other "holy" stuff. Hopefully, they'll give you a translator so you can understand what they're saying. Seriously, enjoy the experience as much as possible. There's probably others like you there who aren't sure what's going on.
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Post by twyrch on Jun 23, 2005 12:03:35 GMT -5
Yeah...thanks everyone. I'll try not to be TOO judgemental...lol. I'm sure that there will be some people there who don't get into the whole Shaker deal...so hopefully, I won't be alone. And yes...it will be interesting to discuss theology with these guys. Very interesting. I'll just go and tough it out...who knows? It might even be fun. Maybe. Big maybe. Ah well...I'll let everyone know how it goes in about two weeks, lol. Good luck at camp Booky. Bring a bit of non-conformity with you....  |
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Post by dinadan on Jun 23, 2005 21:36:17 GMT -5
Yeah...thanks everyone. I'll try not to be TOO judgemental...lol. I'm sure that there will be some people there who don't get into the whole Shaker deal...so hopefully, I won't be alone. And yes...it will be interesting to discuss theology with these guys. Very interesting. I'll just go and tough it out...who knows? It might even be fun. Maybe. Big maybe. Ah well...I'll let everyone know how it goes in about two weeks, lol. Shakers rock. That's a little joke. Although, I must say, I like a lot of their stuff--the seclusion from the world bit, not the female messiah stuff. |
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amodman
Mabinog
[M:395]
The Nightcrawler
Posts: 226
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Post by amodman on Jun 26, 2005 20:00:26 GMT -5
Hmmm, I understand perfectly well your not being comfortable around such things it not being what you're used to, and I fully acknowledge the hypocrisy in many chruches simply putting on a show, but I also think that (if this is a no-bull**** program) this might be an opporunity for you to perhaps learn something of what being filled with the spirit is. People don't (for the most part) go get filled with the holy spirit cause that's "what floats their boat". I wouldn't trust any Christian or otherwise who who urges you to try and get filled with the spirit for that reason, or any that tried to urge you regardless. I'll stop before I turn this post into a treatise, but I'll give you an encouraging word that there is nothing to fear from such a camp. They should not be forcing you to worship a certain way - no one should. That's not what worship is. That's between you and go God. Also, this is your decision. Don't be forced into anything, not even the camp thing.
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Post by Janikz Rex on Jun 29, 2005 7:59:11 GMT -5
im catholic but i've been to retreats where u would find ur "shakers" as u would call them. i dont believe anyone would fake catching the holy spirit. it is one thing when u are acting but u can tell by just looking at someone that they are really being blessed. i've seen my aunts and grandmother catch the holy ghost. these are devout god fearing women. i wouldnt understand why these ladies would FAKE cathing the holy spirit.
when i was younger it used to spook me out. seeing preachers put their hand's on someones head and watching that person just ... DROP! ... as a 8 year old kid i was terrified lol... i got used to seeing stuff like that as i got older and began to understand.
its easy to judge when u dont understand and even easier when no one is there to help u understand. try to understand whats going on and keep your mind open.
i hope u have a good time out there. HAVE FUN!
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Post by cree8ivone on Jun 29, 2005 8:34:55 GMT -5
**prayers and blessings**
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Post by Lady Bookwyrm on Jul 13, 2005 17:55:23 GMT -5
Well everyone...thanks for the prayers and advice. It was not as bad as I thought it would be.
Yes, there were some people who started speaking in tongues and crying, but that stuff didn't last too long. Mostly, I just hung out, watched hot guys play basketball, butt wrestled, played tag and hide and go seek in the dark, and sang silly songs with my new friends, lol. Fun, eh?
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*Hugs* you'll be fine, I know you will be
Twyrch /|\
