Religion and Stephen Lawhead

[DanTheMan]

Yes, I do. And, keeping it on topic, they are excellent reasons for going regularly to church.

[Janikz Rex]

I was baptized and raised a Roman Catholic. In my younger years i was literally forced to go to church. There's always a lil pest or group of pests running around and acting like fools during service, that would usually have been me and my cousins. As I got older i began to realize how important Christ really was and the seriousness of it all. After my realization I did it all at church, from alter serving to sunday school teaching.

A few months ago I came across a lot of information that is NOT taught to us at sunday school. Primarily about Constantine and that era. I learned how Roman Catholicism really came about and why we worship on Sunday instead of Saturday. Tons of imformation that i had know clue of. I really became totally disinterested in church. I lost a lot of faith in my religion. Not faith in Christ just my religion.

I began to meditate about my situation. I came to the conclusion that religion can not take you to heaven. Christ never mentioned to us which religion is the correct one, therefore i believe there is none. All religions are man made to a point. As long as u follow the bible and live life according to its teachings you should be ok.

B. asic
I. nstructions
B. efore
L. eaving
E. arth
(hip hop artist Wu Tang)

PS. sorry just felt like venting lol

[dinadan]

Dan, I appreciate the "vote or don't complain" logic--but there are times when you just have to shake the dust off your shoes and move on--and not just move one to another situation in which the same kinds of problems are going to exist.

Now, with dgan's comment, I think it's true that community and fellowship not being the primary aim of church--but there is a sense of community missing in the world these days, and churches should (I think most of us feel) step up to provide that. Most of them do not. And, yes, this forum is a great source of community strength, prayer, and support (especially among those of us who are 'regulars'), but it is limited in physical capacities. And that's fine as well.

I suppose what I'm saying is that I don't feel comfortable in churches. Once you've been burned (more than once) you don't want to go through it again; and that's my own flaw, I realize. I wasn't trying to say that my method was best for everyone--I was just attempting to share what my views on things are.

And, no offense was taken.

[dgan]

Each person's resilience or tolerance to such experiences vary. I know exactly what you're talking about, din.

Dan - I certainly don't mean to discourage people from going to church. I re-read my post and I guess that sentiment comes across. I agree with you that one should continue to give it a chance, especially when kids are involved. I was just making the point that your desire from a church may be different than the desire of that church - and you can still make that relationship work, even if it is somewhat misguided.

As far as being a church member - unfortunately, that is the equivalent to government politics. If the viewpoints are close enough, and if you have enough pull to instigate change within the church, then knock yourself out. Too often, however, (as my dad learned) all you do is cast your minority vote and get pulled along with the disagreeable tide. That takes us back to Din's assessment - each person's tolerance for such involvement will vary.

Regardless, it proves the importance of focusing on God's grace - not any church - for your faith.

[Cassiopeia]

I am a Christian - and I am not afraid to say it. Why should anyone be afraid of who God has made them in Christ? Paul writes to Timothy in 1 Tim 4:12-16: "Let no one despise your youth , but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you."
I just wanted to reply to Gwalchmai's statement about how if it's against God's will... He knows how to stop me. Some say that it is never to late to come back to Christ. But I belive that there actually will be a time that God will turn His face from you and your crys will not be heard. God can stop you but there can be a time when He will just choose not to.
Okay that is all I really have to say. Sorry for harping on you like that.

[dgan]

Harping is a lost art - beautiful instrument, in fact. No apologies needed among close friends.

[Cassiopeia]

Hey - I thought harping was a word!!!! Whatever, me and my imagination running wild.
Speaking of which, how cool would that be to invent a word & its meaning? Aha... maybe I should start a forum on the use of words & people's personal dictionaries!!!