http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/02/25/religion.survey.ap/index.html
Thought this was interesting. It would seem that Christian denominations are on the decline in the U.S., giving in to more interest in non-denominational faith, or none at all.

What a shock.

Maybe god should start answering some prayers. But hey hes pretty busy :shrug:

Maybe god should start answering some prayers. But hey hes pretty busy :shrug:
Haha. How can an omnipotent being ever be busy?

Hes not busy. He just doesnt give a shit.

Hes not busy. He just doesnt give a shit.

Yea...what a dick

Yea...what a dickSounds like Lewis Black. He called God an asshole on a recent comedy show and got approval from the whole auditorium.

I've always said that if God were spotted walking down the street in any major American city he'd be arrested for child abuse.

So much for respectable society.

He called God an asshole on a recent comedy show
I bet he wouldn't do that in a thunderstorm on top of a hill.

Maybe god should start answering some prayers. But hey hes pretty busy :shrug:

I think that once he got a good look at his followers he just thought.
What the fuk is the point.

Hes not busy. He just doesnt give a shit.
I could live with that explanation 100 times over than all the b/s explanations the bible coughs up for his/her/its behavior.
"It's God's will"
"It wasn't meant to be"
:rolleyes:

I think that once he got a good look at his followers he just thought.
What the fuk is the point.
Maybe. But wouldn't that be a direct refletion on his shoddy workmanship? I mean, we were supposedly created by him.
Maybe we were an 'ant farm' that he just up and got tired of. LOL

Yea...what a dick

He answers mine. Even though I call Him a dick sometimes too. You know, when I stub my toe or the weather's bad or something really tragic like that.

Maybe you guys just aren't trying hard enough.

He answers mine. Even though I call Him a dick sometimes too. You know, when I stub my toe or the weather's bad or something really tragic like that.

I'm sure he does ;)

Sounds like Lewis Black. He called God an asshole on a recent comedy show and got approval from the whole auditorium.

I've always said that if God were spotted walking down the street in any major American city he'd be arrested for child abuse.

I've called Him an asshole too.

And you know, I have my temper tantrums. But I also know, He's got a plan.

It's to torture us until we all lose our minds.

J/K...

Well wait a minute...am I joking? I'm not sure. But that's funny!

Maybe I just didnt pray the "right" way....bleh

Maybe I just didnt pray the "right" way....bleh

You mean standing on your head naked?

Thats how i used to do it, but covered in jelly ...and on fire.

I forgot about the jelly! f*&k!

You know what our problem is people? This is how we're supposed to pray...

Heavenly Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever, amen.

Now where in there does OUR will come into play? If we pray this way, then our will is in alignment with His. And how many so-called Christians do you think really pray this way?

I didnt know that god had a secret passcode mandated for answering the prayers of those in need.:shrug:

Well now you know. So now you can thank ME when they come true. KIDDING!!!

Well now you know. So now you can thank ME when they come true. KIDDING!!!

Are you god?! :D

I'm glad to see denominationalism going to hell. It's not logical. There's one God, one law, one Christ, and one bride for Him. And that equals one church, not 87 different denominations that focus on how they're DIFFERENT from other denominations. Yeah we where our hair different from you so we're just going to segregate, and pretend God loves us more because of our hairdos. Why not appreciate each other's differences and what we have in common? That being the love of God and our salvation through Christ.

Are you god?! :D

No, I just look like Him. :cool:

I'm glad to see denominationalism going to hell. It's not logical. There's one God, one law, one Christ, and one bride for Him. And that equals one church, not 87 different denominations that focus on how they're DIFFERENT from other denominations. Yeah we where our hair different from you so we're just going to segregate, and pretend God loves us more because of our hairdos. Why not appreciate each other's differences and what we have in common? That being the love of God and our salvation through Christ.

But just that kind of thinking is a just denominationalism of a different type:

Okay so now we are all united one god one christ, so obviously we are better then the other people who dont believe in christ, and man we are way better then the ones who have more than one god. Its really no different ;)

But just that kind of thinking is a just denominationalism of a different type:

Okay so now we are all united one god one christ, so obviously we are better then the other people who dont believe in christ, and man we are way better then the ones who have more than one god. Its really no different ;)

Dude...that's why I don't GO to church. Instead I just live my life surrounded by all kinds of people that I love. I love how we're all different and so I don't expect everyone else to be like me or vice versa. God made us all different...

Well you know, except for serial killers and stuff. Hanging with them could be dangerous.

edit...

I shouldn't really say that. People witness all the time in prisons, and on death row. I'm glad someone does.

Dude...that's why I don't GO to church. Instead I just live my life surrounded by all kinds of people that I love. I love how we're all different and so I don't expect everyone else to be like me or vice versa. God made us all different...

Well I expect everyone to be like me...or at least like me :D

No surprise. I would not call American Christianity very Christian.

I see a lot of small churches around here dying. Just a lot of old people and no new young families. People want entertainment with their religion, so the huge super churches are growing like crazy.

No surprise. I would not call American Christianity very Christian.When the Religious Redneck Retard Revival was in full swing in the early 1980s and the hippies were becoming "born again" en masse to atone for all the fun they'd had, a friend who'd been raised as a "Christian" Christian said to me: "The only part of the religion these people came for is the forgiveness."

I forgot about the jelly! f*&k!

You know what our problem is people? This is how we're supposed to pray...

Heavenly Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever, amen.

Now where in there does OUR will come into play? If we pray this way, then our will is in alignment with His. And how many so-called Christians do you think really pray this way?

Not exactly. That is the manner in which we should pray. But we should never pray that prayer word for word. If you do that then it is just another structured prayer, a mindless chant without personal meaning.

I guess the first prayer one prays would be to ask for the wisdom to know what to pray for. The next best prayer is to pray a prayer of acceptance that Gods will shall be done.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

Well Adstar, it happens to be a perfect represtentation of my seniment, so as long as I mean it when I say it, I don't see what the problem is. You know, there are times when I pray more specific prayers, regarding different things. I've had conversations with God too about various things. But in general, the Lord's prayer perfectly states my intention towards Him and my life and this world at all times, and regardless of any circumstances.

Well Adstar, it happens to be a perfect represtentation of my seniment, so as long as I mean it when I say it, I don't see what the problem is. You know, there are times when I pray more specific prayers, regarding different things. I've had conversations with God too about various things. But in general, the Lord's prayer perfectly states my intention towards Him and my life and this world at all times, and regardless of any circumstances.

Adstar has questioned your doctrine. You should declare holy war upon him.

Religious adherence is vastly over rated. Many folks have either shed the mythology or, more commonly, don't give a darn.

As my 16-year-old visiting nephew declared loudly last week: "How can people believe in that crap!" I asked him if any of his firiends were Jesus believers and I might as well asked if any still believe in Sant Clause.

There's hope for this world

When the Religious Redneck Retard Revival was in full swing in the early 1980s and the hippies were becoming "born again" en masse to atone for all the fun they'd had, a friend who'd been raised as a "Christian" Christian said to me: "The only part of the religion these people came for is the forgiveness."

Your friend was wrong. As most Christian whackos are usually out of touch with reality and are wrong. They 'come' to the religion to belong and buy into something. If it was on Borneo the same individuals would join the Cannibal sect. It has nothing to do with 'forgiveness'.

Dude...that's why I don't GO to church. Instead I just live my life surrounded by all kinds of people that I love. I love how we're all different and so I don't expect everyone else to be like me or vice versa. God made us all different...
*************
M*W: That's exactly how I feel as an atheist... being around the people that I love. I just don't think a god had anything to do with it. Mostly it happened because of me and what I wanted in my life and in the lives of those whom I love. Love works.

*************
M*W's Friendly Atheist Quote (FAQ) of the Day:

"Whatever we cannot easily understand we call God; this saves much wear and tear on the brain tissues." ~ Edward Abbey

*************
M*W's Anti-Bitterness Comments (ABCs) of the Day:

"The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is to live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof." ~ Barbara Kingsolver, b. 1955 American Novelist

I see a lot of small churches around here dying. Just a lot of old people and no new young families. People want entertainment with their religion, so the huge super churches are growing like crazy.
*************
M*W: I see that, too, in a city upwards of 4.5 million people. Small churches are being torn down due to lack of congregations. There are a couple of big ones like Lakewood Church and First and Second Baptist Churches. The whole shebang seems so fakey to me. I've actually attended Second Baptist with a good friend who tried to save my soul, and I just sat there the whole time listening to the pastor thinking in my head, "what a liar you are!" I told my friend I just couldn't go there anymore, and you know what? He quit going there or anywhere else! Maybe I made some sense to him. Maybe he figured it out on his own, but I tell you what, today he respects what I tell him, and he's told me he's learned a lot from me. We're still the best of friends!

As far as I'm concerned, every last church could crumble to the ground and the lies would stop.

M*W, perhaps you have an aversion to all things religious.

I have many Christian friends in India. I go to mass with them, pray together (same God what luck!), have fun with all the paraphernalia of christenings, first holy communions, weddings, Christmas. I love the carolling and the church music (organ music), the hymns and services. I enjoy meeting the priests who faithfully visit the parish members and look out for the less advantaged. As a Muslim, I have never felt anything evangelical or odd or fundamentalist about Christians. To me, Christians are fun loving people.

What churches did you go to in U.S?

EDIT: hey SAM you deleted that part...

I just found them all interesting. I enjoyed the churched, the mosques, the temples i visited. I especially liked the Indian (cant think of the name, mental blockage) ones with the burning popcorn and the symbols. But i didnt like the food too much.

Since I have both Catholic and Protestant friends, I went to either Catholic or Protestant churches.

SAM, you little fibber.:p

You went to churches in U.S or not?

One was a Thomas Aquinas Church, I totally forget the name of other, but it was a Protestant Church where my Korean friend went.

I went to the National Cathedral too, but that was mostly for the stained glass. :)

I stayed for the service, since it was time for evening service by the time we finished roaming the place.

The best churches are the Black churches. Those are the ones you wanna visit.

I knew only one black girl very well and she always went home on weekends. I know other blacks but most are Africans, so we rarely discuss religion, let alone reach the point of going to church together.

Thomas Aquinas was 2 parts philosopher and 1 part christian(hedging his bets or "pretending" really).

Religion = power. Pure and simple.

The best churches are the Black churches. Those are the ones you wanna visit.

yes. been to many myself. they really know how to jam.

African Christians are great. There's a Somalian guy I took calculus with some time back who told me that Christians (where he came from) didn't eat pork, and were very much in tune with Islamic ideals. Thought that was pretty cool.

Thomas Aquinas was 2 parts philosopher and 1 part christian(hedging his bets or "pretending" really).

Religion = power. Pure and simple.

I find the best and most genuine practitioners of religion are often times the people with least power in society.

The best churches are the Black churches. Those are the ones you wanna visit.
You are correct. They are very, very animated. They have the spirit and energy that you would find at a concert.

Well Adstar, it happens to be a perfect represtentation of my seniment, so as long as I mean it when I say it, I don't see what the problem is. You know, there are times when I pray more specific prayers, regarding different things. I've had conversations with God too about various things. But in general, the Lord's prayer perfectly states my intention towards Him and my life and this world at all times, and regardless of any circumstances.

So be it. Let each ones conscience be clear towards God. He knows the intents of all. :)


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

M*W, perhaps you have an aversion to all things religious.

good. religion sucks for the most part. god isn't religious. so why are we?

The best churches are the Black churches. Those are the ones you wanna visit.

they have the best music...

So be it. Let each ones conscience be clear towards God. He knows the intents of all. :)


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

i know what you mean though. i've been a waitress for a long time and seen many people pray before meals which i've always thought is so meaningless, and ritualistic. like they're just puting on a show. i mean, was it really such a harrowing experience to drive your fat ass to an applebee's restaurant for lunch? i don't know...just seems like a global, "thanks for sustaining me and keeping me" sentiment while alone with him would cover it. i'm not a big fan of praying in public. i think it's something to be done in private. in a closet.

i'm not a big fan of praying in public. i think it's something to be done in private. in a closet.I bet you curse in public. Talking to those same folks' deity, just got a different kind of request. :)

The best churches are the Black churches. Those are the ones you wanna visit.

Black Gospel Choir Makes Man Wish He Believed In All That God Bullshit

COLUMBUS, OH—The gloriously jubilant gospel singing that pours forth each Sunday from Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church is enough to make local resident Doug Kamin wish he believed in all that God bullshit.

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/3413/onionnews1176articlelj0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
The Bethel AME Church choir, which has given Doug Kamin reason to regret his atheism.

Kamin, who lives two blocks from Bethel AME Church, passes the church most Sundays en route to his local Starbucks. Though he has rejected the existence of God ever since discovering Marx and Nietzsche in the 10th grade, Kamin admitted that the exuberant singing of the church choir often produces in him a feeling of longing.

"It must be so life-affirming to be in there, connecting with fellow human beings and celebrating your faith while making that joyful noise," said Kamin, a doctoral candidate in political science at Ohio State University. "I still say it's a big, delusional fairy tale, this whole religion thing, but what's the harm in believing in a 2,000-year-old carpenter and some 'holy ghost' if it makes you happy?"

....Despite his attraction to the Bethel AME Church, Kamin still can't bring himself to believe in the existence of a supreme being.

"There's simply too much evolutionary and cosmological evidence against it," Kamin said. "No offense to anybody, but I just can't buy into the parting of the Red Sea and the Immaculate Conception and all those other Biblical tall tales any more than I can The Odyssey."
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/28174

I bet you curse in public. Talking to those same folks' deity, just got a different kind of request. :)

No, i'm not a big fan of "damning", and when i do curse AT God, I do that in private too. If I had the temper tantrums that I lay loose on God in public, I'd get locked up.

You know what our problem is people? This is how we're supposed to pray...

Heavenly Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever, amen.

Now where in there does OUR will come into play? If we pray this way, then our will is in alignment with His. And how many so-called Christians do you think really pray this way?


What difference does a stupid verse like that make? As 5-11 year olds we were forced to recite this verse.

Just what is your point? You should be embarrassed.

What difference does a stupid verse like that make? As 5-11 year olds we were forced to recite this verse.

Just what is your point? You should be embarrassed.

Dude, I didn't make this up okay? It's actually the way Jesus says to pray in the Bible. And it actually does represent my sentiment towards God, and the things I'd like to see accomplished. A stupid verse like that takes care of me and brings His Kingdom to earth. Don't get shitty with me because somebody forced you to recite prayers when you were little. It wasn't my idea. I don't think anyone should be forced to pray. And if you're still angry about it after all these years, then maybe you are the one who should be embarrassed. :bawl:

What difference does a stupid verse like that make? As 5-11 year olds we were forced to recite this verse.

Just what is your point? You should be embarrassed.

damn kenny.
forced? no, its soothing. Kinda like a mantra. We say it after grace at supper.
lol, and I'm an atheist.

Dude, I didn't make this up okay? It's actually the way Jesus says to pray in the Bible.

How is that supposed to impress me when the story of Jesus is nothing but impressive mythology on a par with Zeus and Hercules?

And it actually does represent my sentiment towards God, and the things I'd like to see accomplished. A stupid verse like that takes care of me and brings His Kingdom to earth.

Completely meaningless. I honestly don't understand how you and others can tell people that there is a right and wrong way to pray... this ignoring the fact that prayer is false, god is false, heaven is false, jesus is false. Multiples of impossible things all believed as truth and indoctrinated as such.

Don't get shitty with me because somebody forced you to recite prayers when you were little. It wasn't my idea.

You said it, that's enough to make me get shitty with you and your ridiculously lame beliefs.

I don't think anyone should be forced to pray. And if you're still angry about it after all these years, then maybe you are the one who should be embarrassed. :bawl:

Oh, if only becoming an adult saw an end to people like you and their bold claims of impossibilities as truth. You are the adult and you still believe it. This isn't Santa we're talking about. I should be embarrassed?

there are christians who give other christians a bad rep. Seriously kenny, what do you think you're doing for the image of atheists?

damn kenny.
forced? no, its soothing. Kinda like a mantra. We say it after grace at supper.
lol, and I'm an atheist.

5-11 year olds are unable to decline, so it is forced. You're telling a child to believe bullshit. It's abuse. Simple.

My kids also left Santa a letter. How abusive was that.

Dude, I didn't make this up okay? It's actually the way Jesus says to pray in the Bible. And it actually does represent my sentiment towards God, and the things I'd like to see accomplished. A stupid verse like that takes care of me and brings His Kingdom to earth. Don't get shitty with me because somebody forced you to recite prayers when you were little. It wasn't my idea. I don't think anyone should be forced to pray. And if you're still angry about it after all these years, then maybe you are the one who should be embarrassed. :bawl:

What makes God, as Christians view him, anymore believable than the existence of Buddha, Allah, Krishna, any other deity from any other religion?

My kids also left Santa a letter. How abusive was that.

To humor a child with fantasies they enjoy is different to enforce your own absurd beliefs on a child. They grow up and realize it was just a bit of childish fun. With religion they grow up and realize it was something sinister that adult beliefs which are false were forced upon them. What would your opinion be of creationists if you were taught creationism as scientific truth in school?

Religion is a no go area with children except to teach that it exists, but not to believe. Get it?

To humor a child with fantasies they enjoy is different to enforce your own absurd beliefs on a child. They grow up and realize it was just a bit of childish fun. With religion they grow up and realize it was something sinister that adult beliefs which are false were forced upon them. What would your opinion be of creationists if you were taught creationism as scientific truth in school?

Religion is a no go area with children except to teach that it exists, but not to believe. Get it?

I'm an atheist. I have a church going daughter. Its why we say grace and the Lord's prayer. Wouldn't it be just as wrong of me to force my beliefs on her? :shrug:

I'm an atheist. I have a church going daughter. Its why we say grace and the Lord's prayer. Wouldn't it be just as wrong of me to force my beliefs on her? :shrug:

Yes it would be. I would never teach atheism to any child I had if only to repair damage religious indoctrination has done to him/her in school out of my control.

I'm an atheist. I have a church going daughter. Its why we say grace and the Lord's prayer. Wouldn't it be just as wrong of me to force my beliefs on her?It's not "forcing." It's called "teaching" and it's a parent's job!!! It's your responsibility to raise her. If she's been misguided it's up to you to fix it. "Tolerance" applies to society outside the home. It does not mean that parents have to be wimps and let their children do any damnfool thing they want IN THEIR HOME.

If someone else had taught her to smoke a joint before dinner to stimulate her appetite, would you sit quietly through that? It's a far lesser evil than religion!

It's not "forcing." It's called "teaching" and it's a parent's job!!! It's your responsibility to raise her. If she's been misguided it's up to you to fix it. "Tolerance" applies to society outside the home. It does not mean that parents have to be wimps and let their children do any damnfool thing they want IN THEIR HOME.

If someone else had taught her to smoke a joint before dinner to stimulate her appetite, would you sit quietly through that? It's a far lesser evil than religion!

I don't see religion as bad. I don't care if other people believe in god and an afterlife. Why would anyone care if someone believed that? If its misguided to believe that, so what. Who gets harmed for having a god belief? It all ends the same.

I care about how people treat other people while they are here. Whether they are a believer in whatever religion or an atheist, being mean or nice to people is what counts. And either one gettin gon their high-horse saying they are right solves nothing.

Orleander, why would YOU say the prayer too, if you are an atheist? I would tell my children what I think and why, and let them make up their own mind, but I wouldn't follow a religious ritual if I didn't believe it.

because I'm the only one who knows it and she wants to learn it.

What makes God, as Christians view him, anymore believable than the existence of Buddha, Allah, Krishna, any other deity from any other religion?

The bible der! :rolleyes:

because I'm the only one who knows it and she wants to learn it.

So, you are teaching her religion by example. Why not explain your atheism too? Children are gullible, they might find a caring God more appealing than reality.

So, you are teaching her religion by example. Why not explain your atheism too? Children are gullible, they might find a caring God more appealing than reality.

I'll explain it when she asks. My son did when he was in his early teens.

i know what you mean though. i've been a waitress for a long time and seen many people pray before meals which i've always thought is so meaningless, and ritualistic. like they're just puting on a show. i mean, was it really such a harrowing experience to drive your fat ass to an applebee's restaurant for lunch? i don't know...just seems like a global, "thanks for sustaining me and keeping me" sentiment while alone with him would cover it. i'm not a big fan of praying in public. i think it's something to be done in private. in a closet.
*************
M*W: Well, finally, there is something we agree on. I've had lunch/dinner with friends of different religions (Muslims, Christians, Hindis, Sikhs, etc.), but the only ones who prayed before a meal were certain specific Christians.

Now let me tell you about a very close friend who is Christian. She doesn't go to church. She curses like a sailor, but she preaches to me for the sake of my soul. Had lunch with her one day, and although she's very self-conscious about herself in public, she made such a scene in the restaurant about praying over her food. Now, this girl is no Twiggy, so she's hard to miss. She rears back, raises her arms as if over her food (fatty fried stuff), and she prayed for what seemed like hours! Then when she was apparently finished with her ritual, she looked around to see if anybody was looking at her. I had already blessed my food by eating it. I just wonder what was up with her obvious praying at the table. It seemed so insincere.

I think if people want to pray over their food, fine, I don't care, but do it discreetly. I don't think it's meant to be a dramatic occurance. Any comments?

*************
M*W's Friendly Atheist Quote (FAQ) of the Day:

"Examine the religius principles which have, in fact, prevailed in the world. You will scarcely be persuaded that they are any thing but sick men's dreams." ~ David Hume

*************
M*W's Anti-Bitterness Comments (ABCs) of the Day:

"Never bend your head, always hold it high. Look the world in the face." ~ Helen Keller, 1880-1968 American Writer and Lecturer

How is that supposed to impress me when the story of Jesus is nothing but impressive mythology on a par with Zeus and Hercules?

Who said I was trying to impress you???? WTF?



Completely meaningless. I honestly don't understand how you and others can tell people that there is a right and wrong way to pray... this ignoring the fact that prayer is false, god is false, heaven is false, jesus is false. Multiples of impossible things all believed as truth and indoctrinated as such.

To reiterate, I did not make this up, I am simply pointing out to those people who want to pray, how it says to do it in the Bible, and this way makes a lot of sense to me. If you don't want to pray, then don't pray! And if you don't even believe in God, then why in the world are you discussing prayer anyway?



You said it, that's enough to make me get shitty with you and your ridiculously lame beliefs.

You're just shitty. So you're an angry and insulting person, so what? That's really nothing to write about. Especially here, you're supposed to contribute.



Oh, if only becoming an adult saw an end to people like you and their bold claims of impossibilities as truth. You are the adult and you still believe it. This isn't Santa we're talking about. I should be embarrassed?

Why are so hostile? Why do you feel the need to attack me just because my beliefs are different from yours? What is wrong with you? I'm not bothered a bit by it. What a boring world it would be if everyone was exactly the same.

i know what you mean though. i've been a waitress for a long time and seen many people pray before meals which i've always thought is so meaningless, and ritualistic. like they're just puting on a show. i mean, was it really such a harrowing experience to drive your fat ass to an applebee's restaurant for lunch? i don't know...just seems like a global, "thanks for sustaining me and keeping me" sentiment while alone with him would cover it. i'm not a big fan of praying in public. i think it's something to be done in private. in a closet.

Well Jesus did say that prayer should be done in secret.

But i don't necessarily think that people are being showy all the time when they do. Some just do it because their parents did it, they do it out of respect for their parents. Some do it because they feel it is a bonding experience with others that do it with them. Some people do it as a kind of evangelical tool, to let others in the area know they are religious and to spur their curiosity. And yes there are people who pray in public to impress others.

But praying to have ones food blessed is established in the NT as the right thing for Christians to do. Of course people can pray in a public area and no one need know they are praying. There is the silent prayer. One that keeps to the spirit of the guidance Jesus gave.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

What makes God, as Christians view him, anymore believable than the existence of Buddha, Allah, Krishna, any other deity from any other religion?

well, i can only speak from my own experience, and i haven't ever practiced a religion other than christianity. a long time ago, i did something that i had an unreconciled feeling about, and because of that, i decided for the first time in my life that i really wanted to know the truth about god. so i told him that if he was real, then i wanted him to show me. in the meantime, i got a book on the world's major religions. it gave a very good general overview of what the religion was all about and how it was practiced and by whom. after i read it i concluded that they were all pretty much the same. not in circumstance but in behavioral outcome. i mean the truth is the truth, and in a lot of ways it's really obvious, so any particular religion can't stray too far from it and remain credible. the only one that stood out to me was christianity, because it was the only one that claimed a messiah. so it seemed to me that truth could be found within all major religions, but a saviour could only be found in one. so i thought that christianity may not be the only word, but could be the final word.

since then i've had many spiritual experiences that have confirmed that idea.

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M*W: Well, finally, there is something we agree on. I've had lunch/dinner with friends of different religions (Muslims, Christians, Hindis, Sikhs, etc.), but the only ones who prayed before a meal were certain specific Christians.

Now let me tell you about a very close friend who is Christian. She doesn't go to church. She curses like a sailor, but she preaches to me for the sake of my soul. Had lunch with her one day, and although she's very self-conscious about herself in public, she made such a scene in the restaurant about praying over her food. Now, this girl is no Twiggy, so she's hard to miss. She rears back, raises her arms as if over her food (fatty fried stuff), and she prayed for what seemed like hours! Then when she was apparently finished with her ritual, she looked around to see if anybody was looking at her. I had already blessed my food by eating it. I just wonder what was up with her obvious praying at the table. It seemed so insincere.

I think if people want to pray over their food, fine, I don't care, but do it discreetly. I don't think it's meant to be a dramatic occurance. Any comments?



how typical...

that food didn't come from god, that food came from a money machine that's driven by greed and capitalizes on addiction, while poisoning it's customers. i used to work as a waitress for applebee's so i know how it goes and it makes me sick. what kind of god would bless that crap? your friend should pray for him to heal her of her addiction to junk food, forgive her for her gluttony, and to do it in private, and stop taking his name in vain, and being a false witness.

Well Jesus did say that prayer should be done in secret.



yes he did. he said it should be done in private. the term closet was used. and you're not supposed to pray to appease others. that is turning it into a meaningless ritual. it's supposed to be done as a way to commune with god.