Some church requests for tithes.

[Cricket]

What is it about religion that turns us into attack dogs?  Why can't we just leave people to their beliefs and be happy in our own disbeliefs?

Now I sound like Rodney King.  

[Timkin]

Religion, much like politics , does that .

[Ocklawaha]

What's with all the Bible quotes?!

We do all realize this was a book written by humans, quite recently (in the grand scheme of human history), too.

I've never understood the point of quoting the book to make a point, anymore than I'd quote Tolstoy, Shakespeare, Robespierre, Plato, etc.

Don't we all feel a little foolish for our fellow men as they are duped by such frivolous stories...

Sorry, I clearly have zero tolerance for people who believe in made up stories...as I have no tolerance for anyone who comes up to me and says they believe in the Tooth Fairy.

For me it would be a shame to have such a closed mind... But remind some of us believers next time your on the River Walk so we can touch the hem of your garment.  

Ever heard of The Flower Fairies? How about the myth of the Trojan Horse... which is no longer a myth? The myth of the soldier saved by a silver dollar... which when they raised the CSS Hunley, turned out NOT to be a myth? Ever heard of the miracle of the Sea Gulls in The Great Salt Lake Valley...myth? I don't think so!  Did you know the Confederate gunners at Fort McRee in 1861, sent a 10" high explosive shell right through the gun port and into a gun embrasure of the Yankees in Fort Picken's. It exploded with horrific destruction of the federal gun, ammo supply, accouterments, and the brick room in general - BUT not a single hair on the head of any of the Yankee crew was touched! Myth? Not!  

Now lets go 1969 cerebral, ever been on LSD? Mescaline? Peyote? Opium? Heroin or Methadone? THERE IS A REALITY THAT YOU CAN'T SEE WITH YOUR REGULAR EYES!  Some of us have been there perhaps, but it will change your view on a lot of things... It opens your mind to the teachings of The Buddha at the sermon where he didn't say a word... the message? "If you think you heard a flower - it's a flower that you heard!" I had the experience of tripping through a Los Angeles Art Museum and actually SAW GOD weeping for me... Uh? Crazy old Ocklawaha? Hey maybe so, but I'll tell you if that doesn't get your attention and light your fire, your wood is wet.

Yeah, I've read it from cover to cover many times, as well as The Book Of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants, The Bhagavad Gītā, ἀπόκρυφοc or Aprocapha, Popol Vuh,  Edgar Casey Sleeping Prophet, Science and Health With Key to The Scriptures, Dianetics, various Watchtower Society books, Kingdom Interlinear Translation, The Joseph Smith Translation, Prophecy of Nahau Pech, The Golden Tablets, Beowulf, Steppenwolf, Main Kampf, The Writings of Chairman Mao (aka: The Little Red Book) and more mainstream Christian Books then I could recall in a few days. Guess what? Your free to believe any of them or walk away from them according to your own sense of humanity, or lack thereof. As y'all can imagine Stephen (one of the few that has seen part of my library) and I have had some VERY interesting discussions.

I actually feel sorry for some of the university educated robotic drones that infest today's world... You never even burned down a student union did you? You missed a hell of a lot, such memorable actions as the levitation of the Pentagon, the dropping of dollar bills onto the New York Stock Exchange floor, and the Chicago 8 Trial, which followed the demonstrations at the Democratic Convention not to mention Vietnam, Woodstock, Kent State-Jackson State massacres, California Jam, Soul and the birth of Southern Rock. Was it real? a hallucination? Or a drug propelled brain cloud?

I stretched back and I hiccupped
And looked back on my busy day
Eleven hours in the Tin Pan
God, there's got to be another way

Who are you?

Now THAT was funny!

OCKLAWAHA    

[Timkin]

Well-said , Ock! .. ++1,000,000!

[Cricket]

Sorry, I clearly have zero tolerance for people who believe in made up stories...as I have no tolerance for anyone who comes up to me and says they believe in the Tooth Fairy.

You seem offended by other people believing in things you don't. What's it to you? As long as they are not kidnapping your kids and taking them off to some religious commune or knocking down your door trying to sell you on their religion. The only problem I have with believers is when they try to foist their beliefs on me or when they use the Book to condone terror like the Muslim extremists.

But if your faith is limited to only what you can see and touch then your life must be very sterile. Even if we can't prove those Bible stories that you call ridiculous there is nothing wrong with imagining them no more than imagining that our solar system consists of a billion stars until some astrologer comes along and tells us we are full of ****, that he discovered another billion.

[NotNow]

"Religion" is much more than the brick and mortar organized religions that we humans use as vehicles for accomplishing several goals.  Ones religious beliefs only begin with our upbringing, but is shaped by each of our personal voyages through this world.  Every single human being has a unique and personal experience.  "Religion" is one way we have of discussing and learning about the experiences that we, and the many who have come before us, have had.

Whatever your beliefs, non-beliefs, or opinions, as in any facet of life, I think it is important to listen to what others have to say and make judgements based on the validity of what is communicated.  Hostility of any kind towards those with differing thoughts is not only unwarranted, but is illogical and the antithesis of intelligent thought. 

[BridgeTroll]

Awesome!  Thanks Stephen!

[NotNow]

A well written and moving testimonial.  Thanks StephenDare!.

[Dog Walker]

A well written and moving testimonial.  Thanks StephenDare!.

+1 !

[Timkin]

Kudos, Stephen !  +1,000,000

[Cricket]

That was profound, Stephen. Thanks.

I would add that the hostility that others show towards other people's religions usually extends beyond religion. Some have no tolerance for other people's politics, traditions, or anything with which they have nothing in common.
Sad.

[Jaxson]

Stephen --- What originally drew you to the Baptist church?  Just curious...

As for previous posters who make negative comments about those who happen to have religious beliefs, I have experienced as much intolerance from those who profess to be atheists or 'non-believer' as I have experienced from those of more dogmatic faiths.  I believe it is wrong for religious people to disrespect those who do not subscribe to a belief system.  I believe that it is equally wrong for the disrespect to be directed in the opposite direction as well.  The thoughts, prayers and/or energies of others are best left to those who hold them - and should not be held in such glib contempt.

[Timkin]

That was profound, Stephen. Thanks.

I would add that the hostility that others show towards other people's religions usually extends beyond religion. Some have no tolerance for other people's politics, traditions, or anything with which they have nothing in common.
Sad.

I agree , Cricket.   I really have few words on the subjects ,compared to some,mainly because I do not take any enjoyment in stepping on toes or possibly offending others.

I was raised in the Southern Baptist Faith, but later changed to Methodist. 

IMO (just my personal 2cents)  Sometimes , maybe always you have to realize there are things going on that you cannot see.

I have witnessed the passing of several family members , and a few friends, so witnessing this is something I have , somewhat become accustomed to .

What I am about to say, some may think it is a crock of bull , but it is in fact, truth.....At least as I observed the situation.

I helped take care of my Step-father in his final days.  On the morning of his final day, my Mother cut some fresh roses and placed on a table by his bedside , in his plain view.  at the foot of his bed was an oscillating fan .. this was normally the way he was comfortable and for as long as I knew the man, around 21 years, they had the same fan at the foot of the bed , to move air ,,among his illnesses was chronic emphysema, so I suppose it helped him breathe easier.. 

Around 2 pm , I noticed his fingers and other extremities turning a bluish color.  I knew at that point he was leaving us.. Asked my sister to contact Hospice, as they were also managing his pain and helping to keep comfortable..

Around 4:30 or so the hospice nurse arrived....and verified that this was the case..  My mom, whom I had relieved watch for had been laying down to rest... I asked my Sister to go wake her...

As he was taking his final breaths, around 5:45pm,  observed by myself and my sister, My Mother , and the Hospice Nurse,  we noticed the fan was slowing down and picking back up speed.. this went on for several minutes..

Shortly after his last breath , and the Nurse verifying his passing, the Fan completely stopped.. (never to run again)and the rose petals began falling off on to the table.  I had to ask the others if I was nuts , or was this really happening..

That may sound insane or bizarre, but so help me, that is what we observed..   And that is why I say , I believe there are things going on around us , that we cannot see, and maybe cannot physically feel , but they ARE , nonetheless happening.

  I happen to be a firm believer in God.

[NotNow]

Wow!  Twice in one day.  Another moving testimonial!  Thanks Timkin.

[Jaxson]

Thanks, Stephen and Timkin.  You both speak from the heart.