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logophile
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1# |
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08/15/2005
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RE:How many different churches have you been to (either as a member of non member)?
(Date Posted:04/24/2008 14:55:34)
I didn't do the convert/reconvert thing. I just stayed within the charismatic fundamentalist sphere and attended various churches over the years. I guess I was regular attender of about 5 churches in all, which isn't too many, but I also regularly visited quite a few churches during the time my mother's hubby was filling pulpits or doing special minsitry appearances.
The biggest change I made was the switch from being a member of a militaristic,super-controlling cult like church (the ones that stalked me) to a more easy-going, "love" focused congregation. As far as moral messages go, not much changed,possibly slightly. The softer church was actually more politically involved than the cult. They were heavily right-wing and enjoyed endorsing certrain candidates, whereas the cult didn't seem to care much about politics, preferring to do "war in the heavenlies" and not waste time with civilian affairs. My personal opinions changed too, but were out of sync with the churches I attended. I became slowly more liberal during my time in the right wing church. Go figure
For some strange reason, in whatever church I was in or had any relationship with, I almost always ended up being privy to whatever unwholesome stuff was going on within the congregations or with the leadership. It always seemed that if someone was going to show their ugly side, they showed it either to or around me/my family. Being in a minsitry family also put me in a position of hearing about people's problems and "sins". After several years, I finally allowed it dawn on me that these righteous people were just as failure-prone, depressive, lustful, prideful,etc. as anyone else in the world.
I became pretty tired of the same old same old as far as churches go. Yeah, there were a few small differences mostly based on rural vs. urban areas, but for the most part, they were cut outs. Each one had a similar formula, similar decor, the same songs, the same stereotypical "types" of people...even the leadership families seemed to have a similar look/style of dress. I guess it's like any scene. Whether it's punk rock, new age,biker, or whatever. There will be similarities. It just started to seem so tacky and sickening to me because it was not a scene I wanted to be associated with anymore.
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Chirpy
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Registered:
03/06/2003
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RE:How many different churches have you been to (either as a member of non member)?
(Date Posted:04/25/2008 05:25:57)
That last paragraph is rather interesting. I'm wary of any scene that demands total commitment and puts people into boxes while showing animosity towards outsiders . I had enough of it in fundyism and I'm wary of it in anything else I get involved in. Got involved with the indie music scene but liking the music is as far as it goes, I don't follow the fashions, don't watch the same genre of movies as most of them do which is mostly violent thrillers whereas I prefer art house, comedy and family genres and I also listen to other types of music such as world music. Plus I don't see the need to be abusive on forums as many of them are or drink alcohol heavily.
When it comes to the new age and paganism I take a pick and mix approach. I don't believe in fairies though it would be nice to and I don't perform rituals. Complementary therapies are OK if they benefit you otherwise leave alone.
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logophile
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3# |
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RE:How many different churches have you been to (either as a member of non member)?
(Date Posted:04/25/2008 13:00:29)
I'm the same way, I guess. Thanks to my xperience in fundamentalism, I'm wary of joining groups that ask for too much commitment or that seem to discourage individuality. I'm attracted to some aspects of New Age, but I do draw the line at (as you mentioned) fairies and the like. I appreciate things like yoga and meditation and some other healing therapies from a health-improvement point of view. I get uncomfy when I encounter people who are deep into the "spiritual" end of the movement. Those who communicate with spirit guides and things like that. Seems too much like the life I left behind, just with different labels. I don't want to feel that I must swallow the entirety of any one belief system or else.
I think I'm zeal-a-phobic. lol Anytime I see people going overboard in their comittment to something, I get freaked out. I live in Canada and the obsession with hockey worries me. It sounds stupid but people get so serious about it! It's like you HAVE to like hockey , cheer for your home team, etc, or else you're not really canadian. My husband always says "well, at least we're not like places in South America where people riot over soccer games." But just a few days ago, there WAS a hockey riot in Montreal. It looked pretty violent too;cars destroyed, people hurt, riot cops out in force. It proves the point that anything taken too far can be dangerous.
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snakechic
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4# |
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Posts:3524
Registered:
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RE:How many different churches have you been to (either as a member of non member)?
(Date Posted:04/25/2008 23:37:12)
I'm a bit of a 'zeal @ phobe' and what a lovely way to put it. ! I mentioned something similar in one of my earlier post ...describing myself as way more 'intolerant' now after my run in with the penties. Maybe this is a better word!
Has anyone noticed the connection between 'patriotism' and religious ' zeal -o-mania' ? We had a public holiday yesterday for Anzac Day - bloody hell! Worship the fallen comrades with a dawn service and "yay up" Australia then go watch the traditional Anzac Day footy match on TV!
Gawd...the only thing missing was the bloody Fairies!
My hub and I laugh - its as if we have to 'whisper' when we make jokes and scoff about it all. In case we seem 'un australian' ? ( and gawd forbid anyone criticises the local dead hero - twit Steven Irwin or castes aspersions on Bindi his little daughter who has now taken his place - I am so sick of seeing her in the media)
I don't much like that 'yay' team workshops - or group therapy that's been so popular in regard to various health issues either. Great as money making ventures but...!. Most of my friends have been into some form of 'newagey' stuff at one time or the other ..but nothing 'grabbed me' except a bit of buddhist meditation.
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In exchange for obedience, Christianity promises salvation in an afterlife; but in order to elicit obedience through this promise, Christianity must convince people that they need salvation, that there is something to be saved from. Christianity has nothing to offer a happy person living in a natural, intelligible universe. If Christianity is to gain a motivational foothold, it must declare war on earthly pleasure and happiness, and this, historically, has been its precise course of action. In the eyes of Christianity, woman(man) is sinful and helpless in the face of God, and is potential fuel for the flames of hell. Just as Christianity must destroy reason before it can introduce faith, so it must destroy happiness before it can introduce salvation.
-- George H Smith, Atheism: The Case Against God
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Guest
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RE:How many different churches have you been to (either as a member of non member)?
(Date Posted:05/04/2008 21:15:38)
This message has been deleted due to Termination of Account.
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sunspots
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6# |
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Posts:151
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06/02/2002
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Last post was me
(Date Posted:05/04/2008 21:18:30)
For some reason I did not auto log in
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One theme that is Taboo for American publishers, noted by Vladimir Nabokov:........"the total atheist who lives a happy and useful life, and dies in his sleep at the age of 106."
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snakechic
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7# |
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Posts:3524
Registered:
11/02/2004
Time spent:
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RE:How many different churches have you been to (either as a member of non member)?
(Date Posted:05/07/2008 22:30:19)
Reply to Sunspots (05/04/2008 9:15 PM)
What is really funny is that technically I think i can not become an official member because .....I am also a satanist! |
I'm not taking the piss or anything. What's it like being a satanist.?
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In exchange for obedience, Christianity promises salvation in an afterlife; but in order to elicit obedience through this promise, Christianity must convince people that they need salvation, that there is something to be saved from. Christianity has nothing to offer a happy person living in a natural, intelligible universe. If Christianity is to gain a motivational foothold, it must declare war on earthly pleasure and happiness, and this, historically, has been its precise course of action. In the eyes of Christianity, woman(man) is sinful and helpless in the face of God, and is potential fuel for the flames of hell. Just as Christianity must destroy reason before it can introduce faith, so it must destroy happiness before it can introduce salvation.
-- George H Smith, Atheism: The Case Against God
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sunspots
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8# |
Rank:none
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Posts:151
Registered:
06/02/2002
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RE:How many different churches have you been to (either as a member of non member)?
(Date Posted:05/08/2008 05:49:42)
boils down to not giving up your power
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One theme that is Taboo for American publishers, noted by Vladimir Nabokov:........"the total atheist who lives a happy and useful life, and dies in his sleep at the age of 106."
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logophile
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9# |
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08/15/2005
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RE:How many different churches have you been to (either as a member of non member)?
(Date Posted:05/08/2008 12:54:08)
I've attended a couple Quaker meetings myself. I agree that Quakers are pretty cool people for the most part. They seem to really value social justice. There's no Quaker meeting right near me, but if one were conveniently located, I'd go.
I don't know much about Satanism. Do Satanists believe in or woship satan as an actual person/entity or is it just a philosophy of some kind?
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sunspots
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10# |
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RE:How many different churches have you been to (either as a member of non member)?
(Date Posted:05/08/2008 22:09:07)
Hell, Look who invented satan!
Xtians define anyone that does not give up power to them as satanic... So Im satanic TO THEM.
Its just so much fun | | |
