posted on September 18, 2001 05:26:59 PM new
Actually toke, I am being sincere, as you said. Finding a church and walking in it alone makes me want to put it off again, but not this time. Its undaunting...to see everyone know everyone else and me, not too slick a singer and having to fumble thru the song books IF they have them; choosing not to sing along with them if I dont know the words and feeling like an idiot; wondering what the preacher/minister/revereand is going to talk about that particular sermon and if it will fly over my head; and not knowing what to do next or how to look up passages if he says "now, turn to....".
I dont know if Donny is being serious in her oh-so-helpful way, or if she "making light of it" in a humorous vein, so until I know, I wont comment too much.
posted on September 18, 2001 06:01:10 PM new
Good grief, Hep...
If you want it...go get it. Who the hell cares what anybody thinks? If you can actually find it in yourself to believe in a god...why in the world would you worry about trivia like the local congregation?? Surely the god you're hoping for is of far more import than that. Be your wonderful self. God will like that...
And, of course, your kind assessment must be correct. Donny is being...as ever...humorously helpful.
posted on September 18, 2001 06:27:18 PM new
All these ideas about the soul are the common view, but when you exaimine the scriptures you will find that the whole idea is missing, just as limbo and many other dogmas of the churchs are also missing. Not that that holds anyone back from promoting them. It is however a basic element of pagan religion and philosophy.
Ecclesiastes 9:5 and Psalm 146:4 make clear what any competant doctor can tell you - that the dead are unconsciece. The doctrine of heavenly reward as common to Islam, Hindis and other faiths is in conflict with the Christian doctrine of resurrection. Do you think Jesus called Lazerus back from his heavenly reward to have to do another tour of duty here? His sister said she expected to see him rise in the resurrection in the last day. Was he floating around heaven waiting for that to happen? No he was dead as a dog.
Edited to add - If you want to pick a religion with a first rate heaven the Islamic heaven is furnished with "Houris" ( no I am not making a bad pun )that are there for the martyred warriors to diddle at will among the fountains and gardens of paridise. They are special creations not the souls of dead earthly women. I don't know what they have in store for the women but after how they treat them on earth it doesn't look very promising. I don't know if sex in heaven is unique to Islam or if someone else offers it.
posted on September 18, 2001 08:17:36 PM new
Hepburn, I went through that also. I settled in one non-denominational church finally and have stuck with that for the most part. I have done some church-hopping though just to see what others are like. I like little country churches also. Just keep trying 'em till you find one you like. I haven't become a member of the church even though I've been going there for about 12 years.
I know that in my grandma's Southern Baptist church they preached 'hell fire and damnation'. Not for me. I want to hear that I am loved, not judged. The basic differences will be about the dogma, tradition, and routine. You can also call a few to see what the deal is.
posted on September 18, 2001 09:48:46 PM new
Yes, not to worry, there's no question that God is always on the side of the victor. The only thing that remains to be seen is which side will be victorious.
Donny, I think I'll just stay on the Victor's team and I'll be set!!
posted on September 18, 2001 09:54:50 PM new
Donny quote:
But if you went a step backwards, the question would be - how was the Creator created? Belief in God as Creator accepts the concept of a Creator who was not created, a causeless cause as it were. We atheists don't know how the first matter, or energy, that formed other matter or energy first came into existance. It's enough to say - "It's a mystery," because, in the end (or the beginning, if you prefer), that's the only answer anyone can have, whether they believe in God as creator or not. end quote
Yes, I think this is one of those mysteries none of us can know. I'm just not as interested in either end of life as I am living each day.
posted on September 18, 2001 10:27:01 PM new
A long long time ago, when I was just a young'un, I went to a church with friends. My girlfriend asked if I could go, and Daddy said "sure", so I went. I dont know what this church was called, but I freaked out. The parishoners literally ROLLED down the ailes, then everyone had to stand up and put their head in the seats of the chairs, while others danced and talked in tongues or something. Someone later on told me "Thats what you call holy rollers". I never went back, needless to say. I went to a Catholic church once too, with a grammar school friend. I was lost and wasnt sure what to do, and my girlfriend kept giggling at me and her dad would glower at me, too. Needless to say, I was never asked back again. Then, when I was older, I went to one church, a Baptist church, right after my dad died. The minister commenced to tell me that my recently deceased MUCH loved Dad was in Hell because he owned a bar and served up the devils drink. That church prayed I never came back, because I left very loudly, telling them what I thought of them. One church I went to later on, a few years later, I liked, but that was in a different town, and I dont remember the denomination. there are two small churches in town...and one they are building and its almost done (has a killer steeple..all copper). I will check those out this week. Come Sunday morning, Im putting on my Sunday-Going-To-Meeting clothes and will see whats what. Meanwhile, I have found my old Bible, and will start reading the NT, as someone somewhere in RT said to do. So, thats the plan, Sam
posted on September 18, 2001 11:06:04 PM new
Hepburn,
Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian are very similar. The major difference is that Baptist dunk you at baptism and the other sprinkle you with little drops. Since that is a non-issue, those are REAL close.
Pentacostal are "spirit filled" as you described, they speak in tongues. Most spirit filled churches will indicate that on the sign out front but not all. On the other hand, Baptist are just "filled with the spirit" very silently.
Non-denominational and inter-denominational can go whatever way they desire.
Ask them two things, "Are you a New Testament Bible/Scripture based church?"
and "Are you a "spirit filled" church?
Billy Graham is Southern Baptist in doctrine and in education. His family of birth was I believe Lutheran.
She attended a "Congregational" church. After bouncing around with several other denominations the past, the majority of Congregational churches joined with the Church of Christ. There are a few Congregational churches left.
Their message is this:
"The Congregational Way is a way of following Christ. People of a Congregational Church do not seek to be led by a creed, but by the
Spirit. Ours is the tradition of a free church, gathered under the headship of Christ and bound to others by love, not law."
Do read Laura's Bible notes if you get a chance. Hope that helps.
T
~belated sp
[ edited by jt on Sep 19, 2001 09:30 AM ]
posted on September 19, 2001 06:10:35 AM newHepburn, I don't know that you will necessarily find that one denomination is that much friendlier than another. Unfortunately, like any other segment of society, churches have their share of insensitive and intolerant people. What you will find is that churches and parishes, like people, have different personalities. Some you will like and some you won’t.
I suggest that you call some of your local churches. Ask them what types of services they have. Many people find that they are more comfortable in a contemporary service. Others like a more liturgical (high church) service. I’m sure that you can find your comfort zone.
I attend the Episcopal Church. In my parish we are definitely high church. It would be hard to distinguish the service from a Roman Catholic mass if you heard it on the radio. This is too formal for some people. However they do issue a guide book! The Book of Common Prayer shows the entire service and contains all the responses expected from the congregation.
I can sympathize with your feeling lost during a service. It has been four years since I started attending my church and I am just now getting to the point where I know most of the responses. It used to drive me nuts. But I am still a mumble singer. If those that sit near me could hear my singing voice I’m sure that they would request that I continue to mumble.
Don’t give up. Ask God to help you out by directing you to a good church.
