About religion...

[joltinjeff]

You know we have talked about all the different sects and what is and isnt true as far as who is right and who is wrong.
Holy wars as it were have been goin on for centuries....they have fought over this belief and that belief....ala Guillever's Travels. (We eat the egg from this end and they eat the egg from that end).

One of the best movie quotes comes from "The Seventh Sign" (good movie i might add) when the Jewish kid that Demi Moore's character goes and talks to the minister about the end of the world and the minister looks at him and says, "My God, what if we are all wrong and it's the Hari Khrishinas (spelling?)."

My point is this, this will be debated from now until we are no longer here or until after we are long dead and gone.

Is it scary? Sure, fear of the unknown strikes in all of us at some point in time. I would like to believe that since I am not a terrible person and despite breaking all but one of the 10 Commandments, and have asked God to forgive me...I should be in good shape.

The weird part about this is, what if we are all wrong? What if we are the products of aliens who came to this Earth as part of a design by a more powerful and more spiritual being than we will ever know?

What if the end of the world does come according to the Mayans on 12/21/12 and we are like in the song, "Come Sail Away" and board on a starship and head for the skies?

What if everything the Bible says is true and there is a Day of Judgment and the this world is destroyed and those who are to be taken to Heaven and live forever or damned in hell?

If you ask me....I'd like to be in the first group.

[BloodyFingers]

Nicely done guys. i quit going to church because all they ever did was tell me our way or you will burn in Hell.

The keyboard player i was playing music with quit because I refused to go to his church. So in his eyes I was not good enough to hang with him no more.

[f.sciarrillo]

I don't understand people who don't dig people who don't go to church. I guess some people just can't take it when others have a different opinion. The thing has to be learned is that not all people will agree with you, and just because they don't does not make them a bad person.

I, personally, like the different opinions, it is what makes this world so great. Now, when the individual who has a view and tries to shove it down your throat or ridicules you because you do not agree with them is when I get infuriated. You will find that a lot, especially in politics and religion.

[joltinjeff]

Nicely done guys. i quit going to church because all they ever did was tell me our way or you will burn in Hell.

The keyboard player i was playing music with quit because I refused to go to his church. So in his eyes I was not good enough to hang with him no more.

See Bloody this is exactly what is wrong with some of the churches. You have to fit a certain mold. You are NOT allowed to do this and that or you are going to Hell.

We all know about Mary Magedelene and Jesus. A whore and a prophet. But, what that story comes down to is one little sentence. "Let you without sin, cast the first stone."

Of course, Jesus threw a stone and hit Mary, but he is the Son of God. It turned those jerks wanting to stone her away with nothing to say. No objections, but what it did was started paving away for his betrayal and evidental crucifiction.

People who "think" or "act" like they are perfect and point fingers at everyone else are the ones who are not getting it. They are the ones who make people like me, who want to go to church but have been stung way too many times by a church and its members..I dont walk past a hornet's nest a second time after getting stung the first time. What I am trying to say is this:

While I believe in God and I have faith enough in Him to get me through life...I would rather sit here on Sunday mornings and talk to Him in my own way than have someone say to me, "Well, I heard you're in a rock band and you played in a bar last night. You know you are not allowed to do that if you come to this church."

How many of you are in bands and go to church on Sundays or Saturdays depending on your faith? Do they know you're in a band that plays something other than gospel music?

Stupid Footloose moment here, but God wants us to make a joyful noise. God gave each and one of us talent to do use. If you are singing in a band and believe it or not there are ppl who go to listen to bands and have a good time without drinking. Maybe they are battling depression and thinking of suicide...a night of good rock and roll music might be the answer. Maybe they broke up with their spouse of significant other and they meet someone new...maybe God had that all planned.
I dont care if its classical, jazz, blues, country/bluegrass, alternative, heavy metal, 80s hair metal, etc....ppl want and need to hear music....soothing the savage breast is something everyone needs.
We all need something to believe in and if God is it...fine. But, when ppl sit there and damn other ppl for what they do in their lives and when u catch them doing something wrong, you are not allowed to say anything....now can u understand why I dont go to church?

[KeithReynolds]

I would think that believers would have to find a church if they really believe in God.

Doesnt the Bible say to go to church? To assemble with other believers for worship?

If you arent in a church you like, arent you supposed to find one you DO like?
I know getting up early on Sunday sucks, and you might miss a football game, but its God we're talking about here right?
Picking and choosing when to follow & believe isnt right is it? NOPE, but it runs rampant in "believers".

[f.sciarrillo]

Keith, the church isn't a building. The church is the people. You don't need to go to a building to be a christian or believe in god, or to worship. You can do it anywhere with anyone. Whether it be one person, two people or so on.

The main reason why people do go to "Church" is for the camaraderie, that is the part I like the most as well. having the support of others around you makes things so much easier, I am sure you know about that.

[KeithReynolds]

I assumed it was setting aside time to worship with people. The actual act of making time in one's day to dedicate to God and go be with his people.
I guess it goes back to 'walking the walk'.

[bassist_25]

I know getting up early on Sunday sucks, and you might miss a football game, but its God we're talking about here right?

Football seems to be religion for a lot of people. A sociologist working in symbolic interactionism could probably draw a lot of parallels between the two. Religous fanatics and sports fanatics both make me uncomfortable; the latter may actually make me more uncomfortable.

As far as a church being a building versus a congregation of people - I've bought about three basses from K&S's Williamsport store, which is housed in a former church.

[DirtySanchez]

I hope there is a god, I just can't convince myself.