Religion Thread: ...and suddenly, everyone's a theology scholar

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Religion Thread: ...and suddenly, everyone's a theology scholar

I'm gonna guess cuz... it's nonsense?

I know I initially walked away because of the sex abuse scandal and the Church's failure to adequately respond to it. I never bothered looking for another denomination or faith though. As time has rolled on, I've continued to settle into agnosticism, while concluding that all organized religion is pretty much ritualistic pablum that is supposed to give scared people the warm-and-fuzzies. If you feel that it helps you, great, but it shouldn't be an excuse for you to put-down or harm others who disagree with your dogma.

[leswp1]

Re: Religion Thread: ...and suddenly, everyone's a theology scholar

http://www.quietpublications.com/len...nday-year-b-2/

This is the devotion for the day from one of the women in my church. Thought of it when I read your post. (short, under 400 words)

[5mn_Major]

Re: Religion Thread: ...and suddenly, everyone's a theology scholar

As time has rolled on, I've continued to settle into agnosticism, while concluding that all organized religion is pretty much ritualistic pablum that is supposed to give scared people the warm-and-fuzzies. If you feel that it helps you, great, but it shouldn't be an excuse for you to put-down or harm others who disagree with your dogma.

Church attracts those who are vulnerable - because the Bible is such a great tool for personal development. The result of this is that there are predators who show up...but also has many folks that have their act together.

There are two general types of churches 1) those focused on a ritual approach - reading scripture, singing hymns and centering around communion and 2) those that are strictly focused on lessons designed to deliver value for your day to day. Personally, I can't do the #1 experience any more. The #2 churches can be powerful, but you need to be able to discern which are positive churches which from my experience are more likely found in large cities. Many believe 'they don't have anything to learn' but just as people spend time reading internet news to get new ideas...incorporating positive experiences inspired by teachings into your life is very powerful. As I mentioned, #2 positive churches are the homes to the most healthy people I've ever encountered.

[St. Clown]

Re: Religion Thread: ...and suddenly, everyone's a theology scholar

I know I initially walked away because of the sex abuse scandal and the Church's failure to adequately respond to it. I never bothered looking for another denomination or faith though. As time has rolled on, I've continued to settle into agnosticism, while concluding that all organized religion is pretty much ritualistic pablum that is supposed to give scared people the warm-and-fuzzies. If you feel that it helps you, great, but it shouldn't be an excuse for you to put-down or harm others who disagree with your dogma.

My buddy, a former poster here, actually, walked away due to their treatment of the GLBT people. And he's an otherwise fairly socially conservative man by MN standards.

[Kepler]

Re: Religion Thread: ...and suddenly, everyone's a theology scholar

She seems nice.

[burd]

She seems nice.

Why do you always try to shut down Christian speech but try to protect the speech of pagans and atheists?

[Kepler]

Re: Religion Thread: ...and suddenly, everyone's a theology scholar

Why do you always try to shut down Christian speech but try to protect the speech of pagans and atheists?

Oh, I want her speaking. To the most people she can reach.

Dipsh-ts like her make our job that much easier.

[LynahFan]

Re: Religion Thread: ...and suddenly, everyone's a theology scholar

Why do you always try to shut down Christian speech but try to protect the speech of pagans and atheists?

Put down is not the same as shut down. Marketplace of ideas and all that.

[burd]

Re: Religion Thread: ...and suddenly, everyone's a theology scholar

Put down is not the same as shut down. Marketplace of ideas and all that.

I think Kep knows I was not serious. Poorly played, I guess, but emoticons don't come easily.

[5mn_Major]

Re: Religion Thread: ...and suddenly, everyone's a theology scholar

Put down is not the same as shut down. Marketplace of ideas and all that.

Do skeptics participate in a 'marketplace of ideas' elsewhere? They really don't bring anything to the table here.

[Kepler]

Re: Religion Thread: ...and suddenly, everyone's a theology scholar

I think Kep knows I was not serious. Poorly played, I guess, but emoticons don't come easily.

Yes, I got it. I was playing back to the joke, not reacting against it. I wish I could say my awkward wording was a play on your awkward wording -- that would have been clever.

[Kepler]

Re: Religion Thread: ...and suddenly, everyone's a theology scholar

Do skeptics participate in a 'marketplace of ideas' elsewhere? They really don't bring anything to the table here.

[5mn_Major]

Re: Religion Thread: ...and suddenly, everyone's a theology scholar

Do skeptics participate in a 'marketplace of ideas' elsewhere? They really don't bring anything to the table here.

What like my post 10 back?

I'm not running at 25% of all posts in this thread with no ideas of my own. You're meme response is great though. You make this so easy.

[LynahFan]

Re: Religion Thread: ...and suddenly, everyone's a theology scholar

Hard to make a contribution to a locked box.

[Kepler]

Re: Religion Thread: ...and suddenly, everyone's a theology scholar

Hard to make a contribution to a locked box.

Ouch.