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You aren't ready to read this (re: religion) (NBPM pt.14)
15 years ago
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/4796239/
By far the most obnoxious customer I've had to deal with is this douchebag
mr-taren. Man what an ass, always complaining that this hat isn't right, and not good enough. I think it looks okay... but there's just something missing. Any ideas?
Church was interesting today. All right, yeah, I said it- I go. But before you unwatch me, at least hear me out. I was raised Lutheran, but didn't really go regularly. As a kid my parents took me pretty often, but as I got older, not so much. Mostly because I'd throw fits about dressing up nice to go. Then came confirmation, where I had to go quite a bit. It was during a weird time in my life, and I was treated as an outcast there.
I lived in Rockford, but the church was in Loves Park, which is kinda like a podunk town that grew into an awkward suburb. (When all of Loves-tucky you see is North Second, you tend to get a little biased. That street is seriously nothing but used car lots. But now so is Alpine, so... yeah.) There was even a cute little section of highway on the way (Spring Creek and N. 2nd St), so to me it was "out there". All of the kids there went to Harlem Middle School, and I went to Eisenhower, so that didn't help.
The church was phasing out its pastor, and the confirmation staff was awkward at best. The last straw for me was when one of the counselors said to a group I was in, "God doesn't like it when you don't sing." Long story short, I decided that particular church wasn't right for me. I never went full-blown Atheist but I really wasn't interested in religion at all; I was focused more inward.
Fast-forward to a couple of months ago- a contemporary church around here opened up a new 'campus' in a local school's theater hall. Sema convinced me to go. I didn't have to sing if I didn't want to, the atmosphere was much more laid back, and I didn't have to dress up nearly as nice. I still wear a 'nicer' shirt, but the jeans stay. Whatever. I enjoyed the message more than anything else. I'll be honest with ya, the singing and praising thing really isn't my thing. But listening to it at the beginning of each service really does get me in the mood.
Some of the messages can get pretty deep, and sometimes I don't think people quite get it. It kinda upsets me when I see people whispering to each other, or texting during prayer, but it really doesn't matter.
I think too much of the emphasis on Christianity in general is on praise, worship, and following the letter of the Bible. And to non-Christians, that's how followers are perceived. Since I started attending services again, I've figured out that it's not about judging people and pointing out that eating shrimp, wearing polyester blends, and shaving your face are sins- it's just meant to be a blueprint for being a good person.
I assume most people here have been burned by religion at some point or another. I was, I guess. I encourage all of you to go out and look for something. If you hated your church, go find another. It's a free market! If they judge you for anything, they're doing it wrong, because everyone's broken in some way. I do shit I shouldn't, and I don't care if you are the same way. Most of my friends are gay, but honestly, who cares?
Once you look past the bullshit and metaphors (if applicable), it's pretty much all the same message- be a good person to others, and they'll return the favor. I'm not a "Bible-thumping redneck fundamentalist" like most would have you believe, and I don't expect anyone else to become that. That's not what it's all about! Just take a look and I guarantee you'll find something that speaks to you.
By far the most obnoxious customer I've had to deal with is this douchebag
mr-taren. Man what an ass, always complaining that this hat isn't right, and not good enough. I think it looks okay... but there's just something missing. Any ideas?Church was interesting today. All right, yeah, I said it- I go. But before you unwatch me, at least hear me out. I was raised Lutheran, but didn't really go regularly. As a kid my parents took me pretty often, but as I got older, not so much. Mostly because I'd throw fits about dressing up nice to go. Then came confirmation, where I had to go quite a bit. It was during a weird time in my life, and I was treated as an outcast there.
I lived in Rockford, but the church was in Loves Park, which is kinda like a podunk town that grew into an awkward suburb. (When all of Loves-tucky you see is North Second, you tend to get a little biased. That street is seriously nothing but used car lots. But now so is Alpine, so... yeah.) There was even a cute little section of highway on the way (Spring Creek and N. 2nd St), so to me it was "out there". All of the kids there went to Harlem Middle School, and I went to Eisenhower, so that didn't help.
The church was phasing out its pastor, and the confirmation staff was awkward at best. The last straw for me was when one of the counselors said to a group I was in, "God doesn't like it when you don't sing." Long story short, I decided that particular church wasn't right for me. I never went full-blown Atheist but I really wasn't interested in religion at all; I was focused more inward.
Fast-forward to a couple of months ago- a contemporary church around here opened up a new 'campus' in a local school's theater hall. Sema convinced me to go. I didn't have to sing if I didn't want to, the atmosphere was much more laid back, and I didn't have to dress up nearly as nice. I still wear a 'nicer' shirt, but the jeans stay. Whatever. I enjoyed the message more than anything else. I'll be honest with ya, the singing and praising thing really isn't my thing. But listening to it at the beginning of each service really does get me in the mood.
Some of the messages can get pretty deep, and sometimes I don't think people quite get it. It kinda upsets me when I see people whispering to each other, or texting during prayer, but it really doesn't matter.
I think too much of the emphasis on Christianity in general is on praise, worship, and following the letter of the Bible. And to non-Christians, that's how followers are perceived. Since I started attending services again, I've figured out that it's not about judging people and pointing out that eating shrimp, wearing polyester blends, and shaving your face are sins- it's just meant to be a blueprint for being a good person.
I assume most people here have been burned by religion at some point or another. I was, I guess. I encourage all of you to go out and look for something. If you hated your church, go find another. It's a free market! If they judge you for anything, they're doing it wrong, because everyone's broken in some way. I do shit I shouldn't, and I don't care if you are the same way. Most of my friends are gay, but honestly, who cares?
Once you look past the bullshit and metaphors (if applicable), it's pretty much all the same message- be a good person to others, and they'll return the favor. I'm not a "Bible-thumping redneck fundamentalist" like most would have you believe, and I don't expect anyone else to become that. That's not what it's all about! Just take a look and I guarantee you'll find something that speaks to you.
I can't say the idea of a creator is a bad thing, and perhaps somebody IS listening. But my feelings are usually that somebody isn't ALWAYS listening or watching. That and some of the "traditions" and rules/commandments/sins/etc are a bit foolish. But I think I TOTALLY agree: The things that some point out as "sins" I don't think are "YOU'RE EVIL AND GOING TO BE IN AN ETERNAL AFTERLIFE OF PAIN", but sometimes rather "hey you sure you wanna be doing that?"
Some things are old. I really think the "shrimp is unclean" thing boils down to that shrimp WAS going to hurt you if you eat it and they didn't have a good way to clean it.
My thing about lack of religion also boils down to the "I haven't heard back" deal. I haven't really seen signs. If I did, then I'd probably care more.
As far as hearing back, what are you listening for? I'm just saying. It doesn't really matter (getit) to me, just as long as you're a good person, and I think you are :)
Glad things are going well for you in that department Mr.Taren.