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Jesus become more of a pop culture icon than religous ?

A

AFB

Lifer
You seen it everyday, people with WWJD written all over their butts. Now you have the churches with paintball courts and a skatepark. You have to ask how many people would still go their if they had to sit in a pew and read out of the hymns. It seems to be "cool" to be Chirstian and many people dare not question it or else they are shuned by their peers for violation of some unwritten law. You have to love the hipocracy some of these people exibit in their everyday lives. All the gossip, back stabbing, revenge and just general hate. You can always make new friends by buying a WWJD bracelet and it will make up for a complete lack of morals and ethics.

Just something I have noticed 🙂
 
I live in a smaller community, and even here there are a wide variety of churches, each one has something to offer, depending upon what you are looking for.

Some of them do have the nicer facade, beautiful gymnasiums, more than a single service on Sundays. Others are older, keeping that old fashioned small church feel others crave. Others aren't even in "proper" church buildings, they could be in a double-wide, but for these groups it's usually the people involved and the weekly teachings that bring them back for more.

I've noticed the larger churches give a lot back to the local community, blood drives, community fairs, one local church even has a free health clinic every Tues.

You know you can find gossip, back stabbing, revenge and general hate anywhere you go. I would like to think it's less prevalent at church, but I know this isn't always so. It's just people after all, subject to all the usual pitfalls and frailties. Perhaps you can make a difference at your church, one person at a time.
 
I realized this sort of thing at a younger age.

Neighbors that had just moved in (years back) began going to the same church as my family. I said to my parents "they don't look the religious type" and my mom shot back that you don't have to be religious to go to church (WTF?).

I kept realizing more and more that it is a social event (at our church at least... the United Church of Canada) rather than a religion thing.

In general I'm disgusted with that church though. They interpret the bible in ways it was not meant to be more accepting of new ideas and lifestyles just to attract new members in the congregation. While I don't attend the church (because I don't believe and I'm okay with other "lifestyles") they still don't follow their own code--that the bible is the -only- word of their God.

Looking back, most people there were the "whos who" of my city and there was wayyyy too much snobbery. I recall a time a lady was sitting in front of me, turned to see who was behind her (she knew my family but thought herself better) and she wouldn't respond to my "hi how are you?"

Earlier today I was watching a show on rich famous people. Many of them had built $$$ churches or temples near their homes. I think that is completely idiotic. Don't equate an expensive place of worship to better grades with God.

Bleh. Give the money away and do your prayer in nature. I do this and I feel even closer with my God when I am outside. I don't need a church to be religious and I don't need to wear a $5 million dollar cross or get a tattoo on my back with the crucifiction. That is the opposite of what God would want, he knows what you truly feel so that means nothing to him. Give that $5 million to starving kids or whatever.

/rant
 
Originally posted by: DWW
I realized this sort of thing at a younger age.

Neighbors that had just moved in (years back) began going to the same church as my family. I said to my parents "they don't look the religious type" and my mom shot back that you don't have to be religious to go to church (WTF?).

I kept realizing more and more that it is a social event (at our church at least... the United Church of Canada) rather than a religion thing.

In general I'm disgusted with that church though. They interpret the bible in ways it was not meant to be more accepting of new ideas and lifestyles just to attract new members in the congregation. While I don't attend the church (because I don't believe and I'm okay with other "lifestyles") they still don't follow their own code--that the bible is the -only- word of their God.

Looking back, most people there were the "whos who" of my city and there was wayyyy too much snobbery. I recall a time a lady was sitting in front of me, turned to see who was behind her (she knew my family but thought herself better) and she wouldn't respond to my "hi how are you?"

Earlier today I was watching a show on rich famous people. Many of them had built $$$ churches or temples near their homes. I think that is completely idiotic. Don't equate an expensive place of worship to better grades with God.

Bleh. Give the money away and do your prayer in nature. I do this and I feel even closer with my God when I am outside. I don't need a church to be religious and I don't need to wear a $5 million dollar cross or get a tattoo on my back with the crucifiction. That is the opposite of what God would want, he knows what you truly feel so that means nothing to him. Give that $5 million to starving kids or whatever.

/rant
Click to expand...

Yeah, I also have noticed that.

Yo_Ma-Ma : This is mainly with the younger age group like the under 25's.
 
Originally posted by: amdfanboy
You seen it everyday, people with WWJD written all over their butts. Now you have the churches with paintball courts and a skatepark. You have to ask how many people would still go their if they had to sit in a pew and read out of the hymns. It seems to be "cool" to be Chirstian and many people dare not question it or else they are shuned by their peers for violation of some unwritten law. You have to love the hipocracy some of these people exibit in their everyday lives. All the gossip, back stabbing, revenge and just general hate. You can always make new friends by buying a WWJD bracelet and it will make up for a complete lack of morals and ethics.

Just something I have noticed 🙂
Click to expand...

Let go of the anger and resentment and you'll feel better about yourself.
 
Too many Christians and non-Christians alike seem to miss the fact that Christianity is not about walking a walk or talking a talk, it's about having the faith. A lot of 'religion' is really more of a substitute for that faith than a genuine result of it, and always has been for many of the people that flock to it. It really sickens me what so many so-called Christians and their churches spew as gospel, from the ultra fundies that use it as an excuse for intolerance and exclusion to the ultra liberals who use it for an excuse for feel-good socializing. It's sinful, blasphemous even, how they blur the lines, twist the truth, and cloud so many people's view of the narrow path. I'm sure Satan is having a huge laugh over it all.
 
Originally posted by: Riprorin
Originally posted by: amdfanboy
You seen it everyday, people with WWJD written all over their butts. Now you have the churches with paintball courts and a skatepark. You have to ask how many people would still go their if they had to sit in a pew and read out of the hymns. It seems to be "cool" to be Chirstian and many people dare not question it or else they are shuned by their peers for violation of some unwritten law. You have to love the hipocracy some of these people exibit in their everyday lives. All the gossip, back stabbing, revenge and just general hate. You can always make new friends by buying a WWJD bracelet and it will make up for a complete lack of morals and ethics.

Just something I have noticed 🙂
Click to expand...

Let go of the anger and resentment and you'll feel better about yourself.
Click to expand...

DIE BITHC(Sic) DIE!!!
 
Where is God? by J. Rumi

I tried to find Him on the Christian cross, but He was not there; I went to the Temple of the Hindus and to the old pagoda, but I could not find a trace of Him anywhere.

I searched the mountains and the valleys but neither in the heights nor in the depths was I able to find Him. I went to the Kaaba in Mecca, but He was not there either.

I questioned the scholars and philosophers, but He was beyond their understanding.

I then looked into my heart and it was there where He dwelled that I saw him; He was nowhere else to be found.


Jalaluddin Rumi
 
When big business, the rich, the rednecks, and the religious sit on the same political party, what else would you expect?
 
Originally posted by: DealMonkey
Jesus was a really cool guy with some even cooler ideas. It's what the Christians have become that sometimes irks me.
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I think it is a mixed bag. I remember when I was a kid there were hypocrites and gossips in our church, and it may be worse now, and I'm sure there are those who are there for the social benefits. And then there are those who exploit the church for political agendas. I wonder if these are the false believers that the bible talks about in the end times.

I think there are quite a few legitimate believers out there as well. But sometimes it's Jesus Save Me From Your Followers.
 
Originally posted by: biostud666
It's so much easier living with one truth, in a world where there are none.
Click to expand...

Actually, there is one truth. If everyone loved each other, as Jesus commanded (Matthew 22), we would live in perfect peace.
Now reflect on Jesus' great commandment that we love each other with the actions and attitudes of so many of His so-called followers.
 
Originally posted by: Vic
Originally posted by: biostud666
It's so much easier living with one truth, in a world where there are none.
Click to expand...

Actually, there is one truth. If everyone loved each other, as Jesus commanded (Matthew 22), we would live in perfect peace.
Now reflect on Jesus' great commandment that we love each other with the actions and attitudes of so many of His so-called followers.
Click to expand...
I see no contradiction, Vic, because he commanded us to love each other as we love our self. We do treat each other exactly as we treat our real self and that's also the reason why. But if he meant treat each other like we love our false selves then I'm on board. That one we love and preserve above all else.

 
Originally posted by: amdfanboy
You seen it everyday, people with WWJD written all over their butts. Now you have the churches with paintball courts and a skatepark. You have to ask how many people would still go their if they had to sit in a pew and read out of the hymns. It seems to be "cool" to be Chirstian and many people dare not question it or else they are shuned by their peers for violation of some unwritten law. You have to love the hipocracy some of these people exibit in their everyday lives. All the gossip, back stabbing, revenge and just general hate. You can always make new friends by buying a WWJD bracelet and it will make up for a complete lack of morals and ethics.

Just something I have noticed 🙂
Click to expand...

While I would agree to some extent, to say that Jesus is now more of a pop culture icon than a religious icon is perhaps a bit premature. I have definitely noticed what you've noticed, though. I just don't think this phenomenon has quite overtaken the religious association of Jesus.
 
Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Originally posted by: Vic
Originally posted by: biostud666
It's so much easier living with one truth, in a world where there are none.
Click to expand...

Actually, there is one truth. If everyone loved each other, as Jesus commanded (Matthew 22), we would live in perfect peace.
Now reflect on Jesus' great commandment that we love each other with the actions and attitudes of so many of His so-called followers.
Click to expand...
I see no contradiction, Vic, because he commanded us to love each other as we love our self. We do treat each other exactly as we treat our real self and that's also the reason why. But if he meant treat each other like we love our false selves then I'm on board. That one we love and preserve above all else.
Click to expand...
Dammit, Moonbeam! When did the Common Sense Stick? come around and whack you? 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Originally posted by: Vic
Originally posted by: biostud666
It's so much easier living with one truth, in a world where there are none.
Click to expand...
Actually, there is one truth. If everyone loved each other, as Jesus commanded (Matthew 22), we would live in perfect peace.
Now reflect on Jesus' great commandment that we love each other with the actions and attitudes of so many of His so-called followers.
Click to expand...
I see no contradiction, Vic, because he commanded us to love each other as we love our self. We do treat each other exactly as we treat our real self and that's also the reason why. But if he meant treat each other like we love our false selves then I'm on board. That one we love and preserve above all else.
Click to expand...
Which is why "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" is the second commandment of Christ (Matthew 22:39), and "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" is the first and great commandment (Matthew 22:37).

Christ was prepared for New Age thinkers 🙂


edit: inserted chapter:verse
 
Originally posted by: Vic
Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Originally posted by: Vic
Originally posted by: biostud666
It's so much easier living with one truth, in a world where there are none.
Click to expand...
Actually, there is one truth. If everyone loved each other, as Jesus commanded (Matthew 22), we would live in perfect peace.
Now reflect on Jesus' great commandment that we love each other with the actions and attitudes of so many of His so-called followers.
Click to expand...
I see no contradiction, Vic, because he commanded us to love each other as we love our self. We do treat each other exactly as we treat our real self and that's also the reason why. But if he meant treat each other like we love our false selves then I'm on board. That one we love and preserve above all else.
Click to expand...
Which is why "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" is the second commandment of Christ (Matthew 22:39), and "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" is the first and great commandment (Matthew 22:37).

Christ was prepared for New Age thinkers 🙂


edit: inserted chapter:verse
Click to expand...

But since there will always be some people behave like d!ckheads in the real world there's no truth. So you get together in groups with people who believe in the same, and everything is fine and you're a step closer to eternal peace an loving. But at some time a snake will enter paradise and destroy it.

 
Originally posted by: biostud666
Originally posted by: Vic
Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Originally posted by: Vic
Originally posted by: biostud666
It's so much easier living with one truth, in a world where there are none.
Click to expand...
Actually, there is one truth. If everyone loved each other, as Jesus commanded (Matthew 22), we would live in perfect peace.
Now reflect on Jesus' great commandment that we love each other with the actions and attitudes of so many of His so-called followers.
Click to expand...
I see no contradiction, Vic, because he commanded us to love each other as we love our self. We do treat each other exactly as we treat our real self and that's also the reason why. But if he meant treat each other like we love our false selves then I'm on board. That one we love and preserve above all else.
Click to expand...
Which is why "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" is the second commandment of Christ (Matthew 22:39), and "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" is the first and great commandment (Matthew 22:37).

Christ was prepared for New Age thinkers 🙂


edit: inserted chapter:verse
Click to expand...

But since there will always be some people behave like d!ckheads in the real world there's no truth. So you get together in groups with people who believe in the same, and everything is fine and you're a step closer to eternal peace an loving. But at some time a snake will enter paradise and destroy it.
Click to expand...
When the heart, mind, and soul are totally absorbed in Love there is no place for a snake to enter in.

 
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