Very good, I've seen churches just like that. My exfather inlaw was an usher in a church like that. They would refuse entry to people they deemed not dressed properly or the wrong length of hair. Sad. POWDERMAN.

One thought. If you find a perfect church and joined it, would it still be perfect?

Probably not - churches and I don't get along well.

I avoid organizations that have a heirarchy, a dogma, stained glass and a long history of butchery, which pretty much eliminates all churches, mosques.
God and I have worked out a really good working arrangement. When he feels the need to talk with me, he whaps me with a good solid 2*4 to get my attention. And when I need to talk with him, I shut my mouth and be still, so that I can listen to what is being said.
Jim

I don't remember the lutherans being all that violent. We can leave that to the catholics, jews, irish protestants and islam. The lutherans will send the collection agency after you if you miss a payment though. All in the name of the big invisible magic guy in the sky.

every church I've ever been to had a few people dressed in the filthy rags of selfrightousness.

I think you'll find most of the Germans were either Catholic or Lutheran pre-WWII!
Jim

Guys, just to clear up any confusion or misunderstanding, the Church is not any man made organization or building. According to the Bible, it's those "in Christ" who make up "His body."

There are a great many who aren't part of His body (something made possible only by grace through faith) who nevertheless belong to organized churches. There are also a great many who aren't of His body who hate all aspects and appearances of Christianity, including churches.

And this is important to understand also:

Religious is NOT the same as Christian

My parents (who are somewhat well off), moved to a new neighborhood, and started attending a local church. They gave a donation every Sunday. After about a year, one of the ladies approched my mother and said "We think you can afford to give more."
WELL F--- YOU.
They never went back.

Not to say I am anti religion, but religion is nothing more than big business!

What other business wants ten pecent of you gross income besides the Church and the government.

I can remember a couple of professional fundraisers for a couple churches I belonged to over the years where they not only wanted ten percent tythe for the church operating fund but they also wanted another ten percent for a church bu
uilding fund.

As a result I have parted ways with these churches and don't feel anyless of a heathen.

During a show about Wayne Newton the other night, he told a story (which you could tell brought a lump to his throat).
It seems when his daughter was young she came to him one Easter morning and asked if they were going to chruch.

He told her yes, theyw ould attend church for Easter services and for her to go pack a picnic basket.
She asked if they could eat in church he told her yes, they could eat in his church and he proceeded to fly them to a mountain peak somewhere in the area.
They talked and ate spent the day together. He said she still talks about that day they had shared so many years later.

OR

Years ago I had three priests for neighbors. One was a student at Vandy and the other two were youth ministers at two of the other local colleges.
One saturday Dave came in and was telling my mother (who was visiting at the time) that he had just come from a wonderful marriage ceremony where he had married a young couple out in the woods among their friends. Mom chided him that she understood that a priest had to marry a couple in the "church". Dave said he did, to him the church is where the people were and besides his diocese headquarters was over a thousand miles away !

Interesting thread.
There has been a lot of truth to some of whats been said.
Sad to say though, that the one thing that matters most wheather you call it religion, church or anythingelse, was not mentioned once and that is.....
Jesus.
Because without him none of the rest matters.

Yup, That is my "church" as well. Been attending for about 4 1/2 decades now. Hope to be laid to rest there as well,that way my gravesite probably won't get vandalized! derf

Don't confuse religion with churches.... One is a belief system and one is a bureaucracy to administer the religion...



Kind of like confusing the government with the nation..... I love my nation, but I fear my government....



The best Easter sermon I ever heard was at a sunrise service delivered by a mallard with a choir of blackbirds........and the trout were rising......



John

I was raised going to church when I was growing up, so I'm not a heathen; but, I do not like organized religion for the most part. Children are the only exception - as long as it is "Sunday School" type attendance I think they should go and then have informed opinions as adults.

I really just always figured the the Good Lord and I know when I'm doing right and when I'm doing wrong and we can handle it between the two of us.

For those who want to attend and participate - more power to them. I'm just not real crazy about somebody standing up on a pulpit telling me what to do and how to do it when deep down I already know.

JMO

And please also allow others to believe in their own faith.
Frank

For my $.02, I agree that churches have the tendancy to separate you from your relationship with God. That said, the more I go to church, the more encouragement I get to be self motivated. Rarely meeting make me more compacent about my relationship with the big man. That isn't good.