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PLEASE NOTE: The Reality TV World Message Boards are filled with desperate
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As entertainment critic Roger
Ebert once said, "If you disagree with something I write, tell me so, argue
with me, correct me--but don't tell me to shut up. That's not the American way."
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"Is Religion Cool?"
LadyT 5567 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Playboy Centerfold"
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05-10-03, 11:08 PM (EST)
 
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2. "RE: Is Religion Cool?" |
I take much comfort in my God. I am a spiritual person, I pray and find comfort in my prayers daily. I have many beliefs on the topic, and am always willing to talk about them. However, I never try to change anyone's opinion.I was raised Roman Catholic but have many problems with the Church. However, I do find that being in a place where people hold similiar beliefs as me very serene and soothing. I remember on 9/11, I went to a noon mass and for that half hour we all prayed and it helped a little. So yes, I think religion is cool. 
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Spidey 6259 desperate attention whore postings
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05-11-03, 00:03 AM (EST)
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8. "RE: Is Religion Cool?" |
Is anyone here a Unitarian?No, recovering-catholic-who-believes-in-something-not-quite-sure-what here. But my kids go to pre-school / after-K care at a school run by a Unitarian church and I know several people who go there. My impression is the major Christian beliefs are there, but not the adhesions and proscriptions demanded by other major churches, esp. the Catholic church. (Someone please correct me if I am wrong here) That was my main problem with teh Catholic church. It's an all or nothing thing. If I disagee on just about any issue, from abortion to marrying a non-catholic, I'm not a "true" Catholic. Thanks, but no thanks. I grew up with a friend who was a Unitarian and she loved, loved, loved the church and the people she met there. Supposedly their youth group trips were the bestest.
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tig_ger 2098 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Roller Coaster Inaugurator"
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05-11-03, 00:45 AM (EST)
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16. "RE: Is Religion Cool?" |
My impression is the major Christian beliefs are there, but not the adhesions and proscriptions demanded by other major churches, esp. the Catholic church. (Someone please correct me if I am wrong here) The Unitarian church believes in the doctrine of Love. Love for fellowman is the most important thing and this love for others should govern actions. They believe that God is one, and that Jesus is a man but not God. They also believe that a kind and loving God, like a kind and loving parent, would not condemn any person to hell, but that all souls would eventually go to heaven. In these respects, they differ from a lot of other expressions of the Christian faith. I urge you, if you are actually interested in what they really believe, to check out their websites, like www.uua.org, and then check out some of the websites that some fundamentalist churches have to say about the Unitarian religion. (do a yahoo! search) I think that will give you both sides of the story--what they say about themselves, and then what others say about them.
A Kyngsladye Original
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Spidey 6259 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Playboy Centerfold"
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05-11-03, 00:52 AM (EST)
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17. "RE: Is Religion Cool?" |
They believe that God is one, and that Jesus is a man but not God. I thought this was the case, but I didn't want to speak about that when I wasn't sure. They also believe that a kind and loving God, like a kind and loving parent, would not condemn any person to hell, but that all souls would eventually go to heaven. See, now this is something I believe. With all of my heart. The concept of hell just baffles me. Like "You'll get yours!" I do think people who have done really bad things things here suffer when they cross over/move on whatever you want to call it, but I think it's because they are dealing with coming to terms with what they have done. Or not. Who knows. But this way sounds a lot better to me.
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DataShark 1395 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Beef Jerky Spokesperson"
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05-10-03, 11:38 PM (EST)
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5. "RE: Is Religion Cool?" |
I'm honestly not sure what is cool. I use the word to describe something Fad or that really catches me for the moment.I am religious and find great comfort in my beliefs - especially in times of need. I believe in God and his gift of individuality. People will always have religion because we need to believe. Even when suppressed by government intervention - people will still choose to believe in what they choose. Religion may be cool today or maybe not - but it will never go out of style.
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TechNoir 9741 desperate attention whore postings
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05-10-03, 11:55 PM (EST)
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7. "RE: Is Religion Cool?" |
You mean like Marx said "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people."?I think that anything important to people can become a means by which they can be controlled. Religion is popular because it encompasses a long-standing set of shared beliefs. I think it can be both a comfort and a way for governments to control folks. Which is why religious people have to be vigilant and ensure that their government isn't using them with religion. Remember that many religious leaders have been very political opposing government control. (I know I didn't answer your question personally, but then again I'm like that  ) 
"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall" -- Proverbs 16:18
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J Slice 13166 desperate attention whore postings
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05-11-03, 11:23 AM (EST)
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28. "RE: Is Religion Cool?" |
BWAHAHAHAH! That's from my favorite book EVER!"One day the man who live upstairs say that the Jesus is going to die today on... two... morsels of lumber?" "And what might one eat on Easter?"
"One might eat of the lamb"
"One might also eat of the chocolates." Hee hee... David Sedaris is THE MAN. 
JV's favorite.
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Mon Cherie 1813 desperate attention whore postings
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05-11-03, 00:28 AM (EST)
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14. "RE: Is Religion Cool?" |
LAST EDITED ON 05-11-03 AT 00:29 AM (EST)Agreed, Wheeze. I was raised in church and went to a Christian college. I hold pretty fundamental Christian beliefs, but I do not like to be boxed into a religion. Religion is man-made and political. I've been in bad places in my spiritual life, and my faith has been strengthened by those. ETA: Agree with Tigger below as well. Mon 
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snoocharoo 1 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "American Cancer Society Spokesperson"
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05-12-03, 10:43 AM (EST)
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35. "RE: Is Religion Cool?" |
My friend Wheezer turned me around...(((hugs to Wheezy))I was baptized and raised a Roman Catholic, I attended all girls Catholic school for 12 years. Everyone in my neighborhood was Catholic, all their friends were Catholic. I had never even met a person of a different religion until I was 18, and my first encounter with a *gasp* Jew was when I was 20. Catholisism was beaten into me, all the hypocrisy, all the arcaic rules and all the pagentry. When I got to be about 21 I seriously began to question God, religion etc. Catholisism was illogical, I realized how warped my views on marriage, divorce, abortion, faith and after-life were and so I became completely shut-off from anything spiritual. I denied God's existence and quantified my denial with science. IMHO God was a figment of our imaginations because people need something to believe in. For a while I delievered my anti-God message here and foolishly would attack those who are religious. I'm ashamed to say that, but it's true. All devoted people were weirdo, goody-goodies in my eyes and I discounted anything they had to say. Then a few things happened that changed my POV. A news report of an abused and neglect child made me pose the question here, why does God allow this to happen. The responses from the OT'ers was incredible. People here were compassionate and truly wanted to help me understand that this is not God's will. Wheezer e-mailed me and asked if I would be interested in taking a look at some books she thought would help me to understand. That gesture, her reaching out to me without judgement really touched me. If someone here, a stranger, cared enough about me to send me books and offer support I'd better be cordial enough to listen. Wheezer is someone that I respect immensely, someone that I aspire to be like, she's so happy and friendly. Her family is absolutely BEUATIFUL in everyway and I thought to myself, if SHE can have that so can I. I still don't subscribe to any organized religion but I do believe in spirituality and love of self and others. I do believe in a higher power and I do believe that this world is but a stopping point in the journey. So to answer your question...yes, being a spiritual person is cool. Just look at the people who responded here. "Believe in Yourself"
You too can cause forest fires... "Believe in Yourself"
You too can cause forest fires...
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tig_ger 2098 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Roller Coaster Inaugurator"
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05-11-03, 00:18 AM (EST)
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12. "RE: Is Religion Cool?" |
LAST EDITED ON 05-11-03 AT 01:10 AM (EST)Religion in itself is not a comfort to me. I am not comforted by the fact that I am religious. Instead, I think the comfort comes from the personal relationship that I share with God. Since the relationship is personal, I would not want to cram it down anyone's throat, although I am happy to talk about it, if I am asked. Religion can and has been used to control people, but I think it is just like other "causes" the government uses to get people to rally behind. *edited for grammar
A Kyngsladye Original
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Drive My Car 20045 desperate attention whore postings
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05-11-03, 01:26 AM (EST)
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19. "RE: Is Religion Cool?" |
Although I think the question was about Government and religion. ( well he says so) I am gonna answer the way I want, because I love this thread, and I love the path it is taking.
I think we often avoid this subject here, because it can take so many different directions, and because I think most of us try not to offend.I was raised without religion, no expand that, I was raised against organized religion.
I was raised with a very strong sense of God, a belief in prayer and the power of it. I was raised to believe in a higher power ( the God that *IS* all good and all knowing) Angels protect us, and God guides us. We were taught that organized religion was wrong, that Church was uncomfortable and thatpeople who want to convert you to their way of thinking were scary. I never learned many Bible stories, but my Father's Lutheran Prayer Book was a source of comfort. We celebrated Chistian Holidays, but I would hardly call us Christians. More like heathens that believed in God. We were told that Christ was a great teacher, that God sent him to Earth to teach us to be how we should be to each other. So I am not comfortable in Churches to this day, but I Believe in God, and I Pray. I know in my heart there is a higher power. Do I think that Religion is used to control? Absolutely. Do I think organized Religion can be dangerous? Yes I do. And do I think this is still not the answer Zuma was looking for?
I am sure of it. 
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TechNoir 9741 desperate attention whore postings
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05-11-03, 10:09 AM (EST)
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26. "RE: Is Religion Cool?" |
Psssst. JV. Read #7 above.
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Meemo 3519 desperate attention whore postings
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05-12-03, 10:55 AM (EST)
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37. "RE: Is Religion Cool?" |
You didn't think I would miss out on this post, did you?For those who don't know, I am a part-time pastor in an evangelical, charismatic church (Don't worry, even I don't know what those words mean  ) My view on religion and government: I am wary when government tries to push a particular view of faith. I am also wary when a government tries to quash a particular view of faith. Ironically even I have some difficulties with organized religion. That said, I attend church every Sunday (morning and evening). What's that glow you ask? My halo shining  I'll leave it at that, but as usual, I will give an open invitation to email me if you want to discuss or banter any aspects of God, religion, faith, or beliefs. I even have a 30-day, money-back guarentee 
Half man, half amazing, all DAW
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mistofleas 8043 desperate attention whore postings
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05-12-03, 12:04 PM (EST)
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38. "RE: Is Religion Cool?" |
Damn, how did I miss this one??I can't go into any church. I get struck by lightening the moment my foot tries to cross the threshhold, bright lights shine down on me and a booming voice is heard to say: "A witch...a witch!!" I'm a kidding of course. I used to be scared to go into churchs, they made me nervous as I was afraid I'd get brainwashed or something. But I know quite enjoy going into the churches. Especially catholic ones because they're really beautiful. (and about as close to paganism as you're gonna get in christianity too!) "Religion" in my mind is what causes problems in the world. The concept...religion is a doctrine of a church but not the spirituality itself. If more people dropped the "doctrine" and just lived by their faith and spirituality, I think we'd be a much more understanding and peaceful planet. Or as The 13th Apostle Rufus said in Dogma..."Ideas you can change, it's a lot harder to change someones faith." I'm not saying faith is bad. Not at all. Nor am I saying that "religion" is bad. We all, each of us on this planet must connect to each other in whatever way works for us. If that means believing a higher power, wonderful. If it means believing in several higher powers, super. If it means believing that everything is chance and the only person or thing you can count on is yourself...so be it. For me the main thing is to become the best person you can be. As you better yourself you see what a wonderful gift we have in this planet and in the human beings surrounding you. We must connect and cherish ourselves and then we can't do anything but connect and cherish others. Then we couldn't hurt anyone else because we'd only be hurting ourselves. All things are connected, whether you find that connection through the christianity, judaism, hindu, islam, buddism, paganism, wiccan etc. If it helps you see the world in a better light then it's worthwhile. 
--spirited since 1983
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nailbone 27263 desperate attention whore postings
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05-12-03, 12:25 PM (EST)
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41. "RE: Is Religion Cool?" |
>"Religion" in my mind is what
>causes problems in the world.
> The concept...religion is a
>doctrine of a church but
>not the spirituality itself.
>If more people dropped the
>"doctrine" and just lived by
>their faith and spirituality, I
>think we'd be a much
>more understanding and peaceful planet.
>One thing I like about being a Methodist is that, although we believe in certain basic principles of Christianity, we don't get too picky into a person's beliefs. An example is drinking. If I wanna drink and think it's OK (and don't get nutZZ about it), then I can drink. If someone else thinks that drinking is not so good, they don't have to drink. Same for dancing and that kinda stuff. Methodists are picky about the formal worship servide (hence the name) but some of the more controversial stuff they leave for you and God to work out between you.
>
>
>For me the main thing is
>to become the best person
>you can be. As
>you better yourself you see
>what a wonderful gift we
>have in this planet and
>in the human beings surrounding
>you. We must connect
>and cherish ourselves and then
>we can't do anything
>but connect and cherish others.
> Then we couldn't hurt
>anyone else because we'd only
>be hurting ourselves. All things
>are connected, whether you find
>that connection through the christianity,
>judaism, hindu, islam, buddism, paganism,
>wiccan etc. If it
>helps you see the world
>in a better light then
>it's worthwhile.
>
Beautifully said, Misto. For me, the teachings, and more importantly the examples, of Christ are what I try to use to find that connection. I'm not so good at it yet, but I'll keep trying.
  
(c) 2003 IceCat Originals, Inc. All rights reserved.
Royal Liaison to Illicit Activities, SB Video Historian (StS)
- Except for ending slavery, fascism, Nazism, and communism, war never solved anything.
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sittem 4186 desperate attention whore postings
DAW Level: "Jerry Springer Show Guest"
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05-12-03, 01:02 PM (EST)
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43. "RE: Is Religion Cool?" |
Religion ain't cool. Faith is cool.And, I agree with Tig_ger, Wheezy and Meemo wholeheartedly. I do the organized religion "thing", but it's not worth a thing unless there's personal faith. Religion can cause all sorts of problems. However, I don't generally subscribe to the "do your own thing" thing. I think there's a place for the church and organizations, but there's gotta be constant cleansing and emptying to not be into it for power and control. Like Meemo I'd be glad to discuss more in depth with anyone. My faith is what provides ALL of lifes meaning. I can't imagine life without it - or maybe I can - try reading the book of Ecclesiastes (second book after Psalms) in the old testament. Written by Soloman (supposedly the wisest man to ever live) it's pretty much filled with despair until the final verses. We covered it last week in family devotions. It starts with "Meaningless! Meanlingless!" says the teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." And, it goes downhill from there. I wouldn't suggest that someone in depression begin reading here!  2002 IceCat Originals, Inc. All rights reserved.
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L82LIFE 5333 desperate attention whore postings
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05-12-03, 04:08 PM (EST)
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47. "RE: Is Religion Cool?" |
What a great thread! I grew up in a very religious enviornment. We went to church 3 times a week and my parents were very involved in church activities. However, I haven't been to church myself in quite a while. I'll admit that I've been pondering going back to church, I just haven't taken the step yet. Part of my problem is that I saw a lot of the inner workings of the church when I was young. I also witnessed a lot of hypocrisy and backstabbing. I know now that this is not the norm, but seeing all of this really put me off church for a long while. I believe in God, and I try to live my life by doing right by others. I think that God wants us all to love each other and treat one another kindly. I think that's even more important than the rituals and rules that are imposed by religious organizations. Whether or not I make it back into a church on a regular basis isn't important to me. My relationship with God is still there, whether I'm praying in a church or while sitting on my couch. 
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