So there's this church that is not too far from where I live and it is one of these real small independent baptist churches (not Southern Baptist) and it has a sign out in front of their building and it currently says: "Do you think your excuses will excuse you from eternal hell?" Now, I became a Christian when I turned 16 but I haven't been to church in a long time (well over 2 years and counting...it's a long story). But I am asking myself as I see this sign...do the people at that church really think that is a great way to attract new members? This is why I am down on religion...let's try to scare you and make you feel like **** so you will come to our church. Do they not see that being condescending like that is only going to turn more people off towards Christianity? I would like to think I am not the only person who feels like this. I know I don't post in this forum often and lately, all my posts are what music I am listening to but this thing has really bothered me. I thought about posting it on facebook but I try to keep away from posting controversial things there as my views on religion and politics are in the minority with the people I am friends with and as a result, not worth getting into with. Any way thoughts on the old "let's scare you into thinking that you need to come to church or you will burn in hell forever" campaign?
oh perfect -- the liberals have a thread to Christian-bash today. One of their 2 most favorite things alongside calling other people racist.
Wrong brah. I am a Christian - I just haven't been to church in awhile but I know of plenty of Christians that lean more toward the left than the right. Some churches preach "love and forgiveness" while others preach "fire and brimstone". I am just trying to understand why the "fire and brimstone" approach would ever be deemed effective.
They're obviously stating their values without an eye towards some conversion quota, hell isn't some crappy internship or Saturday SAC.
Maybe "fire and brimstone" works when the non-believers are in the minority. All the people that listen to that sermon every week will be so concerned for their heathen friends that they'll peer pressure them back to the church. Or, it was a way to prevent atrophy when "fire and brimstone" was the only game in town ... but then the "love and forgiveness" guys came around and started attracting followers. Or, Christianity realized that the market was fragmented and adapted by creating a new message that would capture the market segment that doesn't respond to "fire and brimstone." Interesting question, maybe someone that knows more about the history of Christianity will have a better answer.
Isn't Purgatory a crappy internship? Not being a Christian I don't feel that I'm in a good position to be interpreting what is Christian. My own feelings though are that I've never been comfortable with the idea of religion as a reward and punishment system. It strikes me as what we do to get children to be nice to each other without really teaching them why it is important to be nice each other. If I only follow a set of spiritual views because I either want the reward or because I fear the punishment that seems a fairly shallow reason to follow that religion. As someone who does believe that being human is more than just mere stimulus and response I think there are far deeper and more important questions of spirituality than weather I go to Heaven or Hell. Not to just limit this Christianity because while I believe in the concept of Karma the idea of Karmic reincarnation in things like the Hungry Ghost Hell or Amithaba's Paradise don't seem as important as understanding the nature of existence overall and what is one's role in that.
In west texas there is a sign that says "Jesus doesn't tapout, he will save you" I'm like.. since when did Jesus fight mma?
I picture all of the lefties here listening to that take me to church song. They must think of church more than the people that actually go to church
That song is actually about worshipping ones SO as if it were the equivalent of going to church. Sex. It's godless. Run. The rapture is upon us!!
Actually I don't think it's about that at all. It's about hope..that things are going to get ****ty but you're still loved and it's going to be ok. That's how I read Revelation. And most of the stuff in there is written not about the future...but about their current day. About the Roman Empire. And about Nero.
Has anyone else driven through west texas and seen the creepy Jesus posters as you pass through towns? Its hilarious
I'm not sure who they're targeting, but if I had to guess I'd say it's people that have an internal conviction to return to the church but instead constantly find reasons or excuses not to.
I welcome this almost exclusionary behavior. I would rather be condemned to eternal hellfire than have members of their congregation badgering me about converting to Christianity.
The fact that it is an independent Baptist church probably plays a large role in this. Who knows what they are preaching. Speaking of signs, there's a Texas Direct Auto billboard on I-10 west of town right in front of a old-timey clapboard church that says 'Hallelujah!' on it. I thought that was funny.
Manny, just glad to see you posting. We had our disagreements in the past, so long ago I can't remember what about, so hope you are doing fine.
