Yes, this was meant to be inflammatory and less to do with my actual beliefs, but here in the burbs, I see to many people go to Church and select Church based on the "amenities" and "atmosphere" of the Church vs. if they're really focusing on God. Case and point, Joel Osteen and a Church with waterfall. Now if you're giving money to a Church like that AND take advantage of the amenities (basketball courts, live music, and etc.), should those money be counted as a) A Donation and b) be tax deductible. Personally, I think all you need as a Christian is faith and the good book, if some one wants to live by spreading word of God, all he needs is a stump, 3 meals, and followers. Worked pretty well for Jesus.
Not to pick on Catholics, that's just how the image search crumbles. But yeah, Churches that spend money on luxuries are contemptible.
Do you hate Christians? I don't recall you ever saying anything nice about them, but you've certainly made posts such as this one that tear them down.
I hate to break it to you, brah. But I know lots of pro-business Republicans who are about as religious as my cat (by their own admission). Now, some of them will join a church for the social and business advantages it conveys here in the bible belt, but yeah...not all conservatives are religious.
words of wisdom: "I see better than I hear" leads me to believe you have an agenda vs. Christians I guess you can't be a man and admit it
Not to belabor the point, but to answer your silly question, no. If I *do* have a problem with a person, it is not *because* they are Christian, but because of their behavior. My issue is with the religion and its morals/ideals, not its followers. The fact that you need this explained to makes you either delusional or stupid. I'm guessing the former, as it's probably highly likely you've developed some perverted narrative in your head of mean ol' christian hatin' donny, sinning and grinning his way around the interwebs.
I have a flaming, satanic, homosexual Christian-hating "secret agenda", in case anybody was wondering.
I think true Christians are awesome. I've met plenty of Christian that embodies their faith, and dedicate their lives to help others. I even don't mind Tim Tebow as I feel his convictions are real. I'm talking about the people going to Church for reasons other than God, which is ok too, but please don't use it to justify how moral of a person they are, and then use a few obscure verses to justify some of their views. I also don't like the pressure of the "nicer" Churches when it comes to "donation" if you go there regularly. I'll admit, I haven't gone to one of those Churches regularly to experience those first hand but I've from others that have. I dislike the sermons that talk about earthly gratification, like money. It's not overt, but the message that God will give EARTHLY reward to you for being a member of the Church. I think that God does give us many Earthly blessing by his Grace, but to make it a central theme in some of the sermons (and I've heard those) annoys me.
If you are so concerned about Christianity, perhaps it would be good to start acting like a Christian. I suspect your words would carry much more weight than they do now.
I'm an atheist but, assuming Caesar Soze actually existed, this didn't actually work well at all. Like all religion back then, Caucasianity was just an opposition political party that didn't have any real impact until they got lawyers, guns and money. I have no problem with this. Far more discriminatory and class-conscious ways for people to network.
Not all donations have to go to feed the hungry, cure AIDS, and so on. The zoo is a nonprofit and they take my donations to put exotic animals on display and to have beautiful grounds for me to stroll arouind in. Pacifica Radio is a nonprofit and they use donations to broadcast amateurish radio talk shows to a half-dozen die hard hippies (I'm joking, I actually like their midday music shows). Nonprofits like this provide a public good that is not 'charity' but they are still worthwhile. They all get special tax treatment. Its not like churches are living a lie here.
I don't think you understand what "tithe" means or know that much much about the history of Christianity.
your talking about a small fraction of the churches out there. Churches with over 2000 members account for 0.5% of all churches. Very few afford these kinds of amenities. Plus, the basketball courts, etc are like community centers..they keep the youth off the streets and out of trouble. Plus, your discounting the fact that a church, like Lakewood, sends several teams on overseas missions work each year. Plus offering financial classes, marriage classes, etc for free. I do agree with you, however, about the fact that churches should be chosen on if it helps you spiritually..not on what it can offer you physically.
