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a1aara wrote:UAHparrothead,

I have a question for you if you don't mind. What do you think of "preachers" like Rod Parsley? Rod Parsley is associated with the World Harvest Church in Columbus, Ohio.

To be honest, I think that his group has become not so much a church but a forum for Republican talking points. He has created a new thing called the "Center for Moral Clarity" what is basically a lobbyist group from his church whose focus is limited to homosexuality and abortion. I am not saying those two issues are not important but I think that more important issue that the Church should be focusing as far as the government is helping the poor which is mentioned in the Bible many more times than homosexuality or abortion. They might as well be called the Church of George W Bush, but here again this is my own take and there might be others that feel differently and there might be people who have been helped by him.

I ahve watched him many times on TV and his theology is based on the prosperity gospel which says that if you follow what I say then God will bless you with money and all these other things. Send me some money or a "love gift" and I will send you a little peice of cloth that is suppose to heal you and make you wealthy. The problem with this is that it is no where in the Bible. In fact Jesus spoke about giving up wealth in favor of "heavenly treasures". So that is my take on Rod Parsliey. He has many followers and he tends to divide and conquer among the people, "Saved" versus "Sinner", the "Righteous" versus this "Evil world" but then he supports the current administration without obejction.

UAHparrothead wrote:

a1aara wrote:UAHparrothead,

I think that more important issue that the Church should be focusing as far as the government is helping the poor which is mentioned in the Bible many more times...

I think one of the answers to your new question you answered yourself.

Let ponder your new question and get back. That way I will rant a lot less.

BTW, I think that all the posts have been very interesting and honest. Definitely a lot of different and similar views and no flaming or attacking. I think that says a lot about BNers.

Piratical wrote:

UAHparrothead wrote:

a1aara wrote:UAHparrothead,

I think that more important issue that the Church should be focusing as far as the government is helping the poor which is mentioned in the Bible many more times...

I think one of the answers to your new question you answered yourself.

Let ponder your new question and get back. That way I will rant a lot less.

BTW, I think that all the posts have been very interesting and honest. Definitely a lot of different and similar views and no flaming or attacking. I think that says a lot about BNers.

Yes it does and I am very appreciative

UAHparrothead wrote:Church for me is about rejuvination and most importantly about worship. I leave church recharged and ready to face another week.

Wow, Brad! I really like how you say this. It's very similar to how I feel after I attend mass. I feel like I'm in the minority as a person that is so thankful for my parent-required upbringing in the Catholic Church. I went with my parents regularly every week for my entire youth until I went to college. It wasn't a major issue every week... it was just what we did. I think my Mom once rationalized it that we should be able to find at least one hour a week to spend time reflecting on our faith, blessings and shortcomings. It was a time to step back from our everyday activities to reflect on our faith that guides us through those activities.

I went to college and went through the typical soul-searching that many young people do at that age. I convinced myself that organized religion was useless and that I could have my own private relationship with God without having to go to a worship service. The problem with that was that I never really was fulfilled... I felt as empty as always. I was lying to myself in my desperate attempt to be an individual and be as fulfilled without the guidance of the church. When I was 23 I decided to attend mass. I kept going every week. It was simply the venue I needed to examine my faith every week. That's how it works for me. Not for everyone, but I'm really glad I decided to go back and give mass a chance again.

I sent you a PM.