I remember being invited to Easter services 5 years ago by a co-worker

[bluestateguy]

Big mistake. It was a big evangelical church.

The pastor thundered away at homosexuality, abortion, high taxes, pornography, drug use, evolution, big government, socialism, the Islamic "threat", gun control, illegal immigration, liberalism and how we "kicked God out of the schools".

Not one word, not one, about the good works and charity of Jesus, his message of love, advocacy for the poor and social justice.

"isn't it amazing!" my co-worker said afterward. "Oh, it was certainly amazing, all right" I replied with that deer in the headlights look.

[rock]

1. Nicely told

Thanks

[yeoman6987]

5. That is why I like the Catholic Church

Although they are against some of these things, they do not spout fire and brimstone. In fact, they talk about helping the poor and things like that. I could not go to an Evangelical Church. Mostly because of the reputation it has.

[dickthegrouch]

13. I think you need a new hearing aid

The Catholic Church is ALL about misery, sin, pain, repentance and other horrifying concepts.
They might not talk explicitly about fire and brimstone, but they certainly revel in floods and flogging, starvation and sin.

Religion is pure poison.

[Freddie]

17. The content of the homily depends on the priest

Some of them dwell on abortion and others on our obligation to help the less fortunate. I'm not Catholic but one of the best sermons I've ever heard was from the priest at the heart-wrenching funeral of a friend who died far too young, and how she is still living in all the good works we can do to make her spirit live on. Got me going back to my church and I'm still there.

[yeoman6987]

19. Wow. That is hyperbole.

when is the last time you stepped foot in a Catholic Church?

[Bluenorthwest]

22. Catholic Bishops in Uganda have danced in the streets to celebrate the anti gay laws passed

with their support and that of the 42% of Uganda that is Catholic. Putting gay people in jail for life. All one has to do is read the papers to know this. Francis and his Bishops deliver anti gay messages and actions almost weekly in addition to their political activities against equality and of course against contraception and reproductive choice.
Sorry, but to claim an actively bigoted religion that currently favors 'jail for life for gays' in some nations is just laughable.

[yeoman6987]

24. Ok. I guess I am just looking at the United States

In all honesty, I did forget about Uganda.

[LittleBlue]

20. That's my recollection of Catholic mass

One could accuse it of being boring, but fire and brimstone it was not.

[99Forever]

2. As far as I can tell...

... Christian churches are mostly about hate and bigotry toward anyone who doesn't buy their myths and assorted other claptrap.

I refuse to even step foot in such a place. They should be taxed like the businesses they are.

[bluestateguy]

3. Not the Christian church I am in

nt

[CAG]

7. I would offer you a broad brush, but it seems you already have one....

[IronGate]

9. Certainly not the church I attend.

[Niceguy1]

11. not the Catholic

Churches

[JJChambers]

16. What a disgusting comment

[Vashta Nerada]

21. Yes they are.

And I agree, they should be taxed.

[darkangel218]

4. Last time i went to an Easter service it was many years ago.

My friend and I started laughing. People were looking at us so we left.

I feel bad to this day for laughing at the mass.

I grew up in a Christian family. I just can't grasp organized religion ( for me ).

Then a few years later I went to a morning mass I left when the chorus started singing. I went because of my mom, she really wanted me to go.

I'm spiritual , but church is not for me.

[CAG]

6. At my Methodist church this morning, our pastor ONLY talked about

good works and charity of Jesus, his message of love, advocacy for the poor and social justice.

Not one word, not one, about homosexuality, abortion, high taxes, pornography, drug use, evolution, big government, socialism, the Islamic "threat", gun control, illegal immigration, liberalism and how we "kicked God out of the schools".

It was just another Sunday at our church, and I'm very thankful for that.

[Ilsa]

14. Mine too! And we're having a pet blessing service in a few

weeks. I'll be taking my dog.

[Freddie]

18. Same at my Lutheran church

I was honored to help serve Holy Communion this morning. Today is the celebration of the good news of our Savior. Not a word of judgment, only of welcome to all.

[titaniumsalute]

23. I belong to a FUMC. (Methodist Church)

Our pastor told a story (with permission) about a women who came to meet with him this week. She is 40 years old. Her parents died when she was 12. She started smoking at the age of 12 and drinking at 13. Her older brothers and sisters were barely raising her. She has been an alcoholic since 13. The past 6 years she was homeless.

She started attending the church a few months back and started attending some "recovery" programs. She is training now at a local food pantry who offer catering classes for free. She is going to move into a small apt. with a roommate in a few weeks. She hasn't smoked or drank in the past two and a half months. So he told her story (while she was in attendance.)

Im not a big one for the whole Jesus story and resurrection, but I am a firm believer in a group of people trying to make the world a better place whether it is in the name of Jesus or simply just the "right thing to do."

There was no preaching of hatred, homosexuality, etc. Just the goodness of people.

Oh, and some damn fine music.

[treestar]

10. The big money churches, which are probably more about politics

may do that.

I can only speak for mine, a small Catholic church. They do occasionally take shots at abortion, usually in the form of praying for the 'life", etc. Other than that, they stay away from politics. Probably should, as the diocese made big settlements on abuse claims. Not much on good works. Usually it is about how we can be better people, with hints that we aren't all that good - Catholic guilt.

[knitter4democracy]

12. Our priest's sermon last night for Easter was about love.

It was only about how Jesus loved us enough to sacrifice His own life for us, how we are called to love, not just people who are easy to love, but everyone including our enemies.

Few Eastern Orthodox priests take that other route. Our job is to become as much like Christ as we can, which means not a lot of condemnation but love instead.

[arely staircase]

15. sorry to hear that

amazing how unclear on the whole message of the Easter story some are.