What do they teach in church ?

[Skittles]

I'm not bashing; it's a serious question. Allow me to explain:

At work there is an opportunity to "adopt a senior" for Christmas. Each one has three wishes. I looked at the list, there's nothing extravagant there: bath towels, robes, slippers, books of stamps. Yet I, the only Democrat in the group, the only non-Church member - yes, I am the only one adopting a senior.

I can't figure these people out. They are quite well-off and go to church every Sunday yet they are gung-ho for the war and can't be bothered to spend a few bucks on a needy person in their own community.

So I am left to ponder: what DO they teach in church?

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. In defense of A church...I can't say for them all...My parent's

church does a giving tree and each year every tag is taken and some people don't get one. That church is pretty generous...but I cannot speak for all, because I have no experience for that. Maybe the people at work (then again, maybe not) are already giving? Lame excuse, huh? :)

Skittles that is wonderful that you have adopted a senior. You are terrific!

[Skittles]

8. lol

I always try to pick one with the least interpretation - my senior wants "navy blue bath towels" "beige/white full sheets "dish towels". Can't go wrong there! I hate guessing what people want. :D

[kixot]

2. Who to hate.

Only fundie churches, though. Mine's not like that.

[MuseRider]

3. When I used to attend

they taught me to do exactly what you are doing.

[democratreformed]

4. Hey, Skittles

Doesn't the irony of it all just make you sick? Turn you off toward "organized" religion? I just don't understand it either.

[Skittles]

6. I have never been to church so I really don't know

I'm hesitant to tar and feather them all; I'm just going by what I see. And what I see ain't pretty.

[absyntheNsugar]

Depends on the church

There are Christian churches which teach the parables of Jesus, like the story of the Rich man who goes to Hell for not feeding the poor...and there are churches who skip over all that stuff and get to Revelations and talk about how Democrats are going to Hell for, well being Democrats.

[Yupster]

5. Maybe their church aleready has five similar projects going

Mine does.

[Skittles]

7. we are talking a FEW BUCKS here

I don't buy that excuse for a second. But in any case, care to explain why they are gung-ho for war and don't give a damn about Iraqi casualties?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. Their being gung-ho for war

suggests that they're fundamentalists, or at least strict evangelicals.

Some fundies will not support any charity that is not related to their church, since they believe that charity without preaching attached is allowing people to "remain in sin."

This was a big issue back when I was in grad school and we organized a fast for Oxfam. The Catholic, Episcopal, Lutherans, UCC, and Jewish student groups all signed on. Only the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship (the fundies) refused. Why? Because Oxfam is a secular organization and doesn't preach the Gospel to the "heathen" before feeding them or digging a well for them.

Your office mates may have that kind of mindset.

[Skittles]

15. are you serious?

That's f***ed up. I don't actually question them because, well, it doesn't seem appropriate to ask people about their religious beliefs.

[AlabamaYankee]

9. Depends on the church

Not just the denomination, athough there are fundamental differences among them. Some congregations are very social-service oriented, others are social clubs, and others are completely spiritually dead.

This is the problem with lumping together "Christians" or churches. There is too much diversity. Oddly, I've found that the denominations that are less orthodox "Christian' such as the Society of Friends and the Unitarians, tend to be more socially active, particularly in peace activism. The large mainline protestant churches often have large outreach operations at the national level, but local charityis spotty. The churches that focus more on conversion and the end times frequently tie substantial outreach to evangelism.

[karlschneider]

11. Mythology. eom

[Skittles]

16. lol

*not going there* ;)

[madrchsod]

12. a church is

only as good or bad as the people who go there. i was raised a methodist,which gave me a liberal outlook when i was a kid now and thru the years i`ve become closer to a "universalist". i was influenced by the people in the church who had a decent outlook on life and it`s problems.i guess i was lucky that i had this foundation and of course both my parents had an enlightened outlook on life. it`s sad the only time some christians become christians is at christmas....

[alfredo]

13. what I learned from church?

where the priest kept his wine.

Some churches are weird, some are scary, some are OK places. The Unitarian church was very good in this town. They were good citizens. They never tried to force anything on the community.

[rasputin1952]

14. Oh boy, never the simple answers....

First, it did not surprise me that you would be involved in this Christmas project, kudo's to you.

Christianity has gotten some really bad press lately. Too bad they are all lumped into the pot and stirred with the ladle of contempt.

The people you are talking about, if the do go to church, probably go to a Spiritually dead church, and are Christians in name only. There are millions of them running around, and don't have the faintest idea what christianity is truly about. However, this does not necessarily make them 'bad' people. Some people would rather do things anonymously, (I am one of these, I get extrememly embarrassed when anyone thinks I am doing anything for personal gain. So virtually all the things I do for others, I do quietly).

I have found, that any church, (or other religious organization), that puts an emphasis on worldly goods is dead as a doornail. Those that are proactive in helping the castoffs society are the ones that get my attention. There is never a question of money, it is just a case of doing something for those that hurt.

These churches are few and far between, but you can tell the people that go to them, they are quiet, contemplative people, that generally have a true sense of satisfaction.

They KNOW they are doing the right thing. Just like you know you are doing the right thing.

I do not got church, I keep my faith in my heart, and use it to bolster me when times are tough. But I NEVER forget those that have it worse than I, and when possible, I do things about it. (BTW, it is always possible to do something, regardless of how small or insignificant it seems).

:kick:

[Skittles]

17. thanks for the genuine reply

although I must say, these people are not the quiet, contemplative type. They are.................oh what's the word.............assholes. :7

[rasputin1952]

25. LOL...Iprefer to call them hypocrites...

but assholes is certainly more descriptive!

In any case, you are to be commended for what you chose to do. By helping people, you have shown that you have more compassion and dignity than these people who profess to be Christians, but fall flat on their faces.

Good job!!!!!

:yourock:

[Endangered Specie]

19. "So virtually all the things I do for others, I do quietly"

to rasputin1952, aint that the way Christains are supposed to do it? somewhere it says in the Bible that the best way to give is to do it so no one sees it but God?


Some churches have truly nice people who want to help, some are mixed, and some are outright nuts. Ive noticed that the more a church group actively seeks out new members, the more radical they are likely to be.

ANything that is Southern Baptist is likely to be bad.

[Yupster]

20. "Anything that is Southern Baptist is likely to be bad"

That got a chuckle.

Yeah those Baptists are so judgemental.

[rasputin1952]

26. Gotta go with the SB thought....

there is far too much fire and brimstone in their rhetoric.

I always felt that it was better to get people to adhere to a religion by way of love and respect, as opposed to being terrified into a false belief. Only God will judge in the end, and i would prefer not to be on His bad side.

:kick:

[PurityOfEssence]

18. We have all the answers

Anyone else with any different answers is bad.

(THAT, of course, WAS bashing.)

[Clark Can WIN]

21. Depends on what Church..............

At ours we avoid politics and work on projects to help the needy like you just mentioned.

I have visited churches where money, gossip, politics, "social standing" and the next fabulous fundraiser are the only concerns.

These are social clubs, not churches.

[salinen]

22. church dog

they teach children that they were born into sin(satan) and the only way to rid themselves of this evil that lives inside is to follow the rules.(child abuse) think about sex. satan. think about nature. satan. think about changing religions. satan. the people who believe differently are going strait to hell. satan.

[DemBones DemBones]

23. In the case of your co-workers' churches, apparently not much,

though it could be that they're just not listening.

Or maybe they're sick of being hit up for donations at work? The endless parade of co-workers' weddings, new babies, birthdays, plus Christmas gift exchanges, pledges to sponsor someone running a marathon for charity, buying things to support a good cause, Toys for Tots, sending flowers to someone in the hospital, canned food drives, United Way, retirement parties, etc., etc., etc. Most of them are good causes, or social niceties, but it can all be a bit much, especially if people also give to charities through their church or clubs they belong to, as most of us do.

It's lame that none of them are willing to "adopt" a senior, though, if they do all that other usual workplace stuff.

[Skittles]

29. ok

let's say they are just cheap at work but are really very generous at their chuch, which I very much doubt because, well, I KNOW these people and they're very selfish. How do you explain how they could be gung-ho for war? Of of course, once again I am the outsider: I am the only veteran.

[rasputin1952]

31. By being the only veteran...

you've said a lot right there.

That opens up a whole can of worms. These people have no idea what servicemembers go through, either in peace or war.

LOL...I offer to take keyboard and armchair patriots to the recruiter of their choice, but I am NEVER taken up on my offer.

:bounce:

[jpgray]

24. Most churches are all right

When they embrace politics and take sides on international affairs apparently at complete odds with the basic pillars of the religion, then there is a problem.

:)

[Maeve]

27. A lot of churches have similar programs

Ours has two "giving trees" each Christmas, with specific requests on paper "ornaments"---take a tag and return a wrapped gift. This in addition to the monthly collection of non-perishables for the local emergency help office, the twice-yearly collection of clothing for the poor, the August collection of school supplies for kids in Appalachian Ohio, the ongoing collection of house-goods (furniture, etc.) for distribution for the needy, etc.

[mrgorth]

28. That's a disgrace.

They are not only not any kind of Christians. They're barely people.

[Ellen Forradalom]

30. Welllll....it all depends on the church.

The ones that support the existing power structure are quite comfortable in their own existence. The ones that question it (like Jesus did, IMHO) are more willing to confront poverty and other social problems.

[1songbird]

32. Churches are becoming more and more divided.

Christianity when followed according to the teachings of Jesus does not align itself with conservatism. It simply does not and republicans get very nervous when this is brought up. Look at Al. when the Gov. wanted to make the tax system fair. He based it on his Christian principles and the Republican party lost its mind! They sent representatives from the RNC to fight this down. They spent lots of money on ads to defeat his admendment and ultimately they won. Why because the Christian truth hurts the republican agenda. What is happening is that the moderate churches that teach the principles of faith and grace are not standing up and challenging the hard right wanna-be's. You can tell a true Christian by the way they treat their neighbors. Neighbors are not just people in your family or neighborhood. I'm not trying to foist my beliefs of on anyone but I just want others to be able to differentiate between the true and the false so here are a few verses that spell it out.

Matthew 7:15-20

"Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

"Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?"

"Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit."

"A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth evil fruit."

"Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire."

"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."


Bottom line: actions speak louder than words

[rasputin1952]

37. There are so many Christians INO...

that it is hard to find the real ones through the fog.

I truly believe, that the 'real' Christians, are the one sthat quietly walk the path. If one has to push to 'prove' they are Christian, they have missed the mark by a mile.

As an aside, the teachings of Jesus apply to all people, and truly does bring up the quality of life for all around. One need not accept the theology, to accept the philosophy. Who can truly argue against love, understanding, caring and forgiveness?

O8)

[0007]

33. what DO they teach in church?

Well, I can only speak for my church. And that Church is the "Round Church" - The Church teaches us that we don't have to run from the devil because in the "Round Church" the devil can't gettcha in a corner.

[Lars39]

34. You're in Texas. I'm bettin' your're surrounded by southern bapts.

They have a Lottie Moon program, where they donate to foreign missionaries. They might have a program where they donate to southern bapt group homes(orphanages). They might have a program that helps the elderly in their own congregation, or it might be hit or miss.

A pretty progressive congregation MIGHT contribute to a group of people that aren't southern bapts., but the chances are slim.

So I guess the short answer is that you have to be a southern bapt or be a conversion target of theirs in order to receive. Sucks.

[CWebster]

35. All I can remember

is growing up on an an island flooded by seasonal vacationers during the summer, my Mother used to sniff disapprovingly as the "summer people" snuck out before the benediction of the mass. For the benediction, the priest changed his vestments and they swung the incense censor and everyone sang Tanto mergo sacromento...

Oh yeah, and sometimes they rang a little bell and everyone said christi elison and chiri elison and there was a lot of kneeling and standing and sitting, which everyone seemed to know.

That's what I remember.

[lapislzi]

36. Do you have a link for "adopt a senior?"

I think it's a great idea and I'd like to participate. I think many of my co-workers would sign up too.

[Skittles]

38. no, this is a company-sponsored thing

we've done it for the last ten years.

It isn't hard to find seniors to adopt - I usually adopt one from the angel trees at the mall, too.