Originally Posted by joder

So the only replies on this thread are supposed to be directly to Phil?

YES!

just kidding... I thought you were responding to what I said so thats why I replied the way I did. sorry.

Originally Posted by Cheshire_cat

YES!

just kidding... I thought you were responding to what I said so thats why I replied the way I did. sorry.

No problem. I was replying to the post above yours. I guess I should have made that clear.

Originally Posted by Cheshire_cat

I can't speak for the pope since I am not catholic, but as for as the protestant world is concerned Kandi is a 100% correct. And I would not question me on this one, I know it, and see it first hand.

As far as the Pope, I would find it hard to believe with as much politics plays into the Roman Catholic church that it is not the exact same way.

And are you saying that if the Catholic Church went bankrupt tomorrow the pope would not be called into questioned?

I see it first hand too. I am in a professional position to meet a lot of religious "leaders" in my own denomination and outside of my own. Up to a national level, most leaders still have the core values within sight, but when you go global there is a drastic change.

If you think the Pope has no concern over the money of the Catholic church you need to open your eyes and take another look at the Catholic church.

I'm with Kandi all the way on this. It's funny how when religion comes up, I'm either with her or against her. But usually with.

It's no secret that I'm strongly Christian, and also (but not quite as strongly) anti religious. This might seem like a paradox, and I may have already bored people with my de la quote. But I think religion is a thing that's almost completely different from having a personal relationship with God. I think a church leader (all the more so at the world and national level, where they don't know the congregation folk!) is like a middle man between you and God, or tries to be. That's the opposite of a personal relationship.

If you can feel God in your life, maybe telling you to love your neighbor as yourself, or to donate to the poor instead of to your church, or any other thing, and your priest tells you otherwise - who do you trust? I'll go with God every time. I think most people ultimately will do the same thing, but some of them will feel guilty about it, as if they were doing something wrong!

When I'm watching the news
and my daughter choose
to walk in and ask
"Who were all those people,
laying on the ground, sleeping, covered in red"?
I tell her
"They were looking for God, but found religion instead"

That's from Held Down, by De La Soul, on Bionix, the Art Official album. Everyone should listen to it.

It's nice to agree, but I enjoy when we disagree too

It's actually one of the reasons why I joined, work for and worship in a Methodist church. The denomination's slogan is "Open hearts, open minds, open doors." At every level the church is ruled democratically. From the local church level all the way to globally. There is not one person in charge anywhere through the governing body.

My job is insane right now because we are getting ready for our Annual Conference. There are 260 churches in our conference. Once a year all of the pastors and a lay person from each church have a meeting to discuss issues facing the church and vote on resolutions to deal with those issues. Two weeks ago was the "General Conference" which is held every 4 years. That is when all Methodist churches in the US send pastors and lay people to the same type of meeting.

Sometimes it is a bit irritating because we will form a committee to discuss the need for a committee, but overall it's a much better way to run things than one person in charge.

We also have seminars at least quarterly learning about other religions and world events. There is always open discussion and opposing views are encouraged. The cost for the seminars is usually covered the church, which really means its covered by our offering. I am looking forward to one of them in August about Native American beliefs and culture.

I am on two committees and hold two offices within the United Methodist Women (which is one of the largest "clubs" in the world). One committee is the Missions Committee and the entire reason for our existence is to give money away. Last year we gave away almost $2,800 in a church where less than 100 people are in church on Sundays. The other committee is working on updating and remodeling our sanctuary.

United Methodist Women exist to support women and children. They were the first missionary group to start building schools in India and Africa. We have a reading program every year that includes books on Education in Mission, Nurturing for Community, Social Action and Spiritual Growth. UMW is also completely run by committees.

here's mine:
religion is a waste of time and causes wars.
there. I said it.
dont diss me cos am right !!! haha
xD
jk. =P