Survey: Many Americans Know Little About Religion

[Takeda Shingen]

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

personally i think that religion is a man made institution and therefore is subject to man-made flaws.

I also think that out of 100 churches along the street side... 1 of them might be sincerely concerned about saving your soul from the depths of hell while the other 99 are more worried about saving money from the depths of your pockets.

Those are both unfortunate truths. Regarding the latter point, the larger and more 'modern' the church and it's setting, the greater the risk of being fleeced. I am fortunate in having a small, traditional Lutheran church to which I belong, along with my wife and daughter. It's rather quaint and enjoyable.

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

Those are both unfortunate truths. Regarding the latter point, the larger and more 'modern' the church and it's setting, the greater the risk of being fleeced. I am fortunate in having a small, traditional Lutheran church to which I belong, along with my wife and daughter. It's rather quaint and enjoyable.

Living in the area in which i reside... there are a lot of massive churches.

these places are popping up like auto dealerships, and in fact auto dealerships are exactly what i think of when i see them.

One such church in my area 10 minutes drive from my home is like a Baptist Disney land. It's "campus" sprawls over an area similar in size to that of a community college.

not that i have anything against a large successful church... but that very thing has influenced my in laws to revert to "home-churching" the kids on Sunday mornings where they would study a bible passage. They have since found a church they enjoy again.

while i never participated in any of these "home church" sessions myself... i have to wonder how many other people are forced or influenced to make similar changes to cope with their religious needs.

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

Living in the area in which i reside... there are a lot of massive churches.

these places are popping up like auto dealerships, and in fact auto dealerships are exactly what i think of when i see them.

One such church in my area 10 minutes drive from my home is like a Baptist Disney land. It's "campus" sprawls over an area similar in size to that of a community college.

not that i have anything against a large successful church... but that very thing has influenced my in laws to revert to "home-churching" the kids on Sunday mornings where they would study a bible passage. They have since found a church they enjoy again.

while i never participated in any of these "home church" sessions myself... i have to wonder how many other people are forced or influenced to make similar changes to cope with their religious needs.

Are you sure you're not thinking of "Fletch Lives?"

[nikimcbee]

I'll just add to the thread theme, all those religions above spend most of their lives in church.

Meh. Lived with church and w/o. I haven't been in 2 years, more free time on sunday, w/o the guilt.

I think it is a head game to get into your wallet.

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

I'll just add to the thread theme, all those religions above spend most of their lives in church.

Meh. Lived with church and w/o. I haven't been in 2 years, more free time on sunday, w/o the guilt.

I think it is a head game to get into your wallet.

Any religion that has "Going to church" and other silly rituals as requirement to keep you from burning in Hells Pit is meh in my opinion...

No God holds my worship, I'm a free man not a slave, yeah I believe in the Gods and I hold respect for the Gods, especially my Patron Gods, but I don't worship them. I'll still get into Shangri La/Elysium.

[Ducimus]

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

Living in the area in which i reside... there are a lot of massive churches.

these places are popping up like auto dealerships, and in fact auto dealerships are exactly what i think of when i see them.

One such church in my area 10 minutes drive from my home is like a Baptist Disney land. It's "campus" sprawls over an area similar in size to that of a community college.
.

Oh, so its not just california.

I used to live a couple blocks away from this atrocity:


Of course, that's been there awhile, but there are plenty of equally disgusting examples, this ones just the easiest to grab off the net.

edit: I wonder how much that place pools in annually? All tax free i imagine. Now THAT is quite the racket i would think.

[TarJak]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

Oh, so its not just california.

I used to live a couple blocks away from this atrocity:


Of course, that's been there awhile, but there are plenty of equally disgusting examples, this ones just the easiest to grab off the net.

edit: I wonder how much that place pools in annually? All tax free i imagine. Now THAT is quite the racket i would think.

Possibly not as much as you would imagine: http://www.secularnewsdaily.com/2010...roubles-mount/

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/lo...-83197857.html

[Gerald]

Interesting article!

[Ducimus]

Hahhahh GOOD. I can only hope that atrocity has to file chapter 11 and gets shut down!

[frau kaleun]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

I have a friend whose father is a minister and used to work for that bunch in some capacity. He was required to sign a non-disclosure agreement in order to get the job, to ensure that he would never make public what he saw, heard, or learned about their organization as a result of his employment there. According to my friend he didn't last there very long and nothing that he can or will say about them is any good.

[MGR1]

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

Living in the area in which i reside... there are a lot of massive churches.

Used to be the same here in Aberdeen.

Most have now been converted in to bars, clubs and pubs!

Scotland used to be very religious.

Now the only thing we're religious about is getting p***ed on a Friday and Saturday night!

Mike.