TOTALLY GEEKED!

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

RE: 7.5 Million Americans Have 'Lost Their Religion' Since 2012

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

And, when you talk about one of the main problems with Christians is the hypocrites, this is a prime example.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

I must have missed the posts where LGS told people to stop going to Church...

flan

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

flan327 wrote:
I must have missed the posts where LGS told people to stop going to Church...

flan

Because telling them how awful all the churches you've been to doesn't do that....

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Lawyerlady wrote:
flan327 wrote:
I must have missed the posts where LGS told people to stop going to Church...

flan
Because telling them how awful all the churches you've been to doesn't do that....

But your Church isn't awful.

flan

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Let's take church out of it. No where else would this attitude be ok.

Examples -

I don't go to libraries. They are full of bitchy know-it-all librarians and deadbeat people wanting to use the community resourses for free. One of the librarians doesn't even READ, and another one keeps books past her due dates and doesn't pay the fines. And I saw a patron rip out one of the magazine pages and steal it. They are full of horrible people, and I won't go there at all.

or

I'm not sending my kids to school anymore. They are full of bleeding heart liberals trying to brainwash my kids. One of the teachers is pregnant and she's not even married, and another one used to steal when she was a kid. And I KNOW the teachers talk about the kids, and I don't like it. And they are always asking us to send in pencils and dry-erase markers and tissues. What do they DO with that stuff? And I'm not going to send my kids to another school or look for a private school, b/c they are all the same and why should I bother?

or

I quit my job. My boss is a bully and HR doesn't care. The co-workers gossip all the time. All those people are horrible. And I'm not going to look for another job because that's just too much - I mean, how many times should I have to look for a job? They all have people there. I've had 3 and they have all been the same. So, I'm just going to stop working b/c it isn't worth it to keep looking.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

flan327 wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
flan327 wrote:
I must have missed the posts where LGS told people to stop going to Church...

flan
Because telling them how awful all the churches you've been to doesn't do that....
But your Church isn't awful.
flan

And it isn't perfect, either. But I don't expect it to be. That's not why I go there.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Again, she is giving her personal experience.

flan

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I'm a grown ass adult. If I don't want to go the local church. I won't. If I don't want to go to the local library, I won't. If I don't like the school, then I will home school my kids. If I don't like my job, I will find another one. Duh.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I am not the one telling you to NOT go to church. Seems you like you are the one trying to tell me that I should go to church according to your dictates.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I'm a grown ass adult. If I don't want to go the local church. I won't. If I don't want to go to the local library, I won't. If I don't like the school, then I will home school my kids. If I don't like my job, I will find another one. Duh.

So a job is more important than church? You are willing to find a new one of those, but not a new church? Uh huh.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I'm a grown ass adult. If I don't want to go the local church. I won't. If I don't want to go to the local library, I won't. If I don't like the school, then I will home school my kids. If I don't like my job, I will find another one. Duh.

But you'd come to MY library...and LIKE IT!!! LOL

flan

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I am not the one telling you to NOT go to church. Seems you like you are the one trying to tell me that I should go to church according to your dictates.

You should go to church according to the Bible's dictates.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I'm a grown ass adult. If I don't want to go the local church. I won't. If I don't want to go to the local library, I won't. If I don't like the school, then I will home school my kids. If I don't like my job, I will find another one. Duh.
So a job is more important than church? You are willing to find a new one of those, but not a new church? Uh huh.

No, I don't find Church to be important. God yes. Church, no.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I am not the one telling you to NOT go to church. Seems you like you are the one trying to tell me that I should go to church according to your dictates.

That's my take as well.

flan

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

flan327 wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I am not the one telling you to NOT go to church. Seems you like you are the one trying to tell me that I should go to church according to your dictates.
That's my take as well.
flan

She says she is a Christian, so she should go to church. It's that simple. She is putting her preferences above God's teachings. She doesn't get to just pick and choose which parts of the Bible she likes when it's convenient for the argument she is making, and then ignore the rest. Notice how I'm focused on Gaga here? It's because of the things SHE has said in her different arguments over the years. She is the one that claims to be so knowledgable and spiritual, she is the one that tells people repeatedly that they CHOOSE to be offended, and can only control their own responses. She is the one that admits she creates drama because it's fun. And yet, none of that applies when it comes to church.

I realize people don't like it when their own words are tossed back at them.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
flan327 wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I am not the one telling you to NOT go to church. Seems you like you are the one trying to tell me that I should go to church according to your dictates.
That's my take as well.
flan
She says she is a Christian, so she should go to church. It's that simple. She is putting her preferences above God's teachings. She doesn't get to just pick and choose which parts of the Bible she likes when it's convenient for the argument she is making, and then ignore the rest. Notice how I'm focused on Gaga here? It's because of the things SHE has said in her different arguments over the years. She is the one that claims to be so knowledgable and spiritual, she is the one that tells people repeatedly that they CHOOSE to be offended, and can only control their own responses. She is the one that admits she creates drama because it's fun. And yet, none of that applies when it comes to church.
I realize people don't like it when their own words are tossed back at them.

I am a Christian. But, you are not the gatekeeper on how other Christians should live out their Christian life. I

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

BTW, I am not "offended". I have just had a gut full of other people's nonsense.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I'm a grown ass adult. If I don't want to go the local church. I won't. If I don't want to go to the local library, I won't. If I don't like the school, then I will home school my kids. If I don't like my job, I will find another one. Duh.
So a job is more important than church? You are willing to find a new one of those, but not a new church? Uh huh.
No, I don't find Church to be important. God yes. Church, no.

God says differently.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Being 'offended" is walking around huffing , puffing, angry, annoyed, etc. I am not any of those things about Church. If anyone is "offended" right now , it seems to be you.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
flan327 wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I am not the one telling you to NOT go to church. Seems you like you are the one trying to tell me that I should go to church according to your dictates.
That's my take as well.
flan
She says she is a Christian, so she should go to church. It's that simple. She is putting her preferences above God's teachings. She doesn't get to just pick and choose which parts of the Bible she likes when it's convenient for the argument she is making, and then ignore the rest. Notice how I'm focused on Gaga here? It's because of the things SHE has said in her different arguments over the years. She is the one that claims to be so knowledgable and spiritual, she is the one that tells people repeatedly that they CHOOSE to be offended, and can only control their own responses. She is the one that admits she creates drama because it's fun. And yet, none of that applies when it comes to church.
I realize people don't like it when their own words are tossed back at them.
I am a Christian. But, you are not the gatekeeper on how other Christians should live out their Christian life. I

And I don't claim to be - but I am going to point out your hypocrisy when you are reveling in it. You are the one that started spouting how churches are FULL of terrible people. Who's the judgmental one?

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
flan327 wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I am not the one telling you to NOT go to church. Seems you like you are the one trying to tell me that I should go to church according to your dictates.
That's my take as well.
flan
She says she is a Christian, so she should go to church. It's that simple. She is putting her preferences above God's teachings. She doesn't get to just pick and choose which parts of the Bible she likes when it's convenient for the argument she is making, and then ignore the rest. Notice how I'm focused on Gaga here? It's because of the things SHE has said in her different arguments over the years. She is the one that claims to be so knowledgable and spiritual, she is the one that tells people repeatedly that they CHOOSE to be offended, and can only control their own responses. She is the one that admits she creates drama because it's fun. And yet, none of that applies when it comes to church.
I realize people don't like it when their own words are tossed back at them.
I am a Christian. But, you are not the gatekeeper on how other Christians should live out their Christian life. I
And I don't claim to be - but I am going to point out your hypocrisy when you are reveling in it. You are the one that started spouting how churches are FULL of terrible people. Who's the judgmental one?

I didn't say that but whatevs. You like to put forth your narrative and then try to fit other people's views into it, even when the glove don't fit!

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Hypocritical Christians who spend more time telling others what they SHOULD do instead of casting the BEAM out of their own eyes are the primary ones driving people out!

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Is it time for Jello wrestling yet?

flan

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

So, please tell me, Gaga. What is your justification for ignoring all the Bible verses on attending church?

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I don't have to "justify" what I choose to do to you or anyone else.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I'll tell you what is amazing is the number of regular church goers who know NOTHING whatsoever about the Bible.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Hypocritical Christians who spend more time telling others what they SHOULD do instead of casting the BEAM out of their own eyes are the primary ones driving people out!

LOL! I was WAITING for that! You and your BEAM verse. Is that the only one you know? Oh, except when you are judging other Chrisitans, then you'll start quoting the verses about how Christians have to hold other Christians accountable when it suits your argument of the moment. Well, here I am, holding you accountable. You started this with your bad-mouthing of church.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I don't have to "justify" what I choose to do to you or anyone else.

Amen!

It's between her and her God.

flan

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I'll tell you what is amazing is the number of regular church goers who know NOTHING whatsoever about the Bible.

But they are going so they can learn.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

flan327 wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I don't have to "justify" what I choose to do to you or anyone else.
Amen!
It's between her and her God.
flan

Not when she starts bad-mouthing others, it's not.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Hypocritical Christians who spend more time telling others what they SHOULD do instead of casting the BEAM out of their own eyes are the primary ones driving people out!
LOL! I was WAITING for that! You and your BEAM verse. Is that the only one you know? Oh, except when you are judging other Chrisitans, then you'll start quoting the verses about how Christians have to hold other Christians accountable when it suits your argument of the moment. Well, here I am, holding you accountable. You started this with your bad-mouthing of church.

I didn't "bad mouth" church. I relayed my experiences. If you see that as "bad mouthing", then that's on you. However, I would think you would be more judging of the people who groped MM, had affairs in the Church or ran Pastors out of town. But, funny that you are not. Go figure.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Well, there are a whole lot of people on this board with similar experiences. Don't forget to attack them for "bad mouthing" too.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

BTW, you are "scolding" me apparently. But, do you think you are winning the unchurched back to church with your arguments?

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Well, there are a whole lot of people on this board with similar experiences. Don't forget to attack them for "bad mouthing" too.

YOU started this thread.

And YOU said -

But, I just don't have the stomach any more for phoniness. I like REAL people, warts and all. And, I don't have the energy to go through a farce that I don't truly feel and act like I am soooo happy to see people for an hour on Sunday when they couldn't give 2 schits about me any other time. No thanks.

And, there were a lot of pissy ass women there. And, for some reason, they decided they didn't like the Pastor anymore. Ok, fair enough. Everyone doesn't have to like everyone. So what, right? But, then it turned into a full frontal attack of them attacking the Pastor and his wife and his young children. Nothing the Pastor did was right, blah, blah. He was a good Christian man with a very nice family. Finally, the Pastor had enough and left. At that point, we had enough and decided, well maybe time to move on.
The next Church we went to, the SAME thing. We were involved in going to Sunday school, they asked DH to be on the Church board. Well, sure, enough, another group of pissy ass women who decided the Pastor was "quenching the Spirit" because he wasn't into charismatic religion. Well, this was a CMA church, this is not a Pentacostal church. If they wanted speaking in tongues and stuff, then go to a Pentacostal church. I have nothing against that, but this denomination is not of that particular brand. Anyway, same thing, making everyone miserable, attacking the Pastor and on and on. I think the Pastor should have just stood up to them and told them, This is the Way I preach and if you don't like it you are free to leave". But, that is my approach and not his so ultimately, he and his family left as well.

But, when they get there and find that it is full of bitchy, cliquey people running their own agendas, it seems no different than what people are experiencing anywhere else. So, after awhile, you just get tired of it.

Uh huh. In my neighbor's church,, there were some OLD church pews that were in the basement. Half of the church considered them "historic". The other half wanted them removed to make more space for the Youth ministry. Well, the Board and the Pastors voted and they removed the pews. Half of the church got ticked off and left. And, that Pastor became so disheartened that he eventually left too. It isn't just churches I have attended, it is going on in a lot of churches.

Was it my fault when the gossip mongering ladies decided to run a very nice Pastor and his wife out of the Church in not only ONE but 2 churches?

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

How does ANY of that further God's cause?

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

So, every thread on this board further's God's cause?

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

What flan says, or VOR says about not liking church - not really a surprise or a concern. But when a Christian comes on here and says church is full of bithcy, cliquey women or pissy women and it's not worth trying to find another, that's a problem.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

But, speaking the truth and shining the light of day does further God's cause. Or, should there be Church coverups instead and everyone should have hid the fact that the Pastor had an affair with the organist? Not sure what you are trying to say exactly?

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
What flan says, or VOR says about not liking church - not really a surprise or a concern. But when a Christian comes on here and says church is full of bithcy, cliquey women or pissy women and it's not worth trying to find another, that's a problem.

Yes, it is a problem. But, if you want to portray me as the Problem, then portray away. But, if you want to see that perhaps there is a kernel of truth from people who have had those experiences, then you may do so as well.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Except flan is now regularly attending a Meeting...

flan

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I guess I don't view God as the Man with the Big Scorecard in the sky, crossing off how many days of the month I attend church. But, maybe you are right and that is His Ultimate concern. But, you don't have to account for my life, only I do.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
So, every thread on this board further's God's cause?

Of course not. But what was your purpose with this one other than to talk about how bad churches are?

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

flan327 wrote:
Except flan is now regularly attending a Meeting...

flan

LOL!!

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I guess I don't view God as the Man with the Big Scorecard in the sky, crossing off how many days of the month I attend church. But, maybe you are right and that is His Ultimate concern. But, you don't have to account for my life, only I do.

His ultimate concern is that everyone will be saved and join him in heaven. How are you furthering that cause?

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
So, every thread on this board further's God's cause?

Of course not. But what was your purpose with this one other than to talk about how bad churches are?

My purpose is to point out that many people who used to go to Church no longer do and that is why the church enrollments are dropping and to start a discussion on it , including relaying my personal experiences. But, if the Church wants to put in earplugs and pretend not hear anything unflattering, then they can do that too.

I

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

LGS, were you read your rights prior to the interrogation?

flan

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I guess I don't view God as the Man with the Big Scorecard in the sky, crossing off how many days of the month I attend church. But, maybe you are right and that is His Ultimate concern. But, you don't have to account for my life, only I do.
His ultimate concern is that everyone will be saved and join him in heaven. How are you furthering that cause?

I live my life well. I take care of my home, my family , my children. I volunteer and help the community. I coach girls basketball at both the YMCA and the School. I am on the School board in endless meetings trying to make the school a better place. I have picked up my kids friends, served them meals, toted them around when they have absent or derelict parents. I pay taxes. I work hard. If that isn't "enough" for you, oh well.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Yeah, I was opening a conversation about the 7.5 MILLION who no longer regularly attend. But, in reality, it's all about Me, Me, Me and I supposed to demonstrate my evangelism right now!

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
So, every thread on this board further's God's cause?

Of course not. But what was your purpose with this one other than to talk about how bad churches are?
My purpose is to point out that many people who used to go to Church no longer do and that is why the church enrollments are dropping and to start a discussion on it , including relaying my personal experiences. But, if the Church wants to put in earplugs and pretend not hear anything unflattering, then they can do that too.
I

Here's the thing - churches are full of people. People are not perfect. If they were, they wouldn't need to go to church. They are full of sinners, some of them are saved sinners, some of them are learning about God and trying to find their way. Some people put their preferences above the real purpose of church, like arguing over church pews. If you are waiting for the perfect church with perfect people, you are never going to find it. But, here's the thing, you are not perfect, either, and you are a sinner, too. Refusing to go to church because of the imperfect sinners inside the church makes you sound like you think you are better than them. Is that what you are saying? That you are so much a better Christian that you don't need to follow God's word about attending church?