Comments on: Ambushed by religion http://blog.logtar.com/2008/05/14/ambushed-by-religion/ A Road Without Obstacles Leads Nowhere. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:19:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: RecoveringPOPer http://blog.logtar.com/2008/05/14/ambushed-by-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-358634 RecoveringPOPer Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:58:37 +0000 http://blog.logtar.com/?p=1282#comment-358634 This is a response to Faith: I'm not sure if I know you or not but I am also a former member of the People of Praise. I recently started a blog that you, or your husband may find helpful and interesting. http://www.thecultofpraise.blogspot.com/ This is a response to Faith:

I’m not sure if I know you or not but I am also a former member of the People of Praise. I recently started a blog that you, or your husband may find helpful and interesting.

http://www.thecultofpraise.blogspot.com/

]]> By: Becky http://blog.logtar.com/2008/05/14/ambushed-by-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-358552 Becky Mon, 19 May 2008 02:01:42 +0000 http://blog.logtar.com/?p=1282#comment-358552 I grew up in the Catholic church and I've honestly been "ambushed" by Catholics more than any other religion, though admittedly, a lot of it's among the older generations. I see what you mean about the "we do this" or "we don't do that" phrases in that it does sound a little brain-washed when it's one person talking to one other person and saying "we" because there wasn't another person for him to really include in the "we." I grew up in the Catholic church and I’ve honestly been “ambushed” by Catholics more than any other religion, though admittedly, a lot of it’s among the older generations. I see what you mean about the “we do this” or “we don’t do that” phrases in that it does sound a little brain-washed when it’s one person talking to one other person and saying “we” because there wasn’t another person for him to really include in the “we.”

]]> By: kcgeek http://blog.logtar.com/2008/05/14/ambushed-by-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-358533 kcgeek Fri, 16 May 2008 00:31:27 +0000 http://blog.logtar.com/?p=1282#comment-358533 Agnosticism: The belief that God's existence can neither be proved nor disproved, on the basis of current evidence. Agnosticism:

The belief that God’s existence can neither be proved nor disproved, on the basis of current evidence.

]]> By: Daniel http://blog.logtar.com/2008/05/14/ambushed-by-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-358532 Daniel Thu, 15 May 2008 21:38:47 +0000 http://blog.logtar.com/?p=1282#comment-358532 Atheism: The belief that there was nothing and nothing happened to nothing and then nothing magically exploded for no reason, creating everything and then a bunch of everything magically rearranged itself for no reason what so ever into self-replicating bits which then turned into dinosaurs. Makes perfect sense. (this comment meant to be humorous, too) Atheism:

The belief that there was nothing and nothing happened to nothing and then nothing magically exploded for no reason, creating everything and then a bunch of everything magically rearranged itself for no reason what so ever into self-replicating bits which then turned into dinosaurs.

Makes perfect sense.

(this comment meant to be humorous, too)

]]> By: kcgeek http://blog.logtar.com/2008/05/14/ambushed-by-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-358531 kcgeek Thu, 15 May 2008 19:17:15 +0000 http://blog.logtar.com/?p=1282#comment-358531 Christianity: The belief that a cosmic Jewish zombie who was his own father (by magically raping a 13 year old Jewish girl named Mary) can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him that you accept him as your master so he will remove a magical curse from your soul that all humans are born with because a woman made from a man's rib bone was convinced by a talking shapeshifting snake to eat a fruit from a magical tree. Truth is stranger than fiction some times. (this comment ment to be humorous) Christianity:
The belief that a cosmic Jewish zombie who was his own father (by magically raping a 13 year old Jewish girl named Mary) can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him that you accept him as your master so he will remove a magical curse from your soul that all humans are born with because a woman made from a man’s rib bone was convinced by a talking shapeshifting snake to eat a fruit from a magical tree.

Truth is stranger than fiction some times.
(this comment ment to be humorous)

]]> By: Burrowowl http://blog.logtar.com/2008/05/14/ambushed-by-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-358529 Burrowowl Thu, 15 May 2008 06:28:07 +0000 http://blog.logtar.com/?p=1282#comment-358529 I know "we" don't do that sort of thing back on Colombia. Oh wait... I know “we” don’t do that sort of thing back on Colombia. Oh wait…

]]> By: Bea http://blog.logtar.com/2008/05/14/ambushed-by-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-358528 Bea Thu, 15 May 2008 05:01:14 +0000 http://blog.logtar.com/?p=1282#comment-358528 Nuke, I wasn't hurt at all. In fact, I'm very respectful of other people's beliefs. I guess I was just surprised that I lived with a J.W. when I was in college, and I didn't know about the no birthday policy. I said "Well, that's sad!" and my smiled co-worker was nice about it; she knew I was joking. As for the "WE" word, I think we all use it when we have a sense of belonging to any organization, group or belief. It is not a Catholic, Christian or whatever thing. It's a human thing. Nuke, I wasn’t hurt at all. In fact, I’m very respectful of other people’s beliefs. I guess I was just surprised that I lived with a J.W. when I was in college, and I didn’t know about the no birthday policy. I said “Well, that’s sad!” and my smiled co-worker was nice about it; she knew I was joking.

As for the “WE” word, I think we all use it when we have a sense of belonging to any organization, group or belief. It is not a Catholic, Christian or whatever thing. It’s a human thing.

]]> By: meesha.v http://blog.logtar.com/2008/05/14/ambushed-by-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-358526 meesha.v Wed, 14 May 2008 22:38:02 +0000 http://blog.logtar.com/?p=1282#comment-358526 I thought I typed this once already earlier this morning but I guess it didn't take. I don't see what's the big deal. Some people don't celebrate birthdays, others don't eat pork, still others sacrifice a goat. I just shrug and move on. I hate office card signings and money collections anyway. And birthdays are overrated. I thought I typed this once already earlier this morning but I guess it didn’t take. I don’t see what’s the big deal. Some people don’t celebrate birthdays, others don’t eat pork, still others sacrifice a goat. I just shrug and move on. I hate office card signings and money collections anyway. And birthdays are overrated.

]]> By: Nuke http://blog.logtar.com/2008/05/14/ambushed-by-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-358525 Nuke Wed, 14 May 2008 20:03:16 +0000 http://blog.logtar.com/?p=1282#comment-358525 Glad I could help a gal out! Glad I could help a gal out!

]]> By: Faith http://blog.logtar.com/2008/05/14/ambushed-by-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-358524 Faith Wed, 14 May 2008 17:49:33 +0000 http://blog.logtar.com/?p=1282#comment-358524 I'm following you around today, Nuke. And you keep cracking me up, man! I wish I could follow you around more often... I mean that in a non-creepy way of course. ;) My husband grew up in a "cult" that his parents belong to. They moved from Hawaii (where he was born) to South Bend, IN to be a part of some community called People of Praise. I don't know a lot about it, but it's cultish to me when it comes to their contribution requirements, and just like the church you described, Logtar, the leader drives around in a fancy car and lives in a nice house while the followers all live in the ghetto. The way my husband was raised with this organization pushed him away from the church (with the help of regular beatings from his father who then pushed a bible into his hands and told him to read it...), and I'm working on helping him understand that it's not necessarily such a bad place after all. It's hard, though. And it's difficult for me to understand how two seemingly intelligent people could be drawn into a sect like this, and continue to see it as being valuable to their faith in some way. I’m following you around today, Nuke. And you keep cracking me up, man! I wish I could follow you around more often…

I mean that in a non-creepy way of course. ;)

My husband grew up in a “cult” that his parents belong to. They moved from Hawaii (where he was born) to South Bend, IN to be a part of some community called People of Praise. I don’t know a lot about it, but it’s cultish to me when it comes to their contribution requirements, and just like the church you described, Logtar, the leader drives around in a fancy car and lives in a nice house while the followers all live in the ghetto.

The way my husband was raised with this organization pushed him away from the church (with the help of regular beatings from his father who then pushed a bible into his hands and told him to read it…), and I’m working on helping him understand that it’s not necessarily such a bad place after all.

It’s hard, though. And it’s difficult for me to understand how two seemingly intelligent people could be drawn into a sect like this, and continue to see it as being valuable to their faith in some way.

]]> By: Brad http://blog.logtar.com/2008/05/14/ambushed-by-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-358523 Brad Wed, 14 May 2008 17:17:46 +0000 http://blog.logtar.com/?p=1282#comment-358523 I enjoyed reading your thoughts. I must confess though, that when it comes to unfounded and nonsensical "we" stands, the Catholic church seems to follow shortly behind the Joehovah's Witnesses. I know dozens of catholics who have been so for their entire lives yet can't explain why they partake in nearly anything. Yet they still do it. Beautiful people, but it doesn't make sense to me. -Brad <a href="http://simplyonelife.org" rel="nofollow">www.SimplyOneLife.org</a> I enjoyed reading your thoughts.

I must confess though, that when it comes to unfounded and nonsensical “we” stands, the Catholic church seems to follow shortly behind the Joehovah’s Witnesses.

I know dozens of catholics who have been so for their entire lives yet can’t explain why they partake in nearly anything. Yet they still do it.

Beautiful people, but it doesn’t make sense to me.

-Brad
http://www.SimplyOneLife.org

]]> By: kcgeek http://blog.logtar.com/2008/05/14/ambushed-by-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-358521 kcgeek Wed, 14 May 2008 15:24:27 +0000 http://blog.logtar.com/?p=1282#comment-358521 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2bpc7LSRZc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2bpc7LSRZc

]]> By: Nuke http://blog.logtar.com/2008/05/14/ambushed-by-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-358520 Nuke Wed, 14 May 2008 15:08:58 +0000 http://blog.logtar.com/?p=1282#comment-358520 Faith is a bitch (no not the blogger, the mental state). Maybe I should have said blind faith is. I have no problem with somebody asking themselves the big questions and joining a group with similar beliefs. On the other hand, I do not care for people who do what they are told without at least thinking about what it means. I have spoken enough on my own experiences with religion elsewhere. And that's all I have for ya today, I hope Bea wasn't hurt by her coworkers stance and they can still have a productive work relationship Faith is a bitch (no not the blogger, the mental state). Maybe I should have said blind faith is. I have no problem with somebody asking themselves the big questions and joining a group with similar beliefs. On the other hand, I do not care for people who do what they are told without at least thinking about what it means.

I have spoken enough on my own experiences with religion elsewhere. And that’s all I have for ya today, I hope Bea wasn’t hurt by her coworkers stance and they can still have a productive work relationship

]]> By: Mark M http://blog.logtar.com/2008/05/14/ambushed-by-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-358518 Mark M Wed, 14 May 2008 14:03:56 +0000 http://blog.logtar.com/?p=1282#comment-358518 I don't quite understand your annoyance with the "we" stand. I mean, why else do you associate with a group of people unless you have a common belief? It does not mean that you have EVERY belief in common but there is usually a small set of beliefs that most of the people in that group conform to. For a Jehovah's Witness, I think one of their common beliefs is not celebrating holidays. I don't think that person has stopped becoming themself, they just have a part of themself that happens to fall into a certain group of beliefs. For me, I believe that Jesus was the Son of God and I would say that probably 100% of the people that go to the same church I do believe the same thing. How does that make me less of an individual? I'm now very curious what church you went to in Michigan and who the people were that were trying to sell you on this prophet guy. Ugh. It makes me sad to hear stories like that. It tends to make MOST Christians sound that way instead of a select few. I am glad that I attend a church that encourages people to open their bibles and not simply to take the preacher's word for everything. Whenever I hear mention of the "Prosperity Gospel" like you described I wonder if any of the people that buy into it ever read the bible or specifically the book of Job!! You know what happened to Jesus' closest followers? Did they retire in the lap of luxury? NO! They were persecuted and most died in a similar fashion like Jesus did! As far as the prophet predicting when the "rapture" will happen, again don't people read their bibles?? It specifically says that NO ONE knows the date and time of his return, only God does! Maybe this is really a product of the times and people just wanting to be told what to do and not having to think for themselves? =) I don’t quite understand your annoyance with the “we” stand. I mean, why else do you associate with a group of people unless you have a common belief? It does not mean that you have EVERY belief in common but there is usually a small set of beliefs that most of the people in that group conform to. For a Jehovah’s Witness, I think one of their common beliefs is not celebrating holidays. I don’t think that person has stopped becoming themself, they just have a part of themself that happens to fall into a certain group of beliefs. For me, I believe that Jesus was the Son of God and I would say that probably 100% of the people that go to the same church I do believe the same thing. How does that make me less of an individual?

I’m now very curious what church you went to in Michigan and who the people were that were trying to sell you on this prophet guy.
Ugh. It makes me sad to hear stories like that. It tends to make MOST Christians sound that way instead of a select few. I am glad that I attend a church that encourages people to open their bibles and not simply to take the preacher’s word for everything. Whenever I hear mention of the “Prosperity Gospel” like you described I wonder if any of the people that buy into it ever read the bible or specifically the book of Job!! You know what happened to Jesus’ closest followers? Did they retire in the lap of luxury? NO! They were persecuted and most died in a similar fashion like Jesus did!

As far as the prophet predicting when the “rapture” will happen, again don’t people read their bibles?? It specifically says that NO ONE knows the date and time of his return, only God does! Maybe this is really a product of the times and people just wanting to be told what to do and not having to think for themselves? =)

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