James Shaw

creativ simon Loc: Coulsdon, South London

:oops:

Jim_In_Plymouth Loc: Plymouth MN

The fact that this post has been up for a day and there are only two reply's may tell us something about how many really care.

James Shaw

Gee, you know, I don't care either. Churches are on their way out and are losing numbers, and the Catholic church has a record of abusing children, which is not in their favor of winning numbers.

Just wanted to see if any one really cared. You are right, nobody seems to care, and I am not surprised that they do not care. Times, they are a'changin.

Audwulf Loc: Golden State

If you believe in God, why do you have to have a special place to pray to Him. Why do you have to pay (Tithe), for a prayer house, and someone to tell you how to pray ? It seems that organized religion has turned into business, with the eye on the bottom line. Most of the people I know who go to church, dress up. Who are they trying to impress, God or the other people in church ?

James Shaw

All very good issues that you raise. My wife is a church goer, but it seems that so many of those who attend belong to the church as a social club, and that is OK with me. I like all of them and they all seem to mean well. I know where their hearts seem to want to be, and I like that too.

Church goers are like dog lovers (of which I am one). They are good people too. Who knows, there may be people with dogs in heaven, and that is OK with me too.

DougW Loc: SoCal

And your point is ......?

khm105 Loc: Louisiana

My sister-in-law once made the comment that she thought that the only reason my brother went to church with her was because he liked to dress up. When she said that it reminded me of when our mother said that he always liked to dress up. He was 15 years older than me and I think I was in my early teens when she said that about my brother. :lol:

James Shaw

More of a question I have than a point I would like to make. Are the numbers of people going to church shrinking and why? Perhaps the younger generation is finding other means for a spiritual outlet. I just don't know.

DougW Loc: SoCal

Maybe more are seeing that Martin Luther
was right.


http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/131christians/theologians/luther.html

James Shaw

My wife is Lutheran, but I think the young these days just may not have his conviction. They just find the whole idea of church a thing not to be concerned with at all, but that is not to say they are not believers or do not have faith in something. The church is just not their thing.

DougW Loc: SoCal

That's a tough one to answer. Jesus' voice will be heard by those ment to hear it. Remember God is the best fisherman and knows when to let 'em run and when and how much drag to set on the line.

James Shaw

Well, all I can add is "hook 'em in Jesus, as their numbers seem to be tumbling."

dragonswing Loc: Pa

When I was a teenager, there was a young couple who were financially distressed, therefore they did not have "good" clothes to wear to church. Some of the elders actually had to nerve to tell them they should dress better to put on a better image of themselves. When I moved, I was told that if I could not attend regularly or at least send in a weekly donation, then I was not welcome as a member and they would remove me from their roll. To me, that proved the church is only interested in how much money you give them. They are a bunch of hypocrits. It proves that if you are homeless or poor, you are not welcome.

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

I believe in God but I do not have a special place to pray to him. Most all Christians pray where ever they are moved to pray. What is a prayer house? If you mean a church building, how else can we support it? Ask for a government hand-out? Like any other building, a church has up keep. No one tells you how to pray. You pray as your conscience and the Spirit moves you to pray. Church has turned into a business? If you don't know how to run a business then you won't know how to run a church. Those who oppose organized religion prefer dis-organized religion, I would guess. Haven't figured out what every one who opposes organized religion thinks religion is suppose to be. If you don't have an organized life then your life must be a mess. Same with your religion. If you are watching others in church to see what they are doing, then it is you who is there for the wrong reason. People dress up to feel good about themselves. Nothing wrong with that. Do you think God would be better impressed if you come to church in your housecoat and slippers? I can see by your post that you know nothing about religion. You aren't here to be a part of God's plan but to mock God and religion.