Lol, you wont believe what the Christian Church seems to condemn now-a-days... Like for example, this article about how J.R.R  Tolkien is evil, and because it didn't mention anything about God nor Jesus, your going to hell if you even glance at it! Yep your going to that fictional, fiery, place that people go because they didn't fall for the BS religion and chosen to live the lifestyle that the Church has condemned as evil!

As if that's not bad enough, the all-so-perfect Christian religion cant even all agree on rather or not Christmas is about celebrating the birth of baby-Jesus or if it's evil PAGANISM! Wow! All these sectors of Christianity and the religion is divided upon itself !

So not even Christians are sure of what BS their shoveling down our throats these days, it's only still around after all these years because it survived with hypocrisy and lies! .... maybe someday the world would kill this cancerous religion off for good!

Well in conclusion I was better off researching other religions then pretending that Christianity was really the answer and I want all of AFF to know that I'm spiritual and not a Christian! I believe there's some form of a higher power or being.

Rather its an almighty deity or an advance alien race that mankind in the ancient past has called a God, or "those who has descended from the Heavens (sky)" I believe that there's a force of higher knowledge....  

I'm sick of Christians condemning everything that they dislike, or disagree with, as evil  ... :/

Good, you're thinking for yourself, flexing those critical skills and coming to independent conclusions.

Keep at it.

Now, the next question you might want to consider is;  Do I need organised religion? Do I need religion?

^ No. No.

Oh and I suppose you have a better solution ?

That's so true Mario.



At least you don't need an education to go to heaven. lol

And who added 'loud mouth women' to the list of sinners.
In my experience that is most of them so I think I would prefer to go to hell.

Tolkien was a Christian, as am I and some other members here on AFF.

And that is a decision that you arrived at on your own, thinking for yourself. Too many people say that they are of a particular denomination, just because their parents were.

lol- young(ish) is a catholic (christian) and goes to catholic school (obviously chosen by her parents) yet she is considering different relgions all the time.. She respects judaism a whole lot... and the other day we all joked maybe we should switch to protestant.. (aside: keep politics out of religion - scoffs - seems hard for many to do these days...) I am currently enjoying the idea of episcopalian (but go to catholic Mass still om Sundays). My current belief: all roads lead to the same place.

P.s as to thread title/topic:  Just like so called "news" channels - the ideals of each religion is different depending on which channel you watch... (church you go to) person you listen to... PEOPLE TRANSLATE or purposefully try to twist things to their own plans (not thsoe of G*d)

My version of religion says "judge not" and "love one another is the greatest commandment" and everyone is welcome and love is the answer and accept the outcasts = treat them as one would treat Jesus Himself...
Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me.  No one is evil inherently...G*d does not make mistakes (etc.,)

Really?

Who or what is "the Christian Church"?  

I would not attend worship services at such a church that believes that Tolkien books and films are evil and that celebrating Christmas is wrong.  However if some people want that then fine.  I would let them.  Why bother listening to them or viewing their website.  I would not waste my time.

They're actually planning to boycott the Hobbit when it comes out I believe.

**EPIC FACEPALM**

OK, I'm happy for you if you find a religion and live with it, happily. I'm fine with that.

What I am not fine with is, cramming your beliefs down the throats of others. THAT really pisses me off. So many Christians these days, at least from my experiences are doing so.

STOP.

It's my choice to choose what I believe, and if I go to hell for it...So be it. DON'T try to "save my soul" it's not worth your time.

As for homosexuals...

Say that, you're right about them ((WHICH YOU ARE NOT)) and their sexuality is a choice, again then can burn in hell for it. Not worth your time trying to save their souls either.

THE LIST GOES ON...

Mario there is more types of Christianity out there! Basically its easy enough to say there is different creeds..... The ones that are so obsessive are the ultra conservatives.

Well, I'm screwed

I went to a church like that growing up.  I felt a lot of anger against them for a while but now - I feel very, deeply sad for them.  They have so much rage, so much angst.  It is a miserable existence.  

Organizations like this exist in the U.S., but most are not that way   My mother had a hard time finding another one after she had a disagreement with a few people at said church.  They had an intervention for her under the pretense of funding her mission trip.  It was because she was sending my brother to *gasp!* catholic school instead of the local christian school that taught - wait for it - the world is flat, and does not spin.  Yes, really.  


There is a joke that goes like this:  

A guy dies and goes to heaven.  As St. Peter is showing him around, he notices a group of people huddled together in a tight circle, eyes shut, muttering angrily to one another.  Confused, the man inquires about the group.  

"Oh them?" St. Peter replies, "Those are the Fundamentalists.  They still think they're the only ones here!"

So long as they don't stop others seeing it, who cares?

What's hilarious is that tolkien was indeed christian and his work is full of christian themes, even right down to the source of evil being a corruption of the Ainur by one of their own (a fallen angel causes evil, sound familiar?).

Then there's that whole concept of "sub-creation" and why only Eru has the power of creation.

Like any mature and good person is I imagine, however....

If you count boycotting a movie in this, you're wrong - that's not forcing their beliefs on you. Otherwise I agree.

You may be able to shut up those who won't give up by blaspheming the holy spirit in front of them - apparently that's the only unforgivable sin, be sure to also point this out too.

Doesn't require a full-scale la messe noir (black mass) to blaspheme, just shouting "f*** the holy spirit" will do.

Even if homosexuality is a choice why the hell would that matter? That's something that's always annoyed me about some gay rights activists - rather than focusing on the real issue (i.e who the hell cares about other people's sexuality and why should they) they spread around this idea that "people don't choose to be gay" as if that is the only reason why homosexuality is morally acceptable.

The real reason homosexuality is morally acceptable is because it doesn't harm anyone - neither does any other sexuality so long as all involved are consenting.

What you like sexually should be treated as about as seriously as what flavour of icecream you enjoy - most people prefer vanilla (straight), some might prefer chocolate (gay), some might enjoy both (bi), some may not like icecream at all (asexual).

I like vanilla (i'm male, attracted to females) and dislike chocolate (I am not attracted to other males - unless John Barrowman counts.......), but who the hell cares? If the chocolate icecream lovers want to use glass bowls that were historically reserved for vanilla icecream (marriage - and I know this analogy is getting strained now) then why the hell should I object to that either? My glass bowl with vanilla is just as awesome even if someone out there is enjoying their glass bowl with chocolate.

I'm agnostic and it depresses me. I wish there was a god. I hope there is. The idea of never seeing those I love who died ever again makes me sick. I feel like I have nothing to hope for anymore. Nothing to look forward to.

@Gareth-

I do not count boycotting a movie as doing this. I do however count many other things, one of which is education in schools.