by Awakened at Gilead 39 Replies latest jw experiences
I agree Sacolton. He never gives up on us. Contrary to what the Jehovah's Witnesses teach, our God is merciful and gracious. In His time He will reveal Himself to each one of us and we can either accept or reject Him. That is our choice.
Even though I'm not into Mary as the Catholic Church is I do love this song.
The Priests, Ave Maria: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsx2w2BEA4g&feature=channel
FHN: If you enjoyed a Catholic service, find a High Episcopal Service. They are more catholic than catholic since Vatican II came and watered everything down.
Actually, we went to the church about an hour early, but they had a mass going on. Some guy was praying near the entrance while fingering his rosary and he was on his cell phone... it looked like, for all intents and purposes, that he was talking to Jesus on the phone. We had to restrain ourselves from asking the guy...
"Excuse me, but can I get Jesus' phone number too?"
So the Church service itself would freak me out... I can barely tolerate religion at this point ever since I have come to the conclusion that all religion is manmade BS, no more true than Alice in Wonderland or Jack and the Beanstalk.
And I'm not into drugs, so I wouldn't look for a high episcopalian anymore than I would look for a high catholic or even a high hippie
Sacolton:
Wow, I'm surprised you didn't spontaniously combust into a roaring infernio when you walked into the church.
Depsite your feelings on God, He hasn't given up on you.
I don't get it. You mean, when "God" does finally give up on me, I will burst into a roaring inferno? Maybe I'll be heading to visit this guy:Ohhh great, finally I have something to look forward to! (And they say the Christian God is loving and non-violent!)A@G
Ditto...
So the Church service itself would freak me out... I can barely tolerate religion at this point ever since I have come to the conclusion that all religion is manmade BS, no more true than Alice in Wonderland or Jack and the Beanstalk.
Guest w/ ???: In His time He will reveal Himself to each one of us and we can either accept or reject Him. That is our choice.
Well, I am waiting. If you can let him know that I am waiting for his revelation, I would appreciate it. I won't believe in him/her/it until he/she/it reveals him/her/itself to me. The research I've done with an open mind indicates that "God" is just a figment of our imagination. But since ZI have an open mind I will be very happy to know of "God"'s existence through personal revelation. Why he just doesn't reveal himself to everyone and put an end to the debate/wars/religious strife/killings/suicide bombings, etc, will be the first question I ask God upon his revelation though. If he doesn't have a valid reason I will tell him to stick it up his ***
A@G - the bearded open minded apostate atheist
We (gf and I) went to see a presentation of Handel's Messiah. ... I thought that the musical presentation created a sense of spirituality that is totally absent in the rituals of Kingdom Hallism.
Whether you're religious or not, there's just something about hearing it in a church, isn't there? Me and my JW dad (yes, you read right) went to one of our local Protestant churches to hear it (the highlights). I even got him to put some money in the collection plate at the back ("It may be a free concert," I said, "but it's not without cost.")
I hope the audience stood for the Hallelujah Chorus. It is tradition, you know.
There are so many ways that people offer up prayers! Without doubt they are participated in by devout and sincere persons. But regarding all such prayers we do well to ask: Is meaningful communication taking place—or is it just empty ritual ?
The overseers can give appropriate encouragement as they monitor the progress of the one who is ailing spiritually. What a contrast to the formalistic ritual of confession practiced by churches today!
a@g: These comments always amaze me; that they can, without having ever entered a church, say these things. I have gone to quite a few churches in my lifetime and have also been to a hall. From my own experience I have found, for the most part, a much more spiritual feeling in the churches than I have experienced in the hall. I felt no spiritually at the hall whatsoever. It felt much more like a business meeting. That is not to say that some in the hall don't have a deep religious experience or that some in the church do. One thing I have to say about the Catholic Church is that there seems to be a reverance that is lacking in some of the churches.
My husband and I just came back from a funeral at the Salvation Army church and it was a wonderful service, full of hope. She was such a lovely lady, kind and gentle. I have great respect for this organization. I felt that this may be a church that my mom would like. There was such warmth and the singing was wonderful.
Whether you're religious or not, there's just something about hearing it in a church, isn't there? Me and my JW dad (yes, you read right) went to one of our local Protestant churches to hear it (the highlights). I even got him to put some money in the collection plate at the back ("It may be a free concert," I said, "but it's not without cost.")
I hope the audience stood for the Hallelujah Chorus. It is tradition, you know.
Yes I quite enjoyed it in the setting... made it seem all the more like a nice fairy tale...
And yes, most of the audience stood up for the Hallelujah chorus. We didn't want Jah to get a big head, so we declined to stand. We did give the musicians a standing ovation at the end though! Bravo!
A@G: You may not be aware of Him but God does love you.
If there is a God or not, there is suffering in this world. We have created this mess. We have all asked the question why God allows suffering. As an atheist do you have the answer to why there is suffering? Will this world just continue down this path, or are we going to eventually evolve into kinder, more loving people? Maybe it might become less kinder and loving? Does the process of evolution care one way or the other, if we become more caring or if we even survive?
For me atheism is not an option. It makes much less sense to me than a God that is a Creator of this universe. We may not be able to understand His ways but I trust that He knows what He is doing.
