Church, religion and purpose always seemed shady

You folks may be interested in Christian MUSIC. I am 88 and home bound so my only contact with a church is with a pastor who only visits me occasionally. Here is a sample of the songs which shape my religious experience now:

 

I don't believe in the Supernatural, and therefore I don't have faith. What I do understand is that the closer we come to the end, the more the big questions come to mind. If there were a God, he'd have a lot of explaining to do.

There are different kinds of religious people. There are Televangelists who are a total waste of time and space. They're into it for the celebrity and money, all of them. It's a scam. Then there are local churches, which in my experience tend to be very down to earth. Then you have ground zero believers, many of whom are pleasant. Things go wrong when they try to sell their faith to you. I can accept they believe in a God, so why can't they accept I don't?

When it comes to morality, I think it's pretty clear. Do no harm to others comes to mind.

I have less trouble with believers than I do organized religions. Organized religions always seem to have scandals and lose their way (an over generalization, I guess).

I don't know why we're here, I don't think there is a reason. I believe in mainstream science as to our origins. I don't believe there's a soul, or heaven, or hell. I believe it's all in the here and now. We come, we go. I sometimes I feel sorry for believers, but recognize they will never have to face the truth that there is no God. After all, we have to pass away to truly know, and there's no coming back to tell others, "Oops, nope, no heaven." Along with a non-belief in the supernatural is a disbelief in the Devil, spirits, ghosts, witches, and spells. Hell, I walk my dog through a nearby forest on walks after dark all the time. The only thing to fear are criminals.

I do believe in kindness, love, passion, compassion, empathy, and a will to help others. I do my best.
 

Mitch86 said:
You folks may be interested in Christian MUSIC. I am 88 and home bound so my only contact with a church is with a pastor who only visits me occasionally. Here is a sample of the songs which shape my religious experience now:

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I *love* some gospel music. I prefer the amateur stuff though. I have many religious box sets, such as those from Dust to Digital.
 
Remy said:
The Jehovah's Witness' got my oldest brother. He was never the same…Lots of fear
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I can’t speak for JW’s but I can speak for faith and fear. It depends where one places their faith and how strong it is.

When I truly have faith in the teachings of Jesus, then I have no fear…none. But when I lose focus on Jesus’ teachings then that empty spot I once had begins to grow again and leaves room for fear to creep in.

It’s anyone’s choice. We were all created to make our own choice so we will all have our own perspectives. I choose to follow Him and I “feel a peace that passes all understanding” that makes me feel assured I’m on the right path.
 
I believe in Christ as a "word" to help us overcome trials and tribulations. It's better to believe a word and always accept all problems and illness without becoming depressed. Happiness with the word, "Christ," is much batter than to have no beliefs and be depressed all the time from the constant problems, illnesses, financial reverses and eventual death.

I believe that Word, Christ, has allowed me to accept everything in life including long illnesses and death. I am 88 now and still happy and as active as I can be. Playing chess at Chess.com and Civilization VI at Steam.com has helped me immensely to enjoy every day even though that day may yet be my last.

A good wife also helps and I have had the same one now for 63 years. She has become my caregiver and nurse. Pleasant songs about Jesus also help a lot and I have them turned on most of my waking hours playing on my one dozen Amazon Echo Shows.
 
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You do NOT have to believe in "God" to use the Word, Jesus, and listen to the great Christian songs all the time.

Frankly, I also do NOT believe in "God" but still trust the WORD, Jesus, to help me out of all difficulties. It's much cheaper than paying for a psychiatrist and has the same power to get us through all difficulties. Plus, that Christian music is very beautiful.
 
Church has been important in controlling the peasants of this world. The rich are having a great life now because they know something that the peasants don't.

The peasants are having a lousy life now but the priests (supported by the rich) are telling them that even though they are living a crappy life now, they will one day be living in a "house of gold" and "walking the streets paved with gold." Ha, ha! Good luck to those poor peasants.
 
Packerjohn said:
The peasants are having a lousy life now but the priests (supported by the rich) are telling them that even though they are living a crappy life now, they will one day be living in a "house of gold" and "walking the streets paved with gold." Ha, ha! Good luck to those poor peasants.
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Well, this peasant isn't caring all that much about gold houses or streets
Just enjoying creation

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and the peace that passes understanding

.....talk about riches


'godliness with contentment is great gain'

mr happy 2.jpg
 
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Personally I’m agnostic, but I have known people who are religious and who benefitted greatly from the social aspect and the thought of enjoying an afterlife with their loved ones. I find nothing wrong with that, in fact I am somewhat envious.
 
ElCastor said:
Personally I’m agnostic, but I have known people who are religious and who benefitted greatly from the social aspect and the thought of enjoying an afterlife with their loved ones. I find nothing wrong with that, in fact I am somewhat envious.
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Maybe it's the thought of enjoying an afterlife with their loved ones that causes blind faith. In order for that to happen the spirit/soul or whatever regains sentient status would have travel to somewhere outside our universe to a place described in the bible as having streets of gold, walls of precious gems & 12 gates of pearl. Who wouldn't want to live eternally like that especially those that lived in abject poverty for their entire lives.

Considering the billions that have died over the centuries reuniting with their loved ones doesn't seem to be questioned. Which gate to enter? why walls? And would the creator have relatives that helps? As in how did a creator become a creator? I think the bible does allow for cremation. That ashes to ashes & dust to dust pretty much cover cremation & burial in the ground.

Faith that something wonderful is going to happen is comforting to those that have faith so knocking it is not useful. Not having that faith can be just as comforting. It is interesting to me to question & get no answers to what I think are valid questions. But it does help keep a thread alive.
 
I pity the folks who do not have Jesus with them every moment of their lives.. His NAME has solved more problems than all the psychiatrists in the world combined. His music is where to find Him.
 

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