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| A survey; (and hopefully, some quick responses) | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 26 2008, 01:30 PM (1,002 Views) | |
| Dewey | Apr 26 2008, 01:30 PM Post #1 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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This is a survey specifically for people who do not regularly attend church [edit] or who do not already belong to another faith [/edit]. It ties into an Adult Ed class that I'm teaching at our church. There are no wrong answers. There are no trick questions. The answers will not generate any follow-up debating (I reserve the right to ask a follow-up question only if I'm unsure of the meaning of an answer, but nothing else). There are no answers that will "hurt the preacher's feelings." Other than the last question, I don't think there's anything is the list that's potentially embarrassing or too personal. If the answer to the last question is "yes," and you want to offer some detail regarding that, send it to me via PM. Don't answer or give any detail publicly, unless you're comfortable doing so. If I get any responses, I'll be sharing some of the comments anonymously as part of this class. As they used to say, "No salesmen will call!" I'm just looking for honest input to these questions, which are very difficult for someone who is heavily involved within a church to determine. So, with all that said, here are the questions. Be honest, and as brief or wordy as you like. Thanks in advance to anyone who takes me up on this; I greatly appreciate it. 1. What is the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word "church"? 2. Has anyone ever invited you to their church? What did you think when they asked you? Did you go? How did it feel? If you didn't go, why not? 3. Have you ever had a sense of God communicating with you? What was it like? 4. If you had one question you could ask God and knew you'd get an answer, what would it be? 5. Would you like prayer for anything occurring in your life? That's the whole survey. Thanks again to anyone who helps me out with this. |
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"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685. "Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous "Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011 I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14 | |
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| Optimistic | Apr 26 2008, 01:46 PM Post #2 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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1. music 2. A friend invited me to go to her Lutheran church. I was visiting her for the weekend (near Deep Creek Lake, actually ), and she knew that I went to church on Sundays (Catholic. I've since gotten out of the habit). I thought it was thoughtful that she had asked me, because I don't know if she would have gone herself if I wasn't there. I felt very welcomed, and there were many similarities to the mass I was used to.3. I went on a retreat for a weekend right before college, with some Methodist friends of mine. I had a really great time, and I remember feeling like it was a very spiritual time in my life, though I can't remember well enough to say I actually felt like God was communicating with me. 4. Why are so many people in the world so grossly disadvantaged? How does extreme suffering work into Your plan? 5. A prayer is never wasted, though I'm doing just fine right now, thanks.
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PHOTOS I must have a prodigious quantity of mind; it takes me as much as a week, sometimes, to make it up. - Mark Twain We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time. -T. S. Eliot | |
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| sue | Apr 26 2008, 01:48 PM Post #3 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Dewey, I'm not sure you want responses from non-believers at all, but I've got a few minutes so I'll give it a go. If you choose to dismiss my responses, I totally understand. 1. What is the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word "church"? Religion 2. Has anyone ever invited you to their church? What did you think when they asked you? Did you go? How did it feel? If you didn't go, why not? No. I have asked a couple of people (once as a very young kid, and once in my 20s) if I could go, because I was curious, but was not invited. I'm talking about a regular Sunday service, not a wedding or funeral. It's not your question, but I felt really snubbed,(the 20's episode) like this was some private club and as a non-member, I wasn't welcome. 3. Have you ever had a sense of God communicating with you? What was it like? No. 4. If you had one question you could ask God and knew you'd get an answer, what would it be? Why do you let good people die and allow monsters to live? 5. Would you like prayer for anything occurring in your life? No |
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| Dewey | Apr 26 2008, 01:54 PM Post #4 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Actually sue, while I'm hoping for a cross-section of answers, it's mostly from non-believers I'm hoping for responses from, and I appreciate your answers.
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"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685. "Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous "Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011 I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14 | |
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| pianojerome | Apr 26 2008, 01:58 PM Post #5 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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old, solemn, stone walls, European cathedrals, quiet
Yes -- when I was in 6th or 7th grade, I spent a weekend with one of my friends, and since we were going to a football game on Sunday morning, his family wanted to go to church on Saturday night. At first I was a little hesitant about going, not just because I'm not Christian, but even more so because I'm Jewish. But it was also pretty interesting for me, because it was very different from a traditional Jewish service that I was used to, and at the same time, there were also similarities. Even the dress was different -- I cover my head to pray in a synagogue, but at the church, we uncovered our heads to pray. When we sat down, my friend told me to kneel first, and say my own prayer, even if it didn't have anything to do with Church -- I don't remember what I prayed for. Halfway through the service, everyone turned to each other to wish each other "peace" -- just like in a Jewish service, when we wish each other "Shabbat Shalom" (sabbath peace) or "Good shabbos", etc. A man behind me said he'd never seen me before, and hoped to see me again. That made me feel very awkward (in a humorous way, too), because I didn't tell him that I wouldn't be back since I was Jewish, but it was very nice and friendly all the same! When it came time for communion, my friend's sister said in a rather loud whisper to her mom, "What's Sam going to do? Can he do communion?" I think my friend's dad stayed back with me while the rest went forward -- it was very interesting for me to see what they were doing. It's kind of like a Jewish "oneg", after services when we say the blessings for bread, wine, etc. Of course it's also very different, because during communion the bread and wine are actually symbols themselves, and are being blessed as symbols, whereas at the synagouge, the bread and wine are simply food and drink -- it's not the bread and wine that are being blessed, but rather God for giving us the bread and wine. So it was very interesting to see/hear all the similarities and differences from my own religious background. I wouldn't mind going back at some point in my life, if there were occasion to do so -- it certainly wasn't a negative experience. It was actually very fun and interesting, and friendly.
Not sure. Probably. I have certainly had moments when I felt like I was trying to communicate with God -- I can remember somewhat vividly, and at the same time very vaguely, certain times when I was, in all senses of the word, praying (alone) -- but whether or not God was listening, or whether he was even there to listen in the first place, I don't know.
I have a lot of questions. One of them would be, "Are you there?" |
| Sam | |
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| Horace | Apr 26 2008, 02:04 PM Post #6 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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A church. Nothing that evokes any visceral response.
My brother and his wife invited me to their church last December when I was visiting. I went, it was pretty interesting. The feeling of community was palpable. People were very nice to each other, much moreso than a gathering of a random cross section of people would be. You could sense they all felt there was a bond between them and that they were amongst good guys. I suspect that whatever mental/emotional characteristics are associated with the 'gift of faith' are also associated with the desire to feel a part of a group.
Nope.
I'd wish for five more wishes. No wait. Asking for a specific piece of information is the wrong way to go about it since God, being omniscient, would know what piece of information you would benefit the most from having. So I'd ask for that: what is the piece of information which I would benefit the most from having? Or maybe phrase it so that it is less selfish, what is the piece of information that would benefit the world most by me knowing it. Oddly, nothing springs immediately to mind that I have a burning desire to know. If the question presupposes that I'm talking to the Christian God and He is real, then I'd ask why the arbitrary spiritual penalization of people who were born into the wrong culture and thus weren't exposed to the "fullest expression of Truth".
I like the feeling of people rooting for me and feeling happy for me if I succeed. I would feel awkward if I thought people were taking time out of their day to "help" me though. |
| As a good person, I implore you to do as I, a good person, do. Be good. Do NOT be bad. If you see bad, end bad. End it in yourself, and end it in others. By any means necessary, the good must conquer the bad. Good people know this. Do you know this? Are you good? | |
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| Mikhailoh | Apr 26 2008, 02:32 PM Post #7 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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1. What is the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word "church"? Warmth. 2. Has anyone ever invited you to their church? What did you think when they asked you? Did you go? How did it feel? If you didn't go, why not? Yes, and I have gone with several different people to different churches. Some felt good, some not so much. 3. Have you ever had a sense of God communicating with you? What was it like? Oh yes. I have had powerful and rewarding experiences with prayer. They are awfully personal to describe. Let us leave it that burdens I could not rid myself of were taken off my heart immediately. If it were a physical ailment it would have been faith healing. 4. If you had one question you could ask God and knew you'd get an answer, what would it be? Why Democrats, God? Why? 5. Would you like prayer for anything occurring in your life? I'd like prayer for the soul of our nation and the world. Whatever tribulations I face are so minor. |
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| Klotz | Apr 26 2008, 03:26 PM Post #8 |
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Middle Aged Carp
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1. The image of a small church, built of wood, with a wood cross on the front roof. 2. No. I was addicted to churches in my motherland (eastern orthodox). I loved the pictures, the smell, the services. I still visit every church or cathedral I'm getting near (in some countries this is an expensive hobby) and I still attend services (last time, a few services in Barcelona). 3. Never, but I felt a strange sense of communication with the old stones of Notre Dame in Paris. Last time, for three weeks, I would go each evening to kiss the walls good night. Spooky, but true. 4.I would ask him if there is a "life" after death. 5.No. I am an atheist. |
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| Renauda | Apr 26 2008, 04:27 PM Post #9 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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1. What is the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word "church"? Incense, ritual and a yearning to be doing something else 2. Has anyone ever invited you to their church? What did you think when they asked you? Did you go? How did it feel? If you didn't go, why not? Yes, but I declined. Wasn't interested. I wouldn't have felt right about being there out of sheer politeness. 3. Have you ever had a sense of God communicating with you? What was it like? Can't say I have. 4. If you had one question you could ask God and knew you'd get an answer, what would it be? Don't know, never thought about it. If the opportunity arose, I'd likely be too awestruck to say much of anything. 5. Would you like prayer for anything occurring in your life? Probably not, but if the need arose I would keep the issue to myself and deal with it entirely on my own. |
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| Daniel | Apr 26 2008, 04:45 PM Post #10 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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1. What is the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word "church"? A white building with a clock tower like the ones the Congregationalists built in Hawaii. 2. Has anyone ever invited you to their church? What did you think when they asked you? Did you go? How did it feel? If you didn't go, why not? Jehovah's Witnesses came to my door and invited me to their church. It didn't feel like anything. As you know, I have Congregationalist sensibilities, and I would not have felt comfortable going to their church. 3. Have you ever had a sense of God communicating with you? What was it like? Yes, I have had a sense of God communicating with me. It felt kind of hallucinogenic. Visionary. Not exactly a rational conversation. 4. If you had one question you could ask God and knew you'd get an answer, what would it be? Why is there so much terror of animals eating other animals and people killing each other in this world? 5. Would you like prayer for anything occurring in your life? My life and the lives of my loved ones are on an even keel and I would like prayer that it could continue this way. If you need further clarification please don't hesitate to ask. |
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| smithodude | Apr 26 2008, 07:18 PM Post #11 |
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Junior Carp
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A spire, stained glass windows and tranquility
There was a chap at work that belonged to the Alpha club (not sure if this exists in America?) He tried on many occasions to get me to go along. I explained many times that I had no belief in a god so he immediately assumed I'd had a previous bad experience with The Church. This annoyed me somewhat. Fact is I'd had zero experience with the church having no religion whatsoever (my parent are very athiest).
I have never experienced this, though I have heard many times of this occuring to other people
Can you explain why you let suffering exist in less than 20,000 words
No that's fine, thank you |
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| Ballyhoo | Apr 26 2008, 09:18 PM Post #12 |
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Middle Aged Carp
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1. The church I went to as a child. 2. Yes, for baptisms, etc. I went, but did not participate very actively in the religious parts. I didn't feel uncomfortable though. But had it been a Catholic church (I was brought up as a Catholic but am now not religious), I would have felt uncomfortable, especially with Communion. If I were at a Catholic mass, I would not take Communion because I now do not believe that the wafer really becomes the body of Christ (I don't know that I ever did). 3. No. 4. Do you consider all homosexual activity to be wrong? (I would be surprised if the answer was "yes".) 5. Not in my life, but in the lives of people I know. |
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| Moonbat | Apr 27 2008, 01:28 AM Post #13 |
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Pisa-Carp
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1. No visceral response. 2. Various Christian union types have tried to get me to come to meetings, there was a Church that offered free tea for people who went for lunch there - so i took that up. I've gone to Christmas things in churches and talks in churches but I can't remember being invited to a normal gathering - though i don't imagine i'd go if i were. 3. No 4. What's the correct interpretation of quantum mechanics? 5. I think the idea of others thinking of us and hoping for us can be comforting/supporting but i don't think that's what you mean so - no thank you. |
| Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem | |
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| bachophile | Apr 27 2008, 02:32 AM Post #14 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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1. What is the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word "church"? for some reason i think of visiting st peter's in rome. 2. Has anyone ever invited you to their church? What did you think when they asked you? Did you go? How did it feel? If you didn't go, why not? never invited on a personal basis. all my visits have been sort of "museum" trips, and have been mostly catholic cathedrals, although i have been in a number of lutheran churches. how did it feel? well, at first quite alarming and threatning almost. all those crucifixes, i found them quite scary and brought me strange undercurrents of inquisitions and persecutions. although by now, i guess i have become used to it and dont give it really any thought. and since my current perception of jesus is that he is just another poor jew who got a raw deal, i can almost empathize with his plight. 3. Have you ever had a sense of God communicating with you? What was it like? ive had my share of spooky moments. not in church though (nor in a synagogue) 4. If you had one question you could ask God and knew you'd get an answer, what would it be? "what are you, out of your mind?" 5. Would you like prayer for anything occurring in your life? health of spouse and family. nothing else matters to me. |
| "I don't know much about classical music. For years I thought the Goldberg Variations were something Mr. and Mrs. Goldberg did on their wedding night." Woody Allen | |
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| Klotz | Apr 27 2008, 05:21 AM Post #15 |
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Middle Aged Carp
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Hmm, hmm.... LH, RH, Left foot for the una corda pedal, Right foot for the sustain pedal.... 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = almost FOUR ! |
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| John D'Oh | Apr 27 2008, 05:37 AM Post #16 |
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MAMIL
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(I do actually attend a church, but not as a believer, more a frequent guest keeping my wife company) 1. What is the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word "church"? The medieval church I used to go to as a child - my school was attached to it. I actually have very fond memories. 2. Has anyone ever invited you to their church? What did you think when they asked you? Did you go? How did it feel? If you didn't go, why not? A few people I would consider to be religious nuts trying to convert me. I didn't go for that reason and also because they were always so square. 3. Have you ever had a sense of God communicating with you? What was it like? Yes, when I was a child and still believed in the big guy. It was like a feeling entering me after I'd asked for something after I'd prayed. I'm pretty sure it was self-induced, particularly based on what I'd asked for, which I won't divulge. :lol: 4. If you had one question you could ask God and knew you'd get an answer, what would it be? Why are we here? 5. Would you like prayer for anything occurring in your life? If I was religious, I'd pray for the safety and health of my wife and children. |
| What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket? | |
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| John D'Oh | Apr 27 2008, 05:39 AM Post #17 |
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MAMIL
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That one's easy. Both of your political parties have been sent as a punishment for your Declaration of Independence. |
| What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket? | |
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| Klaus | Apr 27 2008, 05:46 AM Post #18 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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1. What is the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word "church"? Impressive cathedrals. Memories of being forced to go there when I was a child. 2. Has anyone ever invited you to their church? What did you think when they asked you? Did you go? How did it feel? If you didn't go, why not? I've gone to church when I was a kid, but I've never been invited. 3. Have you ever had a sense of God communicating with you? What was it like? When I was a kid (maybe 10 or 12yo) I frequently made "scientific" experiments, which would have given god the opportunity to show me he is listening, without revealing this to others (such as: asking him to tell me how many steps a stairway has). Unfortunately all these experiments showed no statistically significant evidence that he was talking to me :lol: 4. If you had one question you could ask God and knew you'd get an answer, what would it be? Why are we here? If I could have a second question: What is your favorite programming language? Third question: What is the solution to the P=NP problem? 5. Would you like prayer for anything occurring in your life? I appreciate prayers of others as a sign of their sympathy, but I don't believe they have a real effect. |
| Trifonov Fleisher Klaus Sokolov Zimmerman | |
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| blondie | Apr 27 2008, 06:36 AM Post #19 |
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Bull-Carp
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I hope I'm not too late to respond. I didn't read the whole thread. 1. What is the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word "church"? I think of Catholic churches. So I think it a place for *normal* families to go to pray to God, as part of their duty to God. There's always these undertones, underpinnings of *who* can be there, who is truly accepted there. It's not a place to be if you're single, single with kids, divorced, separated, of mixed religion with a partner/spouse, not there with your spouse or kids, cohabitating, married not wanting kids; if you're gay, bi; liberal; questioning of the bible, church rules, religion, God; if you're a non-subservient female; or a frequent or mortal sinner (past, present). So IOW, I think "church" excludes many people, many families. 2. Has anyone ever invited you to their church? What did you think when they asked you? Did you go? How did it feel? If you didn't go, why not? No one has ever asked me to their church. I'd go if asked. Just as a visit, to experience what they do. I'd like to know what goes on in Muslim churches, Jewish churches, Mormon churches, Eastern religions, etc., IOW, churches other than Catholic ones. 3. Have you ever had a sense of God communicating with you? What was it like? No, never. 4. If you had one question you could ask God and knew you'd get an answer, what would it be? What could I do to get into Heaven. 5. Would you like prayer for anything occurring in your life? No thanks. I tell few of my problems. I appreciate when my good friends pray for me 'cause I know my friends as sincere. I pray yes, & often. Always for others, never for myself. I do it silently. |
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| jon-nyc | Apr 27 2008, 06:45 AM Post #20 |
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Cheers
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1. What is the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word "church"? Obscurantism, irrationality. 2. Has anyone ever invited you to their church? What did you think when they asked you? Did you go? How did it feel? If you didn't go, why not? Yes, but not since I was a child. It seemed foreign and just a bit scary. It seemed like theatre - most people didn't seem to be themselves. Since I've been an adult, I've only been invited by strangers (evangelizers). So my only thought is how to get away from them with a minimum of rudeness. 3. Have you ever had a sense of God communicating with you? What was it like? No. 4. If you had one question you could ask God and knew you'd get an answer, what would it be? I would ask him how he could possibly sit by and watch while Christians, Jews, and Moslems do so much harm in his name. 5. Would you like prayer for anything occurring in your life? Kind wishes suffice, but when those who pray offer me their prayers I consider it a nice gesture. |
| In my defense, I was left unsupervised. | |
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| Klotz | Apr 27 2008, 08:38 AM Post #21 |
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Middle Aged Carp
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[size=7] Stop fornicating ! Get married in church ! Make at least seven children ! Clean the house ! Cook for your husband ! Wash his laundry ! Let your husband go - what he does while you clean, cook and wash is none of your business !! [/size] No brainer... |
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| Daniel | Apr 27 2008, 04:30 PM Post #22 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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We got off on the wrong foot but I like you. You're slightly crazy in a good way. I can appreciate that. |
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| Dewey | Apr 27 2008, 04:38 PM Post #23 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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By the way, thanks to everyone for your input. We didn't get to the part of the class today where I needed this; we'll get there next week. So in the meantime, if anyone else wants to chime in, feel free. |
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"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685. "Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous "Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011 I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14 | |
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| blondie | Apr 27 2008, 09:20 PM Post #24 |
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Bull-Carp
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Klotz, Huh ?? Yup, so true - It hurts all to Hell knowing I could only have 1 child when I really wanted a large family. Thanks for reminding me of that eh. |
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| sarah_blueparrot | Apr 28 2008, 09:25 AM Post #25 |
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Fulla-Carp
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1. What is the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word "church"? A building first, then the services. 2. Has anyone ever invited you to their church? What did you think when they asked you? Did you go? How did it feel? If you didn't go, why not? No, but I would like to, because I imagine that there is such a strong sense of community that it would be nice to join. 3. Have you ever had a sense of God communicating with you? What was it like? No, but I have rarely felt that He wasn't there at all. 4. If you had one question you could ask God and knew you'd get an answer, what would it be? Will I see my family again (after death)? 5. Would you like prayer for anything occurring in your life? To keep everyone I care for safe, happy and together. |
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Death is simply a shedding of the physical body like the butterfly shedding its cocoon. It is a transition to a higher state of consciousness where you continue to perceive, to understand, to laugh, and to be able to grow. - Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross | |
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), and she knew that I went to church on Sundays (Catholic. I've since gotten out of the habit). I thought it was thoughtful that she had asked me, because I don't know if she would have gone herself if I wasn't there. I felt very welcomed, and there were many similarities to the mass I was used to.






10:39 PM Jul 12