Do You Feel a Conflict Between Your Religion* and American Culture Today?

[BrianNole777]

Have you been attacked by demons?

I'll leave this

If you ever feel off, pray loud. Godspeed.

Pope Francis called in exorcists as archbishop, says ‘devil tries to attack everyone’

In a recently published interview, Pope Francis said he called in exorcists when he was archbishop and warned that the devil is always trying to attack everyone.

www.google.com

 

[SolarHawk]

America is mostly atheist now so yes.

Completely false statement.

 

[BrianNole777]

Completely false statement.

For Americans under age 60, especially our millennial generation and Gen Z, I think it's true.

 

[SolarHawk]

For Americans under age 60, especially our millennial generation and Gen Z, I think it's true.

Your feelings don’t matter. If the majority of Americans were atheist, guess what our politicians would identify as? They all claim to be believers, I wonder why that is…..

 

[BrianNole777]

Your feelings don’t matter. If the majority of Americans were atheist, guess what our politicians would identify as? They all claim to be believers, I wonder why that is…..

That's just my opinion based on crumbling Church attendance plus the hundreds of people I know and talk to.

 

[SolarHawk]

That's just my opinion based on crumbling Church attendance plus the hundreds of people I know and talk to.

Yes, I understand it’s your opinion. However, statistics tell us otherwise. Again, show me a politician in Washington that claims to be atheist. I’ll hang up and listen.

 

[BrianNole777]

Yes, I understand it’s your opinion. However, statistics tell us otherwise. Again, show me a politician in Washington that claims to be atheist. I’ll hang up and listen.

Trump is an atheist, although he hides it.

Either way, America is rapidly secularizing with Church attendance at 20% weekly.

 

[DFSNOLE]

I wasn't bragging. 5-10% of men in all groups are sexual abusers of some type...at least.

The amount of public school teacher pedophiles is far higher, though and our culture doesn't stereotype them like they do Catholic priests.

Separating Facts About Clergy Abuse From Fiction

Quality research and reason need to take precedence over emotion if we truly want to keep children and families safe from sexual abuse in the the Church or anywhere.

www.psychologytoday.com

Public school teachers aren't people who have been called as spiritual leaders. That is not a valid comparison.

Those who carry leadership authority must live according to higher standards.
Read 1 Timothy 3.

 

[DFSNOLE]

Trump is an atheist, although he hides it.

Either way, America is rapidly secularizing with Church attendance at 20% weekly.

Your 20% is low.

 

[BrianNole777]

Public school teachers aren't people who have been called as spiritual leaders. That is not a valid comparison.

Those who carry leadership authority must live according to higher standards.
Read 1 Timothy 3.

The vast majority of priests do live according to higher standards.

Even Jesus had Judas among the Apostles.

 

[DFSNOLE]

The vast majority of priests do live according to higher standards.

Even Jesus had Judas among the Apostles.

That doesn't make your comparison any more valid.

 

[BrianNole777]

That doesn't make your comparison any more valid.

I think it's totally valid.

Teachers are called to be caretakers of children as well. Most do a good job but every group has it's bad seeds...even protestant pastors.

 

[gohawks50]

I think it's totally valid.

Teachers are called to be caretakers of children as well. Most do a good job but every group has it's bad seeds...even protestant pastors.

Usually teachers that sexual abuse students are jailed and lose their teaching certificate, not moved to another district.

 

[BrianNole777]

Usually teachers that sexual abuse students are jailed and lose their teaching certificate, not moved to another district.

Not really.

How a culture of covering up sex abuse at public schools is hurting children — and costing taxpayers millions

How a culture of covering up sex abuse at public schools is hurting children — and costing taxpayers millions School administrators, teachers and staff in California are required by la…

www.redlandsdailyfacts.com

 

[thewop]

Jews believe that a fetus is mere water before 40 days. Wasn't Jesus a Jew?

Science was a bit less advanced in Jesus day. If you're arguing Jesus would be cool with abortion if he were in America today...you'd be wrong.

To your question. Yes, Jesus was a Jew.

 

[DFSNOLE]

I think it's totally valid.

Teachers are called to be caretakers of children as well. Most do a good job but every group has it's bad seeds...even protestant pastors.

School teachers are not pastors/priest. They have not been called as spiritual leaders. They are not responsible for sheparding their flock towards God. Your comparison, made to protect catholic priest, is in no way valid biblically.

 

[BrianNole777]

School teachers are not pastors/priest. They have not been called as spiritual leaders. They are not responsible for sheparding their flock towards God. Your comparison, made to protect catholic priest, is in no way valid biblically.

I don't want to protect any abusive person of any vocation.

Thanks for your perspective.

 

[Colonoscopy]

America is mostly atheist now so yes.

As if most thinking adults really have an option...

 

[gohawks50]

Not really.

How a culture of covering up sex abuse at public schools is hurting children — and costing taxpayers millions

How a culture of covering up sex abuse at public schools is hurting children — and costing taxpayers millions School administrators, teachers and staff in California are required by la…

www.redlandsdailyfacts.com

That article is about Southern California not nationwide.

 

[BrianNole777]

That article is about Southern California not nationwide.

Public school child abuse coverups are a nationwide problem.



WASHINGTON – Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) made the following statement in response to the Defense of Freedom Institute’s (DFI) new report that uncovered evidence of teachers unions, school districts, and the Department of Education concealing cases of sexual abuse in K-12 public schools:

“This report highlights a pattern of gross misconduct by school officials and the Department of Education—who are beholden to teachers unions—to conceal directly or indirectly sexual abuse in K-12 public schools. Cases of sexual assault have tripled in the last decade, but instead of investigations and terminations, perpetrators are often transferred to another school or school district, or given an administrative job.

Teachers Unions, Education Department Sweep Sexual Abuse Under the Rug as K-12 Cases Spike

edworkforce.house.gov

 

[Urohawk]

America is mostly atheist now so yes

That's not even accurate.

 

[BrianNole777]

That's not even accurate.

That graph is 4 years old. Plus, self-identifying as Christian is unreliable.

Weekly Church attendance is a better metric and 80% of Americans are un-Churched each week.

My 84 year old Dad would self-identify as Methodist and he hasn't seen the inside of a Church in 60 years and he doesn't pray either.

I wouldn't count him as Christian.

 

[Hans81]

Was he supposed to have them at Mar a Lago? After his term was over? The answer is no to both.

He then made the situation worse for himself by lying (I give you a minute to get over the shock of that!) about what he had and hiding it from the FBI. Again, keep rationalizing.

Did Biden not also have “state secrets” in his garage?

 

[Urohawk]

Yes my lack of belief is being accosted by religious zealots infiltrating our government.

 

[funksouljon]

That graph is 4 years old. Plus, self-identifying as Christian is unreliable.

Weekly Church attendance is a better metric and 80% of Americans are un-Churched each week.

My 84 year old Dad would self-identify as Methodist and he hasn't seen the inside of a Church in 60 years and he doesn't pray either.

I wouldn't count him as Christian.

Yes, this was the exact argument you made in the past. "If someone doesn't attend church as much as I think is appropriate, then they are "not really Christian" or "not Christian enough". You were wrong then, and you were wrong now. It also feels a lot judgey on your part, and you know what Matthew 7:1-2 says about judgement .....“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Guess the 60+% should be happy that it isn't you but God that will evaluate them when it comes time to be evaluated for eternal salvation.
Or perhaps folks simply don't agree with all the fear mongering that occurs in church and would rather make peace with their maker in their own way. But there are plenty of valid reasons folks may not attend on the regular. Even the church has had some issue with trying to get folks to return, perhaps it is the messenger and not the message that is the problem?

Now if you wanted to make the argument that folks who proclaim to be Christian but live their lives in a way that is not in alignment with the teachings, you might get more traction and that number is likely more accurate.

Additionally, you originally said atheist, and polls show that number is more like 17%, not the 80% you clutch to.

 

[BrianNole777]

Yes, this was the exact argument you made in the past. "If someone doesn't attend church as much as I think is appropriate, then they are "not really Christian" or "not Christian enough". You were wrong then, and you were wrong now. It also feels a lot judgey on your part, and you know what Matthew 7:1-2 says about judgement .....“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Guess the 60+% should be happy that it isn't you but God that will evaluate them when it comes time to be evaluated for eternal salvation.
Or perhaps folks simply don't agree with all the fear mongering that occurs in church and would rather make peace with their maker in their own way. But there are plenty of valid reasons folks may not attend on the regular. Even the church has had some issue with trying to get folks to return, perhaps it is the messenger and not the message that is the problem?

Now if you wanted to make the argument that folks who proclaim to be Christian but live their lives in a way that is not in alignment with the teachings, you might get more traction and that number is likely more accurate.

Additionally, you originally said atheist, and polls show that number is more like 17%, not the 80% you clutch to.

Thanks for your perspective.

 

[DFSNOLE]

Did Biden not also have “state secrets” in his garage?

The biggest difference is, he fully cooperated and turned over everything. Exactly the opposite of what Trump did.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

JACKSON: So is a question of pragmatism then: what concessions would be on the table? Religious exemptions, for example, is that something that you would consider with a Republican controlled Congress? [xtalk]

HARRIS: I don’t think we should be making concessions when we’re talking about a fundamental freedom to make decisions about your own body.

I assume this is the quote. Well, I've read that several times. I don't really follow the questions posed. Religious exemptions? For women or doctors?

I don't think it's says that she intended to force doctors to perform abortions. She just says she doesn't want to make concessions.

 

[gohawks50]

I assume this is the quote. Well, I've read that several times. I don't really follow the questions posed. Religious exemptions? For women or doctors?

I don't think it's says that she intended to force doctors to perform abortions. She just says she doesn't want to make concessions.

I agree with you. Brian is making more of that quote than Harris intended.

 

[DooBi]

When, friend, did Christians become so nasty and hateful?

As soon as you looked for them online instead of in your community. I doubt you personally know many nasty hateful Christians other than what is online.

 

[bdcolt45er]

Science was a bit less advanced in Jesus day. If you're arguing Jesus would be cool with abortion if he were in America today...you'd be wrong.

To your question. Yes, Jesus was a Jew.

As an all knowing God it seems if this was an important issue Jesus could been more explicit by actually discussing it. But alas.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

As soon as you looked for them online instead of in your community. I doubt you personally know many nasty hateful Christians other than what is online.

I think it’s much bigger than just the Internet trolls. I have noticed the shift. And I am not talking about your average casual church going, potluck attending neighbor. I’m talking about the real Bible-thumping imbeciles who take the Bible too seriously and are constantly blithering on about “being saved” and “being covered by the blood of Jesus” and all that nonsense. Those are the ones who are becoming so hateful and are constantly ranting about all the “fags” and “libtards” that are about to be destroyed in the mighty name of Jesus.

Those people are starting to become ubiquitous.

 

[BrianNole777]

I think it’s much bigger than just the Internet trolls. I have noticed the shift. And I am not talking about your average casual church going, potluck attending neighbor. I’m talking about the real Bible-thumping imbeciles who take the Bible too seriously and are constantly blithering on about “being saved” and “being covered by the blood of Jesus” and all that nonsense. Those are the ones who are becoming so hateful and are constantly ranting about all the “fags” and “libtards” that are about to be destroyed in the mighty name of Jesus.

Those people are starting to become ubiquitous.

Americans as a whole are getting much less civil and more divided overall.

Look at HBOT. The fighting is endless.

 

[Hbotus Dichotomous]

As soon as you looked for them online instead of in your community. I doubt you personally know many nasty hateful Christians other than what is online.

1 Samuel 16:7
For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Hbotus Dichotomous 1:1
Look at how people behave with anonymity and you shall see all the heart of humanity you need.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

Americans as a whole are getting much less civil and more divided overall.

Look at HBOT. The fighting is endless.

True.

I blame Trump.

 

[BrianNole777]

True.

I blame Trump.

I remember being jn AOL chat rooms in 1997 and people would fight endlessly, too.

 

[drew_hawk]

 

[tarheelbybirth]

The Democrats made abortion one of their main issues. Harris said in an interview she wanted to force Doctors to perform abortions without any exceptions for conscience.

 

[tarheelbybirth]

That graph is 4 years old. Plus, self-identifying as Christian is unreliable.

Weekly Church attendance is a better metric and 80% of Americans are un-Churched each week.

My 84 year old Dad would self-identify as Methodist and he hasn't seen the inside of a Church in 60 years and he doesn't pray either.

I wouldn't count him as Christian.

*sigh* Being a Christian has absolutely not one thing to do with being "churched". A person who devotes their life in service to others is far more Christian than the significant number of church-going "Christians" who advocate for refusing safety and sanctuary to immigrants. Maybe your father understands how he was told to pray...

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

 

[BrianNole777]

*sigh* Being a Christian has absolutely not one thing to do with being "churched". A person who devotes their life in service to others is far more Christian than the significant number of church-going "Christians" who advocate for refusing safety and sanctuary to immigrants. Maybe your father understands how he was told to pray...

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Thanks for your perspective. It's important to take Bible verses in context, IMO.

That verse is about hypocrisy and trying to be righteous in public. Jesus condemned hypocrisy.

Of course, it's better to be a saint than a hypocrite.

Jesus also said we need a Church in Matthew 18:17:

"If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector."