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

[DooBi]

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.

You see that in real life?

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

You see that in real life?

Yes.

No one I am really close with, but at different gatherings when it’s later and some feel they are no longer encumbered by polite company. Interestingly enough, I learned a few months ago when certain religious people refer to certain others as “those Democrats” that that is the new substitute for nigg**s.

 

[tarheelbybirth]

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.

It's in the context of the Sermon on the Mount. And of course it's about hypocrisy. And it's also how you're supposed to pray. Period.

Matt 6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 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. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

It's exactly as I said...It's what you do "in secret" that gets your reward. Not dressing up and going to church and praying out loud but living a life in service to others with no fanfare. There are many atheists more "Christian" than those who pack the pews every Sunday.

 

[BrianNole777]

It's in the context of the Sermon on the Mount. And of course it's about hypocrisy. And it's also how you're supposed to pray. Period.

Matt 6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 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. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

It's exactly as I said...It's what you do "in secret" that gets your reward. Not dressing up and going to church and praying out loud but living a life in service to others with no fanfare. There are many atheists more "Christian" than those who pack the pews every Sunday.

It's important to take the Gospels as a whole. That verse doesn't say "don't attend Church." Jesus said we should meet in groups...that would include Church.

“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it”.
-Matthew 16:18

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them”
- Matthew 18:20

Jesus also said we need the Eucharist. That's found in Church.

"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day."
- John 6:54

 

[tarheelbybirth]

It's important to take the Gospels as a whole. That verse doesn't say "don't attend Church." Jesus said we should meet in groups...that would include Church.

I never said it did. I said there are a whole lot of people who are more “Christian” than those who are in the pews every Sunday. Are you going to deny that?

 

[funksouljon]

I never said it did. I said there are a whole lot of people who are more “Christian” than those who are in the pews every Sunday. Are you going to deny that?

Yes, he will consistently deny that. He has maintained for years (if my memory serves) that just attendance is the most reliable litmus test on how Christian someone is. Attend = Christian. Don't Attend != Christian. It's why I jump on him every time I see it and his BELIEF supersedes any logic or data.

Generically speaking, it's why I am instantly suspicious if someone is a scientist AND a self proclaimed Christian. True faith and belief is hard to overcome because it requires one to be unshakable in position, even when reality shows otherwise.

 

[BrianNole777]

I never said it did. I said there are a whole lot of people who are more “Christian” than those who are in the pews every Sunday.

Churches are filled with all types of people. There are saints and sinners and everything in-between.

 

[BrianNole777]

Yes, he will consistently deny that. He has maintained for years (if my memory serves) that just attendance is the most reliable litmus test on how Christian someone is. Attend = Christian. Don't Attend != Christian.

I haven't maintained that. I responded to your post before that Church attendance is just one metric I use in my estimate that America is mostly atheist now. Another metric are the hundreds of people I've talked to online and in person who are almost entirely atheists. 90% easily.

This isn't an exact science. It's impossible to know for sure. I've stated that before in this thread.

It's just my estimate, as I posted before.

Please read my posts so I don't have to keep replying to you with the same information.

TIA.

 

[DooBi]

Yes.

No one I am really close with, but at different gatherings when it’s later and some feel they are no longer encumbered by polite company. Interestingly enough, I learned a few months ago when certain religious people refer to certain others as “those Democrats” that that is the new substitute for nigg**s.

I would start attending different gatherings.