All I really desire is freedom FROM religion. - No offense has been intended

[KCChiefsMan]

I just don't like 90% of church people, at least the ones I've encountered. they are self-centered, judgemental and very inconsiderate people.........for every 1,000 "church people" that I've encountered, 900 of them are terrible/stupid/a$$hole people.

[Fairplay]

As long as your interests, don't conflict my interests.

[007]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsMan

I just don't like 90% of church people, at least the ones I've encountered. they are self-centered, judgemental and very inconsiderate people.........for every 1,000 "church people" that I've encountered, 900 of them are terrible/stupid/a$$hole people.

Glad I will fall in the 100 you will like then.

[KcMizzou]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsMan

I just don't like 90% of church people, at least the ones I've encountered. they are self-centered, judgemental and very inconsiderate people.........for every 1,000 "church people" that I've encountered, 900 of them are terrible/stupid/a$$hole people.

The fact is, the people who aren't like that, you don't notice. You only notice the pushy ones.

[KcMizzou]

I don't know what I believe, to be honest. I dont think we spawned out of the sludge by mere coincidence... yet, I also find it highly doubtful that's someone's sitting upstairs pulling all the strings.

The thought that there's nothing else after this... that it just ends... scares the shit out of me. I guess in the end, I try not to think about it much.

I try to "do the right thing", not because I'm worried about punishment in the afterlife, but because it's how I hope everyone will behave. We need guidelines, of course. I figure if I live my life as a basically good person, other people will generally be good to me.

I hope there's an afterlife, and I hope that it will be good to me too. I also hope it's not that hard to get in... because I dont really have much faith... just hope.

[Simplex3]

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

The thought that there's nothing else after this... that it just ends... scares the shit out of me. I guess in the end, I try not to think about it much.

I hope there's an afterlife, and I hope that it will be good to me too. I also hope it's not that hard to get in... because I dont really have much faith... just hope.

You should read up on Buddhism. I'm not saying to become a Buddhist, but read up on it. There's a lot of stuff that relates to what you're struggling with here. This book blew my mind:

http://www.amazon.com/Compass-Zen-Sh...e=UTF8&s=books

[chagrin]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsMan

judgemental...that I've encountered, 900 of them are terrible/stupid/a$$hole people.

Pot and kettle dude

[plbrdude]

Originally Posted by chagrin

Pot and kettle dude

quite observant there

[chagrin]

Originally Posted by plbrdude

quite observant there

I don't know, it's just that I hear that garbage all the time, it's the age old argument for someone who gets a bad taste from some over-zealous of maybe misguided Christian.

It's almost like a chapter in the Atheist Debator's Handbook (which I owned at one point in my life actually) the crux of their argument is "well, you can't see Jesus, how do you know he's there...you can't prove it..."

same ole same ole. Or they meet 15 "church people" of the same nature, or a church girl denies them a date, and all of the sudden all "church people" or Christians are jerks - we are all hypocrites in some ways.

[stevieray]

Everyone has freedom from religion...or even Christ himself.

That's why it's called faith.

Anyone here think they can show or prove how much they love their kids?

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by stevieray

Everyone has freedom from religion...or even Christ himself.

That's why it's called faith.

Anyone here think they can show or prove how much they love their kids?

Define "love".

[InChiefsHeaven]

Originally Posted by chagrin

I don't know, it's just that I hear that garbage all the time, it's the age old argument for someone who gets a bad taste from some over-zealous of maybe misguided Christian.

It's almost like a chapter in the Atheist Debator's Handbook (which I owned at one point in my life actually) the crux of their argument is "well, you can't see Jesus, how do you know he's there...you can't prove it..."

same ole same ole. Or they meet 15 "church people" of the same nature, or a church girl denies them a date, and all of the sudden all "church people" or Christians are jerks - we are all hypocrites in some ways.

Seconded. REP.

[PastorMikH]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsMan

I just don't like 90% of church people, at least the ones I've encountered. they are self-centered, judgemental and very inconsiderate people......

Says the guy that chooses to give good or bad service to the people he serves food to by what they are wearing when they walk in and sit down at his table. ("If you are wearing a cowboy hat and boots I'm spitting in your food 'cause I know you won't tip me later")

[PastorMikH]

FWIW Jim, I don't think I've ever felt offended at anything I've read from you. I have pretty much gathered where you stand based on your posts, but to me you've at least presented yourself in a respectful manner (at least in comparison to some of the other posters.)

I also hope I haven't come accross to you in any negative way as you indicated some have.

[ZepSinger]

Jim- from what comments I've gathered from you(none of which I would call hateful or opinionated), I'd call you a seeker.. someone open to the idea of a power higher than us, but quite skeptical all the same.

Far from being offended, my church is geared towards people just like you. We welcome those who don't know what to believe, if anything. True Christians are not judgmental- in fact we're loaded with the same problems and hangups as anyone, with no room or right to judge anyone. Those who do can count hypocrisy amongst their own faults.

Z