tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post1479441865262127699..comments2023-08-15T11:03:58.591-04:00Comments on Adventures in Sparkland: Theology vs. Big Puffy HeartsSparkling Redhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12799366562472325812noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-23357004960355223212009-08-24T14:56:27.493-04:002009-08-24T14:56:27.493-04:00When I went to church I was most comfortable at th...When I went to church I was most comfortable at the Quaker house, simply because it was more tolerant and liberal than all the other churches I had ever attended.Emma Gorst https://www.blogger.com/profile/09692637018538270794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-40540303316259816262009-08-18T13:38:33.598-04:002009-08-18T13:38:33.598-04:00That's great that you and Ken found roles and ...That's great that you and Ken found roles and fit in so quickly. I would agree with you that not all people will agree on everything. As you find yourself in comfortable open conversations, you probably will take the opportunity to state your mind and maybe make someone else think about what they believe (and vice versa).<br /><br />I would also caution your friend that not all Christians are against gay rights! Is your church 'Open and Affirming'?Jenskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05368202166540468533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-2411962032630051242009-08-18T11:28:45.726-04:002009-08-18T11:28:45.726-04:00Jameil: Your last line sums it up so nicely. And ...Jameil: Your last line sums it up so nicely. And yes, the church is incredibly hypocritical. If they're so concerned about so-called "sexual morality" why are unmarried straight couples and divorced people allowed in church? It's all very silly.<br /><br />Nicole: It's true. If the time comes to go, I'll know it. That would be very sad, but I can see that it might happen.<br /><br />Scarlet: I'm no expert, but as I understand it prophets give messages from God. Psychics pick up a wider variety of information, like vibes from regular live people, or messages from the spirits of those who have passed on. I Googled "Christian Psychic" and there are quite a few out there. It's just not a fundamenalist approach, for sure.Sparkling Redhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12799366562472325812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-87918584915028923732009-08-17T23:02:11.569-04:002009-08-17T23:02:11.569-04:00I've always been curious...what's the diff...I've always been curious...what's the difference between being psychic (not the kind on tv that charge a fortune for telling you the obvious...but really reading into the future) and being prophetic?<br /><br />Btw, I don't think there is a church out there that will agree with us 100%, but if it comes close, I think we're in the right place...and fyi, I'm still searching.Scarlethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17560614073319109150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-72904772311581076942009-08-17T14:57:48.367-04:002009-08-17T14:57:48.367-04:00I think as long as you are comfortable it is alrig...I think as long as you are comfortable it is alright.<br />When you get to hear things that go against your grain totally, too often, you will grow uncomfortable.<br />I hope this doesn't happen.<br />I wish all people would grow up, or grow young again and just live and let live (and love).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06735273216574108695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-61993957862217880772009-08-17T13:02:40.702-04:002009-08-17T13:02:40.702-04:00"I'll never find a church that agrees wit..."I'll never find a church that agrees with me 100% on every point. I'll never find a church that agrees with me 100% on every point." You are so right. It's really difficult to find a good church. I'm glad you did!! We all sin and come short of God's glory (Romans 3:23) so I get extremely annoyed when people talk about one sin as worse than another. That's not even biblical!! (Matt. 5:28, James 2:10) Wrong is wrong. It's also bizarre when pastors talk about homosexuality and the choir is full of gay men-- some with leadership positions. The black church is FULL of gay ministers of music. So he doesn't bring his boyfriend to church and you pretend you don't notice? Now you're being a hypocrite. I think a lot of people, pastors included, get caught up in portraying themselves as holy and forget that the person they're following cloaked himself in love.Jameilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02242625946552047911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-7806473537865606682009-08-16T20:49:28.995-04:002009-08-16T20:49:28.995-04:00Keera: Thanks - I've just added that Emmet Fo...Keera: Thanks - I've just added that Emmet Fox book to my wish list. I'm always on the lookout for good theological writings that don't tread the usual beaten path. I read The Shack, and, although I didn't buy it 100%, I agreed with its overall message. <br />I believe that if God thinks that it's important for you to experience Christianity from the inside, he'll send Jesus to get you. Seriously. That's what happened to me. I don't think it's essential for everyone, but it was for me.<br /><br />Powdergirl: That is such a sad story. Your mother must have been devastated. That is religion at its worst. Thanks for your supportive thoughts. I think that even though we are not under the same spiritual category, we are very much kindred spirits in our approach. Although I am a follower of Jesus, I believe he is only one facet or face of God and that there are other ways in. There are even some agnostics and some atheists who are incredibly spiritual, although they themselves wouldn't put that label on it. We get mixed up arguing about language sometimes, but I think we all yearn towards the same experience of transcendent love, however it's packaged, as faith, art, nature, or deep personal relationships.<br /><br />G: I've heard fundamentalists preach that it's wrong to treat the variety of world religions as a buffet table. Take a little of this, a little of that, and make up whatever is most comfortable for you. I can sort of see their point, but I think it's possible to evolve a personalized spirituality that does take one into growth outside one's comfort zone. It's also possible for people to get way too comfortable with their chosen dogmas and religion. So I'm all for taking a little here, a little there, and being an individual. God made us all different for a reason, methinks. We were not intended to be robots, or clones. We were meant to each have a completely unique adventure of finding our own way home, and I'm glad of it.Sparkling Redhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12799366562472325812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-16649712068220206362009-08-16T13:17:09.876-04:002009-08-16T13:17:09.876-04:00You go girl!You go girl!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-85312400137029718132009-08-15T18:25:02.677-04:002009-08-15T18:25:02.677-04:00Interesting post.
I tend to view religion with bo...Interesting post.<br /><br />I tend to view religion with both eyes open.<br /><br />I don't go to church much (okay, about once a year if that), but I don't consider myself anti-religious, or atheist or agnostic, or whatever else you can call yoursel nowadays that's fashionable.<br /><br />I have friends who are of all religious persuasions: born agains (like yourself), Wiccans, diests, atheiests, agnostics, moderately spiritual, you name it.<br /><br />I simply accept everyone for who they are and what they are. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't.<br /><br />The beauty of it is that you can take a little from all and become your own unique individual.G. B. Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09783331838434598963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-734416284698782192009-08-15T15:36:18.598-04:002009-08-15T15:36:18.598-04:00A very interesting post. Sparkly.
I was raised in ...A very interesting post. Sparkly.<br />I was raised in the Mennonite church.<br /><br />My Mom worked with the insane.<br /><br />The church excommunicated her on the grounds of her work, they said that if God had seen fit to make these people insane, then they should not be tampered with. They should be left as God made them. My Mom was heart-broken, she'd been with this church forever. I was furious at their treatment of a woman who had spent so much of her life doing what she thought was her Gods will. <br /><br />You know, these people loved my Mom, she used to bring them to the farm where I'd be pressed into service, pouring tea and serving cake in the garden. My Mom's work with these people shed a little light onto their often dark days.<br /><br />I don't consider myself Christian, but I don't mean to sound critical, I admire people who have faith, I even admire atheism, I consider myself an agnostic as I don't think we know anything for sure. So when people can consolidate their beliefs, well I'm a bit envious.<br /><br />I like that you consider the fact that the scripture has been translated by mere humans and so don't take it as an absolute wording of Gods will.<br /><br />I also think that your church is lucky to have 2 such great volunteers as you and Ken are. <br /><br />Keep walking to the beat of your own drum, even in the church. <br /><br />The world needs more of that kind of well thought out tolerance.<br /><br />Have fun in the nursery tomorrow : )anonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03703233313854600531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-72648498698008086452009-08-15T11:43:02.919-04:002009-08-15T11:43:02.919-04:00If anyone says God wrote the Bible, then they have...If anyone says God wrote the Bible, then they haven't been paying attention. The writers of the Bible were <i>inspired</i> (and perhaps guided) by God. There are so many inspirational writings in this world; the Bible happens to be the most ubiquitous. I think it is a valuable book without having to take all of its content at face value. I love reading Emmet Fox's (no relative) metaphysical interpretations on stuff in the Bible; his best-selling book is "The Sermon on the Mount".<br /><br />I believe that a Christian cannot gay-bash and still be true to the teachings of Jesus. You can't pick and choose which neighbor to love. That Jesus made some strong statements about marriage (Matt. 19:1-12) may suggest that gays can't be married before God like straights, but it also says absolutely no divorce, and that last gets some leeway depending on your theological interpretation. It still doesn't give anyone permission to judge and exclude those who are different (or have trouble following all the teachings). I find that trying to understand Gandhi's statement "If you can't find God in the next person you meet, it's a waste of time to look any further" to be one way to learn what loving one's neighbor is all about.<br /><br />Jesus was really all about being laid back, don't fuss about what other people do, focus on your own faith, and just live and let live, and don't spread negativity. You know, "The Shack" stuff. I just finished an audio version. Great stuff, but I'm still not praying to Jesus. :-)Keera Ann Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07466103379725251225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-28278098604780047592009-08-15T10:22:26.007-04:002009-08-15T10:22:26.007-04:00Ron: We're going to do an exorcism on you? I...Ron: We're going to do an exorcism on you? If your head is going to spin around 360 degrees and bats will fly out of your mouth, I want to be there to see it.<br />Seriously, there are plenty of churches that seem to be quite evil in and of themselves. I'd rather pray on my own than hook up with any of them.<br /><br />WIGSF: To clarify, I wasn't asking if gay people are my enemies. I was asking if the people at my church who are homophobic are my enemies, because that's far more likely. I've never had a close friend who's gay, but I've worked with lots of gay co-workers and had a gay therapist/teacher at psychology school. If anything they seemed to be more thoughtful and mature than your average straight person, because of all the crap they've had to survive.<br />If you want to try dating men, I'm all for it!Sparkling Redhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12799366562472325812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-53784944659165652232009-08-15T08:17:03.460-04:002009-08-15T08:17:03.460-04:00I don't think gay people are your enemies. The...I don't think gay people are your enemies. They just seem to me to be regular people but with one little difference: they prefer the company of their own gender. And I gotta say, with my history of confusion caused by the other gender, my own gender is starting to look pretty good right now.wigsfhttp://whatigotsofar.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5620546355443994788.post-46096795955269243252009-08-14T23:03:25.843-04:002009-08-14T23:03:25.843-04:00I believe there is something out there that we don...I believe there is something out there that we don't understand. But I did know that what I saw of organized religion seemed to me to be con artists and people looking to control other people. Not saying that their aren't sincere and good people, but it seemed that the further up the food chain of the church you went they got richer and slimier. Plus they always seemed to be telling you what you should think and that's never flown with me. Your church sounds cool, if I found one like it I might even go to it now and again so they could try to exorcise me.Warped Mind of Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15670039992710968421noreply@blogger.com