Sunday here a religious question

[checking]

It was put to me that only a Catholic, and a Jew can be a Christian.

I absolutely know that we are made of star dust. Some of us are dirtier than others, and many of those are religious.

[GDR]

One funny comment, I have a very Catholic neighbor, great guy but if your in the field on Sunday he will look away as he drives by. Very smart man, invented a couple things, travelled the world, is a welder by trade and can fix anything.

One day he starts telling me about the visiting at the local jail, had done it for years and was on his 7th inmate match up. (Guess they pair you up for the duration) I thought this was odd from knowing this fella so asked him why he had chose to do it for so long. He replied completely serious that he didn't know where he might end up and thought he should have friends on both sides!

[Blaithin]

I don't think anyone whos commented has come off as offensive. As long as people realize everyone can't and won't have the same opinions and views as them then they'll get along fine.

I find myself leaning more towards GDRs opinion of lack of community structure, not necessarily religious.

I lived for quite a few years growing up in rural Manitoba. The whole town got together for fun games - think three legged race, sack race, etc. - on Canada day, winter sleigh rides and other winter games around Christmas, many many many curling bonspiels, 4-H get togethers, Ukrainian dance get togethers, community swim lessons at the lake in the summer, volunteer skating rink on the weekends in winter... As kids we were always going somewhere and doing something together in large groups. It was a blast! I miss it quite a bit actually as I've never ran into this same level of close knit community here in Alberta.

With that sort of support group and structure, working together, playing together, learning, partaking, winning and losing... That is what's important. Everything else is just another added layer.

As a side note, if anyone knows of a community in Alberta that's like this let me know! Lol

[tweety]

The more a group of people are educated the less they believe in religion. They have greater skills at critical thinking, and actually look for evidence. So that's the trend, less people believe in something that has no evidence or proof, is contrary to the beliefs of modern society, and often is very disrespectful to women and minorities, ie gay lesbian etc.

So yes, less all the time.

[riders2010]

We ve been programmed by the rich that you morons need two jobs to buy all that we want to produce therefore there is no time for religion. You are not rewarded or regarded as a success if you are a good person you are regarded a success by your bank account even if most of the big bank accounts come by screwing other people.
Look at trump what a great success????
But actually a loser degenerate that may actually lead the free world because of his
Ability to take advantage of other people.
It has become almost that you are weird if you go to church regularly.
Some of the teachings you have to have faith to believe, but to say that it's just dust randomness and luck we ve came to be is just as unbelievable. My soul is not made of dust.

[Blaithin]

My soul is not made of dust.

Mine is.


And that's probably the best thing it's got going for it Lol

[jake550]

Life is short...
Eternity is forever.
Don't chance it...

[farmaholic]

Life is short....make the most of it and enjoy the stay. You might be disappointed when there's no bright light...lol.

[malleefarmer]

funny my time in sweden and denmark a few years back, i found the people free spirits and quite uninhibated, crikeys most of the time at lakes most of the people and familys were in various states of undress nobody blinked a eyelid but same time quite religious, so morality i guess can be what you make of it.

guess im reffering to murders lack of respect for life etc hardly a day goes by and there not a gruesome murder somewere in australia wereas it would never cross my mind inflict life threatening injuries to someone thats kinda what i meant with society slipping.

rural crime were i live is almost zero but reading post from you guys seems almost endemic in rural usa and canada, morals again?? drugs i guess main cause.

Have you guys got the huge ICE problem over there. There is a town in australia which is basically 40% indigenous and 60% white high unemlpoyment and crime. Its jokingly called penguin capital of australia "there black there white and all live on ice"

[fjlip]

Or Farma, if the light fades, your disappointment will also and there will nothing, as you will be nothing.
Agree with most comments, religion is for us OLD people.
Very few attend any church after school. All local churches have very poor attendance, everything in life is a priority before church. No easy answer.
Foam Lake has two congregations sharing one church and I have heard of others.
Next year is 500 years since Luther, lasted that long anyway.
There are attempts to find common ground between Christians. Hear of meetings in Saskatoon area between Evangelicals, Catholics, Anglican and Lutheran. Perhaps one church would be filled.
Still most marriages and funerals are happening in churches.
One author's opinion I read suggests all religion is doomed, just a matter of time.
Another good read is Krushner, "Why do bad things Happen to Good People?"

[Jay-mo]

Funny, watching the World Series last night. Close game, final score 1-0. Thought I was watching a church service every time they panned the crowd with everybody folding their hands like they're praying.
No atheists in foxholes or at close ball games in the WS??

Seriously though, going to church is important for myself and my family. Not for any kind of brownie points but to acknowledge God and fellowship with others.

[15444]

Lots of people that go to church Sunday only to work against and gossip about others in the congregation the rest of the week. And when you get between denominations, holy shit. Catholics siding with Catholics, Methodists with Methodists, etc. etc. You'll get Dutch Reformers who will snub their nose at anyone that isn't one of their own. Such and such can't do this, he's not in my church. So much patronizing and hypocritical BS, but smiles and handshaking come Sunday morn.

Like was said, churches are amalgamating and consolidating their base. Might have to close 3 churches in a 50 mile area and bring into one to survive. Lots of older churches here might have had 50 or 60 people in a congregation 30 years ago - down to a dozen or less now. Lots of farmers here work all day Sunday. Only two that don't for sure are Catholics and Mennonites.

Learned the golden rule in kindergarten and that is of more value than a lifetime of religion. Now if anyone decides to break the golden rule, I am all for 'an eye for an eye' which I know wouldn't be considered Christian, but I am not going to go any further on this.