I know this is going to step on some toes and some will tell me how I’m not saved and such but I know my heart and I know my relationship with Jesus. WIth that said, I have been thinking about this for a long time and I have just about decided that church, or organized religion, is the biggest joke on modern day Christianity. I’m going to go ahead and step out there and say I hate it. There it is. I said it. I grew up in it. Got away for a while, but came back and got involved in one and really started growing. Taught children Sunday School and then an adult class. Even became an ordained deacon. That was one of the worst things I could have done as I started learning more about the politics of a church and what goes on behind the scenes. I ended up making my concerns known to a few leaders of the church and you’d have thought I had double crossed the mafia. I might as well have been put on a deserted island. I realize I became guilty of putting my faith in people and it burned me badly. I ended up leaving that church. One of the things that sucks most of all about that is I have had numerous people come to me saying they wished they had the courage to do what I did but after seeing the sh!t I’ve gone through, they won’t risk it. I truly wonder what Jesus would say to our church leaders, about how churches are ran, if He sat and had a conversation with them. Before someone starts, I know, Christians are sinners and hypocrites and church is where they are supposed to be, just like a hospital isn’t for well people. Or here’s another one, you can’t love Jesus if you don’t love church because the church is His bride. I’ve heard them all and used most of them myself. Who says what YOU call church is what church is supposed to be? To use an old saying of mine of my early adulthood, you’ll find friendlier people in a bar than you will in church. They are usually more honest too. Rant over.
I'm not the smartest guy on here to respond and not sure it this applies to well. I grew up real poor, seen many die, drank alot whiskey, loved to fight, and getting hit hard by someone...not normal, became hardened, loved sex especially with whiskey involved, then hurt other people, I became greedy, I made lots of money and lost it all. 25 yrs ago when my daughter was born I joined a Church, and made a decision to turn my life around. I was not the kind of guy that would show up at church for religion. I chose a non-domination church because they overlooked my long hair, and horrible ways but took me in anyway. I didnt fit in ANY Church. I hated religion and sorry deacons and political crap. I just came to worship with my bandana and leave, and no strings attached....that's just me. I pray hard, I still drink a little whiskey, and chew tobacco, and fish and hunt. However, I have experienced the holy spirit, and I know and he knows I have changed for the better. My name is written in the Lambs Book of Life or it better. Money is not an issue for me today, he has blessed me. Farm and Lake House is paid off and doors have been opening all the time since I surrender my old life and found a good Church. Find another Church without religion and all the crap, or come with me if you want.
