Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt At least I'm not the only one... <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/18/pope-asleep-benedict-xvi_n_542216.html" target="_blank">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...216.html</a> This comment killed me: >>This certainly disproves the old adage, "There is no rest for the wicked.<<
Originally Posted By utahjosh I was thinking "too bad." I know a lot of great churches out there that encourage great things.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I don't need a church to do good things. In that sense religion serves no real purpose, and often does more harm than good. I suppose that's another discussion for another time...
Originally Posted By DAR I used to attend mass at this one church total time 20 minutes. Palm Sunday which included a reading of the Passion total time 35 minutes.
Originally Posted By CuriouserConstance You're right, that is another discussion for another time, so instead, let's talk about some of these "good things" you do.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt It's not so much what I do, but rather my way of thinking about life and its meaning. I suppose it's pretty simple Constance; I made a choice years ago to be as kind as possible to those around me however and whenever I can. Of course I can't claim that I always succeed, but neither can the average Christian. I can assure you though that I'm a much better person today than when I was a Christian simply because I practice ethics formed from my experience as a flesh and blood mortal rather than moral doctrines supposedly handed down from a dubious supernatural power. I'm grateful to have had an experience living as a Christian, but it's very liberating to exercise your own sense of moral judgment and realize that you can be a good person without the fear that God is scrutinizing every thought and move you make.
Originally Posted By CuriouserConstance Dr hans, you just summed up my entire thought and feelings on the matter.
Originally Posted By Labuda "I used to attend mass at this one church total time 20 minutes. Palm Sunday which included a reading of the Passion total time 35 minutes. " How on earth do you get in an entire Mass in 20 minutes?!?!?!?!?!
Originally Posted By DAR It was a smaller church. The sermons didn't last no more than 1-2 minutes. And when they would sing it was just the one verse and that was it.
Originally Posted By Mr X Good Lord, if I'd been privileged to belong to a church which provided a 20 minute Mass, I might never have left! <--most of my churches growing up did the one-verse-and-cut hymns (I was rather shocked to attend some Protestant churches who sang all the way through once I had girlfriends who dragged me there!), but damned if I ever experienced a 1-2 minute sermon!
