Bible Belt

[scottbrochill]

I guess living in Northern Florida might be a little bit different then a lot of places as far as religion goes, you see in the south east we have a ridiculous amount of Baptists.They have pretty much taken over downtown in Jacksonville, the Baptist church mostly owns section of city blocks. It's out of control how they could spend millions and millions basically keeping Jacksonville from becoming a more urban city, but as long as the Baptists own downtown, it's not going to happen.Another topic, it's wierd, it's like every family starts out going to church and everyone seems to just fizzle out of it, when i was young i went to church and bible study every week, played in the youth band, but i never seemed to really feel passionate about any of it. I have a lot of friends that kind of did the same thing, it seem like everypne just goes because thats what they are told to do, especially in a country thats been ran by republicans recently, it's what a good god loving american would do right? Screw that, it seems like most people with a ollege education these days are starting to think for themselves and realize a lot of religion is just another business oppurtunity sucking everything good from religion out. I mean granted christianity teaches good morals, do't cheat, don't hurt people, share, things like that, i agree be a good human being feels good and everyone should be kind to one another, but i shouldn't have to drop, what is it 10% of my income to the church? FUCK THAT, they don't need another multimillion dollar arena or so that the hypocritical pastor can have a 500 thousand dollar house right behind it. This has turned into a rant, and i am not sure if it will even make sense to anyone

[660]

Ya man i would totaly agree. I use to go to church the whole alter server the full deal, but it was all because my mother took me and before her her mother.

I don't like to hate on religion though because in its purest form a lot of good can be learned. I think of juesus as just a poor kid who saw problems in his area and knew the only way a poor kid could change or persaude people was to trick them with illiusions he was just nice enough to persaude people in positive directions.

Its when the government gets involved and not even just the government just higher orders or people with power, mostly economic wealth who want to make sure they stay on top.

"best way to controll what the masses will say and do is to controll what the masses believe" Urban Species - Religion and Policits

Even in the old testiment when the 10 commandments were given out.. supposedly by a poor person mose's. But if you were poor a pesent with nothing starving to death as a slave how does thou shall no steal help you in anyway? The only people that command helps is people who have something to protect.

From the very beginning the economicly poorfull have been trying to keep controll of the lower classes. When you have nothing to lose they would treaten your existance saying you will spend an eterine in hell if you commite these acts.

Now a days the economicly poorfully have had to find new ways to scare the people into behaving the way they see best fit for themselfs. Terrorist acts are ment to make the popullation fear they are lossing there safety.

[jsn9333]

I guess living in Northern Florida might be a little bit different then a lot of places as far as religion goes, you see in the south east we have a ridiculous amount of Baptists.They have pretty much taken over downtown in Jacksonville, the Baptist church mostly owns section of city blocks. It's out of control how they could spend millions and millions basically keeping Jacksonville from becoming a more urban city, but as long as the Baptists own downtown, it's not going to happen.Another topic, it's wierd, it's like every family starts out going to church and everyone seems to just fizzle out of it, when i was young i went to church and bible study every week, played in the youth band, but i never seemed to really feel passionate about any of it. I have a lot of friends that kind of did the same thing, it seem like everypne just goes because thats what they are told to do, especially in a country thats been ran by republicans recently, it's what a good god loving american would do right? Screw that, it seems like most people with a ollege education these days are starting to think for themselves and realize a lot of religion is just another business oppurtunity sucking everything good from religion out. I mean granted christianity teaches good morals, do't cheat, don't hurt people, share, things like that, i agree be a good human being feels good and everyone should be kind to one another, but i shouldn't have to drop, what is it 10% of my income to the church? FUCK THAT, they don't need another multimillion dollar arena or so that the hypocritical pastor can have a 500 thousand dollar house right behind it. This has turned into a rant, and i am not sure if it will even make sense to anyone

Its a free country. If there are enough baptists in Jacksonville to build a mega-church or whatever, then that's their right. Freedom of religion is what this country was founded on. Its important. Move away if you hate it that much.

Or do what I do... go and try to change them to be more like Christ. I go to a baptist church, and when I grow close to people I'll let them know I drink, smoke weed, whatever... but I'll also go to bible studies, etc. The way I see it, I can change the "fundamentalist Christians" in this country for the better one at a time. Its slow and you have to be careful, but its possible.

Also, I don't think republicans being in power made more people go to church. Bill Clinton was officially (or is officially) a Baptist, as are very many democrats.

As far as the "10%" giving rule, that is from the Old Testament. Look it up... the New Testament says to give as you feel led in your heart (2 Corinthians 9:7), but to just make sure and do it regularly (probably so whoever depends on your giving can have it be consistent). A lot of the problem with many Baptists is that they're stuck on traditions and even some traditions from the Old Testament! If you do go to church (for the morals, because you feel led by God to go, whatever) don't feel bad about giving less then 10%. And also, you can specify what ministry you want to give to in a lot of churches. So if you don't feel they need another huge building, then specify that you want your money to go to the "feed the hungry" program (if their denomitation has one) or fuck it, give 2% to the building maintenance fund and the rest of what you've decided to give to a charity of your choice.

[scottbrochill]

It seems like in jacksonville most people you run into are not reiligous, but unmotivated to anything involving their city, It seems that First Baptist Church is just more pationate about what goes on in our city, or more passionate then all of the people that do not go to church, i think if Jacksonville cared enough to try and take back downtown they could probably do it. Thanks for the feedback from everyone.

I no longer am christian or really religious at all, after starting college it seems liek you really find yourself and i found that i am not religious, i am really not sure whats going to happen when i die, and i am rally not sure if there is even a god type being.. i don't want to argue with any of you guys about this, but i respect your views.

If i did still go to church, i would feel that any of the money that i did donate would go to waste, would go to the church, and not in a good, seems like every church i drive past, on the property is a massive house that the priest or p\astor or whoever lives. I would hope that my money would be put towards a better cause you know, whether its help the less fortunate families that are apart of the church or contributing towards volunteer work for the city or something like that.

I think you could probably have a better relationship with god in your own house with a close group of friends then you could sitting through a sermon. It would apply more to your own life, you know like how a hippie coffee shop is more comfortbale then a giant starbucks corporation. Thats what a lot of churches seem to resemble to me, big business.

[orange floyd]

damn im glad i live in a predominately jewish town, cause most of them gave up on their god a long time ago, and none of the catholic kids give a shit about religion either. secularity rules

[WalkaWalka]

Nobody I get mixed in with some different people like the Minonites and Hamletiers their not uptight but they take their religion pretty seriously. I guess people around here like "OH No NOT ATHIEST ASGarghsafd We have to ARGUE with It"