Posted by Sovawanea at 9:27pm Jan 9 '09I'm with Four that that particular type of church might be more of the problem. Even though I'm not a believer, I actually enjoy going to my mom's church. It's big enough they can do some cool things, like set up a big screen and some Wiis for people to play at a church dinner, but these are loaned for the event by the churchgoers. There's a 'pitch in' attitude about donating for particular reasons and part of that includes an occasional plea for donations for operating costs. However, the church is not ostentatious and the pastor is not a multi-millionaire. There's a sense of community that I respect and enjoy while there. I never feel like I'm faking anything or that anyone would have any problems with me being there and not being a believer. It's just awesome to them to have one more, regardless of why they are there. So, even though I am not spiritual and definitely not Christian...they are the embodiment to me of what churches should be. I feel the same way or close to it in most Unitarian churches I have been to and in one Methodist church on campus.
Your post makes me think of how irate I got watching the football game last night. I would have liked OU to win, but I wasn't making exasperated, snide comments at the TV because of how plays were being called. For the last ten minutes, I swear, the announcers were talking about Tim Tebow, Florida's QB as if he was The Second Coming. Now, I understand being whitebread, devoutly Christian, and not in trouble with the law might be a rarity amoung those heading into the NFL these days. But, apparently talking about God in press conferences and attending some mission trips makes you the Most Awesomest Chrisitan Young Man in the Universe to the likes of the FOX sportcasters. And hey, maybe Tebow is a decent guy. Maybe those mission trips are more than just the glorified spring break trips most of my classmates went on in high school. But, something tells me that if he was truly that devout and that pure of spirit....he would be doing something else other than heading off to the pros. Or he would do something radical, like not buying a multimillion dollar home with a 5:1 ratio of rooms to people, more cars than people to drive them, and all of the excess that usually comes with being in the NFL. Some of it might actually go to charities. And of course, he or his wife might start their own charity, which is the trend that drives me crazy about celebrities these days. If you want something with your name on it, fine. Start a foundation and give out money to the people who actually know what they are doing and have established organizations. (End side rant, sorry guys) Anyways, the kicker was I swear I heard him say "I didn't want to let God down" when they gave him the mic after the game, but the local affiliate cut the sound down and the cut away to the news, so I can't be sure. But, if he did it is that kind of arrogance that probably turns lots of people away from Christianity.
Sorry this turned into more of a rant than I wanted it too. But, it was bugging me so thanks for anyone who read this far.
Your post makes me think of how irate I got watching the football game last night. I would have liked OU to win, but I wasn't making exasperated, snide comments at the TV because of how plays were being called. For the last ten minutes, I swear, the announcers were talking about Tim Tebow, Florida's QB as if he was The Second Coming. Now, I understand being whitebread, devoutly Christian, and not in trouble with the law might be a rarity amoung those heading into the NFL these days. But, apparently talking about God in press conferences and attending some mission trips makes you the Most Awesomest Chrisitan Young Man in the Universe to the likes of the FOX sportcasters. And hey, maybe Tebow is a decent guy. Maybe those mission trips are more than just the glorified spring break trips most of my classmates went on in high school. But, something tells me that if he was truly that devout and that pure of spirit....he would be doing something else other than heading off to the pros. Or he would do something radical, like not buying a multimillion dollar home with a 5:1 ratio of rooms to people, more cars than people to drive them, and all of the excess that usually comes with being in the NFL. Some of it might actually go to charities. And of course, he or his wife might start their own charity, which is the trend that drives me crazy about celebrities these days. If you want something with your name on it, fine. Start a foundation and give out money to the people who actually know what they are doing and have established organizations. (End side rant, sorry guys) Anyways, the kicker was I swear I heard him say "I didn't want to let God down" when they gave him the mic after the game, but the local affiliate cut the sound down and the cut away to the news, so I can't be sure. But, if he did it is that kind of arrogance that probably turns lots of people away from Christianity.
Sorry this turned into more of a rant than I wanted it too. But, it was bugging me so thanks for anyone who read this far.
Re: Finding faith - Sovawanea