rant: went to megachurch, maybe last straw with religion

[thrill]

Dude...where was this church? That politicization is horrifying.

[IMADreamer]

Oh I think I won't say the name of the church. I don't want to make some zealots "list" because one day ten years from now they were searching the internet and found that I said lots of bad, but very true things about their church.

[Freed Roger]

Megachurch Confessional #1:

Both my kids went to a Megachurch summer camp called Kanakuk. Very embarrased to admit this -borderline negligent parenting. My wife went there as a kid with fond memories-so it goes. You'd have to know my wife and older daughter - they went for the boys and ziplines and waterslides -they are impervious to proselytising.

Then when we sent sweet Little Freedette there with her cousin, and though she likes waterslides and ziplines more than anyone, yet is more perceptive and a a bit weirded out by that other shtuff - even at a too young age.

Observations. Yes, they attack society and pop-culture, yet mimick it in a Jesus-fied way at every turn. The Christian rap music. The Got Jesus t-shirts etc. Everything you eat drink and think has to be Christian/Kosher. That isn't too big a deal IMO, other than being ironic.

Most of what is said by the camp leaders makes sense, and is well and good -upbeat motivational stuff, overcoming life's obstacles etc. I'm sitting there at the closing ceremony and thinking this guy isn't half bad a speaker, then he goes into the persecution spiel about THEM, Society attacking OUR values. Gay Marriage, homosexuality etc. It's like, say 10 things that every one can generally get behind, and then drop the bomb on them.

My friend went to this place years ago kid, and when I mentioned this to him, he said "Yeah, it's all goody goody, and then KILL THE JEWS! at the end" or so to speak.

[Freed Roger]

Megachurch Confessional #2:
I went to a 2-day big PromiseKeepers rally at Arrowhead Stadium. Roped in by future father in-law. Promisekeepers was the macho Men returning to Jesus deal. When I heard the "we love Jesus yes we do, we love Jesus how about you?" chants across the stadium, I knew it was going to be a long weekend.

A surreal experience. I was less cynical in those days, and half-expected to be surprised by this event -to have some sort of positive impact, especially since my father-in-law built it up as great. A good speech, some decent music, stories. Something. Anything. ...instead it was nothing. Lousy jingoistic speeches. The music was just awful. And a cold rain half the time.

Though overall, it was good -my grandpa in-law was there and he was a real gem. Great to spend time with him, even in that bizarre setting.

Also enjoyable was my uncle-in-law with us. He's a former pilot and has philandered thru his life. He doesn't give a [expletive]. He'd belt out those Christian songs even though he had no idea on the tune or words. When one of the preachers on stage was extolling people to REPENT! "go call that mistress and tell her it's over!" ...my uncle-in law leans over to me and says "Got a quarter?"

I couldn't tell when he was seriously having a come-to-Jesus moment or just being a smart-ass trying to get attention. Mind you, the uncle in Law looks just like Robert Duvall, and I had seen the great movie "The Apostle" around then.

[mikechamp]

Back to the Catholic Church, I don't know why they think they have to move Priest around so much. The last one we had was great. Not real great at the Homily, but other then that wonderful. I always felt like I learned something and more importantly I always felt like I belonged there. In fact I've liked all of our Priests until this current one. I don't dislike him, but he's just not inspiring.

It depends on the diocese, but some set a 10-year limit before moving them. However, they usually move them to a different parish in the same diocese. You mentioned you might be willing to drive an hour to go to a collegiate parish. Perhaps you could investigate where your former priest went and attend there (depending on the geographic size of your diocese).

[TheoSqua]

Not all Christian churches are like that. Where I go there isn't a pastor/preacher that runs the building, instead there's a body of elders who do the sermons/talks in their free time and do not get paid. There is no sales or collections during the meeting (they do have donation boxes and expense reports on the back wall, but it's not pushed down your throat while attending) and our beliefs is that Religion should not be involved in politics, so very rarely to you have any political speak from the podium.

I've been to a megachurch in the past as well and was very disappointed in how they function. I'm not going to preach to you about where you should go or how you should practice your religion, just keep in mind that not all churches and christians are based like that. And If you want to find somewhere you'll like and try/pray enough, I'm confident you'll find it.

[docellis]

finding a church, if you don't have some family tradition (or even if you do) is harder than finding a life mate, imo.

[Freed Roger]

Find a church, or do like me and my fellow former churchgoing family and friends and cherish that time you don't waste in church. Lord, that is the best and most spirtually fulfilling time of the week. At least for me.

[docellis]

Find a church, or do like me and my fellow former churchgoing family and friends and cherish that time you don't waste in church. Lord, that is the best and most spirtually fulfilling time of the week. At least for me.

I feel this way as well. But I wish I had a "time" I spent finding meaning. I haven't found a church that helped me with that. I do feel like I see or feel god in nature, but that is less structured, thus, not "once a week". I don't seek nature once a week. I would love to have a good reason to stop, look around at the world, SEE the positive, absorb it, recharge and want to DO positive. But I would have to create my own schedule for this and I do not think I am qualified.

[Freed Roger]

Find a church, or do like me and my fellow former churchgoing family and friends and cherish that time you don't waste in church. Lord, that is the best and most spirtually fulfilling time of the week. At least for me.

I feel this way as well. But I wish I had a "time" I spent finding meaning. I haven't found a church that helped me with that. I do feel like I see or feel god in nature, but that is less structured, thus, not "once a week". I don't seek nature once a week. I would love to have a good reason to stop, look around at the world, SEE the positive, absorb it, recharge and want to DO positive. But I would have to create my own schedule for this and I do not think I am qualified.

I know what your saying. And I know people that thrive with time spent in a church setting, people I admire. But I can only speak for myself. I like to have that time. It is my tradition now. I was talking to my formerly churchy religion-teacher/most likely to be come a priest- brother, he shared the same sentiment - he gets up early on Sundays just to enjoy not going to church. Takes a while to develop that confidence in yourself and your relationship with God.. I'm guessing most people don't fully figure it out before age 40.

Little Freedette seems to be the same way. She doesn't want to spend the night at Grandmas or friends on Saturday that might drag her to church on Sunday. I know she's only ten, but she is pretty damn smart. Though her time at megachurch camp, she still remembers being taught that there is something wrong with her that she doesn't do many Sundays at church. But she shrugs it off when she sees Spongebob is on.