Can One Be Over-Churched?
Religion is a two-edged sword80 total reviews
Comment from eveeator
Sorry I never got to read this one before the contest end but I found this a particularly interesting and well written essay that you have written. It is laid out in such a way that it follows through from para to para and holds so much truth about people, Christians and the world as a whole, very good thought and great entry into the contest which I believe you came 2nd in and easy to see why, great writing and thankyou for sharing all these thoughts and the information which I have enjoyed reading. Keep well regards yvonne
reply by the author on 03-Dec-2008
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Sorry I never got to read this one before the contest end but I found this a particularly interesting and well written essay that you have written. It is laid out in such a way that it follows through from para to para and holds so much truth about people, Christians and the world as a whole, very good thought and great entry into the contest which I believe you came 2nd in and easy to see why, great writing and thankyou for sharing all these thoughts and the information which I have enjoyed reading. Keep well regards yvonne
Comment Written 03-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 03-Dec-2008
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Thanks so much. I appreciate your reading my entry, the supportive words and interesting comments. Thanks for stopping by. ann
Comment from Nanette Mary
Hullo Annmuma ....
This is very well written and you have expressed your thoughts clearly so that all can understand what it is that you are saying.
It is my task to review this from a writing point of view and that I have done. In this respect, there is nothing that I would suggest changing and, as it is a Contest entry, I wish you well.
With love from ....... Nanette Mary.
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2008
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Hullo Annmuma ....
This is very well written and you have expressed your thoughts clearly so that all can understand what it is that you are saying.
It is my task to review this from a writing point of view and that I have done. In this respect, there is nothing that I would suggest changing and, as it is a Contest entry, I wish you well.
With love from ....... Nanette Mary.
Comment Written 01-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2008
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Thanks so much for the generous review. ann
Comment from Aussie
You certainly picked a controversial subject to write about. Good for you; I totally agree with what you have said. Man's inhumanity to man. The Bible has been used and abused by so-called Christians for decades. I liked your story, and hope that the double-edged sword does not drop on barren ground. God must be sad that men have done so many dreadful things in His name. As Jesus said "whatsoever you do to the least of my people, you do unto me." Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2008
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You certainly picked a controversial subject to write about. Good for you; I totally agree with what you have said. Man's inhumanity to man. The Bible has been used and abused by so-called Christians for decades. I liked your story, and hope that the double-edged sword does not drop on barren ground. God must be sad that men have done so many dreadful things in His name. As Jesus said "whatsoever you do to the least of my people, you do unto me." Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 01-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2008
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Thanks so much. This has been a fun contest to participate in. Lots of really good entries. I appreciate your comments and generous review. ann
Comment from ledford
Wonderfully stated:-) I could not agree more.
I was talking with a family member recently who stated that now that Omama has been elected, racism should disappear. I was shocked! Do people really think this way? After centuries of demeaning, one man being elected will wipe out all the pain?
I feel the same way that you do about homosexuality. I don not, like many, think it is a trend or something someone creates (although I am sure there is a minimal percentage that experiments). I have always struggled with Christians who feel it is a sin. How terrible to have to deal with being different from most and deal with the struggles society creates for them, and then feel like they are commiting a sin against God.
Fantastic job on this essay! Good luck in the contest:-) It is a very creative one and I have enjoyed reading the different approaches....
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2008
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Wonderfully stated:-) I could not agree more.
I was talking with a family member recently who stated that now that Omama has been elected, racism should disappear. I was shocked! Do people really think this way? After centuries of demeaning, one man being elected will wipe out all the pain?
I feel the same way that you do about homosexuality. I don not, like many, think it is a trend or something someone creates (although I am sure there is a minimal percentage that experiments). I have always struggled with Christians who feel it is a sin. How terrible to have to deal with being different from most and deal with the struggles society creates for them, and then feel like they are commiting a sin against God.
Fantastic job on this essay! Good luck in the contest:-) It is a very creative one and I have enjoyed reading the different approaches....
Comment Written 01-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2008
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A thousand thanks for the shiny '6' and for the good luck wishes. I need them in this contest -- so many good entries. When an 'exceptional' comes from a writer whose work I so admire, it means even more. thank you. ann
Comment from AlvinTEthington
This is an excellent essay which deals with elements I have dealt with all my life--racism and heterosexism (see my latest post.) One objection I do have is the idea that this is Bible-taught. It is due, at least to me, as a believing Christian, to misinterpretations of the God of Love found in the Bible. It's a minor concern, but you might want to change it. Thank you, however, for having the story correct about Noah, Ham, and Canaan. So many people get it wrong.
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2008
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This is an excellent essay which deals with elements I have dealt with all my life--racism and heterosexism (see my latest post.) One objection I do have is the idea that this is Bible-taught. It is due, at least to me, as a believing Christian, to misinterpretations of the God of Love found in the Bible. It's a minor concern, but you might want to change it. Thank you, however, for having the story correct about Noah, Ham, and Canaan. So many people get it wrong.
Comment Written 01-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2008
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I agree with you that the idea of racism and heterosexism is a misinterpretation of the God of Love found in the Bible. One of my goals in the essay to was to point out the misinterpretation and how the church, as well as the Bible, can be misused to support bigotry in every form. I am also a believing Christian who realizes God is Love and in such a state there is no room for bigotry, whatever its form. I'll re-read to see where I've let that goal get misdirected. Thanks so much for the excellent review. This has been a fun contest with lots of good entries. ann
Comment from The Guardian
Annmuma
You are most certainly brave to write such a well-constructed outspoken essay, especially among a population that can gravitate toward fervent beliefs. I am not a Christian, but I share your sentiment that anyone so entrenched in their own beliefs who only surrounds themselves with echoes of their own voice is a danger. According to the author, Cass Sunstein, author of The Republic, the term is polarization. Those who stick with their own kind, who cling only to the words of their own faith tend to see others not sharing the same views as objects. Add a bit of disenfranchisement, and the mixture is potentially explosive. This is not isolated to Christianity. We see religious fervency in Islam, Judaism, Mormonism, Christianity, Catholicism, etc.
I subscribe there are multiple paths to G-d. We have much to learn from each other.
Sorry for my diatribe. Really was inspired by your essay.
Best
Merle
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2008
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Annmuma
You are most certainly brave to write such a well-constructed outspoken essay, especially among a population that can gravitate toward fervent beliefs. I am not a Christian, but I share your sentiment that anyone so entrenched in their own beliefs who only surrounds themselves with echoes of their own voice is a danger. According to the author, Cass Sunstein, author of The Republic, the term is polarization. Those who stick with their own kind, who cling only to the words of their own faith tend to see others not sharing the same views as objects. Add a bit of disenfranchisement, and the mixture is potentially explosive. This is not isolated to Christianity. We see religious fervency in Islam, Judaism, Mormonism, Christianity, Catholicism, etc.
I subscribe there are multiple paths to G-d. We have much to learn from each other.
Sorry for my diatribe. Really was inspired by your essay.
Best
Merle
Comment Written 01-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2008
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No need to apologize for sharing ideas -- that's just one of the things I love about this site! Thanks so much for dropping by and leaving a thought or two. This has been a fun contest with lots of good entries. ann
Comment from nukrz
That entry was so mind bogling.. I cant spell lol... And no matter the year whether it be 1950's or 2008, the 'n' word will be used. I agree with you though, that word should be erased from language!
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2008
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That entry was so mind bogling.. I cant spell lol... And no matter the year whether it be 1950's or 2008, the 'n' word will be used. I agree with you though, that word should be erased from language!
Comment Written 01-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2008
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thanks so much. I appreciate your stopping by, reading and commenting. This was an interesting contest subject. ann
Comment from CMowery
I think that you have done a good job conveying your beliefs. While I agree that racism is wrong, and that anyone teaching that the bible promotes it is also wrong, I do not agree with your thoughts on homosexuality. No one should be harmed or harassed because they are gay, especially not by Christians. That doesn't mean that God is okay with it. There are several really good examples in the bible which show that God believes it is a sin. Just because we love people who are gay, doesn't mean that God made them that way. I have a really close friend, almost family, who WAS gay. He was prayed for and delivered, and now has no homosexual feelings or desires. Another man in our church was delivered, too. If it wasn't a spirit of homosexuality, then how could they be delivered? I would love for gay people to make it to Heaven, I think many of them are wonderful people. I am just unwilling to bet their eternity on it. I would rather pray for them, not attack them with my own beliefs, but pray that the Holy Spirit would deliver them from their sin. You are right, we all sin, but we would never say that God 'made' people murderers, and that we should accept them that way. They will be punished, whether we want them to be or not.
Wonderful, thought-provoking writing! Great job.
~Christin
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2008
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I think that you have done a good job conveying your beliefs. While I agree that racism is wrong, and that anyone teaching that the bible promotes it is also wrong, I do not agree with your thoughts on homosexuality. No one should be harmed or harassed because they are gay, especially not by Christians. That doesn't mean that God is okay with it. There are several really good examples in the bible which show that God believes it is a sin. Just because we love people who are gay, doesn't mean that God made them that way. I have a really close friend, almost family, who WAS gay. He was prayed for and delivered, and now has no homosexual feelings or desires. Another man in our church was delivered, too. If it wasn't a spirit of homosexuality, then how could they be delivered? I would love for gay people to make it to Heaven, I think many of them are wonderful people. I am just unwilling to bet their eternity on it. I would rather pray for them, not attack them with my own beliefs, but pray that the Holy Spirit would deliver them from their sin. You are right, we all sin, but we would never say that God 'made' people murderers, and that we should accept them that way. They will be punished, whether we want them to be or not.
Wonderful, thought-provoking writing! Great job.
~Christin
Comment Written 01-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2008
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Thanks so much for reading and commenting. One of the things I love about this site is the ability to share ideas. ann
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Me too!
Please read some of my short stories if you get the chance. They are all true stories.
Thanks!
~Christin
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I will certainly do that! Thanks for mentioning them to me. ann
Comment from jsbridgeford
Important message, well-presented. I was especially interested in your memory of the book your father gave you-so many of the twisted ideas many well-meaning Christians espouse arrived in their heads as children and never got challenged--and this is by people who would challenge everything else under the sun! Peculiar, but sadly true. Thanks for this essay and reminder that evil, as Hannah Arendt (sp?) noted, is often banal.
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2008
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Important message, well-presented. I was especially interested in your memory of the book your father gave you-so many of the twisted ideas many well-meaning Christians espouse arrived in their heads as children and never got challenged--and this is by people who would challenge everything else under the sun! Peculiar, but sadly true. Thanks for this essay and reminder that evil, as Hannah Arendt (sp?) noted, is often banal.
Comment Written 01-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2008
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Thanks so much for reading and commenting. ann
Comment from shy1250
I love this piece--you have done a truly excellent job of pointing out some of the examples of bigotry and how the church must accept its fair share of responsibility for their continuance. I especially appreciated the first example, as I was married for 13 years to a black man who was a truly good man, although a bad husband. The only possible error I saw was 2d para, 5th line where I thought it should be "extremism (hate practices) or "extremism: hate practices". Loved the last line with its "smell test"-- one of the things I learned while homeless is that hatred truly has a smell. (List under odd educational examples tehe). "and to all a good write"--later and God bless, shy
reply by the author on 30-Nov-2008
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I love this piece--you have done a truly excellent job of pointing out some of the examples of bigotry and how the church must accept its fair share of responsibility for their continuance. I especially appreciated the first example, as I was married for 13 years to a black man who was a truly good man, although a bad husband. The only possible error I saw was 2d para, 5th line where I thought it should be "extremism (hate practices) or "extremism: hate practices". Loved the last line with its "smell test"-- one of the things I learned while homeless is that hatred truly has a smell. (List under odd educational examples tehe). "and to all a good write"--later and God bless, shy
Comment Written 30-Nov-2008
reply by the author on 30-Nov-2008
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Thank you very, very much. I'll make the change you suggested to improve the read. ann
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I made that change and I agree it is technically better and this contest includes stiff competition. Thanks for the suggestion. ann
