Can One Be Over-Churched?
Religion is a two-edged sword80 total reviews
Comment from Guenter
Hi Annmuma,
I wish I was able to paint such crystal clear pictures of our biggest hypocrisies. How many so-called Christians have thought about the difference between an atheist solder willing to die for his country and a Christian solder doing the same thing? Who, in the final analysis is more altruistic?
Guenter
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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Hi Annmuma,
I wish I was able to paint such crystal clear pictures of our biggest hypocrisies. How many so-called Christians have thought about the difference between an atheist solder willing to die for his country and a Christian solder doing the same thing? Who, in the final analysis is more altruistic?
Guenter
Comment Written 19-Nov-2008
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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WOW! I so appreciate the generous rating and encouraging words. Your posed question as to the most altruistic soldier creates much to think about. Good point. ann
Comment from penelope
Hello, Annmuma,
First, congratulations on a thought-provoking and well written and organized essay. I agree with you completely on every topic and hope we live to see a time when all bigotry and religious fanaticism is stamped out. My brother is gay, and all of us accept and love him as he is. I know he didn't choose it. The interesting thing is that I suspect my aunt's son (my cousin) is also gay. She's a Jehovas Witness so it must be challenging for her. I bet they'll never discuss it. Some of our life lessons are to confront our own issues. Penelope
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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Hello, Annmuma,
First, congratulations on a thought-provoking and well written and organized essay. I agree with you completely on every topic and hope we live to see a time when all bigotry and religious fanaticism is stamped out. My brother is gay, and all of us accept and love him as he is. I know he didn't choose it. The interesting thing is that I suspect my aunt's son (my cousin) is also gay. She's a Jehovas Witness so it must be challenging for her. I bet they'll never discuss it. Some of our life lessons are to confront our own issues. Penelope
Comment Written 19-Nov-2008
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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Thanks for sharing some thoughts and experiences with me. I love the opportunity to chat that this site offers. You are so right that life lessons often come from confronting our own issues. Thanks for the generous rating. ann
Comment from OldVet
Here-here! I am not a religious person. I believe in God but do not believe in organised religions for the same reasons you stated here (and a whole lot more). I truely believe that a person's beliefs are a personal item and should be followed as such, not as a means to control or subdue the population.
The Jim Jones' or David Kresh's of the world
You've used the possessive form of the name rather than the plural. I believe it should be Joneses and Koreshes.
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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Here-here! I am not a religious person. I believe in God but do not believe in organised religions for the same reasons you stated here (and a whole lot more). I truely believe that a person's beliefs are a personal item and should be followed as such, not as a means to control or subdue the population.
The Jim Jones' or David Kresh's of the world
You've used the possessive form of the name rather than the plural. I believe it should be Joneses and Koreshes.
Comment Written 19-Nov-2008
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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You are correct on that Jones' and Koreshes' thing. I'm make the changes immediately.
I appreciate your generous review and, more than that, your comments. It is so nice to chat -- just one of the nice things about this site! ann
Comment from Nicky B
About ten minutes ago there was a piece on the Jim Jones massacre on TV. Mum had to fill me in on it as I was only a kid at the time when it happened. Next minute you know I'm reading this and you mention this human tragedy. God surely does work in mysterious ways. I agree with you on every point that you have made here. It is crystal clear. GOD IS LOVE. Amen. Nick.
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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About ten minutes ago there was a piece on the Jim Jones massacre on TV. Mum had to fill me in on it as I was only a kid at the time when it happened. Next minute you know I'm reading this and you mention this human tragedy. God surely does work in mysterious ways. I agree with you on every point that you have made here. It is crystal clear. GOD IS LOVE. Amen. Nick.
Comment Written 19-Nov-2008
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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Thanks so much for your generous review. I appreciate your stopping by and sharing your comments. ann
Comment from Shenelle Coplien
I really enjoyed this! I think it's important for people to be able to understand the good old concept of treat others like you would like to be treated. There are so many negative groups out there, such as the Westboro Church, who live off of those few verses in the bible. You did an excellent job reminding people of the real reason behind religion, love.
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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I really enjoyed this! I think it's important for people to be able to understand the good old concept of treat others like you would like to be treated. There are so many negative groups out there, such as the Westboro Church, who live off of those few verses in the bible. You did an excellent job reminding people of the real reason behind religion, love.
Comment Written 19-Nov-2008
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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Thank you for your comments AND for those 6 shiny stars! I'm honored and so pleased you enjoyed the piece. ann
Comment from Helen Tan
I enjoyed this essay as it expressed some of the views that I believe. I believe that religion is something that is important to have, a sense of right and wrong and also it is a source of comfort to us at all time.
However I've seen in our history and in what is currently happening around us, a lot of destruction is created in the name of religion.Instead of being a building block to bind people together,it tears us apart once we become extremists and therefore blinded. This is so well expressed in your lines,
most insidious and acceptable source of evil. - it creeps into our life and we allow this extremist belief to breed and
Religious beliefs, when unpruned and unchallenged, warp the hearts and minds of otherwise good and kind people. That same fountain of evil sires great love and kindness.
It had not occurred to me that Michael needed to be saved from being who God created him to be. - this is my thought too. In fact this is one of the issues that I'm facing as I ponder my baptism to the Catholic faith.
Your points were logically and well presented. The choice of words were great especially in the first few lines which I chose to highlight.
I have only one suggestion,I was wondering whether you would consider shortening your long paragraph on Noah. A suggestion:-
1st part ends with ".. now had wine to drink." - this would serve as an introduction to the story.
2nd part ends with "...treat them kindly, but as children and servants." - this is the actual story.
3rd part, the rest of your original paragraph - this part would show the impact of this teaching.
I feel that it's easier for the reader to focus on your points if the paragraphs were shorter.
Thanks for this essay and good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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I enjoyed this essay as it expressed some of the views that I believe. I believe that religion is something that is important to have, a sense of right and wrong and also it is a source of comfort to us at all time.
However I've seen in our history and in what is currently happening around us, a lot of destruction is created in the name of religion.Instead of being a building block to bind people together,it tears us apart once we become extremists and therefore blinded. This is so well expressed in your lines,
most insidious and acceptable source of evil. - it creeps into our life and we allow this extremist belief to breed and
Religious beliefs, when unpruned and unchallenged, warp the hearts and minds of otherwise good and kind people. That same fountain of evil sires great love and kindness.
It had not occurred to me that Michael needed to be saved from being who God created him to be. - this is my thought too. In fact this is one of the issues that I'm facing as I ponder my baptism to the Catholic faith.
Your points were logically and well presented. The choice of words were great especially in the first few lines which I chose to highlight.
I have only one suggestion,I was wondering whether you would consider shortening your long paragraph on Noah. A suggestion:-
1st part ends with ".. now had wine to drink." - this would serve as an introduction to the story.
2nd part ends with "...treat them kindly, but as children and servants." - this is the actual story.
3rd part, the rest of your original paragraph - this part would show the impact of this teaching.
I feel that it's easier for the reader to focus on your points if the paragraphs were shorter.
Thanks for this essay and good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 19-Nov-2008
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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I think you are probably right about that paragraph and I'm going to take a look right now! Thanks so much for the in-depth review. I appreciate the comments and your time. ann
Comment from adewpearl
Ann, I could not agree with you more - I am a Christian and am constantly ashamed of the bigotry and closed- mindedness that is supposedly "supported" by religious beliefs and and Biblical interpretations. You discuss this well with good, concrete examples from your own life experience. I like that you don't just stay in the realm of abstract argument but use these compelling anecdotal examples. Well done
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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Ann, I could not agree with you more - I am a Christian and am constantly ashamed of the bigotry and closed- mindedness that is supposedly "supported" by religious beliefs and and Biblical interpretations. You discuss this well with good, concrete examples from your own life experience. I like that you don't just stay in the realm of abstract argument but use these compelling anecdotal examples. Well done
Comment Written 18-Nov-2008
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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Thanks so much for the insightful and encouraging review. I know you have written the winning entry, but I still enjoyed the opportunity to compete in this contest. I appreciate your comments. ann
Comment from lizperkins
Great topic for the contest. You have hit on a multitude of sins, and given rise to a number of questions we all must ask ourselves. I rated this at four stars, because although your story is technically correct, I felt there was too much peripheral material presented that didn't contribute to the main topic. A more linear approach might have been better. EL
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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Great topic for the contest. You have hit on a multitude of sins, and given rise to a number of questions we all must ask ourselves. I rated this at four stars, because although your story is technically correct, I felt there was too much peripheral material presented that didn't contribute to the main topic. A more linear approach might have been better. EL
Comment Written 18-Nov-2008
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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Thanks. ann
Comment from PerspectiveProperty
Wow! This was a great "shared" story! I've experieced similar events that lead me to where I am today in my beliefs. I honestly, felt your story to the core of my being! Thank you for your story. BRAVO!
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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Wow! This was a great "shared" story! I've experieced similar events that lead me to where I am today in my beliefs. I honestly, felt your story to the core of my being! Thank you for your story. BRAVO!
Comment Written 18-Nov-2008
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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WOW -- 6 stars are so extra special to me! I'm glad we hit on some common ground and that you enjoyed the piece. ann
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Hi Ann,
Your piece was not only enlightening, it was thought provoking and very well written in my opinion. There are certain criterias that I look for in a story and your story met them all! I call them, as I read them and for me, should I happen to embark on a piece that I wasn't crazy about, I'd rather keep my comments to myself and go on to the next that I can give pro-active, good feedback.
I'm still trying to figure out why a person who sends a review would say something like "don't you mean this word" or "you should have put this word instead". I just respond and say....well I guess if you were in my head at the time I was writing the piece, this "nonsense" question would not be asked......lol
Anyway, stay inspired and I look forward to reading more of your work.
Comment from Jnetgame
This is indeeed a great essay, Ann. You raise some good points such as: "Most depend upon what someone else told them was there, or they look for a specific verse to back their position." I have experienced the same thing. Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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This is indeeed a great essay, Ann. You raise some good points such as: "Most depend upon what someone else told them was there, or they look for a specific verse to back their position." I have experienced the same thing. Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 18-Nov-2008
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2008
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Thanks for stopping by and for the good luck wishes. I appreciate your comments. ann
