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Did y'all see this bit about Bishops from the Catholic Church filing Amicus briefs supporting the ban of the AR-15?

me as well, just not my entire family, only a few...regarding, left the church.

they (the church)......should be aware of..."separation of church and state"

as much as the cities and states have to be aware of........like for instance, "no christmas decorations on government lands or on the buildings"...

so frankly, the church needs to RESPECT that separation, as it is NOT a "one way street"
The Church has always been a power grab.
 
Far as I’m concerned, any church with a congregation over 500 should be taxed. It’s no longer a church, it’s a business!
There is a huge amount of truth to that statement. My uncle was a priest, he had a bad distaste for those mega-churches. He once said basically that when the pastor lives in a multi-million dollar house, brings home large 6 figure incomes and he and his wife drive very expensive exotic vehicles, it's no longer a church, it's a faith based business. He was also very adamant that one should not have to provide tax returns to the church so they in turn charge you a certain percentage of your income to worship at the church.
We have several here in town that do exactly that.
 
The Church has always been a power grab.
i know, and they made sure they stole fine works of art during WWI and WWII.

my late dad used to hate it when the news would do expose`s on the mafia.

he said it more than once...

"go check on the church, they are worse than the mafia".

my dad....was never wrong about the church.
 
There is a huge amount of truth to that statement. My uncle was a priest, he had a bad distaste for those mega-churches. He once said basically that when the pastor lives in a multi-million dollar house, brings home large 6 figure incomes and he and his wife drive very expensive exotic vehicles, it's no longer a church, it's a faith based business. He was also very adamant that one should not have to provide tax returns to the church so they in turn charge you a certain percentage of your income to worship at the church.
We have several here in town that do exactly that.
Jim Baker, Tammy Faye, and many others of that ilk, come to my mind........

to me, all charlatans.
 
Can you imagine trying to wear all of that polished steel into a conflict with naked barbarians with spears and machetes? The trade off sacrificing speed, field of vision and agility would be unfavorable to me. I would choose to use concealment and cover and try not to act like a TANK.
Every good party needs a TANK! How would you expect the Ranger, Cleric and Mage to operate if the Barbarians were beating on them!


IMG_1150.jpeg
 
Jim Baker, Tammy Faye, and many others of that ilk, come to my mind........

to me, all charlatans.
I would put ALL the mega church pastors and many of the lowly local ones. I avoid churches these days. Not a fan of spontaneously combusting, lol. JK I finished my relationship with churches back over 20 years ago now. Won't set foot in another one even for community gatherings. ANY church.
 
Hi,

Like hospitals are full of sick people, churches are full of sinners. I do not put my faith in "the church" but in our Savior, Jesus Christ. People will let you down. Jesus won't.

I encourage everyone to find a church that fills your needs. I go to church for fellowship, for instruction, to serve, to give, to worship, to know God better, and to become more like His Son Jesus. Some churches do this better than others. I often fail. That's what forgiveness, redemption, and salvation are for.

Here's the truth. This life has many choices. Eternity has only two. You have to have to make that eternal choice before leaving this life. Choose wisely.

There is nothing about "separation of church and state" in the Constitution. Let's read the First Amendment.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The First Amendment is to keep the government out of the church business. The government can not create a church and demand that anyone attend. The gov't has to let everyone worship as they please, or not worship if that's their choice. But the gov't can certainly be influenced by God. In fact, it's unavoidable. Let's read Romans 13.

Romans 13:1
"Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God."

There's nothing illegal about the Ten Commandments being displayed in the courthouse. There's nothing wrong with praying in school. Of course, the "freedom of religion" people (who are actually "freedom FROM religion" people) will disagree.

Continue your church bashing if you must. In some respects you are correct, if your focus is on the people (sinners). But when your focus is on a relationship with the Savior Jesus Christ, you will find a peace and a joy that is beyond all understanding.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
Hi,

Like hospitals are full of sick people, churches are full of sinners. I do not put my faith in "the church" but in our Savior, Jesus Christ. People will let you down. Jesus won't.

I encourage everyone to find a church that fills your needs. I go to church for fellowship, for instruction, to serve, to give, to worship, to know God better, and to become more like His Son Jesus. Some churches do this better than others. I often fail. That's what forgiveness, redemption, and salvation are for.

Here's the truth. This life has many choices. Eternity has only two. You have to have to make that eternal choice before leaving this life. Choose wisely.

There is nothing about "separation of church and state" in the Constitution. Let's read the First Amendment.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The First Amendment is to keep the government out of the church business. The government can not create a church and demand that anyone attend. The gov't has to let everyone worship as they please, or not worship if that's their choice. But the gov't can certainly be influenced by God. In fact, it's unavoidable. Let's read Romans 13.

Romans 13:1
"Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God."

There's nothing illegal about the Ten Commandments being displayed in the courthouse. There's nothing wrong with praying in school. Of course, the "freedom of religion" people (who are actually "freedom FROM religion" people) will disagree.

Continue your church bashing if you must. In some respects you are correct, if your focus is on the people (sinners). But when your focus is on a relationship with the Savior Jesus Christ, you will find a peace and a joy that is beyond all understanding.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
Having been rasied in the church, I feel one does not need to go give money and listen to someone tell me the word of God.
I can read that on my own and choose not to enter an elaborate building built for my fellow man, and not God
 
Every good party needs a TANK! How would you expect the Ranger, Cleric and Mage to operate if the Barbarians were beating on them!


View attachment 118286
Tanks are not bad, that is not what I was implying. I preferred the Ranger with distance weapons approach, still do. They are more balanced as a set of skills and proficiencies. I am reading a pretty long novel series based on a Ranger character-Drizzt Do Urden in the Dark Elf Series Forgotten Realms by R.A. Salvatore. I have read through this series several times as new books have been added to the series.
 
Hi,

Like hospitals are full of sick people, churches are full of sinners. I do not put my faith in "the church" but in our Savior, Jesus Christ. People will let you down. Jesus won't.

I encourage everyone to find a church that fills your needs. I go to church for fellowship, for instruction, to serve, to give, to worship, to know God better, and to become more like His Son Jesus. Some churches do this better than others. I often fail. That's what forgiveness, redemption, and salvation are for.

Here's the truth. This life has many choices. Eternity has only two. You have to have to make that eternal choice before leaving this life. Choose wisely.

There is nothing about "separation of church and state" in the Constitution. Let's read the First Amendment.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The First Amendment is to keep the government out of the church business. The government can not create a church and demand that anyone attend. The gov't has to let everyone worship as they please, or not worship if that's their choice. But the gov't can certainly be influenced by God. In fact, it's unavoidable. Let's read Romans 13.

Romans 13:1
"Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God."

There's nothing illegal about the Ten Commandments being displayed in the courthouse. There's nothing wrong with praying in school. Of course, the "freedom of religion" people (who are actually "freedom FROM religion" people) will disagree.

Continue your church bashing if you must. In some respects you are correct, if your focus is on the people (sinners). But when your focus is on a relationship with the Savior Jesus Christ, you will find a peace and a joy that is beyond all understanding.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
Amen and well said!

Although I do my fair share of "bashing" here in an attempt to make light of what should be a serious topic, it truly is in gest and I do apologize if I've offended you.

I was a member at a fantastic church where I served in many capacities for 10ish years. In 2015 I relocated and had a hard time finding a new church. My old pastor helped me find a new church. In 2020, Covid pretty much killed that church.

I subsequently relocate to Oregon. It took some time and effort but I did find a new church. I left that church when the pastor retired and our new pastor raised a rather large pride flag in the sanctuary while she introduced herself and her wife.

Unfortunately where I am located, the "churches", and I use that term very loosley, are as twisted in their beliefs and preachings as the abortion loving, purple haired lunitics they serve.

I have been churchless for a number of years.

Again, I do apologize if my attempted humor offended you.
 
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