DUNBAR PLUMBING

I had a customer ask me this recently, and him and I agreed on the poll.



But before I give my answer,


Ask yourselves this important question:


If there is so much good in this world, why do so many bad things happen? Why are so many things wrong? Why wasn't dinosaurs mentioned on Noah's Ark?

Why is my dog watching Hall & Oats on Youtube?


Why are there kids out of wedlock, kids from divorced families? If god is ever loving and true, why do so many stray from his message.

And those who do follow his message, why are they bilegerent, act like they are above you with their posession of the word, and not sharing this with you?

Why when you enter a church, like god wants you to celebrate his being, that you can't just group yourself with anyone you want? There's "clicks" in these affiliations and it's made well known if you're not part of it. Politics in religion are as strong as politics in government.

I get constantly asked to come and join others in their church, of all religions...and here's where the obvious begins:

Your looks are counted for who you'll mesh with. If you're not the normal looking person, you get sorted and put somewhere where you match.

Next is your social-economic status, or "what you bring to the table" attitude as in what do you do for a living, what's your value.

Thirdly, What's your reason for being here, or motive. The welcome wagon and the smiling faces are always a guarantee from the majority in the beginning, but count on that great continental divide when you start forming opinions and making yourself known to others.

Fourth, "How much are you giving us" is always sitting in the upper eschalons of those inside any church that I've been a part of. These folks are seeded in the community followers and they are the ones you'll see first, asking you what you do, where you live, blah blah blah. This is the feelers being put out to see what donations or offerings or needs are going to be met by this individual. Church isn't free ya know. At least that's what they make it out to be.


How do I know this? Because I've tried to enjoy that welcome mat that so many have given me, and before the 4th time I've been there, it is insinuated to me in more ways than one to provide "something" as a return jesture for being a part of this wonderful family.

In other words, the try before you buy has a window expiration that no one comes straight out and talks about. And if you keep going and "not" follow this unwritten rule? You're cast aside as non-important, the ones who once spoke to you are no longer speaking casually as you've drawn a line in the sand by not playing by the rules.

And all this is happening in the house of god? Would god want this immediate division when all of his followers are after the same thing?


My experience is nearly with every religion exists, and I've been open minded to them all, understanding the whats and whys. I find it comical that those strongest involved in their faith are the ones most critical of others.

They say not to judge, but apparently the ones closer to god by their own thinking can be allowed to do so?

Just the title of me being a multiple business owner to these churches I go to...I get treated almost like royalty when I first arrive.

"Oh wow! We'll get that 13th addition on the building we've been wanting and not needed!"


I pay for advertising at a local church that they have money for a 2 million dollar addition, but basically use silly putty to put my ad on the back of their bulletin which is excused by "they don't have enough money?"

Are you kidding me? I pay you X amount of dollars a year and you can't afford a new printer? Are you that pathetic that you're trying to bait someone to donate one, even though the builders of the building get paid, all the construction crews get paid, but the good people that belong to your community have to be purged weekly for 10%, donations and canned foods, prepared dishes to not believe it isn't just a huge untaxed business?

I believe in god, but I don't believe in the groups of people that bad mouth other religions because "theirs is better" and since we have 5 acres under roof with another addition going in 2012, we are the superior church.

Since I always see full parking lots on wednesdays, thursdays and sundays at these affiliations,

why are there divorced people, kids without full time dads or moms, and people doing all good and no bad, thinking church erases the bad deeds on sunday, go about and live your life.

There is certainly more to this story, and I see this as troubling when I can't enter the house of god without being graded on my status, my future offerings, my everything.

The "our church isn't like that" is the biggest line of **** out there and I've been to tons of churches to prove otherwise.

The diehards that belong to these affiliations have the biggest problem with me, and it's merely because I won't "jump" when asked to jump like a good god fearing individual person should do.

Dear God,

Isn't money the root of all evil, and why is it that your followers demand so much of me, and must have a new roof, or bigger house, or more expensive house than other worshippers? Do we really "need" those million dollar buildings to preach your good word? Do those million dollar stained glass images make us closer to you?

Am I more important than the other follower down the street because they go to church in a building that hasn't seen paint on the walls in 30 years?

The reasoning that these affiliations sometimes give are down right shameful to the average person who believes that we are created equal and in the eyes we are all the same.

Depends on who you ask,

and your status.


Disturbing how well it mimics life outside those 4 walls.

__________________
Northern Kentucky Plumbers |YOUTUBE VIDEOS| Twitter Feed | DUNBAR PLUMBING FAN PAGE

TotalPlumber

Duck,
your feelings are shared by millions around the world. You have every right to feel the way you do. If someone were to read this post and dismiss this as "angry" or "short-sighted", they are probably guilty of the "crimes" you mentioned above.
The religious "machine" that exists today in many different religions, in my opinion, has lost it's way. I can speak to you as an active Christian, attend regularly (United Methodist), lead an adult Sunday School Class every Sunday, and participate in other ways. I am trying to fight the "clique-ishness" and country club attitudes in my congregation every week.

My relationship is with God. I reconcile to Him. I, through my own spiritual journey, attempt to help others on theirs. I don't profess to know any better than anyone else, however I'll always be willing to help lead a discussion that may or may not help others find Christ in their lives.

You are right, and I can't find fault with any point in your post!

Duck, don't lose faith. No one person is better than others. We are all children of God.


In Christ,

Total

ToUtahNow

I would have loved top have read your entire post but my attention span is not that l;ong.

I believe the majority of people are good but are too worry about those who are bad taking advantage of them. I believe those having babies out of wedlock are to blame for their own actions but too many people tell them it is acceptable and not their fault. As for church there is a reason it is called faith. You need to belong or not belong because it is what is right for you. I don't care what religion you are as long as you believe they are consequences for your actions.

Mark

leak1

money is not theroot of all evil-the LOVE of money is the root of all evil,this could get into a deep discussion, you guys all have goodpoints!
remember--WWJD
LEAK 1,

Green Country

You beat me to it.

RD, unfortunately alot of the things mentioned do happen. I could go point by point, but basically it boils down to one question: Are you going to let the actions of others determine your relationship with God?

Keep in mind, you're talking about people, which will never be perfect.

As far as the money thing, it is Biblical to give the tithe (10%). Some preachers do seem to be constantly begging for more money though.

PlumberWhoCares

Interesting topic. Sparked a conversation with my partner. Here is my partner's comments who has studied the very question you ask:

Your entire worldview depends on your answer to this question. Humans are born with a sin nature and basically evil. Hence the reason so many spread the gospel that you need a savior.

The good news is that the majority of humans fight this nature and try to be good.

A Pastor once explained church this way - think of it as a hospital for the spiritually sick. God is working on each and every one of them. The strange thing is that some who have been there the longest are the sickest and don't even know it.

The Bible commands you to do certain things. Fussing over what everyone else is doing doesn't excuse you from focusing on what you should be doing. They are a distraction from you moving closer to God.

If you are interested in exploring human nature (good or evil), The Deadliest Monster by Baldwin is a great book. The whole premise is are you (people) a Frankenstein or Jekyl Hyde. The description as written on Amazon

In an exciting journey that begins with our assumptions about the nature of man, The Deadliest Monster explores the impact that such assumptions have on our beliefs about God, truth, morality, psychology and politics. Not surprisingly, the initial assumption colors all other beliefs, so that the book becomes a fascinating catalogue of the ways in which the Christian perspective better matches reality.