Often expressed, but rarely well-thought-out religious views by yours truly

Original Statement (by a friend):
if the church were christian- jesus would be a model for living not an object of worship; gracious behavior would be more important than right belief; questions would be more important than answers; meeting needs would be more important than maintaining institutions; this life would be more important than the afterlife; it would care more about love and less about sex; and peace would be more important than power.

Wednesday at 11:49pm · 
my 1st response (amongst others) 
if churches were truly "christian", they probably wouldn't even exist in the first place

16 hours ago · 

someone's (not the author's) response to me

Bradley, I respectfully disagree BUT I think I see where you are going, denominations may be the most divisive word. Worship/community and learning more deeply in a kind way is what I feel the church was established for.

13 hours ago ·

my ramble responses

Michelle, although I am an atheist I used to attend churches and synagogues. I always believed that churches should actually resemble small groups of a dozen, maybe a few more. How is the "church" suppose to hold each other accountable with larger congregations? Member-to-member member-to-preacher and preacher-to-member. I mean the preacher's job is pretty cut and dry if everyone's "flesh" falls short, meaning that his message always applies to all. And if accountability is ultimately the job of god, then there should be no need for a gathering of more than one anyway. I will give you that learning is a major congregational function, but again, what good does they other 50, 100 or 1000 members do for you?

53 minutes ago · 

..also tithing is ridiculous because it pre-supposes that churches were meant to be formed as they are, according to scriptural instruction (Letters from Paul, Acts 1&2, etc). Churches themselves, concepts such as the "New Jerusalem" COULD be churches and kingdoms of the the SPIRIT, and NOT in a material sense. I'm sure as a christian you have heard these arguments. I would say the bible IS open to interpretation whether it is the word of god (because we can't know the mind/intention of god) or written by man (obviously open to interpretation). This is obvious as diff preachers interpret diff things.

44 minutes ago · 

Addressing what Ellen was saying...I think churches, as we know them, must set boundaries on behavior, dogmas of belief and focuses of worship in order to survive by strengthening belief amongst/between worshipers: 1000 people waving hands in prayer, cements belief a lot better than a group of 10 doing the same..it's just the way social groups work...yet NOTHING heals and soothes like a good one-on-one with a trusted person in your life...a group can never do that, because a group naturally has more boundaries. Differences between people are usually divisive (sexual preference, political beliefs, social diffs). To attract congregation members requires that variety is celebrated, yet uniformity is the goal or the church cannot function for long.

35 minutes ago · 

Michelle, hopefully you catch my drift and I have not offended you. I do appreciate you giving me a respectful reply as we all need to be learned (and be reminded) about the world around us

33 minutes ago ·