Question?

[LadyRev]

Originally Posted by shazeep

Um, what? I thought he was polite, concise, and accurate. You people are dangerous, and have no clue what damage you do, speaking in general, of course. it can easily be argued that this thread is a self-proclaimed indictment of the religious establishment, and why we are in the shape we are in today. I know this seems harsh, but If My people, who are called by My Name... is represented by you. While i don't mean this as a blanket indictment, if the shoe fits...and hey, your post shows that you appear to be slipping right into it, wadr.

And ps, although i doubt that you would be able to discern it, Christ was a big advocate of losing your religion. Your finale of "blather" sums it up, nicely. Physician, heal thyself.

You and others call it "religion". I call it relationship.

I came out of religion when I left the Catholic church. I came into a relationship with Jesus Christ when I joined the little UPC church that was behind the house where I lived with my parents. I was 14 years old.

I DID NOT come into a relationship with an organization, a denomination, a personality or a set of rules. I found Jesus Christ and His love and my life has NEVER been the same because of RELATIONSHIP, not religion.

The UPC is my organization and church of CHOICE. Its not perfect because it consists of PEOPLE! Nothing with people in it will ever be perfect until we get to heaven! But these imperfections should not, and for me they DO NOT, change my RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ.

My parents beat me for going to this church. I am regarded as a heretic by my Catholic family members to this day. I am a tad over age 29 now.

I have no regrets.

[NotforSale]

Originally Posted by LadyRev

You and others call it "religion". I call it relationship.

I came out of religion when I left the Catholic church. I came into a relationship with Jesus Christ when I joined the little UPC church that was behind the house where I lived with my parents. I was 14 years old.

I DID NOT come into a relationship with an organization, a denomination, a personality or a set of rules. I found Jesus Christ and His love and my life has NEVER been the same because of RELATIONSHIP, not religion.

The UPC is my organization and church of CHOICE. Its not perfect because it consists of PEOPLE! Nothing with people in it will ever be perfect until we get to heaven! But these imperfections should not, and for me they DO NOT, change my RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ.

My parents beat me for going to this church. I am regarded as a heretic by my Catholic family members to this day. I am a tad over age 29 now.

I have no regrets.

The movement you're in is a "Religion", just like the Catholic Church. Try leaving and see what happens. You will be treated just like you were treated when you left the CC.

I am also a Catholic via Tradition and upbringing. The most influential people in my life were Catholics, and my Grandparents were absolute Saints, if there is such a thing.

They were upset when I left the CC, but I was never called a heretic. During the 70's when I switched over to UPC church, lot's of us Hippies wanted something more charismatic.

[LadyRev]

Originally Posted by NotforSale

The movement you're in is a "Religion", just like the Catholic Church. Try leaving and see what happens. You will be treated just like you were treated when you left the CC.

I am also a Catholic via Tradition and upbringing. The most influential people in my life were Catholics, and my Grandparents were absolute Saints, if there is such a thing.

They were upset when I left the CC, but I was never called a heretic. During the 70's when I switched over to UPC church, lot's of us Hippies wanted something more charismatic.

You can call the "movement" whatever you like. It doesn't change my RELATIONSHIP which is not with a "movement" but with Jesus Christ.

I don't worry about "leaving" the movement. I worry about keeping my relationship with Christ alive and vibrant.

I have been through alot and I've seen and heard alot in 30+ years within the "movement" as you call it. I don't have my head in the sand. I know the "movement" is not perfect. It never will be because of the human factor.

The "imperfections" DO NOT change my relationship with Jesus Christ UNLESS I allow them to do so. I choose to continue to work on maintaining my relationship. It is a continual work in process and sometimes its a struggle because I'm human.

I've been offered the proverbial "carrot on a stick" to leave the UPC and go other directions. Some of it was quite appealing. I have chosen to stay for my own reasons and none of those reasons involve fear of repercussions. What can they do to me? Talk about me behind my back? Big whoopie deal! Who cares! In fact, some of them already do that for other reasons. So what?

[shazeep]

Originally Posted by LadyRev

You and others call it "religion". I call it relationship.

I came out of religion when I left the Catholic church. I came into a relationship with Jesus Christ when I joined the little UPC church that was behind the house where I lived with my parents. I was 14 years old.

I DID NOT come into a relationship with an organization, a denomination, a personality or a set of rules. I found Jesus Christ and His love and my life has NEVER been the same because of RELATIONSHIP, not religion.

The UPC is my organization and church of CHOICE. Its not perfect because it consists of PEOPLE! Nothing with people in it will ever be perfect until we get to heaven! But these imperfections should not, and for me they DO NOT, change my RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ.

My parents beat me for going to this church. I am regarded as a heretic by my Catholic family members to this day. I am a tad over age 29 now.

I have no regrets.

Well, cool! i have always maintained that one could lose their religion without changing congregations...

[ILG]

Originally Posted by shazeep

Well, cool! i have always maintained that one could lose their religion without changing congregations...

I agree. But I do believe God calls some to stay and some to leave....