what your ideal of the perfect church or religion ?\nthen what do you think gods ideal church would be?
120728
i dont believe church or religion have much to do with it. but his true people would be those who are christ like in every way. respect him fear him love him honnor him and keep his commandments not only that they would love respect each other also. know his word live his word and spread his word.
338950
I agree.\n\n\nThe first thing that someone should be considering is whether the idea of sin is actually real.\n\nIf God is supposed to be perfect how could She have made anything or anyone that wasn't perfect.\nThink about it. The idea of sin assumes certain things about God that seem highly unlikely. \n\nFirst it assumes a God who is too incompetent to organize a simple educational field excursion and figure out a way to get all of the students home safely.\n\nHow likely is this that God would not be smart enough to come up with a plan for our salvation that is going to work?\n\nIt also assumes that God must have created us imperfect if we are sinners. \n\nOne might assume that God would be able to create someone perfect each and every time if he chose to. Assuming God is capable of this, then it follows logically that we must be perfect creations if we are actually creations of this perfect God.\n\nUnless of course you are saying that God chose to create us imperfect.\n\nIf God created us imperfect then anything that may go wrong is Gods fault, not ours. This seems a bit illogical at best so I think that we need to assume that What God creates would have to be perfect.\n\nIf this is the case and Gods creations are perfect, then nothing that we can do could change what God created perfect and make it imperfect unless we think that we are more powerful than God is. \n\nHow likely is it that we the creation could be more powerful than the creator. I personally find this idea somewhat amusing, and a bit absurd.\n\nReligion tells us that God is perfect. If this is true then it could hardly be logically for Gods creations to be considered to be anything less than perfect.\n\nIf this is the case and we are perfect creations of a perfect God then Nothing that we can ever do could possibly change this perfection that God willed, unless we were so powerful that our choices could override and change the will of God. \n\nHow likely is that????\n\nThink about it.\n\nThe idea of sin is simple nonsense; a lie made up about God by religion.\n\nLove and blessings\ndon\n\nSource --- Course in miracles
487320
Christianity, as practised in the majority of churches in the UK is not radical enough.\n\nIt should be radical in that it welcomes everyone in a non-judgemental way, whoever they are, wherever they come from, whatever their background.\n\nIt should be radical in that it cares for people, within the curch and outside, who are "on the edge."  It should help with food, shelter, clothing, friendship.  The church should visit the sick, those in prison, those that live by themselves, the elderly and others that get pushed to one side in life.\n\nIt should be radical in dealing with moral matters within the church according to Scripture (1 Corinthians 5).  Those that profess to be Christians, especially leaders, who live immoral lives should be expelled from the church until they show clear signs of repentance.\n\nIt should be radical in responding to attacks.  It should respond with love, mercy and forgiveness, never repaying wrong with wrong.\n\nIt should be radical in looking for justice for people, no matter who they are.
559868
You have an interesting view. I think I would agree with a lot of it. Ultimately anything about God comes down to relationships. Our relationship with God and how we treat those around us.
82669
1. Christ, a great guy, noble and fair teachings, not attached to material stuff... but totally warped by today's Xian churches (some more than others - some denominations I don't know so well. The best I know is Roman Catholic - very removed from primitive Xtianity). The part I like is Jesus' prechings of LOVE. The rest - no thanks.\n\n2. Islam, also an Abrahamic religion, based on the revelations to Muhammad, imposed by force of arms and bloodshed, very discriminative of women. No thanks.\n\n3. Hinduism - very attached to nature and its cycles, a "mother" to buddhism. With commom notions with buddhism (reincarnations, karma, nirvana). Complicated, sophisticated, worthy of study.\n\n4. Judaism - don't know it too well but since it's the origin of Xtian I can imagine. Their god seems a vindicative, jealous and angry one. No thanks.\n\n5. Mormon - That's a Xtian denomination. Not very familiar with its idiosyncrasies.\n\n6. Buddhist - ah, this is good. I mean apart the folkloric part, and you've got to conider the two strems - Therevada and Mahayana. I prefer the ZEN version (part of Therevada). Noble teachings, good advice, unattachment to material stuff, peace, not harming others and ANIMALS, I like it. Best part - NO GOD TO WORSHIP.  More of a philosophy or ethic code than religion. I definitrly could embrace Zen buddhism.\n\n7. Others. All that is related with Nature appeals to me. pagan, wicca, druid, etc. Special mention to NATURAL SCIENTIFIC PANTHEISM. Great if you are disappointed with present day religions. Connection to Nature, the Universe, reverence of the All. No need for a personal god. A philosophy rather than a religion, but with the component of awe, respect, delight, wonder and reverence for Nature and the Universe.\n\nLast word for Taoism - read the TAO-TE-QING. It's beautifully written, and great noble teachings. Unforgettable!! Truly impressive!!
611711
I don't know about "church," but in Christ you will find the real Divinity, not the imagined. The church is the place where the family dynamics work to help you grow into the "new" creation...when it is not just a social club.  Finding the right church is as important as finding the right Jesus.
651505
mine is just right. It has the word  of God. I would change nothing. I donot like the mega churches because if you want the concert type worship music, go to a concert.  If oyu're worshipping the lord you do not have to go all out, you can keep it simple, if I would change things about churches I've been to then I would  wish it was more hymnal old fashioned instead of a crazy concert scene.
416074
I am sorry. I was lost in prayer. Welcome to our church. Here is a beer. How can we help you? And, may I say, you are looking very very nice today, if you know what I mean. :)
234012
Heaven, I believe will be complete and utter joy in being in complete unison with God. I do not wonder what will be there other than God. I think we will all be worshipping and loving Him back with the love He gives us. I think I will love my family and friends and spouse that is there as much as I would love anyone else. We will all be a part of God's family living in His eternal love. It is beyond words.\n\nBut I do think that the beauty in this world has been placed by God to prepare us for the uncomparable beauty of Heaven. So I like your suggestions of flowers, butterflys, bug, colors, weather, animals, and the rest. I think these things are pieces of beauty that prepare us for Heaven.\n\nI am Christian and I really like the verse in Revelations that speaks of these four special angels that all they do every moment is worship the Lord singing out holy holy holy is the Lord"\n\nI think that is what we'll be doing. Singing Gloria.
84505
I hate to smash peoples faith, but the definition of perfect doesn't fit their god. I don't believe that any entity can create such a universe, so diverse and large. While only inputting one form of intelligent life. Besides, haven't we already deduced (using scientific data) the creation of the solar system is due to something else entirely? Truth is, we have no way to completely explain anyone's faith. That's why you simply have to accept everything based on faith. I however, would place my faith in the repeatable, and accurate, scientific method.
440909
More importantly, and I suspect this is what you're getting at, why would a god who wants worship set himself up to be totally illogical and irrational? I think that if there was a god controlling it all, we'd be somehow predispositioned to believing in him, rather than having to ignore all logic and reason just to get into heaven.
515644
Who needs a church? Who says you have to pray inside of a certain building in order to be saved? Can't you pray just as well at your own home? My church is nature, which I guess makes it where ever I choose to stop and worship the Gods, Goddesses, and Ancestors. And as far as the door-to-door religious sales people. They are upset and their panties are in a bunch because the whole world isn't part of their religion. They're angry because there are other religions out there besides their own. They'll only be happy when they've converted everyone to their faith. Too bad people like me aren't convertable.
48185
well, youre right.  a real father in heaven would not create 400 churches, each with their own interpretation of anything and everything.  therefore, either all churches are men's creations, or one of them is run by god and the rest are clubs.  and if there is one church run by god, it follows that He would give us a way to find it.  and he did.  ask him.
100006
I think that any religion that advocates peace and harmony among people, and harmony with nature, is pretty close to what God would want.  My thinking is that if God did create the Earth, and nature, and Man, then he would not want those things damaged.
74095
:}\nyes  more....\n\nmat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.\n\nSinthyia, don't you ever sleep\n\nMy answer, of course referred to the Biblical victorious church\nAs for the one you reference, I had never heard of it.  Stranger Demi..gods have tried before and this one will not be the last.
378625
Do you notice that Jesus first tells the man that all he need do is keep the commandments?  But the man carries on, feeling that it won't be enough for some reason (even though Jesus just said it would)?  He feels he's still lacking.  Jesus tells him what he must do 'to be perfect'.  Not what he must do to gain eternal life.  I don't know about you, but, I have too many other people in my life to take care of to be 'perfect'.  Even as much as I admire Jesus.
648977
I attend Piper's church, and I am perfectly content that his theology is sound. Check out some of his books, and then put it to the test, as Jesus commanded. We shouldn't just believe anything--that's why we (Christians) have the Holy Spirit and The Word of God.