Sharing the gospel is one thing, blowing smoke up me arse and telling me my soul is on fire is quite a different thing

Estimated 4000 religions in the world think about that I believe tomorrow I’ll try to be a better man.

The Jehovahs are the best-they are like the Jews-they dont believe that Jesus is the messiah.
When they used to come around I'd tell them I'm a Catholic so they are wasting their time-they would get persistent then I would have to swear at them,then they would say I need to be saved,lol.

Bingo.
People like religion for 2 reasons - 1) you can do bad things (sin) and then just be forgiven by repenting, and then you can feel better, 2) you can believe in some sort of life after, live forever, rather than becoming worm food and just a minor speck in the cosmos.
Nothing wrong with living a good, just, compassionate life; but that goes without saying or needing a higher being.

IMHO, why be concerned who or, what Religion is right or wrong? If an individual(s), or various Religions believe, acknowledge, recognize, or subscribe to a “Supreme” or “Higher Being” no matter by what Name, that alone should apparently indicate that “they” realize a “Greater Power” than themselves . . . isn't that's why it's called "Faith"? :-)

Boco, the Jehovahs got to pestering me one year. Kept coming back. I was polite the first couple times about being uninterested. Then not so much. Finally called the sheriff. Tried to get the deputy to write a trespass ticket but he would not do it. They have not been back though.

So let me answer the original post with a question. Which religion is right?? Catholic, Baptist, Hindi, Mormon, Muslim,
Buddhism, Jewish lets even throw in some of the Native American religions. All of them are based on script, penned by humans and stories handed down over thousands of years. Like good fishing stories they get better with time. They were once used solely to govern people and keep them in fear and in order. Most have been used in some way to create wealth and taxes. Some have been used for a premise or a reason for starting a war and to persecute. I have a simple script or path to live by "Do Good". I'm not knocking any one for what they believe in, only the scorn or judgement they put on others for not following their chosen faith. I have seen plenty of folks that stopped going to church, never been, and just don't care about it that are great people. The world will never be what the average person would like it to be, or follow a certain path, morals or norms and
the world wont change because of religion, that has been proven through history. The world has always been in chaos and will get worse as time goes on as resources run out. Humans world and life, just as animals revolve on three things. Food, perpetuation of the species and turf protect. Just my opinion, not trying to be judgmental or taking a poke at anyone.

Wild_Wi gets it and has put it into words way better than I could have ever done it.

And Groeny vs Fha

Watery vs. thick lures is most certainly on this list

Blessings,
Mark

This place and the religion topics have gotten a little rowdy during your hiatus.

BC,
I'll preach today, in a very somber place called God's Church, after sitting often these last two weeks with two wonderful saints (and their families) who went home to be with the Lord after very long, grueling illnesses and I gotta tell ya that I'm too worn out to be any part of the enemy's scheme which is division. People can have at it as they will.

The Gospel message is offensive to all of us because our nature hates God. Still, all people are crafted by God with a conscious so that we don't all kill one another. You don't have to be a follower of Christ to do good. Or be good. But who's good are we talking about? I think that was the OP's point? Not sure.

I simply thank God on this Palm Sunday for this Holy Week, the most important week in the life of the most important person who ever lived. So that this past week at least two wonderful loving spouses (Now both widowed) don't have to grieve as others do. And that God still pursues those of us who hate him. Relentlessly and with grace, mercy, patience, lovingkindness, and truth.

Besides, in all this mayhem, God doesn't need us. We need Him.
'Bout simple as that.

Blessings,
Mark

It's good to see you back. Prayers for those that you were with the last two weeks.

What if you use both wire and wood ? What does that make me a tranny?

Thanks BC. It's been more than a slice of real life with real people who had real questions at the end of their lives.
One was the most encouraging woman I may have ever met, and the other was a super duper help-you-out-whenever, wherever retired Navy man.
I only know about one thing for sure. At the end of people's lives, I don't witness many people wanting to argue and fight anymore.
But they all do seek the truth of things and most lean into a love for those they might have even hated 20 minutes earlier.

We can't prove love and we sure can't prove God, but we realize that certain things couldn't be more real... when all things we think are so darn important are set aside, even if for a short while.
Love prevails my friend and for that we Praise God.


Blessings,
Mark

It means you're wise

Mark totally agree with what you say about people at lives end am know counselor but the difference in the way and what they talk about is mainly peace with God at least it was for my dad and he never went to church but am sure he was a believer ( if all my stupid rambling makes any sense)

And don’t forget the other friction points on t-man. Long vs short chains, smaller vs larger traps for predators, coils vs longs, ford vs Chevy, hobby vs pro, land vs water, sport vs lifestyle, and whether we like golf or not. Believers and non believers too. And let’s not forget the important things like “what is this thing?” “Oh, that’s a pig castrator.”
But wow the politics and opinions. Not just on here but in society. Wow.
It takes all kinds of us to make a t-man a special place to visit and share our perspectives and experiences.
Now as for religion, a very personal subject. I always thought Martin Luther had it right when he said there are two things every man must do alone. His own believing, and his dying. Nobody can do those for you.
I woke up this Palm Sunday morning. Grass around here starting to show some green. I could hear spring frogs chirping at the nearby waterway. Other signs of spring too, the robins working the grass for worms, the hint of anhydrous in the air from farmers prepping fields. Heard some yip yapping coyote at sunrise off in distance too. Then I rolled over and saw my beautiful wife’s face as she slept next to me. She’s been with me through an incredible 23 years of kids, homes, trips, cancer, injuries, work, and SO many laughs and good times. And of course church. We still go to the same church we got married in, same pastor, same religion that we both took a huge leap and joined…one that neither of our families or our up bringing were part of. But here we are and I can’t imagine my life any different and not do I want to do anything differently. No regrets. And when we go to services this morning, and then later today we (me, my wife, and my son) all hit the course for our nice spring day tee time,
I know I am truly the luckiest and most blessed man in the world.
Oh and all the years of interaction with you folks on here…well that has been just icing on my cake of life. Thank you all for your views and opinions, and thanks Paul for letting me participate too.
Jim

I take it Duke has become an acceptable trap? lol

Mark
I also have to say nice to see you back.
I can read the above and understand and appreciate very much what you do for others. It's not an easy thing. I think there is a lot of good discussion in this post. I read jabNE post above and I have to think how could anyone disagree with that. How could anyone not want the same for them selves. I believe most people would no matter their beliefs.
What makes these two post so exceptional in my thinking??
The way you end yours Mark, with simply the word Blessings, No judgement in That
JabNE ends with a Thank you to Paul. Who here shouldn't..

They don't end with with a judgement of anyone's morality. They don't end with if you can't understand this your an idiot, part of the problem. Your heading for damnation.

The friction and divide comes from how we humans speak to each other. Maybe just in the punch line at the end of the whole discussion.

Mac