I can't hold back anymore, I have to vent about this. Yes it's about religion.

[mofo]

Did you see Stigmata? At the very end of the movie, there are comments regarding how there is supposedly a book of Michael (I think). That the Catholic church got ahold of this chapter, and either destroyed it or that was purposely left out of the Bible because it referenced the practice that for you to worship God, you don't have to be in a church. Something about "turn over a stone, and I am there", "turn over a piece of wood, and I am there". The Catholic church supposedly destroyed/suppressed this book because then they couldn't be jusitified in building these expansive buildings, convince everyone to tithe, etc. Pretty interesting.

that's how islam works. you don't have to go to the mosque and pray and if you don't have any idea which direction east is and you can't perform the cleansing rituals before prayer, then you can just pray in the direction you feel comfortable and pretend you're using water to cleanse.

as far as funding for a religious building, that's ridiculous but it happens in all religions.

[Bouncer]

Well unfortunately empires throughout history have been driven by religion..people the world over are largely sheep and the power of belief is a crazy thing. If you think that having folks pony up enough money to build a huge building is bullshit..imagine having the power to tell someone to strap explosive to their body and blow themselves up for a flawed and broken religious ideology...seeing firsthand that kind of control religion can exert over a country is eye opening.

:agreed:

[Bouncer]

that's how islam works. you don't have to go to the mosque and pray and if you don't have any idea which direction east is and you can't perform the cleansing rituals before prayer, then you can just pray in the direction you feel comfortable and pretend you're using water to cleanse.

how many times do you pray a day?

[mofo]

how many times do you pray a day?

i think that i should a lot more than i do it. last time i actually prayed was like 1 1/2 year ago. i honesty don't feel in touch with my religion. or any religion at that. i'm not a non-believer but rather a skeptic. sooo put me under agnostic. :)

[Bouncer]

i think that i should a lot more than i do it. last time i actually prayed was like 1 1/2 year ago. i honesty don't feel in touch with my religion. or any religion at that. i'm not a non-believer but rather a skeptic. sooo put me under agnostic. :)

you can worship my cannoli.

[decadecadeca]

How much of the money they're spending to build that addition came from your pocket?

[dna9488]

how many times do you pray a day?

You're supposed to pray 5 times a day if you can. I don't pray. Nobody has taught me to pray. I had to learn using the internet and my friends book.

[Shibby]

How much of the money they're spending to build that addition came from your pocket?

From my pocket directly, none.

[NewbieChris]

From my pocket directly, none.

LOL, some churches (deemed historical) can sometimes get tax money like Stadiums. :)

[NewbieChris]

Anyone see Religulous w/Bill Maher? I enjoyed that. Especially when he was talking to a cardinal from the catholic church and he was agreeing with Bill on the absurdities of it all.

Yea, but he showed no respect to church goers who have brain and simply want to practice a belief system that includes a Christian God.

[blm]

Yea, but he showed no respect to church goers who have brain and simply want to practice a belief system that includes a Christian God.

True, but I could easily look passed that.

[NewbieChris]

True, but I could easily look passed that.

So, its not an in depth look into religion and its true effect on all followers. It was slanted and biased towards one side.

[Shibby]

LOL, some churches (deemed historical) can sometimes get tax money like Stadiums. :)

When it comes to tax money, the most obvious thing to me is police and fire. They get the same city benefits that I do or any tax paying business, but they don't pay taxes. So yea, we all know who's paying for that.

[NewbieChris]

When it comes to tax money, the most obvious thing to me is police and fire. They get the same city benefits that I do or any tax paying business, but they don't pay taxes. So yea, we all know who's paying for that.

I meant direct money to build and renovate them.

[Shibby]

I meant direct money to build and renovate them.

Yea, you were clear. I was just adding my thought in conjunction with yours. :)