Organized Religion, Good or Bad?

[cariad]

How does that work exactly? I'm very curious because I've never known a group to be able to believe in something strongly enough to think it's wrong who can really accept the thing they think is wrong. There has always been (in my experience) subtle pushings and pressures to 'join up' with the normals.

My turn to lie silent for a few days as I was busy with other matters.

I accept that people often feel a pressure to conform to any group they belong to – but in most cases, as in this that is self imposed, and is simply a fact of life which responsible groups do their best to negate rather then exploit. But to address your question, we meet as a group of people who love God – not as a group of people who wish to behave as God wants. So why should we pressurized people into certain behaviour patterns. Sometimes, as people develop in their relationship with God they will decide for themselves that there are elements of their lifestyle that they wish to change – but that is a personal issue. Is there a danger of me coming under pressure to become ‘normal’??? Help!

This one is going to be a sticking point for me I think because I'm having trouble seeing how your free will statement can over-ride the previous statement, but don't let that bother you.

Is that an order Sir?

I will leave Colin to debate absolutes with you – since you know what I think, and will be interested to hear him express his views on the matter. (Can also be unwise to debate with the man whose collar you wear when he thinks he is right, and I know I am absolutely right – giggles and ducks.)

....Again not knowing which group you are a part of limits my judgement, but it has always seemed to me that religion only pushes harder if the interest is only half-hearted.

That is spiritual abuse and is wrong, wrong, wrong – although not as wrong as going for the jugular when someone is really low. Oh whoops – there I go using absolutes again.

Wonder if I dare ask when you would think abuse was acceptable - no bad idea.......

This is very enjoyable. Like Oz says, come play with us in the other forums too.

Am slowly putting my toes into other threads, if only as an excuse to use more emoticons.....wondering what today's will be.

cariad