Posted on 12/19/2005 6:23:54 AM PST by NYer
No bigot, just someone who is sick of the "holier than thou" attitudes of the religious, whether Catholic or Protestant.
What are you talking about? They met in such conditions due to severe persecution of Christianity.
We all could pray for a FRACTION of the dedication they had. I don't think a single one of them would have foregone the Lord's Day worship just for the sake of convenience.
And what makes it a "perfectly criticisable decision?" You?
I know that Catholics claim to have inside contacts to God (i.e., saints), but when you urinate into the wind, don't complain when you get sprinkled on (no pun intended).
Out of curiosity - are you a member at either of the churches?
How am I doing?
***Damn those parishoners that expect the church to be open on a Sunday. I suppose they'll be wanting to show up on Superbowl Sunday, too?***
Actually, while the preacher is talking, the giant screed abobe his head could be showing the super bowl pre game program!
AD, I agree with you guys!!!!! I was merely pointing out that the minister in this case is correct about the way time is calculated in The Church. As you may know, I'm Greek Orthodox. We have a Liturgy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, even if it is on a Tuesday.
The pastor and leadership of the local church are the ones who know better than any of us - especially those of 30 miles away or greater - as to whether having a Sunday service on Christmas day is good for their church or not. The article rightly points out that Jesus lambasted the religious icons of his time for their emphasis upon holidays and self-righteous acts, why? Because we as humans tend to institutionalize our faith (and kill it).
How about free oil changes?
I was responding to the comments of the minister in this article. That's all, my friend.
"No man is bound to holy days in New Testament Christianity."
The Church believes that those of us in The Church are bound. As for others, I cannot say.
Certainly moreso than by those Protestants under the strong delusion that they can just go to Church when they feel like it.
He's not saying that it's a sin to meet in buildings but to say that an organization or building is a "church" according to the New Testament is wrong.
Where does it say that we're to organize and obtain 501(c)3 status in order to be considered a "church?" That is the creation of man.
It doesn't mke them evil but neither does it make them scriptural.
I have been to several daily masses where if I had not attended, it would be the Priest and God's angels alone at worship.
No.
You have set yourself up as the judge of all others, Catholic or Protestant. To complain about the "holier than thou" attitudes of others is amusing.
SD
All of the criticism. If it was a humdrum thing, this wouldn't be in the news. It is in the news because it is jaw-droppingly stunning that a Christian Church would close up shop on Sunday because its members can't be bothered to show up. That's why its criticisable.
If I were the only one criticising, it would be one thing. But this has drawn pretty much universal criticism.
SD
For the sake of argument let's assume that it has drawn universal criticism? Can a million chinese be wrong? (to borrow an old phrase).
Chapter and verse, please. From the bible. You sound just like the Pharisees.
2) A true believer longs to worship God and be in the fellowship of other believers. Anyone who rolls out of bed and feels "obligated" to worship has an issue with himself, not the church.
3) The heart of this issue is not legalism, it's the "Conditional Worship" laziness of contemporary pop-bubblegum christianity. The idea of "Unless I can ____ then I won't go to church.", or "Unless the church offers ____ then I won't go."
These churches are closing their doors on Christmas Sunday as a convenience to the congregation. Our convenience or comfort should never be a consideration when it comes to worshipping the LORD on the day He has set aside for corporate worship.
News flash: Christians worship every day because worship is not something you do but something that you live...just like eating or drinking which is not bound by certain days or times.
Unfortunately, most believe worship is a set time where we sing and hear a sermon. Biblical worship is fulfilling our calling and expressing our gifts in service to others, such as being the best husband/father, employer/employee, wife/mother, etc., as unto the Lord.
Biblical/historical worship has little to nothing to do with song or being with others but how we live our lives as to whether we please Him or not.
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