IndigoChild5559
Loving God and my neighbor as myself.
I think really, we hold religious people to a higher standard. We hate hypocrisy (unless of course it's our own selves). We have this notion that if religion is authentic, then the people who practice will be a cut above. But is that fair??
I think that to a certain extent it is. For those who wish to better themselves as human beings, who wish to become more decent, more moral, ethical, kinder, compassionate, loving and just individuals, the religions of the world have the tools to help them reach their goal. IOW religion is an opportunity -- the parisioner has the choice to avail himself of that opportunity.
OR NOT. Let's face it. People attend religious services for all sorts of reasons. It is only the minority that attend with a mind to change themselves for the better. The majority are not there to put in the work. They are there, rather, to network for their career, to socialize with the young marrieds group, to look for a spouse, to receive praise for their service to the community, to have the approved kind of family... there are a million reasons to attend that have nothing with spiritual growth. It's not that these are bad reasons. And I'm glad that they are there. It's just that these are NOT reasons that are going to lead to an individual living on a higher ethical plane than someone who is religiously unhoused.
Given that so many people are in faith communities for reasons other than religious growth, it should not surprise us AT ALL that they succumb to all the same problems and vices as those who have no synagogue, church, mosque, or temple. They are dealing with all the same temptations, and they have all the same character flaws that are not being worked on getting in their way.
So why should it shock us when the Church Treasurer embezzles? Why? Indeed he may even fudge on the taxes thinking he is helping out God's church.
These boards that cover up scandals of their priests and pastors? Please! Principals do this for their coaches -- why does it surprise us that a church would do the same for its own leadership? it's the identical human trait.
And I hate to say it, but yes, there are thieves, wife beaters, gangsters, rapists, and child molesters sitting in the pews. You sit with them every week unaware who they are.
Folks, people are people. Stop pointing these self righteous fingers. Sure when these scandals happen they need to be dealt with swiftly and appropriately. But let's all grow up a little bit.
I think that to a certain extent it is. For those who wish to better themselves as human beings, who wish to become more decent, more moral, ethical, kinder, compassionate, loving and just individuals, the religions of the world have the tools to help them reach their goal. IOW religion is an opportunity -- the parisioner has the choice to avail himself of that opportunity.
OR NOT. Let's face it. People attend religious services for all sorts of reasons. It is only the minority that attend with a mind to change themselves for the better. The majority are not there to put in the work. They are there, rather, to network for their career, to socialize with the young marrieds group, to look for a spouse, to receive praise for their service to the community, to have the approved kind of family... there are a million reasons to attend that have nothing with spiritual growth. It's not that these are bad reasons. And I'm glad that they are there. It's just that these are NOT reasons that are going to lead to an individual living on a higher ethical plane than someone who is religiously unhoused.
Given that so many people are in faith communities for reasons other than religious growth, it should not surprise us AT ALL that they succumb to all the same problems and vices as those who have no synagogue, church, mosque, or temple. They are dealing with all the same temptations, and they have all the same character flaws that are not being worked on getting in their way.
So why should it shock us when the Church Treasurer embezzles? Why? Indeed he may even fudge on the taxes thinking he is helping out God's church.
These boards that cover up scandals of their priests and pastors? Please! Principals do this for their coaches -- why does it surprise us that a church would do the same for its own leadership? it's the identical human trait.
And I hate to say it, but yes, there are thieves, wife beaters, gangsters, rapists, and child molesters sitting in the pews. You sit with them every week unaware who they are.
Folks, people are people. Stop pointing these self righteous fingers. Sure when these scandals happen they need to be dealt with swiftly and appropriately. But let's all grow up a little bit.
