The emergent church

[RR24K]

Binky, the atheists here have an open mind, show them that god exists and they will all (maybe except that Danksworth guy <G>) become adherents.

That should be your quest - show the heathens the error of their ways (but not mine please).

Please speak for yourself Nibs about adhering. This whole "god" thing is just a crutch. Nothing more and nothing less.


I am aware

[Born_again]

Here's the rub: You asked for Christians to help and it fell seemingly on deaf ears. In your moment of strife, the people that did step up to the plate to help you were the very people that you probably least expected help from. Kind of telling, eh? You were the one who caused this thread to spiral down to the level where the likes of Steven Lloyd starts posting! If you hadn't been so thoroughly dismissive of constructive and unbiased help, it needn't have happened. And don't forget that many Atheists that post here were Christians, so it's not like they cannot empathise with you.

BTW, last Sunday Pastor Dave gave a sermon which touched on his fears that are in accordance with yours. He then went on to dissect the Soul, and ways to invigorate it again. He might be worth a try-out. Personally, I refused to pay a tip/tithe or whatever it's called, but most others did.

PS: You would be more than welcome to interact within Atheist threads, so why do you feel you "don't belong in there"?

[unclemarty]

Can you not worship at home?

Received this by email about just that:

Another City Orders Home Bible Studies Closed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A southern California city has ordered a Friday night Bible study involving about a dozen people to shut down its meetings by Good Friday or members could face financial sanctions.

Or they could apply to purchase an expensive permit from the city government.

The new case is similar to a dispute last week in Gilbert, Ariz., and another last year in San Diego County.

Now, in Rancho Cucamonga, legal experts defending Bible study members say the city is targeting a Bible study for banishment, and officials say they are "not budging."

In the previous cases, San Diego County officials apologized after a code enforcement officer tried to shut down a Bible study, and in Gilbert, officials told WND last week they were working on a change in a zoning requirement that had been interpreted by staff members to ban Bible studies from residences.

In Rancho Cucamonga, however, the city apparently is intentionally pursuing the closure of a Bible study, according to Brad Dacus, whose Pacific Justice Institute is working on the case.

"The city's stance has similarities to, but is perhaps even harsher than a pending situation in Gilbert, Ariz., and a flare-up last year over a home Bible Study in San Diego County," his organization confirmed.

Rancho Cucamonga officials are demanding that the small home Bible study group stop meeting – or apply to purchase a Conditional Use Permit that also would be required for a full church operation.

Dacus said the study group has been meeting Friday nights and averages about 15 people. Members are affiliated with Shiloh Tabernacle, which rents a community center for Sunday services.

The city recently dispatched a letter to the homeowner insisting the study is not allowed because it is a "church," Dacus said. In the city, churches are required to obtain a "Conditional Use Permit" in residential areas.

"The city has also indicated that no CUP would be granted and the gatherings must cease by Good Friday, April 2," PJI said.

Senior Counsel Michael Peffer, who heads the organization's Southern California office, represents the homeowner where the Bible study meets and is contesting the orders.

"Imposing a CUP requirement on a home Bible study is manifestly absurd and unjust," Dacus said. "I don't know of a single court in America that would approve their actions."

His organization previously has guided churches through the CUP process, which requires public hearings, traffic studies, architectural design reviews and even seismic retrofits – a process that can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"We will give the city a chance to rescind its letter without litigation, but we are fully prepared to take this as far as is necessary to defend this Bible study group – and countless others like it," he said.

Multiple WND messages left with members of the city's building department as well as other city officials were not returned.

Dacus said the city's stance is a significant problem because the its definition of a church is so broad.

"According to their definition a family praying over their dinner would qualify as a church," he told WND.

The precedent that would be created should the rule stand, he said, should alarm religious people across the nation.

"When you step back and look at communist China, home churches are being persecuted there. This isn't any different. And this isn't even a church, just a Bible study, facing the same ultimatums, the same demands as in communist China.

"Make no mistake, if we let the city of Rancho Cucamonga get away with this, it will be a green light to every other city in the U.S," he said.

"This is no misunderstanding," he said. "In this case the city knows exactly what they're doing, exactly what the facts are, and they're not budging."

The city, however, has no similar restrictions for Monday night football parties or various other events that would be held in homes, PJI pionted out.

This seems so unlikely that i suspect we're not getting the whole story.
Off topic i know, sorry, i just thought i'd brighten-up the atheists Sunday.

[binky11]

Oh this indeed is happening. I have seen a few cases on CNN. But the bible makes it very clear that the christian will be perscected, especially near the end, this came of no surprise to me, but it still sickens me. This should not be a shock to those that know their bible. Most cases are in California, but thats Schwarzenegger for ya. Now lets involve politics & religion and really get the thread hopping!

[Born_again]

Can you not worship at home?

Received this by email about just that:

Another City Orders Home Bible Studies Closed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A southern California city has ordered a Friday night Bible study involving about a dozen people to shut down its meetings by Good Friday .....

This seems so unlikely that i suspect we're not getting the whole story.
Off topic i know, sorry, i just thought i'd brighten-up the atheists Sunday.

You are quite correct. A simple search of http://www.snopes.com would have brought you closer to the truth. http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/biblestudy.asp
And there's me hoping that it was a genuine case of "persecution" to brighten up my Sunday. Next!!!

[Mr Danksworth]

But the bible makes it very clear that the christian will be perscected, especially near the end, this came of no surprise to me, but it still sickens me. This should not be a shock to those that know their bible.

Yes the end is near....for religion. It won't end with a bang, it will be with a whimper. Then we can move forward into bright and peaceful future.

Most cases are in California, but thats Schwarzenegger for ya.

It The Schwarz the anti-christ? Dun.Dun,Duuuuun.
http://www.dramabutton.com/

[I Think]

I heard a bible scholar on the radio a while back who postulated that every generation since christ has had its share of people who are convinced that the end is nigh.


BTW - my post mentioning "adherents" was meant to be funny - apparently my sense of humor was off , sorry

[BVulgaris]

wow... thx for the post unclemarty. I'll try to read up on this, but if this is the kind of enforcement they are seeking in california... its going to create big problems for grassroots organizations, as well as those wishing to freely practice their religion without encroaching on the rights of others.

[Mr Danksworth]

Did you read the snopes.com link that BA posted? It clears things up. It's definitely not a case of persecution.

[Born_again]

Did you read the snopes.com link that BA posted? It clears things up. It's definitely not a case of persecution.

It could be persecution merely by virtue of the omission of persecution?

[BVulgaris]

LOL, no i had to head out and didnt read the article..... wow.... i keep seeing stuff like this happening on the forums.... thx for the heads up.

[normaM]

er, I'm still stuck on only one way to get into Heaven... which way is that?

[JonyDarko]

The Stairway...duh

[BVulgaris]

a girl in highschool told me once that she believed only christians would get into heaven and made a number of references to what the leaders of our Presbyterian church told her. I asked her why she believed what they told her. Her response was that christianity was such a major religion that so many people the world over believed in... "they couldn't all be wrong!" (what she said more or less). I later learned that Sikhism is has the largest membership.

I always find it interesting the reasons people have faith in what they believe. But I have found that some times they do not research and delve deeper into what they place their faith in.

I have to commend the 7th day adventists for their research into christianity.

[NAB]