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Is it crazy to want to start my own church?

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posted on Jan, 29 2014 @ 05:52 PM
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KBadger
My point is entirely valid and completely constructive to the op. Just because you easily take offense is an issue purely of your own.


It is rather inflammatory and offensive.

Still, you have a right to your opinion.

I just want you to know that I might be crazy, but I'm not a psychopath.

Your criticism applies to the crop of so called religious leaders these days who spend their time on the television begging for money. Eye of a needle, meet camel.

But I am not one of those sorts of people. I don't want to do this to make money. I want to do it in order to create a place where the human spirit isn't just an excuse to collect tithes.



posted on Jan, 29 2014 @ 06:02 PM
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reply to post by Grifter42
 


I'm sure you have completely honest intentions, but I'm sure many who start church's do too. Maybe we should concern ourselves with a more personal search/growth/evolution, instead of thinking we know what's best for everyone else.



posted on Jan, 29 2014 @ 06:49 PM
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I believe new religions are best started by a group or committee where various folks can ask questions, debate, and flesh everything out. In martial arts, the best modern creations followed this path (kajukempo, for example). Having one ultimate leader can easily lead to megalomania and a messiah complex; they should be on even footing with respected peers who will tell them when they may be full of crap.



posted on Jan, 29 2014 @ 07:07 PM
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conundrummer
I believe new religions are best started by a group or committee where various folks can ask questions, debate, and flesh everything out. In martial arts, the best modern creations followed this path (kajukempo, for example). Having one ultimate leader can easily lead to megalomania and a messiah complex; they should be on even footing with respected peers who will tell them when they may be full of crap.


You're right. One man is neither an island, nor a god. The cooperative efforts of folks acting together as equals should govern how the church would operate.

That would decrease the possibility of anyone becoming power-hungry, and is how it should be.

Why should I as just one man tell someone what to do with their spirituality, let alone a whole flock?
It should be something the flock decides on together, discusses regularly. An ethics sort of thing.



posted on Jan, 29 2014 @ 07:07 PM
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reply to post by Grifter42
 

Well? You said it. You believe in a higher power...but that higher power is yourself if you start a church. That's kinda like a cult, rt?



posted on Jan, 29 2014 @ 07:14 PM
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mysterioustranger
reply to post by Grifter42
 

Well? You said it. You believe in a higher power...but that higher power is yourself if you start a church. That's kinda like a cult, rt?


I'm no higher power. The only one who can be called that is the Lord. A man can do the Lord's work, and not think himself Christ.

And you have every right to be cautious. That's the smart thing to do.

I guess the only answer to the question about sounding like a cult I can give you is that you will know them by their fruit.

Time will tell.



posted on Jan, 29 2014 @ 07:38 PM
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reply to post by Grifter42
 

Getting serious here...would you follow some other church's ideology? Or would it be something like the "Church of DAVE"? Forming another BRANCH of an EXISTING church...well, if that's what you meant....then thats different.

If it isn't....yeah, as you called it yourself in your OP...that would make you kinda...well...crazy. But think of all the tax breaks you'd get!



posted on Jan, 29 2014 @ 08:43 PM
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reply to post by Grifter42
 


It's not crazy at all, its a time tested way to avoid taxes, accumulate wealth, and amass power over a group of people apparently unwilling to read the one and only book its all based on and would rather have someone else interpret it for them and tell them how to live their lives! I'm surprised it isn't even more common than it already is! Jimmy Swaggert, Jim Bakker, Terry Smith, Katherine Kuhlman, Oral Roberts, Bob Larson, Robert Tilton, Billy James Hargis, Ted Haggard.... crooks in religious trappings. who's reallly rich? Joel Osteen among others.



posted on Jan, 29 2014 @ 09:07 PM
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jaxnmarko
reply to post by Grifter42
 


It's not crazy at all, its a time tested way to avoid taxes, accumulate wealth, and amass power over a group of people apparently unwilling to read the one and only book its all based on and would rather have someone else interpret it for them and tell them how to live their lives! I'm surprised it isn't even more common than it already is! Jimmy Swaggert, Jim Bakker, Terry Smith, Katherine Kuhlman, Oral Roberts, Bob Larson, Robert Tilton, Billy James Hargis, Ted Haggard.... crooks in religious trappings. who's reallly rich? Joel Osteen among others.


If these charlatans can reach a flock with a phony message, then perhaps a legitimate and caring message can be received aswell.

I'm not looking to make a million dollars. I'm not looking for power. I just want to change things for the better in just a few people's lives. If people made of saccharin faith can generate such public appeal, then surely a genuine message can succeed as well.. Perhaps I am fooling myself. Road to hell is paved with good intentions..



posted on Jan, 29 2014 @ 09:20 PM
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Grifter42
So, what do you think? Am I crazy for wanting to start my own church at some point? This isn't something I plan to do tomorrow, or even this year, but just something I've been thinking about.


Yes, you're crazy. How many Christian sects are there, do you think? I think it is upwards of 40,000, at least if you put any stock in these guys. Now add in the non-Christians to reach a staggering number.

So the question is, what do you bring to the table that is going to improve on any of these? What is so unique about your point of view that will attract believers and how is that different than more than 39,000 people who have attempted the same thing before you?



posted on Jan, 29 2014 @ 09:36 PM
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I've been feeling the same way for so long believing in god and answering to him use to b a reason to be good or try to b but that had changed more and more people I meet who consider themselves very religious go to church 2 3 times a week are just terrible people who judge everyone else and treat other terribly it seems that trusting in god has become a reason to be an jerk because you know you'll
B forgiven traditional religion is definatly broken glad I'm not the only one who thinks so.



posted on Jan, 30 2014 @ 12:18 AM
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reply to post by Grifter42
 


I've always wanted to start one, only for the tax exempt bonus that comes with it...



posted on Jan, 30 2014 @ 07:02 AM
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reply to post by Grifter42
 


why do you need your own church ?????

I am not going to address the merits / demerits of your belief in " a higher power " - but simply accept it as a given for the purpose of this thread

so - why do you need a church ?????



posted on Jan, 30 2014 @ 12:53 PM
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I'm not a huge fan of the Christian faith, but I've met a few people who have changed my mind about things a bit. One group, from a denomination I don't remember, celebrated their faith by meeting together for community meals, and talking as a group about whatever spiritual thoughts or concerns came up. This made a lot more sense to me than a church as a big stained glass, brick and mortar institution, especially considering the origins of the church. Did Jesus set his disciples to work building a fancy church where he could preach? No, he had individuals listen to him, in whatever setting he found himself, which usually included the most mundane or profane of places. The Last Supper was said to be the last time Jesus would teach his crew, and he knew he was going to die, so what does he do? Sits down for some grub and talks things out.

I have no desire to start a religion, but I am a purveyor and proponent of the psychedelic experience, so I consider myself like a shaman of sorts. I genuinely feel that I've introduced a small number of people to a spiritual experience leading to insight and a feeling of oneness with all things that defies linguistics. To me, that is more than enough. Which is good, since my approach is too countercultural for a brick and mortar church anyway.



posted on Jan, 30 2014 @ 03:38 PM
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reply to post by Grifter42
 


Do whatever is in your heart. Having said that I want to argue a couple of points that you made. First, God doesn't damn anyone to Hell... people damn themselves to Hell by not believing on the LORD Jesus Christ. Think about it this way... Romans 3:23 says "All men have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Provided that you believe that, then that means that YOU, ME, and EVERYONE else deserves to go to Hell, but because God loves us so much He made a way for us to not have to be condemned to Hell, and that way is through Jesus Christ. People send themselves to Hell by making the free will choice to not believe on Jesus Christ... God has nothing to do with that. Some people make the argument "If God was truly all loving then why would He allow the sin, pain, suffering, rape, murder, starvation, etc...". The answer to that question is very simple, in that by God allowing such things to exist He is actually showing us His awesome mercy. Because EVERYONE deserves Hell, so if God were to intervene and stomp out all of the aforementioned tragedies then He would have to kill ALL OF US, because everyone is guilty of sin, but by His grace we have the opportunity to be saved from eternal condemnation, and by His mercy He allows us to live.

I struggled for quite some time with the idea of church, because I had some of the same reservations that you have. There are plenty of Bible believing churches out there that truly care about their fellow human beings and try to exemplify the ways and teachings of Jesus Christ. I know this for a fact because I have recently found one and couldn't be happier. I agree that there is a lot of corruption, false teachings, greed, hypocrisy, and the like in many churches today, but I would tell you that is all the work of Satan to keep people from searching for the truth. Don't fall for it... find a good church and give Jesus Christ a real and fair chance to change your life.



posted on Jan, 30 2014 @ 08:32 PM
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reply to post by Grifter42
 


anyone can build a church, for whatever reason. However, to build a church based on Christanity one must use the original blueprint...(removing the $$$$$ as a motive and expectation)

Acts Chapter 2

and go from there; trust me when I say "Easier said than done" because people are..shall we say...'finicky' for lack of a better word.


Forget the 3 songs and a 30min sermon on Sundays; people need their needs met on a DAILY basis, even more so in economic hardships. Trying to get people to show up for a officers meeting in a on-line game for a guild is typical of the real world socialism IMO..if they can't be dedicated to be responsible in a game as an officer, why would they show up for church in the real world.

People don't throw money & time to a cause unless they get something out of it, personally, albeit, money, status or interaction; it's just in the nature of who we are. Those that do give not expecting anything in return, are the ones that understand the meaning of life itself.

Are you the kind of person that can muster that kind of personality and time without expecting anything in return?

The word 'church' should come with some expectations, such as, the pastor being someone who considers everyone walking through the front doors actually and deeply cares for their plight in life and resolves to do whatever he can to meet that need, even if it's out of their control to do so.

A congregation should have a 'support' group which takes care to oversee the needs of others as well as themselves.

Trying to find those 2 basic expectations of ANY church..is a needle in a haystack! Good Luck with that.



posted on Jan, 31 2014 @ 05:22 AM
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reply to post by Grifter42
 

It is not crazy at all. I want to start my own religion called the Temple of the Stick and String. I worship the gods of archery and Mongolian horsebows are the most sacred and holy of all bows and compound bows are the bows of the devil. I love archery a lot.



posted on Jan, 31 2014 @ 09:16 AM
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I wouldnt go to your church, your name is grifter.



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