I am honest enough to admit that when I sat in churches for years I RARELY LISTENED

[blm]

Poll question: I am honest enough to admit that when I sat in churches for years I RARELY LISTENED

to the sermons given. I was just biding my time and letting my mind wander and wonder about everything BUT what was being said at the podium. I couldn't even tell you how political the sermon got, because I rarely listened (I did hear the part about good Catholics shunning their own family members who divorced, though).

As a matter of fact, I probably thought more about that dead animal wrapped around the lady's coat collar in front of me than I did about anything said by the priest.

And I do remember a spider that was hanging in front of my sister that we took turns blowing in the air back and forth between us to get him to land on the kid in front of us.


Who here spends all their time in church pews REALLY LISTENING and hanging on every word. I admit - I DID NOT, even though I attended church up until age 40.

[skypilot]

1. I went to a Baptist church....

...with a black congregation where the reverend preached in the loud, theatrical way that a lot of black preachers do. I couldn't help but listen to it no matter how much I tried to tune it out. These days, I automatically tune out when I hear someone preaching like that. I got my fill of in when I was a child. Martin Luther King is probably the only reverend I can stand to hear preach. He wasn't so over-the-top.

[blm]

8. I think you described it accurately - when most people hear what they've been

accustomed to hear tonewise, you don't hear it the same way anymore - it's lost its ability to hold your attention for the MOST part.

[skypilot]

9. The last time I went to church...

...was in 1984. I was in college and I befriended someone who at the time professed to be a born again Christian. He invited me to his church which was Presbyterian. I actually did listen to the sermon if only because it was delivered in a more low-keyed way than I was used to. It was a nice change but ultimately I decided that I'm just not a religious person.

[Lerkfish]

2. I think the reality is that even if your pastor says something you don't like

what can you do about it?

I have been a member of many churches, and even the pastors I liked the most said something at some point that I disagreed with.

so what do you do? Most people keep coming and dismiss that sermon if on aggregate the sermons are pretty good.

now, having said that, I don't think the substance of what Wright is all that different from other sermons made by other WHITE preachers that no one pays attention to.

[onehandle]

3. I rarely attend Mass, but when I do, I really listen.

I like it when the priest has a sense of humor.

I also listen to make sure that they follow the tradition of Catholic Social Justice. You can pick up clues in the announcements at the end.

[blm]

5. That's the way it was in the older catholicism I followed as a child - the CHARITABLE one

that was Dennis Kucinich's catholicism - then my mother turned RW and political and searched out a Tridentine church that followed Lefebvre - like Brock's father. Very weird.

[NashVegas]

4. I Stopped Attending Mass When I Understood I Was Being Fed Bullshit

And while I do understand that's not an option for most politicians seeking very high office, one would expect they find a church that they don't have to make apologies for attending.

[monmouth]

6. Me too, when I would take my kids (I felt it was my responsibility back then)

but would do things like quietly and secretly re-organize my purse, perhaps reconcile a checkbook. Kids (in Catholic School too) realized much earlier than I that it was such "BS Mom."

[blm]

7. 're-organize my purse' is exactly what I am talking about.

.

[Bill McBlueState]

10. If you don't find the sermon worth listening to,

why go? Just curious.

Surely there are better things one could do with a few hours on a Sunday.

[blm]

11. That's how I live my life now - but, back when I still held to societal expectations

this was my reality.

[KittyWampus]

21. Fellowship, Singing Hymns, Supporting The Missions of the Church

[Arugula Latte]

12. Church?! Me?! Are you f@#$ing kidding me?!

:rofl:

Churches creep me the hell out. Even a tiny whiff of that musty, icky church smell just makes me queasy. I also really cannot stand the general ridiculousness of what is said within. x(

[Georgie_92]

13. Are you my long lost twin ?

It creeps me out too, never went to church again after my confirmation at age 12.

[Arugula Latte]

14. Yes, most likely, we are probably twins.

Are you the evil one? Or am I? Or are we both evil? :shrug:

:hi:

[blm]

19. heheh....OK, OK....but I would have gotten a beating if I didn't go.

Truly.

[Jamastiene]

70. Yer going to Hell.

Don't worry too much about it though. I'll save you a good seat. :headbang: :evilgrin:

[Arugula Latte]

75. I'll bring the marshmallows fer toastin' over the fiery pits!

:hi:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

15. why even bother to friggin go then?

[blm]

17. I don't anymore. I am speaking to what was the truth when I did go once upon a time.

Gee - when did you ever get so touchy against those speaking to the truth? It's like you can't stand to hear honest discourse, anymore.

Sorry I don't dwell in the land of spin and lies - I only come around those fields to FIGHT the liars and the spinners.

[Texas Hill Country]

16. I have been to these types of churches... rarely do can you NOT listen.

[Reader Rabbit]

18. I listened when it was the young, hot priest—Father Richey.

But then he got transferred to another diocese. And now I've fallen away from the Catholic Church. Although I don't think it's because they got rid of the hot priest.

[Scurrilous]

20. Rise, sit, kneel, pray, sing, donate...

...rise again, sit some more, kneel harder.

After going through all that I look forward to the sermons for a little rest (and a quick nap). :thumbsup:

[A-Schwarzenegger]

22. I'm telling.

:-)

[blm]

31. Republicans will impeach my DU membership for Blowing a.....spider?

.

[Forkboy]

23. All I know is I would NEVER make it in Church.

Holy water burns. :)

[SammyWinstonJack]

24. Religion is wrong and organized religion is Very wrong! Gives new meaning to the term "sheeple"!

So you are trying to justify sitting and not listening to bigoted racist crap? Nice try. And that somehow absolves you? :wow:

[spoony]

32. The bigoted crap is in your post.

[Zhade]

47. There is NOTHING bigoted in the post you replied to. NOTHING.

No believers were attacked for being believers, and attacking the horseshit that is religious myth IS NOT bigotry, even when it offends whiners who think - wrongly - that religion gets a free pass. It doesn't.

[spoony]

61. Bullshit strawman

Hiding behind that weak strawman that I'm saying all religon gets a "free pass" is just pathetic. Not surprising, but pathetic. I clearly said nothing of the sort. I reacted to a foolishly broad-brushing universal assault on religion (and of course it was against religious people, what else did you think the term SHEEPLE refered to?). I in no way said that all facets of all religions should be immune to intelligent criticism when warranted. Now, I know you think that those are the same thing, as evidenced by every post I've ever read from you about religion, but they are not.

[Auntie Bush]

41. The timing of your post is questionable.

Are you trying to suggest that maybe Obama didn't listen to his pastors words...that he possibly didn't hear him say those things? And you don't spin? :rofl:

[brazos121200]

25. As a Christian I have to say that preachers tend know less about the

nature and meaning of God than anyone.

[DearAbby]

26. I honestly had trouble staying awake

The droning voice of the preacher, the body heat of people sitting close together...I would find myself snoozing, then ultimately feel the pinch from my Grandmother to wake me, then she would motion for me to wake Grandpa..and on down the pew... :-D

[high density]

27. I would try to play back music in my head during church

My mom took me to the Catholic Church. I even did the altar server thing for a few years. I go to church once a year now at Christmas with my parents and that's more than enough church for me. The entire 2004 election cycle really upset me with the church, but it's not like I was a practicing Catholic anyway.

Nobody sounds like they want to be there. Everybody recites mass in this monotone "we don't give a shit" sort of way. I don't get it.

[blm]

33. Domino Nabisco....No more Shredded Wheeeeeeeeaaaaaaatttttt.

.

[SaveAmerica]

28. I'm barely paying attention right now, and forget about the days when they're speaking in tongues!

Latin I think it was.

[sueragingroz]

29. I was raised in a strict catholic family

I was an altar server during that brief window of time when women were allowed on the altar.

Whenever I was "server #1" and got to ring the bells for the eucharistic prayer - I had to memorize that because I needed to know when to ring the bells. We used to have this ancient priest who loved doing prayer #3 which is torturously long... He'd also tend to "nod off" while he was doing it... On those Sundays, I'd ring the bells super hard at the appointed time just to see him jolt. I figured one of those times, i'd actually get him to spill some wine. I was a rather cynical 14 year old. I admit.

As a teen, what I used to in the pew was to was stare at the lights and watch the floaters in my eye bounce around.

You should try it some time... it's great entertainment.

[FarCenter]

30. C student, couldn't get a job, went to Seminary

Why should we take seriously someone who's never done an honest days work in her life?

[spoony]

34. Wow, nice thread folks.

Just when I start to buy into the notion of harmony, unity, etc. I am reminded that so many people even in my own party are total arseholes.

[blm]

37. It's a big tent forum - you hear from atheists, agnostics, cynics, humanists, evangelicals,

lefty Catholics, traditionalists, and a whole bunch of lapsed everything.

[Zhade]

48. Sorry pal, nonbelievers get a voice and a vote too.

Don't like it? Too fucking bad!

[spoony]

58. Yes and often on DU it is a harsh and ugly voice

Thank God our candidates aren't anything like you.

[Zhade]

60. The truth may sound harsh and ugly to you - to me, it's a beautiful thing.

It's a shame so many candidates are like you, religious delusion is part of the reason this country is so fucked.

[spoony]

62. They will always be like me and not you

Not in terms of being Christian vs. atheist, but in not being a bitter jaded misanthrope who thinks billions of people are beneath them. You cannot think like that and change the world for the better, whether you're a fundy whackjob who hates people or a rabid anti-theist who hates people. People like Obama change the world, and their faith is often what inspires them.

[Jamastiene]

71. An honest prayer:

Jesus, I beg of you to please protect us all from people like this who have a stick up their ass and cannot show compassion nor love to the hurt, oppressed, and abused among us.

Next order of business. How the hell did spoony make it OFF my ignore list again?

[Guava Jelly]

35. If I have to sit in Church I'm checking out the ladies

Fuck a bunch of crappy preaching about a god I don't believe exist.

[Dr Fate]

36. I always perked up when they played the Dracula organs. n/t

n/t

[Swamp Rat]

38. I just went for the music, crawfish, and beer.

:9

[Auntie Bush]

39. You don't listen to any negative comments about Obama either.

Aren't you tired of getting sand in your eyes?

[blm]

42. Go read a BCCI report, or CIA drugrunning report. Go look at Hillary's records

and notice that her meetings on Dec 7 were PRIVATE though that was when pardons were being discussed for Marc Rich - the IranContra and BCCI operative Bill pardoned.

Then you can talk about that BEACH that found its way into your eyes.

FYI - I was an Obama cynic for some time till he started advancing open government issues.

Did you notice? No.

Do you care about understanding the import of open government to this nation's democratic future? Apparently not.

[Zhade]

49. Oh, you and your UNDENIABLE FACTS.

Love ya for it, blm.

[Auntie Bush]

50. Did I notice? NO.

I got too much pink and glistening white sand in my eyes. Thank goodness we don't go to the same beaches for you got lots of black sand in your eyes.

[blm]

52. You MAY want to edit that. Some other posters may hit alert not knowing

exactly what you intended.

[Auntie Bush]

57. Horrors! I didn't notice that or mean anything racial.

However, I refuse to edit it or apologize for something I didn't mean. Maybe I should...but I'm stubborn. Now I know how others felt when everything they said was taken as a racial slur. I guess there is a difference as to how different people perceive the world...not that I blame them. I guess that's why Blacks want to talk about racial injustice and I, as White, want to talk about health care Etc.

Now I'll go look and see if I got flamed. Not to worry...I'm on ignore to 3/4th of this board.

[roseBudd]

40. I usually was looking at the architecture because catholic churches are very fancy

[blm]

43. Now that you mention it, I do recall staring at the beautiful lines - so elegant

.

[Auntie Bush]

44. OK...here's a serious answer to your poll.

As an kid (About 7-8 grade)I went to a Baptist church up North for a couple years...nothing radical.
The only thing I listened to was the sermon. I wasn't interested or knowledgeable in the other religious stuff like the Bible...so I also daydreamed. But I really loved the sermon as it was like a lesson on the proper way to live a good life. That interested me as he wove it into a good story!

But then...he started telling us that it was evil to dance and let boys put their arms around girls and we should go to Old age homes on Sunday afternoon and visit old ladies etc.etc.etc. Well I didn't agree with that crap...so guess what...I quit the damn church and never went back.

The moral lesson or point I'm getting at is when I didn't approve/believe what was being taught at the pulpit...I quit!

[blm]

51. Heh - I knew you wanted to reply. Thanks. But I really would be beaten if I quit while

I was still living at home. And it took me many years of living in the big world to shake off the seriously fundie Catholic upbringing.

[Auntie Bush]

54. I refused to marry a really nice guy because he was an adamant Catholic.

I just couldn't believe in all those dogmas...like it's a sin to eat meat on Friday...but not on any other day. Stuff like that. (You are probably to young to remember that.

How about this one? I wanted to ski Tuckerman's Ravine on Memorial day weekend...at least a three day trip. He wouldn't/couldn't go because there was no church up there and he'd miss Sunday mass. Knowing how argumentative I am...you can imagine the agreements we had about that and religion in general. But, you know what?...we never got mad at each other...we just argued pros and cons for hours and hours.

Quite a difference from DU. Kudos for you as you obviously don't have me on ignore and you always manage to find a smartass answer and throw sand in my face...er...eyes. :evilgrin:
Don't ask me if that is a compliment or an insult. You'll just have to stew in it...toss and turn...lose sleep...and beg for my answer tomorrow.

[LWolf]

45. Other: If it's not worth listening to, I'm not going to attend. n/t

[Zhade]

46. As an atheist from a not-really-religious family, I concur.

Since that malarkey never took hold of my brain, I never really paid any attention, unless it was to something I profoundly disagreed with and couldn't ignore.

[Nine]

53. This is ridiculous. You were a child forced to go. Obama was an adult who chose to go.

I haven't really posted on this whole Wright thing. I already voted for Clinton in my primary and I'll be voting Dem in November no matter what. But your attempt to suggest Obama didn't know what was said in a church he chose to attend for 20 years and whose pastor was his official spiritual advisor is just silly. If I really believed Obama attended a church all those years and didn't even listen, I would think much less of him.

[blm]

56. Not just as a child - but my point is that MANY sitting in church pews are only half-listening

and sometimes NOT AT ALL. Life is like that. How many of us are thinking other things when you're at conferences, speeches, or just about anywhere else where you are supposed to be seated quietly and paying attention?

I think anyone who claims that people who are somewhere like church and are so certain that everyone there will listen intently and hang on every word are just fullofshit - NO ONE I know listens that hard to anything - even JURORS in a courtroom whose DUTY is to listen intently nod off.

[annie1]

59. you might perk up at 9/11 being an inside job. jmo.

[blm]

72. I have followed the terrorism issue closely since BCCI and i KNOW that 9-11 was a direct result

of the BCCI agenda.

To a degree, 9-11 was ALLOWED to happen, even if it wasn't staged.

Ever READ the BCCI report?

Ever read the list of outstanding MATTERS in the BCCI report handed to Bill Clinton when he took office?

Ever read Bill's book to find out how he CHOSE to deal with those matters and hold GHWBush, Jackson Stephens, Marc Rich, Dubai and Saudi royals, Bin Ladens, Adnan Kashoggi, James Bath and scores more, accountable?

There should NEVER have been a Bush2, 9-11 event, or this Iraq war possible by the end of the 90s.

[Raine]

55. I haven't attended a service in along time for myself but

have attended services for other people (some special event I could'nt get out of). I always just think my own thoughts. I couldn't really say at all what the minister said.

[Breeze54]

63. The day I stopped believing in any of that drivel is the day I stopped going to any church.

I can't remember the last time I've set foot in a church to attend services.

I prefer reality.

On edit:

I do remember, now that I thought more about it. The last
time I was at a service was the day of my father's funeral.
That was five years ago... seems like yesterday to me.

[NOLALady]

66. Interesting.

I also stopped attending regularly at 18 when my Mom died.

I will go for special occasions though...weddings, baptisms, funerals.

[Breeze54]

67. I actually stopped going at age 14 but

I made "appearances' so as to not rock the boat.

But the point is, I didn't much believe any of the BS, after the age of 14.

[NOLALady]

64. Bored out of my mind. Didn't pay much attention to anything.

Because I'm Catholic, I also felt guilty for being bored out of my mind.

[metalluk]

65. I'm honest enough to admit

that I was wise enough not to sit in church anytime during my adulthood to listen to the irrational nonsense that spews forth in such venues.

I wonder about the judgment of a certain other man brought up by an atheist mother who then embraces not only organized religion but a denomination with a patently racist doctine.

[Breeze54]

68. The United Church of Christ is predominately WHITE! n/t

[Jamastiene]

69. I haven't been to church in years, but back when I was

forced to go, I sat in fear of that one Baptist preacher, who would yell every once in a while to drive his point home. He did bad things with young female students at the Christian school I went to amongst other things too, including his own daughters.

Of course, I listened to him. I had no choice with all the screaming at intermittent times to wake my ass up. I can still hear him say over and over and over again, "If you don't have a father, you don't belong to God. You are the literal spawn of Satan." I'll never forget his interpretation of Deuteronomy 23:2 NEVER. That really stuck with me for life. What a sick bastard he was.

But...
At home, away from the school, my grandmother went to a Methodist church. Sometimes, I went with her. They did NOT preach hate. It was a community church (not a school kids are forced to go to) and it was a really nice place. One thing though, I don't remember much about what the preacher said other than the love one another part. The rest of the time, I got some of the best sleep one can get in a church pew.

Hey, as long as we are being honest: That Methodist church was so laid back that they didn't really care that some of us slept. We was there, technically, and for them, that was what mattered, not that some of us were too sleepy to stay awake. They forgave us, unlike the bastard of a preacher at the school who made damn sure I knew I was the literal spawn of Satan. Hence, my reason for possibly overusing the :evilgrin: smiley.

So, I didn't vote in the poll, because technically, I have a yes and a no answer, because of the different denominations or circumstances between those two different churches.

[NNN0LHI]

73. Where is the "I only sit in church for weddings and funerals" option?

[Scout]

74. then why bother to go? n/t

[blm]

76. I don't anymore. But I would bet many people do because of societal and family pressure

and even business pressures, especially in the south.


I doubt many politicians would be able to get away with being an atheist or not being a regular church attendee. This is the society that was built in this country. It's going to take a long time to change that.