Maybe this has been discussed before, but, why does Prince's religion make so many mad? I was raised in a church similar to JW, keeping the sabbath, the laws of God came first, but was Christian. I left the church because man's greed and arrogance took over but still believe what I have learned over years of study. When I was in school, teachers hated the fact I didn't celebrate Christmas, Easter, etc.

Just wondering why religion causes so much hate? I do not belong to any religion now. That is man's. God is truth, judgment is His. God's Word is eternal, religion, i.e. Catholicism, Protestantism, will end.

If you don't believe what someone teaches, prove them wrong. Find the answers, search for the truth, then teach them. Judgment is God's, forgive us our trespasses.

Just a thought, just a question. I know religion is a touchy subject, but it seems that Prince's religion is a hot topic. I for one am glad that he has found something that answers the questions life throws at us to his satisfaction. Agree with him or not.

Love
Colyr

because he states what he says he believes as if it were a fact.

he preaches, instead of being humble about it.

union119 said:

Surely anyone with a belief in the supernatural will (should) talk about it as though it is fact? Not much of a believer if they don't believe.

Just goin' stream of consciousness. It causes so much contempt and consternation because it directly contradicts with the image of himself that Prince put out there to get him famous - that of the androgynous nymph who just wants to "make love, not war". Besides, people just get up in arms any time any rock star finds religion. As bothered as I am with Prince for what he just said in his last interview, I also know that he used the things that made him famous just to create his image - a gimmick, in other words. On the other side of this, what if his religious change is just another gimmick?

I think it pisses people off because his religion seems to think that they are right and that everyone else is wrong and going to hell. If not, then why do they go door to door trying to push their religion on people that aren't even a part of it.

I grew up with a mother that was a Baptist and a father that was some cult type religion with similar beliefs like Jehovah's Witnesses. He read magazines called "The Plain Truth" that were put out by The Worldwide Church of God. My mother nor anyone else on her side of the family tried to force their Baptist religion on us but my father was so deep into his loony toon religion that we were forced to read those magazines and got our ass beat if we told him we didn't believe them. He believed that his religion was right and everyone else that disagreed was going straight to hell. Prince seems to act the same way these days.

When Prince rants on about his religion, I usually let it go in one ear and out the other because I learned at an early age to do that with the experiences with my father. But Mayte just don't know how lucky she is that she's gone because Prince would have made their life a living hell forcing his religion on her.
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[Edited 11/19/08 14:45pm]

...people have turned their lives around because of religion...like the saint paul...who first was named saul..prophets do still exist even in this day in age..in the aztec calender the world will change or end in 2012..by the looks of things..it could be escape'in salvation...only those that have "awaken" will pervail...i have learned many lessons through my faith...faith is blind..we ALL are sinners..but i pick and choose my sins..i belong to the catholic faith..but i have had serious thoughts on turning Jehova Witness...when JWs come knocking on MY door..i always end up preach'in to THEM..lol...but serious folks...religion is not a joke...there have been many wars started because of the scared values religion holds...i mean look at 9/11..mzsexybaby

vainandy said:

I grew up in a Roman Catholic household and parents that were fanatically religious. They would pray three times a day and attend mass twice a week. During lent listen to 3 masses back to back... each mass an hour long. I was just a kid but it was too much for me and I rebelled during my later years. I am still not religious although I believe in God. I believe there is a happy median somewhere.
My husband on the other hand grew up with parents that were not religious and he is very religious now.

Prince has always referred to God in his songs, however I don't think he was necessarily religious. Could be because he had a difficult childhood. I think now he is religious because he has rediscovered religion through Larry G.
[Edited 11/19/08 14:56pm]

vainandy said:

I had 2 Jehovah witnesses come to my door last friday and they asked me if I wanted to hear the truth. They asked me a few questions, I asked a few myself and then my child woke up from taking a nap so I had to cut the conversation short. They gave me their phone #'s and a bible called the New World Translation and also a little book called What Does The Bible Really Teach? They told me to call them if I was interested in doing a study with them where we would read through the info together and then a question and answer about what was read and how I feel about it. They were nice and respectful. I didn't feel that they were forcing their religion upon me. They gave me a choice if I wanted to hear what they had to say. What I learned was that they don't believe in hell...the only hell in their belief is non-existance. They go door to door because that's what Jesus did. I have a friend who's family is baptist and she is told by them every time she sees them that she'll go to hell if she doesn't accept Jesus Christ as her savior. She is confused about what she was taught as a child when it comes to God and Jesus. Her and I don't believe in the trinity. Every religion has believers who spread their biblical knowledge in different ways. Some are more forceful and judgemental than others. From what I've read so far, JW's are taught not to be judgemental because they will be judged for that....along with other sins. It's unfair to make a judgement on all JW's saying that they force it on you. They believe in free will and those girls showed that to me by giving me a choice.
[Edited 11/19/08 15:20pm]

Colyr said:

same here



Agreed

People don't know how to mind they're own business, that's why.

vainandy said:

The Worldwide Church of God that is a weird coincident because that is the church I attended as a kid. The one I mentioned. True it became a cultish church, but it started off with good intentions. That is why I said religion is man's creation. Just learn, study, find the truth for yourself. Don't listen to man's interpretations. Prince, if by any chance you are listening, what seems like wisdom to man is foolishness to God.

love
Colyr

eaglebear4839 said:

Love is not a gimmick. We buy things to comfort our lives with. Look at all of the things that people buy into besides love.

Food, Comfort, Entertainment, sex and addictions.

Colyr said:

How do U celebrate God in your life Colyr?

eaglebear4839 said:

his lifestyle directly contradicts his religion as much as his career does.

he serves 2 masters: which could be another reason why so many are fed up with hearing him preach things he doesnt put into practise.

the general public isnt stupid: we have an intuitive sense when it comes to bullshit.

His religious beliefs are his business and we don't have to like it but we should respect it.

I think there is one thing that needs 2 be understood as I tell my daughter ...I may do wrong ,but I will never tell you wrong. I want to know what Prince is doing so bad. As fair as his religious choice of worship, I feel he has been knocking on doors for years and in some cases kicked them in...
He has always wore his sprituality on his sleeve and it seems some things don't change, he is still getting ridcule for it.
I give him kudos for just saying the stuff he does, atleast it gets people to think...think for themselves at that. And so what if just by chance he gets someone to pick up that book and say some prayers, thank God!
I think in about a couple of years all of this will make sense:)

I am a Christian, and I have a drink every now and then ....does this make my testimonial and confession of my "faith" weak. I think not.

I can understand why JW's don't celebrate Christmas as most do, because it seems to me that most have this day supposely for the birth of Christ, however it seems to be no mention of him.

The same with Thanksgiving, why would a Native celebrate this day? and I don't well then again I will, but not with lies of Plymouth Rock..
I will as be eating a non-traditonal meal. Tell the story the real story and
I will be thankful for me being here and all the blessings God has given me, as I try to do 365 a year.

GodsloveisTrue said:

There are so many celebrations and holidays that are sugar-coated as being Bible-based and religious, when in fact most are based on paganism and idol-worship that it ain't even funny y'all...

Tame said:

I thank Him for loving us so that He sent His son to be the final sacrifice, I keep his commandments with joy, I sing, I learn, I use every tool that He gave mankind to make us better than animals. I lost that for a while, faith was just a word, the it became The Word. I look for His fingerprints in everything, because I believe He has touched everything.

You mention Christmas. I live in England which is a non-Christian country (someone please feel free to correct me with non-arguable facts and figures). Christmas has little to do with the birth of Christ or the attendance of church. It is mostly about consumerism. Or so they'd have us believe.

The trouble with all of that though is that deep down, really deep down, I believe that people want Christmas to be about togetherness. Being with loved ones, being pleasant to strangers, handing out prettily wrapped perfume to our wives, or slippers to our husbands. Receiving wonderfully awful jumpers from Grandmas, sitting by log fires listening to carols and laughing around the table with a huge feast before our eyes. For me I believe that people want Christmas to be a celebration of life and love. A time to celebrate in each other. A time to reflect and to be thankful for the wonder of life regardless whence it came.
[Edited 11/20/08 2:37am]

iloveannie said:

I think you mean England is secularist instead of non-Christian. The Church of England is christian is it not?? I am not from England so I am not one to correct you.

On Christmas I agree people want it to be a good thing, and I do not judge anyone who celebrates it. I will say if you choose to celebrate the holidays, research how they were started, at least know what you are celebrating.

Love
Colyr

Yes it is a secularist state but my point is that, for a country that for for a long time (pre-America) has been considered a mainly Christian place, English people are no longer church-goers. Apathetic would probably be the religion of choice if asked. Therefore it is a non-Christian country, despite Christianity being popular.

I'd like to add that at the time of my marriage I held a spiritual belief in God and suchlike and therefore chose to marry in a church. If I were to marry now I would also choose a church but purely for the setting and history with which this country has with church marriages. Where nicer really?

And why do I celebrate at Christmas? It's tradition. And it's also the only day that the factory I work at closes. I also intend to hear the choristers singing carols in Hereford cathedral. Why? Because it sounds wonderful that's why. And will I feel that I should be 'believing' a little more? Probably, but why choose to believe in fairies at the bottom of the garden when the garden is beautiful enough already?

iloveannie said:

non-Christian would imply no religion, muslim, judaism, etc. You defined secularism. Most here in USA define themselves as Christian, most don't attend church. We, like England, have removed most aspects of religion from our daily lives. Separation of church and state has become tradition, except on the holidays.

Colyr said:

Well you learn something every day Thanks

iloveannie said:

All with love, All with respect!!

my father was at first catholic and my mother a baptist. my father later became involved with Santaria. i was christened a catholic but in 1984 i was baptized a baptist. Prince's music and religious beliefs at that time helped me come closer 2 God in this respect. And at times especially during late 1987-1988 i was becoming angry at life and a lot of things then my 2nd spiritual rebirth came through with Lovesexy.

throughout his career i have listend 2 his words in terms of his beliefs and how we as a people should love God and each other.

my own spiritual journey turned when i was in the church and started seeing things differently. u have all denominations of religion all claiming 2 serve ONE God yet so much division. Hence i removed myself through organized religion and became what I call a Spiritulist. I belive in God, I belive in Jesus (though my faith has been shaking at times). Sometimes I belive in what Prince says like in the song family name about preachers, then there r times I don't.

what it all boils down 2 is that there is a lack of RESPECT 2 everyone's religious/spiritual belief here on the org and on other sites. name calling of cults, idiotocracy is very much uncalled 4. One must find their own spiritual path and just respect that decision. No one religion is better than the other!!!

i have seen some claim that prince speaks of hypocricasy when it comes 2 his religious views based upon what his career choices were regarding androgony, sexism etc etc. If we were 2 base everyone on what they did in the past as opposed 2 who they r now, then where would that leave us all as a human race? I'm sure none of us that post or read these threads r the same person that they were all b4 and prince is no different.

i would love 4 the day i come upon the org and stop seeing the name calling of JW's in particular cause if Prince was either a Jew or Catholic, NONE of this name calling would happen.