laurarichardson said:

herb4 said:

Thanks for the kind words. Lisa Simpson called religion "the alast salvation of the truly desperate".

I wouldn't label Prince as "desperate" in any conventional sense, but I'd wager the losses he suffered, combined with his shaky uprbringing, left him more vulnerable than he was comfortable letting on. He was quite strong but ultimately human.

He was attending 7th day Adventist Church as a child. Plenty of people are Christians without being desperate.

True, but desparation makes you more susceptible to the dogma and the indoctrination. I'm not sure you read what I wrote.

NotACleverName said:

206Michelle said:

jdcxc
.
Herb4, P didn’t convert to the JW faith officially until 2001, but he was clearly considering the JW faith seriously in the late 1990s. Per Mayte’s book, Amiir’s death was the catalyst for the intense soul-searching that lead to his JW conversion, not the deaths of his parents. This is not to minimize the deaths of his parents in any way because losing one’s parents is typically very difficult. However, his parents were both older when they died...they were each able to live for decades. Their deaths were not unexpected, from what I understand. Parents dying in old age is more normal, more expected, and much easier to understand than a dearly-wanted infant dying six days after birth from complications related to a rare genetic disorder.
[Edited 2/14/18 20:08pm]
[Edited 2/14/18 20:09pm]

While Prince did become interested in the JW doctrine in the late 90s, he officially converted and was baptized in 2003, per the statement the JW organization put out after his death (end of post). The death of his Mother in Feb of 2002, who had converted from an SDA to following JW scripture, could have played a part in his decision. There is speculation (or perhaps rumor) that his Mother expressed her desire that he become a follower prior to her death.

This info: "Prince was raised a Seventh Day Adventist and then later a Baptist. His mother, Mattie Shaw later converted to being a Jehovah's Witness, as was family friend Larry Graham, bass player from Sly and the Family Stone. His baby son Gregory, born to his first wife Mayte Garciain, died from a genetic disorder of the skull called Pfieffer syndrome October 1996, seven dies after birth. In 2001, his father died and "Princes mother, the jazz singer Mattie Shaw, died six months later. Her final wish was said to be that her son should become a Jehovahs Witness as she had been for most of her life. Prince grappled with depression and something approaching a midlife crisis." (mirror.co.uk 1 July 2010) This helps explain his interest in the Witnesses around this period and conversion with his wife Manuela Testolini in 2001, and baptism in 2003.

Manuela filed for divorce in 2006. In 2007 Prince started dating Bria Valente, who converted to a Witness after he produced her first album."

Sourced here: http://www.jwfacts.com/wa...nesses.php

I cannot attest to whether or not the above is factual as I pulled the quote directly from the site (it was obviously printed before Mayte revealed Amiir's birth name and there are a few discrepancies) and can't confirm it's JW accredited; however, it is interesting that his Mother was a JW and considering that, her "request" prior to her death might not be so off base.

JW statement from church spokesperson, David A. Semonian - "We are saddened to hear about the death of Prince Rogers Nelson, who was baptized as one of Jehovah s Witnesses in 2003,”....
Sourced here: http://people.com/celebri...statement/

OperatingThetan said:

As someone with personal experience with Jehovah's Witnesses it was evident to me that Prince was expanding his views and possibly even distancing himself from the faith during the last few years of his life. Lyrically, songs such as 'Way Back Home' and the spiritual meanings conveyed in the Affirmations are not at all consistent with JW doctrine and are in many respects in direct opposition to it. Prince's social and political activism, coupled with his mentions of chakras and 'energy fields' in one of his later interviews, would not be displayed by any baptised, active JW in 'good standing.' JW's are solely waiting for God's Kingdom to solve any and all social and political concerns. They're not searching for their 'way back home' or coming to spiritual realisations of oneness with the universe or a sense of one's identity being universal. All humans are flawed by inherited, genetic sin and their only hope is Christ's ransom and Jehovah's Kingdom.

I agree with you that his spiritual views were much more broad than the JW's perspective but I think it was in place long before "Way Back Home". It seems to me his views were more "mystical" leaning than the more traditional "God in the sky". Most religions separate man from God in their teaching, a separate overlord, but he seemed to be in the "we're all one" and "I am the Universe" mindset. That kind of thinking includes God as part of you and everyone else. His interest in telepathic communication, past lives, energy, mind-over-matter, chakras, etc., all seem to speak to a belief in deeper and broader human traits than "sinners" running around trying to gain God's good graces. I don't know if I'm explaining this clearly but I get the sense he looked at a human being's potential constantly, hence him driving his musicians beyond what they thought possible only to surprise themselves when they achieved something they thought they couldn't do. Make sense?

from some of Prince's old quotes, he seemed to have an animistic, tribal type of religious view, of "god in everything" and he seems to have come back around to that. they say he dabbled in the dark arts when he was younger too, saw ghosts, maybe even had dealings with the devil but those were all rumours. Either way, I keep saying, the JW's do not allow any kind of meanderings like he was going on about, not a bit so either they just ignored it or just didn't notice it. Most of the things he did onstage would get people kicked out too, the makeup etc., a very dogmatic religion which was why MJ left them before Bad came out because it was a preemptive strike against them kicking him out.

Misslink88 said:

OperatingThetan said:

As someone with personal experience with Jehovah's Witnesses it was evident to me that Prince was expanding his views and possibly even distancing himself from the faith during the last few years of his life. Lyrically, songs such as 'Way Back Home' and the spiritual meanings conveyed in the Affirmations are not at all consistent with JW doctrine and are in many respects in direct opposition to it. Prince's social and political activism, coupled with his mentions of chakras and 'energy fields' in one of his later interviews, would not be displayed by any baptised, active JW in 'good standing.' JW's are solely waiting for God's Kingdom to solve any and all social and political concerns. They're not searching for their 'way back home' or coming to spiritual realisations of oneness with the universe or a sense of one's identity being universal. All humans are flawed by inherited, genetic sin and their only hope is Christ's ransom and Jehovah's Kingdom.

I agree with you that his spiritual views were much more broad than the JW's perspective but I think it was in place long before "Way Back Home". It seems to me his views were more "mystical" leaning than the more traditional "God in the sky". Most religions separate man from God in their teaching, a separate overlord, but he seemed to be in the "we're all one" and "I am the Universe" mindset. That kind of thinking includes God as part of you and everyone else. His interest in telepathic communication, past lives, energy, mind-over-matter, chakras, etc., all seem to speak to a belief in deeper and broader human traits than "sinners" running around trying to gain God's good graces. I don't know if I'm explaining this clearly but I get the sense he looked at a human being's potential constantly, hence him driving his musicians beyond what they thought possible only to surprise themselves when they achieved something they thought they couldn't do. Make sense?

PeteSilas said:

from some of Prince's old quotes, he seemed to have an animistic, tribal type of religious view, of "god in everything" and he seems to have come back around to that. they say he dabbled in the dark arts when he was younger too, saw ghosts, maybe even had dealings with the devil but those were all rumours. Either way, I keep saying, the JW's do not allow any kind of meanderings like he was going on about, not a bit so either they just ignored it or just didn't notice it. Most of the things he did onstage would get people kicked out too, the makeup etc., a very dogmatic religion which was why MJ left them before Bad came out because it was a preemptive strike against them kicking him out.

Misslink88 said:

I agree with you that his spiritual views were much more broad than the JW's perspective but I think it was in place long before "Way Back Home". It seems to me his views were more "mystical" leaning than the more traditional "God in the sky". Most religions separate man from God in their teaching, a separate overlord, but he seemed to be in the "we're all one" and "I am the Universe" mindset. That kind of thinking includes God as part of you and everyone else. His interest in telepathic communication, past lives, energy, mind-over-matter, chakras, etc., all seem to speak to a belief in deeper and broader human traits than "sinners" running around trying to gain God's good graces. I don't know if I'm explaining this clearly but I get the sense he looked at a human being's potential constantly, hence him driving his musicians beyond what they thought possible only to surprise themselves when they achieved something they thought they couldn't do. Make sense?

He actually reminds me more of a Shaolin monk. Perhaps the JWs offered something in the community aspect that appealed to him. He also had high regard for Larry Graham.

Misslink88 said:

PeteSilas said:

from some of Prince's old quotes, he seemed to have an animistic, tribal type of religious view, of "god in everything" and he seems to have come back around to that. they say he dabbled in the dark arts when he was younger too, saw ghosts, maybe even had dealings with the devil but those were all rumours. Either way, I keep saying, the JW's do not allow any kind of meanderings like he was going on about, not a bit so either they just ignored it or just didn't notice it. Most of the things he did onstage would get people kicked out too, the makeup etc., a very dogmatic religion which was why MJ left them before Bad came out because it was a preemptive strike against them kicking him out.

He actually reminds me more of a Shaolin monk. Perhaps the JWs offered something in the community aspect that appealed to him. He also had high regard for Larry Graham.

man was always spiritual, Muhammad Ali was the same, always spiritual but his actual religion changed throughout his life. But I still say, JW's don't give no wiggle room, don't believe me just ask around, they'll tell you that the subjects prince dabbled in would get people disfellowshipped. Prince didn't need them no more than Ali needed the muslims. Personally, i don't think you need church, church needs you because it's the people that pay in this country, it's pretty transparent and all the crooked preachers and molesting priests aren't enough to wake people up.

rogifan said:

I actually thought it was cute how he didn’t know how to properly quote and re-tweet. Unfortunately he deleted a lot of tweets (like his rant against YouTube). I’ll bet most of them weren’t saved by anyone.

Someone actually captured all his tweets before they were deleted.

I have a link to his deleted tweets.

[Edited 2/17/18 7:17am]

anangellooksdown said:

dance4me3121 said:

yeah it was very dumb on my part.But i was joking the whole time thinking he would find it funny also.As much as i love Prince,I couldnt ever be mad at him.I heard that it was actually Prince who used his own twitter account and that he actually visited the org a lot to read comments.I wouldve loved to see his reactions

Obviously you have a heart of gold, and a lot of humility. You are love. I once heard of P getting upset with a girl, the girl didn’t sleep for a month. I can understand that too!

awww,thank you

PeteSilas said:

Misslink88 said:

He actually reminds me more of a Shaolin monk. Perhaps the JWs offered something in the community aspect that appealed to him. He also had high regard for Larry Graham.

man was always spiritual, Muhammad Ali was the same, always spiritual but his actual religion changed throughout his life. But I still say, JW's don't give no wiggle room, don't believe me just ask around, they'll tell you that the subjects prince dabbled in would get people disfellowshipped. Prince didn't need them no more than Ali needed the muslims. Personally, i don't think you need church, church needs you because it's the people that pay in this country, it's pretty transparent and all the crooked preachers and molesting priests aren't enough to wake people up.

Don't get me wrong, I believe you about the JWs. Family Name also discussed his views on what you've just said.

Preacher, preacher, is it true
That Jesus wants me to give my money to the likes of you?
Ride around in your Lexus Coupe
Drive us to the cleaners in a pinstripe suit
Preacher, that ain't truth

PeteSilas said:

cloveringold85 said:

.

People can be so cruel sometimes, and not trustworthy. I think Prince started to build walls around himself because he had very few people he could trust anymore. Same could be said about MJ.

.

What I don't like is how some people hide behind the shield of religion, but then they go out in the streets and commit the most heinous crimes, then go about their business and think that God is going to forgive them and they justify it by saying they are saved. Wrong. I stay away from these born-again Christians. They are the worst, and shady! You have to be cautious of those types.

obviously i wouldn't say all those christians are bad but enough of them are that i want to avoid the whole lot if you know what I mean.

.

That is understandable.

anangellooksdown said:

rogifan said:

I’ve posted this before but whether Prince was moving away from JW faith or not he wasn’t moving away from God or Christianity IMO. December 2015 Ebony interview: https://www.facebook.com/...788385046/

People who really seek and LIVE a God-centered life the best they can as humans, eventually grow to religion and meld both that and spirituality together, growing in both. P started off with religion but some spirituality, then after beautiful Ahmir passed, he threw himself into a structured tenet system (religion). I have always believed that, and Larry Graham, saved his life. He was very enthusiastic during this years because of what he had found and how it was helping him. We know that. It is very, very common, and probably always the case, when people are truly trying. But as we grow, we realize that shouting our beliefs from a rooftop, or basically pushing them on others, is less helpful. It’s a process. He also knew that using social media to talk about spiritual or religious ideas, would turn people away. As always, he let his music speak for him. Re: Sheila. She is amazing and she is love. I think she’s also very feeling, sensitive. It seems to me that Prince was with a number of girlfriends who were bisexual when he was with them.

.

I agree with what you said, but you lost me when you mentioned bisexual.

PeteSilas said:

anangellooksdown said:

Oh. And I don’t think Prince regretted much of what he did career-wise. 🙂

i wouldn't believe that, i think anyone who says they don't regret anything would be lying. We all make mistakes that we wish we could go back and change but we can't.

.

I never understood the term people make: "Live without Regrets". I guess if you are free spirit and have no regard for other's, you can easily say that. But, someone who is loving, kind, compassionate and gives to the world would hold accountability for what they do. So, that phrase has always been perplexing, to me.

.

The way I look at it is this......If you live a life without regrets, then does that mean you are perfect and never did anything wrong? That is not possible, because none of us are perfect. If you never regretted anything you've ever done, then how can you learn from that and grow, as a person?

.

Just my 2-cents.

NotACleverName said:

cloveringold85 said:

About Muhammed Ali and "the greatest" -- I always thought he was a bit arrogant and egotistical, although a Legend. God says we should be "humble". I always try to live my life that way. Prince was cocky when he was younger, but he always had a humbleness about him, and I admired that about him -- a lot of rock stars are worshipped like a God, and Prince loved to be worshipped, no doubt -- but no one is ever greater than God. The bible tells us not to worship false idols and I think this is where Prince struggled a lot.

I would disagree. I don't feel Prince struggled in the least believing that God (or Jehovah, Allah, etc., as the case may be) was greater than all else. Further, he wanted no part of idolatry. Aamof, he said this about why he would not sign autographs: "Among his idiosyncracies is a refusal to sign autographs, reportedly because he believes the idolatry that an autograph implies is ‘an offence’ against God". Sourced here: http://www.telegraph.co.u...off-stage/ It's a long article, but very interesting.

.

I understand what you are saying, but that interview was in 2004. Prince had grown a lot and moved away from his "Purple Rain" days of being cocky, arrogant and egotistical.

.

Prince wanted to be adored; there is no denying that. His song, "Purple Rain" is about being worshipped.

.

I read an article that Wendy gave about the Purple Rain tour and she said that Prince's ego was so inflated that they didn't know who he was anymore. He treated people as if they should bow down to him.

.

He changed a lot after every album he created, and in his final years, I think we all got a glimpse of who "Prince" really was. I am glad we got to see it.

PeteSilas said:

Misslink88 said:

He actually reminds me more of a Shaolin monk. Perhaps the JWs offered something in the community aspect that appealed to him. He also had high regard for Larry Graham.

man was always spiritual, Muhammad Ali was the same, always spiritual but his actual religion changed throughout his life. But I still say, JW's don't give no wiggle room, don't believe me just ask around, they'll tell you that the subjects prince dabbled in would get people disfellowshipped. Prince didn't need them no more than Ali needed the muslims. Personally, i don't think you need church, church needs you because it's the people that pay in this country, it's pretty transparent and all the crooked preachers and molesting priests aren't enough to wake people up.

.

Just wanted to add.....the JW's do have a history of doing some very unpleasant things. Some are in the "Watchtower" organization, which has been accused of some very horrible & unspeakable acts. I'm not saying that Larry or Prince was involved in that organization.....but it does go on.

cloveringold85 said:

PeteSilas said:

i wouldn't believe that, i think anyone who says they don't regret anything would be lying. We all make mistakes that we wish we could go back and change but we can't.

.

I never understood the term people make: "Live without Regrets". I guess if you are free spirit and have no regard for other's, you can easily say that. But, someone who is loving, kind, compassionate and gives to the world would hold accountability for what they do. So, that phrase has always been perplexing, to me.

.

The way I look at it is this......If you live a life without regrets, then does that mean you are perfect and never did anything wrong? That is not possible, because none of us are perfect. If you never regretted anything you've ever done, then how can you learn from that and grow, as a person?

.

Just my 2-cents.

no regrets is something people say that sounds good to other people but it's not something that should be taken literally. I remember Sugar Ray Leonard telling a sportscaster that he had no regrets about having to retire young, it wasn't true, he beat his wife, became an alcoholic, a coke head and miserable.

cloveringold85 said:

PeteSilas said:

man was always spiritual, Muhammad Ali was the same, always spiritual but his actual religion changed throughout his life. But I still say, JW's don't give no wiggle room, don't believe me just ask around, they'll tell you that the subjects prince dabbled in would get people disfellowshipped. Prince didn't need them no more than Ali needed the muslims. Personally, i don't think you need church, church needs you because it's the people that pay in this country, it's pretty transparent and all the crooked preachers and molesting priests aren't enough to wake people up.

.

Just wanted to add.....the JW's do have a history of doing some very unpleasant things. Some are in the "Watchtower" organization, which has been accused of some very horrible & unspeakable acts. I'm not saying that Larry or Prince was involved in that organization.....but it does go on.

i'm sure, but the actual people i've known were very nice people. I actually knew a black kid in high school who kind of bragged in a fucked up way "you know why i don't act like all these other black kids? because I'm a jehovah's witness". Very nice guy, most of them are sweet people. When I watch MJ's mom in interviews she's just like them.

PeteSilas said:

cloveringold85 said:

.

I never understood the term people make: "Live without Regrets". I guess if you are free spirit and have no regard for other's, you can easily say that. But, someone who is loving, kind, compassionate and gives to the world would hold accountability for what they do. So, that phrase has always been perplexing, to me.

.

The way I look at it is this......If you live a life without regrets, then does that mean you are perfect and never did anything wrong? That is not possible, because none of us are perfect. If you never regretted anything you've ever done, then how can you learn from that and grow, as a person?

.

Just my 2-cents.

no regrets is something people say that sounds good to other people but it's not something that should be taken literally. I remember Sugar Ray Leonard telling a sportscaster that he had no regrets about having to retire young, it wasn't true, he beat his wife, became an alcoholic, a coke head and miserable.

.

That's true. I think a lot of people throw that phrase around too liberally. Maybe it's because they are trying to protect their fragile ego, or they want to protect their perceived "image"? I dunno.

.

In other words; when people are so famous and put on a pedestal, there is an image and a sense of strength that they must always portray to the general public.

.

Honestly, I find that method of living is dangerous to one's health. I can't be a fake person, so I would have a hard time at being famous, most likely.

.

[Edited 2/17/18 14:14pm]

PeteSilas said:

cloveringold85 said:

.

Just wanted to add.....the JW's do have a history of doing some very unpleasant things. Some are in the "Watchtower" organization, which has been accused of some very horrible & unspeakable acts. I'm not saying that Larry or Prince was involved in that organization.....but it does go on.

i'm sure, but the actual people i've known were very nice people. I actually knew a black kid in high school who kind of bragged in a fucked up way "you know why i don't act like all these other black kids? because I'm a jehovah's witness". Very nice guy, most of them are sweet people. When I watch MJ's mom in interviews she's just like them.

.

Yes. For the most part, JW's are very nice people and live an honest life. I remember when I was a kid, they used to come knocking at our door and hand out pamplets. I had to start being assertive and tell them that I am Roman-Catholic, but they would still try to persuade me.

cloveringold85 said:

PeteSilas said:

no regrets is something people say that sounds good to other people but it's not something that should be taken literally. I remember Sugar Ray Leonard telling a sportscaster that he had no regrets about having to retire young, it wasn't true, he beat his wife, became an alcoholic, a coke head and miserable.

.

That's true. I think a lot of people throw that phrase around too liberally. Maybe it's because they are trying to protect their fragile ego, or they want to protect their perceived "image"? I dunno.

.

In other words; when people are so famous and put on a pedestal, there is an image and a sense of strength that they must always portray to the general public.

.

Honestly, I find that method of living is dangerous to one's health. I can't be a fake person, so I would have a hard time at being famous, most likely.

.

[Edited 2/17/18 14:14pm]

Prince said on oprah that he didn't have regrets because if he were to change something he wouldn't be where he was, that much is probably true. Things that go wrong, pain, tragedy, shape us, sometimes they make us better people sometimes they don't but it's just unrealistic when it's made as an all or nothing statement.

cloveringold85 said:

PeteSilas said:

i'm sure, but the actual people i've known were very nice people. I actually knew a black kid in high school who kind of bragged in a fucked up way "you know why i don't act like all these other black kids? because I'm a jehovah's witness". Very nice guy, most of them are sweet people. When I watch MJ's mom in interviews she's just like them.

.

Yes. For the most part, JW's are very nice people and live an honest life. I remember when I was a kid, they used to come knocking at our door and hand out pamplets. I had to start being assertive and tell them that I am Roman-Catholic, but they would still try to persuade me.

sure, too pushy but christians in general are taught to be too pushy, it's a proselytizing religion. Mormons are even worse these days.

PeteSilas said:

cloveringold85 said:

.

That's true. I think a lot of people throw that phrase around too liberally. Maybe it's because they are trying to protect their fragile ego, or they want to protect their perceived "image"? I dunno.

.

In other words; when people are so famous and put on a pedestal, there is an image and a sense of strength that they must always portray to the general public.

.

Honestly, I find that method of living is dangerous to one's health. I can't be a fake person, so I would have a hard time at being famous, most likely.

.

[Edited 2/17/18 14:14pm]

Prince said on oprah that he didn't have regrets because if he were to change something he wouldn't be where he was, that much is probably true. Things that go wrong, pain, tragedy, shape us, sometimes they make us better people sometimes they don't but it's just unrealistic when it's made as an all or nothing statement.

.

Yes. That is most definitely true. Maybe I am using the phrase wrong?

.

I agree; in spite of all my ups and downs in life, I would not want to change any of it, because it made me who I am today. I can definitely relate to how Prince felt.

.

It is said that our lives are already mapped-out when we are born. We all go about our lives and think we are in control of it, but are we, really?

cloveringold85 said:

PeteSilas said:

Prince said on oprah that he didn't have regrets because if he were to change something he wouldn't be where he was, that much is probably true. Things that go wrong, pain, tragedy, shape us, sometimes they make us better people sometimes they don't but it's just unrealistic when it's made as an all or nothing statement.

.

Yes. That is most definitely true. Maybe I am using the phrase wrong?

.

I agree; in spite of all my ups and downs in life, I would not want to change any of it, because it made me who I am today. I can definitely relate to how Prince felt.

.

It is said that our lives are already mapped-out when we are born. We all go about our lives and think we are in control of it, but are we, really?

i don't know, i wonder sometimes, sometimes i feel pretty cursed. but that's just me.

PeteSilas said:

cloveringold85 said:

.

Yes. For the most part, JW's are very nice people and live an honest life. I remember when I was a kid, they used to come knocking at our door and hand out pamplets. I had to start being assertive and tell them that I am Roman-Catholic, but they would still try to persuade me.

sure, too pushy but christians in general are taught to be too pushy, it's a proselytizing religion. Mormons are even worse these days.

.

Mormons......IKR?

.

I tend to get uncomfortable around these holy-rollers; it's like they are looking right though you; trying to read you and probably judging the hell out of you.......I don't like it. It's creepy.

cloveringold85 said:

PeteSilas said:

sure, too pushy but christians in general are taught to be too pushy, it's a proselytizing religion. Mormons are even worse these days.

.

Mormons......IKR?

.

I tend to get uncomfortable around these holy-rollers; it's like they are looking right though you; trying to read you and probably judging the hell out of you.......I don't like it. It's creepy.

I was baptized episcopalian but most of my churchgoing days was at a pentecostal church, ya, they are wild. funny you should mention the looking right through you, my ma used to say our preacher had eyes that would look right through you. they were very judgemental and very hypocritical, mainly responsible for why i have no respect for church people today. They kicked my mom out for, what they said, was smoking cigarrettes but i learned later the real reason was, someone found out my stepdad and her weren't legally married. so yes, extremely judgemental, but then, most people are really. your "looking right through" reminds me of a catholic priest I ran into when i worked at a catholic college, he creeped me the fuck out just by the way he looked at me, nothing he said or anything but just instinctively creeped me the fuck out. It came as no surprise when that college got sued into the millions a few years later for sending priests to alaska to molest native alaskan children (my people).

anangellooksdown said:

There’s a lot of sick people in church. Church isn’t enough. It doesn’t go deep enough. It’s a creed to follow but unless you’ve worked through your stuff, ya can’t really live it. It’s about change. People know where to go. [Edited 2/17/18 15:44pm]

a lot of the rules are sick too, too much repression and making people feel bad. all the rules are inhuman really and the reason people need to project on everyone else. It never made sense to me, i used to berate my mom over why she wanted to go. People go because they think they should in most cases not because they want to be good people or any of that.

PeteSilas said:

cloveringold85 said:

.

Mormons......IKR?

.

I tend to get uncomfortable around these holy-rollers; it's like they are looking right though you; trying to read you and probably judging the hell out of you.......I don't like it. It's creepy.

I was baptized episcopalian but most of my churchgoing days was at a pentecostal church, ya, they are wild. funny you should mention the looking right through you, my ma used to say our preacher had eyes that would look right through you. they were very judgemental and very hypocritical, mainly responsible for why i have no respect for church people today. They kicked my mom out for, what they said, was smoking cigarrettes but i learned later the real reason was, someone found out my stepdad and her weren't legally married. so yes, extremely judgemental, but then, most people are really. your "looking right through" reminds me of a catholic priest I ran into when i worked at a catholic college, he creeped me the fuck out just by the way he looked at me, nothing he said or anything but just instinctively creeped me the fuck out. It came as no surprise when that college got sued into the millions a few years later for sending priests to alaska to molest native alaskan children (my people).

.

I've never had any bad experiences with the church. It seems you certainly had more than your fair share. It's stuff you read in the news and you think it will never happen to you. I see all these community churches popping up everywhere, and I want nothing to do with them. When someone says to me "Do you go to church?"........then, that's my queue to get the heck out of there!

.

[Edited 2/18/18 13:02pm]

PeteSilas said:

anangellooksdown said:

There’s a lot of sick people in church. Church isn’t enough. It doesn’t go deep enough. It’s a creed to follow but unless you’ve worked through your stuff, ya can’t really live it. It’s about change. People know where to go. [Edited 2/17/18 15:44pm]

a lot of the rules are sick too, too much repression and making people feel bad. all the rules are inhuman really and the reason people need to project on everyone else. It never made sense to me, i used to berate my mom over why she wanted to go. People go because they think they should in most cases not because they want to be good people or any of that.

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I really don't understand other religions, but they don't do that "fear mongering" crap in any of the Catholic churches I have attended. Most people go to church because they enjoy the sense of community it gives them. America was really created by the church, when you think about it. Immigrants came here and didn't know anything or anyone, so they went to church to meet people and create a sense of community.

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With that said, I think a lot of families today are moving away from the church. People don't interact with their communities and stay locked inside their houses for the most part.

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I think you can attend Sunday Mass and not be a holy roller. Many people attend church because they want to bring the "blessings" home and do right by God, and it also gives them a sense of belonging to something greater than themselves.

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I'm not saying this is true with everyone.

can't paint all of em bad like i said, a lot of people calling themselves christian i've absolutely loved and miss to this day. i think you get any group of people together you're going to get some ugliness going on. It's inevitable and the saddest thing is it divides us from each other. My people, bands of indians, most no more than 50-100 people in alaska were the same, I imagine even going all the way back into africa people were the same, they'd have arguements, divisions would be made and they'd split up. My tribe is spread out all the way down to mexico. People are people and i've come to believe what's in the worst of us is in all of us to some degree and vice versa.

cloveringold85 said:

PeteSilas said:

I was baptized episcopalian but most of my churchgoing days was at a pentecostal church, ya, they are wild. funny you should mention the looking right through you, my ma used to say our preacher had eyes that would look right through you. they were very judgemental and very hypocritical, mainly responsible for why i have no respect for church people today. They kicked my mom out for, what they said, was smoking cigarrettes but i learned later the real reason was, someone found out my stepdad and her weren't legally married. so yes, extremely judgemental, but then, most people are really. your "looking right through" reminds me of a catholic priest I ran into when i worked at a catholic college, he creeped me the fuck out just by the way he looked at me, nothing he said or anything but just instinctively creeped me the fuck out. It came as no surprise when that college got sued into the millions a few years later for sending priests to alaska to molest native alaskan children (my people).

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I've never had any bad experiences with the church. It seems you certainly had more than your fair share. It's stuff you read in the news and you think it will never happen to you. I see all these community churches popping up everywhere, and I want nothing to do with them. When someone says to me "Do you go to church?"........then, that's my queue to get the heck out of there!

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[Edited 2/18/18 13:02pm]