If you were looking for someone to challange your one world religious beliefs Arlo, I am sure there are smarter Christians than myself that would take you on. I'm not visiting your site to belittle you and your spiritual journey. You have set yourself up as a man of God by opening your "one size fits all church" so, you should expect fans to wonder if you have gone off the deep end. I am glad you are thankful for my input, even though you believe I was playing the roll of Satan.


The one world religion has at least one "temple" already in the USA. Maybe they will let you be worshiped there one day. It's called the "Rock and roll hall of fame"

I'm feeling better today so if you need to use me for some more practice on how to shoot down a Christian, fire away.
Jim

Oh, I'm there... ! I'll be in charge of coffee, tea, and the espresso machine! Latte, anyone?

I think it would be fun to keep Tarbaby around for awhile...to stir the pot and maybe soak up some of the unconditional love and acceptance you find here!

Jim, I have some advice for you. Get a wife, settle down, raise a child or two, maybe jog around the block a couple of times, and deal with the world as it is. Then come back in a few years and let us know how things are going. You must lead a difficult life. As for the martyr routine, it's wearing pretty thin.

Personally, I thought this thread very nice until it became a place to bash organized religion. Weren't we saying until that point that everyone finds their way? Many people with good and knid hearts have found their way through organized religions time and the world over. Not all of them have then went on to force their ways on even their closest friends. I write with shakey hands that some of the people here whom I felt I could call friends have hurt me.

What if they were just choking their own chickens?

I don't know Jim, accepting Jesus as you do I find it hard to understand why you would be against various religions getting together for a dialouge.
Or why you would be against or fear them accepting each other with respect.It seems very Un-Jesuslike to me.
A shoot first and ask questions latter doctrine doesn't always involve bullits at first, but it often leads there.Remember that simply accepting, tolerating, learning about other religions does not make you part of them if you chose not to be. If you are comfortable in your own skin and with your own faith, you need not fear some sort of conversion.
When you end some of your posts with "peace out" or say you believe in peace and love, I find it somewhat ingenuine, because the other things you say suggest that those feelings are directed at a specfic group of people that share your views, not the population as a whole.


Arlo, as for the secret club thing, as is my tradition, I'll bring the Gunniess.

Don't let it be hurtful. If some find it to be their own truth, let it slide.
I think many that have problems with organized have few problems with their teachings and more problems with the flawed human factor that govern them.

Dialouge yes, worshiping together no. How could you expect me to worship Jesus with a Budist worshiping next to me? Besides being offensive to my God, it would be confusing to my mind and get me all screwed up in the head.


I believe we should all own and carry a gun but, nobody is advocating a religious war here. I don't care what religion you believe in, just don't attack my country with your false gods, hate and violence and expect me to just take it. I will shoot back.


Everybody should believe in "peace and love" Larry. Peace and love for EVERYONE. Jesus loved everyone but it didn't stop him from calling the religious leaders of his day SNAKES AND VIPERS. It didn't stop him from walking into the Holy Temple of God and raising holy hell by running all the assholes out.

Peace,
Jim

It's both Larry.
In the Christian world I take issue with most.

Mormans-John Smith

Catholics- Praying to dead saints, wearing the bones of dead saints. (relics) Worshiping Mary. Believing the Pope is a reincarnated Christ. Etc Etc

Nondenominational churches that preach a "name it and claim it - get rich" gospel.

I could go on and on.
Jim

We are fortunate to live in a country that protects freedom of religion as a fundamental human right. That protects us from modern day crusaders...

Waiter! Check please!

Not bashing. Sharing my opinion and some of my experiences. Can be totally different for other people. I am not against religion but have a problem with people who use it or/and the organization to push their own thing under its name "the flawed human factor that govern them" is a good way of putting it.
I didn't intend to hurt you, and know that there are lots of people who found their way in and through church and do a lot of good.

Jim, Just out of curiosity why do you keep writing that our foundation is a one world religion, again ("one size fits all church" your words not mine)? I and everyone who has been there keeps saying it's not. Do you understand that when you keep referring to it and us that way, you are calling us liars, and that is where some of the attitude towards you comes from?

Over the past 16 years that we've been up and running, we've served the community as well as any small foundation could, those institutionalized kids we brought out for music and art classes, the people suffering from AIDs and HIV we helped get health care, the entertainers who allowed young people to open the shows so they could get some experience before an audience, the community lunches free to any and everyone, the old neighbors who needed rides to friends and loved one in nearby facilities, the writers workshops where people from around the world could comes and tell us their stories about how hard their lives were in times of war, the puppet and marionette shows for families to spend a rainy day together, the artists whose works were on display to encourage creativity, the list goes on and on... There were marriages and funerals where folks brought their own rabbis or ministers to perform the ceremonies, who didn't feel at home anywhere else...

You keep suggesting that by being in the presence of those who worship differently that you are asked to worship some false gods. But, no one has ever been asked to do more than to share their personal experiences of faith whatever their religious beliefs. That would mean that someone like yourself could come and speak about your faith, and express what you believe.

The only conditions for being in that kind of environment, or this one on these forums is the golden rule: To do undo others as you would have them do unto you. You have made accusations and kept repeating them without acknowledging the answers given to you. That is a sign of disrespect to those who have read your words carefully and answered you with some thought and consideration.

If you insist on calling people by names they do not call themselves, for whatever reason, you will indeed be banned from this site; not because of what you believe but because of how you have behaved. Do you get that?

I am instructing the forum managers to read carefully what you write from now on, and if in their judgement, you don't get it - you will be gone.

Please try your best to stick with us... but it'll take a little more respect on your part to do so. If I or anyone else has offended you I offer my apology in advance. See you round either way...

adg

Anyone who has turned to either AA or NA for addiction problems has at some point discovered that they couldn't do it by themselves, that they needed to find a 'power greater than themselves' to accomplish the monumental task of overcoming their addiction. Their 'Higher Power' can be whatever it is that keeps them sober, even if it's just a particular chair that when sat in makes them feel safe. Whether it's the God of an organized religion or mother nature or whatever works, their 'Higher Power' does for them what they were unable to do alone. This can often mean the difference between life and death. Among the fellowship of AA there exist multitudes of 'Higher Power' concepts, but the goal they all aspire to is the same: sobriety. Great diversities of faith striving for a common goal---what a concept! And guess what? It works! Tolerance, humility, forgiveness and love work no matter what you may call your 'Higher Power'.
Serenity, courage and wisdom for all, Love Kevin

I'm not calling anyone a "liar" Haven't you said you believe in "all or none" religion? If that doesn't mean one world religion, please explaine to me what you mean? If I am reading you wrong, please forgive me but, how else am I suppose to take your views on faith? "All" means ALL RELIGIONS to me, "none" means athiest. In the Christian tradition this is a perfect discription of a "one world" view.


I guess it depends on what you believe Arlo. Nobody is suggesting you and your organization aren't working tirelessly to bring love and support to hurting people. You are a special gift to us all. You have spent yor whole life bringing joy to millions through your music and charity.

I was taught as a Catholic that good works would win me points with God. I lived my young llife feeling guilty because all I wanted to do with my money and time was, buy and listen to Beatle records. I got rid of my guilt every saturday throgh confession. Then one day, I read the Bible and found out that God could care less about my good works (or the lack thereof). All God wanted from me was a willing heart, a heart filled with the love of his son. Everything else would take care of itself.


You don't offer prayers in the church?

I ain't no preacher but, thanks for being open to that possibility. Wouldn't you be worried you might loose some members because of me?

If I missed answering someone, I'm sorry. It's hard to keep track when the statements and questions are coming at you from all directions. I'll try to do better.

I'll have to go back and read the posts again. I can't recall calling anybody bad names.

No problen, it's your website.

I sure hope you let me hang around. So far you and your moderators have been very tolerant. Melanie and her moderators have given me the boot more times than I can count! I still love her though. She'll never get rid of me. Now, neither will you. LOL
Love ya Arlo,
Jim

I'm not touching this with a ten foot pole!