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Posted
12 minutes ago, SimonBolivar said:

Well shit, I'll slam a green been casserole. Maybe I should join the church.

thats-disgusting-gross.gif

 

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Posted
Well shit, I'll slam a green been casserole. Maybe I should join the church.

We attend a Presbyterian church. Years ago, we did a joint MLK day service…with Ebenezer Baptist. We then did a joint pot luck.
That was an embarrassing culinary ass-kicking. 90% of the Presby dishes hardly got touched….whereas there were almost fights over the 5 kinds of grits, 3 types of bbq, 4 types of Mac and cheese, greens, and other deliciousness the Ebenezer folks brought. It was brutal.
Also, I ate a LOT that day.
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Posted

We attend a Presbyterian church. Years ago, we did a joint MLK day service…with Ebenezer Baptist. We then did a joint pot luck.
That was an embarrassing culinary ass-kicking. 90% of the Presby dishes hardly got touched….whereas there were almost fights over the 5 kinds of grits, 3 types of bbq, 4 types of Mac and cheese, greens, and other deliciousness the Ebenezer folks brought. It was brutal.
Also, I ate a LOT that day.

When I was a sophomore at Ole Miss, I reluctantly agreed to go to church with a black friend of mine who played football. He was from Lake Jackson, TX, and went on to play pro ball for a while. Myself, not being a church-goer, was extremely pissed about being up that early on a Sunday. But a promise is a promise. To this day, this was arguably the greatest church experience of my life. The only thing better than the service, was what I called, “the after party”. Other than my trip down to the swamp for my baseball teammates’ grandmother’s birthday party, had I experienced quantity and quality go hand in hand when it came to food. Just thinking about it today, makes me hungry.

Sorry, back to the idiots.
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Posted

When I was a sophomore at Ole Miss, I reluctantly agreed to go to church with a black friend of mine who played football. He was from Lake Jackson, TX, and went on to play pro ball for a while. Myself, not being a church-goer, was extremely pissed about being up that early on a Sunday. But a promise is a promise. To this day, this was arguably the greatest church experience of my life. The only thing better than the service, was what I called, “the after party”. Other than my trip down to the swamp for my baseball teammates’ grandmother’s birthday party, had I experienced quantity and quality go hand in hand when it came to food. Just thinking about it today, makes me hungry.

Sorry, back to the idiots.

Sorry for thread derail but my daughter is going to be a freshman at Ole Miss this fall. She’s pretty liberal, hates Trump and will have to bite her tongue pretty hard, I’m sure, but it’s a beautiful campus and Oxford is amazing. (My ex and most of her family went to OM — ex FIL played baseball/basketball there in the 60’s.)
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Posted
37 minutes ago, Macanudo said:

And that was different from every other day how exactly?

I'll have you know I had half a salad for lunch today.  Getting fit, losing weight, feeling good, man.

But, I mean....I'd kill for a bowl of green chile cheese grits.

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Posted

We attend a Presbyterian church. Years ago, we did a joint MLK day service…with Ebenezer Baptist. We then did a joint pot luck.
That was an embarrassing culinary ass-kicking. 90% of the Presby dishes hardly got touched….whereas there were almost fights over the 5 kinds of grits, 3 types of bbq, 4 types of Mac and cheese, greens, and other deliciousness the Ebenezer folks brought. It was brutal.
Also, I ate a LOT that day.

PCUSA I hope. I’m about to do my 2nd term on the session and I’ve headed up fellowship for 3 years, one luncheon a month. When your average member age is 78 you gotta be careful with the spices. Next weekend we’re taking a chartered bus to an Astros game and this year they made me buy primo seats because last year the old folks almost fell trying to get to their seats.

I’ve gotten to be close friends with our pastor and I still don’t know if she’s a lesbian because it’s none of my fucking business who or if she fucks. In fact, the question has only sped through my brain for a fleeting moment because it’s unimportant - and, tbh, it was male ego, ie “she is a wonderful lady. I’m lucky she is leading our church. I wonder if she is attracted to me?” And all the conservative assholes departed for the PCA or Pioneer Presbyterian church, and PCUSA is so damned liberal and loving and I am so grateful I’ve never heard anything remotely political at church other than love thy neighbor. It’s a magical la la land where we still sing 300 year old hymns.

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Posted
7 hours ago, tx 3 putt said:

 

Brave guy to risk his job. Most likely there is at least 25% of his audience being described, to their face, in terms they won't like to hear. And like with many lectures, those who get offended are the ones who are most guilty.

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Posted
On 7/30/2024 at 2:57 AM, tx 3 putt said:

 

He’s not wrong, but I don’t think this is compelling for those susceptible to falling into Christian nationalism. There are large groups in theologically conservative evangelical churches that can be moved away from this garbage — they were manipulated into it to begin with — but I think the case needs to be a spiritual/biblical one, not a-good-for-society one.

This movement is damaging churches too and is contrary to anything but the most tortured reading of the Bible. The remaining religious leaders whom haven’t fallen into this need to be hammering on this point. Their message should be saving the church.

Arguing against the idea of “America as a Christian nation” accepts it on the the nationalists’ terms. Sure, it’s good to provide a counter-narrative, but it’s too easy to muddy the waters and lead too many to believe that America was actually founded as a Christian nation. It starts to feel like a game picking and choosing gotcha quotes that leave too many to revert to whatever feels comfortable.

For the rank and file evangelical, they need to be reminded that the thing they profess to most value — the propagation of the Gospel — is being destroyed by the Christian nationalist movement. Lust for power and hurting any and everyone is clearly evil in itself, but it’s very practically also damaging the relevance of the need for Jesus.

The cynical religious leaders probably can’t be reached. They are seeking their reward on earth and appear to not believe in the hell that they are preaching, but there are lots of regular folks who could probably be saved. 

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Posted (edited)
3 minutes ago, Mole said:

He’s not wrong, but I don’t think this is compelling for those susceptible to falling into Christian nationalism. There are large groups in theologically conservative evangelical churches that can be moved away from this garbage — they were manipulated into it to begin with — but I think the case needs to be a spiritual/biblical one, not a-good-for-society one.

This movement is damaging churches too and is contrary to anything but the most tortured reading of the Bible. The remaining religious leaders whom haven’t fallen into this need to be hammering on this point. Their message should be saving the church.

Arguing against the idea of “America as a Christian nation” accepts it on the the nationalists’ terms. Sure, it’s good to provide a counter-narrative, but it’s too easy to muddy the waters and lead too many to believe that America was actually founded as a Christian nation. It starts to feel like a game picking and choosing gotcha quotes that leave too many to revert to whatever feels comfortable.

For the rank and file evangelical, they need to be reminded that the thing they profess to most value — the propagation of the Gospel — is being destroyed by the Christian nationalist movement. Lust for power and hurting any and everyone is clearly evil in itself, but it’s very practically also damaging the relevance of the need for Jesus.

The cynical religious leaders probably can’t be reached. They are seeking their reward on earth and appear to not believe in the hell that they are preaching, but there are lots of regular folks who could probably be saved. 

You're not wrong....but you are way, way, way too late.  My wife has regularly observed that resurrection is an essential part of the Christian story, and the arc of the faith.  To be resurrected....a thing first must die.

It is probably well past time for "the Church" in America to die.  It is too riddled with cancer to be saved, it is not worth saving.  Let it die.  Then see what shows up at the resurrection, and nurture that.

Let it go, Indy.

Edited by Brisketexan
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Posted
33 minutes ago, troph said:

 

You are correct too, but not all churches are beyond salvage just many and most if not all of the white conservative ones. 

Sure.  But when "the body of Christ" is more cancer than body....you let the whole fucking thing go.

I mean, I'm sure that not every person on earth was deeply evil and worthy of drowning, but God flooded the whole planet and killed em all anyway.  Right?  Fundagelicals should take that lesson to heed -- make something shitty enough, and the right move is to wipe the whole damned institution out.

I know plenty of good, even great churches/congregations.  Is there any way to separate the body from the cancer any more?  I doubt it.

Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, cactusflinthead said:

His delivery could use some work but the message hits.

Is this political speech in the pulpit?

Don't care. I don't give a damn if they preach politics. At least I know where they stand. I know where Jeffress is going to stand on these issues. It's refreshing to hear an amen from an elder in the pews.

He’s a Democrat and a state representative from Round Rock.

And a UT grad.  Some Surly poster knows him from UT.

Edited by atomheartbevo
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Posted
2 minutes ago, atomheartbevo said:

He’s a Democrat and a state representative from Round Rock.

And a UT grad.  Some Surly poster knows him from UT.

Wait a minute. YOU MEAN TO TELL ME HE'S HERE? IN THE PIT OF SIN?

 

Posted
1 minute ago, cactusflinthead said:

Wait a minute. YOU MEAN TO TELL ME HE'S HERE? IN THE PIT OF SIN?

Born and raised in Williamson County and a product of Round Rock ISD and UT-Austin.

Some times unicorns happen.

Posted (edited)
5 minutes ago, atomheartbevo said:

Born and raised in Williamson County and a product of Round Rock ISD and UT-Austin.

Some times unicorns happen.

Well, it took Nixon to go to China.

I'd subscribe to his newsletter and throw some dollars in the plate. 

Edit: seriously who is he?

Edited by cactusflinthead
  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Well I can’t read the comments because I refuse to support a right wing billionaire troll…so I’ll assume that their statue of Mojo Jojo offends you somehow and the comments are full of manufactured outrage, bots peddling manufactured outrage, and a breathtaking circle jerk of fear and loathing.  
 

And you calling anything or anyone goofy, even in jest, is rich

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  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Never  forget how congregants yelled USA, USA, USA on Christmas Sunday following a political address given by Trump during his last  visit to FBD.

  • 1 year later...
Posted

"Drop in US religiosity among largest in world"

Quote

Drop in U.S. Religiosity Among Largest in World

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 17-point drop in the percentage of U.S. adults who say religion is an important part of their daily life — from 66% in 2015 to 49% today — ranks among the largest Gallup has recorded in any country over any 10-year period since 2007.

https://news.gallup.com/poll/697676/drop-religiosity-among-largest-world.aspx#:~:text=— The 17-point drop in,10-year period since 2007.

Massive drop - 17 points - from 2015 to 2025.  Gosh.  What major trend took place from 2015 to present.  Could it be the rise of the MAGA movement, which has thoroughly coopted Christianity?

In America, 2025, if someone says "I'm a Christian," that is regularly perceived as "I'm MAGA."  It has become, first and foremost, a political label.  And . . . among people inclined to actually FOLLOW the tenets of Christianity, a most distasteful one.  So, in a country where being "religious" largely means "I'm MAGA," it's not a shock to see a big drop in subscription to that religious belief (which remains our culturally dominant religion).

TLDR: Nothing is worse for American Christianity than American "Christians."

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Posted (edited)

It is mind blowing how different things are now than they were 20 years ago. Back in the 2000s religion seemed to be going very strong and then...

I remember when Bush was taking measures to tie the government and churches together with all his faith based initiatives and I told my conservative religious friends (who are no longer either conservative or religious...which probably says something) that this would ruin Christianity in the United States. The separation of church and state is vital for protecting the church and Christian nationalists just don't get that.

Edited by Valmy77
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Posted

The funny thing is if I wanted to be as ungenerous and vicious as possible to the church in the America, I would say it is a money laundering organization that specializes in the cover up of child sex trafficking...which aligns perfectly with who Trump is and what he does so I guess it is no surprise they love him so much.

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Posted
48 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

Could it be the rise of the MAGA movement, which has thoroughly coopted Christianity?

They have coopted a certain version of Christianity and it has had a disastrous impact on the image of Christianity in America.

49 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

In America, 2025, if someone says "I'm a Christian," that is regularly perceived as "I'm MAGA."  It has become, first and foremost, a political label.  And . . . among people inclined to actually FOLLOW the tenets of Christianity, a most distasteful one.

Look... I'm not going to argue that what MAGA has done to Christianity in America is disgusting.  But I'll be damned if I surrender the name of Christ to the MAGA movement and abandon the name Christian just to make sure people don't confuse me as part of MAGA.   

 

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Posted
8 minutes ago, Guadaloopy said:

Look... I'm not going to argue that what MAGA has done to Christianity in America is disgusting.  But I'll be damned if I surrender the name of Christ to the MAGA movement and abandon the name Christian just to make sure people don't confuse me as part of MAGA.   

You may not.  But a lot of people would, and have.

They don't want anything to do with a movement that is widely and broadly associated with hate and cruelty.  "Christianity" is a shit brand in the US these days.  It means "I suck Trump's dick and devote an inordinate amount of energy to being shitty to other people."  That's not a great brand, and it's a TERRIBLE brand for your core "consumer base": people who are interested in practicing actual Christianity.

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Posted
1 hour ago, Brisketexan said:

Massive drop - 17 points - from 2015 to 2025.  Gosh.  What major trend took place from 2015 to present.  Could it be the rise of the MAGA movement, which has thoroughly coopted Christianity?

Hopefully this is the crucible from which a new/old Christianity emerges; one in which a return to the actual, radical message of Christ is not a label but a statement of purpose for believers and aspiring believers.    
 

Btw, it’s not purely following Jonathan Haidt’s timeline, but that also mirrors the popularization of the smart phone.  I think there’s a huge emptiness with modern life, exacerbated by technology and social media, that a post-Enlightenment/pre-Evangelical version of Christianity could help fill.  

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Posted
1 minute ago, LCHorn said:

Hopefully this is the crucible from which a new/old Christianity emerges; one in which a return to the actual, radical message of Christ is not a label but a statement of purpose for believers and aspiring believers.    

That's my wife's (hopeful) take: resurrection is a foundational element of Christianity.  Not just the "event" of resurrection, but the very concept.  And, to be resurrected....a thing must first die.

So, maybe it's time for "Christianity" to die.  Which is a rough process, sad, and costly.  But if Christianity can be what is resurrected, then perhaps that is The Way.

We have a lot further to go, though.  A LOT further.

Posted
1 hour ago, Brisketexan said:

"Drop in US religiosity among largest in world"

https://news.gallup.com/poll/697676/drop-religiosity-among-largest-world.aspx#:~:text=— The 17-point drop in,10-year period since 2007.

Massive drop - 17 points - from 2015 to 2025.  Gosh.  What major trend took place from 2015 to present.  Could it be the rise of the MAGA movement, which has thoroughly coopted Christianity?

In America, 2025, if someone says "I'm a Christian," that is regularly perceived as "I'm MAGA."  It has become, first and foremost, a political label.  And . . . among people inclined to actually FOLLOW the tenets of Christianity, a most distasteful one.  So, in a country where being "religious" largely means "I'm MAGA," it's not a shock to see a big drop in subscription to that religious belief (which remains our culturally dominant religion).

TLDR: Nothing is worse for American Christianity than American "Christians."

I wonder whether COVID played a larger part in this. For months people didn't get to/have to go to church, and I'm betting a large number of folks just didn't miss it, or when they filled that time with other stuff, stuck with their new hobbies.

Do we have numbers on the denominations of Christianity most affected?

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Posted
Just now, softlynow said:

I wonder whether COVID played a larger part in this. For months people didn't get to/have to go to church, and I'm betting a large number of folks just didn't miss it, or when they filled that time with other stuff, stuck with their new hobbies.

Do we have numbers on the denominations of Christianity most affected?

That definitely had an affect.  Shit, it did for us.  We didn't really start attending church again till about a year ago.  We got too comfy in our lazy Sunday mornings, just coffee and conversation.  It was a good distraction, but at the same time, we ended up realizing that we were missing something.  And I'd say church services themselves STILL haven't really gotten over COVID.  A lot of leftovers (communion servers wear gloves, people don't hold hands during the Lord's Prayer, lotta little things like that).  There's a confluence of factors, to be sure.

Posted
1 minute ago, Brisketexan said:

That definitely had an affect.  Shit, it did for us.  We didn't really start attending church again till about a year ago.  We got too comfy in our lazy Sunday mornings, just coffee and conversation.  It was a good distraction, but at the same time, we ended up realizing that we were missing something.  And I'd say church services themselves STILL haven't really gotten over COVID.  A lot of leftovers (communion servers wear gloves, people don't hold hands during the Lord's Prayer, lotta little things like that).  There's a confluence of factors, to be sure.

I have no doubt in Austin some of the distancing era protocols linger. In The Woodlands we've been done with COVID for a couple years. 

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Posted
4 minutes ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

If they do I can’t think of any examples since 23

I just listed two that linger in our church. Now, I don't think it was any sort of deliberate decision, just inertia.  Once you do it a certain way for a while (eg, communion servers wearing vinyl gloves), it falls into the "that's the way we've always done it" trap.

Posted
45 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

I just listed two that linger in our church. Now, I don't think it was any sort of deliberate decision, just inertia.  Once you do it a certain way for a while (eg, communion servers wearing vinyl gloves), it falls into the "that's the way we've always done it" trap.

Interesting. What are the gloves ostensibly for?

Posted
1 minute ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

Interesting. What are the gloves ostensibly for?

I dunno.  Could be for lots of things.

 

Blink-182_-_Enema_of_the_State_cover.jpg

 

Okay, actual answer -- the communion bread is torn by hand and then served to each person, so I guess it's to keep the server's germy hands from touching the bread.  I don't think it was a particularly necessary matter during COVID - wash and sanitize your hands right before you serve, and all is good.



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