Colin

This is a question for those of you who believe in a higher power but don't regularly attend church services/mass.

Why do you stay away? Please explain.

Background: I am meeting with my pastor next week. My church, like most, is experiencing dropping numbers. It is a theologically "progressive" church that has many members, but the percentage of those members who attend church regularly is fairly small.

Even I do not attend church more that twice a month. And I have my reasons. What are yours?

Howard reportedly wants to be traded to the Brooklyn Nets and only the Nets, however he declined comment when asked by RealGM.

Shouldn't it be: Nets. However, he declined...?

Thanks.

There are verses in the Bible to support a view of Jesus that was inclusive, forgiving, and compassionate. There are others that can be used to support an exclusive Jesus.

As a fairly progressive, inclusive Christian myself, I like to believe that Jesus was/is even more loving and open to all types of people than myself. But the views of more conservative Christians make me have my doubts.

Thanks in advance for all thoughtful answers. Peace.

I have read parts of the Qur'an that seem to support Muslim/Christian unity and peace...while there are other suras that seem to imply that Muslims should be hostile toward Christians.

I am not attacking Islam; I am a teacher and have had many Muslim students over the years, and believe it or not, every one of them has been hardworking, kind, and respectful. With this in mind:

1) Do you believe the Qur'an encourages peace and unity among Christians and Muslims? Or does it encourage hostility?

2) If someone comes says to me, "Muslims believe if you are not a follower of Islam, you are doomed," how should I respond?

Please reference The Qur'an in your answer if possible. Thanks in advance for all respectful, thoughtful answers. Haters of Islam need not answer.

Peace/Shalom/Salaam

What does California law say about noise at night?

I have a party going on next door. Normally, I wouldn't care, but this is the second time in as many weeks that these neighbors have had a party, and the yelling and cursing is keeping my children up.

What does the law say? Thank you.

I'm looking for some sights that have great gifs to post on a message board. Hoping for one or two that don't take away the visuals after 15 seconds and make you go to the web site to see them. Thanks.

I'm trying to figure out how to post Giff images on a message board. I know I need to insert information in the "insert image" window. Whenever I insert what I think is the correct info. for the Giff or image, nothing happens!

...with the views of the newly appointed Bishop of Northern California (Robert Vasa), who believes that masturbation and homosexuality are “gravely evil”?

What do Catholics think about the "rapture," and more specifically, the latest predictions of may 21 2011 as the time of "tribulation" and Jesus' return? (saw a billboard today in my Northern California town of all places claiming it is time to repent or else!!)

And a question and a comment: don't Christians who constantly obsess about the End of Times know that their views do more harm than good to the goal of sharing Jesus' message? Wouldn't Jesus want us caring for the poor and fighting for justice until he returns, as opposed to giving so much time and energy to rapture talk/predictions?

Thanks in advance for all respectful answers. Peace.

The biggest reason, in my mind, that so many people are religious is not because of the beliefs. We can debate all day whether there is a God or not, or whether Jesus rose again or Muhammad really did see The Angel Gabriel, etc. But...if you take away someone's religion, you would be taking away the practices (prayer/meditation/community/charity) that calm their hearts and make them better people. In other words, if you really want to encourage people to leave their faith, you got to do more than attack their beliefs over and over again (like some do on here).

So...questions for atheists, Christians, Jews, and others.

1) What do you do when you are feeling stressed or anxious?

2) What do you do to help others in your family and community?

3) What beliefs or practices help you to accept your mortality, or the death of a loved one?

Thanks in advance for all respectful, wise answers. Peace.

I was wondering what Catholics and others on here feel about this. Thanks in advance for all respectful, wise answers.

The Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs is borrowing a page from Alcoholics Anonymous by launching a 12-step program that offers pastoral care and support for homosexuals.

“It’s not about therapy and not about activism,” said the Rev. Larry Brennan, diocese director of priest formation. “It’s about support.”

The Catholic Church views homosexual relations as a sin, but not homosexual thoughts. It expects those with same-sex attraction to be celibate.

“The exercise of sexuality is reserved for marriage, and that can only happen between a man and a woman,” Brennan said.

Jim Fitzgerald, executive director of Call to Action, a national progressive Catholic group headquartered in Chicago, is skeptical of Twelve Steps of Courage because he contends homosexuality isn’t sinful.

“It restricts people’s freedom to be the kind of person they were created to be,” Fitzgerald said of Courage.

Questions for Catholics who support gay rights and/or use birth control (or hold beliefs that are contrary to Church teachings).

How do you respond to fellow Catholics who claim that you are a "cafeteria Catholic," that you choose to only follow Church teachings that fit your needs/views while rejecting those that don't?

Thanks in advance for all thoughtful answers. Peace.

feel comfortable supporting gay marriage?

I asked some questions a couple of days ago to Catholics about birth control. Got some very good answers...I hope to now hear from Protestant Christians on the matter.

1) Is it o.k. to use birth control? If so, why? If not, why not?

2) Do you believe that having sex with your spouse is acceptable in God's eyes EVEN IF there is little to no chance that procreation will occur? To put it another way, is having sex to express love with someone you are married to (or lust!!!) o.k. or not, according to The Bible?

BTW: I am not asking these questions as a way to invite people to bash the Catholic Church. If that is what you wish to do, then your answer will be ignored.

Thanks in advance for all wise, respectful answers. Peace.

I heard a former Catholic priest today say that any Catholic who used birth control (condoms/vasectomy, etc.) is committing a mortal sin, according to the Church.

1) Is this true?

2) Personal question: do you use birth control? Why or why not?

3) If my wife and I, with two kids already, choose to use birth control, are we then choosing to not convert to Catholicism, like we have planned?

Thanks in advance for all thoughtful, respectful answers.

I'm having trouble transfering downloaded music from my computer to my iphone. I've been dragging songs to the phone, and now that option has gone bye-bye. Help a technology idiot out please!!

1) Are children who have not completed their 1st communion classes walk up with a parent when he/she receives communion?

2) Why do some people drink the wine while most do not? (this is true at the masses I've attended at least)

3) What do these words mean to you? (Lord, I am not worthy to receive you; but only say the word and I shall be healed)

Thank you.

...the living in the dead.

According to the teachings of the Catholic Church:

1) Will non-Catholic Christians be judged differently than Catholic Christians?

2) Will Jews, Muslims, and others who believe in God be judged differently?

Related question:

For years Christians have read about and believed in Jesus' return. Yet he has yet to come. Why would God want Christians to be "on alert" for so many years, even though Jesus' return was many years away?

Thanks in advance for all thoughtful answers. Peace.

when it says that Jesus will return one day to judge the living and the dead? It's the judging of the dead that is tripping me up.

Thanks.

Quick background: I have two daughters in a public school, and I am a public school teacher. I attend an Evangelical Lutheran Church.

My daughters, 8 and 5, are presently rehearsing for their "holiday assembly." At the assembly, half the songs are Christmas related (but not religious), two songs are connected to the Judaism, and one is related to Kwanzaa.

My concern: the last song of the evening is Joyful Joyful. This shocked me. Personally, it is one of my all time favorites to sing in church, but personally I feel it is far too religious for a public school assembly, and will inevitably make non-Christian students/parents feel uncomfortable. The lyrics they are singing:

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;

Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,

Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.

Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,

Singing (sometimes chanting) bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.

Anyway, how do you feel about this. If this something my wife and I should protest against? Or can I assume that I am the only one who finds this song choice an aggressive one for a public school?

Peace/Shalom/Salaam