Thugs of God

You can bend the rules without breaking them.  Keep on writing.

Hi Cisco

You sure can. There is a lot of grey in the world.
Not everything is so cut and dry.

I'm going to keep on keeping on amigo

You do that my sweet lady.  I'll always be here for you.

You cover a lot of jurisprudential or ethical territory in short order.

Great read!

Hi MS

I heard that phrase in a song and thought how accurate it is.
How at times preaching can come across as bullying. Just a thought
or a different perspective.
I did meet a few nuns once.
Sweet as can be and so happy. I could feel their joy when they smiled.
it all depends I guess -  on how messages are delivered.

thanks for stopping by!

We personally believe that you can forgive  us for a wrong that we committed against you. But no man can forgive our sins no matter how well he's educated, dresses, or shouts from the pulpit. We have to work out our sins with the true ultimate power. Tight piece Lady  

Hi Meme!

This is true. No one is perfect and I do believe in forgiveness.
Only you know if you're truly sorry.
I don't like the bullying or the fear instilled in some religion.
I'm a go with the flow type of person. But some things
do bug me like being judged.

thanks for stopping by!!

The last two lines are the strength that lifts this write above.  I like how you have an underlying comparison going on, of how the rigid way of modern religion is not comparable to your own common sense approach towards bettering yourself.  
You don't stand alone, either.  Because you are in a congregation of other "real world" members.  

(Five feet one and a half inches...own it all !  LOL)

Hey you!

Thanks for calling out my height!! haha

That phrase struck me as brilliant!! I was listening to the song and I got inspired to write about it.  We should try and better ourselves - it's not easy.
As someone who was raised Catholic - some rules were not terrible - just maybe unrealistic in modern day society.
Experiencing the real world is a must.
Experimenting in life is a must.
Exploring without judgment is a must.

Otherwise how do you know who you are or what
you stand for as a person?

Thanks you!
For the RL and stopping by!!

Some Christian  preachers who become media figures (more often in America than in UK) can sometimes come across as bullying, peddling 'prosperity gospels' with inducements to give money to see prayers fulfilled, and having glittery lifestyles. These lines well describe them:

Standing on top
Of glamour hill
Typed tongues
Like bible pages
Dressed in black and white
Spewing ancient words
For the modern ages

The best ones, I believe, to listen to are those who in attitude come as  servants not those that preen themselves on the trappings of leadership and an air of 'I'm all right Jack, you're wrong'..

Hi Sol

What gets me is how some come across angry almost. Or they come across as self righteous. I have met a couple who do come across as a genuine kind soul too. Just felt the need to vent about how it can be a turn off to people looking to find some sort of spiritual guidance.

thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment:)

About anger coming from preachers, I would ask myself - are they projecting God's righteous anger, or that of their ego/prejudices?. I was in conversation among some Christians yesterday, one recalled seeing two 'street evangelists' in a city having an angry discussion - on megaphones - between preaches to the passing crowds, over points of theology - he reckoned that put off more people than won anybody over.

This title is utterly outstanding... just grabs ahold...so glad you used it... I was immediately intrigued.

I try my best to avoid comments on religion or pieces pertaining to, because I have personally had some seriously life scarring experiences with the catholic church while growing up, the kind that will forever darken and rightly color my opinions. That being said, I feel like this was more of a projection and commitment to your own incredible strength of survival. The uplifting essence of self reliance, is bold and beautifully felt. That was some killer imagery = Finding heaven inside yourself. BOOM!! That's where I stood up and yelled out my own 'AMEN' in praise of your personally awesome 'come to Jesus moment'. Yessss!!

This ink was fabulously inspired and made possible by accessing your deep bastion of inner power...which for me, was magic to behold!
...

Thanks so much for that.
🌹B

Fuck! I was going to write the same thing as Blue. There was a stand up and cheer moment, and your internal reflection that you are all that you need to speak to and understand god was utterly amazing

Right, I heard it and it stuck with me for some reason.
Thugs of God - there is no misunderstanding with that phrase. LOL

I'm sorry you had such a traumatic experience with the Catholic Church.  
I've know people who have been scarred by it and people who have flourished with it. Religion. Believing in something greater than yourself.
But I think we are walking churches. It lies within us. We write our own bible everyday and not necessarily using words - but by our actions and compassion - and sometimes using our anger.  

I'm not going to let anyone manipulate me into thinking I should hand over my soul. It's mine and I'm selfish with it. I'll hand it over myself when the time is right. I don't need your guidelines to do it.

Thanks for the RL and your awesome reply! In my mind I gave you a high five!!

Hey Betty:)

It took a while for me to have the confidence to say it out loud. When I use to sit in church and listen sometimes I'd get that feeling. The disagreeing feeling. LOL
It didn't sit well with me.
I once went to a church that actually said all Buddhist are going to hell!
Who does or says that!! I actually got up and left. I was so offended for Buddhists - and I'm not one. But you know who was - Tina Turner - and you're telling me she is going to hell - after everything with Ike Turner!!

Nope - god bless her:)
Sorry for the rant - yikes. LOL

Thanks for commenting and reading:)

You're right, you angelic face, you!   We are our own "church",  without preaching too much about it.  Our actions are our results of our inner pulpits.  
We also create our version of heaven best we can, while on earth.  Why wait?!

hahaha - Well howdy Styxian -
You handsome devil you, hahaha

Well, think about it. Back in bible time - there were no churches.
but there were plenty of people:)

If and when you find heaven on earth go for it!!
I agree buddy:)

I believe in the the power of prayer but don't necessarily need a God like figure to pray to.
Breaking rules is a good pastime and redemption is free ...

Like

Hey PS

Same here. Prayer does work. There have been a few times I've actually prayed and the next day - in some way - it was answered. Just have to pay attention to the signs.

Thanks for stopping amigo!

I would join your church! It'd probably be more pure than most. I'd help out on fundraising coffee mornings & maybe fun runs at a pinch... but you can make the cupcakes as I don't know how, lol. Why not?! ;-)

hahaha - Hey Billy

Look at you trying to get me to bake.
I actually just baked some chocolate chip cookies today.
Not so sure how pure you'd be though?
Have a great evening you fundraising maniac. LOL

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment buddy!

Yeah, not that pure from my side of the fence, so I guess I would be seeking forgiveness. I don't deserve forgiveness anyway, not yet at any rate, lol. Long may your face glow in lambent light... your word, not mine, lol. ;-)

LOL!!

What a sweet thing to say
Thanks Billy:)