Religion and Illness. Where does your church stand?

johannaleigh · Sep 28, 2007

In the past year, I have had a bad experience with the religious beliefs of a church I was a part of. For a year I worked in the children's service doing media.
Things went along fine for about six months. Then I was given the new teaching materials, which were dvd's with little 3 minute animated bible lessons I was instructed to play at a certain time in the service. I put it in and played one of the first new bible lesson, thinking it would be something cute about being good to others, don't steal or lie ,you know, the usual stuff. Instead it was basically about if you are good God will heal you and bad people stay sick. I thought, well that's some peoples opinion, even though that is not true( If it is, I must be one of the most evil people on earth, ha ha). So I ignored it. To make a long story short, for the next 2 months a good portion of the lessons and preaching was about if you pray God will heal you and good people who love god are not sick and if you have prayed and your still sick your not praying the right way or your heart isn'nt right.
The children's pastor(my boss) knew I had cf and said he prayed for me often and in the past few years I had been anointed in the spirit and prayed over several times.
Anyway, a few weeks before I left the church, the children's pastor called me to talk to me and in the conversation he brought up that he and many at church were praying for me and then said, you know, the way we pray is important and you have to pray the right way for god to listen to it and some other stuff like that. Basically he was saying, prayer hasen't healed you so you must be praying the wrong way. He would'nt come out and say it exactly, but I knew what he meant.

I want to make it clear I'm not against God. I am a spiritual person, but I'm not too happy with organized religion and some of thier beliefs. I felt like the people there might of thought bad things about me because I had cf. Don't get me wrong, there are alot of churches that don't believe this way. I'm in the process of church shopping right now to find the right place for me. It just amazes me how the people I worked with at my old church can believe something like that when I'm standing there, proof to the contrary, and teach it to the kids and then say to me, by Johanna ,see you next sunday, thank you so much for your help, and not feel like complete fools. In my opinion religion and God often times are two completely different things. My intention is not to make anyone antireligious or for anyone to leave thier church or get mad at God. I was just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. Let me know your thoughts on this subject. Thanks

johannaleigh · Sep 28, 2007

In the past year, I have had a bad experience with the religious beliefs of a church I was a part of. For a year I worked in the children's service doing media.
Things went along fine for about six months. Then I was given the new teaching materials, which were dvd's with little 3 minute animated bible lessons I was instructed to play at a certain time in the service. I put it in and played one of the first new bible lesson, thinking it would be something cute about being good to others, don't steal or lie ,you know, the usual stuff. Instead it was basically about if you are good God will heal you and bad people stay sick. I thought, well that's some peoples opinion, even though that is not true( If it is, I must be one of the most evil people on earth, ha ha). So I ignored it. To make a long story short, for the next 2 months a good portion of the lessons and preaching was about if you pray God will heal you and good people who love god are not sick and if you have prayed and your still sick your not praying the right way or your heart isn'nt right.
The children's pastor(my boss) knew I had cf and said he prayed for me often and in the past few years I had been anointed in the spirit and prayed over several times.
Anyway, a few weeks before I left the church, the children's pastor called me to talk to me and in the conversation he brought up that he and many at church were praying for me and then said, you know, the way we pray is important and you have to pray the right way for god to listen to it and some other stuff like that. Basically he was saying, prayer hasen't healed you so you must be praying the wrong way. He would'nt come out and say it exactly, but I knew what he meant.

I want to make it clear I'm not against God. I am a spiritual person, but I'm not too happy with organized religion and some of thier beliefs. I felt like the people there might of thought bad things about me because I had cf. Don't get me wrong, there are alot of churches that don't believe this way. I'm in the process of church shopping right now to find the right place for me. It just amazes me how the people I worked with at my old church can believe something like that when I'm standing there, proof to the contrary, and teach it to the kids and then say to me, by Johanna ,see you next sunday, thank you so much for your help, and not feel like complete fools. In my opinion religion and God often times are two completely different things. My intention is not to make anyone antireligious or for anyone to leave thier church or get mad at God. I was just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. Let me know your thoughts on this subject. Thanks

johannaleigh · Sep 28, 2007

In the past year, I have had a bad experience with the religious beliefs of a church I was a part of. For a year I worked in the children's service doing media.
Things went along fine for about six months. Then I was given the new teaching materials, which were dvd's with little 3 minute animated bible lessons I was instructed to play at a certain time in the service. I put it in and played one of the first new bible lesson, thinking it would be something cute about being good to others, don't steal or lie ,you know, the usual stuff. Instead it was basically about if you are good God will heal you and bad people stay sick. I thought, well that's some peoples opinion, even though that is not true( If it is, I must be one of the most evil people on earth, ha ha). So I ignored it. To make a long story short, for the next 2 months a good portion of the lessons and preaching was about if you pray God will heal you and good people who love god are not sick and if you have prayed and your still sick your not praying the right way or your heart isn'nt right.
The children's pastor(my boss) knew I had cf and said he prayed for me often and in the past few years I had been anointed in the spirit and prayed over several times.
Anyway, a few weeks before I left the church, the children's pastor called me to talk to me and in the conversation he brought up that he and many at church were praying for me and then said, you know, the way we pray is important and you have to pray the right way for god to listen to it and some other stuff like that. Basically he was saying, prayer hasen't healed you so you must be praying the wrong way. He would'nt come out and say it exactly, but I knew what he meant.

I want to make it clear I'm not against God. I am a spiritual person, but I'm not too happy with organized religion and some of thier beliefs. I felt like the people there might of thought bad things about me because I had cf. Don't get me wrong, there are alot of churches that don't believe this way. I'm in the process of church shopping right now to find the right place for me. It just amazes me how the people I worked with at my old church can believe something like that when I'm standing there, proof to the contrary, and teach it to the kids and then say to me, by Johanna ,see you next sunday, thank you so much for your help, and not feel like complete fools. In my opinion religion and God often times are two completely different things. My intention is not to make anyone antireligious or for anyone to leave thier church or get mad at God. I was just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. Let me know your thoughts on this subject. Thanks

johannaleigh · Sep 28, 2007

In the past year, I have had a bad experience with the religious beliefs of a church I was a part of. For a year I worked in the children's service doing media.
Things went along fine for about six months. Then I was given the new teaching materials, which were dvd's with little 3 minute animated bible lessons I was instructed to play at a certain time in the service. I put it in and played one of the first new bible lesson, thinking it would be something cute about being good to others, don't steal or lie ,you know, the usual stuff. Instead it was basically about if you are good God will heal you and bad people stay sick. I thought, well that's some peoples opinion, even though that is not true( If it is, I must be one of the most evil people on earth, ha ha). So I ignored it. To make a long story short, for the next 2 months a good portion of the lessons and preaching was about if you pray God will heal you and good people who love god are not sick and if you have prayed and your still sick your not praying the right way or your heart isn'nt right.
The children's pastor(my boss) knew I had cf and said he prayed for me often and in the past few years I had been anointed in the spirit and prayed over several times.
Anyway, a few weeks before I left the church, the children's pastor called me to talk to me and in the conversation he brought up that he and many at church were praying for me and then said, you know, the way we pray is important and you have to pray the right way for god to listen to it and some other stuff like that. Basically he was saying, prayer hasen't healed you so you must be praying the wrong way. He would'nt come out and say it exactly, but I knew what he meant.

I want to make it clear I'm not against God. I am a spiritual person, but I'm not too happy with organized religion and some of thier beliefs. I felt like the people there might of thought bad things about me because I had cf. Don't get me wrong, there are alot of churches that don't believe this way. I'm in the process of church shopping right now to find the right place for me. It just amazes me how the people I worked with at my old church can believe something like that when I'm standing there, proof to the contrary, and teach it to the kids and then say to me, by Johanna ,see you next sunday, thank you so much for your help, and not feel like complete fools. In my opinion religion and God often times are two completely different things. My intention is not to make anyone antireligious or for anyone to leave thier church or get mad at God. I was just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. Let me know your thoughts on this subject. Thanks

johannaleigh · Sep 28, 2007

In the past year, I have had a bad experience with the religious beliefs of a church I was a part of. For a year I worked in the children's service doing media.
Things went along fine for about six months. Then I was given the new teaching materials, which were dvd's with little 3 minute animated bible lessons I was instructed to play at a certain time in the service. I put it in and played one of the first new bible lesson, thinking it would be something cute about being good to others, don't steal or lie ,you know, the usual stuff. Instead it was basically about if you are good God will heal you and bad people stay sick. I thought, well that's some peoples opinion, even though that is not true( If it is, I must be one of the most evil people on earth, ha ha). So I ignored it. To make a long story short, for the next 2 months a good portion of the lessons and preaching was about if you pray God will heal you and good people who love god are not sick and if you have prayed and your still sick your not praying the right way or your heart isn'nt right.
The children's pastor(my boss) knew I had cf and said he prayed for me often and in the past few years I had been anointed in the spirit and prayed over several times.
Anyway, a few weeks before I left the church, the children's pastor called me to talk to me and in the conversation he brought up that he and many at church were praying for me and then said, you know, the way we pray is important and you have to pray the right way for god to listen to it and some other stuff like that. Basically he was saying, prayer hasen't healed you so you must be praying the wrong way. He would'nt come out and say it exactly, but I knew what he meant.

I want to make it clear I'm not against God. I am a spiritual person, but I'm not too happy with organized religion and some of thier beliefs. I felt like the people there might of thought bad things about me because I had cf. Don't get me wrong, there are alot of churches that don't believe this way. I'm in the process of church shopping right now to find the right place for me. It just amazes me how the people I worked with at my old church can believe something like that when I'm standing there, proof to the contrary, and teach it to the kids and then say to me, by Johanna ,see you next sunday, thank you so much for your help, and not feel like complete fools. In my opinion religion and God often times are two completely different things. My intention is not to make anyone antireligious or for anyone to leave thier church or get mad at God. I was just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. Let me know your thoughts on this subject. Thanks

lightNlife · Sep 28, 2007

I'm sorry you've had a bad experience in the church. Some beliefs are in the extreme, and unfortunately, there are some churches that do not adhere to Biblical teaching. When I was first diagnosed with CF as an infant, my parents had all kinds of people say ignorant things about why I was "punished" with CF.

Below are my thoughts on God an healing. This work is copyrighted and has been used by Rest Ministries' Chronic Pain and illness devotionals. Please contact me if you'd like to reprint it or pass it along to anyone else. Thanks.

Thoughts on God and Healing


But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. --2nd Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

As a Christian who lives with chronic illness,I inevitably find myself involved in discussions about healing. Many people want to know whether I believe that God still heals today as he did in Jesus' time. Can God heal? Absolutely and without a doubt! Does he heal? If you mean miraculous healing, well I would suppose that depends.

I have heard it argued that anyone who suffers physically must be harboring unconfessed sin. Along those same lines is the belief that a person who suffers from a long-term illness must not have adequate faith. This idea is not new. In fact, Jesus' disciples thought those very things when they came across a man who had been blind from birth. (John 9) They asked Jesus whether the man's disability was the result of his sin or his parents'. Jesus told them that the man's blindness existed in order that the work of God might be displayed.

Although miraculous healing is certainly one way in which God's glory is revealed, God doesn't need to prove himself to any of us in such a way. His glory is revealed just as much by those who proclaim that God is their source of strength even in the midst of their suffering.

When God allows us to suffer, whether it be in the short term or long term, we should immediately recognize that we need Him. As we pray for the strength to stand firm in the midst of pain, we need to remember that miraculous healing may not be God's answer for us. Instead of praying for healing, we should pray that God will use the experience to teach us to trust him more fully. His grace truly is sufficient--even for the things that exhaust us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

------------

If you'd like to read more about my beliefs, and what God is doing in my life, please visit my devotional blog, <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://educatedguesser.blogspot.com">"Pools of Grace"</a>

lightNlife · Sep 28, 2007

I'm sorry you've had a bad experience in the church. Some beliefs are in the extreme, and unfortunately, there are some churches that do not adhere to Biblical teaching. When I was first diagnosed with CF as an infant, my parents had all kinds of people say ignorant things about why I was "punished" with CF.

Below are my thoughts on God an healing. This work is copyrighted and has been used by Rest Ministries' Chronic Pain and illness devotionals. Please contact me if you'd like to reprint it or pass it along to anyone else. Thanks.

Thoughts on God and Healing


But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. --2nd Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

As a Christian who lives with chronic illness,I inevitably find myself involved in discussions about healing. Many people want to know whether I believe that God still heals today as he did in Jesus' time. Can God heal? Absolutely and without a doubt! Does he heal? If you mean miraculous healing, well I would suppose that depends.

I have heard it argued that anyone who suffers physically must be harboring unconfessed sin. Along those same lines is the belief that a person who suffers from a long-term illness must not have adequate faith. This idea is not new. In fact, Jesus' disciples thought those very things when they came across a man who had been blind from birth. (John 9) They asked Jesus whether the man's disability was the result of his sin or his parents'. Jesus told them that the man's blindness existed in order that the work of God might be displayed.

Although miraculous healing is certainly one way in which God's glory is revealed, God doesn't need to prove himself to any of us in such a way. His glory is revealed just as much by those who proclaim that God is their source of strength even in the midst of their suffering.

When God allows us to suffer, whether it be in the short term or long term, we should immediately recognize that we need Him. As we pray for the strength to stand firm in the midst of pain, we need to remember that miraculous healing may not be God's answer for us. Instead of praying for healing, we should pray that God will use the experience to teach us to trust him more fully. His grace truly is sufficient--even for the things that exhaust us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

------------

If you'd like to read more about my beliefs, and what God is doing in my life, please visit my devotional blog, <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://educatedguesser.blogspot.com">"Pools of Grace"</a>

lightNlife · Sep 28, 2007

I'm sorry you've had a bad experience in the church. Some beliefs are in the extreme, and unfortunately, there are some churches that do not adhere to Biblical teaching. When I was first diagnosed with CF as an infant, my parents had all kinds of people say ignorant things about why I was "punished" with CF.

Below are my thoughts on God an healing. This work is copyrighted and has been used by Rest Ministries' Chronic Pain and illness devotionals. Please contact me if you'd like to reprint it or pass it along to anyone else. Thanks.

Thoughts on God and Healing


But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. --2nd Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

As a Christian who lives with chronic illness,I inevitably find myself involved in discussions about healing. Many people want to know whether I believe that God still heals today as he did in Jesus' time. Can God heal? Absolutely and without a doubt! Does he heal? If you mean miraculous healing, well I would suppose that depends.

I have heard it argued that anyone who suffers physically must be harboring unconfessed sin. Along those same lines is the belief that a person who suffers from a long-term illness must not have adequate faith. This idea is not new. In fact, Jesus' disciples thought those very things when they came across a man who had been blind from birth. (John 9) They asked Jesus whether the man's disability was the result of his sin or his parents'. Jesus told them that the man's blindness existed in order that the work of God might be displayed.

Although miraculous healing is certainly one way in which God's glory is revealed, God doesn't need to prove himself to any of us in such a way. His glory is revealed just as much by those who proclaim that God is their source of strength even in the midst of their suffering.

When God allows us to suffer, whether it be in the short term or long term, we should immediately recognize that we need Him. As we pray for the strength to stand firm in the midst of pain, we need to remember that miraculous healing may not be God's answer for us. Instead of praying for healing, we should pray that God will use the experience to teach us to trust him more fully. His grace truly is sufficient--even for the things that exhaust us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

------------

If you'd like to read more about my beliefs, and what God is doing in my life, please visit my devotional blog, <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://educatedguesser.blogspot.com">"Pools of Grace"</a>

lightNlife · Sep 28, 2007

I'm sorry you've had a bad experience in the church. Some beliefs are in the extreme, and unfortunately, there are some churches that do not adhere to Biblical teaching. When I was first diagnosed with CF as an infant, my parents had all kinds of people say ignorant things about why I was "punished" with CF.

Below are my thoughts on God an healing. This work is copyrighted and has been used by Rest Ministries' Chronic Pain and illness devotionals. Please contact me if you'd like to reprint it or pass it along to anyone else. Thanks.

Thoughts on God and Healing


But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. --2nd Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

As a Christian who lives with chronic illness,I inevitably find myself involved in discussions about healing. Many people want to know whether I believe that God still heals today as he did in Jesus' time. Can God heal? Absolutely and without a doubt! Does he heal? If you mean miraculous healing, well I would suppose that depends.

I have heard it argued that anyone who suffers physically must be harboring unconfessed sin. Along those same lines is the belief that a person who suffers from a long-term illness must not have adequate faith. This idea is not new. In fact, Jesus' disciples thought those very things when they came across a man who had been blind from birth. (John 9) They asked Jesus whether the man's disability was the result of his sin or his parents'. Jesus told them that the man's blindness existed in order that the work of God might be displayed.

Although miraculous healing is certainly one way in which God's glory is revealed, God doesn't need to prove himself to any of us in such a way. His glory is revealed just as much by those who proclaim that God is their source of strength even in the midst of their suffering.

When God allows us to suffer, whether it be in the short term or long term, we should immediately recognize that we need Him. As we pray for the strength to stand firm in the midst of pain, we need to remember that miraculous healing may not be God's answer for us. Instead of praying for healing, we should pray that God will use the experience to teach us to trust him more fully. His grace truly is sufficient--even for the things that exhaust us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

------------

If you'd like to read more about my beliefs, and what God is doing in my life, please visit my devotional blog, <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://educatedguesser.blogspot.com">"Pools of Grace"</a>

lightNlife · Sep 28, 2007

I'm sorry you've had a bad experience in the church. Some beliefs are in the extreme, and unfortunately, there are some churches that do not adhere to Biblical teaching. When I was first diagnosed with CF as an infant, my parents had all kinds of people say ignorant things about why I was "punished" with CF.

Below are my thoughts on God an healing. This work is copyrighted and has been used by Rest Ministries' Chronic Pain and illness devotionals. Please contact me if you'd like to reprint it or pass it along to anyone else. Thanks.

Thoughts on God and Healing


But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. --2nd Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

As a Christian who lives with chronic illness,I inevitably find myself involved in discussions about healing. Many people want to know whether I believe that God still heals today as he did in Jesus' time. Can God heal? Absolutely and without a doubt! Does he heal? If you mean miraculous healing, well I would suppose that depends.

I have heard it argued that anyone who suffers physically must be harboring unconfessed sin. Along those same lines is the belief that a person who suffers from a long-term illness must not have adequate faith. This idea is not new. In fact, Jesus' disciples thought those very things when they came across a man who had been blind from birth. (John 9) They asked Jesus whether the man's disability was the result of his sin or his parents'. Jesus told them that the man's blindness existed in order that the work of God might be displayed.

Although miraculous healing is certainly one way in which God's glory is revealed, God doesn't need to prove himself to any of us in such a way. His glory is revealed just as much by those who proclaim that God is their source of strength even in the midst of their suffering.

When God allows us to suffer, whether it be in the short term or long term, we should immediately recognize that we need Him. As we pray for the strength to stand firm in the midst of pain, we need to remember that miraculous healing may not be God's answer for us. Instead of praying for healing, we should pray that God will use the experience to teach us to trust him more fully. His grace truly is sufficient--even for the things that exhaust us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

------------

If you'd like to read more about my beliefs, and what God is doing in my life, please visit my devotional blog, <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://educatedguesser.blogspot.com">"Pools of Grace"</a>

Emily65Roses · Sep 29, 2007

I had a crappy experience in church, though for a different reason. I was only 8 years old, I don't even remember it. My mom told me the story. I always coughed during service. A woman asked my mom if they wanted a cough drop for me, and my mom politely declined. She turned to her husband and said "Well they should DO something about that child's cough." It came to the "shakes the hands of people around you" crap, and the woman said very loudly to her husband "I am NOT shaking hands with that woman!"

Our priest guy (I never know what they're called), the following Sunday, made an announcement about what my mom told him. He told the story (no names) and said CF children need to cough to clear their lungs. They even put a little note in the bottom of the thing... what is it called? The little "schedule" for the services. Anyways, they put a note in it that said "Remember! Cytic fibrosis children need to cough to clear their lungs." That same woman then drripped fake sweetness all over my mom. My mom decided it wasn't worth going to church anymore when she felt anxious and crappy going. She said that church is the last place you should feel anxious going to.

So we stopped going shortly thereafter. And other than weddings, funerals, and a baptism or two, I haven't been back to church since.

In regards to your story, I CANNOT STAND THAT. That always pisses me off. It's the same implied theme in that stupid book that everyone drooled over, The Secret. God can heal you, you can heal yourself. If you're still sick it's because god hates you or because you're not trying hard enough. Load of garbage.

Whether or not you believe in any god, "praying the wrong way" is a load of steaming crap. As long as you believe and you're praying to your god, it's right. It doesn't have to be a "certain way" to work. You don't need organized religion to have faith in your life. If I did believe in god, I'd do it on my own time, in my own home. I don't want to be told how to think or how to celebrate my faith (if I had it). You shouldn't either. Especially if they're telling you a bunch of grade A baloney that you don't need to listen to.

Emily65Roses · Sep 29, 2007

I had a crappy experience in church, though for a different reason. I was only 8 years old, I don't even remember it. My mom told me the story. I always coughed during service. A woman asked my mom if they wanted a cough drop for me, and my mom politely declined. She turned to her husband and said "Well they should DO something about that child's cough." It came to the "shakes the hands of people around you" crap, and the woman said very loudly to her husband "I am NOT shaking hands with that woman!"

Our priest guy (I never know what they're called), the following Sunday, made an announcement about what my mom told him. He told the story (no names) and said CF children need to cough to clear their lungs. They even put a little note in the bottom of the thing... what is it called? The little "schedule" for the services. Anyways, they put a note in it that said "Remember! Cytic fibrosis children need to cough to clear their lungs." That same woman then drripped fake sweetness all over my mom. My mom decided it wasn't worth going to church anymore when she felt anxious and crappy going. She said that church is the last place you should feel anxious going to.

So we stopped going shortly thereafter. And other than weddings, funerals, and a baptism or two, I haven't been back to church since.

In regards to your story, I CANNOT STAND THAT. That always pisses me off. It's the same implied theme in that stupid book that everyone drooled over, The Secret. God can heal you, you can heal yourself. If you're still sick it's because god hates you or because you're not trying hard enough. Load of garbage.

Whether or not you believe in any god, "praying the wrong way" is a load of steaming crap. As long as you believe and you're praying to your god, it's right. It doesn't have to be a "certain way" to work. You don't need organized religion to have faith in your life. If I did believe in god, I'd do it on my own time, in my own home. I don't want to be told how to think or how to celebrate my faith (if I had it). You shouldn't either. Especially if they're telling you a bunch of grade A baloney that you don't need to listen to.

Emily65Roses · Sep 29, 2007

I had a crappy experience in church, though for a different reason. I was only 8 years old, I don't even remember it. My mom told me the story. I always coughed during service. A woman asked my mom if they wanted a cough drop for me, and my mom politely declined. She turned to her husband and said "Well they should DO something about that child's cough." It came to the "shakes the hands of people around you" crap, and the woman said very loudly to her husband "I am NOT shaking hands with that woman!"

Our priest guy (I never know what they're called), the following Sunday, made an announcement about what my mom told him. He told the story (no names) and said CF children need to cough to clear their lungs. They even put a little note in the bottom of the thing... what is it called? The little "schedule" for the services. Anyways, they put a note in it that said "Remember! Cytic fibrosis children need to cough to clear their lungs." That same woman then drripped fake sweetness all over my mom. My mom decided it wasn't worth going to church anymore when she felt anxious and crappy going. She said that church is the last place you should feel anxious going to.

So we stopped going shortly thereafter. And other than weddings, funerals, and a baptism or two, I haven't been back to church since.

In regards to your story, I CANNOT STAND THAT. That always pisses me off. It's the same implied theme in that stupid book that everyone drooled over, The Secret. God can heal you, you can heal yourself. If you're still sick it's because god hates you or because you're not trying hard enough. Load of garbage.

Whether or not you believe in any god, "praying the wrong way" is a load of steaming crap. As long as you believe and you're praying to your god, it's right. It doesn't have to be a "certain way" to work. You don't need organized religion to have faith in your life. If I did believe in god, I'd do it on my own time, in my own home. I don't want to be told how to think or how to celebrate my faith (if I had it). You shouldn't either. Especially if they're telling you a bunch of grade A baloney that you don't need to listen to.

Emily65Roses · Sep 29, 2007

I had a crappy experience in church, though for a different reason. I was only 8 years old, I don't even remember it. My mom told me the story. I always coughed during service. A woman asked my mom if they wanted a cough drop for me, and my mom politely declined. She turned to her husband and said "Well they should DO something about that child's cough." It came to the "shakes the hands of people around you" crap, and the woman said very loudly to her husband "I am NOT shaking hands with that woman!"

Our priest guy (I never know what they're called), the following Sunday, made an announcement about what my mom told him. He told the story (no names) and said CF children need to cough to clear their lungs. They even put a little note in the bottom of the thing... what is it called? The little "schedule" for the services. Anyways, they put a note in it that said "Remember! Cytic fibrosis children need to cough to clear their lungs." That same woman then drripped fake sweetness all over my mom. My mom decided it wasn't worth going to church anymore when she felt anxious and crappy going. She said that church is the last place you should feel anxious going to.

So we stopped going shortly thereafter. And other than weddings, funerals, and a baptism or two, I haven't been back to church since.

In regards to your story, I CANNOT STAND THAT. That always pisses me off. It's the same implied theme in that stupid book that everyone drooled over, The Secret. God can heal you, you can heal yourself. If you're still sick it's because god hates you or because you're not trying hard enough. Load of garbage.

Whether or not you believe in any god, "praying the wrong way" is a load of steaming crap. As long as you believe and you're praying to your god, it's right. It doesn't have to be a "certain way" to work. You don't need organized religion to have faith in your life. If I did believe in god, I'd do it on my own time, in my own home. I don't want to be told how to think or how to celebrate my faith (if I had it). You shouldn't either. Especially if they're telling you a bunch of grade A baloney that you don't need to listen to.

Emily65Roses · Sep 29, 2007

I had a crappy experience in church, though for a different reason. I was only 8 years old, I don't even remember it. My mom told me the story. I always coughed during service. A woman asked my mom if they wanted a cough drop for me, and my mom politely declined. She turned to her husband and said "Well they should DO something about that child's cough." It came to the "shakes the hands of people around you" crap, and the woman said very loudly to her husband "I am NOT shaking hands with that woman!"

Our priest guy (I never know what they're called), the following Sunday, made an announcement about what my mom told him. He told the story (no names) and said CF children need to cough to clear their lungs. They even put a little note in the bottom of the thing... what is it called? The little "schedule" for the services. Anyways, they put a note in it that said "Remember! Cytic fibrosis children need to cough to clear their lungs." That same woman then drripped fake sweetness all over my mom. My mom decided it wasn't worth going to church anymore when she felt anxious and crappy going. She said that church is the last place you should feel anxious going to.

So we stopped going shortly thereafter. And other than weddings, funerals, and a baptism or two, I haven't been back to church since.

In regards to your story, I CANNOT STAND THAT. That always pisses me off. It's the same implied theme in that stupid book that everyone drooled over, The Secret. God can heal you, you can heal yourself. If you're still sick it's because god hates you or because you're not trying hard enough. Load of garbage.

Whether or not you believe in any god, "praying the wrong way" is a load of steaming crap. As long as you believe and you're praying to your god, it's right. It doesn't have to be a "certain way" to work. You don't need organized religion to have faith in your life. If I did believe in god, I'd do it on my own time, in my own home. I don't want to be told how to think or how to celebrate my faith (if I had it). You shouldn't either. Especially if they're telling you a bunch of grade A baloney that you don't need to listen to.

ReneeP · Sep 29, 2007

That is so sad... not to mention cruel and ignorant. Organized religion at its absolute finest. It takes a great deal of responsibility off them if they can blame you for your own illness. If they couldn't do that than they would have to admit they are wrong about their whole "healing" concept. Heaven forbid they be wrong.

I'm sorry for what you went through. Wish I could offer some words of wisdom. I left organised religion several years ago for a somewhat similar reason and have yet to get over it.

ReneeP · Sep 29, 2007

That is so sad... not to mention cruel and ignorant. Organized religion at its absolute finest. It takes a great deal of responsibility off them if they can blame you for your own illness. If they couldn't do that than they would have to admit they are wrong about their whole "healing" concept. Heaven forbid they be wrong.

I'm sorry for what you went through. Wish I could offer some words of wisdom. I left organised religion several years ago for a somewhat similar reason and have yet to get over it.

ReneeP · Sep 29, 2007

That is so sad... not to mention cruel and ignorant. Organized religion at its absolute finest. It takes a great deal of responsibility off them if they can blame you for your own illness. If they couldn't do that than they would have to admit they are wrong about their whole "healing" concept. Heaven forbid they be wrong.

I'm sorry for what you went through. Wish I could offer some words of wisdom. I left organised religion several years ago for a somewhat similar reason and have yet to get over it.

ReneeP · Sep 29, 2007

That is so sad... not to mention cruel and ignorant. Organized religion at its absolute finest. It takes a great deal of responsibility off them if they can blame you for your own illness. If they couldn't do that than they would have to admit they are wrong about their whole "healing" concept. Heaven forbid they be wrong.

I'm sorry for what you went through. Wish I could offer some words of wisdom. I left organised religion several years ago for a somewhat similar reason and have yet to get over it.

ReneeP · Sep 29, 2007

That is so sad... not to mention cruel and ignorant. Organized religion at its absolute finest. It takes a great deal of responsibility off them if they can blame you for your own illness. If they couldn't do that than they would have to admit they are wrong about their whole "healing" concept. Heaven forbid they be wrong.

I'm sorry for what you went through. Wish I could offer some words of wisdom. I left organised religion several years ago for a somewhat similar reason and have yet to get over it.

Religion and Illness. Where does your church stand?

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