Quote:
Originally Posted by martureo
A few remarks.
1) As someone in Seminary and currently pursuing ordination as a pastor, no money is not the object. Many pastors I know of struggle with the church board over whether the church should be in the black or the red, or even whether the church should have more than one savings account. If anything it is usually the church board who wants more money, the pastor keeps giving it away. (But if you're exposed to the televangelist type, yes I can see how this opinion is made)
2) Pat Robertson and Rick Warren are two completely different ends of the spectrum. Both give most of their income away, but one moreso than the other.
3) Jesus did exist. Even the great NT scholar and master skeptic Bart Ehrman makes that quite clear.
4) And you'll find no rebuttal concerning the RWNJs from me. I've been fighting that ilk for years. Heck, I'm considering not voting again when election time comes up. That statement alone has got me screamed at.
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My apology - you're quite right about point '1'. I was generalizing and should not have. There are a lot of smaller churches that do important work - I see/hear about it almost every day in inner city LA. And you're also probably right about '2'.
I really want to believe that Jesus existed - maybe all hope is not lost for mankind.
Regarding '4' - well, I know this will get a lot of tempers flared. The very folks that are ready to dehumanize gays, declare endless wars, pratice predatory capitalism and love to shoot first then ask questions later, seem to be the people screaming the loudest about christianity/religion. As far as I recall, Jesus seemed to be a socialist, did not own a gun and accepted people from all walks of life.
BTW, I think you'll make an excellent pastor - you seem to be a level headed and patient person. I really wish you the very best!
