On my doorstep
Posted by Smiley (+853) 13 years ago


For reals?!?! I got a ticket to heaven! Wow, too bad I missed Jesus.

Please stop wasting trees on my family. Thanks
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Posted by Cory Cutting (+1278) 13 years ago
Better than a flaming bag of poo.....
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Posted by Kyle L. Varnell (+3751) 13 years ago
I prefer a Stairway myself.
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Posted by Josh Rath (+2324) 13 years ago
Woah guys, chill out.


I'm not really that religious, but I and many others attend that church. Why? It's a very fun sunday service, with a bit of learning included but it does not bore you like every other church in town.

I understand you may not like it, but they are inviting you. If you choose not to come throw it away and thats that.
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Posted by guylong (+98) 13 years ago
how would you know that all churches are boring josh? mine is alot of fun and inspirational! for a young guy you sure SEEM to know it all.
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Posted by Josh Rath (+2324) 13 years ago
What church is that?
Wesleyan?
4Square?
UCC?

If not one of those, then maybe so. But I have yet to find a church as welcoming and nice as VDBC.
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Posted by Jody K (+119) 13 years ago
Hey I got one of those too. There are three people in our house though. How do we chose which person gets the ticket. It says to bring your family and friends, but I doubt all those people will go to heaven at the same time.
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Posted by trey (+51) 13 years ago
Josh,
has it ever occured to you at all, you are not the end all, say all on every bit of information?
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Posted by Neveah (+43) 13 years ago
I think sometimes wording like "Ticket to Heaven" can turn people off to church... Or even give them the wrong idea of how it is a lot of professing Christians believe you get to heaven. I understand what you're saying, Josh, that it's an invite. Maybe a better title would be "All are welcome... no ticket required." And I think it depends on the person which church they like, if they like church at all. Josh, I've been to two of the three churches you mentioned, and although neither were a good fit for me, I know some people who love them. Also, generalizations (though I make them myself- see above) are dangerous. There are over 10 churches in town, so if you can only speak your opinion of three of them, maybe you should be more specific. Also, I really wish that people who claim Jesus could get along and not put each other down for petty reasons like music, building size, etc. (I'm not saying anyone in this thread did- just an observation.) I hear this said recently...

"I'd love to learn about Jesus... but I don't know any Christians I can stand being around long enough to ask."

Sad.
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Posted by Neveah (+43) 13 years ago
PS Jody... I've randomly selected for you... send the one of you who has the initials J.K. ... Oh. Wait.

Sorry- not funny unless you know her.
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Posted by Josh Rath (+2324) 13 years ago
To be honest, I never read the ticket. I just helped package them. So... Yeah... maybe a better title would have helped.
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Posted by guylong (+98) 13 years ago
not very christian? never even read it? yet i still tell you all the way it is. wow josh, ever consider a government job?
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Posted by Levi Forman (+3718) 13 years ago
It could be worse, at least you didn't get...

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Posted by Amorette Allison (+12612) 13 years ago
I've always been amused by people who pick their church based on how much fun it is. The actual TEACHINGS of the Church, the dogma, the beliefs, are irrelevant, just how much fun can we have on Sunday. Makes me think their faith isn't serious but rather social. And I wonder if that is really what faith is meant to be.
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Posted by Josh Rath (+2324) 13 years ago
Humph. You got me. On Sundays I am out to have fun. Not to be bored by a pastor who believes everything is by the book.

I'm not being sarcastic, That is my honest answer.
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Posted by stephen (+255) 13 years ago
Church has been for many centuries a point of socialization. The actual teaching may have went out of style with the witch trials, yet the fact that people can count on getting together once a week with people who share similar beliefs will always entice the socially awkward.
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Posted by stephen (+255) 13 years ago
And on a personal note, I do not appreciate the soliciting of a god who I don't believe in at my house. I wonder what kind of laws it will take to shoot solicitors.
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Posted by Amorette Allison (+12612) 13 years ago
How far would you take social attendance? If the really fun church was Muslim or Buddhist or Sikh, would you wander over or do you draw the line at believing, at least vaguely, in one particular faith?
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Posted by Josh Rath (+2324) 13 years ago
Think of it this way stephen. Would you rather have that little bag placed at your doorstep... Or would you rather have those crazies wanting to come into your home and bug the living hell out of you. I'd take the bag anyday.
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Posted by Josh Rath (+2324) 13 years ago
Amorette, we are not talking future now are we. We are talking present. And I have no clue what I would do in that future, since it has not been written yet.
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Posted by Kender Beeler (+72) 13 years ago
I'm all for believing in whoever/whatever you believe in, but don't push your believes on me. If I, or anyone really, wants to believe in God, Budda, Zues or what/whoever I will. I don't want someone else converting me or advertizing thier beliefs on me. I got something like that not to long ago, I smiled at the lady and politely said "Thanks but no thanks"
Just my two cents.
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Posted by Smiley (+853) 13 years ago
I really would rather take the bag, but I'd rather not have to hear/see/feel about it at all. I try not to push my beliefs on others, and I'd really appreciate if others could kindly do the same. Advertise all you want in the paper and on billboards, but I just don't want to be harassed at my private residence.
And yes, I consider it harassment.
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Posted by prospector86 (+83) 13 years ago
Well, I got those ticketts on both doors today. My feelings about this topic is that church is for people who haven't been to hell yet. And they think that if for 2 hours a week they gather in a spacific place they'll be saved from the real world.
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Posted by stephen (+255) 13 years ago
Or would you rather have those crazies wanting to come into your home and bug the living hell out of you


OMG! I almost died laughing over this. The mental image is amazing. Thanks for the laugh Josh.
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Posted by Salli (Scanlan) Moore (+75) 13 years ago
Isn't it amazing? We get junk mail and flyers all the time, and though it can be irritating, we don't rant or blog about it.

Why is God such a threat to those who don't know Him? Maybe we, as Christians are not doing a very good job at loving you. I'm sorry. The fact that someone cares so much for you, is a good thing, isn't it?

Church is a place to teach you how to get to know God, so that you can have a personal relationship with Him. The sad thing is - some churches don't know Him. Sunday service is a boring ritual.
It's not a sin to have fun - God has a wonderful sense of humor (He made us).

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Posted by Levi Forman (+3718) 13 years ago
Just throw it away and quit whining.
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Posted by Dan Mowry (+1431) 13 years ago
You guys must have different missionaries than we have here or than I remember when I lived in MC.

When they knock on my door they ask one or two loaded questions, I say "no thank you - we're Lutheran" and they say "I see, thank you, have a nice day."

It's usually politely over in less time than it took for me to type this.

Who's cramming things down your throat? Are they kicking in doors nowadays like a SWAT team?
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Posted by Josh Rath (+2324) 13 years ago
Dan, the last time they came to our home, I told them I did not attend church nor did I plan to. (This was 3 years back) Then this lady grabbed my hand, told me "May god have mercy on your soul", opened the fist I was making and forced this pamphlet into my hand. Telling me if I want to even have a chance of getting to heaven, i need to come. Which I promptly took that pamphlet, balled it up and threw at this woman... Telling her insane ass to get off the property before she is forcefully removed.

At that point, the lady turned around and somewhat sprinted for the car.


Probably because of the shotgun, unloaded, standing upright in the window next to the door.

Since then, they haven't been back.
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Posted by Amorette Allison (+12612) 13 years ago
Josh, you answered my question without knowing it.
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Posted by stephen (+255) 13 years ago
Isn't it amazing? We get junk mail and flyers all the time, and though it can be irritating, we don't rant or blog about it.


The problem is junk mail is sent through the mail with no chance at personal contact. The flyers on cars are annoying but think about it, if someone came to your house and told you that your going to die unless you do as they say you would take it as a threat. How is the soliciting of god any different? Come to our church or your going to hell! yea no.
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Posted by Smiley (+853) 13 years ago
To Salli.
I will say this in the nicest way possible. I have been to church, I used to be a full-hearted christian. I went to my church through out school. I was in AWANA, I did 30-hour famine, Project Serve, I was on a christian dance team called Step It Up. I can tell you that a huge part of my life has been spent serving the church.

You know what I got in return? Critized for asking questions and yelled at for explaining the WHOLE context of verses quoted in our high school sunday school class. I went to a non-denominational church. I actually attended 3 different churches. I was indoctrinated that homosexuality is wrong and I must do anything to stop it. I learned that Catholics and Mormons aren't really christian, but Anti-Christian (the exact words of my youth pastor, then later the senior pastor.) As I got older, I was actually told not to come back.

There were scandals in one church I attended. 3 girls I KNOW and consider friends told me on separate occasions of sexual advances from the youth pastor. That was really hard to hear.

Another church I have attended about two weeks ago was teaching kids as young as 10 about sex. The sermon was on sex. No, not the technical stuff, but what God had to say about it. There is no way I will ever let my daughter go to a church unattended after that. I know the parents of these kids were NOT told about it. Maybe they wouldn't care, but I certainly know that if my daughter, at age 12, came home after a sermon spouting off verses about homosexuals burning in hell (some that are completely taken out of context) I would be livid with whoever had put their opinions into her. Children have a right to pick their own opinions, and yeah they need guidance. It is my belief that indoctrinating children with a political/religious viewpoint is wrong.

The world is better with religion, but it is something I DO NOT want to be a part of ever again. My daughter will be able to attend a UU church. I want her to so she can make her own choices about life. I do not want her to be as hateful as many of the christians I know. In christianity it is not our place to judge others, yet so many do it as an active part of their day.
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Posted by Smiley (+853) 13 years ago
To Stephen,
By the way our trash is full, seeing as it's close to a holiday. If you could kindly take it out so we can have it disposed of in a landfill. I mean we are paying for it per month.

Thanks Love you.
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Posted by hilinetransplant (+135) 13 years ago
all wars are started because of religion!!!
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Posted by Frank Hardy (+1721) 13 years ago
Take that back or DIE!!
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Posted by Christen LeBlanc Ramsey (+277) 13 years ago
the aspect of 'love' delivered to smiley's doorstep that irks me the most is that it says you must 'admit: you are a sinner.' what kind of unconditional love is that? assimilate or burn in hell, hmm... heaven is going to be one lonely town according to those folks.
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Posted by stephen (+255) 13 years ago
That reminds me of what someone said on here a while back. "The problem with us Christians is we love you, and if needed we will beat it in to you."

How about you go love yourselves in the privacy of your church? Leave good citizens alone. Go solicit at the jail, or pine hills, those people need an influence a lot more then intelligent people who have moved past the idea of irresponsibility at the hands of god.
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Posted by Wendy Wilson (+6171) 13 years ago
Although I attend a Christian church I have always had a problem with the idea that Jews, Muslims, Hindus, etc won't reach some kind of heaven. I'm not even sure that I believe in heaven as it's commonly defined by Christian religions but it's the exclusivity of some religions that bothers me. Church is for the imperfect. As imperfect people how can we tell others what their fate will be? It's ridiculous.

I don't think it's wrong not to believe 100% in the doctrine of your church. It's enough that you go. People can go for the social benefits but it's silly to believe that that is all they go for. I go because I like the people, the services and I think prayer is a lot like meditation-which helps me focus on the important things in life. Sometimes I need reminding. So I don't fault people who go for the social aspects.
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Posted by Gunnar Emilsson (+18475) 13 years ago
Now I send what I can to the man
With the diamond ring
He's a part of heaven's plan
And he sure can sing

Now it's all I can afford
But the lord has sent me eternity
It's to save the little children
In a poor country
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Posted by Bob Netherton II (+1910) 13 years ago
This is the kind of conversation that pisses Xenu off, totally.
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Posted by Kacey (+3153) 13 years ago
Churches are run by people. People are by nature fallible. There are too many churches being run by people who really don't believe in God but use the church as a means of being in power and control. There are those just need to have people look at them! They need to be the center of attention. There are those who preach on Sunday and spend the rest of the week high from one recreational activity or another. And there are those who reek of "God's messenger" yet treat women as second class citizens.

I believe what I believe because of a number of things. But none of those reasons are anyone else's business. I don't need someone telling me I'm going to hell if I don't follow their protocol.

I believe God is love. And I believe my heaven will be being able to be with those I've loved in this life and lost.

I feel sad for those who feel the urgent need to tell others how much better they are because they know 'THE WAY'. Spend your life loving and giving. Give food to a food bank. Donate to charities. Visit the elderly shut ins. PROVE you believe in God and what he represents.
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Posted by Dave Golterman (+236) 13 years ago
It could have been worse, you could have found Josh on your doorstep! (sorry Josh, I couldn't resist :lol

Personally I think there are much more serious problems in this world than someone asking you to join them for church. It's only natural for someone who has found something they enjoy to want to share that with others. Look at all the space on this board which has been taken up by people sharing their opinions of the best restaurants in town.

There's nothing wrong with smiling and saying a polite "No thank you" if asked in person or just throwing out the flyer.
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Posted by Tucker Bolton (+3870) 13 years ago
Although I attend a Christian church I have always had a problem with the idea that Jews, Muslims, Hindus, etc won't reach some kind of heaven.


Stop with the worry already. Jews don't proselytize and would appreciate the same consideration. Jews get enough worry from their Mothers without some twit trying to sell them something they don't need. Who in their right mind would want to spend an eternity with some of you?
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Posted by Bridgier (+9508) 13 years ago
I don't think Wendy is worrying in a "therefore I must pester these poor benighted unbelievers until they too are in the right column of God's Salvation Spreadsheet", but in more of a "there's something a little off in the Kool-Aid" sort of way.
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Posted by Josh Rath (+2324) 13 years ago
Back to the original topic, they just dropped off the baggy at our house today. Silly them though, because I am already going. Hah.
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Posted by Wendy Wilson (+6171) 13 years ago
Brigidier's right, Tucker. I disagree with that aspect of Christian doctrine. Next time read the whole post please.
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Posted by Dave Golterman (+236) 13 years ago
Dropped off the baggy Josh??? I didn't realize this was a Rastafarian Church

[This message has been edited by Dave Golterman (3/30/2010)]
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Posted by Smiley (+853) 13 years ago
Lol Josh! See TREE WASTERS! HOW EVIL. Nah, jkjk. I'd go, but I heard a commercial today where the dude said how the ticket "wasn't just an admit one." I wonder if this post was brought to his attention?
Don't you work for the radio Josh?
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Posted by Josh Rath (+2324) 13 years ago
I work at 92.3 FM.. But I haven't heard that ad. Maybe it isn't on our station?
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Posted by Smiley (+853) 13 years ago
Well there was a 1 in 3 chance it was yours lol. I miss cali But I am glad I understand everything on the radio here. There I couldn't even listen to half of the stations because I didn't speak a work of spanish. So that left about 20. I thought I was being gypsied then!
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Posted by Bridgier (+9508) 13 years ago
Just as an aside, as much as I'd like to claim the rank of "Brigidier", I have never been, nor ever plan on being, a commissioned officer in the US armed services, although I do have a uniform (or at least a pair of epaulettes and a union cockade) that I wear on special occasions.

"Bridgier" - one extra 'i', not two...
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Posted by luckycharms (+53) 13 years ago
Just for clarification, our intent at Valley Drive was not to offend. It is simply an invitation to join us in celebrating the ultmate sacrifice of God. For those offended by the 'admit you are a sinner', it was not meant as a condemnation. Being human, I am not perfect, therefore I am a sinner. All who enter heaven will be sinners. That is why Jesus' sacrifice was necessary. As far as denominational issues, people of all walks in life will be in heaven. Simply being a 'good person' will not get you there. Simply believing there is a supreme being (God), will not get you there. Accepting that Jesus gfave His own life, His own blood will. Accepting this does not make you perfect. It doesn't mean you will never sin again. But it will change your life. God is love. Pure and unconditional. He loves us, ALL of us, even though we hurt Him every day. He simply asks that we let Him into our lives.

Please come join us, or any church, this Easter Sunday, and give God a chance to love you completely.
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Posted by Denise Selk (+1664) 13 years ago
As far as denominational issues, people of all walks in life will be in heaven. Simply being a 'good person' will not get you there. Simply believing there is a supreme being (God), will not get you there. Accepting that Jesus gave His own life, His own blood will.


I think that the frustration stems from people's unwillingness to concede that this is a statement of opinion, rather than fact. Perhaps if the subject was approached in this manner (that it is a matter of opinion), this thread would not exist in the first place.

This statement, for you, may be a statement of fact, due to your belief system. However, whether or not this statement is true depends on whether you are approaching it from a Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jehovah's Witness, LDS, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Confucist, etc. standpoint. The belief in the proper avenue to reach Heaven (either the physical realm or a plane of existence) is different for each person, based on their beliefs. The disconnect occurs when one tries to tell the other that their belief is flat-out wrong, as the post implies. To each his own.
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Posted by john w caylor (+83) 13 years ago
Very well put Denise.
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Posted by Christen LeBlanc Ramsey (+277) 13 years ago
thank you denise! very well stated. i wish all others knew and accepted that religious ideas are a matter of personal opinion. thank you all for your prayers to save my damned soul, but i'm not worried. pray for rain, health and happiness instead of me.
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Posted by Wendy Wilson (+6171) 13 years ago
Hey Bridgier, if you're going to have a non-standard name you have to expect a few extra i's once in a while.
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Posted by B. Hunter (+110) 13 years ago
Very well said, Denise!

I could add my two cents (or more) worth, but I really wouldn't be saying something that others haven't already said.
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Posted by Barb Holcomb (+400) 13 years ago
"Just as an aside, as much as I'd like to claim the rank of "Brigidier", I have never been, nor ever plan on being, a commissioned officer in the US armed services, although I do have a uniform (or at least a pair of epaulettes and a union cockade) that I wear on special occasions.

"Bridgier" - one extra 'i', not two... "




The rank is actually Brigadier with an 'a', not an 'i'
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Posted by Bridgier (+9508) 13 years ago
Well... yes. But there was already a "Commadore" in my class, so it wasn't a stretch for a lot of teachers to assume that my name was pronounced "Brigidier", with some confusion if the "g" should be hard or not.

Aren't homophones awesome?
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