Church administration

[JohnSkelton]

I thought Heaven is a socialist paradise?

Something to be said for Hell, after all, then ... ?

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

Acts 4. Of course that's only on earth; in Paradise sensible Centrist policies take over .

[vinteuil]

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

Acts 4. Of course that's only on earth; in Paradise sensible Centrist policies take over .

"XXXVIII. Of Christian men's Goods, which are not common.

The Riches and Goods of Christians are not common, as touching the right, title, and possession of the same, as certain Anabaptists do falsely boast. Notwithstanding, every man ought, of such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his ability."

from the 39 "Articles" of the Church of England [ "agreed upon by the Archbishops and Bishops of both Provinces, and the whole Clergy, in the Convocation holden at London in the Year 1562, for the Avoiding of Diversities of Opinions, and for the Establishing of Consent touching true Religion." ]

[old khayyam]

Judging by some of the comments on the 'Choir' forum some people only go to a service for the 'entertainment' provided by the choir (& by the arguments after about the comparitive merits of boys & girls - as singers)

Likewise some people join in threads only to quickly show complete boredom of the original topic and total enthusiasm for the tangent they have created..

[Serial_Apologist]

So I'll still be stuck with my present hovel, then?

At least the music should be OK, Floss...

Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOO-n6gQk1s

[Flosshilde]

Likewise some people join in threads only to quickly show complete boredom of the original topic and total enthusiasm for the tangent they have created..

To whom, & what, are you referring?

[Flosshilde]

At least the music should be OK, Floss...

Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOO-n6gQk1s

Absolutely, although there are some who might think it more like hell.

[Serial_Apologist]

Absolutely, although there are some who might think it more like hell.

Speaking of hell, we don't seem to have been hearing from Mr Pee for some time.

[amateur51]

Speaking of hell, we don't seem to have been hearing from Mr Pee for some time.

Careful, S_A or you'll be accused of bullying

[old khayyam]

To whom, & what, are you referring?

The others..

[Flosshilde]

The concert tonight (Berlioz' Requiem, from St Paul's Cathedral) started with a prayer. This might be appropriate, as the music itself is in effect a prayer, & it's coming from a church, but I do feel that when churches are being used as concert venues a prayer before the concert is as inappropriate as it would be in a conventional concert hall. If they do want to make it a religious event then it should be advertised along the lines of a requiem mass with music by Berlioz. I would resent being press-ganged into participating in an activity directed at something I don't believe in.

[scottycelt]

I would resent being press-ganged into participating in an activity directed at something I don't believe in.

Relax, Flossie, not a problem, nobody wants you to get press-ganged into getting so easily upset and resentful ... honestly.

Simply don't attend the concert and let others, who have no anti-religious hang-ups, courteously respect the wishes of the hosts, before settling down to enjoy the concert.

Easy, huh?

[Flosshilde]

It isn't a hang-up, Scotty, but a perfectly rational dislike - partly caused by people who insist on 'praying for me' as if there is something wrong with me. Perhaps they should have the courtesy to respect me?

[scottycelt]

It isn't a hang-up, Scotty, but a perfectly rational dislike - partly caused by people who insist on 'praying for me' as if there is something wrong with me. Perhaps they should have the courtesy to respect me?

Well let me try and put it like this, Floss ... (and I don't think anyone would dream of singling you out as in particular need of prayer, especially on this forum. )

If you went to a neighbour's house for a party and before it the host and some of the assembled guests sang God Save The Queen in honour of Her Majesty, would you feel 'press-ganged' and 'resentful' in such a situation, or would you just shrug your shoulders and whisper quietly to yourself .. 'Heck, what are they like?' ... yes, I probably would as well!

Surely it is the hosts that decide these things not any disapproving guests (whether paying or otherwise).

On a similar 'note', I know at least one lifelong Labour Party supporter who never could abide the singing of the Red Flag at the annual party conference!

[amateur51]

Well let me try and put it like this, Floss ... (and I don't think anyone would dream of singling you out as in particular need of prayer, especially on this forum. )

If you went to a neighbour's house for a party and before it the host and some of the assembled guests sang God Save The Queen in honour of Her Majesty, would you feel 'press-ganged' and 'resentful' in such a situation, or would you just shrug your shoulders and whisper quietly to yourself .. 'Heck, what are they like?' ... yes, I probably would as well!

Surely it is the hosts that decide these things not any disapproving guests (whether paying or otherwise).

On a similar 'note', I know at least one lifelong Labour Party supporter who never could abide the singing of the Red Flag at the annual party conference!

As I understand it, this is a concert of a quasi-religious work in religious venue broadcast by a secular organisation to a secular audience funded by a secular nation.

Go figure scotty - no prayers - it's only good manners, innit

[Flosshilde]

Well let me try and put it like this, Floss ... (and I don't think anyone would dream of singling you out as in particular need of prayer, especially on this forum. )

If you went to a neighbour's house for a party and before it the host and some of the assembled guests sang God Save The Queen in honour of Her Majesty, would you feel 'press-ganged' and 'resentful' in such a situation, or would you just shrug your shoulders and whisper quietly to yourself .. 'Heck, what are they like?' ... yes, I probably would as well!

Surely it is the hosts that decide these things not any disapproving guests (whether paying or otherwise).

"or would you just shrug your shoulders and whisper quietly to yourself .. 'Heck, what are they like?' ... yes, I probably would as well!" - There you go again, putting words into my mouth. I would do nothing of the sort; I would make it clear that I believed in neither the monarchy nor god, even if it was only by not joining in & not standing. But I can't imagine being at a party where everybody else supported the monarchy and/or god.

I've been to plenty of concerts in churches, of both sacred & secular music, & never been prayed at. Even the old convention of not applauding has, by & large, disappeared.