That SODG has just about driven me from my Christian Faith! In case you

[KoKo]

don't know what I mean, SODG is: Son of the Dragon Lady. I could have said SOB but that is too overused for that POS.

I couldn't go to church on Palm Sunday because I couldn't be there at my church who won't speak up against the "Iraq Invasion/Occupation/War started on false pretenses" I just couldn't sit there with those people and listen to a sermon about how Jesus died for our sins when I knew that millions of Fudamentalists were sitting in their churches at the same time thinking how great it is that this Idiot known nothing manipulated P-Resident is making the world safe by invading a sovereign country, not abiding by Geneva Conventions, International Courts of Law or the founding principles of the United Nations.

I thought about all those folks getting off on "The Passion" and how "real" it must have made their Palm Sunday experience for them. Those who believe in brutality as the way to immortal life. I saw the movie and thought it was a vanity project for Gibson which appealed to those who need shock and brutality to feel anything in today's society. I'm not his audience for OTT Brutality, but understand that many need this participation to get in touch with their feelings about Jesus and his experience. But, "The Passion" left me cold. Not just for the brutality, but that it wasn't what I feel was the true focus we were supposed to have about what Jesus's life meant to Christianity.

The damned Bush Fundies have turned me away from my church at the time of the year when it offers the most hope and promise for mankind.

Instead of worshiping in Joy on Easter Sunday at my church, I want to go protest with my signs against what's going on in Iraq. When I read today that women and children were asked to leave Falluja so that the "military aged" men (whatever that means for Iraqi's) would stay and therefore be open to "engagement" by our troops, and this happening on Good Friday, I wondered about these "so called Christians" in this administration. What kind of Christian would do this? What kind of follower of the New Testament would even think of what Bush & Co. are doing in Iraq right now?

I can't go and listen to a sermon when I think that all of us Christians should be out on the street marching against what we have done in Iraq...and probably what we've done everywhere. But, Iraq is a "Crusade." As a Christian I refuse to condone another one of those ME invasions for "converting the Infidels."

But my Christian Leaders must not see things the way I do...:-(

On Edit: This is a rant. Just had to say it.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

1. The Pope spoke against the war

And my priests spoke against it in the pulpit

[MrSlayer]

2. You're better off without organized religion.

Embrace your freedom.

[BostonTeaParty04]

3. That, my friend, is a letter to the editor!

(sans the reference to the dragon lady)

I am not really tied to a church, so I am not at a loss this weekend.

But if I were going to go to church on Sunday, I would find the nearest Unitarian Universalist church. They are fiercely active for the causes of peace and justice. Just my 2 cents.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. If it's any consolation, Koko

I just came back from Good Friday services where the priest spoke very strongly against the war.

Not everyone is pretending that the outside world doesn't exist.

Maybe you need to find another parish.

[Cleita]

5. Twilight of the gods.

New religions replace the old ones that can't keep up with the times. I think Christianity will succumb to its fossilized rigidness and new religions will fill the void. IMHO.

[supernova]

6. my church is about 1/2 anti-war

the other half is pro-war. We do talk about it, but it doesn't come from the pulpit, other than we pray for the victims and families, both civilian and soldier.

The minister can't really be seen as too partisan. I personally wish she would just say what's on her mind, rather than being obtuse about it.

I agree though, we don't talk about it nearly enough.

[aquart]

7. The leaders are NOT the faith.

Not your faith, anyway. That's a thing between you and God. And it's no one else's business.

So if you don't go to church and miss a couple dozen sermons and holidays, that still has nothing to do with your faith.

I have no idea what your church is, but we have some in NY I'd bet money you'd be comfortable with. Look around. Wherever you are, you are probably not as alone as you think.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

8. What about a silent protest at your church?

Inspired by Arcane, how about standing outside your church with a simple, handmade sign that reads "Who Would Jesus Bomb?".

Christians NEED to be faced with this -- especially the ones who are blinded by that anti-Christian in the White House.

So on Easter, ask yourself: What WOULD Jesus do??

[Warpy]

9. If you're a believer, don't punish god

...just because some people insist on being total jerks.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

10. Come do the Dances of Universal Peace

We dance the Lord's Prayer, and I'm sure this Sunday there will be circles dancing Resurexit Christe (excuse spelling) and other Dances from the Christian Mystical tradition. And we'll be dancing many Dances directly related to peace.

At the end of the session, I hope you feel the Peace that is One with God, and feel renewed to work to find a way to get our country back onto the Straight Path, the path of those God has blessed-Not the path of those who go astray.

[SayitAintSo]

11. I understand ... Please try the UU Church - Unitarian Universalists

Find one in your town and connect. I'm in Columbia SC - Fundie hell - believe me..... It's the one church here that I truly feel at home spiritually politically and socially. We are a minority here (about 75 on Sundays and dwindling). But it's home.

I refused to go see Mel's passion play. My thoughts are like yours - If he really wanted to teach about Jesus - start with the Beatitudes - The Sermon on the Mount - that pretty much sums it up for me.

The Christian Leaders in this country are the Pharisees ...

[rfkrocks]

12. very personal to me but i am a Christian

and following Christ does not mean following those who have sadly perverted his message-"do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God"-I respect all others beliefs but it pisses me off that so many claim the sword in Christ's name- "those who live by the sword die by the sword"-I am not going to let them take over the church! But you need to find your own way-great rant with many truths

[peacetalksforall]

13. For months before the invasion and takeover using our children...

the Methodist Churches in our area had signs on their property that said no to the war.