I've been following this thread on the parenting board and I read a judgemental posting that made me a bit mad. I'm not a big church person; don't go to church, don't pray too often, never read the bible, and a few other things. But, if you've ever saw the show "The Greatest Story Ever Told". I pretty much live by that. My most sacred saying from that show is: "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." I take that to mean that even if you do think that your good enough to pass judgement on another; unless you're perfect, don't put other people down. To any people that think their self-rightchous, well, if you've ever heard "The Outlaw's Prayer" by Johnny Paycheck. I dedicate that song to you.

You know, I worked the Big Packet show in Fort Worth, Saturday night,
We had all day Sunday to rest and relax, before I caught another flight.
So I decided to walk down town an' get myself a little fresh air.
Before long, I found myself in front of a big church on the corner of the square.

Boy, I could hear that singin' way out in the street, sure was a beautiful sound.
So I just walked up the steps an' opened the door an' started to go inside an' sit down.
But before I could, a young man walked over to me an said: "Excuse me, Sir,
"But I can't let you in with that big black hat, those jeans, that beard an' long hair.

So I just left, went back outside, sat down on that curbing, an I thought to myself:
That's the house of the Lord. That guy's got the hell of a nerve.
Tellin' me I can't worship anywhere I please.
So right there, in front of that Church, I just knelt down on my knees.
I said: "Lord, I know I don't look like much, but I didn't think you'd mind.
"I just wanted to be with your people, Lord: it's been a long time.
"A while ago, a saw a wino over there in the alley, all bent over in tears,
"An' I thought how one stained glass window, from this Church, would feed his family for years."

"Then there's those fine cars parked outside: too many for me to count.
"Made me think how people walked for days to hear your sermon on the mount.
"Then there's those fine ladies in the choir, Lord, singin' like they really love it.
"Hell, last night, they were dancin' on the front row of my show: drinkin' beer,
screamin: 'Sing Shove It.'

"You know, even John the Baptist wouldn't be welcome in this place,
"With his coat made of Camel hair an' sandals on his feet an' a long beard on his face.
"You know, Lord, when you come back to get your children, an' take 'em beyond the clouds,
"To live forever in Heaven with you: well, I'd sure hate to be in this crowd.



"You know, Lord, I'm not perfect;
some even call me no count.
"But I'll tell you: I believe a man is judged by what's in his heart,
not what's in his bank account.
"So if this is what religion is: a big car, a suit an' a tie,
"Then I might as well forget it Lord, 'cause I can't qualify.

"Oh, by the way, Lord, right before they kicked me out,
didn't I see a picture of you?
"With sandals an' a beard. Believe you had long hair too."
"Well, this is Paycheck, signing off.
"I'll be seein' you Lord... I hope."

Never heard that song, but I'm with ya on the sentiment.

yes i do know how you feel, i'm a christian myself and i think the biggest problems with a lot(not all) christians is that they get into their social clicks and you have to be "good" enough to fit in...they love to pass judgement....christ instructed us not to pass judgement...but we still do. However there is a difference between judgement and constructive critism....meaning you help someone who is a recovering acholic..not by condemning by helping...jmo

It was the last song he wrote.

i feel ya there. i am not about to go into a church, i have nothing against them, but some of the bst people i know are the ones who just live life as best they can. they would hand you anything they have just to keep you from wanting, knowing they will go without. and they would never pass judgement, no matter how bad it may seem. but i know alot of good people who do attend church, and it has changed them for the better. takes all kinds they say! i think it depends on the person,as with everything else.

These folks don't walk it but they go about it and they talk it
Now-a-day's they'll turn anything into product
Merchandise, name your price, try and turn a profit
Even the sacred's been turned dishonest

I feel that....and fight it every day.

Whether youre a christian or not, none of us are perfect therefore we should not judge others.

In college, a dorm mate made a comment to my roommate about people having a holier than thou attitude. Her response was that she WAS holier than others. Because she was a Christian, it made her holier than other and better than other. In fact, I attended church with her for a while, and that was an attitude that they were teaching the college students that they would get to come to their church. And people wonder why I decided to embrace my own view of spirituality rather than any organized view.