₦airaland Forum

So when it became obvious that God was helpless in her case they turned to science. Unfortunately her case deteriorated so badly even medical science was hopeless. And they turned around to attack a nurse who was just doing her job. Pastors please stop deceiving your members. Encourage them to visit the hospital for check-ups & treatment. There's no such thing as faith healing

Why does she write like that?

@op,don't go about telling people 'excuse me that is so wrong'. You might just receive a back hand slap for your effort. You never know with some people & their state of mind

With mainline religious congregations dwindling across America, a scattering of churches is trying to attract new members by creating a different sort of Christian community. They are gathering around craft beer.

Some church groups are brewing it themselves, while others are bring the Holy Mysteries to a taproom. The result is not sloshed congregants; rather, it's an exploratory approach to do church differently.

Leah Stanfield stands at a microphone across the room from the beer taps and reads this evening's gospel message.

She's a 28-year-old leasing agent who's been coming to Church-in-a-Pub here in Fort Worth, Tex., for a year, and occasionally leads worship.

"I find the love, I find the support, I find the non-judgmental eyes when I come here," she says. "And I find friends that love God, love craft beer."

Beer and Hymns is an event at the annual Greenbelt Festival in London. Since 1974, Greenbelt has brought people together to explore faith, arts and justice issues.

Every Sunday evening, 30 to 40 people gather at Zio Carlo brewpub to order pizza and pints of beer, to have fellowship, and have church — including communion.

Pastor Philip Heinze and his Calvary Lutheran Church sponsor Church-in-a-Pub, whose formal name is the Greek word, Kyrie.
Some patrons are understandably confused. They come in for a brew and there's a religious service going on in their bar. They expected Trivia Night and they get the Holy Eucharist.

"I tell 'em, it's a church service," says bartender Les Bennett, "And they're, like, 'In a pub?' And I'm, like, yeah. Some of 'em stick around for trivia, some of 'em take off, some of 'em will hang out and have another pint or two."

That's one of the objectives: A guy sits at the bar nursing a beer, he overhears the Gospel of Luke, he sees people line up to take bread and wine, he gets curious. Phil Heinze says pub church has now become an official — if edgy — Lutheran mission.

"I'm not interested, frankly, in making more church members," Heinze. "I'm interested in having people have significant relationships around Jesus. And if it turns out to be craft beer, fine."

For most of the folks who attend regularly, this is their Sunday night congregation. Church leaders, initially skeptical, are now paying attention. Last month, the regional council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America named Church-in-a-pub a Synodically Authorized Worshipping Community. Next year, it will call a young pastor to expand the idea to other taverns around Dallas-Fort Worth.

"I think the institutional church now is getting onboard," says Heinze, "because there's a lot of anxiety frankly about the church's decline and they're trying to think outside of that institutional box."

In downtown Portland, Ore., at the stately old First Christian Church, one Saturday night a month they open the parish hall for an event called Beer & Hymns.

There must be 100 people here tonight, most of them young, the kind you rarely see in church on Sunday morning. They're swigging homemade stout from plastic cups — with a two-beer limit. They're singing traditional hymns from a projection screen like Be Thou My Vision. And they're having way too much fun.

Like the crowd at Church-in-a-pub, a lot of folks at Beer & Hymns appear to be refugees from traditional churches.

Between hymns, people can stand up and say anything they want. Jolie Shempert, a transgender person who's studying humanities at Portland State University, steps up to the mike.

Shempert was raised in a strict church that taught that animals don't have souls, only people do. But Shempert's beloved dog, Gunner, has just died.

Meg Gill is the president and co-founder of Golden Road Brewing in Los Angeles. Her brewery is favored to win awards at the Great American Beer Festival.
The Salt
Women, The 'First Brewers,' Lean Into Craft Beer-Making
"I want to sing this song in defiance of that because Gunner was my friend. And he has emotions and a personality and I had a relationship with him that's as real as any relationship I had with any human being."

The Christian Church Disciples of Christ — a small mainline Protestant denomination — has experienced a steep drop in membership in recent decades. Beer & Hymns is one attempt to attract new people, in this hip, beer-loving city, while keeping a safe distance away from stained-glass windows.

Rodney Page is optimistic. The 78-year-old is a long-time member of First Christian Portland and a Beer & Hymns convert.

"I know that initially there were some people who had some trepidation," says Page. "This church has had a history and background of being anti-alcohol, so it took some convincing for some people. But eventually people went ahead with it and it's been a great success."

No one is suggesting that Beer & Hymns or Church-in-a-Pub — or any of the dozens of other beer-in-church events that are popping up around the nation — are permanent. They're transitional experiments.

Amy Piatt is senior pastor at First Christian Church Portland. She's a sixth-generation Disciple of Christ and the originator of Beer & Hymns. She says in this postmodern age, what it means to attend church is changing.

"It's probably, in the very near future, not going to be at 10 am on Sunday morning wearing your best shoes and tie or dress," she says. "It's going to be something different. I mean, what that is, we are still finding out, we're still learning together. But it's still holy, God is still there, and that's what's most important."

To doubters, the Beer & God crowd has this pop quiz. What was the first miracle Jesus performed? Turning water into wine.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/11/03/242301642/to-stave-off-decline-churches-attract-new-members-with-beer?sc=tw&cc=share

You guys need to read the comments following this write up.Freaking hilarious

So where was God in midst of all the chaos? Was he sleeping,was he eating,was he in the toilet or was he just sitting on his throne laughing his head off as 'his people' were trampling on themselves and dying like fowls?

@kabieosi..i guess the striking similarities between previous gods & the story of Jesus Christ were all mere coincidences. Yeah makes perfect sense. Even you would be hard pressed to dismiss the similarities as a mere coincidence

Hmm..may the force be with them.

Kabieosi: @cold



Not feigning ignorance

It is called choose your battles and lulling you into a false sense of security

Ok carry on the good work. In the end,it still boils down to what i've been saying;the story of Jesus was built on pure unbridled falsehood. Little wonder the Jews won't even acknowledge him as the Messiah. You think they know something we don't?

Kabieosi: @cold

You see yourself now

You shouldn't be plastering or pasting misleading graphics all over the place
without first considering the possible consequences or dangers of them giving the wrong idea or impression

We can, from the Bible, ascertain with degrees of certainty that Jesus wasn't born in December.

We actually know, from the Bible that, it wasn't December
but then the birth date is not important
as the day of death is better than the day of one's birth

A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth
^{^^^ Ecclesiastes 7:1 KJV}

Funny how you only choose to pick on the December date as that is the only convenient point you can harp on. Don't tell me you missed out on the other similarities or are you going to continue feigning ignorance?

^^ of course & neither were the other gods. At least we can't ascertain this with any degree of certainty. The point being made is to create some kind of religious significance with dates and extraordinary feats by these gods to set them apart. The Romans just plagiarised other pagan beliefs to mystify Jesus Christ

Of course Jesus failed because the entire Jesus story was a fraud. The Romans simply stole the story of Horus and inserted Jesus where Horus hitherto was. If Jesus did exist he was nothing more than an ordinary Jew raised far above his station by some garrulous Roman & Jewish story tellers. Again,the story of Jesus is a fraud of gargantuan proportions

This God sef,what is his problem with women? Their hair is so disgusting they have to cover it in your presence. They should be seen and not heard..which one again sef..you even want them råped & sold as slaves..ah ah baba God why're you such a misogynist? Are there not enough pressing problems in the world to deal with already rather than chasing after petty ego-massaging stuff? Na wa for you o!

It's just a dress rehearsal for what is to come. In heaven that is. For there'll be serious rocking and gyration with God in heaven. Or is that not the whole purpose of going to church,singing, dancing & speaking in tongues? Abeg free these people. Even God himself is a serious rocker..kai God you're a bahdt guys

seedord247: Are you related to funke?? Cuz this your bomb above is more than nuke.

Stop making a ridicule of yourself.if you're in doubt of a word or phrase,it is always safe to look it up first before making a f0ol of yourself

I don't go to church but the answer isn't far fetched.Girls from the next church always look prettier and more saintly.In other words,the grass is always greener on the other side

Some people just take this life too seriously..smh

Whilst Christians are bothered about the böttom half of a woman. Muslims are more concerned with the top half & the danger it poses to the rest of the world. You can't make this up. I feel for these folks

@Op,you sure? Make wetin happen 1996 no repeat e self again o!

Mintayo: God will never contradict His Word.
Satan will not tell you anything that conforms with scriptures. He always go contrary to the Word of God,twisting the Word and capitalizing on an ignorant,Word-shallow believer.

Oh really?

So what could be the reason for the upsurge in violence in the SW this time. Has GEJ been overthrown whilst away on religious tourism or what exactly is there grouse? Naija matter sha..

800? Goodness gracious! One does not even know when to go with SR. One minute they're making sense & the next they're throwing around some ridiculous numbers. But hey it's Naija we're talking about,anything's possible

greatgenius: lol there he goes again with another blunder and a silly strawman. you should stick with debating Christians with your silly conjectures my friend.. like most pseudo atheists you are really not very intelligent. i could see through your ignorance from the beginning so clutching at straws at this point to save face is really not necessary...

Since your level of understanding and intelilgence is obviously very low let me quote what i said for you again. "but[b]I know that God( the all that is )exists[/b] and we are all individuations of the all that is. Fact."

again this is very simple but if you need me to i will break it down for you.. Believing and knowing are not the same thing..not that there is anything wrong with believing in a god.. but understand that "i know the "All That is" exist and i believe the all that is exists are the not the same thing, novice...do you need me to expatiate on this for you as well? lol

Complete & utter bullshitt! This is akin to hugging your opponent in the boxing ring. You're obviously bereft of ideas at this point,so you just keep oscillating around the subject matter without making any new input in last ditch effort to remain relevant. That being said,whether you believe in or know 'the all that is'exists,i honestly can't take you seriously. No matter how hard you try to embellish it, your idiocy comes shining through. I would really love to go a whole lot easier on you but sometimes one just has to put these rètards in their place. It's a grimey job i agree but someone has to do it

greatgenius: lol just like I said. A pseudo atheist. One who is not that intelligent either.

Understand that there is no contradiction in both statements.. God( all that is) exists; and I don't have a god are not contradictions. Only a simpleton will think otherwise..it is very simple. Don't make me have to break it down for you.

The fact that you're slow is not in doubt.It's the enormity of the situation that is frightening.Your case is really pitiable.The fact that you believe in a 'God(all that is)' is all the proof I need that you simply can't be classed as intelligent but nice try

greatgenius: why get bitter. Iam only teaching you..yes going by the bible the christian "god" is indeed malevolent. Your folly here is that you seem to think I am a Christian or have a god..

Having said that your argument about the kids and God still crumbles the moment it is dissected. Calling the christian god all sorts of names will not exonerate humanity( which you are a part) from that responsibility.

Again you are as lost and ignorant as the Christians you bash...

Says the same person that said this earlier

greatgenius: I don't kmow about a skydaddy or supreme being( depends on what you mean by supreme) somewhere[b], but I know that God( the all that is )exists and we are all individuations of the all that is. Fact.
[/b]
But let's entertain your line of thinking for a second. Even If there is such a thing as a skydaddy why do you see it as her/ his duty to cater for the needs of these kids. Why should he come all the way down from his abode to cater for these kids when other humans are in a better position to do that..

Don't you think he would be infringing on your/humanity freewill..
Are you that wicked and lazy that you need your skydaddy to come down and do something as simple and humane as feeding the hungry among you and yet you throw away billions worth of food away everyday?..

You can't even make up your mind and take a stance on anything.If you can't stand for something,you'll definitely fall for anything. Apparently,you're even more confused than I gave you credit for.Just when I thought I had you all figured out,you go ahead outdo your own stvpidity.Why?Sigh...This exchange has been a colossal waste of my time.Continue to wallow in your ignominy

greatgenius: lol pathetic..another pseudo atheist who resort to silly conjectures and can't back it up due to their ignorance. They tuck their tail between their legs and run the minute they get challenged..

You are as pathetic and lost as the Christians you bash.

BTW I know you have me figured out. The reason I engaged you so go back and answer my question and stop the silly cat and mouse game to cover your ignorance

Lol..get bitter all you want.It does not take away from the fact that your god is one sick,twisted,petty,unjust,unforgiving control-freak,vindictive,bloodthirsty,ethnic cleanser,mysogynistic,racist,megalomaniacal,filicidal,pestilential,infanticidal,sadomasochistic,capriciously malevolent creature

greatgenius: lol am i supposed to take offence to this. and who says I have a god.

let me recapitulate. My observation is that You are more useless than a used condom due to your ignorance.

Lol..very typical. You keep coming across as a borderline rétard desperately trying to sound intelligent. I have you all figured out

greatgenius: my god?.. who says I have a god. and what scheme of things god brother.

BTW I know what I said earlier flew over your head due to your ignorance but its OK.

let me reiterate. Your god is as useless as a used condom

greatgenius: I don't kmow about a skydaddy or supreme being( depends on what you mean by supreme) somewhere, but I know that God( the all that is )[/b]exists and we are all individuations of the all that is. Fact.

But let's entertain your line of thinking for a second. Even If there is such a thing as a skydaddy why do you see it as her/ his duty to cater for the needs of these kids. Why should he come all the way down from his abode to cater for these kids when other humans are in a better position to do that..

[b]Don't you think he would be infringing on your/humanity freewill..
Are you that wicked and lazy that you need your skydaddy to come down and do something as simple and humane as feeding the hungry among you and yet you throw away billions worth of food away everyday?..

Bottomline..your god is usęless in the scheme of things

RockMaxi: And your own god that has entered the heart of men to turn them away into sodomy and despicable acts is the one who understand the grand scheme of things. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient, did you get that?

It's obvious you don't even study your bible. Just keep regurgitating what you've been indoctrinated with in your church. For the umpteenth time let me stress,it was your god that created evil. Not the devil or any other being. God said this himself in very clear cut terms. How you folks always try to side step this & blame the devil is mind boggling

RockMaxi: How dare you say such @bolded? Do you understand the reason behind life and death, the workings of the universe and the conception of a child? If you have someone who controls that I bet you to show it. Otherwise keep quiet.

Yeah it must be your god i reckon..cool story bro