Growing up, the highlight of my week was going to youth group, but like most teenagers, my destiny was determined not by my wants or desires; adults and their ideas dictated that.
So true. Most people don't know that a cornerstone of Jewish religion is debate and discussion of what the laws of Moses mean in a deep, practical sense. I think the closest way to understand in modern media would be to watch Yentl. The rabbis and wanna be rabbis would sit around and chat all day about that stuff. There are many, many books written about those discussions, some of the actually considered scripture. That's 100% what Jesus and his fellow students of religion (deciples) we're doing. They were throwing questions and thoughts around about what it all meant. I wish more Christians would learn about Judiasm from rabbis. It really adds depth to religious study. 💕
When I was a youngster, about 11, my parents decided I should go to Sunday school, prior to be confirmed (Episcopalian), a year or so later. But, that didn't last long. During my third Sunday's class, I began asking questions. At the end of that class, the teacher and my parents had a meeting; and, I no longer went to Sunday school.
I had similar experiences. I made a Sunday School teacher cry once. They didn't remove me, interestingly, but I definitely challenged my teachers every week. I couldn't buy the rhetoric
Moreover, I believe that any of us could be "the second coming". If you want to read an interesting book which predates Fr. Nathan's observations, find a copy of "Judas My Brother" written by Frank Yerby in 1968. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas,_My_Brother
Ah yes, nothing like walking into church looking for grace and finding a hate sermon instead. Classic. Because nothing says Welcome to the Kingdom of God like being handed a shame sandwich with a side of hellfire.
But props for asking the real question. Nothing humbles a room faster than, “Do you masturbate?” That’s the kind of theological judo that flips a whole Sunday school class on its back. Because if you're gonna start listing sins, don’t skip the ones hiding under your own sheets, Reverend.
And honestly? You walked into that church looking for belonging, and instead found a lesson in hypocrisy. But maybe that was divine education. Sometimes God’s greatest gift is realizing that not every church deserves your presence—and not every preacher has earned the right to speak for Him.
You didn’t just walk into Sunday school that day. You walked into the principal's office of religion itself—and you passed the test by asking the question everyone else was too scared to say out loud.
If you you lead my chuch instead of the misogynistic bustard that was there I would've stuck around. As is I don't know the majority of my Bible stories, a crime here in the Southern US. I'm loving learning them from you though. Thanks so much for taking the time to write these for us.
So true. Most people don't know that a cornerstone of Jewish religion is debate and discussion of what the laws of Moses mean in a deep, practical sense. I think the closest way to understand in modern media would be to watch Yentl. The rabbis and wanna be rabbis would sit around and chat all day about that stuff. There are many, many books written about those discussions, some of the actually considered scripture. That's 100% what Jesus and his fellow students of religion (deciples) we're doing. They were throwing questions and thoughts around about what it all meant. I wish more Christians would learn about Judiasm from rabbis. It really adds depth to religious study. 💕
When I was a youngster, about 11, my parents decided I should go to Sunday school, prior to be confirmed (Episcopalian), a year or so later. But, that didn't last long. During my third Sunday's class, I began asking questions. At the end of that class, the teacher and my parents had a meeting; and, I no longer went to Sunday school.
I had similar experiences. I made a Sunday School teacher cry once. They didn't remove me, interestingly, but I definitely challenged my teachers every week. I couldn't buy the rhetoric
I love this, probably because it puts into words a lot of what I think. Still, so good to remember that a good teacher makes you think.
Jesus was a human being just like the rest of us.
Moreover, I believe that any of us could be "the second coming". If you want to read an interesting book which predates Fr. Nathan's observations, find a copy of "Judas My Brother" written by Frank Yerby in 1968. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas,_My_Brother
I always found the theory that "the second coming is in our hearts" and that we just have to recognize it there provocative.
Ah yes, nothing like walking into church looking for grace and finding a hate sermon instead. Classic. Because nothing says Welcome to the Kingdom of God like being handed a shame sandwich with a side of hellfire.
But props for asking the real question. Nothing humbles a room faster than, “Do you masturbate?” That’s the kind of theological judo that flips a whole Sunday school class on its back. Because if you're gonna start listing sins, don’t skip the ones hiding under your own sheets, Reverend.
And honestly? You walked into that church looking for belonging, and instead found a lesson in hypocrisy. But maybe that was divine education. Sometimes God’s greatest gift is realizing that not every church deserves your presence—and not every preacher has earned the right to speak for Him.
You didn’t just walk into Sunday school that day. You walked into the principal's office of religion itself—and you passed the test by asking the question everyone else was too scared to say out loud.
If you you lead my chuch instead of the misogynistic bustard that was there I would've stuck around. As is I don't know the majority of my Bible stories, a crime here in the Southern US. I'm loving learning them from you though. Thanks so much for taking the time to write these for us.