Would it be wrong?

Is it?

  • Yes, it is wrong.

    Votes: 7 77.8%

  • No, it isn't wrong....

    Votes: 2 22.2%

  • Hmmmm Not sure.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    9
juantoo3 said:
Personally, I have issues with someone earning their living off the Word of G-d. I take my example from Paul, who practiced his trade as a tent-maker as he preached wherever he went.
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It seems Paul's idea of "works" was that disciples should be self-sufficient and work with their hands.
 
Alex P said:
Would it be wrong, to become a priest even though I don't really believe in the christian concept of god? lol... There is a poll so you don't have to give your identity to answer you can if you wish just vote and leave it there... Or tell me how you feel lol...

Say if someone wanted to get into a line of work where they can help, grow faith and wisdom... in others. Is that really so bad?
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I think your ability to be effective in that regard would be hobbled by the falsity of your position. You would never be wholehearted and fully committed, and as a result would, never give it your all. This would give rise to a sense of unfairness about denying those who you would serve what they need you for - your honesty and sincerity as a person.
 
I guess what I'm wondering is why be a minister when you can go to university for the same length of time and become a secular counselor?

You could do a great service by providing good counseling at low prices. Most counselors charge an arm and a leg, but it is their choice. You could probably make a very good living and yet still give a lot back to the community by providing services on a fee based on income. Additionally, not sure how it works in the UK, but here in the States there are many counselors who choose a lower income but give a ton of help to the community working for non-profits or State-sponsored entities. For example, my sister-in-law works as a counselor for a rape crisis center. Great work, she gets paid, and no need to be religious.
 
You could do Jungian counseling??? LOL

I know what you mean, but I'm no help. There's a reason I ain't in the clergy, but I still believe helping the world in any form is a deeply spiritual endeavor. :confused::o:)
 
Alex,

what about being some sort of youth organizer guy for a religious organization? There are a lot of occupations in religious communities other than the clergy.

-- Dauer
 
dauer said:
Alex,

what about being some sort of youth organizer guy for a religious organization? There are a lot of occupations in religious communities other than the clergy.

-- Dauer
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Hey What up haimish! :D

That sounds interesting... Another avenue to look into! We have three churches near us, I will go ask um all.
 
Write a book about your take on different religions. You can do your own illustrations, as well.
Maybe you can start your own comic series. :)
 
seattlegal said:
Write a book about your take on different religions. You can do your own illustrations, as well.
Maybe you can start your own comic series. :)
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You being serious? Who on Earth would want to pay to hear my take on religions lol....

Also I have a novel in the works :/ It's been going for like three/four years now lol.... Since my memory stick crashed and I lost ten completed manifests... I had taken years to write... I really have lost my "sting" and just can't motivate myself to work on writing :( It was a big blow to me.
 
Netti-Netti said:
It seems Paul's idea of "works" was that disciples should be self-sufficient and work with their hands.
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Perhaps.

For those to whom works are anathema, Paul is the last place they would turn. Instead they find in Paul the "saved by grace *alone*" doctrine.

But, that's a potential error in interpretation for ya; reading what one wants to read, inflecting between the lines, and ignoring anything else. Sadly, that is normative behavior in churches.
 
You know what though...if its a religion you've grown up with and its part of your community and everything then I don't think it would be an offense against your community. You're a product of it, so maybe its not such a big deal. You could lose your identity, though. What about spiritual growth for you? You could be totally swallowed up -- straight back to the womb so-to-speak. Where's the good in that? In that sense your community might be losing you, or the person you would be. Think about the film Its a Wonderful Life.
 
Dream said:
You know what though...if its a religion you've grown up with and its part of your community and everything then I don't think it would be an offense against your community. You're a product of it, so maybe its not such a big deal. You could lose your identity, though. What about spiritual growth for you? You could be totally swallowed up -- straight back to the womb so-to-speak. Where's the good in that? In that sense your community might be losing you, or the person you would be. Think about the film Its a Wonderful Life.
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And still the ideas keep rolling :) Thanks for the post Dream... Sometimes the products of religion can be not what they wish to promote... The son of a vicar.. Who was pushed and bullied and forced to believe... Turns naturally into a die hard rebel... That would count as a product of it surley? What if I am seen in that light lol :P
 
I Put no. if You are just viewing it as a job. People take jobs all the time & they dont agree with everything the job is about. I am sure you would not be the first priest/preacher/rector who does not see eye to eye with everything in that religion. A lot worse things have happened than that. People don't seem to really want that kind of job lately so you may get hired anyway.

The three interims that I knew all they did was mediate church politics & go thru the motions on sunday. until one of them, when someone on the board decided to leave written death threats & smashed all his belongings in his office. I did like the founder of one episcopal church...he was really neat & totally different from your stuffy robe & dogmatic type.

You dont make that great of a living. You might get a pension.
I figure for 4 years of college & 4 years of some bible institute you could do way better in another field.

I was hired as a professional musician & choirmaster at several different kinds of religious churches & there is no way I would ever convert to what I saw & heard. That did not stop me from working part time for them. It aint all that it is cracked up to be.
 
Alex P said:
Would it be wrong, to become a priest even though I don't really believe in the christian concept of god? lol... There is a poll so you don't have to give your identity to answer you can if you wish just vote and leave it there... Or tell me how you feel lol...

Say if someone wanted to get into a line of work where they can help, grow faith and wisdom... in others. Is that really so bad?
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my first response was... great stuff- sign up, and then I thought...mm... it's not very realistic though...

If these people come to you, so u can help them grow and gain wisdom, they come to you as a priest of a certain faith- the parameters of the game are set. There is no point advising them to pray to Lakshmi if you're in a catholic church dressed in a black frock... it's a little hypocritical to say... well, I believe "blah" when you know you don't believe in "blah"... would you then be the kind of priest/vicar/etc that was honest, open? It's not what the flock need- you're the shepherd... you can hardly steer them all to safety if you're not sure of where you're going...

If, however, you're realistic enough to think...mmm... I kinda believe... I could pretend I believed it all if it meant I had access to money and status and could use these to do good works for the poor and dispossessed... then why not...

after all, it's a far purer motivation than joing the priesthood because u like small boys...

and then I thought...mmm... if you want to do good works for the poor and dispossessed, you could help out in a soup kitchen, volunteer in a charity shop- you don't need the outfit...

Personally, I don't think you should become a priest/vicar/monk/nun/etc than for any other reason that you think it's a vocation. A real, spiritual vocation, touched by God, wanting then to reach out, touch others, comfort the sick, minister the the troubled and dispossessed, help heal the sick, tell people the good news- that we can be free, not slaves, that we can look after each other like brothers and sisters, etc, etc... Without that, or something like that, it's just a job...

yet, whether that is actually a sin, to treat it like a job? who knows...
 
Francis king said:
how do u square being in the army with the old commandment: thou shalt not kill..?

just curious...
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If I joined the chaplin corp? Which I am not, because I need three years experience as an ordained member to a civi church lol.... I would refuse to kill.. :) I would disagree with the "judgement" of life or death on others... But I like the god of said faith couldn't FORCE others... I would simply be there to help soldiers through such hard experiences..... :/
 
Francis king said:
how do u square being in the army with the old commandment: thou shalt not kill..?

just curious...
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I believe the actual commandment is "Thou shalt not commit murder" (if we look at the original text). I also think there has to be a deliberate "malice" in the heart. Most soldiers do not become soldiers with the intent of "killing" per se as to rather defense of one's home. Politicians who send soldiers out, on the other hand...
 
Alex P said:
Would it be wrong, to become a priest even though I don't really believe in the christian concept of god? lol... There is a poll so you don't have to give your identity to answer you can if you wish just vote and leave it there... Or tell me how you feel lol...

Say if someone wanted to get into a line of work where they can help, grow faith and wisdom... in others. Is that really so bad?
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Again I wonder about the Christian concept of G!d.

Alex, what do you think the Christian concept of G!d is?

I venture to bet if you define it, many will deny it.

Could be time for you to join or lead the ranks of the nontheistic Christians.
 
GlorytoGod said:
can anyone conceptualize God ?

I dont know about you, but my brain just aint big enough to do that :D
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Oh I quite agree.

However in the past we were able to do so. There were constraints against saying or writing the name, but on the other hand we can easily go through the texts to figure out what was opined at the time.

Built quite in our image with our jealousy, anger, moodiness. Had hands, feet and He walked and talked, formed and wrestled, was male. Lived up there above the water, but if we've grown beyond that...if all that is allegory...
 
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