Where do crazy religious people come from?

[Alonzo]

Those crazy guys you see in cities handing out pamphlets, singing, yelling, covering themselves in bumper stickers, and wearing sandwich boards and other signs, where do they come from? Do you they look at other religious nuts and say "I want to be that guy!" Do they believe God is telling them everything to do? Are they just insane, no other explanation needed?

Here's an interview with "Bob the Evangelist", a guy I'm sure anyone who's spent time in Boston has seen. He tells of his origins as the crazy religious guy with signs:

http://media.libsyn.com/media/bostonbts/BBTS8BobTheEvangelist.mp3

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/5821/biggerbobrz2.jpg

I have to admit that while I do see him as just a crazy guy he's pretty harmless and not as bad as some. There's this other guy who often shows up with a beer belly, dressed in a suit and slicked back hair (combine a greasy car salesman and a fire and brimstone preacher) who preaches and denounces people on the streets. During the same sex marriage issue the preacher would be denouncing homosexuals and supporters, and the sign guy remained relatively silent and just walked around.

[BillyPilgrim]

Norway.

[AnnEsthesia]

Space. They are proof that life exists on other planets. ;)

[Deadshot]

Does not the Scripture ask for all of us to proclaim the word of God?

Can you give Biblical quotations to back up your argument that these people might be crazy?

[Alonzo]

Matthew 6:1-7

6:1Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 6:2When therefore thou doest alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. 6:3But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 6:4that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.
6:5And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. 6:6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee. 6:7And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Your move. :P

[Deadshot]

(Looking in the Boogy playbook on how to debate the Bible, ahh here it is)

You interpretted that wrong!:love:

[underdawg]

Isn't this an example to me of what Jesus asks people to actually do as a Christian? Most of the things that Jesus did were probably seen as nutty. I am not saying that I agree with these people, but I can certainly understand the reason why they do it. They want to be more like Jesus and live a life similar to what is described in the New Testament. I would think that most Christians would not choose to abandon physical pleasures and devote their entire lives to doing what they believe the message from the Bible tells them to do.

[Deadshot]

Isn't this an example to me of what Jesus asks people to actually do as a Christian? Most of the things that Jesus did were probably seen as nutty. I am not saying that I agree with these people, but I can certainly understand the reason why they do it. They want to be more like Jesus and live a life similar to what is described in the New Testament. I would think that most Christians would not choose to abandon physical pleasures and devote their entire lives to doing what they believe the message from the Bible tells them to do.


Agreed, underdawg. Most Conservative Republicans who claim that they're Christians have a really hard time with Matthew 22:21 Jesus said “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
Romans 13:1 “Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those which exist are established by God.”

Now aren't we supposed to help the poor? So why all the crying and whining about Welfare and the S-Chip bill? Hmmm...I wonder...:ponder:

[BoogyMan]

(Looking in the Boogy playbook on how to debate the Bible, ahh here it is)

You interpretted that wrong!:love:


If you looked in my playbook you would actually be looking at the text of the Bible DS, but keep on firing those cheap shots without any substance. :ecstatic:

Actually Zo, those verses you quote ARE talking about doing things to be seen of men, not about teaching a preaching to the lost. It would benefit you to consider the "doest alms" commentary and consider what that means, as it is reference to aiding the poor, and those verses are talking about not aiding those in need just to be seen doing it. The verses you quote also talk about pompous actions with regard to prayer and with regard to vain prayers based on repetition.

There ya go DS, bash away. :D

[Buck Laser]

Actually, I have it on good authority that nearly all of the religious nuts come from Tulsa. I have a 900 number you can call there and get signed up for training. If I recall right, the training facility is on the campus of Oral Roberts University. Franchises may be available, too.

[David Hume]

I believe Bob Jones was awarded just such a franchise. Falwell got one too----he named it Liberty University. The Mormons also have such a training facility in Provo, Utah. There is no shortage of cultish groupthought indoctrination centers in this fine nation of ours. ;)

[Buck Laser]

I believe Bob Jones was awarded just such a franchise. Falwell got one too----he named it Liberty University. The Mormons also have such a training facility in Provo, Utah. There is no shortage of cultish groupthought indoctrination centers in this fine nation of ours. ;)

While I'm no fan of the Mormons, and certainly not of Mr. Romney, I can't quite put them in the same category as the televangelists. The televangelists all depend on a massive cult of personality that I think is largely absent in Mormonism. I don't know if the bigwigs in the Mormon church get filthy rich as the televangelists do, but they seem to be a fairly circumspect group.

[HankSaint]

For my two cents and for what it's worth, I say lets not be judgmental of anyone, or any action we do not fully understand. Heaven forbid we allow our own closet to open and allow others to peer in. This man in his own way is a missionary trying to convert others to a way of living, I see no harm, feel no harm, and will speak no harm. If you believe, than you know he is a child of God.

Peace everyone. :innocent:

[HankSaint]

I believe Bob Jones was awarded just such a franchise. Falwell got one too----he named it Liberty University. The Mormons also have such a training facility in Provo, Utah. There is no shortage of cultish groupthought indoctrination centers in this fine nation of ours. ;)


Maybe you need to educate yourself on the definition of Cult. Google, and than surprise yourself with some new knowledge.:thumbsup: Gee, next time you make such a stupid statement, why don't you attach your stupid documentation. David you sound like someone who gets his information from Inquire, etc. And by the way, I am Mormon and know about this Religion because I have studied and lived it for 50 yrs.

[Pookie]

Well, in my humble opinion, I don't see these people as crazy or nuts. I think they are dedicated to their cause and are very strong in what they believe. They may choose the way they believe in a distasteful manner that seems crazy to others, but in their minds and hearts, they are following God as they deem fit.
I do have to admit they do get on one's nerves at times. I was approached once at a gas station by a woman who grabbed me by the shoulders and demanded, "Have you found Jesus?"
I was a bit annoyed and in a hurry, and replied, "Oh for God's sake. You lost him again? Why can't you people keep track of things like this?"
Now, yes, that was impolite, but as I said, sometimes these folks can get on your nerves.
Purrs,
Pookie

[HankSaint]

"Oh for God's sake. You lost him again? Why can't you people keep track of things like this?"
Now, yes, that was impolite, but as I said, sometimes these folks can get on your nerves.
Purrs,
Pookie


I split a gut reading the above, that's the first time I have heard that one. :P
Thanks for the humor, I feel sometimes even us Mormons take things to seriously.
God gave us a sense of humor, and the world is better for it.

[Newscaster]

Where do all the religious nuts come from? Heck thats easy. They come from right over there........on the right.

[HankSaint]

Where do all the religious nuts come from? Heck thats easy. They come from right over there........on the right.


Newscaster, you must have some serious issues, every-post I have read by you, comes across as negative. Lighten up, try to get along, no one wants to fight with you.
Maybe this is not the right forum for you, try current affairs or right wing conspiracies. :fight:

[NortheastCynic]

Short answer: From other crazy religious people.

Listen, I have no problem with religion ore religious people. I am a Christian, I believe in God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, etc. What I do not believe is that my religious beliefs should be enforced by law. That is where reasonable religious people and nuts differ.

-NC

[Alonzo]

North, what if the crazy religion person doesn't want religion enforced by law because Jesus is coming back next week and all sinners will be punished anyway?

I knew a few people like that circa 2000 when people thought the world was ending.

[NortheastCynic]

Well, all I can say is I hope that when the world doesn't end on that given date that they don't become the individuals I was referring to who want their morality enforced by the state.

-NC

[Newscaster]

Hank Saint, I have lived on this planet for 72 years now and have dealt with people who are extremely religious and those with no faith at all. If you detect negativity in my posts it may be because of what I have witnessed in this world, both in this country and elsewhere. I have watched people take a perfectly good inspirational story and turn it into a nightmare. I have seen them force their views on others accompanied by threats of hell and damnation if they dont fall into line.
This would tend to make one adopt a negative outlook if they pay attention to what is happening. But you can assess my outlook all you like and you would still be wrong. You see I deal with those who have a positive outlook. And I do things for positive reasons. I wonder if you have ever done things like that. You couldnt imagne what it does for ones outlook on life.

[Kenzieman]

By the definition of hte OP---"crazy religous people" really are not something to be TOO worried about. They stand on the streetcorner or in the mall professing what they believe to be true, and as long as they are not attacking people, it's not an issue for me. If I'm in the mall with my kids and they are blabbering something that I don't consider valid, I will talk to my kids about it later on, and explain things.

The crazy religious people I worry about are the evangelists and cult leaders. These people are predators---generally they are manipulative charismatic people who prey upon the poor and downtrodden. They promise them whatever it is that they need and tell them the only way to get it is through them.

Before my wife and I met, her family was torn apart by just such a predator. Both of her parents families went to the same church. Someone in the church decided that they (the church) had it all wrong and split off and started his own following. He declared that all followers of his church were "believers" and anyone that did not attent services with them was going to hell. Nobody in his church was allowed to own or read the Bible----he was the only one that gad had made smart enough to understand it and so they were only to take in it's message through him. At services and bible study, nobody spoke until he was done speaking, nobody ate until he was done eating, and he could show up to your house and be fed whenever he chose. The big problem was---my father in law's family went with him and my mother in law's family stayed with the original church. My wife has cousins that to this day will tell her that me, her, and all of our kids are all going to hell. I watched my grandmother in law tell her sister (who statyed with the original church and was on her deathbed at the time) that, "I'm sorry I'll never see you again, because I'm going to heaven and you're going to hell." She died three days later.

People like that are the ones we need to watch out for.