Portland, Tennessee Blog

I quit going to church when I was 18, why? because of all the Sanctimonious people who attended.. Let me explain before I get critiqued about my blogging, I believe in God and I believe that you can still go to Heaven without going to church. Can anyone tell me where it says in the bible you have to attend church to get to Heaven..
I think in some churches there are politics displayed in how you are excepted in the church. Why is that? politics and religion do not go hand in hand. I have talked to several members of a certain church in Portland and I am very surprised at what these people do on Friday and Saturday nights. Thats the reason I don't attend church too many hypocrites to deal with. If you are not a big wig or a famous name in town they look at you and wonder who you are and how dare you attend my church. I am not condeming anyone by no means, but think about it you have politicians in church and in my opinion and my opinion only they are the devils advocates.. Maybe some will call me the devils advocate thats ok I have been called worse in life. God doesn't judge people for who you are its the people in the church who are doing the judging so I simply stay at home and watch Joel Olsteen at least I don't have to deal with hypocrites.. ps I am not afraid to let anyone know who I am and how I can be reached just ask and I will tell...

This blog brings up interesting questions and points. As far as giving a reason on why some people don't go to church...my husband is one of them. His reason for not going is because he doesn't want to hear someone else's interpretation of the Bible. He wants to read it in full before he goes. He wants to have a knowledge of it so that when a preacher says something in church, he will know whether or not his view is the same. I guess you can say he's doing his research first. This is something recent that he's been doing and he's making great progress. He makes notations about everything he reads.

As far as the churches constantly stopping at peoples houses to preach, or sending never-ending "junk" mail...I have always thought this was nothing but an annoyance also. I feel differently now. The Bible my husband is reading so carefully is one that was given as a Christmas present (from a local church) to everyone at his place of work. That little annoyance effected one person, I just wonder how many others it effects. I do however feel that churches push too hard sometimes. My husband is one of those "don't push me" kind of people. That is what has taken him so long to come to where he is.

To the pastors that may be reading this, knock on a persons door once to let them know your church exists, knock twice to let them know your church cares, after that...wait for them to knock. Too many knocks and you'll push them away.

I am a christian, and I attend church every sunday. I am not a Baptist, nor am I a c of C member. When I first moved here, it seems every church was knocking on my door cramming their views down my throat. The FBC was guilty of this to no end. They kept it up and kept it up until I finally told them to stay away. Now I get this propaganda from the Portland Church of Christ. This church has nothing else to do with their money???? I am tired of going to my mailbox and finding House to House/Heart to Heart in my mailbox. I was raised c of C, and I really got sick and tired of hearing how we were the only ones who were going to heaven. Now I am Methodist and very happy. I hope the preacher at the Portland Church of Christ reads this blog. Please, stop mailing your propaganda. What a waste of money. I have lived in many areas of this country, and why is it that the southern c of C's and Baptist churches have to cram their views down everyone's throats. The other garbage I hear is that Catholics are not christians. I had that drilled into my head as a child, and it is wrong. Any intelligent person would know that the Catholic church is the oldest christian church known, and they even were the first to publish the Bible. I have many Catholic friends who are just as good as any c of C or Baptist. All that nonsense about them not being saved because they baptize their infants is a bunch of hogwash. This town needs to get off it's religious high horse. There is no religion any better than the other. If you are a good person, you will go to heaven. That is all there is to it. Take a good look around you in church. Who is cheating on their spouse, who is embezzling money, who is doing drugs? It is also a weell-known fact that the south has the highest divorce rate in the country, and most are Baptists. It was even on the news here not that long ago. There is only one judge, God.

JW,
I was the one that wrote this post that you are referring to and to answer your question...I was responding to the previous posts regarding "Baptists" and simply referring to the Baptist Bashing and not to justify my choice in religion.

I have heard a lot about Christianity, religion but nothing about Spirituality.
I don't go to church, use to but i have found organized religion to be just that organized. Which one to believe?? Each denomination feels they have the only true way to Christ, leaving many people of today wondering what to do, we have swinging from the chandaliers to a funeral service in any given church.

I have yet to read that Jesus ever spoke in a "church building" not does it say anywhere that a building is needed. I worship outdoors with many friends just as Jesus taught outdoors when he was on this earth. Spirituality is a walk of life, a life style and not a garment to put on or take off at will. My teacher is the Holy Spirit.
Having being a Preachers wife and cominf from a family of Preachers coming down through the generations, I end with this, "What one hears in the pulpit, is not what goes on behind the parsonage doors!!!"

"I am a Baptist and I have to say that it is offensive to me to see some bash all Baptists. I do not shove my religion down people's throat and I can't see where anyone where I attend church does! We are a small church that come together and spend a lot of our free time being together. I recently started attending this church because I do not believe in the shoving of the religion or the hypocrites and now I have found a church that I honestly do not believe does any of these things.
I don't back bite as I believe treat others how you want to be treated. I work hard, take care of my children and attend church.
I try to smile and wave to strangers and others, only to get stared at with no comment made. I have noticed that people for the most part, not only in Portland, but everywhere, are not as sociable, happy or nice as they once was. I do not stereotype this behavior as just people from Portland, but a sign of the times. This was the reason I have chose to stay here, but sometimes I find myself wondering where has the southern hospitality gone.
Being Baptist is not a stereotype. It is a choice in religion. I used to say that I was "religion-shopping" because I wasn't swayed to just one specific type of religion, but somewhere where my family belonged. Please be considerate of others and not group all of a religion on people that live the way they may."

The above was posted by MG, and upon reading this I have only one question.....what does any of what you say here have to do with Christianity and/or Sprituality?

Laurie,
Portland would be an excellent choice, plenty of friendly people and a safe environment.
There are many good churches to pick from, just attend some different ones and find the one that feels like home to you.
The schools are great, and we are getting 2 more new facilities soon.
If you have any questions about our city you can contact me at mikecallis@cityofportlandtn.gov
thanks
mike

I may be moving to the Portland area. My husband is being transferred to a new builging in Portland. We are trying to decide if we should move to Portland or to one of the other surrounding cities. Can anyone help. I am responding to the religion question, because we are leaving a church plant here in in Michigan and we have also gone to one of the "modern" churches and we aren't into the "churchy" types of churches but we love Jesus and would love to hear about the churches. Also, schools. Any advice regarding the Middle TN area is useful.

the wise man that said dont ask dont tell?
did you mean the pervert that coudn't recall?

There are no restrictions on what you wear at all.As I said the members come from all areas and all walks of life.We are a "pentecostal"church.We believe in the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives.We do have a website that expounds more on our beliefs.If you google Hosanna-Church-Portland i believe you will find a link to it.

Thanks Terry it did help! I may have to check it out. They don't "require" anything of you if you go to church there do they? (like expect you to do other activities FOR the church? Or require you to be baptized AGAIN?) Can my family just come there for services and worship and not have to do other church group things,if we don't want to?
It just seems so many churches I've seen want you to be baptized AGAIN (even though I have already been) Or they expect you to come to all the other church functions, and they expect you to go around trying to get other people to become members....etc.

Terry,
This sounds like a "nice" church. Do they have any restrictions on what you can or can not wear? What are some of the churches beliefs?

Hosanna's congregation runs around 100-120 per service.It is a very friendly church without the "better than you" hang ups a lot of churches have.The people at Hosanna come from all over the area and all walks of life,not just Portland.As far as a Sunday school,Hosanna has an excellent children's church that coincides with the worship service in another part of the building.Our youth group has around 15 members and usually meet on select Sunday nights.We welcome any visitors with open arms and would love to see you there.Our worship service begins at 11a.m.Hope this has helped you.

Terry?
I live near Hosanna Church (It's the one on 76 with the big pond out front right?) And my husband and I have been wanting to try it out. What do you think of it? Is it a big congregation? Is it welcoming? Do you know if their childrens sunday school is good? I would really like to hear anything you'd like to tell me about it.

Thanks

I felt the same way you do,you can only get saved so many times,then I began attending Hosanna Church.It is a full gospel church which means it teaches the entire Bible,not just the salvation part.To me it's life application teachings.We are taught how to deal with the everyday problems and pitfalls that face every Christian through the power of the Holy Spirit.Am I perfect?Not even close,but with Gods help I deal with things a lot different than I used to.

Why is it that all preachers want to say on a Sunday morning is "Repent today and be saved. All the sermons seem to center around that one thing. I am saved!! Teach me about the Bible. Teach me how to be a good christian and wife and mother.

DA,

First and foremost, thanks. I really like the "storefront" naming of all these religious dwellings. I never really put it in that light before but it reads so true. Everyone is trying to be the pastor now days that it leaves no one to follow.

Because you can't have a Bible based church with 800 different interpretations. Jesus said on this rock I will create My church. If you think somebody is trying to shove religion down your throat, you're probably just paranoid.

What difference does it make what kind of church someone attends? Aren't we all attending for the same reason, to worhsip GOD. As long as your heart is right why do you care what the person sitting next to you in church did the night before? As long as the church is bible based, the people are friendly and they have a good youth group I will attend be it Baptist, Church of Christ, Methodist, etc.

I don't attent any church simply because my family hasn't found one here yet either. I would LOVE to find a church where we can come and join, attend the services,meet people and then CHOOSE if we want to participate in anything else. I don't want or need to be told I HAVE to do this or that for the church.

I've never responded to the "religious" blog posts by the Pastor simply because I never knew they were intended for a discussion. I thought he was just posting to get the word out there and for people to read and take what they wish from it. And of course any religious discussions here turn into a fight fest usually so why bother?

I am a Baptist and I have to say that it is offensive to me to see some bash all Baptists. I do not shove my religion down people's throat and I can't see where anyone where I attend church does! We are a small church that come together and spend a lot of our free time being together. I recently started attending this church because I do not believe in the shoving of the religion or the hypocrites and now I have found a church that I honestly do not believe does any of these things.
I don't back bite as I believe treat others how you want to be treated. I work hard, take care of my children and attend church.
I try to smile and wave to strangers and others, only to get stared at with no comment made. I have noticed that people for the most part, not only in Portland, but everywhere, are not as sociable, happy or nice as they once was. I do not stereotype this behavior as just people from Portland, but a sign of the times. This was the reason I have chose to stay here, but sometimes I find myself wondering where has the southern hospitality gone.
Being Baptist is not a stereotype. It is a choice in religion. I used to say that I was "religion-shopping" because I wasn't swayed to just one specific type of religion, but somewhere where my family belonged. Please be considerate of others and not group all of a religion on people that live the way they may.

The original question was: Why are religious posts on the blog being ignored?

I ignore them simply because my understanding of the blog is that anyone can come here and express an opinion on a topic or have a discussion with others about an issue. I don't see where Pastor Mike's frequent "mini-sermons" fit that description. Yeah, he is the pastor of one of our many storefront churches. Good for him. I hope he finds whatever his definition of sucess is. But I don't read the blog to be preached to, so when I see one of Pastor Mike's many diatribes, I just click to the next posting. Does he really think that he will convert anyone by posting sermons on the blog?

I agree with jj. I hate having religion shoved down my throat. When will these Baptists learn that they will gain more converts by showing them an honest, clean, loving life than by preaching to anyone that gets in their path? Citizen2 says it well; Portlanders can lie, cheat and steal as long as they show up at First Baptist on Sunday morning.

Here's a challenge for those in the area who consider themselves "Christian". For the next month, be kind to everyone you meet. No gossip or back biting; assume the best of others instead of the worst. Be honest in your business dealings, whether you run a bank or a hot dog stand. Tell the truth, no matter what. Pay your employees a living wage, based on their skills, attitude and work ethic. Spend some time looking in the mirror at your own shortcomings, and less time looking out the window at the shortcomings of others.

Then we'll see what true Christianity is like, and we won't have to ask everyone we meet if they are saved.

It took me a long time to figure out that it wasn't about what anyone else does,it's about me and Him.YOU are responsible for your relationship with God,not anyone else or what they do.When we stand before him at judgement we won't be able to pass the buck.We will be held accountable for our lives.

My husband and I have wanted to attend church for the last 4 years we've lived here. We are Christian people who worship God and live by his rules. We are not Baptist. By the way I have seen what it means to be Baptist, I would never step foot into one of the Churches. Portland taught me that you can lie, cheat, and steal, as long as you are at the First Baptist Church, giving to the funds, and showing your fake face in front of everyone. This town is nothing but a bunch of false people who can't face themselves. How can you expect to face God?

It's been a dream to come to a small town where you can wave at people and make chit chat anywhere because you've met someone somewhere before. This town and it's religion has a whole lot of adjusting to do. God knows what you're doing whether you do it behind closed doors or not. Who are you really hiding from? I think it's a bigger story than you're letting on.

Hugs,

This is always the arguement that is given when there is no other way to respond. This "your not attending church for the people next to you" arguement is pretty weak.

I don't attend church any longer for a variety of reasons, I was raised the son of a Southern baptist Minister, one would think because of that I would be a very strong advocate for religion and church attendance......QUITE THE APPOSITE.

I believe organized religion is a poison in today's society and has blinded the true meaning and focus of christianity........

Jesus Is The Saviour Not Christianity

Are we defending Christ or Christianity? Will enforcing the ideals of a pre-packaged Christian lifestyle help people feel the love of Christ? Do we believe that our lifestyles hold more truths than Jesus? Are we trying to drive people to Christianity or lead them to Christ?

Religion Kills

Religion is a false perception of holiness that focuses on law and kills the true message of Christ. Jesus had much to say about the religious who put the law before his true message.

“…How terrible it will be for you experts of religious law! For you crush people beneath impossible religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease the burden.” Luke 11:46

“How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you ignore the important things of the law- justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but you should not leave undone the most important things. Blind Guides! You strain your water so you won’t accidentally swallow a gnat; then you swallow a camel.” Matthew 23:23-24

Jesus came and declared that the most important law was “You must love the Lord with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37.39) Religion ignores the reasons behind this being the most important commandment and only focuses on the exterior and works as a way to get close to God. It is religion that not only kills the true message of hope Christ taught but also has held back the lost from understanding the true meaning of Christianity.

After a long time looking, my family finally found a church home. We never felt at home at any of the churches we had visted before because we were never spoken to by any of the members. No one ever went out of their way to make us feel at home until now. I prefer a preacher that educates me instead of trying to "scare" me and that is what our preacher does. I also want to feel a member of a family and now I do.

my veiw is that no one judges me but the lord and if i chose to go to church its too hear his word not think of what the next person in church thanks of the way i dress or think. To hear of god doesnt bother me nor should it bother you.good and evil is in our lives and its you to decide what is the path you should take.The choices you make in life you are the only one that can change for myself i would like to get closer to god cause theres a day that will come i have to face him and answer him to my reasoning.S O find the church that comforts you and go for his word.dont worry about the other people.god lives in each of us he died for our sins just ask forgiveness and he shall forgive.

My family & I are on a search for a church home as well..we have visited a few here & there..but my husband and I have never felt "at home" just yet, so we will keep looking. I think the reason why most people choose to ignore these religous issues are because so many times the discussion turns into the "youre a sinner and let me tell you how bad of a sinner you are" Who is going to respond to that??? Spreading the word of God should never used to guilt or use other's fears to get them to turn to God. It is a heartfelt action that only you can make and no one can make for you,no matter how hard they try...
I have also found that when I see people on Sunday morning,all spiffed up with their nice clothes and nice shoes, acting as if they are angels and everyone in the church should bow to their holy exisitance, it makes me think who they truly are inside and what they do when they are not in these church walls...when you have God in your life, it will reflect on everything you do,everyday,not just on those hour weekly meetings..I have seen way too many people spend their Saturdays drinking,smoking and partying the night away and then show up Sunday mornining being a "preachy" big shot...I was watching a television show about church and the man said next time you are in church, look to your left,now look to your right, chances are one of those two people are hypocrites, this is profoundly true,which I think is the reason why so many can not find a strong urge to go to church...

Please stop shoving it down people's throats. A wise man once said," Don't ask. Don't tell." And that goes for more than what he intended it to. You want to talk religion, go to church or keep it to yourself. Thanks and god bless. Oh man! Am I aloud to say,"god" on here? Gulp!

I am a Christian, and although I currently do not attend church, I have faith that I am going to Heaven. I use to go to a Church here in Portland, but when our Pastor left, things got bad. I believe that church goers,deacons, preachers, ushers, etc. should not judge others. That is in the Bible. However, I found that a lot of the members of our church were very judgemental. God will judge us all in the end, as a matter of fact, he is the only one we should be worried about. Most people where I went to church frowned upon lots of things, but either they or their children were doing the things they judged others for. Talk about hipocrites! I also don't like to go to a church where the members are stuck up. As someone already posted, in some churches, if you aren't in a clique, you are ignored. I thought that only happened in school. When you have a congregation that is always ready to ask members to leave when they don't agree with things that are going on in their lives, that, to me is sad! I mean, shouldn't we, as Christians be willing to reach out and help those that are troubled, and steer them in the right path, instead of asking them to leave. I don't know about you, but I believe that the Lord would certainly frown upon that.

I'm still looking for a church. I went to a church in Hendersonville for awhile. The preacher was okay and the services were very lively but the members of the church were not friendly at all. If you were not in one of the "cliques" then you were ignored. Next I started going to a church here in Portland that had a new preacher. I liked the people there, the preacher was very friendly. I went every Sunday and Wed night for about 2 months until the preacher got up and said we were all going to hell if we did not go to church every time the church doors were open. I haven't been back since. My next target is the Freedom Church in Gallatin. I received a flyer in the mail the other day and thought I would give it a try. Maybe this will be the one!

I don't mind discussing religion. I enjoy it.
I was raised in the church and baptisted. I believe in GOD but I do not go to church anymore and I still know I will go to heaven. I got tried of the preacher telling the congregation they were going to hell if they did not do this or do that. I think that most people that do go to church know right from wrong. To me a preacher should be more of a teacher of the Bible not someone that tries to ram certain ideas down our throats. I'm not saying that ALL preachers are this way but alot are and it's a BIG turn off!!

Okay, I also know that there are two preachers who post here. But, they are also politicians, and they sometimes post under different names. I wish they would not.

Personally, I do not have any problem with religious posts. Many of the ones here seem condescending, and I do not feel that I am obligated to participate in these posts to the scorn of the posters and multitudes. Religious opinions vary greatly, and I do not feel it makes the case for Jesus Christ to talk down to people, or assume viewers are all lost, or address religious viewpoints that can cause open disputes in the body of Christ. What good comes of it on a forum such as this? In just general conversations on non-religious topics, so many on this and other blogs simply cannot read what is being said without being offended, even when sometimes they are not interpreting the posts correctly. They jump to wrong conclusions and go off on tangents that were never part of the discussions. With the addition of religious opinions in the mix, the possibility of anger and dispute is heightened even further.

Some discussions work better in person, where you can see a person's body language, hear their voice, see their expressions, and therefore communicate more accurately than reading personal biases into all posts.

That is simply an opinion. I am NOT against reaching the world, as it is a primary mission. I just feel some of these posts are simply trying to bait us into a poorly managed discussion, .... world without end.