flock

[brionon]

Why do prieste always talk about their 'Flock', is it because believers are just a herd of sheep ?

[silly moo]

It's because Jesus is the Good Shepherd and we are his sheep. We can trust him to protect us , and love us.
A shepherd would lay down his life for his sheep if necessary - which was exactly what Jesus did for us.
In biblical times it was an analogy easily understood as so many were either shepherds or fishermen.
Just as he said he was a fisher of men.
Sorry to sound preachy.

[flaming]

silly moo is right.  It's a nice safe-sounding word and after all parishioners are followers, need guidance, etc. Other words like parishioners, or congregation (which in the latter case are only those gathered in a church) are cumbersome and too formal.  'Flock' is a cliche but it is cosy.  I think it summons up images of the village parson in Ye Olde Worlde England. Anglicans would always use it I think.  Can't get the hymn out of my mind now, "When shepherds watched their flocks by night, all sleeping on the ground, an Angel of the Lord came down and Glory shone around.......Fear not said he with mighty   ?  tum te tum, Glad tidings... tum te tum    ....and all Mankind.." 

[El D]

heh dozy, docile, unintelligent, fluffy creatures who will kill themselves if their leader says so

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/050708/80/fmy40.html

sounds about right actually

[brionon]

Don't shepherds fleece their sheep and kill them and eat them ? Ok, sorry--sounds just like the muslim and christian leaders doesn't it.

[silly moo]

No need to be so insulting.
I can't think of any Christian leaders or Muslim leaders who actually practice cannibalism.
Please have respect for all people of all faiths and of no faith.

[Clanad]

I find it only vaguely amusing that the only time El D shows up anymore is to criticize when there is a positive reference to spiritual matters in any of the threads. There was a time several months ago that I could find his/her postings on various subjects, some even well presented, but not lately. Rather desperate, I think.  I was in a book store the other day looking for a book as a gift to a seriously ill atheist friend.  I assumed I could find something along the lines of How Atheism Gives Me Great Comfort, or Atheism, Me and My Future... but... to no avail...  Fact is Yeshua Ha Mashiach said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them; they follow me, and I give them eternal life. Shortly before this he had declared: If anyone enters the sheepfold through me he shall be saved; he shall go freely in and out and shall find good pasture" ... I certainly recognize attitudes in England and Europe are secularized, but I find great comfort in these promises...

[brachiopod]

What's this, the Church of the Bleeding Obvious?

Of course you've never seen such books, the whole bloody point of being an atheist is that their isn't any belief in anything - therefore there is no entity / being / whatever to give you 'great comfort' or to 'guide you and your future'. How can 'nothing' give you 'anything'? That's the whole bloody point !!!!

[Clanad]

Which prompts the next question... Give even a small defense of belief and the atheists that show up are really, really angry... Why is that?

[El D]

Indeed I no longer post on here greatly, however the odd question regarding organised religion is normally enough to entice me - your recognition is touching though.

Mr Angry

[brionon]

Dear Silly moo, last week 3 christians, 2 women and a man were sentenced to prison for torturing a girl whilst trying to drive out devils. They got there authority for this from the bible, not the old but the new testament, jesus ,in fact. These people are sincere ,they believe, they have faith. Must I respect their faith ? If not how do you pick and choose? You'll forgive me if I respect none.

[Clanad]

We've probably reached nearly the end of the usefullness or interest in this thread, but, in response to brionon, I would report that, here in the US, about a month ago, a nurse was convicted and sentenced for the killing by injection of 43 patients in a nursing home.  Seems the defense was that, scientifically, she had determined sufficient lack of quality of life in the patients required their extermination.  Don't think it had anything to do with religion.  Additonally, how many charities, hospitals, nursing homes, orphans homes and the like are supported by atheist organizations?  Lastly, a few months ago someone in one of the threads asked why it was that Americans had no sense of irony expressed in humor.  Seems my fellow geologist, brachiopod has no sense of appreciation for such ironical humor... and El D... rather enjoyed the exchange, except for the occasional rant, but I just tightened the buckle on my hemet another notch...

[El D]

You Clanad, closing your ears? Let me guess, see no evil etc.

 

I find your definition of 'Fact' amusing however!