Is Church a One-Way Ticket to Sinville?

I would strongly argue that a pew cushion is the last place under which you should look if you're seeking a well-adjusted member of society.

While I'm sure they're a great place at which to mingle, regularly scheduled church services give religious folks an excuse to sin, as well as a comforting feeling that they will one day soon turn their life around.

In other words; church is an enabler of sinful behavior because it causes the delay of reform.

In words other than that; simply by sitting in church, religious folks believe they are actively combating their vices.

Despite these frequent visits to church, when religious people egregiously sin, they always claim to have somehow forgotten the words written on the pages of their holy book; words on which the sermons are based.

Really?

You forget things you're reminded of on a weekly basis? The sermons don't help at all? If, every Sunday morning, I was reminded that Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, I don't think I'd ever forget that Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th President of the United States.

The downside to needing help from outside influences in order to solve your problems is that many individuals wait for said outside influences to miraculously take effect.

It's as if people are saying, "I've been going to church for years, I don't know why I continue robbing the local convenience store, cheating on my spouse, burning down libraries, etc..."

If people took it upon themselves to improve their own situation, they might have some success.

Because all church does is remind you that others are negatively judging your behavior.

And let's talk about people who sit through church listening to sermons about how they should struggle to alter their sinful ways despite the fact that they feel not a tinge of guilt.

When you attempt to improve your situation because another human being, or higher power via ancient writings, tells you that your life is off course, the attempt will usually fail. When the goal is improving your situation because you think you've strayed, the attempt usually has a fighting chance.

Because it's all about your version of right and wrong.

Por Ejemplo; if an Amish person tells you that, simply by turning on a television set or desk lamp, you're no better than Jeffrey Dahmer; you're not likely to decrease your electricity consumption because you'd view such criticism as loco.

The above scenario is akin to church elders informing you that you're living a life of unacceptable sin. If you agree, you already knew this. If you disagree, then no amount of reminders regarding the dreadfulness of your behavior will make you alter your lifestyle because you believe your lifestyle is perfectly fine.

So if you want to change your life, use as motivation the thought of how much gratification you'll receive from future looks in the mirror, because you'll most likely find nods of approval from nicely-dressed people who feel it's their primary duty to judge your every action to be a major disappointment.

If outside influences are pressuring you to make unneeded changes, let your conscience be your guide.

Now tell me quickly - who was the 22nd and 24th President of the United States?