Did you ever go to any religious conferences or camps?

[BCRanger10]

Did you ever go to any religious conferences or camps? For lack of a better term, "Jesus Camp"?

World Youth Day, the Passion Conference, FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students), Steubenville, Vacation Bible School, anything like that?

What was your experience?

[Lliam]

When I graduated from Catholic grammar school in 8th grade, I went on a couple of CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) outings. The ones I went to were pretty fun. It was shortly after the second Ecumenical Council when the church began to liberalize. It was also during the mid-60s when popular songs about peace, love and brotherhood were being created. I liked that.
I was a beginning guitar player and played guitar for the new, folky, guitar masses that began in the mid-60s.

I was a good Catholic boy, had been an altar boy in grammar school, liked my school and the nuns. One of the priests that came along in the mid-60s was fresh out of college/seminary and was the coolest guy.

At the time, movies like Angels With Dirty Faces, Going My Way, Boy's Town, The Bells of St. Mary's, and Lilies of the Field, exemplified Catholicism for me. So any dogma at the CCD camps didn't bother me. They weren't like Bible camps.

When I was in high school, some hippie chicks talked me into going with them to some crazy-ass Christian thing where people were being "saved" and some were supposedly speaking in tongues. I can't remember what they called that sect. It may have been a Maranatha thing.

Those are the only religious conferences/camps I've ever been to.

My wife likes to go to spiritual retreats with meditation and stuff like that. I'm not into it, though. She has a couple of girlfriends that are and she always goes with one of them. I'm not into religion at all anymore.

[Andres77]

Junior high and high school. I learned that “Christian kids” are still human and act certain ways around adults and completely different ways when not under the adults watchful eye. The kids that maintain their character when not supervised are the ones you can rely on for some things (doing the right thing but will also report you) and the others can be relied on for other kinds of behavior (acting out but tend to back you up). Granted, there’s inappropriate behavior opportunities to all kids. I didn’t get along with either. So I learned to keep to myself. I figured I was an introvert but wasn’t diagnosed with Asperger’s until years after retirement, and now I understand more of why I was like that as a kid.

humans are human. Hypocrisy reigns. Character will shine through. Choose your friends wisely.

[LazerBean]

I help with several different children's ministries. The experience is always great, though sometimes sad. It's sad how large a percentage of children don't have a decent adult in their home.

[collie22]

I didn't go to camp, how days I wish I would of went

[genericname85]

yeah. in my age group and my area, it was very normal to have what we called "confirmation". it's a one year long rocess where you go to church, take trips with the church youth and learn about the bible in order to be accepted as an "adult believer" within the church. i was skeptic before i took part in this and since this, i'm fully atheist.

[Fuentes]

I went to one caught a few fades with some racist kids. Never went back it was some youth group camp weekend event. Wish I knew Satan back then.

[strateguy632]

calling people names is condescending and judgey.

[Fuentes]

@strateguy632 and they got slapped up for calling me the N word and I got put out and banned from. the church lol never liked church anyway. Not a Christian at all anymore

[Andres77]

Sorry to say but more “christians” have people away from God. One problem is that some listen to what others say about God because and turn away. I’m struggling with lots of issues but I’m never letting go of God. People get it wrong. The consequences are too great, bud. Just think about that, please.

[Andres77]

*more “christians” have turned more people away from God

[Fuentes]

@Andres77 very true my mom is a die hard Christian so I been to many churches and many youth groups and I have seen alotta racist in churches and just down right down evil people. Even fake pastors so I gave God is chance for along time despite all those evil people but all I see is evil people and evil things happening and God is nowhere to be found his word doesn't exist as he says in the Bible. Therefore he has no power here, it's best to support someone who actually cares for the people and that isn't God.

I find God to be a dictator who says u can't question me and I'll let u suffer and ill. pick. and choose who I help, and he says base all evil on Lucifer but all Satan ever did was tell the truth? How did he deceive Adam and Eve by telling them the truth? They would not die if they ate the apple. Theirs so much to unravel and God ha no stories about Satan except he attacked, he decided and he failed and was sent to thr pit of hell and soon Jesus will come to control it and punish him and all his followers lol I been doing slot if reading on Satan and stuff is making a lot more sense that that weirdo Bible.

[Andres77]

I’m sorry this has been your experience. I was abused by the pastor and by older kids. But I only held them accountable, not God. I personally know atheists who tried to disprove the Bible and they became Christians.
Regarding satan, causing doubt is still deceit. he doesn’t actually have to speak a lie.
I’m not trying to convince you. I’m just stating what I believe. God can be harsh, true. But satan is trying to do as much damage as possible in the time he has left.
I’m hope you find peace, whatever you do in the future.

[Fuentes]

@Andres77 the thing is Satan doesn't say anything agaisnt God says or the bible he acknowledges it and puts question who are these people who can say right or wrong? Remer Satan's position in hevaan was once reporting to God of which humans was doing good or bad. He had the power to decide he learned he had no right to do that and saw it as pure hypocrisy which a lot of stuff about written with God is. He also says Churches are his best friend because he keeps them in business. Funny tons of pastors rant on and on about how evil the "Devil" is but 1/3 if Heavan fell with Satan right. So why is he only one who takes the blame? Many gods before hand are in hell or are dead. Who also had great positions and were known all as good.
How do questions make one bad?

Isn't it God who says stand up to the
PHARAOH, THE DICTATOR, THE COMMIE but the minute he ia question its a problem?

Why should adam. if even stayed naked why should they be without knowledge why werent they allowed ti eat, this in the bible. God told them if u eat frim. the Garden you will die?

Satan said it wasn't true and they would see the truth about thrmselves if theh did eat. Which they did and God punished them. with harsh punishments. I just wanna know how does truth mean deceit? Humans are literally built off truth this country was built off of standing up for its self agaisnt dictators. We hate communism and would love more to take down North Korea and Iran for the way they live and how they do things. So how is Satan wrong?

[Andres77]

Bud, one day you’re going to die. I hope you’re doing well.. again I hope you find the piece that you need. Once you die, it’s too late.

[Fuentes]

@Andres77 their is no truths to where we actually go where we die. And if the Bible says I will be punished for eternity I rather have heavan on earth that Satan rules then in some heavenly kingdom with a hypocrite who lies and says never question me and makes his humans suffer.

[Andres77]

satan won’t rule in hell. Hell was prepared to make him suffer.

[Fuentes]

@Andres77 yet he still has powers from the inside, why are people so afraid fo. hear his side of the story but we only take the bibles words for everything.

[Andres77]

Again, I hope you find the peace you need. You have a conscience. I wish you well, seriously

[Andres77]

And I’m no better than you or anyone.

[Fuentes]

@Andres77 fo sho bro I know ur good I just switched off as of recently I am looking at life differently and not through the eyes of of a Christian is all. But. thank. you

[Grond21]

I went to the SEEK conference once. I did a bunch of local Catholic camps. And I had a lot of friends who went to many of the ones you just named.

[Cubus]

I was once. My crush invited me. It was nice.

[soe11]

Long time ago

[Christoff92]

I did once when was 16