Stupid Church People

SCP MobileCast #3

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:59:00 +0000

SCP MobileCast #2

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:01:00 +0000

Steve talks about Josh's job, the Super Bowl and agnosticism. Like he knows anything about any of those topics!

SCP MobileCast #1

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 06:52:00 +0000

Stupid Never Stops

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:32:00 +0000

It's been quiet around here lately. The real day to day action has moved to Facebook where we have a nice fan base and it's growing. I am loving the Facebook connections we are making with people and I can see it only growing. So if you haven't become a fan on our Facebook page, click the link on the left and join us.

So... stupid never stops.

Boycotts.
Pastors being obnoxious.
Wacky Christian Athletes.

and of course.....

Focus on the Family.

These are just some of the items we've been discussing over on Facebook.

I was watching a documentary on the legendary activist and historian Howard Zinn the other evening. One of the things they mentioned was how nice, kind and gentle he appeared on the outside, but on the inside was a burning anger when it came to the social injustices and "war politics" of the United States.

I can relate to that. It's hard for me to explain my anger and continued frustration with the stupid things that church people do and say in the name of God. Extremists or mainstream... it doesn't matter. Stupid Church People abound.... and the stupid never stops.

I'm Dreaming of an Honest Xmas

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:44:00 +0000

Santa doesn't exist. What a relief.

This has been the first Christmas that our household has enjoyed being "Santa free". It's been the best Christmas ever.

We opened up our gifts last night. Yes, December 23rd. No more getting up at some God-forsaken hour on Christmas morning. It was more convenient for us to open gifts last night so we did. Today we will spend time with my girlfriend's family and then the boys go to their mom's to spend time with her. It'll be my first Christmas day without the boys and I thought I'd be sad but I'm not. They get two Christmases and I get a weekend alone with the most beautiful woman on the planet. Sounds like a win-win to me!

Another thing, now I get full credit (or blame) for all the gifts instead of sharing it with someone else. That's either a lot of pressure or a great relief. A weight bench, some socks and a wad of cash were the perfect gifts for Bryson, my oldest son. And for Grant, an ipod, some headphones and lots of candy did the trick.

My mom sent us some money to buy gifts so I bought "DJ Hero" and "Rock Band 2" for the whole family. Last night we set up our band and began touring. Our name is "The Sleepers" and we rocked the house. Bryson is on guitar, Grant on vocals and I'm on drums. Look for us in a city near you!

The other day, Grant asked me why we celebrate Christmas. I was actually proud that he didn't know the "reason for the season". So I told him the truth. The Christmas season is pretty much whatever you want it to be. For me it is primarily for spending time with your family and friends and sharing gifts because you love and appreciate each other. For Christians, they use Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Jewish people have Hanukkah that remembers the war they fought for their freedom. Other religions have different celebrations during the winter months, but Christmas is mainly what we hear about in America.

By the end of that two minute lecture he was bored and wanted to know if we could get something to eat. So we did.

Pigs Trough

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:31:00 +0000

From Farrell's Ice Cream Facebook Page: Pastor Rick Warren stopped in today to meet Bob Farrell, founder of Farrell's who was on hand for the Farrell's opening in Mission Viejo. Pastor Warren wanted to meet Bob as he and his wife went on their first date to Farrell's in Riverside, Ca. He said they had so much fun and 8 days later he proposed! Rick posed with... the Farrell's Corp officals seen below. He also shared a ZOO SUNDAE with Bob Farrell.

I just thought this picture was hilarious... for several reasons. But first, if you don't know Farrell's it was a really big ice cream parlor back in the day, and they are trying to revive it. It's famous for things like the ZOO SUNDAE and the most popular... the PIGS TROUGH. If you ate a "Pig's Trough" you got to stand up in front of the place while they made a big deal about it and gave you a sticker or something that said "I made a pig of myself at Farrell's!"

Anyway, back to this picture. When I saw it I immediately thought of many interesting captions (and comments) that could go with it, but I will leave that up to you. The one I placed on the Farrell's Facebook page is the title of this post. I thought it was short, sweet and was the perfect mixture of sarcasm and double entendre.

So now it's your turn.

And the SCP Award Goes To....

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:19:00 +0000

DoG and GoD
SCP Music Video of the Year
Inspirational Category

The Stupid Church People site was really created for this kind of thing. I was moved to tears... from laughing so hard!

Jay Bakker Quiets a Black Church

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 01:00:00 +0000

Jay speaking to a predominately black church on the subject of changing the church and looking at things differently. They are all for him until he brings up the subject of gay marriage. Painful to watch. But I appreciate the balls it took for Jay to say what he said. Powerful.

You Never Write Anymore??

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:06:00 +0000

It's been over a month since I've written here on this blog. So you may be wondering why. Maybe not, but I thought I'd tell you anyway.

SCHOOL: My last post coincided with the start of school. As a single dad with two kids (15 and 9) primarily under my care Monday through Friday... well I just don't have a lot of time. Or energy. My oldest started high school and that, for the most part, has been an easy transition. My youngest however started third grade and that's pure hell. My evenings are spent fighting off the mountain of homework sent his way. For the record, I am not smarter than a third grader.

LOVE: Yeah that's right - I've gone and fallen in love. Not like mind you, but love. It wasn't one of those gradual sneak up on you things, but something that overtakes you. Love at first sight kind of thing. I heard the phrase "harpooned by love" last night and I think that's appropriate. Anyway, she is an amazing woman who loves me in spite of me and allows me to share my life with her. Yes, happiness does exist. And she's met Josh and still likes me. Like I said, an amazing woman!

OTHER OUTLETS: I am writing constantly though, but through other outlets. Although I do have some big posts planned out in my head they haven't come to fruition. Trust me, they are big posts. I have been corresponding with people online and through email, formulating my thoughts on things. I also regularly update my Facebook page, so you can check that out if you want to follow me or see what I'm up to.

Thanks for checking in and sending me the occasional emails. I'll write more soon I'm sure, but for now I've got to go get the kids out the door for school. It's my life and I do love it.

Believe or Else

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:19:00 +0000

My friend recently updated her Facebook page with the following:

I woke up this morning and realized God doesn't exist.

Holy shit!

The backlash that followed caught her by surprise. While she did expect to receive some comments, questions, concern and possible intense debate, what was unexpected was the personal attacks that ensued. Here's what she wrote to me after struggling with deep sadness after her "friends" comments regarding her epiphany.

Some of this may have been triggered by the backlash that I am getting for outing myself to my friends, siblings, and aquantances. But, I wanted to announce in some way that I am not the same. Those that love me will accept me as I continue to evolve, those that don't or can't will move on. I know this in my rational mind. My emotional self however longs for acceptance. The attacks, and I have no other word for them, have become personal. Attacks on my character, my intentions, my intelligence, my morality. The energy of anger, condencension, pity, disgust is bombarding me to a point where I feel myself shutting down despite my weak attempts to remain immune. I should have known, god is not something people can shrug their shoulders about and allow others to accept or not as we see fit. My evolution became a personal attack on them, and they lashed out at me. In my typical catholic girl stress reaction, I subconsciously accepted that in some way I was deserving of their anger and hurtful comments.

To not believe in God in our society is very alienating. It's one thing to question, doubt and wonder about God, but to declare you don't believe emits responses that can often be unexpected. And those most offended and aggressive are those from the evangelical world, who regularly update their Facebook pages with quotes about God's goodness, scripture passages and prayer requests. It would be easy for me to simply chalk this up to Christians being stupid, but I think they are coming from a place of fear.

Religion: Man's Attempt to Find Meaning

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:35:00 +0000

I wanted to share more from the introduction of the book, "A History of God" by Karen Armstrong.

"Yet my study of the history of religion has revealed that human beings are spiritual animals. Indeed, there is a case for arguing that Homo sapiens is also Homo religiosus. Men and women started to worship gods as soon as they became recognizably human; they created religions at the same time as they created works of arts. This was not simply because they wanted to propitiate powerful forces; these early faiths expressed the wonder and mystery that seems always to have been an essential component of the human experience of this beautiful yet terrifying world. Like art, religion has been an attempt to find meaning and value in life, despite the suffering that the flesh is heir to. Like any other human activity, religion can be abused, but it seems to have been something that we have always done. It was not tacked on to a primordially secular nature by manipulative kings and priests but was natural to humanity.

Indeed, our current secularism is an entirely new experiment, unprecedented in human history. We have yet to see how it will work. It is also true to say that our Western liberal humanism is not something that comes naturally to us; like an appreciation of art or poetry, it has to be cultivated. Humanism is itself a religion without God-not all religions , of course, are theistic. Our ethical secular ideal has its own disciplines of mind and heart and gives people the means of finding faith in the ultimate meaning of human life that were once provided by the more conventional religions."

There's one more passage I will share in a few days, but chew on this one and let me know what you think.

The Present but Absent God

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:58:00 +0000

Karen Armstrong in the introduction to her book "The History of God" writes:

I wrestled with myself in prayer, trying to force my mind to encounter God, but he remained a stern taskmaster who observed my every infringement of the Rule, or tantalizingly absent. The more I read about the raptures of the saints, the more of a failure I felt. I was unhappily aware that what little religious experience I had, had somehow been manufactured by myself as I worked upon my own feelings and imagination. Sometimes a sense of devotion was an aesthetic response to the beauty of the Gregorian chant and the liturgy. But nothing had actually happened to me from a source beyond myself.

I relate to what she writes here and have often felt the same way about prayer throughout my life. I wonder if most of the Christians I was surrounded by felt this same sense of the "present but absent God" that I have felt.

She has many more things to say in this introduction that rings true to me. Possibly I will share more later. But I'd like to hear what you think.

Mission: Meaningful or Madness?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:44:00 +0000

Last week my son and I were visiting a frozen yogurt shop. He ran next door to grab a water from another store, so I camped outside the yogurt store and sat at one of the tables. At the table next to me were a pair of guys and since we were so close I couldn't help but hear their conversation.

One of the guys was telling his friend about a recent mission trip he had been on to another country. I wasn't sure what country he was talking about, but from his description of the poor conditions, I presume it was a third world country. Excitedly he told about how God moved through his mission team and used them mightily while he was there, and even though he didn't speak the language he was able to share his faith with others through interpreters.

He told of one instance when the Holy Spirit was leading him and others to walk from village to village and share their faith with anyone they came across along the way. As they walked and encountered someone, they would ask people if they wanted to meet Jesus. Immediately the person would say "Yes" and pray to receive Jesus on the spot. This happened over and over again to almost everyone he encountered and hundreds that day came to know the Lord.

It was all I could do not to jump in on the conversation and ask some questions that I really wanted the answers to, but my son came out and was ready to go.

I don't doubt that this gentleman had this experience in some far away land, and I don't doubt that he had good intentions and was sincerely concerned for these people and their spiritual lives, but my question is - "Does it really mean anything?"

Happy and Heading Nowhere

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:17:00 +0000

I've been silent for a few weeks now. It's not because of writer's block, lack of "churchy" subjects or motivation to write. Actually, I've been writing a lot... just not here.

The main reason I haven't been writing on SCP is because I'm happy. I'm really not sure why that makes me not want to write about stupid church people (since I enjoy it so much), but I just don't have it in me at the moment. Maybe four years of cynicism and nay-saying is enough for now. I'd rather just focus on the flip-side.

Happiness isn't a place that I've visited often in the past few years, but it's been my desire for some time. Beyond being happy, I would say that I feel very balanced and peaceful for the first time in a really, really long time. Relationships, family and friends are all hitting full-stride and that can be a very good place to just want to sit for awhile.

Now, I know a lot of you have said that the reason I am so anti-pretty-much-everything related to the church or God is because I am coming from a place of pain and disappointment in my personal life. Return satisfaction and contentment into your personal life and you might be more benevolent towards God, you've intimated. Well I'd like to confirm that this isn't the case. I still think church people are stupid, the church is messed up, that God is either an engima or non-existent and that I don't want to have one little thing to do with any of it.

Yet I am happy.

The happiness and contentment that I am feeling now is almost the exact opposite of the sadness and confusion I felt a little over four years ago. It's quite surreal actually. I still have the same fears, mysteries and unexplained reasons surrounding my life, my experiences and my relationships but I don't feel the need to plug God into those things just so I can make sense of them. I am perfectly content to not have any answers. I am thrilled to seek to live in the moment.

And that's the key I think... to live life in the moment. Why have I always felt I had to be heading somewhere when where I was was quite enough for now? Am I going to live my life and never be satisfied with my present place in this world?

No matter my state, I should be satisfied. As Pema Chodron says so well, this present moment is our perfect teacher. Right now, this moment offers us everything we need. When I was sad and grieving and lonely, I learned to embrace those as welcome teachers in my life. Trying to rush through that process would have caused me to short-change myself from the lessons life was trying to teach me.

I heard it said once that happiness is not a product of our circumstances, but a product of surrender. In surrendering to the present moment and condition of my life, I am happy and heading nowhere.

Scientific Prayer?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:46:00 +0000

I wonder if Christian scientists pray to God for a specific outcome to occur from their experiments?

I LOVE David Letterman

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:57:00 +0000

David Letterman is my man crush, well, actually used to be my man crush. I mean for God sakes he's 62 years old now, so now it's not so much a crush as it is just deep admiration, respect and gratefulness for years of laughter. He is to me what Johnny Carson was for my parents. Plus, he's always been a class act and in my opinion he continues to be.

Last week he made some jokes about Sarah Palin, the super religious governor of Alaska, and her daughter. Now what does Palin being super religious part have to do with it?? Because, for the most part, stupid church people don't have a sense of humor about themselves. Second, stupid church people don't have a sense of what is truly funny. And third, stupid church people usually can't separate the joke from a personal attack and just simply "get it" (and most importantly leave it alone). No, instead stupid church people like Sarah Palin have to then draw attention to themselves, their irrational beliefs and skewed world views... and in the end make things worse and not better for themselves.

What follows from Letterman is the absolute best "apology" ever by anyone in the history of the world. Well, at least that I have seen. Great job Dave!

Stupid Church People on Twitter

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:59:00 +0000

Follow the Twittering Twits of SCP...that is if you want.

Why are we doing this?? Why not?

If Tony Jones can post on Twitter every 23 seconds on average throughout the day, why can't we??

http://twitter.com/scpnation

Laid-off religious workers denied jobless benefits

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:35:00 +0000

Beware pastors and staff of churches: If you get laid off, the chances are you will NOT receive unemployment.

God may provide, but the state may not when it comes to unemployment benefits for employees laid off by churches, synagogues and other religious groups.
Carol Bronson discovered that a few months ago after she lost her secretarial job at Temple Emanuel synagogue in Virginia Beach. Bronson assumed she could draw unemployment benefits, but when she filed a claim, she was denied.
It was a hard way to learn that under Virginia law, as in many states, tax exemptions for religious organizations include freedom from paying unemployment taxes, though the IRS requires they pay Social Security and withholding taxes.
"I had no idea that there would not be any benefits for me after leaving my job," said Bronson, who worked at the synagogue for two years.

I discovered this about 10 years ago when a church let me go because of financial struggles they were facing, and when I went to collect unemployment I found out there was none for me. Churches are not required to pay into unemployment (although they can if they so choose) so pastors and staff in most churches are not covered. The kicker is most of them do not realize this because they are never told.

Churches choose to save money by not paying into unemployment and I think that's really lame. This is just a warning to any and all pastors and church staff out there. The church may be your "family" but when it comes to money... it's all business.

Basketball Theology

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 07:07:00 +0000

After a Chicago Bulls player makes free throws to ice the game against the Celtics, he does a post game interview.

Interviewer: So what goes through your mind when you shoot those free throws?

Player: I just step up to the line, say a little prayer to God and let him handle the rest.

Interviewer: But you still have to shoot it.

Exactly.

The MSFITS

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:52:00 +0000

It's not too late to contribute to the MS WALK which my son Bryson and I will be participating in tomorrow, April 19. As I said in a previous post, I am walking for my good friend and co-worker Genny who was diagnosed with MS about 1 year ago.

Genny is one of my heroes!! Her positive, upbeat and incredible attitude towards life has inspired me so much. I can only imagine what it means to live daily with this disease, but Genny never seems to have a bad day.I am so proud to be associated with this event.

Genny's MS WALK team name is the MSFITS. The other day at work I was there watching her create the team shirts and snapped a photo of the logo that Genny designed. I thought I'd share it with you.

Each year I try to use this site to raise money for something I think is worthy. If this blog and our podcast has spoken to you over the years I hope you will consider the MS WALK as a way to show that appreciation.

The contribution site is open through May 22. Thank you.

MS WALK 2009 UPDATE: We had a great time and I think the foundation for some collaborative efforts to see the MSFIT NATION grow were born. Stay tuned. Thanks to each of you who participated through your financial gifts and well wishes. Here's some pics from the day!

Talking to Ourselves [Podcast]

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:50:00 +0000

Steve talks about control and coincidence - and what role God plays in our lives. Our view on that impacts our ideas about prayer - does it make a difference or our we just talking to ourselves? He kind of rambles on at times so hopefully it makes sense in the end. So what's new right?

Download it here or subscribe via

Stupid Hits Home [Podcast]

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 05:37:00 +0000

Steve's all alone... again... so you know what that means. He's gonna talk and you're gonna listen. This one is going to be about how Steve's world's are colliding, how his home church is like a centerfold, and how he's so glad Jesus didn't die in an Electric chair.

Download it here or subscribe via

MS WALK | Walking for Genny

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:00:00 +0000

I am going to appeal to you, my friends here at SCP and ask you to support me as I participate in the MS WALK in LA on April 19. I am walking for my good friend and co-worker Genny who was diagnosed with MS about 1 year ago. She's a young, artistic and positive girl who's life was forever changed with her diagnosis. Here's her story:

I was diagnosed with MS exactly a year ago. I remember those first few months... I will never forget them, nor would I want to. My body and my abilities to do things we would consider normal changed everyday. I woke up every morning wondering what was next. There was a period of time when I couldn't walk straight, or keep my balance. A lot has changed since then, I still wake up everyday unsure of what might come my way, but I embrace every moment and every breath.

I am proud to be who I am, a young adult living with MS. The NMSS helped me on my way to understanding my disease and I want to do what I can to prevent more people from learning what it means to live with this disease.

Genny is still very active, but I know everyday is a struggle. I ask her often how she is doing and she is honest about how difficult it can be and how uncertain she feels about her future, but I have never seen her down and rarely without a smile on her face. Genny is one of my heroes and I admire her for her inner strength that I can only hope to have in the face of such a daily struggle.

I know times are tough and finances are tight but I hope you will join with me and support me as I walk on April 19. It would mean a great deal to me if you were able to participate and support the cause. Any dollar amount you can contribute would mean a great deal to me and I know to Genny. My goal is $500 total and I will be putting in $50 myself to get things going, so I hope you can assist me in reaching my goal.

If you would like to give, please click this link to go to my page.

My 14 year old son and I will be walking together in this event. He is raising money for his Uncle Stan who also has MS. This disease touches so many lives, so please support us if you can. We are very humbled and excited to be a part of this. Thank you.

Stupid Hits Home

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:45:00 +0000

This one hurts a little. This is from Sagemont Church in Houston, which is the church where I grew up. My mother still attends this church. The pastor, John Morgan is someone I greatly respect and have spoke of highly on this site, but for the life of me I can't figure out what he was thinking on this one.

I just can't wrap my brain around the fact that this 170 foot cross sits less than a mile from my Mom's house. I'm speechless. Seeing this today was like a kick in the gut.

I'll have more to say later, because I just don't know what to say really. For now, let me just share the article from the local newspaper. It speaks for itself.

Last week, Sagemont Church constructed a massive cross on its property near Beltway 8.

In the works since 2007, the completed structure stands 170 feet tall with a span of 60 feet at the horizontal beam. It is made of painted steel and weighs 90 tons and took three days to erect.

The purpose of the cross is to positively inspire passing drivers, according the Sagemont Church' senior pastor, Dr. John D. Morgan.

"We hope everyone who drives by will be reminded how much God loves them," he said.

Like all other Sagemont projects, the cross was being built debt-free. Morgan noted that the church has not borrowed money since 1975, allowing Sagemont to do other things with money that many churches spend on interest each year.

This past year, the church spent approximately $1.5 million on local and global mission efforts. The church also gave a large sum to aid the community after Hurricane Ike, just as it did after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Morgan declined to put a monetary price tage on the structure, but humbly said, "It cost God his son and Jesus his life."

Due to Federal Aviation Administration regulations, the cross will be lit at night, allowing it to be seen for several miles in any direction.

The base of the structure features a 2,500 square-foot platform designed to accommodate weddings, Bible study classes, and other special events throughout the year. The platform hovers over a small lake that includes an area for baptisms. The bank of the lake features an amphitheater designed to seat approximately 250 people. Two walkways connect the amphitheater to the platform...

...The cross structure is complete, but final details on the project will be finished over the next few weeks. Upon completion, the cross area will be open to the public at all times for people to come pray, picnic, or just look.

Here's some other links on this I found:

• Another article and video news story on the cross.
• A Sagemont Church blog detailing the construction with more pictures.
• Pictures of the cross at night from the freeway.

Wow!!

Fanatical Believing Humans [Podcast]

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 04:03:00 +0000

Steve is back sans Josh... but there's a good reason. Steve talks about belief, basketball and his boy. In the end, we are all just Stupid Church People.

Download it here or subscribe via

This will be a new weekly podcast. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss anything. Don't forget to go to Josh's Blog for more info for his weekly call-in show "SCP|Talk".