<p>Is anyone going to Passion 2013 in Atlanta in January ?</p>
<p>I think I’d like to.</p>
<p>I heard a lot of great things about it this year and it seems like a great event to attend. I think I’d like to go at least once.</p>
<p>Have you been before?</p>
<p>I avoid going to things like that because of the hypocrisy. If Jesus were alive today, instead of buying a wearing jewelry and expensive jeans and the like, he would take that extra money and give it to those who can hardly even afford food.</p>
<p>^What does Passion have to do with jewelry and clothing?</p>
<p>I think Jesus would have asked the money spent on organizing, hosting, and traveling to worship him or whatever be given to the poor instead. </p>
<p>Then again, hypocrisy and a disconnect between man’s organized religion and the actual Jesus person is a huge reason why I left the church so I’m biased.</p>
<p>While I understand that sentiment, I also have personally found Christian conferences to be enlightening over the years. It’s always good to get a fresh perspective on something that you supposedly believe. Listening to different speakers from different backgrounds and meeting others has really helped me develop my own opinions on the Bible and Christianity instead of just what I grew up listening to in a church or what I heard from my parents.</p>
<p>I do agree though that Christianity (like any other organized group of people) is full of hypocrites. But everyone’s a hypocrite at some point.</p>
<p>And that’s fine, AU. I just personally think Jesus would rather you spend that $160+ that one will spend going to Passion and give it to the poor and needy. I work at a shelter that is run on a pathetic budget. That $160 could buy food and clothes for our residents for months. Right now, we have to ask companies to donate paper to us because we can’t afford it. I would simply encourage Christians to give that money to a shelter or something similar rather than spending it on a mega-event like this one. Different viewpoints is all.</p>
<p>Passion 2012 attendees donated 3.3 million dollars to non-profit organizations outside of the money we spent to get there.</p>
<p>Wow, it’s great that attendees donated 3.3 million dollars. Think of how much more they could donate if they didn’t spend money on jewelry and other personal decorations.</p>
<p>You completely missed my point, uca. But whatever. I don’t expect most Christians to donate unless pressured. Too many years of working with charities to expect that.</p>
<p>As a poor college I actually give up a lot to donate to some AMAZING Charities. I work for a Christian Homeless shelter so I understand the whole money thing. Passion really open many doors for me,and I just want others to experience the Radical life change I did.</p>