On going down

We should never be afraid to go down every now and again because the world is full of mountains and valleys and there is beauty in both.

If we don't now how it feels to be down we can never really appreciate being up and if we never fail we can never fully enjoy success.

Here at the CTB we want to celebrate every victory and every success but we want those victories to be real, we don't like being robbed of our success by manipulated results and low 'everyone wins' standards. Let's have a level playing field and fair competition so that we have to perform at our best rather than at the level of the lowest common denominator and our success has some meaning.

Down to earthedness

Been hearing some strange things of late so now is a good time to make clear that this church doesn't believe that our destiny is controlled by aliens, superbeings or any other strange creature. We believe in proper things like the strength in a hug and the power of a smile. We believe that we all play a part in the lives of those we encounter and we can all decide whether we are going to be positive or negative. We also believe that if you can't say something constructive or nice then you should shut the f**k up

you don't get this just anywhere

some belief systems tell us that you only live once (unless you're James Bond), others would have us believe that we will live again but on a different plane or in a different form.
Have you spotted the common problem? most of them require you to die first.

We don't really like that, life is good, life is fun etc sooooooo
here at the CTB we are offering a special, call in here and you can collect a new life when ever and as often as you like, it's yours for the taking, you don't need to sign anything and you don't have to give anything (donations are still welcome)

Why there is no preaching here

So, if i tell you the truth (as I see it) you either accept it in which case you put up barriers against other 'truths' or you reject it in which case you put up barriers against my truth or even against me. The same goes for me telling you how to live your life. I can't win, I'm either driving you away or railroading you. Education does that, it tells you to subscribe to the popular truth and in doing so denies others.
Here, we all come to our own conclusions by questioning all we experience and respecting one another enough to give honest, factual answers.
Even by writing this and saying this is how we do it I am feeling the tug of paradox

Take your pick

When you follow a religion you accept the rules of that religion and adhere to it's values and in return you get to enjoy the privileges of your chosen faith (such as extra days off, presents and banquets).
By embracing all religions the church of the terminally bemused is rather like a cross tariff phone retailer we can offer a selection of benefits in a purpose built package taking what suits you from across the board without tying you to any binding contracts.

One world

How often do we hear the term 'one world' or 'the global village'. Many faiths, churches, religions, sects etc embrace this concept and many of them have very clever, noble reasons for doing so. It is, as has been said, all good.
Well, we are not going to be left out, we believe in the one world thingy and indeed our origins were trans-global. We like embracing things (mainly people but ideas too) and we have even come up with our very own rationale over an above having more friends.

In this world of ours there are many cultures, numerous sub-groups, lots of locally held beliefs and superstitions so it stands to reason that if we embrace them all we have far more chance of celebrating one that we really like. Whenever I feel lonely or down I only have to remember that, somewhere in my global village, it is snog a middle aged library worker day and that I have every right to share in the celebration.

that prayer thingy

people are quite fond of prayer, they do it a lot and for all sorts of reasons and if they're not praying they're meditating or something.
As I may have mentioned before (but probably not because I'm just making this up) this church doesn't have a policy on prayer or meditation, this is mainly due to the fact that we don't understand much and we do rather like to go to the pub instead of making out heads hurt with too much thinking.
What we do understand is that prayer and meditation are a way of focusing thought, some people believe that these thoughts,words, positive vibes etc can be sent to a deity and I'm not arguing BUT even if you don't believe in deities focused thought is beneficial. If I say to you I'm sorry that you're having a bad time, I'm going to pray for you and you don't believe in 'prayer' you are still left knowing that I'm thinking about you or your issue and that is positive, a bit like a verbal hug.

I do talk bull don't I?