Trouble with Chrisianity? (Sorry so Long)?
357449
I must tell you that it saddens me to hear that your experiences with Christianity have left you disenchanted with the whole thing. As a "christian" I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to you for any thing that anyone who calls themselves a christian has done to hurt or anger you.\n  I would like to say that i agree with one of the other posts in the fact that not everyone who calls themselves christian truly knows Jesus Christ.  You see "Christianity" has become just another religion where we humans try to reach God on our own terms.  That's where all the "bible thumping" comes from.  Jesus is Gods attempt to reach us humans through His love, unfortunately most Christians never fully experience His love and therefore can never love themselves.  They think that by being super zealous for the laws that God has set for us, and "taking a stand" for what they believe that they will some how please god more.  The bible teaches that we can do nothing to please God, outside of having a relationship with His son Jesus Christ.\n\nI would be honored to share with you how you can truly experience Gods love if you want.\n\n\np.s.  I didn't get the stamp of approval from my church or minister but that's OK cause I AM one of the ministers!:)\n\ncrazy that one of us guys would read something that challenged Christianity huh?  Hope i am up to the challenge
910615
I called myself a Christian for years.  I wasn't really but I didn't know it at the time.  My mother was Catholic & dad was atheiest.  After husband's death I became a Wiccan.  I studied all sorts of reiligions because I wanted to understand everyone:), I know it's impossible but I have tried.  I became a born again Christian November 2001.  I try to quit putting God in a box and dusting Him off when I want something.  I try to follow the guidelines in the Bible and live as Christ, loving all and praying for all.  Somedays I really just stink at it, I am a work in progress.
1085183
welcome to the club sister.  I don't think you have a problem at all.  I think that you are a free thinking and open minded person.  It's when you feel that pressure to conform and be like everyone else and resist it, that you truly begin to gain a greater perspective of reality.  I suggest you read "the herd" chapter from Nietzsche's "Beyond Good and Evil".  This is the book in which the phrase was coined "God is dead".  Don't let that scare you.  What I think he really meant to teach was that organized religion and the God they invent is dead.  He challenges you, in the chapter entitled "the herd", to ask yourself if all these things that people are telling you that "God" has said are indeed from "God".  Or, are they something made up by leaders of church to influence the masses opinions to get a desired social result.  That result is control.  Don't let anyone but God control you.  He wouldn't force control on you.  He doesn't want to control you.  He offers suggestions and you choose freely.  To me though, all this damnation and hellfire are not products of Christ at all.  Christ is like the sweetest friend I have ever had.  I don't live right at all.  I have done bad things in my life.  Yet, he has never left me.  People, on the other hand, have behaved terribly...  and for that matter... so have I at times.  I decided that I would not be controlled by "the herd" either.  People will accuse you of rebellion.  Rebellion it may be, but against whom?  God?  I don't think so...  The "herd", definitely.  I had to separate myself from them, and while it is lonesome at times, it is at least free.  Knowing God should never feel like being in a social or political prison in which you are interrogated and punished.  They're like religious nazis and they have confused social control with God.  Welcome to freedom sister.  You may find groups that you "fit" with...  I never did.  This is the tragedy of the genuine individual.  Perhaps you should start your own "group" on yahoo groups.  If you do, let me know, and I will join.  This topic is certainly worthy of discussion.  Don't feel like you are alone.  There are many, many, people who have went through this...
997153
I wanted to start by saying that I am a Christian.\n\nPeople who are non-Christians are not going to feel better after reading your post. This post comes across as the same pushiness that people don't like anyway. I understand that you believe very strongly, as do I, but please find a new way to share the love of God. This just seems pushy and it almost sounds like you think you are better than the "poor unsaved people."\n\nGod bless you though for trying!
661860
I know exactly what you are talking about!! I am a christian...really trying to be. but there is one thing that i hate...it's not about God anymore. More and more people makes religion fit them...and maybe I am one of them. So I am sticking to this now: God is love, Jesus came to set us free. Love people as you love yourself. Speak to God everyday, because He will let you know what is wrong or right. Trust only in Him. Christianity is not about laws, its not about what is wrong or right. It doesn't judge, not suppose to in any case. Just love God and listen to His voice speaking trough the Bible
1010305
What kind of crazy stuff are u talking about? Are u Human? I pray that u are. Jesus volunteered and sacrificed his life 4 our sins so that we can have a better life here and hereafter! You act like u don't even believe in God. Is this a joke or strife to sir up? You are to blame for Ur own ignorance. Read the word of God for ur self before u insult others. People here don't take insults lightly. They will report u!
656127
If you are asking for historys sake, Ronin is right about the mostly Protestant, and Anglican thing. (In England.) If you are asking for now a days... don't worry so much about what church is right, and focus on getting your heart right. Your local pastor isn't going to be your judge, God is. Line up with His rules. Get a relationship with Him. Notice I said relationship, not religion?
1107562
See, it's little things like this that make it so hard for me to become really Christian. Sometimes I wish I couldn't read or hear; I'd probably be filled with happy faith. Sigh. Sorry, but if my cat isn't going to be in heaven, then it isn't going to be heaven. So I guess I'll just cancel my trip. :)
820391
Doesn't sound like a very Christian answer to me.\n\nYou need help.
1138530
Hi, my name is YahooRFascist W. and I'm a recovering christian.\nI've been clean and free of religion for 18 years now. I've had a few slip ups here and there, but that was only because someone died or got married.\nThrough the power of my non-existent diety, I hopefully can stay religion free for the rest of my life. \nThank you for your time and good luck to the rest of you.
875809
Well thanks for the information. You kinda' lost me with the baptism thing.
820760
Dear Victoria:\n\nYes, some of our Churches are Trinity based, and some Jesus based.  The difficulty arises from Creation.  \n\nGod Created in His Own Likeness - for He knew only Himself.\nHe is Spirit-Mind. We are part OF Him , but not Him.  We, in our Ultimate Reality live within the folds of His Spirit essence which fills all space and dimension.\n\nIn non-denominational teachings I have learned that at the point of Separation, God Created the Holy Spirit, Who has never taken physical form.  In His purity, He is Created as we were and like US - as we were before we arose in physical form on Earth.\nHis "duties" are to be our Conscience, (intuition) our Guide and our Comforter.  \n\nJesus is a brother and was Created as we have been.  As one of us, he answered the Call that the Holy Spirit put out through the entire Kingdom - for the one that would teach the Father's Nature for the Remembrance of our Identity.  And, the one who would demonstrate the Reality of Soul/Spirit and our Eternal-ness.  His "duty" was to Teach and  jog our memories of the Father, and reflect His Nature.\n\nAll three are Created Beings as ourselves - with certain functions to perform while we are in Separation.  They guarantee our ability to Return to the Creator and end the Separation.\n\nWhether the Bible says it, or not, the Reality of our Selves is that we are OF God, but not Him.  Since some doctrines espouse that God incarnated as Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is God's actual Spirit, it is a matter of splitting hairs.  Since we are part OF Him and made in His Image there is something of us that is as pure and holy as He Himself.  Our souls or spirit-minds.  Those souls are connected to the Creator at all times - still in constant communion with Him and filled with His all Knowledge.  The human Intellect blocks our awareness of this.  The Great Separation has caused denial of this Knowledge through the Intellect  - which always wants proof.  Yet, Science can never make God a mathematical formula.  Unseen, He is not locate-able nor touchable.  Science comes up against Him, but cannot display Him ! Since we are as close to Him (He fills all space and dimension as Spirit essence) as to our own breath, you can see how some doctrines decided Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the same as Him.  In a manner of speaking, we are also!  \n\nI believe as you - as I described above, but since I see how much a part of God we are and that the connection as One always exists (for He Created us to be One with Him), I feel tolerant toward those who have taken it one step further and declared the three are One !  Well, yes. . .yet no ! \n\nWe can overlook, in peace, the hair splitting, and just know within ourselves that Jesus is one of US and the Holy Spirit was a specially Created Being for the purpose of Guidance during the Separation.  Hope this has helped !!\n\nBest regards, Lana
218999
Well you are. Trust me you are. Sounds like you don't like whats going on. Change it. That simple, change it even if you don't like what you change it to the act of changing will go along way to making you feel better. Also, leave God, Jesus, or what ever out of it. That just cause more problems.
981292
Friend - Find something better to do or get a real life.  Not all Christians believe the Bible is without error or does not contradict itself.  This going on and on about YOU Christians, YOUR Bible, YOU atheists, YOU whatever is tiresome and old.  If you want to read the Bible...read what Jesus says to do and then go practice loving your neighbor.  God Bless and Save You.
1084429
I am not sure about this one... Talk to your pastor of the church you attend and find out from them ... Pray about it as well and see how God leads you.
780205
I became a Christian only two years ago, at age 39.  I was raised in an unbelieving family.  I have met many people who feel as you do.  And I have seen the problem from the outside looking in.  \n\nTwo years ago I received a beautiful testimony of the lordship of Jesus Christ, delivered by the Holy Spirit.  From there, I had to deal with churches and christians.  It was often unpleasant.  \n\nChurch services were boring and irrelevant.  Nobody talked about Jesus, or even seemed to be very aware of Him.  People were gossipy, uncharitable, judgmental, sometimes underhanded and just plain cruel.  People were often suspicious and rejecting of me, as if they couldn't accept that somebody could sincerely become a christian without already having been one their whole life.  \n\nMany christians are obsessed with power, authority, and wielding it over others, even while they are saying that they are full of the milk of human kindness.  Just look at what they do in the name of politics--as if Jesus was going to manifest himself either as a democrat or a republican.  What a joke!  Many also think that having money and objects is a measure of their worthiness before God, despite the Bible clearly saying that this is not necessarily so.  \n\nI heard stories from friends who had been taken advantage of financially, sexually, and emotionally by pastors and co-parishioners.  These stories broke my heart.  You probably saw and perhaps experienced a lot of this too.  You were on the inside looking out; I was on the outside looking in.  \n\nHow could I reconcile all this with my testimony?  The great thing is, I didn't have to.  None of this nonsense is Jesus Christ, and quite obviously so.  I only have to accept Jesus as my savior, not this other stuff.  My creed is, "Thank you Lord God for raising my Savior Jesus from the dead.  I pray for His blessing to be mine.  Have mercy on me and my sins in Jesus' name."  \n\nThe Bible tells you what you need to know about Jesus.  Read it with an eye to learning what He said, to whom, how, and why He said it.  You'll see He wasn't nuts about the religious authority of the day, because it was...well, it was a lot like religions are now--full of self-important, money-and-power obsessed hypocrites.  \n\nJesus strongly urged that the individual have a relationship with God, not with a church.  So study and pray and ask God for everything you need, including a sincere and personal relationship with Him, and for a new perspective on your unfortunate religious past.  \n\nFollow what the word of God says about having a relationship with Him, such as loving Him, loving your neighbor as yourself, and serving others, particularly those who are sick, oppressed, imprisoned, and poor.  Don't confuse the rules and personalities of organized religion with your testimony of the salvation you receive from Jesus.  \n\nDo try to find some Christians you can hang with, whose company you enjoy.  Go to church, and try several of them out.  Don't think you have to find the right religion or the perfect church--it isn't out there.  But do stay away from churches that teach nonbiblical doctrines or that tolerate immoral behavior (again, use the Bible as your guide).  \n\nPray for God to take away your hatred, and to give you a spirit of forgiveness towards those who hurt you.  You're not saying "it's okay" that these people hurt you.  What you are doing is laying claim to the fresh start that Jesus offers through forgiveness.  If you want God to forgive you, you need to forgive others.  \n\nAnd realize something about being an adult, which is that you have to make your own way and create your own good character in spite of what obstacles others have thrown your way.  Don't fixate on how you were done wrong, because this is only going to make you miserable, and stunt your emotional maturity.  \n\nChristian churches can be a pain, but Jesus is delightful.  He had such
920387
Brittani\nYou can wear what ever you want. If you want to give meaning to it that's fine too. You didn't say if you were trusting Jesus for your salvation, are you? People often get confused when God isn't their anchor. I think you need to stop take a look around your spiritual life. If you don't find Christ there you are indeed lost. Come back to your roots and find out who Jesus is then either reject His or become His through faith in Him...  Jim