Has anyone else disassociated with christianity/christendom but totally believes the
I am finding the label of 'Christianity' more and more offensive. I totally accept Jesus as though I were a christian (And I spent 14years in an evangelical church as youth pastor, group leaders etc etc, and 5 years as a christian Radio broadcaster). I am going through a major awakening and seeing 'Christianity' in a very strange light. I no longer feel the need to be pigeon-holed as a 'christian' - much to the concern and frustrations of some of my friends and people who knew me as an 'on-fire' happy-clapPuvangelical, radically saved DJ! Sheesh. Thanks for listening!
You're preaching to the choir man. I was brought up a Catholic, but could never figure out why asking questions was a sin. I could never figure out how nuns beating me up was supposed to help me remember prayers. I could never figure out why I got in trouble for pointing out glaringly obvious contradictions in the bible. When I turned 14, I disassociated myself from the church. I read the "bibles" of other religions, and 99% of them have the same basic message: Try to be nice to each other. That's it pretty much. I decided to follow my own religion, I drew a moral line and I try to stick to it as best as I can. I can not see any connection between God and religion whatsoever. Every religion goes against the basic rule they're supposed to be following.
Here is a few words from a moldy oldie! I have been a 'Christian" all my life, I no longer feel any connection to organized religion. Perhaps it has changed so much to 'happy clap' Do we really have to attend church to worship the Lord? My church is my garden and the people I meet on the street are all God's people, dint you think? You dint need a religious label to play a great record of your love of Christ - Happy Easter from down under!
Yes, I know of people who have done that. They read their bibles daily and pray daily and can give a good discussion on any topic regarding the bible. I believe that these people are truly saved and Jesus understands them.
However, I personally feel that there should be more grace in the heart of such people. Man in the first place is not perfect and that is why we needed Jesus in the first place. Now, when we see all the "nonsense" (and I would be the first one to agree that there are lots of them) we have two choices. One is to dissociate but the other is to associate (not to accept or condone but not to create trouble too) but help to make it a better place.
I always say if you really feel that "Christianity" or "church' has let you down so much, why not start one yourself. Start a meeting or a gathering and see how it turns out. Very likely, it would not be quite like what you wanted.
Absolutely... I found God Thur the power of reading the works of Jesus, not the miracles, but the gentleness and love, and wisdom.
In truth if I didn't know it was befitting of man to honor themselves by uniting under the same banner of God I would have no reason to associate with Christians, or my own faith, the Baha'i. I am Baha'i in name solely because I know the efforts of "If any two who agree on anything it shall happen as they have agreed." only is greatly strengthened by greater organization. As Organism is the body of man in this world, Organization is to be members, i.e. parts, of this body of Christ's evidences.
To me Christ's return has made this most possible of all times, today, but as with the Jewish ways of old, "if the tree does not bear good fruit it will be axed at the root." tree= religion / society an Axe to the root meaning its foundations cut off. This is what's happening with Christianity today, and to a much greater degree the Moses-kind religion, Islam.
This is why there is so much strife, it is dying ways, making room for the fruition of the Greatest Life, the second coming, has passed, and now the tree is maturing.
Yes, I believe Christ has already come again. I don't want you to think likewise without it being a great thing as it has been a hard transition for me, as was Jesus' way to the Jews that surrendered to Him in His Day.
Be content, and may God bless your soul most wondrously.
Wow, this is really refreshing. In general I find people from the "Christian Community" xenophobic and closed minded. It is great to hear about someone who is looking outside of the bubble.
I was born into a Buddhist family and share many of the same sentiments you are expressing. I have always looked farther than the dogma, and this has brought me to look to other teachings and ideas about life.
In my search for truth I have spent a great deal of time studying Jesus, Christianity etc. Since I have an unbiased view point (considering that I was not raised Christian) I have been able to develop a connection with Jesus that is quite unique and "pure".
There is so much "crap" in the Christian world, and it is a real shame because I truly believe that Jesus was a great prophet. When coming to study and communicate with Christians, I have found them to be irrational, scared, self-center, superstitious, etc.
Let us look at one thing and I will stop after that:
In Judaism, the Messiah has never been thought of as a human incarnate of God. When you try to explain to a Jew that the Christians think of the Messiah as a human form of God, they wonder where the Christians came up with this stuff. Yet in Christianity the world Messiah is taken for granted as meaning the son of God, or in other words God him self.
Now if you look at the "great" organizers of the Church, we know that they were brought together under Constantine the Emperor of the Eastern Empire of Rome.
Traditionally in the early agricultural societies, Priests were the leaders. When those societies grew and Military leaders took charge over the priests positions, these leaders would be declared Gods. The Egyptian Pharos were "Gods" as well as the Roman Emperors.
Remember the reason why Jewish money traders were working the Great Temple, was to exchange the Roman money with Cesar?s face on it (as a God), for shekels. The Jews couldn't pollute the Temple with an image of another god. Being that there is only one god and he is not Cesar.
Considering that Constantine was desperately trying hard to keep his empire in one piece, and knowing that his position as a ?God? was being questioned more and more by the emerging monotheists, he had no chose but to yield his Godly status to another man; Jesus. He officially made Jesus God. Many in the empire were already inclined to believe Jesus was a God, since at that time men could be Gods.
So Constantine gathered the bishops to Nicea, and there they assembled the Bible we use today. But the Bishops that were brought together were carefully chosen, many were not allowed on the consul. The Gnostics for example were excluded; their vision of Jesus and God was too abstract to serve political needs.
After the consul concluded, the Gnostics and many others were hunted down and killed, by the authority of Roman (just as Jesus was).
And by the way, Constantine did?t become Christian until his death bed.
I am undergoing an awakening such as yours. I am seeing Christianity much differently and, yes, it feels strange. I DO believe in the Bible, although I do not agree with how denominations distort it. "Christian" arrogance and ignorance, as it seems to me, is especially on my nerves right now. i live in a very small town in the Midwest where we have very few people of other religions. (I was raised in a Baptist church). If there's a Muslim here, I'd be surprised (pleasantly). A family of Hindus runs a motel. A family of Asians own a restaurant, but, I do not know of their religion. These people are generally shunned by the community (except when they want to use their services) - upsetting to me. So, I'm definitely feeling like a "lone ranger" in my present environment.
Yesterday, I announced to my children (3 teenagers) that we wouldn't be celebrating Easter. I explained that I didn't know exactly why, but, wanted a break from Christian holidays. 42 years of celebrating and I'm ready to leave myself open to something new - not totally dismissing Christianity and their holidays. They looked at me as if I'd gone mad and began to argue with me. I'm hoping that this change will also positively influence them to be more open to other religions. I have discussed my opinions and feelings though-out my process. Hearing "no holidays" really shocked them, though. I also explained that they will be able to celebrate holidays with their father's family, if they choose. Not sure how this will work out. I'm putting it in God's hands, allowing Him to guide them through me. (Of course, not always perfectly because I am human, not God).
I can relate to your experience with friends and other people who are concerned and frustrated. Sounds like your situation is tough - having been a Youth Pastor and broadcaster. I wish you the best in your process. I won't say that I'll pray for you, as I would've in the past. I'm coming to realize that prayer is very intimate - between God and the person or God and people who know and care about each other deeply.
I feel the same about pigeon-holing myself into one religion. Why, when there are other wonderful religions to learn from?! Several years ago, my "awakening" process began. Now, it's suddenly hit me that I don't have to be a Christian if I don't want to be. This is a decision between God and myself. I wasn't born a Christian, I was born into a "Christian" family and environment that influenced me into thinking that I should be ONLY one, not accepting other religions and spiritual insights. How scare, exciting, peaceful and free I feel - all at the same time, to have come to this realization.
Please email if you'd like to discuss further. I'm happy to listen. Thank YOU for the opportunity and for now feeling not as alone in my spiritual awakening!
Your beliefs or spirituality is evolving. There is nothing to be afraid of. Let your belief system evolve and take you where it will take you. :-) What is the best part of it is the discovering part---discovering new thoughts, new ways of seeing things, new and better aspects of who you are today, perhaps new and better ways of seeing Jesus and his teachings that resonates more closely with your heart.
Has anyone else disassociated with christianity/christendom but totally believes the
