Have you been an evangelical Christian and left the faith?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jesus said "no man gets to the father except through me." There is no middle ground. Jesus is either God or he is insane . He doesn't give you wiggle room and you are either a Christian or not.

Verily, Verily I say unto you, my dear preschool teachers. Unless you complete at least three of the four training opportunities scheduled in the next year, you cannot maintain your position as lead teacher.
(I am a program director. At our meeting last week I reminded my lead teachers that they had to complete their training hours before the end of the year.)

That statement cannot be interpreted to apply to all preschool teachers in every corner of the world for as long as the earth continues spinning. I was speaking directly to a specific group of people in a specific situation and at a specific time in history. In other words, Jesus wasn't talking to the folks living in a remote rainforest or sitting in a Buddhist temple. He was explaining that in order to get closer to God, people should follow his example. Love one another and love God. Be kind to each other. Take care of the poor. Feed the hungry. Be honest in your words. Fulfill your promises.

Not - "Believe in me or I will throw you in a pit of fire for eternity". Do you not see how that totally negates the concept of free will?

Accept the gift and helping hand God gave us to make us clean enough to dwell with perfect Love or not. That's totally free will. God gives you the free will to accept or reject Jesus. Obviously if you choose to reject Jesus you probably reject the existence of Hell...so own it...live it... love it ! I hope it works out because even if you are right I am no worse off than you. the other way around...not so much. Its win/win for Christians.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jesus said "no man gets to the father except through me." There is no middle ground. Jesus is either God or he is insane . He doesn't give you wiggle room and you are either a Christian or not.

Jesus is speaking to people who have heard it or read it. That's who it applies to.

Again. Not biblical. You can't pick and choose and have any credibility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jesus said "no man gets to the father except through me." There is no middle ground. Jesus is either God or he is insane . He doesn't give you wiggle room and you are either a Christian or not.

Verily, Verily I say unto you, my dear preschool teachers. Unless you complete at least three of the four training opportunities scheduled in the next year, you cannot maintain your position as lead teacher.
(I am a program director. At our meeting last week I reminded my lead teachers that they had to complete their training hours before the end of the year.)

That statement cannot be interpreted to apply to all preschool teachers in every corner of the world for as long as the earth continues spinning. I was speaking directly to a specific group of people in a specific situation and at a specific time in history. In other words, Jesus wasn't talking to the folks living in a remote rainforest or sitting in a Buddhist temple. He was explaining that in order to get closer to God, people should follow his example. Love one another and love God. Be kind to each other. Take care of the poor. Feed the hungry. Be honest in your words. Fulfill your promises.

Not - "Believe in me or I will throw you in a pit of fire for eternity". Do you not see how that totally negates the concept of free will?

Accept the gift and helping hand God gave us to make us clean enough to dwell with perfect Love or not. That's totally free will. God gives you the free will to accept or reject Jesus. Obviously if you choose to reject Jesus you probably reject the existence of Hell...so own it...live it... love it ! I hope it works out because even if you are right I am no worse off than you. the other way around...not so much. Its win/win for Christians.

Actually, it's not a "win/win for Christians". So called "Christians" have done more evil in the world in the name of Christianity than just about any other group. I think Christians will have a lot of explaining to do. And I say this as a far, far, far from perfect Christian.

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
? Mahatma Gandhi

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jesus said "no man gets to the father except through me." There is no middle ground. Jesus is either God or he is insane . He doesn't give you wiggle room and you are either a Christian or not.

Verily, Verily I say unto you, my dear preschool teachers. Unless you complete at least three of the four training opportunities scheduled in the next year, you cannot maintain your position as lead teacher.
(I am a program director. At our meeting last week I reminded my lead teachers that they had to complete their training hours before the end of the year.)

That statement cannot be interpreted to apply to all preschool teachers in every corner of the world for as long as the earth continues spinning. I was speaking directly to a specific group of people in a specific situation and at a specific time in history. In other words, Jesus wasn't talking to the folks living in a remote rainforest or sitting in a Buddhist temple. He was explaining that in order to get closer to God, people should follow his example. Love one another and love God. Be kind to each other. Take care of the poor. Feed the hungry. Be honest in your words. Fulfill your promises.

Not - "Believe in me or I will throw you in a pit of fire for eternity". Do you not see how that totally negates the concept of free will?

Accept the gift and helping hand God gave us to make us clean enough to dwell with perfect Love or not. That's totally free will. God gives you the free will to accept or reject Jesus. Obviously if you choose to reject Jesus you probably reject the existence of Hell...so own it...live it... love it ! I hope it works out because even if you are right I am no worse off than you. the other way around...not so much. Its win/win for Christians.

Actually, it's not a "win/win for Christians". So called "Christians" have done more evil in the world in the name of Christianity than just about any other group. I think Christians will have a lot of explaining to do. And I say this as a far, far, far from perfect Christian.

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
? Mahatma Gandhi

Well DUH !!! Christ is God. We are sinners. That's the Point. I like your Ghandi...but he's not so bright.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Well, fundamentalist thought I am not quite certain of the differences. I grew up with a strict, literal interpretation of the Bible and believed that for a while. Or at least I tried. I have journal entries begging Jesus to find the "peace that passes all understanding" that people talked about.

But over the years I've realized that I just didn't have the deep abiding faith in the Bible that is required to truly surrender. And because fundamentalism tends to be quite all or nothing, well, there's no where really to go.

That said, the church I grew up in was a horrible, negative place and I am better off w/o the people who shunned me. Really. There are some very sweet souls that I do keep in touch with and I know they pray for me and I honor that. My mom is still very much in the faith and she believes as 8:32 does that I'll come back one day because she doesn't want to believe I spend eternity in hell, which is a legitimate fear for her. But I have just as deep of faith that hell doesn't exist so I just smile, nod, and we talk about other things.

Your church may be better equipped to counsel you and your questions so that you come to a place of peace. That's what it's really what's it's all about. Finding the peace. I'm happy to say that I have found it, even though I am not in any religion nor do I even really believe in any god. Certainly not the God described in the Bible.

Good luck on your journey.

I think you are confusing God with the God you were taught about in the horrible church in which you were raised. There is a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^^ I'm not saying we don't have any redeeming qualities . I think we crack god up.. That's why he loves us. The only thing he hates is when we say " I'm a good person, I don't need God and I certainly don't need his son to have been tortured and sacrificed for me."

Any biblical reference to back that up, or is this you're personal interpretation, and if so -- how do you know God approves?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jesus said "no man gets to the father except through me." There is no middle ground. Jesus is either God or he is insane . He doesn't give you wiggle room and you are either a Christian or not.

Jesus is speaking to people who have heard it or read it. That's who it applies to.

Again. Not biblical. You can't pick and choose and have any credibility.

If Jesus word applies only to people who alrady know about it, why have missionary to save the poor heathens?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jesus said "no man gets to the father except through me." There is no middle ground. Jesus is either God or he is insane . He doesn't give you wiggle room and you are either a Christian or not.

Verily, Verily I say unto you, my dear preschool teachers. Unless you complete at least three of the four training opportunities scheduled in the next year, you cannot maintain your position as lead teacher.
(I am a program director. At our meeting last week I reminded my lead teachers that they had to complete their training hours before the end of the year.)

That statement cannot be interpreted to apply to all preschool teachers in every corner of the world for as long as the earth continues spinning. I was speaking directly to a specific group of people in a specific situation and at a specific time in history. In other words, Jesus wasn't talking to the folks living in a remote rainforest or sitting in a Buddhist temple. He was explaining that in order to get closer to God, people should follow his example. Love one another and love God. Be kind to each other. Take care of the poor. Feed the hungry. Be honest in your words. Fulfill your promises.

Not - "Believe in me or I will throw you in a pit of fire for eternity". Do you not see how that totally negates the concept of free will?

Accept the gift and helping hand God gave us to make us clean enough to dwell with perfect Love or not. That's totally free will. God gives you the free will to accept or reject Jesus. Obviously if you choose to reject Jesus you probably reject the existence of Hell...so own it...live it... love it ! I hope it works out because even if you are right I am no worse off than you. the other way around...not so much. Its win/win for Christians.

So it come down to fire insurance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Well, fundamentalist thought I am not quite certain of the differences. I grew up with a strict, literal interpretation of the Bible and believed that for a while. Or at least I tried. I have journal entries begging Jesus to find the "peace that passes all understanding" that people talked about.

But over the years I've realized that I just didn't have the deep abiding faith in the Bible that is required to truly surrender. And because fundamentalism tends to be quite all or nothing, well, there's no where really to go.

That said, the church I grew up in was a horrible, negative place and I am better off w/o the people who shunned me. Really. There are some very sweet souls that I do keep in touch with and I know they pray for me and I honor that. My mom is still very much in the faith and she believes as 8:32 does that I'll come back one day because she doesn't want to believe I spend eternity in hell, which is a legitimate fear for her. But I have just as deep of faith that hell doesn't exist so I just smile, nod, and we talk about other things.

Your church may be better equipped to counsel you and your questions so that you come to a place of peace. That's what it's really what's it's all about. Finding the peace. I'm happy to say that I have found it, even though I am not in any religion nor do I even really believe in any god. Certainly not the God described in the Bible.

Good luck on your journey.

I think you are confusing God with the God you were taught about in the horrible church in which you were raised. There is a difference.

I'm referring to the God described in the Bible, which I'm pretty familiar with. That god is a sociopath.

[Anonymous]

So since we are naturally good , why did God think it was necessary to have his only begotten son ripped to shreds and sacrificed?

To demonstrate that He's a sadist who doesn't play favorites?

[Anonymous]

Accept the gift and helping hand God gave us to make us clean enough to dwell with perfect Love or not. That's totally free will. God gives you the free will to accept or reject Jesus. Obviously if you choose to reject Jesus you probably reject the existence of Hell...so own it...live it... love it ! I hope it works out because even if you are right I am no worse off than you. the other way around...not so much. Its win/win for Christians.

You might want to look up Pascal's Wager.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Well, fundamentalist thought I am not quite certain of the differences. I grew up with a strict, literal interpretation of the Bible and believed that for a while. Or at least I tried. I have journal entries begging Jesus to find the "peace that passes all understanding" that people talked about.

But over the years I've realized that I just didn't have the deep abiding faith in the Bible that is required to truly surrender. And because fundamentalism tends to be quite all or nothing, well, there's no where really to go.

That said, the church I grew up in was a horrible, negative place and I am better off w/o the people who shunned me. Really. There are some very sweet souls that I do keep in touch with and I know they pray for me and I honor that. My mom is still very much in the faith and she believes as 8:32 does that I'll come back one day because she doesn't want to believe I spend eternity in hell, which is a legitimate fear for her. But I have just as deep of faith that hell doesn't exist so I just smile, nod, and we talk about other things.

Your church may be better equipped to counsel you and your questions so that you come to a place of peace. That's what it's really what's it's all about. Finding the peace. I'm happy to say that I have found it, even though I am not in any religion nor do I even really believe in any god. Certainly not the God described in the Bible.

Good luck on your journey.

I think you are confusing God with the God you were taught about in the horrible church in which you were raised. There is a difference.

I'm referring to the God described in the Bible, which I'm pretty familiar with. That god is a sociopath.

No disrespect intended, but I disagree. I don't think God is a sociopath, I think people don't understand what is written, misinterpret, especially when we look at God like he is a person. When you understand God metaphysically, understand that He is not a person, is perfection (whole, wanting nothing) than we can better interpret what we read. We have to go to God directly, stop relying on what other people say and how THEY interpret the Word. We are to study in Spirit and in Truth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

So since we are naturally good , why did God think it was necessary to have his only begotten son ripped to shreds and sacrificed?

To demonstrate that He's a sadist who doesn't play favorites?

Jesus was fully Man and Fully God, he knew what he was getting into. It's not like you or I "sacrificing" our human child. That was God on the Cross. You have to look at it Spiritually, not like humans doing things. God is GOD, not the President, not some human king or enlightened being.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So since we are naturally good , why did God think it was necessary to have his only begotten son ripped to shreds and sacrificed?

To demonstrate that He's a sadist who doesn't play favorites?

Jesus was fully Man and Fully God, he knew what he was getting into. It's not like you or I "sacrificing" our human child. That was God on the Cross. You have to look at it Spiritually, not like humans doing things. God is GOD, not the President, not some human king or enlightened being.

Besides Jesus was only dead three days -- one and a half, really -- Friday afternoon, all day saturday and then ressurected at dawn on Sunday.

And now he lives eternally in Heaven! what a great deal. Maybe if others could get the same deal, there would be more Christians.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was into the Evangelical movement until the moment I woke up and opened my eyes. It is a very cultish movement. No, I am not a non-believer in the God and they body of Christ. I just don't believe in religion and the grand churches and multi-million dollar ministers.

I was a convert from my college days and in some ways I made a very good born again person. In the end I got tired of the stuff that goes on in church. The gossip came as a surprise to me, and how money hungry the church is, pecking order and so on. In the end I accepted that a church is a business and that is just how it must be, but staying in it was just not for me. I regret that it made me into a fairly judgemental person, wish I could have had more friends who were not in the movement.
I also realized that I could no longer afford to tithe and financially it did not make sense. Then I realized how duped I had been. Overall it had been an amazing experience at the time, but the church is not what it seeems