Christianity vs. the Christians.. (Page 2): I just did. Read my last reply to you.

Mr Bombastic

PeterS wrote:

So if you've proven my wrong on many things just name one thing where you've proven my wrong?

I just did. Read my last reply to you.

PeterS

Mr Bombastic wrote:

I just did. Read my last reply to you.

So by some magic that is a proof? All one has to do is look at you to understand that I am correct.

jack sequim wa Loc: Blanchard, Idaho

PeterS wrote:

Sounds like you were saved JW--just in the nick of time. The problem with Christianity is that it isn't based on following Christ. Ironic, don't you think!

Falsity! !!# were did the word Christian originate from? The romans......it was meant derogatory. Speaking of Christ followers, the Romans would say "look at all those little christ" (christ like). Simply asking for forgiveness, with no desire to follow christ is not sincere ( would God know when one is or is not sincere? ) to ask forgiveness , repent (change the way we think about sin) and seek to follow Christ or as the Romans say, be christ lIke a christian?

Your understanding is flawed the cause is your heart, hardened by desire to live in sin, thus mock God for revealing sin. It's never to late to recognize ones sins, seek the Lord to soften the hardened heart and sincerely ask forgiveness.

JW

Manning345 wrote:

An unseemly confrontation with a pastor is really ... (show quote)

Read what I wrote once more. I said, specifically, that all that situation did was allow me to see past the glare of my religious devotion. I didn't abandon my faith until several years later.

As a child of faith, I presumed God was my Creator. That being the case, my ability to reason and understand were gifts from Him. Jesus made very clear in the parable of the talents that God expects us to use that which we were given. It was the use of reason and understanding that made religion a foolishness to be abandoned.

JW

PeterS wrote:

Sounds like you were saved JW--just in the nick of time. The problem with Christianity is that it isn't based on following Christ. Ironic, don't you think!

I was quite happy as a Christian. It was a satisfying part of my life and was meaningful and reassuring. I gave it up reluctantly but when its realness evaporated, it became a pointless exercise in futility.

JW

Mr Bombastic wrote:

Which means that you are not, and never were a Christian. Thanks for clearing that up.

No, that is not what it means. What it means is that the religious thrall was broken. I understand your need to believe that but it was precisely that attitude that made me aware of what brainwashing really is and how it works.

I have become agnostic. I have broken the hold of the cult. I hold on to those aspects of Christianity that Christ promoted because they are rational and positive but I have divorced myself from the hierarchy. I have come to understand many of the hows and the whys and, in the light of those, see myself as searching for truth rather than announcing to all who will listen that I have found it.

Quakerwidow Loc: Chestertown, MD

Mr Bombastic wrote:

Which means that you are not, and never were a Christian. Thanks for clearing that up.

Actually, you have no grounds for making that accusation.

Quakerwidow Loc: Chestertown, MD

PeterS wrote:

The problem with Christianity is that there is no requirement to follow Christ to be considered a Christian--one simply has to ask for his forgiveness and you are in. I don't say that because I'm arrogant, I say that because it's true.

It all depends on the definitions of "Christianity" and "Christian": yours are not the only possible definitions.

Blade_Runner Loc: DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

PeterS wrote:

The problem with Christianity is that there is no requirement to follow Christ to be considered a Christian--one simply has to ask for his forgiveness and you are in. I don't say that because I'm arrogant, I say that because it's true.

You really should refrain from pretending to be an authority on what is or is not required to follow Christ.
You should refrain from pretending that you know what it takes to sustain one's faith in Christ.
You should refrain from pretending that you know who and who is not a Christian.
The problem is not with Christianity or Christians, the problem is atheist know-it-alls who think they hold the keys to the universe.

JW

Mr Bombastic wrote:

The definition of a Christian is in the Bible. And it is not the one you gave. Wrong again, Peter sucker. Damn! This is easy.

Peter is referring to the state of Christians in the world and he is correct in saying that. Christian churches have become money changers and the medieval practice of purchasing indulgences is again essentially a part of the reality. Pay your dues, tell God you're sorry you fell short again and all will be well. He's talking about Christian's behavior, not what it takes to become one... and he is 100% in tune with the reality.

Just how far from Christ's direction you are is clearly evidenced in your response to Peter as quoted in this posting.

Blade_Runner Loc: DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

JW wrote:

No, that is not what it means. What it means is th... (show quote)

The true church of Christ, JW, is not a nice building with pretty windows and a cross on top where people go on Sunday to hear a sermon and sing some songs, the true Church of Christ is in the human heart.

The Case for Christ

Alicia Loc: NYC

PeterS wrote:

Sounds like you were saved JW--just in the nick of time. The problem with Christianity is that it isn't based on following Christ. Ironic, don't you think!

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So true. Although I was not that attached to the church (I began questioning when I was a teen), the straw that broke the camel's back was when a priest told me, "In order to be a good Catholic, don't question!" If an idea can't stand up to questioning, it isn't worth much! I was married in the church but haven't set foot in one since.

PeterS

Quakerwidow wrote:

It all depends on the definitions of "Christianity" and "Christian": yours are not the only possible definitions.

I guess the problem is that there are too many definition for being a Christian. Back in my day a Christian was someone who walked in the footprints of Christ. Today though actually following Christ doesn't seem to be a requirement. Today, Christians seem to be too busy denigrating their fellow man to love him--and if you can't be bothered to treat others as Christ would have you truly accepted him into your heart?

JW

Blade_Runner wrote:

The true church of Christ, JW, is not a nice building with pretty windows and a cross on top where people go on Sunday to hear a sermon and sing some songs, the true Church of Christ is in the human heart.

The Case for Christ

I am well aware of that but the church members are the same in both cases.

Alicia Loc: NYC

JW wrote:

No, that is not what it means. What it means is th... (show quote)

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I totally agree. I never condemn a person for their beliefs or attempt to change their thinking to mine. Matter of fact, I honor their right to believe as they will. I don't find this same respect coming from the other side.