I do not believe in Religion, but I do believe in Jesus and that he died for me and saved me, he healed me, my mind., and I can say I have perfect peace, Yes he is my rock. What I do hate is the window dressing of church services, I want something real!!
I'm not sure where this came from, but one of my favorite sayings is that Spirituality/God is a mountain, and there are many paths (i.e., different religions) that will take you to the top of the mountain. It doesn't matter which path you take, you WILL reach the top. The only person that will NOT make it to the top of the mountain is the guy running around at the bottom, telling everyone else they're on the wrong path.
I have always believed in GOD and JESUS since as long as I can remember becuz I started going to church as an infant and this had a huge impact on my beliefs (I loved going to church as a young child); but like others, I am an intelligent person and had (and still have) many questions which I continually pray about and seek knowledge (I still read lots of books and study the bible daily, etc).
I also believe that the third part of the Godhead, the HOLY SPIRIT, is the means by which GOD enpowers and teaches us in this life, and this is an important and 'unique' aspect of our faith ...
I also studied other religions for interest sake; but always stayed with Christianity becuz of the many unique spiritual experiences I had throughout my childhood and life. It doesn't bother me that I don't have all the answers and that doesn't thwart my beliefs or faith in any way; and, I don't know of any religion that claims to know everything 100%.
I believe in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the Father, GOD -- and I believe that I am also a spiritual person, plus I am an avid nature and animal lover. Like others, I believe in a more practical Christianity; and am not hung up on buildings per se, and would rather see excess money used to help the poor and needy, like Christ said.
I think that it only makes sense that if you are a Christian, you also believe that Jesus 'the Christ' is the way to GOD for that is one of the basics of our beliefs. Right now, my DH and I go to his Catholic church (I not as often as him) even though I am Protestant, as I am not hung up on denominations either. Like others, I don't believe in going to church for churches sake, but becuz we the people are the church. We do associate with other believers all the time (thru church, or work, in person, on the net, in our family, thru our friends, etc).
Sometimes, we also go to another Protestant church now and then, when we desire to go, but I don't feel bad if I miss now and then. The politics of the organized church just isn't of interest to me personally; some people enjoy it, some don't -- I believe that's a gift some people have, i.e. teaching and preaching, administration, finance, deacons, music, and buildings, etc.
I also think some things in the bible are literal and some things are symbolic or metaphoric (in a spiritual way); and Jesus himself often talked in story or parable forms. Many of the thoughts expressed in this thread are very interesting to read ...
Please Note: these are just my personal opinions and were not directed towards any one person, church, or group. That's what is great about NA, we all are free to believe and express ourselves despite our differences.
Last edited by Justwant2Bhealthy; 06-27-2009 at 11:59 PM.
I would say that I allow for the possibility of "another dimension" ... I am spiritual, not religious, though I was raised in a strict evangelical church. Very much an agnostic, I'd say.
I'm an agnostic polytheist. I'm basically a secular humanist, but I love the influence of various religious ideologies. I act like a Pagan, but I could never tell you on what level the gods exist. I've had personal experiences with what seemed to be them, but my skeptical side always eats them up.
I was raised in a very religious household. I grew up playing the organ in church and teaching Sunday School.
I'm now an atheist. I won't go into the reasons why, because they would be inflammatory to this conversation. Suffice to say I've seen as many if not more "religious, churchy" people act in a "non-Christian" way than I have non-believers.
I find it interesting that there are those like me, and the inverse, who were raised with no belief but are now deeply religious. It runs counter to the brainwashing argument that a lot of people use. Or perhaps some of us are stronger-willed (my dad would claim stubborn!) than others.
Suffice to say I've seen as many if not more "religious, churchy" people act in a "non-Christian" way than I have non-believers.
I agree with this. I was raised fundamentalist, and the behavior of my very own parents now makes me cynical. Though I remain religious to some extent now, I'm always taking criticisms of religion into account so that I don't fall into the same traps.
I am a Christian by faith, I am also a Lutheran....Missouri Synod by religion.
I do not believe that my religion is the only Christian religion.
I believe there is only one God.
I do not for one second believe we all have the same God or gods.
If your God sent His one and only Son, in a virgin birth, to live a perfect and sinless life, to die for your sins and you have a personal relationship with Him through the power of the Holy Spirit then we have the same God Praise Him!
I am a sinner...my church is full of them.
I have a "crutch" and that crutch carries me through life.... I will ride that crutch of the Trinity...God The Father....God The Son...God The Holy Spirit...all the way to Heaven
I have been given a free gift....a gift that is available for all of you...it is a gift of eternal salvation through the precious blood shed by my Savior.
It is a gift that I cannot accept...it was already accepted for me, by HIM, on the cross. I thank God daily that I did not do what I could do...and that is ignore or reject that GIFT.
There is nothing....absolutely nothing that I can do to earn or pay back the GIFT.
I will tell you that I do not believe that all good people go to heaven....
I do believe we will all have been given the chance in life to acknowledge the gift was/is available for everyone...
I also know His WORD tells us that most will reject the GIFT
HE has forgiven me for ALL MY SINS...and folks...I have many....there are things in my life I am ashamed of...however....
I have the power of the HOLY SPIRIT riding with me and the knowledge that my sins that My Father has seen are forgiven...and I am cleansed in the precious blood of my Savior and clean
DISCLAIMER: I'm not suggesting anyone on here is like this guy. Or that he is in any way representative of his ilk. But... funny story.
Hubby sells car parts, accessories etc. Australian version of something like Pep Boys.
Anyway, this guy came in a couple of weeks ago, and struck up a conversation with him about how he was in the Christian Car Club. I didn't know such a beast existed, but apparently it does. He tried for 1/2 hour or so to get hubby to join, but that didn't happen.
So he said that he was there to buy some touch-up paint. For a car he was selling. Hubby showed him 2 different brands, one nearly twice the price of the other. He asked what the difference was, and hubby said he wouldn't recommend the cheaper one because it wouldn't last more than 12 months.
The guy said that didn't matter because he was selling the car anyway, and it would then be someone else's problem. Hubby looked him straight in the eye and said "I thought you said you were a member of the Christian Car Club. That's not a very Christian attitude, is it?"
The guy ended up buying the $40 can of paint instead of the $25 one. Nothing like a little guilt trip to increase your sales for the day.
I believe that there are multitudes of churches that are worthy of God's Blessings.
I think it wonderful that Christians meet in small groups, neighborhood homes (one down the street from me)...
I think it is wonderful Christians meet in small churches where the minister lives on the property (one around the corner from me)....
I think it is wonderful Christians meet in larger buildings that have schools and have a congregation of over 1,000 (me )
and that some mega churches have well over 2,000 people and massive beautiful buildings....(2 within 5 miles of me)...
I see nothing wrong with any of these....and these are just an example.
My church is in the process right now of building a gymnasium and other classrooms. The money will come from members in our congregation. Money given because we want to.
The building will be used for school activities, community activities, Angie's yoga classes ....many people will come to the building over the years to hear the WORD.
We already have a huge Thanksgiving meal planned with some of us bringing local Marines training at the base near us.
We are spending around 4 million dollars for the building....we spent over 3 million dollars over the years to build classrooms and a sanctuary we are proud of.
I have been going to my church for over 25 years. When we were smaller we helped people....through gifts of food and assistance...we are much larger now...we help more people.
Sure, 4 million $$$ will buy a lot of food....but a building bringing in people for many-many years, with their gifts, God willing...will spread much further than our original 4 million.
The bigger my church is, the more opportunity we have to share the GIFT and the WORD.
HE created us all different, we all feel at "home" in different places of worship.
I understand that the bigger the church the louder the "corruption"...but I would bet that percentage wise....the corruption and sins are about the same in all churches. We are all sinners...things will happen with $$$ that is not pleasing to God...but then again, as we seek to be more Christ-like...we just may do the right thing with our $$$ to help others from time to time...
I will taking my bag of groceries to put in the pantry tomorrow...I can assure you that by next week that pantry will need more...
times are tough...my church can help a lot of people...and we do
Praise Him!
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