why is it that people who claim to be "christian" usually seem to be closed-minded and judgemental (the very opposite of Christ)? i am not trying to insult anyone in particular, i am just saddened because i feel like i am losing my faith....i dont proclaim to know all about God, or have any answers, but why cant people accept the fact that we will NEVER have the answers? i have faith in a higher power/intelligent designer (God) and believe that Jesus, if he in fact existed, was surely one of the most spiritually advanced humans to ever walk the earth. i WANT to believe...but lately it is getting harder and harder--the so called "bible churches" and "non-denominational" churches seem to be the worst at proclaiming their truth as THE truth, and judging other people as unworthy.
i was raised Catholic and after trying a bunch of different denominations, i have come back to the catholic church, as it is the one i feel the most comfortable in, and i have had a great experience with my priest. i was pregnant when he married me and my husband, and he was so kind to us both. many of my baptist friends think the catholics are evil and pagan and blablabla. i am so tired of hearing it. why cant we all just get along? im starting to think if jesus came back to earth, he wouldnt attend any church at all, he woul probably be more at home sitting in silence with a buddhist monk in nature.
anyways....does anyone else have this problem??

RickJ

Please don't say "usually" If "usually" is your experience, then I am truly saddened.

Indeed there are hypocrites aplenty on this earth, but hopefully it's not a person's typical experience of a religious group whose foremost teaching is to love their neighbor.

Aah Rome Sweet Home (Rick ducks )

Peace and Blessings to you, rachie.

alkalineangel

I get that to. sometimes I think people take things too literally. Some people are just too pushy with religion. Someone should be tricked, bribed, or forced into any religion, but should go by their own free will. there shouldnt be threats either. As said in the movie "saved" "the bible isnt a weapon" and "if God wanted us all to be the same, then why did he make us so different.?"

navy_sr_chief

Rachie,
I really don't see a question in your rant. Quit worrying about what others think of your faith and follow what Jesus teaches. By the way, who is the Hypocrite? You did a lot of bashing yourself in that rant of yours. Makes me think of that old glass houses adage. lastly, Church should make you feel a little uncomfortable. If you seek a church that accepts you the way you are (sins and all) are you really being challenged to growing spiritually or have you found a social club? Remember, true Christianity is God centered not self-centered.

shygrneyzs

All kinds of people experience this. From all faiths and denominations. From all cultures. No one will ever have all the answers, as there are some things we are not privileged to know but we are to trust and have faith. That should not change, no matter the denomination. Someone comes along proclaiming to have the "keys" to all the mysteries? Run the other way.

Yes, there are denominations that claim ot be the only Way. There are non-denominational churches who say that too. They have a perception, an interpretation, a religious belief based on their translation of the Bible. If you feel the Roman Catholic Church is right for you, then be blessed by that. Of course you will hear from people who are not Catholic that the Catholic church is the harlot of hell, that the Pope is the AntiChrist, etc. and so on. That has been going on for centuries. When I was growing up (as a Catholic) we had all sorts of names slung at us. It is just people's intolerance and while it is not right, getting back to them in the same manner does not resolve anything.

My question to you is, why do you think Christ was an "IF"? There is documented history, not just from in the Holy Bible but also in Roman writings and other ancient texts. Maybe that is part of your angst. Recognizing that Christ did live, He came so that there would be redemption for all mankind, and He is still working. That cross did not defeat Him.

I do agree with you - if Christ were a physical presence today, He most likely would not attend an established church. He already established His Church and Him coming back would be to gather His fold.

Anyways, I hoped this helped you a little bit. Catholics are not pagans, they don't worship any false god. What they do show is a deep reverence for the Word of God.

Jualsy

Just make sure that everything you belive and accept comes from scripture. jesus said that many false prophets would go into the world to deceive many. Check out different religions, see what makes sense to you and get them to show you from the scriptures what they expect you to believe.
Catholicism cannot be Christian...it originated with pagan Rome, and the Pope states that he is Gods representative on the eart.....where does it say THAT in scripture???
The Bible say "keep testing to see if you are in the faith" Do that...prove it to yourself and you will be satisfied.

RickJ

Ma'am, you are forgetting that there was no Scripture for the first 300 years of Christianity.

Where does it say in Scripture that "everything you believe should come from scripture?"

...but sorry, I digress from the original post

alkalineangel

Christianity itself originated from Pagan beliefs...and if you ask me the bible or scripture was not meant to be taken literally. It is a group of stories written by human men. These human men wrote this things to help simple minded people understand the teachings. You can not take everything written there literally. These human men were influenced by spiritual forces, but they are not the direct words of God. Religion is about Faith, not about memorising and following a book word for word.

startover22

That is the KEY alkaline, the bible stories are not words from Gods mouth. And they are not meant to be taken literally! Very good answer. I choose not to get my butt to church because when I go, I get the feeling some of us are being fake for about an hour or two then, BAM we get in our cars and leave and until next Sunday we just keep doing what we were doing before. NOT ALL, but some of us. I know i am guilty of it. I used to love going to church until I realized one thing, GOD is with me where ever I go and I will try my hardest to be better than yesterday and ask forgiveness when I think it is necessary. I have talks with God all day long, whether in a full sit down and bow my head prayer or just between the dishes and walking outside to call the kids in for dinner, I am always talking to him. Also, I find myself being a Christian but only in the fact that I would go to a non-denominational church if I were to go again. It is so hard to believe in something you cannot see but, look deep inside and go from there. That doesn't mean that it will be God you find either.

Jualsy

It seems that everyone makes their faith up as it goes along. The Jews were held to hndreds of laws, recorded for reference and now available as the Hebrew scriptures. Jesus kept those laws and his apostles recoded other books through divine inspiration. The Bible is referred to as Gods Word is it not?
I prefer to see things from Gods point of view rather than mans, but we all have choices to make in this area.