[passmeby]

I've posted before about my childhood and how my parents basically treated me horribly (that post should be somewhere in this section). I have another question regarding this issue. My mother has always been religious, and as of late she has become super religious (Christian). Growing up, she didn't encourage us to know Christainity AT ALL, didn't teach us anything, didn't read us the Bible or anything. The only thing she would do is demean me using biblical references here and there. I wasn't religious at all until recently, I read the Bible and it makes so much sense to me and I love it! After having read the Bible and know about Jesus and God and all the wonderful things contained within, I find myself questioning why mom hid this great thing from us. Why would someone do this? Am I a bad person for not seeking God sooner? Is she a bad person for not sharing this wonderful religion with her children? And how can she be such a mean, miserable person and treat people so horribly, yet read the Bible 24/7? How come I get joy and love and happiness out of knowing God, and she gets no emotion other than being excited about things like sinners getting punished and the terrible events regarding the end times? Doesn't she see herself and the things she's done as sins? I just can't grasp this, and was looking for some input.

[450donn]

As you have now learned, there is a great difference between Christainity and religion. From your post and questions I have to assume that you are now involved in a local church and as such they should have staff pastors that will be able to help you through this area of your growth. My church has a staff pastor that offers Breakthrough seminars sever times a year. This is an all day class to teach people how to break through issues in their lives that are hindering their growth. Maybe your church offers the same sort of thing?

[passmeby]

Actually, I am not a member of a church now. I haven't found one that I am comfortable with, the one I had been going to was not right for me and there were a few people there that really annoyed me. I also don't have anyone in my life that I can talk to, so that's why I'm asking here. My husband just doesn't understand, and he doesn't ever offer any good answers! He'll just say, "get over it, your parents are a$$holes". Not much help!

[N0help4u]

When I first heard of real Christianity I thought my mother and others who went to church and claimed they were Christians had 'kept the truth from me' too. But once I got more into it I realized they have no idea themselves because they are taught a very watered down 'social' gospel.
Your mom uses Christianity to her advantage by using it to put you down. Grow closer to God and learn the truth and maybe someday you can get your mom to realize that sitting in a church and quoting select Bible verses isn't what its all about.
I have a hard time finding churches I feel comfortable in because many are more into what the football game score is and the pastor getting the sermon over in time for them to get home and watch it.
The church I feel most comfortable in are the Assembly of God churches and Non denominational ones.

[Fr_Chuck]

Reading the bible does not make one a christian, I would guess to say 1/2 of the people that go to church on Sunday morning are not really a Christian, If one put a gun to their head and was theatening to kill them if they did not deny Christ most would.

So reading the bible merely means she reads the bible.
And many read more about the law and about the sin and about how bad man is, and it makes them feel awlful, they miss the part about his love and his forgiveness.

And it does not matter when you found it, what matters is you found him

[passmeby]

Thanks for the answers, but I am still left wondering. If someone is deeply religious and believes as strongly as she does, I just don't understand why she wouldn't share this with her children. She doesn't go to church. She is so Christian it isn't funny, she would never denounce Christ. She is nothing if not a Biblical scholar, and she is even writing a book on the subject. This is why it is so hard for me to understand.

[Fr_Chuck]

Please don't confuse being "religious" and being a Christian, they have nothing to do with each other. And if she does not go to church on a regular basis, no she is not really a christian either, a christian would not forsake fellowship if they did not have to.

And some of the best bibical scholars we have on this site are athiests and anti christians who study the bible just to use it against others.

I don't know her, and her exact issues in life, but it sounds a little like someone who uses it as an escape from the real world ( in reality we live in this world and christianity gives us strength to do that)
Also some go to extremes, when they were at one point in their life, they turn 100 percent in another direction, or they are trying to use religion to make up for some doubt or issue in their life they will not admit.

So you may actually need to be a witness to your mom as to what a real Christian is, go to church regularlly, and live your faith,

[adec234]

Is good to be reading bible, you know is word of god. And when you are reading bible you will have more wisdom and know more about god. Once more reading of it will make you know god like and dislike.
For your parent, no all parent know hor to build children with the word of God. If such a thing is not render to you from them you can know it though the church you are attendiing.

[N0help4u]

As Fr_chuck said there are Christians and there are real Christians. You are probably better off finding what God is about without her help. She misused verses to make you feel bad yet never 'taught' you about God that clearly tells me she uses the Bible to her advantage.