Why I am no longer a Christian

[Vladyslaus Kyivarius]

Gosh, people, love others!

God bless...

 

[Dusky Mouse]

You registered as atheist at a Christian forum. Something is tugging at your heart that makes you choose to join this community. May you find peace and comfort in your time of trouble.

 

[Martin M James]

Christ said, " because lawlessness will abound the love of many will grow cold. Mathew 24:12. Seems this is happening to you.

I think you are right.

 

[Martin M James]

Hi Martin, you and I share a couple names

Welcome to CF...hope to see you make your way back to God...

You're not alone my friend...doubts had plagued me many times in my walk...and I've had bad experiences with church...in fact, after 17 yrs at the same church, I was kicked out...why? I am a guy with long hair, earrings and tattoos...that was Pastor's hangup not mine...
But it had to happen and it helped move me in the direction I needed to go and I'm happy for it...

God and politics, nah....just God...God...politics is a man made thing and has no room in my relationship with our Father...

Stick around CF friend...wonderful place and we'd love to see ya around...

Thanks. But I hope you can appreciate the difference between being kicked out of a particular congregation because of long hair or tats or whatever, and being so dismayed at a religion that one has doubts in, and which the churches are allied with forces determined to replace your own people in their own lands with a different people.

 

[Jimmy P]

I guess I can understand that my friend...but try not to look at the 'religion'...look at GOD...just Him...all sects aside...

When I was kicked out, I could have looked down on church and it's people but I didn't...that wasn't God's fault...that was mans fault...
But that's my case..and how I handled it...

I hope you can come to terms in your case and especially find your way back to our Father...

In the meantime, hang with us, join in...there are other areas here that you can join in...and along the way, you have questions, need to talk, vent, go for it bro..

 

[7spiritfilled]

Thanks. But I hope you can appreciate the difference between being kicked out of a particular congregation because of long hair or tats or whatever, and being so dismayed at a religion that one has doubts in, and which the churches are allied with forces determined to replace your own people in their own lands with a different people.

HI Martin, Are you talking about Israel and these supposed peace talks? Let us be clear. There are liberal Christians and then there are conservative ones. The liberals tend to twist scriptures to serve their own pride and flesh. There still is truth in Christianity. Christ said, Enter by the narrow gate for wide is the gate and broad is the way which leads to destruction and there are many who go by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life and there are few who find it" Mathew 7:13 We must seek the narrow path no matter how unpopular it is. I once heard an interview on the radio some time ago. He was a person who thought as you are now thinking. What he did was he took the Bible and just read all the words in red. Only Jesus's words. After this he said," he truly found Jesus in a way he never knew Him before" I suggest you do this. Follow Him and stand fast. Do not let anyone steal your salvation. The only one you must please is God. He is the only source of truth. We are on spiritual journey and many take different roads but there is only one way which leads to eternal life. The truth shall set you free. God bless you and may His light shine upon you. Seek Him and He will be found. He loves you....

 

[Martin M James]

I guess I can understand that my friend...but try not to look at the 'religion'...look at GOD...just Him...all sects aside...

When I was kicked out, I could have looked down on church and it's people but I didn't...that wasn't God's fault...that was mans fault...
But that's my case..and how I handled it...

I hope you can come to terms in your case and especially find your way back to our Father...

In the meantime, hang with us, join in...there are other areas here that you can join in...and along the way, you have questions, need to talk, vent, go for it bro..

Thanks again. I can tell you are full of love.

 

[Martin M James]

HI Martin, Are you talking about Israel and these supposed peace talks?

I'm talking about Christian churches supporting illegal immigrant amnesty and immigration from third world countries. They are on the side of destroying our culture and national unity. Some churches are even helping to import Muslims, from Somalia for example. Why are they doing this? They don't care about us, they just see these immigrant groups as new potential sources of income. These churches are just like any globalist corporation, vying for customers, and who don't give a damn about culture, race, or nationality. Who needs them? I don't.

 

[7spiritfilled]

I'm talking about Christian churches supporting illegal immigrant amnesty and immigration from third world countries. They are on the side of destroying our culture and national unity. Some churches are even helping to import Muslims, from Somalia for example. Why are they doing this? They don't care about us, they just see these immigrant groups as new potential sources of income. These churches are just like any globalist corporation, vying for customers, and who don't give a damn about culture, race, or nationality. Who needs them? I don't.

Yes, I understand your concern. They misinterpret scripture in Mathew 25:41 Jesus said, "For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink" as though for not excepted "illegal aliens" we will go to hell. They do not understand, or do not want to understand that Jesus was not talking about the government taking care of its citizens but people taking care of each other. What they are doing is aiding criminals. What is it about illegals that they do not understand. Don't let your heart be troubled about this. Christ said, " you will know them by their fruits". There are many of us out there who are not deceived. Have you ever heard of American Family radio? I listen to it every day. These are the true believers. Have you ever heard of the Southern poverty law center? They are hate mongers and also the west boro Baptist church which has no affiliation with the Baptist church. The SPLC has put Christians like you and I on a hate list. They are even infiltrating our military. We are in a spiritual battle and things will get worse. We must remain strong in our faith. I suggest you look up American Family radio. Not to be confused with " family radio". When you start listening to this, you will see how powerful we really are. There is also "Judicial watch". These are Christian lawyers who work from donations, fighting the legal battles that are against us.

 

[George95]

Hello there, welcome to CF! May you be blessed and find what you are looking for.

 

[FireDragon76]

. But the saddest thing of all is watching Christianity becoming like the culture around it. Instead of Christianity changing the world, the world is changing Christianity.

I'm going to be sounding contrarian here, but you have the wrong priorities in deciding if faith and church matters. You need to focus on Jesus, and decide if he was whom Christians claim he was, and not your own opinions about what is right and wrong. Otherwise you are not really searching for truth, but looking for excuses.

Mostly after reading this "sermon" (google "Diversity, not Jesus, saves says Presiding Bishop
Diversity, not Jesus, saves says Presiding Bishop")

That sounds more like a right-wing screed than a fair statement about a church like that. I know many Episcopalians that believe Christ is Lord. Many value diversity but they do not view it as an either/or choice. We honor Christ by honoring the dignity of our neighbor, even if they are different.

I stopped wanting to believe in Jesus when I discovered that both the SBC and the RCC took up a political stand (not theological) that I found I could not in good conscience support. The political issue is immigration. Both churches are supporting the replacement of this countries founding stock, massive third world immigration, and the non-enforcement of immigration law.

In Jesus kingdom there is neither Jew nor Gentile, Slave or Free.. .why would Mexican or American matter to Him? Why would an imaginary line on the ground matter in loving our neighbor in need? The nations of the world are passing away, Christ's kingdom is eternal. Why would silly things like nationalism matter so much that you turn your back on Him?

It has been devastating for me. On one hand, it doesn't seem right that I should abandon my faith because of political decisions of the churches, one that I believe is partly (or mostly) due to self-serving interests.... I am now an atheist.

Most ordinary people have the sense to realize they can disagree with their general synods and conventions and still go to their local church congregation, and mostly national church conventions do not effect national politics. There is a wide latitude in most churches concerning politics. It's a foolish reason to quit going to church, unless somehow you want only your own political views expressed.

 

[kenzo0]

hi Martin, welcome to CF..
I just read your terstimony. and it's remind me of myself.
I live in Islamic environment, me too, disappointed with my churches. so I wondered to convert to Islam. After I learn about Islam, I realize that Jesus is the truth and true life.

I decided to fully become Christian again after an atheist approached me, and held conversation with me about faith and religion.
that I want to share with you is the conclusion, that religion is not perfect for its conducted by human, found by human, and organized by human. but, its not fully bad either, for the religion was meant to united people in many race, culture, and language to worshiping God in the same faith. In simple way, religion used to make the human being more tidy.
For me, religion(horizontal) is our relation management among others creature underneath One God, and one faith.
Religion different with faith(vertical), faith is perfect, for its come from God. He had show us the perfection of LOVE. Faith is our private relation with God. as a Christian, I understand that its come from word "Christ" and Christian means Christ follower/believer, so, our obligation as a Christian is to follow what Jesus taught us to do.

After we decided which destination we'll desire to rest our life, then we start to chose which path would we chose to reach the destination. For we live in earth, then there are path that made by human only, inspired by HE who create the earth. Its depend on us, to wisely make a choice.
I'm sorry, but its [staff edit] if there are any religion which perfect in this earth. if any, I would like to find out, as I have done to a religion which claim as a perfect religion
The only perfection that ever down to earth was Jesus.


oops, sorry..
hope you don't mind.
God bless

 

[Martin M James]

Yes, I understand your concern. They misinterpret scripture in Mathew 25:41 Jesus said, "For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink" as though for not excepted "illegal aliens" we will go to hell. They do not understand, or do not want to understand that Jesus was not talking about the government taking care of its citizens but people taking care of each other. What they are doing is aiding criminals. What is it about illegals that they do not understand. Don't let your heart be troubled about this. Christ said, " you will know them by their fruits". There are many of us out there who are not deceived. Have you ever heard of American Family radio? I listen to it every day. These are the true believers. Have you ever heard of the Southern poverty law center? They are hate mongers and also the west boro Baptist church which has no affiliation with the Baptist church. The SPLC has put Christians like you and I on a hate list. They are even infiltrating our military. We are in a spiritual battle and things will get worse. We must remain strong in our faith. I suggest you look up American Family radio. Not to be confused with " family radio". When you start listening to this, you will see how powerful we really are. There is also "Judicial watch". These are Christian lawyers who work from donations, fighting the legal battles that are against us.

Thank you. I will check out American Family radio. I've never heard of it. I am glad there are people like you out there. You do give me some hope.

 

[Martin M James]

I'm going to be sounding contrarian here, but you have the wrong priorities in deciding if faith and church matters. You need to focus on Jesus, and decide if he was whom Christians claim he was, and not your own opinions about what is right and wrong. Otherwise you are not really searching for truth, but looking for excuses.

No, I am searching for the truth. If god exists, then god is the ultimate truth. God might exist and it could be that Jesus is god, but I find it highly unlikely, and I'm not going to lie to myself or anyone and say that I believe it to be true without any compelling evidence. I believe that religiosity is probably something that evolved in human beings as an adaptation that enhances social cooperation. This is the most likely explanation.

That sounds more like a right-wing screed than a fair statement about a church like that. I know many Episcopalians that believe Christ is Lord. Many value diversity but they do not view it as an either/or choice. We honor Christ by honoring the dignity of our neighbor, even if they are different.

Did you read the text of the sermon? It's a joke. Most of these post-modern theologies are. These people should just be honest with themselves and admit god doesn't exist. By the way, there were many Episcopalians, laymen and clergy alike who condemned the sermon.

In Jesus kingdom there is neither Jew nor Gentile, Slave or Free.. .why would Mexican or American matter to Him? Why would an imaginary line on the ground matter in loving our neighbor in need? The nations of the world are passing away, Christ's kingdom is eternal. Why would silly things like nationalism matter so much that you turn your back on Him?

I didn't turn my back on "Him" because those things matter so much to me. And those are not silly things, even if god really does exist.

Most ordinary people have the sense to realize they can disagree with their general synods and conventions and still go to their local church congregation, and mostly national church conventions do not effect national politics. There is a wide latitude in most churches concerning politics. It's a foolish reason to quit going to church, unless somehow you want only your own political views expressed.

One can certainly still attend their church while disagreeing with the leadership. I did not quit my church because of politics, and I could have found a church that agreed with my politics. But I didn't. I quit the whole faith because I don't believe it is true anymore. I wanted to believe and tried really hard to. I finally realized that I was searching for excuses to believe rather than searching for the truth, which is the inverse of what you accused me of in your first paragraph.

 

[Martin M James]

hi Martin, welcome to CF..
I just read your terstimony. and it's remind me of myself.
I live in Islamic environment, me too, disappointed with my churches. so I wondered to convert to Islam. After I learn about Islam, I realize that Jesus is the truth and true life.

I decided to fully become Christian again after an atheist approached me, and held conversation with me about faith and religion.
that I want to share with you is the conclusion, that religion is not perfect for its conducted by human, found by human, and organized by human. but, its not fully bad either, for the religion was meant to united people in many race, culture, and language to worshiping God in the same faith. In simple way, religion used to make the human being more tidy.
For me, religion(horizontal) is our relation management among others creature underneath One God, and one faith.
Religion different with faith(vertical), faith is perfect, for its come from God. He had show us the perfection of LOVE. Faith is our private relation with God. as a Christian, I understand that its come from word "Christ" and Christian means Christ follower/believer, so, our obligation as a Christian is to follow what Jesus taught us to do.

After we decided which destination we'll desire to rest our life, then we start to chose which path would we chose to reach the destination. For we live in earth, then there are path that made by human only, inspired by HE who create the earth. Its depend on us, to wisely make a choice.
I'm sorry, but its [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] if there are any religion which perfect in this earth. if any, I would like to find out, as I have done to a religion which claim as a perfect religion
The only perfection that ever down to earth was Jesus.


oops, sorry..
hope you don't mind.
God bless

Thanks. I wish you well.

 

[Jimmy P]

Martin, how are you my friend?

Keep searching and I hope and pray it leads you to truth...

You from Missouri, the 'Show Me' state? My Grandma was...the traditional gotta see it to believe it...I am to a degree...but as far as God, I just have to go on faith...
But I have felt Him in my life...and have had things happen that just couldn't be explained...other, than God...

Keep asking, keep talking and keep searching...and as the ol' saying goes "The Truth is out there" *X-Files theme)

 

[Martin M James]

Martin, how are you my friend?

Keep searching and I hope and pray it leads you to truth...

You from Missouri, the 'Show Me' state? My Grandma was...the traditional gotta see it to believe it...I am to a degree...but as far as God, I just have to go on faith...
But I have felt Him in my life...and have had things happen that just couldn't be explained...other, than God...

Keep asking, keep talking and keep searching...and as the ol' saying goes "The Truth is out there" *X-Files theme)

Doing well. Thanks. I'm not from MO.

 

[Martin M James]

Some people sent private messages and friend requests. It won't let me accept friend requests or respond to private messages. This post is just so I get to 15 total posts so I can respond to private messages.

 

[Jimmy P]

There ya go, you're learning

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

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