What's on your mind?

[Saucy]

I would even expect that a lot of that 'documentary' was taken out of context and cut a certain way. I see a lot of that stuff in conservative churches, like where all the churches I've been to do. It's not that weird. They do sing and are enthusiastic about stuff. It's strange why other Christians find that not just weird, but 'terrifying'. Like kids singing for Jesus is the worst thing you've ever experienced in life.

 

[CodyFaith]

Have you ever noticed that some atheists have such a deep hatred and bitterness towards something that they don't believe exists?

Yep. Light is hated. It exposes darkness. Not everyone likes that because they want to remain in darkness consequence free. Subconciously/conciously some people strive against it.

Doesn't work out though. God's justice 'n all. Like a thief in the night. Quickly (even when it might seem long to us).

Not just those types of athiests who hate the Light of course, all different types of people. I'm not sure why some athiests are more intense than other groups of people. I have to admit when I was an agnostic athiest even I had an irrational angst towards religion and Christianity. But then again, so did Paul before he converted.
Perhaps some are just angsty, like a rebellious teenager, while others are a "darker breed"?
Who knows.

 

[CodyFaith]

I would even expect that a lot of that 'documentary' was taken out of context and cut a certain way. I see a lot of that stuff in conservative churches, like where all the churches I've been to do. It's not that weird. They do sing and are enthusiastic about stuff. It's strange why other Christians find that not just weird, but 'terrifying'. Like kids singing for Jesus is the worst thing you've ever experienced in life.

Yeah, most people would find adults teaching children anything about Jesus terrifying and appauling. If they were to go into any Sunday school they'd despise what they see I'm sure. Actually, I just read Bill Nye in the paper the other day talking about creationism and how horrible it was that kids are being taught such things. Which of course, Bill Nye has quite the following and those sort of anti-Conservative values he holds to are public's opinion as well.
Yet it's likely going to be mandated here in my province soon that every grade level be taught about transgenderism.

Won't see my kids (if I ever have any) learning positive-transgender thinking at the age of 5, I can gurantee that. Which is why homeschooling will probably be made illegal too at some point.

Is there hope? Sure. Always. But that doesn't mean Christians should be blind to the goings on in our generation, or be unaware of the potential persecution and how it may come. Persecution is already here tbh, just hidden.

 

[leothelioness]

I need some prayers that God would provide guidance for me in the area of a job and living situation. I've been struggling with this today and I need some lifting up in His name.

 

[SnowyMacie]

Yep I can see that. Conservative Christianity must be horrifying to you lol

I would even expect that a lot of that 'documentary' was taken out of context and cut a certain way. I see a lot of that stuff in conservative churches, like where all the churches I've been to do. It's not that weird. They do sing and are enthusiastic about stuff. It's strange why other Christians find that not just weird, but 'terrifying'. Like kids singing for Jesus is the worst thing you've ever experienced in life.

I've been in churches and organizations like in the documentary, and left spiritually abused. Regardless, the terrifying aspects of the movie are the young children being driven to weeping and wailing over their sin, the comparisons to Islamic extremism as justification for their actions (the clip in that trailer is not the only time), graphically teaching young children about abortion, asking children if they want to be martyrs, the borderline militaristic Christianity (the scene with the boys in camo is worse than it looks in the trailer, if I remember correctly), blurring of the line between church and state (you get the idea they want the United States to be a Evangelical Christian theocracy).

 

[SnowyMacie]

Yeah, most people would find adults teaching children anything about Jesus terrifying and appauling. If they were to go into any Sunday school they'd despise what they see I'm sure. Actually, I just read Bill Nye in the paper the other day talking about creationism and how horrible it was that kids are being taught such things. Which of course, Bill Nye has quite the following and those sort of anti-Conservative values he holds to are public's opinion as well.
Yet it's likely going to be mandated here in my province soon that every grade level be taught about transgenderism.

Won't see my kids (if I ever have any) learning positive-transgender thinking at the age of 5, I can gurantee that. Which is why homeschooling will probably be made illegal too at some point.

Is there hope? Sure. Always. But that doesn't mean Christians should be blind to the goings on in our generation, or be unaware of the potential persecution and how it may come. Persecution is already here tbh, just hidden.

Having actually watched the documentary in question, it's more than just adults teaching children about Jesus, it shows stuff that borderlines on brainwashing.

 

[CodyFaith]

I need some prayers that God would provide guidance for me in the area of a job and living situation. I've been struggling with this today and I need some lifting up in His name.

Prayers your way I'm glad to see you post.

 

[CodyFaith]

Having actually watched the documentary in question, it's more than just adults teaching children about Jesus, it shows stuff that borderlines on brainwashing.

Oh I'm aware, I watched it a little bit when I was younger and I was like wt heck?
I was more talking in general, but yeah even I got bad vibes all around from that specific film. Should have mentioned that in the post.

 

[SnowyMacie]

Oh I'm aware, I watched it a little bit when I was younger and I was like wt heck?

When I watched it, I thought it was just going to be about this Bible camp for Evangelical children, I didn't think there would be anything too out there I hadn't seen before or disturbing. Walking away from the movie, I had a similar reaction as you, it was not at all what I was expecting. The movie I did watch for a bit of confirmation bias was Kidnapped for Christ after someone said it makes Jesus Camp look like Disney World (or something to that effect), and even still it was so much more screwed up than I expected.

I was more talking in general, but yeah even I got bad vibes all around from that specific film. Should have mentioned that in the post.

No worries, it happens.

 

[CodyFaith]

When I watched it, I thought it was just going to be about this Bible camp for Evangelical children, I didn't think there would be anything too out there I hadn't seen before or disturbing. Walking away from the movie, I had a similar reaction as you, it was not at all what I was expecting. The movie I did watch for a bit of confirmation bias was Kidnapped for Christ after someone said it makes Jesus Camp look like Disney World (or something to that effect), and even still it was so much more screwed up than I expected.



No worries, it happens.

I just remember there was a lot of talk about hell and stuff, like they were threatening the children with hell.

Now I'm not saying I have all the answers, but I don't believe children who die go to hell or that children are responsible for such things.
In my opinion it seemed like they were talking to these children like they were adults - and I believe that's what made me feel so uncomfortable and feel these people in the video were sort of detatched from reality.

But that's my opinion.

 

[leothelioness]

Prayers your way I'm glad to see you post.

Thank you, Cody.

 

[SarahsKnight]

I just flew for the first time in my life, not counting this one time I was five or so years old and do not really remember anything. I was not nearly as nervous about being on a plane as i thought i might be, only felt a little lurch as we began lifting off of the ground. But it was actually a pleasant view to see the earth below begin to get smaller as we went up, rather than unsettling or alarming. Of course, I am sure a perfectly blue and non-threatening sky that I am entrusting my safety to now as the surface falls away from me also helps to keep my spirit calm, i am sure. Strange to find myself in Atlanta from Houston in just 90 minutes or so, though. When 37000 feet up it just doesn't seem like one is traveling very fast.

 

[Saucy]

Yeah, most people would find adults teaching children anything about Jesus terrifying and appauling. If they were to go into any Sunday school they'd despise what they see I'm sure. Actually, I just read Bill Nye in the paper the other day talking about creationism and how horrible it was that kids are being taught such things. Which of course, Bill Nye has quite the following and those sort of anti-Conservative values he holds to are public's opinion as well.
Yet it's likely going to be mandated here in my province soon that every grade level be taught about transgenderism.

Won't see my kids (if I ever have any) learning positive-transgender thinking at the age of 5, I can gurantee that. Which is why homeschooling will probably be made illegal too at some point.

Is there hope? Sure. Always. But that doesn't mean Christians should be blind to the goings on in our generation, or be unaware of the potential persecution and how it may come. Persecution is already here tbh, just hidden.

Yet Bill Nye edits one of his quite scientifically accurate piece on gender and how it's shaped by chromosomes to make you make or female. He's now all for the 70 genders going around now.

 

[CodyFaith]

Thank you, Cody.

You are a child of God. He loves you.

So don't stress, because it's all in His hands.

 

[sunshineforJesus]

Cody,You are so encouraging.

 

[CodyFaith]

Cody,You are so encouraging.

We're all in it together. One hurts we all hurt. One rejoices we all rejoice. I got Leo's back and I know she has mine. We got your back and you got ours. God has all of our backs and guides us in everything. He's the good shepherd and the good shepherd doesn't leave His sheep.

 

[SarahsKnight]

I just remember there was a lot of talk about hell and stuff, like they were threatening the children with hell.

Now I'm not saying I have all the answers, but I don't believe children who die go to hell or that children are responsible for such things.
In my opinion it seemed like they were talking to these children like they were adults - and I believe that's what made me feel so uncomfortable and feel these people in the video were sort of detatched from reality.

But that's my opinion.

Anyone who is so in love with the idea of hell that they lord it over children in any way is detached from reality in my opinion. They are usually the kinds who act like their faith is being insulted somehow when someone argues against hell or makes a sarcastic remark about it. Which is sad when hell - regardless of what you believe the nature of it to be - is actually a part of your FAITH. It just seems obscene. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, that we cannot see. So it's like those people are saying that they actually hope their enemies will burn forever in agony and never die. And i'm thinking like, isn't it better to focus your faith - what you hope for - in Christ and the GOOD things to come through belief in Him? The forgiveness of sin, no less.

Edit: Like, I don't know about anyone else, but the forgiveness, the CONSTANT forgiveness, for all the horrible bullcrap I have ever said and done in my life and might still do sometimes again the future, that comes with my faith is awesome. Knowing there is a God somewhere up there and in our hearts, above all else, who understands us and forgives our many inequities anyway, always welcoming, always forgiving. Sometimes believing in that is all we have to keep us going in life. It is THAT which compels me to seek guidance by the Holy Spirit and be in fearful (reverential) awe of God, not the threat of eternal torment in some fiery underworld where demons chase you around with pitchforks all day.

 

[CodyFaith]

Anyone who is so in love with the idea of hell that they lord it over children in any way is detached from reality in my opinion. They are usually the kinds who act like their faith is being insulted somehow when someone argues against hell or makes a sarcastic remark about it. Which is sad when hell - regardless of what you believe the nature of it to be - is actually a part of your FAITH. It just seems obscene. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, that we cannot see. So it's like those people are saying that they actually hope their enemies will burn forever in agony and never die.

I guess I was just raised differently than them. My parents told me there was a hell at some point, but when they saw I was afraid about it they'd try and comfort me... never threaten me with it or imply I, as a child, had a responsibility to stay out of hell.

Children are innocent.

 

[Toro]

Tired, hoping I keep my promise to myself and fall asleep early tonight

 

[SarahsKnight]

I guess I was just raised differently than them. My parents told me there was a hell at some point, but when they saw I was afraid about it they'd try and comfort me... never threaten me with it or imply I, as a child, had a responsibility to stay out of hell.

Children are innocent.

Well, that's good. Simply believing hell is the correct Biblical interpretation is different from actually using it as a means of control over others somehow. It reminds me of the Precious Moments story Bible that I was given as a little boy - you know, the kind that just takes some parts of the Bible and writes them in the form of short stories? After carefully reading it over just a few years ago, I could tell that the writers adhered to the traditional view of what happens to unbelievers in the end just like the majority of Christians do, but they never wrote about hell as any kind of threatening tone or Bible- thumping, you know? This book was meant to be for little children, naturally, so instead the writing encouraged kids to come to believe in and serve Christ, stating far more about the goodness that results from Christ's deed at the Cross, than the inevitable consequence of death and separation that comes with choosing not to believe. Just, basically, I thought this book had the right idea by gently nudging children towards hearing and learning about Jesus Christ with an encouraging tone of good news rather than fearmongering to any degree.