Introduce myself :-)

[AV1611VET]

I'm a Christian, but I don't believe in Christ.

Am I the only one here who sees a problem there?

No

 

[Strathos]

Not that I'm criticizing you or anything, but one thing that often strikes me as odd about people who claim that they recently converted to creationism and used to accept evolution, Big Bang theory, etc. is that, when asked, they often do not have the first clue of what those theories actually claim. Did they really spend so many years believing them without actually learning anything about them?

If someone claimed to have been a Christian for 20 years and only just deconverted, but, when questioned, couldn't name basic facts about Christianity (like, for example, how many days it took before Jesus was resurrected, or naming any of His apostles), that would seem kind of odd, wouldn't it?

 

[AV1611VET]

Not that I'm criticizing you or anything, but one thing that often strikes me as odd about people who claim that they recently converted to creationism and used to accept evolution, Big Bang theory, etc. is that, when asked, they often do not have the first clue of what those theories actually claim. Did they really spend so many years believing them without actually learning anything about them?

If someone claimed to have been a Christian for 20 years and only just deconverted, but, when questioned, couldn't name basic facts about Christianity (like, for example, how many days it took before Jesus was resurrected, or naming any of His apostles), that would seem kind of odd, wouldn't it?

Are you asking me?

 

[Heissonear]

Not that I'm criticizing you or anything, but one thing that often strikes me as odd about people who claim that they recently converted to creationism and used to accept evolution, Big Bang theory, etc. is that, when asked, they often do not have the first clue of what those theories actually claim. Did they really spend so many years believing them without actually learning anything about them?

If someone claimed to have been a Christian for 20 years and only just deconverted, but, when questioned, couldn't name basic facts about Christianity (like, for example, how many days it took before Jesus was resurrected, or naming any of His apostles), that would seem kind of odd, wouldn't it?

Hi Stratos,

I was a non-believer while growing up, seeing weakness is religions in general and no God anywhere to be found nor needed.. I was then formally educated in my natural views of life. So what is your point? One who converts to Christ by His working were never settled and really educated in physical sciences and the explination of things without the need of a God? Nice try to push aside ones past life in Naturalism as equal to zero. All in trying to firm up where you stand and undermind others who have found the opposite is the truth.

.

 

[JCTheCreation]

I'm a Christian, but I don't believe in Christ.

Am I the only one here who sees a problem there?

Didn't say I didn't believe in Christ, I said I don't believe the same as most typical Christians Ive met. For example, I dont believe that Jesus Christ was sin free His entire life. I believe He became sin free thru sin. He then took in the Holy Spirit when baptized in the Jordan. Before this time, he was Emmanuel. Worthy is the Lamb! Jesus Christ is not a name, its a title that means Savior and Emmanuel was the one found worthy to inherit the spirit of God.

 

[Ana the Ist]

Didn't say I didn't believe in Christ, I said I don't believe the same as most typical Christians Ive met. For example, I dont believe that Jesus Christ was sin free His entire life. I believe He became sin free thru sin. He then took in the Holy Spirit when baptized in the Jordan. Before this time, he was Emmanuel. Worthy is the Lamb! Jesus Christ is not a name, its a title that means Savior and Emmanuel was the one found worthy to inherit the spirit of God.

Just out of curiosity ...

Why were you doing heroin?

 

[JCTheCreation]

Welcome to CF! I'm new to the faith myself.
I am really interested in what you can share from your experience - you vaguely said that you've came to faith during your coma.. Can you elaborate on that point?

Welcome aboard!

Its actually quite a long story, but I was out for 3 weeks and saw quite a bit that I couldn't make sense of at first. I had never cracked open a Bible and had never been to church, so a lot of what I saw was confusing. The first thing I remember was being in a big dark movie theatre, and on the screen was everything bad that I had ever done in my life being played over and over. I saw lies I told when I was a kid, that I just couldn't have possibly remembered. I saw how all the things I had done had hurt people and I felt their pain. It felt like I was in their for eternity just crying, filled with guilt. Then I heard this voice saying, get up, its ok, just get up and walk outside and everything will be alright. Everyone is waiting for you. As easy as it sounded, I had a hard time getting up. The weight of the guilt I felt kept me in there a long time. Finally, aftet what felt like years, I built the strength to stand up. I looked down at myself and I was covered in blood, tears, dirt, sweat, snot and puke. I felt absolutely disgusting. As soon as I walked outside, I saw a crowd of people standing in the street aplauding, cheering and it felt like the weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders. I looked down, and I was wearing a brand new suit and felt as if I had just taken a shower. In the crowd, were all familiar faces. Family, friends, people I knew but didnt. It all felt so familiar and peacful is an understatement. I walked around, greeted people and felt nothing but love. Until I got to a person who I felt did not belong in my happy place. I saw my uncle who had molested me when I was a kid and I could not forgive him. Immediately i fell to a dark place. The best way to describe it would be like a dark, wet alley filled with despair. I saw familiar faces in this place also, but instead of peace, I felt constant conflict and fear. I was trapped there for a long time defending myself, in what felt like a fight for my soul. After a while, i thought to myself, instead of fighting, i am going to try and love these people and make this hell, like the peaceful place I was at prior. Then I found myself back in the paradise lying on my back, unable to move. Three figures were standing around me talking and one said, "where is he from?" The other replied, "I dont know". Then the other said, "well who is his savior, and the other one said, "Jesus Christ". I then woke up in the hospital, very confused, unable to move, tied to the bed with tubes and machines hooked up to me. Now, that is a very short version of what I saw. And uneducated on the Bible, I really didnt understand a lot of what I saw. At this time, I was still a heroin addict, but it gave me the strength and hope I needed to try and get clean. For the next month and a half, I fought to stay clean and I tried to tell everyone what I had seen. But everyone I told just looked at me like I was completely insane. After a couple months, I began to think I was crazy too and took 87 xanax bars hoping I wouldn't wake up. Well, I ended up back in the hospital but this time, legal Issues I had been running from caught up with me. After I recovered in the hospital, I was arrested and taken to jail. For the next 8 months, I was in 23 hour lockdown with nothing but time and a Bible. I again had that feeling of familiarity. The things that I saw in my coma, were in black and white staring me in the face. The Bible reads so clearly to me, like it was meant just for me. Since that time, I have completely turned my life around. I now have everything I could ever ask for and more than anything, I have a peace in my soul that I never thought possible. Although my translation of the Bible and might be different than most, I know that God gave me another chance for a reason and I am going to do my absolute best to find truth, live up to my potential, and try my best to make my Father in heaven happy. So, that is the story of how I came to my faith.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Wow!

There is a neat new invention.

It is called a paragraph. You should try it sometime.

 

[JCTheCreation]

Just out of curiosity ...

Why were you doing heroin?

Started with painkillers to hide from the reality of my unhappiness. I had a lot of hate in my heart. I was abused pretty badly as a kid and couldn't forgive any of the people involved. I also couldn't forgive myself for letting it happen and not fighting back. After a while, I needed the pills to function. The pills became too expensive and heroin was a cheaper alternative. Once you are hooked, its very hard to come off. I was sick for months and almost died from the withdrawls. Ultimately tho, I started taking drugs because I didn't like what I saw in the mirror without them.

 

[Ana the Ist]

Started with painkillers to hide from the reality of my unhappiness. I had a lot of hate in my heart. I was abused pretty badly as a kid and couldn't forgive any of the people involved. I also couldn't forgive myself for letting it happen and not fighting back. After a while, I needed the pills to function. The pills became too expensive and heroin was a cheaper alternative. Once you are hooked, its very hard to come off. I was sick for months and almost died from the withdrawls. Ultimately tho, I started taking drugs because I didn't like what I saw in the mirror without them.

That's tough. Sounds like you've been through a lot...I hope it's behind you. I suppose if Jesus is what you need to stay clean, then you need Jesus.

Good luck.

 

[JCTheCreation]

Wow!

There is a neat new invention.

It is called a paragraph. You should try it sometime.

I will remember that if I ever write a book! Lol. Please excuse lack of perfect technical writing format, I am using my phone, not a computer so its kind of difficult. Thanks.

 

[Strathos]

Are you asking me?

No. Why would you think I was?

Hi Stratos,

I was a non-believer while growing up, seeing weakness is religions in general and no God anywhere to be found nor needed.. I was then formally educated in my natural views of life. So what is your point? One who converts to Christ by His working were never settled and really educated in physical sciences and the explination of things without the need of a God? Nice try to push aside ones past life in Naturalism as equal to zero. All in trying to firm up where you stand and undermind others who have found the opposite is the truth.

I was simply saying that if someone claims to have believed in, as you like to say, naturalism, for so many years, then they should at least be able to know some basic facts about it, even if they don't accept it anymore. Some people don't seem to do this.