Scared of other christians

[PorcelainHeart]

I am a christian myself, but I'm scared of most christians now. I had a really bad experience with one of them, she was calling my comments stupid and all this crap. She abused me with words, and really hurt me. I am now scared to talk to other christians, I feel that they are all bent on hell, bible and GOD. I just wish I could find a christian who won't judge me or treat me like I don't know anything. I have met too many mean christians lately, I don't know anymore if I want to be one.

 

[snoochface]

I'm sorry for the way you were treated. I followed a little bit in the thread I think you are referring to, and I didn't feel you were treated right there.

Just keep in mind that as Christians, we are going to be "bent on" the Bible and God. Those are the basics - God especially, because if we're not bent on him, then why are we calling ourselves Christians? Know what I mean?

But please don't think about writing off Christianity because of your experiences with judgemental and mean people. Those people are wrong to behave that way. I'm wrong to behave the way I do a lot of the time. All Christians sin, just like every other human beings on the face of the earth, but the great thing about that is that we are forgiven for our sins. I know it's easier said than done, but it would be great if we all were able to forgive each other the way God forgives us.

There are a lot of loving and compassionate Christians who would never think to be mean to you or anyone else. There are tons of them here on CF. The problem with conversing in a debate forum like Eschatology is that people have very strong opinions and tend to let their feelings get in the way sometimes. It's a lot easier to do that online than it is in person - that whole anonymity thing. Please don't be discouraged by that.

This is a great forum with a lot of very helpful people. I'm sure there are many who would be more than happy to talk with you about your experiences. Feel free to PM me if you'd like.

 

[californiadreamin]

I am a christian myself, but I'm scared of most christians now. I had a really bad experience with one of them, she was calling my comments stupid and all this crap. She abused me with words, and really hurt me. I am now scared to talk to other christians, I feel that they are all bent on hell, bible and GOD. I just wish I could find a christian who won't judge me or treat me like I don't know anything. I have met too many mean christians lately, I don't know anymore if I want to be one.

I recently had a dream and also God was speaking to me about this. He revealed to me that many who call themselves Christians are not walking in love and they are not rooted in Him. They inwardly and outwardly have no true value about what it is to be a child of God.

 

[PorcelainHeart]

I'm not saying all christians are bad, I just don't like to be force into someone's belief or the bible thrown at me. I do know what the bible says I just don't understand most of it, and I am giving so many different answers when I ask what it means. I also been told by some christians you can do anything you want since your save, you just need to ask for forgivness. I also got in a fight with a christian who doesn't like animals, she thought I was threating her because I said I prefer animals over humans, I was saying that because I'm upset with most people right now. I do love animals though, and I feel they do have a soul, but I'm told by so many christians that I am wrong. I'm just really lost and confused on the christian beliefs, as that woman said I'm a baby of christ. I know I'm young on being a christian, and don't know much. I also look into other beliefs in such. I do know most people become athiest or stay athiest because of some christians. I will stay away from the debate threads now. I been told so many things different, I'm so confused.

 

[Adstar]

I'm not saying all christians are bad, I just don't like to be force into someone's belief or the bible thrown at me. I do know what the bible says I just don't understand most of it, and I am giving so many different answers when I ask what it means. I also been told by some christians you can do anything you want since your save, you just need to ask for forgivness. I also got in a fight with a christian who doesn't like animals, she thought I was threating her because I said I prefer animals over humans, I was saying that because I'm upset with most people right now. I do love animals though, and I feel they do have a soul, but I'm told by so many christians that I am wrong. I'm just really lost and confused on the christian beliefs, as that woman said I'm a baby of christ. I know I'm young on being a christian, and don't know much. I also look into other beliefs in such. I do know most people become athiest or stay athiest because of some christians. I will stay away from the debate threads now. I been told so many things different, I'm so confused.

Marmalade you faith is your relationship with God. Your Faith is not your faith in people. If your faith is so affected by other people then it is a warning to you to place your trust in God, Not in people.

Marmalade if your faith is in God then it does not matter if the whole world is against you. Your not relying on people to save you. You are relying on God.

All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[snoochface]

The basics of the Christian faith really are, well, basic.

1) Jesus was the son of God
2) He was sent to earth to die in order to save us from our sinfulness
3) He was resurrected after three days

If you believe in those things, believe that Jesus is your savior who died on the cross for your sins, if you are sorry for your sins and want Jesus to enter (or be in) your life to turn your heart away from sinfulness and toward God - then you are a Christian.

All the rest of the "details" are often debated between denominations and worldviews, but for the most part they are unimportant to whether or not you are a saved Christian.

As for the Bible, I'll tell you my personal reason why I think it's important. We all grow up being taught certain things, and we all have our own personal set of beliefs about God, Jesus, religion, etc. But for me, it wasn't enough to be taught something and to believe it just because it's how I was raised. I wanted to know WHY I believed something. I wanted my beliefs to be based on something.

Some people just make stuff up as they go along. They'll say, "Well I don't believe God would do this" or "I don't think a loving God would allow that to happen". But they don't have a solid reason why they feel this way. It's just a feeling, a belief, a notion that isn't based on anything but emotion and instinct. A lot of religions are formed this way, but that doesn't make them true just because they seem to be instinctually based on common emotions or feelings.

The Bible has a lot of evidence for truth in it. There are prophesies in the Old Testament that were fulfilled in the New Testament, hundreds or thousands of years apart. There are things about God and his laws, his requirements, his nature, that go against our human instinct of what God "should" do - but when you delve into it, there are reasons and instructions and warnings right there for us to see. The Bible tells us how God is, what he wants from us, what he's done for us. It tells us how we can get his blessings, how we can love each other better, and the work he wants us to do. It gives us the GOOD NEWS about Jesus and the salvation his death provided us.

I wanted to know about the Bible so that I would have something to base my faith on besides my own emotions, feelings, instincts, and the things other people told me as I was growing up. If I was going to have faith in God, I wanted it to be because I had a good, solid, logical reason for having faith in God. I didn't want to wing it. I wanted to know the truth, and the Bible gives me that.

It IS hard to understand a lot of times. I've only been a Christian for about a year and a half, and I do struggle with a lot of it, especially the Old Testament. I'm lucky that I have some really good teachers at my church that have helped me through Sunday School classes, Bible Studies, and our Home Fellowship Group. I've also found some wonderful (and free) Bible software with some excellent commentaries that help me study and understand on my own.

Marmaladegirl, I know there are people on CF who would be happy to help you understand the Bible better. I'm no expert by any means, but I'm happy to help in any way that I can. The Advice forum and the New Christians forum can help. If there is anything I can do to give you a hand understanding something, I hope you'll feel free to ask. I think it could help clear up a lot of your confusion.

 

[Megaduck]

I recently had a dream and also God was speaking to me about this. He revealed to me that many who call themselves Christians are not walking in love and they are not rooted in Him. They inwardly and outwardly have no true value about what it is to be a child of God.

I'm very glad you mentioned this. We as Christians sin and we are forgiven, but I've noticed several at my school claim to be Christian, but by their actions I don't see any proof of it.

You know the tree by the fruit it bares.

God said that many would come in his name and proclaim to be God or know God, and truely not. - this is not worded exactly as the bible puts it.. if someone has the exact scriptures it would good.

Please don't give up on Christianity just b/c you have been done wrong. People are going to judge and hate who you are just b/c the world does not like Christians. God said we are a peculiar people, so we just have to accept that fact, even though it is a very hard thing to do.

God Bless,
Justin.

 

[Sketcher]

I'm not saying all christians are bad, I just don't like to be force into someone's belief or the bible thrown at me. I do know what the bible says I just don't understand most of it, and I am giving so many different answers when I ask what it means. I also been told by some christians you can do anything you want since your save, you just need to ask for forgivness. I also got in a fight with a christian who doesn't like animals, she thought I was threating her because I said I prefer animals over humans, I was saying that because I'm upset with most people right now. I do love animals though, and I feel they do have a soul, but I'm told by so many christians that I am wrong. I'm just really lost and confused on the christian beliefs, as that woman said I'm a baby of christ. I know I'm young on being a christian, and don't know much. I also look into other beliefs in such. I do know most people become athiest or stay athiest because of some christians. I will stay away from the debate threads now. I been told so many things different, I'm so confused.

"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." - 1 Corinthians 13:2

I wish more believers would take this to heart. There are some Christians out there who like to judge and argue but have no room for compassion. And this is coming from me!

The woman said you were a baby Christian. That's an accurate statement, but did she know you're a NEW Christian? Because you're not going to shame a toddler for not being toilet trained, but most of us WOULD shame an 18 year old who never learned that critical skill. I for one try to go easy on new believers.

 

[Megaduck]

"The woman said you were a baby Christian. That's an accurate statement, but did she know you're a NEW Christian? Because you're not going to shame a toddler for not being toilet trained, but most of us WOULD shame an 18 year old who never learned that critical skill. I for one try to go easy on new believers.

Interesting thought.

God Bless,
Justin.

 

[chilehed]

Marmaladegirl22,

I'm so sorry you've been abused this way, and I think it reflects more on whoever did it than on you. There are jerks in every crowd. If it makes you feel any better, I think there's a lot of reason to prefer animals to people (especially abusive people).

And yes, animals have souls. The OT uses three different words for "soul", one meaning animal and vegetative nature (nephesh), one for the ethical nature (nuah), one for purely spiritual intelligence (neshamah). Animals have nephesh.

 

[Harlan Norris]

I am a christian myself, but I'm scared of most christians now. I had a really bad experience with one of them, she was calling my comments stupid and all this crap. She abused me with words, and really hurt me. I am now scared to talk to other christians, I feel that they are all bent on hell, bible and GOD. I just wish I could find a christian who won't judge me or treat me like I don't know anything. I have met too many mean christians lately, I don't know anymore if I want to be one.

Please don't blame Christianity for this phenominon. The legalistic, judgemental group has penetrated to the core of the organised faith. This however has nothing to do with Christ but politics. Stay with your faith. You will find others like yourself. Our salvation depends on Jesus Christ. Cling to him and his Gospel. God bless you.

 

[PorcelainHeart]

Even though, I read this all I see more christians who upset me so I fall slower out of christianity. Hardly any of them think animals have souls, and it's hard for me to understand that. I really love animals, and I want them to go to Heaven, heck I don't want to go to Heaven without my animals. I just can't live without my dog.

 

[chilehed]

I'm sure that God will arrange for anything and everything we need to be happy in heaven. Fear not.

 

[Sketcher]

Even though, I read this all I see more christians who upset me so I fall slower out of christianity. Hardly any of them think animals have souls, and it's hard for me to understand that. I really love animals, and I want them to go to Heaven, heck I don't want to go to Heaven without my animals. I just can't live without my dog.

Just because a lot of us don't believe that animals have souls, that does not mean that we hate animals. I love my dog too. It's really a natural desire to have your pets be in heaven with you. But however Heaven is going to turn out, there will be no pain so you won't miss them. That means they will either be there or you'll be moving on to bigger, better things.

 

[PorcelainHeart]

I know, I strongly believe animals and nature have soul. I do think i would miss my pet if I went to heaven, or do I even want to go to heaven? If the bible is right my cousin won't go to Heaven, and I sure don't want her to go to hell. Anyways, I'm sorry if I offended anyone, I'm just very confused, I'm told so many different things by christians.

 

[snoochface]

I lost my beloved Goober-dog two years ago, and it was devastating to me, so I understand the very strong desire to have her in heaven with me. I believe there is a lot of evidence in the Bible that says this may happen. Every living thing belongs to God, every creature will cry out in worship - these verses refer to more than humans.

There is not agreement among Christians about a lot of things like this, but really there doesn't have to be. It's not what Christianity is based on. You have to have faith in God that heaven will be what he promises it to be - a place of happiness, worship, where our tears will be wiped away by God's own hand.

The Bible is right. The worries you have about your cousin not going to heaven, those worries exist in us so that we will spread the GOOD NEWS to everyone we love, so that they will be able to get into heaven. Not everyone that we love will get there, and that's really sad. But everyone has the free will to make their own choices, and all we can do is try as hard as we can to put them on the right path.

I know you've said in other threads that you don't necessarily believe the Bible, and have your own set of beliefs that keep you in your relationship with God. I just urge you to make sure that your own set of beliefs are based on something solid and real, and not being - pardon the term - "made up" in your own mind because they just seem right, or feel right. The devil can convince us that things "seem" or "feel" right so that he can deceive us. If our beliefs aren't based on the truth, they won't be true no matter how right they may feel. I can believe with all my heart and soul that the sun rises in the west and sets in the east, and no matter how much I believe it, it's not going to be true.

So if your beliefs aren't based on God's word in the Bible, what are they based on? Make sure you're not being deceived, make sure you know all of God's promises to you -- and make sure to keep having faith in his promises. It relieves a lot of worry and anxiety, I know this from experience. It might make it easier for you to not care so much about what other Christians do. When you get right down to it, all Christians are hypocrites, because we all know what we're supposed to do in God's eyes, and not one of us are able to do it all the time. Have faith in God and what the Bible says he promises us, and things will become so much clearer.

 

[Sketcher]

If the bible is right my cousin won't go to Heaven, and I sure don't want her to go to hell.

That's why you need to pray for her and tell her about Jesus.

 

[PorcelainHeart]

My whole family been stir away from Jesus, I come from an athiest and wiccan family. I Never knew much of GOD. I'm going through a hard time right now where I really don't know what to believe anymore. I been through hurricane Rita, and there is alot more forming, so I'm scared to believe in GOD or even be a christian. I'm just scared of everything right now. I need alot of soul searching and help.

 

[Sketcher]

I will be praying for you and them then.

 

[snoochface]

Can you help us target what kind of help you're needing? I know that many of us would be more than happy to help you out, if we just knew what kind of help you are looking for.

Can I ask why you are afraid to believe in God or be a Christian? I know you're going through a very tough time right now, and I understand you are afraid in general - the hurricanes have left a lot of turmoil in their wake. But why do your fears make you afraid to believe in God? He's there, looking after you, and loving you. You went through a horrible time, but you're still alive - by the grace of God. He has plans for you, and he's not abandoning you.

Don't stop believing in him, because it won't change the fact that he does exist, he is in control, and he is with you.