So confused and I could do with some advice...please.

[Minty]

Hi there. A little while ago I changed my faith icon to Pagan, but now I'm not so sure

I seem to have bouts of indicision regarding my faith. When I'm Christian I miss Paganism and when I'm Pagan I miss Christianity. What it wrong with me? I just cannot make a choice and stick with it

I feel more Christian at the moment then I did a week ago when I changed my icon, but is that enough, I wonder?

I love reading about religions, they fascinate me, but I always seem to feel lost and confused lately and I wondered if you guys could help me?


Can a person be Christian and also agree that all other world religions are valid? Or do I have to ignore, condemn and refuse to have anything to do with them?

I do believe in the Nicene Creed, but there are whole great chunks of Scripture that I just can't agree with. I miss talking with my Christian friends here and I must admit that while I still find Paganism interesting and I love to read about it, I have never really done anything (spells or rituals, stuff like that).


I'm just so......lost

 

[Chesterton]

Not all paganism is created equal; some forms are better than others. Some forms of paganism are ugly and demonic, and some forms are beautiful, and contain virtues which are very Christian.

You could say the difference between Christianity and the better paganism is that the word “Christianity” is spelled with a capital “C”, and paganism is not spelled with a capital “P”. That is to say, Christ was an actual person, a myth which was real. People talked with and touched Him. No one ever saw Pan or Jupiter, et al., but Christ was a myth which came true, which is very exciting, to say the least.

 

[resurrection]

Hi Minty,

You have a very good question.

My Religion icon is 'Pagan,' but to me it represents humbling myself to God.

And to your question-
Can a person be Christian and also agree that all other world religions are valid? Or do I have to ignore, condemn and refuse to have anything to do with them? If someone or someting is making you stumble in your walk with God, than you should refrain from it, But if you can put a Pagan icon such as myself and not feel led to start going away from God, than it's fine. It's what is in your Heart that God Sees. There are a few people here who are atheists, but are really Christians. God knows.

So you decide what is best for you, Which icon makes you feel more closer to God.

If you are falling in your Faith and you need someone to talk to, please feel free to PM me, okay.

God bless you and Have a good day

 

[Lukaris]

Take heed to Hebrews 2:3: "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him." In fact read all of Hebrews2 it should be helpful. Remember what our saviour said elsewhere, "...without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:3). This is not to say that many non Christians will not enter the kingdom of God as the Beatitudes, Romans 2:14-16, the ex. of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), the parable of sheep & goats (Matthew 25:31-46) etc. attest. But there is no assurance of salvation in any other way than knowing Jesus Christ as saviour in the heart, repentance, loving God with all your heart, soul, & mind & your neighbor as yourself, following the 10 commandments, prayer, almsgiving, & fasting (if possible in some light way) (Matthew 6:1-18). See about keeping our Lord's word (John 14:21-25).

 

[Minty]

Thank you all for your replies...they have really helped me...more than you know (one for each of you )

 

[starbuck55]

" Can a person be Christian and also agree that all other world religions are valid?"

Depends on what you mean by valid. If by valid you mean "true", I really don't think it's possible to think Jesus and God is true, and also think Allah or Vishnu or Zeus is true. If by valid you mean recognizing that everyone has their own personal reasons for believing, and choosing to treat them as fellow human beings, sure why not!

 

[Minty]

If by valid you mean recognizing that everyone has their own personal reasons for believing, and choosing to treat them as fellow human beings, sure why not!

That is exactly what I mean...although I might not believe that they are true for me, I do believe that they are true for their believers, just as my beliefs are true for me.

I hope that makes sense?

 

[starbuck55]

Yep, makes sense!
Though, of course everyone's belief is true for themselves. I would argue some of them are false, even outside of me and the person holding the beliefs. They can't all be right...it would be impossible.

 

[Minty]

I agree with you there...thank you for replying

 

[Stinker]

Hi there. A little while ago I changed my faith icon to Pagan, but now I'm not so sure

I seem to have bouts of indicision regarding my faith. When I'm Christian I miss Paganism and when I'm Pagan I miss Christianity. What it wrong with me? I just cannot make a choice and stick with it

I feel more Christian at the moment then I did a week ago when I changed my icon, but is that enough, I wonder?

I love reading about religions, they fascinate me, but I always seem to feel lost and confused lately and I wondered if you guys could help me?


Can a person be Christian and also agree that all other world religions are valid? Or do I have to ignore, condemn and refuse to have anything to do with them?

I do believe in the Nicene Creed, but there are whole great chunks of Scripture that I just can't agree with. I miss talking with my Christian friends here and I must admit that while I still find Paganism interesting and I love to read about it, I have never really done anything (spells or rituals, stuff like that).


I'm just so......lost

You ask if a Christian can agree that all other world religions are valid. Jesus says this:




John 10:7-18 (New International Version)


7Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

 

[Radagast]

That is exactly what I mean...although I might not believe that they are true for me, I do believe that they are true for their believers, just as my beliefs are true for me.

Well, if you think that, I can see why you're indecisive. I think you need to take the time to think through some things, and read a little (I usually recommend CS Lewis at this point).

Christianity teaches that certain things are really TRUE. Not "true for me", but true in the way that 2+2=4 is true. Jesus walked this earth with the same reality that you and I do. Jesus really DID die and rise again.

Of course, as Christians we should love everyone, including those who have different beliefs from us.

What is it that attracts you about Paganism? Because Paganism and Christianity really aren't compatible...

I also suggest that you post specific questions about Scripture in the "New Christians" forum.

 

[aiki]

Hi there. A little while ago I changed my faith icon to Pagan, but now I'm not so sure

I seem to have bouts of indicision regarding my faith. When I'm Christian I miss Paganism and when I'm Pagan I miss Christianity. What it wrong with me? I just cannot make a choice and stick with it

I feel more Christian at the moment then I did a week ago when I changed my icon, but is that enough, I wonder?

There is a little poem that goes like this:

Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving.
I rest my faith on the Word of God,
Nought else is worth believing.

Of course, that last bit isn't entirely true, but, the point about feelings the poem makes is completely true. Feelings are highly changeable and often do not accurately reflect reality. For these reasons, it is not a good idea - at all - to choose what to believe about God based on them.

May I ask, what does your willingness to switch back and forth between two opposing belief systems suggest to you about how you choose to believe one or the other of them?

Ephesians 4:14 (KJV)
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Colossians 2:6-10 (KJV)
6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk you in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
9 For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And you are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power:

I love reading about religions, they fascinate me, but I always seem to feel lost and confused lately and I wondered if you guys could help me?

Confusion is always the result of thinking which attempts to embrace contradictory beliefs. Paganism and Christianity are at odds; they are irreconcilable. They may both be wrong, but they cannot both be right. This is the rule of logic. Trying to live in both camps of belief puts you in conflict with basic logic and the consequence is confusion.

Can a person be Christian and also agree that all other world religions are valid? Or do I have to ignore, condemn and refuse to have anything to do with them?

Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me." (Jn. 14:6)

This is a statement of exclusion. Basically, Jesus is saying, "I am the only way to God. There is no other way." What should a Christian think, then, when other religions claim that their way is the way, or that there is no God, or that there are many gods? All these things Jesus flatly denies.

I do believe in the Nicene Creed, but there are whole great chunks of Scripture that I just can't agree with. I miss talking with my Christian friends here and I must admit that while I still find Paganism interesting and I love to read about it, I have never really done anything (spells or rituals, stuff like that).

How do you agree with the Nicene Creed, which derives itself from the Scriptures, when there are "whole great chunks of Scripture" that you deny? Do you not see the tremendous inconsistency in this?

I'm just so......lost

Welcome to the aftermath of postmodernism.

Peace.

 

[huldah153]

Which Pagan religion were you interested in, by the way?

If it's one of those 'mother nature' religions, that can be compatible with Gnostic Christianity. In the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, Christ is quoted as saying that "All natures, all formed things, all creatures exist in and with one another and will again be resolved into their own roots, because the nature of matter is dissolved into the roots of its nature alone."

This supports Taoist and Buddhist concepts as well.

 

[T Man]

It saddens me, not just on this post but on many posts I read in forums all over the world. So many claim Christiananity and claim to be Christian, claim to say they believe, claim they have faith, claim Jesus is their savour etc etc. yet the power is not in them, its evident in the posts i read and the questions i look over. many seaching for their place in His Kingdom. where do i fit in???

I am glad i talk to Jesus, glad I have His Spiritual Knowledge given me in Spirit and His Truth. I have been called a fasle phophet, a false teacher and many other things by Christians who simply don't understand the deeper things of God. The same Christian that say these bad things about me are Christians that complain about what they have or don't have in Him, the same ones that say, "pray for me i don't understand why" or who say "I am missing something", yet in the next breath they say i am a false teacher. They don't know what i am or who made me this way, they don't know how they are, yet claim they know better than me.
They say its written in the bible as though all answer are found there. Well all answer are found there, but not in knowledge for knowledge sake. The Bible is both the Spirit of the Law and the letter of the law. you can't get answers if you only have knowledge of the written law only. The law is based on God, not humans!!!! Humans love to drag God down to our follish level and do all in Him as a human in human power, we then claim all manor of things that have no power. When it goes south we say what happend, why is my belief in trouble. Gods Power is Spirit, its truth, it has no errors, its full of Spiritual messages. Its man, human understanding that bring division to the way of Christ, Men of knowledge only claim what they claim and preach it as law, without first denying themselves and submitting to the Unseen things of God, namely His Spirit or as we know it the Spirit of God.

Its no wonder Christian are so scattered, so divided, all following some type of man made idea all with their understandings. Arguements arise we are right you are wrong, or He is in error...
Jesus is one, in His people, He unites, men divide. Knowledge of Jesus is so foolish if you seek it without His Spirit. You need the Spirit of God, you need the Holy Spirit to teach you all things, not just rest in the things you think you know. This is a waste of time, knowledge for knoldge sake, its as though, the first sin Adam and Eve seeking knowledge for knowledge sake, contiues in us. Why don't human reflect on the the sin of knowledge for knowldge sake, doing in their own power. Why don't we do somethings differant, give back to God that which belongs to God. Our respect, and obedience. God is ready to give His Spirit of Knowledge to those that are genuie seekers.

My frustrations, every night i talk to Jesus, Last night we talked until 4:30 am, we talks about the miss information men have made, the mess they have created and the division they have caused. I pray with all my power all my love that people start to seek Him in Spirit before its to late. All the prayer we make come from our mouths and minds, let these prayers come from the deepest part of your heart. You minds are just a thing of flesh, the Heart is where His word should be written. Sing it from your heart.....
Seek Him from your hearts....
I say all this from love in love for you and in Him. Seek the Spirit of God, seek the Holy Spirit to teach you, do not do it in your power or understandings. Wisdom is coming to nothing, the day comes when Christ will return, and many will say Lord Lord in your name we did this and we did that. The Lord will say get away from me you workers of lawlessness, I never KNEW you. These are the ones who know of Him, by knowledge for knowledge sake, forgetting the Spirit of the law, hence workers of lawlessness. Do you wnat Jesus saying this to you????
Our time is running out, you have to committ to to His Spirit with all you are all you have denying yourself take up your cross and follow him. Not wonder around going this way and that way.

If Only this forum had a Spiritual Message from God, i would post all my talks I have had with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the Spirit of God. Then maybe then peopel would start to see the real friut of my message, maybe then i would be judged by my friut and not judge by human understandings.

i do pray for you in the love of my Lord as i pray for all people. I pray you find the Spirit of God and the Holy Spirit in you.

 

[Catherineanne]

Hi there. A little while ago I changed my faith icon to Pagan, but now I'm not so sure

I seem to have bouts of indicision regarding my faith. When I'm Christian I miss Paganism and when I'm Pagan I miss Christianity. What it wrong with me? I just cannot make a choice and stick with it

Perhaps it is about identity. When you use the label pagan, you feel that denies something fundamental about yourself. When you use the label Christian, again, you feel that says something, but not everything.

All this shows is that labels do not work all the time. You are who you are, Minty.

I feel more Christian at the moment then I did a week ago when I changed my icon, but is that enough, I wonder?

I love reading about religions, they fascinate me, but I always seem to feel lost and confused lately and I wondered if you guys could help me?


Can a person be Christian and also agree that all other world religions are valid? Or do I have to ignore, condemn and refuse to have anything to do with them?

Yes, a person can be a Christian, and agree that other world religions may contain some truth, and are not to be ignored, condemned or negated.

Such a person is a Christian, imho. The person who negates all other faiths has another name, which is bigot.

So, you can be a Christian bigot, or you can be a Christian.

I do believe in the Nicene Creed, but there are whole great chunks of Scripture that I just can't agree with. I miss talking with my Christian friends here and I must admit that while I still find Paganism interesting and I love to read about it, I have never really done anything (spells or rituals, stuff like that).

I'm just so......lost

You are not lost, Minty. There is not one Christian on the face of God's earth who believes in, and lives by, every word of Scripture, whatever they may claim. Such a person would be blind in both eyes by personal choice, have no hands by personal choice and would be in a psychiatric unit or prison, at the very least.

We all live as best we can, walking with our God. And each of us has a personal walk, on our own route. Sometimes we walk alongside others, but mostly we walk only with God. But we are never lost as long as he is beside us.

Just don't let him navigate; he is really hopeless at it. You decide where you are going, and he will go with you.

 

[Catherineanne]

You ask if a Christian can agree that all other world religions are valid. Jesus says this:

John 10:7-18 (New International Version)

This is what is called a non sequitur. Just because Our Lord says these words, it does not follow that these words are HIS answer to this particular question. He is talking about his sheep, which is his followers, and the dangers to us, not about followers of other faiths.

I think Matthew 25 is far closer to actually addressing the question asked, but I leave it to others to decide for themselves, rather than presuming to speak for the Lord.

 

[Catherineanne]

This is a statement of exclusion. Basically, Jesus is saying, "I am the only way to God. There is no other way."

This may be your interpretation, but this is not what Our Lord actually says, not anywhere. The Bible does not support Christian elitism, however much we might like it to, and whole chunks of Scripture, not least Matthew 25, refute this stance.

What should a Christian think, then, when other religions claim that their way is the way, or that there is no God, or that there are many gods? All these things Jesus flatly denies.

Again, Our Lord does not flatly deny that other religions have validity, nor that there are many gods. He certainly states very clearly his belief in God, but he does not condemn any other faith, in any part of his ministry. His message is very clear, to all of us. It is the heart before God that matters, not our external religion, whatever it may be.

How do you agree with the Nicene Creed, which derives itself from the Scriptures, when there are "whole great chunks of Scripture" that you deny? Do you not see the tremendous inconsistency in this?

There is no inconsistency. We all do this. Some deny it, some admit it, but we all do it.

Or do you worship on the Sabbath, follow all the rules of Leviticus, have only one hand, and wash your brothers' and sisters' feet every Lord's day?

 

[Catherineanne]

I am glad i talk to Jesus, glad I have His Spiritual Knowledge given me in Spirit and His Truth.

Congratulations.

Good luck with the humility bit. Or do you have that one sorted as well?

 

[Catherineanne]

If Only this forum had a Spiritual Message from God, i would post all my talks I have had with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the Spirit of God. Then maybe then peopel would start to see the real friut of my message, maybe then i would be judged by my friut and not judge by human understandings.

Don't worry, I think your message is loud and clear, TMan.

 

[Minty]

Thank you Catherineanne, you totally rock

How do you agree with the Nicene Creed, which derives itself from the Scriptures, when there are "whole great chunks of Scripture" that you deny? Do you not see the tremendous inconsistency in this?

Quite easily...this the Nicene Creed that I agree with:

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and was made man.For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.Amen.

Where in this creed does it say that I have to practise religious exclusivity towards other faiths?!?! The parts of Scripture that I don't agree with are the sections that deal with the subjugation of women (Jesus never discriminated, some of his closest companions were women, Mary Magdalene, his mother, Martha), the parts that advocate vengence, violence and non-acceptance of others.

From what I remember reading Jesus never practised exclusivity...He actually went and ministered to the dregs of society, the poor, sick, demon-possessed, prostitutes, tax collectors...the people that no-one else would go near. Neither did He condemn people, when the adulterous woman was about to be stoned He said that them without sin should cast the first stone...and then as someone that was without sin, rather than stone her himself, He let her go!! Also, when He was on the cross He asked His Father to forgive them that had done that to Him...He could have asked for them to be 'dealt with', instead He asked for their forgiveness.

If I am to follow His example, then I should follow what He taught in the Golden Rule, and that was to love the LORD with all my heart, and love my neighbour as myself...I don't remember reading that I have to love my neighbour as myself unless they happen to have a different faith than me, and then I should treat them differently (if someone could lead me to that part of Scripture, I'd be much obliged!!!).