Struggling with Christianity

[Durga]

I am revisiting this thread after a few months. Just wanted to let everyone who participated know that I have resolved my conflict and decided to take up Buddhist practice.

 

[reda]

Durga,
sometimes I sit back and remember when I was a very little girl. Back then my faith was so innocent and complete. It pretty much boiled down to the fact that Jesus was in heaven with His angels and he loved me and always watched over me. There was no conflict back then. I felt Loved and I knew that He loved me. When I got alittle older, my parents checked out other religions and for me that's when the pain began. My family has never been the same again and even though I was looking through a child's eyes back then, I knew a big change had came about. Durga my advice to you would be to really think about what the bases of the doctrines of those other religions are. Some of their doctrines is escapism were the only evil is matter itself, some doctrines is full of rituals etc. but when you sincerely compare the christian faith, it's has a simplicity that even the most intelligent people find hard to understand. To them it's like they would say "is that all there is for salvation?" "There's got to be more?" True christianity isn't about eatting a certain things or wearing certain clothes, or living in the deserts, sitting in certain poses or hoping on one leg or walking on fire, the list can go on and on pertaining to what others would say that's need for a salvation that never comes. A salvation in which no one can never be perfect enough. Durga, it you need to talk please email me.

 

[GeorgeTwo]

I am new to this site so a big Hello to everybody!!

I wonder if anyone can relate-- I am 49 years old. I was raised in the Baptist Fundamentalist type Christianity but as an adult it doesn't work for me. I haven't been to any church in the last 7 years. Before that, I went to an Episcopal Church. I joined that church in 1995 and it meant so much to me to find something that seemed to supply the missing pieces of my religion. But after 5 years I left. I just could not read the symbols in Christianity in a metaphorical way and now they don't make sense literally.

I am now considering returning to this church because there was a lot to it I liked but I know I can't believe in Christianity in the same way as I tried to when a child.

I believe in God, but I am afraid it is no longer the God as depicted in the Bible. I have a fondness for Hinduism and Buddhism. I believe in reincarnation and avatars. I am in a great deal of conflict -- my first love was Jesus but don't know if I can ever go back.

Has anyone else sucessfully returned to Christianity under similar circumstances, and if so, how did you do it?

I was raised a Christian and it didn't take. I lost my faith, if I ever had it to begin with.

I was an unbeliever for over 30 years, but I came back.

There came a time in my life when I needed to know if there was a God; if that God was the God of the Bible. I needed to know who Jesus was; who His disciples thought He was.

I began to study the Bible, attended Bible Study, attended church and asked many, many questions. I needed to know if I could trust the Bible. I studied the prophecies, archaeological evidence and other religions.

I began to pray.

The end result was a belief in the God of Israel and His Messiah, Jesus.

The whole experience turned my life around.

 

[Durga]

...When I got alittle older, my parents checked out other religions and for me that's when the pain began. My family has never been the same again and even though I was looking through a child's eyes back then, I knew a big change had came about.

Now Reda you have got me curious. What other religions were your parents checking into, may I ask?

Durga my advice to you would be to really think about what the bases of the doctrines of those other religions are.

It depends on which other religions you mean but please don't assume that I haven't thought about it.

...when you sincerely compare the christian faith, it's has a simplicity that even the most intelligent people find hard to understand. To them it's like they would say "is that all there is for salvation?" "There's got to be more?"

I disagree that christianity in any respect is simple. Several hundred denominations tell me that christians can't agree about their basic doctrines, yet "its simple". I have heard it all before.

 

[unkern]

Its true that the bible does say not to be divided, and that is what most of the american churches are.

Im only 22 so im not going to be the best in relation, i used to be a strong practicing catholic.

I found my freedom from reading the bible (NIV) king james is a bunch of jargen to me, lol.

Ive had to search high and low for a church to go to, and thank the Lord he's led me to one. From the things ive learned most of all Jesus hated religion. I would suggest trying out a small non-denominational church.

As for buddism and hinduism there simple not real. They are religions about pride, and self-devination. They are brilliant on trapping midaged people into there religions because after so many years of pain and frustration someone finally comes along and tells you they can help you, they can make you feel young and powerful they can make it all better. You may not heed the warnings in this forum and stick with those religions, but you will find later on that you have not been fulfilled.

The Lord says that if you seek him you will find him, You have to do more than just go to church you would have to really want him.

Im very large on the study of apologetics, and alot of us in this forum would really like to help, I hope that you can truly find my Lord.

God be with you

 

[reda]

Now Reda you have got me curious. What other religions were your parents checking into, may I ask?

my grandmother (father's mother) was a jesus only pentecostal preachers, she was also what people would call a root worker (practice witchcraft) so this became a turn off to my father he joined the nation of islam and got my mother involved in this too. she left the pentecostal church she was raised in. when my parents later divorced, my mother joined the christian science church then got disenchanted and went into madam mablascey (spelling wrong) theoshopical society then this led to the new age movement. she believes the material world (matter) is evil and something that needs to be escaped from. that the god that created this natural world we live in is not the true god. she doesn't believe that sin is something we all need salvation from even though she believes in the existance of evil and demons. she is a very confused person. it enrages her if the name of jesus is mentioned. she believes jesus is a myth that was created to keep the masses down.


the book of revelations talked about the great falling away. during paul's time, there were some that entered the churches with doctrines of devils leading people astray. same as today, there are some christian denominations that have started from one scripture. if you don't belief me, take out some time one day and read the bible word for word for yourself all the pages, then compare what you read with the teachings of most of these christian preachers. you will hear things from their mouth that is either no where in the bible or scriptures that have been diced and sliced.
the message of christ was simple you can read this in the bible. true christianity is simple. the christianity that we see the most is not true christianity or biblical. Christ isn't even in it.

 

[Durga]

Hi Reda thanks for answering my question on your religious background.Your story is very interesting. Your mother sounds like a real spirtual seeker. It appears from your description that she is a gnostic. Most New Age types think the world is an illusion, but not evil as such. Interesting you should mention the Theosophical Society, since I am a member. Madame Blavatsky and other Theosophists wrote about a lot of different religions and were actually were among the first to bring Buddhism to the west. The beliefs your mother has are not, strictly speaking, theosophical doctrine, however we are free to have any beliefs we want. Your story is another example of how religion divides people. I am sure because your mother can't stand the name of Jesus, that you aren't free to discuss your religion with her.

I am sure that the Christianity we see today is quite different from that which existed shortly after the death of Christ. I have many issues with the Bible and all churches. I don't think we can know which things in the Bible Christ actually said and which were added later. The new Testament was, after all, written 30 - 50 years after the events they purportedly describe. Then a council of Bishops in the 4th century went through all the various Christian books that were circulating and picked out which ones they thought were legitimate, put them in the canon, and rejected the rest as heretical. In fact, I suspect that the early disciples may have completely misunderstood Christ. They didn't know who he was or what he was saying. There is a verse in the Bible saying how Christ taught in parables to the public but differently in secret. I think Christ may very well have existed, and SOME of the things he said are probably in the Bible, but I don't think any churches today are spiritual.

 

[reda]

Hi Reda thanks for answering my question on your religious background.Your story is very interesting. Your mother sounds like a real spirtual seeker. It appears from your description that she is a gnostic. Most New Age types think the world is an illusion, but not evil as such. Interesting you should mention the Theosophical Society, since I am a member. Madame Blavatsky and other Theosophists wrote about a lot of different religions and were actually were among the first to bring Buddhism to the west. The beliefs your mother has are not, strictly speaking, theosophical doctrine, however we are free to have any beliefs we want. Your story is another example of how religion divides people. I am sure because your mother can't stand the name of Jesus, that you aren't free to discuss your religion with her.

I am sure that the Christianity we see today is quite different from that which existed shortly after the death of Christ. I have many issues with the Bible and all churches. I don't think we can know which things in the Bible Christ actually said and which were added later. The new Testament was, after all, written 30 - 50 years after the events they purportedly describe. Then a council of Bishops in the 4th century went through all the various Christian books that were circulating and picked out which ones they thought were legitimate, put them in the canon, and rejected the rest as heretical. In fact, I suspect that the early disciples may have completely misunderstood Christ. They didn't know who he was or what he was saying. There is a verse in the Bible saying how Christ taught in parables to the public but differently in secret. I think Christ may very well have existed, and SOME of the things he said are probably in the Bible, but I don't think any churches today are spiritual.

Hi Durga,
could you define what you mean by spiritual? what is it to you and what is it your seeking? people get involved with religion for many reasons. alot of times, they don't admit to themselves the real reasons why they seek out a certain religion. when asked this question most people would give general statements such as peace,happiness etc. being truly honest with ourselves is sometimes a hard things to do. anyway, concerning the statement about the certain canons being removed from the bible, the canons that were removed were of a gnostic nature. there were those who brought these doctrine into the churches in the early years. (and they're still doing it today) paul and john spoke of them. the gnostic doctrine branched off from the religions of egypt and india. these doctrines are not part of true christianity. these texts that were removed tells of a jesus whose nature is totally quite different then the jesus of the apostals. with the gnostic text, there's different levels that one has to go through on their quest of salvation. out of all the trillions of people that was born on this earth, if the gnotic text were true, salvation would be out of grasp and impossible for just about everyone. just the many rituals alone would destroy a persons quality of life. that's pretty much how most religious teachings operate today. anyway, christs' message was simple. he basically told us that all of the commandments are based on the first 2 commandments. to love God and our brother. this basically sums it up. part of the reason why he came was for us to know the true nature of the father. that he is love. it's amazing how so many of those who preached to the masses have taken this message and has added to it and taken away from it, they have turned the message of christ into something confusing, hard, and painful. with evil tongues, they have made the doctrine of salvation out of reach for most.

 

[Durga]

could you define what you mean by spiritual? what is it to you and what is it your seeking?

That's a fair question. I suppose that I am seeking happiness and an end to suffering. I am interested in Buddhism because that was also what the Buddha was interested in.

"Spritual" is not a very easy word to define. Possibly its a certain quality that would take someone out of themselves. To me, it is closely related to art and aesthetics but of an even deeper quality.

This doesn't seem to be a debate forum, so I don't want to get into a debate about gnosticism and the orthodox version of christianity that came out on top. That history is always written by the victorious is not an original observation. Studying the early history of the church played a role in my deconversion but it was not the only factor.

If the message itself were so simple as "Love" there would not be thousands of different versions of Christianity or so many ideas of what it takes to be "saved".

 

[AllTalkNoAction]

I wonder if anyone can relate-- I am 49 years old. I was raised in the Baptist Fundamentalist type Christianity but as an adult it doesn't work for me.

Oh yes, I was raised Church of England and it didn't do anything for me, or the other people, except some kind of social event / sing-along / entertainment.
Of course people believed as best they could understand, but it didn't make much difference to theitr lives, I certainly didn't see or experience what the New Testamant describes - that's true christianity.

So, well done, by rejecting it you have in fact agreed with Jesus.

I haven't been to any church in the last 7 years.

They told you in was Church.
In fact Church isn't something you go to, it's something you become a part of by receiving the Holy Spirit as detailed in the bible

they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
(Acts 2:4, 33, 39; 10:44-48)

This is also known as the baptism in the Spirit:-

1Co:12:13: For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Tongues is an unlearned prayer language that God leads His people in according to his perfect will, causing them to drink spiritually and "never thirst again" because they now have his love and mind to explore and live by, no amount of religious observance can substitute for this!

 

[Durga]

AllTalkNoAction:

Evidently you did not read my post #21.

 

[AllTalkNoAction]

AllTalkNoAction:
Evidently you did not read my post #21.

Does Buddhism teach that you shouldn't receive enlightenment by doing as Jesus says?

 

[Durga]

Does Buddhism teach that you shouldn't receive enlightenment by doing as Jesus says?

You seem to be confused. Gautama did not address this question. He lived approx. 500 years before Jesus.

I know what Jesus said, and it did not lead to enlightenment for me. I am not going to further debate this matter with you.

 

[ikonographics]

Have you ever visited an Orthodox Church? As Christ said, "Come and see".

 

[Tenebrae]

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