Why aren't you a Christian?

[français]

Good question! There are many reasons why... Here is a list of some of the reasons. I might speak about some of them that really in particular lead me away from Christianity..

1. Hell - By far one of the most disturbing things, and something that has always bugged me. You know, christians say that god is loving, and merciful, and kind. So why would this god send someone to hell! and eternally! You know, just because one does not accept christ, or allah, or whatever religion, does not mean they should be in hell. it does not make on a bad person. It breaks my heart to think that such innocent people could be in hell. Even if hell was not eternal, it is still gross!
2. Gay rights - You know, I am gay, and I have many gay friends. And it is not something I chose. Now I do not hurt anyone. I have a boyfriend, and we do have sexual intercourse.. But no one gets hurt. It is between me and him. Yet some religion has the audacity to tell me that I should be PUT TO DEATH for being gay. (Leviticus, and yes for some odd reason Jesus "fulfilled" those laws, but it is still there, and was still applied at a time. also in the qu'ran to "hurt them"). You know, what kind of god does that! You know, I give a ton of my money to charity, I volunteer at an animal shelter, I am a vegetarian, I care for people, I give to the poor as much as I can, there is a kid at school who I am taking my personal time to try and help him with personal issues, and I try to be as loving as possible. I am still far from perfect, but I can at least say that I am a descent person. And simply because I have sex with my boyfriend, I should be put to death, and go to hell.. How sick!
3. Evolution - Yeah, yeah, I have heard it before.. "Evolution and christianity are not exclusive." Hah, according to Paul, God is not the author of confusion. yet it looks like god confused us with his adam and ever creation stories and all that crap. same applies to other religions that hold such silly myths.
4. Making one worship him - Talking about SADISTIC. "I am an all perfect god, yet i am going to create this satan, i know everything to, but i am going to let him cause trouble in this world, then i am going to force people to worship me." Jerk!
5. Did you forget about the Indians! - Yeah, weird name I know, but I mean think about this.. Nowhere in the bible, qu'ran, veda's, anywhere does it mention that there are millions of indians on this other piece of land(The america's.) So not only did this god not tell us this information, but he did not send his christianity or islam or judaism to them!!
6. An all powerful god would not let evil happen - If god is all powerful, all compassionate, and can do anything he want, then why can't he just stop all this evil and make everything good. Why can't he stop rapists from doing their horrible things to children, or stop murders? why does he allow such!
7. Why a chosen nation? - why the jews and israel chosen? why not everyone totally equal! jews, christians, muslims, explanations please!
8. Why doesn't he just prove that he exists! - I mean if god created us to worship him, then why doesn't he prove to us that he exists! It is only logical!
9. The view of a perfect god - Definition of perfect is as follows:[SIZE=-1]being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish[from princeton university definition] . Ok, so if god is perfect, then he has NO defects. so he can NOT do evil. yet god created satan, as god created everything, am i wrong? and satan causes evil! so god can NOT be perfect if he allows such imperfection!
   [/SIZE]
10. [SIZE=-1]Just show some proof! - I mean would it be so impossible to just show some proof of a god? I mean what is so impossible about that! Yet no one can!!
    [/SIZE]

those are just a few. I mean I could make a list of dozens! But those are some of the main reasons

 

[variant]

I'm not a Christian because the Bible appears to me to be written and inspired by men, men with fairly obvious agendas, men with failings, men with prejudice, men with a poor understanding of their world, and men who lived in a late bronze age goat heading/ early iron age agricultural society, men who passed down stories from their ancestors trying to explain the world.

While these traditions may have been enough to help build and shape society as we know it, they also needed to be changed over the centuries with the varying cultural landscape.

I find the differing faces of God in the Bible to be stark, and I think that if a modern day Christian talked to a literal Abraham about the God/God's that he worships they would be struck by the dissimilarity of the God described by him in comparison to the God described by modern theologians.

I find it patently obvious that early Christianity was a sort of reformed Judaism, meant to appeal to the Hellenistic society which was mixing with theirs at the time. This was a society without a need or want for a sacrifice tradition, which was convenient since the temple got destroyed right about then.

The problem is that I have no ability to imagine a God that needs sacrifices of goats or lambs or god-men to be forgiving. It might make sense to a 1st century Jewish man, or a Greek man of that area, but not a 20th industrial empiricist such as me.

I guess I ask too many questions, or I think goats are cute or that anything that created the universe in one sentence should be ashamed to have innocent little goats killed on its behalf.

There are loads of other reasons but this is the line of thought that I had when you asked the question.

 

[Carey]

Some Christians seem to think that we non-Christians are inferior to them for having rejected Jesus. Really it doesn't make us weaker or dumber or lazier, just different - so let's clear up some misconceptions.

Why aren't YOU a Christian?

Well I am a Christian .

But the only reason anyone else is not a Christian is because they have been decieved by a force more powerful than they realize.

I gaurantee I can clear up any misconception of what
being a Christian is and answer why the misconception exists.

I can also clear up why someone feels lead down any alternate path.

But there are so many variables I would need to deal with each individually and answer specific questions posed.

God bless you all.

carey

 

[Tsixram]

Some Christians seem to think that we non-Christians are inferior to them for having rejected Jesus. Really it doesn't make us weaker or dumber or lazier, just different - so let's clear up some misconceptions.

Why aren't YOU a Christian?

Simply because I wish to apply a value to my life on my own, and not have my life's meaning, purpose, etc. dictated to me.

That, and I'm a humanist, and believe in things that make sense or are plausible (logically speaking...).

Lastly, because I focus on making this world better, rather than sitting here waiting for shallow promises of the next...

 

[Carey]

Simply because I wish to apply a value to my life on my own, and not have my life's meaning, purpose, etc. dictated to me.

That, and I'm a humanist, and believe in things that make sense or are plausible (logically speaking...).

Lastly, because I focus on making this world better, rather than sitting here waiting for shallow promises of the next...

To be a Christian is not to have your purpose dictated to you. What makes you think that?

The Bible makes perfect logical sense amybe some denominational doctrines don't but those doctrines are man made Humanistic.

And being a Christian has everything with making the world a better place now and in the future. VER VERY proactive.

Just thought you might want to know.

 

[Ramona]

Simply because I wish to apply a value to my life on my own, and not have my life's meaning, purpose, etc. dictated to me.

That, and I'm a humanist, and believe in things that make sense or are plausible (logically speaking...).

Lastly, because I focus on making this world better, rather than sitting here waiting for shallow promises of the next...

Agreed on all points, especially the third. Well met!

 

[Oxy2Hydr0]

Why aren't YOU a Christian?

Cause I dont think like a lamb or a sheep

 

[TheOutsider]

The Bible makes perfect logical sense.

There is a very LARGE number of people in GA (and in this thread) who would disagree with you on that one.

 

[Gardenia]

But the only reason anyone else is not a Christian is because they have been decieved by a force more powerful than they realize.

*sigh* I don't mean to be rude, but it is this sort of thinking which leads to the creation of this sort of thread..

 

[rhyddid_rose]

Bore da. Sut mae?

ok the reasons why I'm not a Christian are:

I dont agree with monotheism. Monotheism sets people up to hate and persecute those whom see God in different ways. I dont believe there is only one way to an infinite god. I see God/Divinity within Nature, which is alive; not in a book written by men which is static and doesn't change nor grow.

The Bible is not about my ancestors. It is not about the spiritual stories of the Celts, Germanics, West Africans and Cherokee. Why should I follow a foreign path which doesn't speak to my heart? Christianity is foreign.

I dont believe in 'sin'. What could I do to offend the Creator of the Universe? God is not human and doesnt have human attributes like hate and anger. God doesnt have to extort me with hell to get me to honour him. God doesnt have to use injustice (crucifixion) to 'save' me. I dont believe God wants me to grovel in fear; I stand before God with respect and honour.

There are some personal reasons why is well; I'm not going to get into it here.


Hail the Aesir; Hail the Vanir


Babochka

 

[Futuwwa]

1. Hell - By far one of the most disturbing things, and something that has always bugged me. You know, christians say that god is loving, and merciful, and kind. So why would this god send someone to hell! and eternally! You know, just because one does not accept christ, or allah, or whatever religion, does not mean they should be in hell. it does not make on a bad person. It breaks my heart to think that such innocent people could be in hell. Even if hell was not eternal, it is still gross!

A very short while before your deconversion, you very self-assuredly told us God would not be fair if he didn't send people to Hell for rejecting him. Was all that a facade of rationalization to avoid an inconvenient truth?

 

[Ramona]

[/list]A very short while before your deconversion, you very self-assuredly told us God would not be fair if he didn't send people to Hell for rejecting him. Was all that a facade of rationalization to avoid an inconvenient truth?

Probably, although in this case it's more of of horrible lie than it is an inconvenient truth.

 

[Futuwwa]

Well, "truth" as in that really being a teaching of classical Christianity (and most would say, the NT).

 

[Carey]

*sigh* I don't mean to be rude, but it is this sort of thinking which leads to the creation of this sort of thread..

So you don't believe in beings or forces vastly more powerful/ superior than humans??

 

[Carey]

Well, "truth" as in that really being a teaching of classical Christianity (and most would say, the NT).

Well this is off yopic but then why did Yeshua teach from the OT?

 

[Ramona]

Well, "truth" as in that really being a teaching of classical Christianity (and most would say, the NT).

Ah, ok. Gotcha. Then yes, I definitely agree with your previous statement - in fact, I used to be the same way.

 

[Futuwwa]

Inconvenient truth is just such a nice word

 

[Ramona]

Inconvenient truth is just such a nice word

Al Gore is your friend, then.

 

[Carey]

Good question! There are many reasons why... Here is a list of some of the reasons. I might speak about some of them that really in particular lead me away from Christianity..

1. Hell - By far one of the most disturbing things, and something that has always bugged me. You know, christians say that god is loving, and merciful, and kind. So why would this god send someone to hell! and eternally! You know, just because one does not accept christ, or allah, or whatever religion, does not mean they should be in hell. it does not make on a bad person. It breaks my heart to think that such innocent people could be in hell. Even if hell was not eternal, it is still gross!

Hell is not eternal. If you think hell is gross I guess you should say why let us die the first time??

1. Gay rights - You know, I am gay, and I have many gay friends. And it is not something I chose. Now I do not hurt anyone. I have a boyfriend, and we do have sexual intercourse.. But no one gets hurt. It is between me and him. Yet some religion has the audacity to tell me that I should be PUT TO DEATH for being gay. (Leviticus, and yes for some odd reason Jesus "fulfilled" those laws, but it is still there, and was still applied at a time. also in the qu'ran to "hurt them"). You know, what kind of god does that! You know, I give a ton of my money to charity, I volunteer at an animal shelter, I am a vegetarian, I care for people, I give to the poor as much as I can, there is a kid at school who I am taking my personal time to try and help him with personal issues, and I try to be as loving as possible. I am still far from perfect, but I can at least say that I am a descent person. And simply because I have sex with my boyfriend, I should be put to death, and go to hell.. How sick!

God loves you and wants what is best for you.
You know having sex with aaanother man is wrong . You feel it when you do it. Maybe not now but you did in the beginning. It is innate.
Homosexuality brings on disease. God could not have that early on while he was still getting the population to critical mass.So that the proper amount of humans would be born to complete his plan.
Yes you can repent and turn from yout choice fo that alternate lifestyle and either be celebate or marry a woman.
God will forgive you because of what his son Yeshua did for you.

1. Evolution - Yeah, yeah, I have heard it before.. "Evolution and christianity are not exclusive." Hah, according to Paul, God is not the author of confusion. yet it looks like god confused us with his adam and ever creation stories and all that crap. same applies to other religions that hold such silly myths.

The silly thing is ( cross species ) evolution.
Cave men were bigger smarter monkeys and Humans were put here way later.

Just like reptiles today are dumber and smaller so are the mammals.

If you want to call the mutation of the living creatures on earth to smaller and dumber evolution then yes evolution is rea;.

But there is no eveidence that a reptile became anything other than a mutated smaller dumber reptile just like these smart cave monkeys mistakenly called cavemen did not mutate into any thing other than the great apes we see today..

1. Making one worship him - Talking about SADISTIC. "I am an all perfect god, yet i am going to create this satan, i know everything to, but i am going to let him cause trouble in this world, then i am going to force people to worship me." Jerk!

God did this so that he could weed out the bad humans before he makes the vastly more powerful than any angel ever could dream of being.
This is why Satan hates humans he is jealous of what we can become after ressurection.

1. Did you forget about the Indians! - Yeah, weird name I know, but I mean think about this.. Nowhere in the bible, qu'ran, veda's, anywhere does it mention that there are millions of indians on this other piece of land(The america's.) So not only did this god not tell us this information, but he did not send his christianity or islam or judaism to them!!

Actually he did send all these thngs to them My great grand mother was full blooded Balckfoot Nation.
And every Native American today has the opportunity to examine all the religions you stated.

Also the Bible never said they did not exist. They were simply not mentioned because they were part of a later plan.

They came to the Americas when the tower pf Babel fell
about 10,000 years ago. Who knows exactly how long it tookfor them to get here.

1. An all powerful god would not let evil happen - If god is all powerful, all compassionate, and can do anything he want, then why can't he just stop all this evil and make everything good. Why can't he stop rapists from doing their horrible things to children, or stop murders? why does he allow such!

If you know anything about the natural laws of physics .you will understand why bad must exist.
For every action there is an opposite reaction.
So for the universe to exist and for alpha /omega beginning and end to meet there must be an opposite to
everything.
Draw a circle notice the beggining and the end meeting then becoming infinite once they are a full circle??
Also Satan is helping humans learn our way is wrong and Gods way is the only way to true peace and happiness within.
This is why you can see Christians totally at peace when they die of cancer or if you feed them to a lion as the romans did.

1. Why a chosen nation? - why the jews and israel chosen? why not everyone totally equal! jews, christians, muslims, explanations please!

Why do parents have favorite Children?? Know any body like that?? Ever wonder why a parent likes one more than another but loves them equally??

1. Why doesn't he just prove that he exists! - I mean if god created us to worship him, then why doesn't he prove to us that he exists! It is only logical!

He has proven he exists to many. Like with my miraculous healing of my broken neck.
But have you ever fealt you are wasting your time with a stubborn person and let them do something stupid because you knew they would'nt listen to you no matter what you did or said??

1. The view of a perfect god - Definition of perfect is as follows:[SIZE=-1]being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish[from princeton university definition] . Ok, so if god is perfect, then he has NO defects. so he can NOT do evil. yet god created satan, as god created everything, am i wrong? and satan causes evil! so god can NOT be perfect if he allows such imperfection! [/SIZE]

God created Lucifer his most beautiful Angel and Apple of his eye. BUt healso gave Lucifer free will to choose to be bad just like he did you.
God knew the opposite of good had to exist and he knew some would choose the wrong path.
But if he did not allow evil to exist how would we know what good is. what would we have to compare it too??

1. [SIZE=-1]Just show some proof! - I mean would it be so impossible to just show some proof of a god? I mean what is so impossible about that! Yet no one can!! [/SIZE]
2. My neck nealing is proof. But the existence of the state of Israel is the most obvious proof.

those are just a few. I mean I could make a list of dozens! But those are some of the main reasons

I pray I helped my friend. Sorry i cant mulyi quote so you will have to read my answers between your questions in the main body of the text

Carey

 

[Futuwwa]

Al Gore is your friend, then.

Well, how can you not love the man who invented the Internet!