Want to know what it cost's to become a disciple of Jesus Christ? (Look here)

reply to post by benedict9

You have been hurt by your church group it seems...

Not at all.

Peace to you. Klassified.

reply to post by wildtimes

Are you open to a dialogue about what brought you to "leave" the cult? I would really like to hear more about your experience.

I originally left the church because what I saw and experienced in the "leadership" was horrifying. The church, as a whole, is a microcosm of our government. Or is it the original template?

I left the cult when I found out that's what it is. A government sanctioned, and publicly accepted cult. Nobody could have convinced me of that but myself. It took a willingness to go against all the decades of brainwashing, and seek out the truth over a long period of time.

IMO, if there is a deity we might refer to as "god", you won't find him/her in christianity or under any other label. You'll find him/her personally, and there won't be any book to go by. It will be a one on one relationship built from the ground up.

reply to post by Klassified

IMO, if there is a deity we might refer to as "god", you won't find him/her in christianity or under any other label. You'll find him/her personally, and there won't be any book to go by. It will be a one on one relationship built from the ground up.

At this point in my life, which has spanned over half a century, I am of the same thinking as yours above. Nevertheless, I've just started a thread inquiring as to how ANY faith leader approaches a potential "follower". I guess I'll see what comes of it, if anything.

But thanks for responding. It has been my experience, many times over, that when I've been so intrigued with a field or idea that I became an insider, to explore, learn it better, and know what goes on behind the scenes, that I was disillusioned once I got inside and saw the workings.

Star for your reply
--wt

reply to post by Klassified

I originally left the church because what I saw and experienced in the "leadership" was horrifying. The church, as a whole, is a microcosm of our government.

Hi Klassified

So was it the actions of men in the church that separated you from your Faith in Christ, or was that completely a decision you made independently of their negative influence? Because when I mentioned hurt I meant that they had damaged your Faith--and that is why I mentioned my walk being personal and it has Served well.

I can only express that one should strive for a personal relationship with the Father, for those in bearing/alignment will eventually be led to His Son. There was a time prior to confirmations that like you I doubted and questioned and re-questioned, so I do not condemn or bear ill will to anybody who bears such.

On my path, Father has kept me away from the churches of men in operation (in the name of Christ) and the more I discover of their 'internal workings' I understand why.

Peace to you in turn brother and Blessings for the new year.

Originally posted by lonewolf19792000

Originally posted by 547000
He who loves his life will lose it, but he who loses his life for His sake, well...

Unless there is an afterlife, life is futile and worth nothing. It doesn't matter how much happiness or pleasure you attain, it's all for naught, because there will come a day where neither you exist nor your memories of pleasure and happiness you exist. On the other hand if heaven exists, all the tiny sacrifices in life will seem trivial, because you've gained paradise. If there is an afterlife, but no heaven, again your sacrifices seem trivial. In view of this people complaining about what they lose by following Christianity seem foolish.

edit on 2-1-2012 by 547000 because: (no reason given)

I don't see it as losing anything, i never had anything to begin with. Even my life doesn't belong to me, it belongs to the force that created me. If he wants it back he can have it because i am unimpressed by what this world offers.

Temptation do do wrong things are still high. You might have a lust-filled dream and get the temptation to look at porn when you wake up. You might feel the temptation to break copyright laws, as almost everybody you know does. But you must resist such temptations because neither the unchaste nor thieves are going to heaven.

reply to post by 547000

Temptation do do wrong things are still high. You might have a lust-filled dream and get the temptation to look at porn when you wake up. You might feel the temptation to break copyright laws, as almost everybody you know does. But you must resist such temptations because neither the unchaste nor thieves are going to heaven.

Ah but what is the context of that? Jesus forgives all sins except blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. If you belong to him you no longer do those things, you are covered by his blood. it does not mean it's a license to sin but the entire theme behind being saved by grace is that no man can stop sinning on his own. The mosaic laws were given to us to prove that without the Messiah we would all die in our sins. Even if you had a dream about having sex with another woman who was not yours is the same as doing it, it is lust wether or not it is in your dreams. So even your dreams could damn you. Sin is engrained in the nature of man so deeply that no matter how hard we try we will never be free of it on our own and this is what the mosaic laws were designed to show us. On our own power we will be destroyed.

reply to post by benedict9

So was it the actions of men in the church that separated you from your Faith in Christ, or was that completely a decision you made independently of their negative influence? Because when I mentioned hurt I meant that they had damaged your Faith--and that is why I mentioned my walk being personal and it has Served well.

It would have taken a lot more than anyone's actions in the church to separate me from my faith in christ. I was staunch. As a christian, I never blamed God for the actions of those in the church. I became an atheist through much study, obversation, and personal experience.

It sounds as though you have read and studied for yourself, and have reached your own conclusions apart from the "church" as to how you think you should live and believe. Good for you. I can definitely respect that.

reply to post by Klassified


Good with a capital G--I like that, for He has certainly been Good to me

For me it was a case of seeking validity to things 'Given' (retained memories from childhood), which at the time made little rational sense. This is essentially what prompted a hungry pursuit for Truth for well over a decade. In that period so much more has been revealed via direct experiences and is what has essentially prompted the sharing that has taken place here--even if certain elements of the sharing are things that may challenge another's idea of reality/conscious perspective.

In essence I can only hope that what is shared inspires further seeking---for Truth must be realised first hand for it to Truly take effect on a soul.

His Spirit will be poured out to all the Children of earth in due course to provide further opportunity for a Return to the Fold, for Our Father is Loving and Merciful. In ying yang earthly dimensional balance however, the adversaries will exert their influence in turn.

We will all find our Way through Eternity although your work with Him is not done yet---not by a long shot .

Originally posted by lonewolf19792000
reply to post by 547000

 

Temptation do do wrong things are still high. You might have a lust-filled dream and get the temptation to look at porn when you wake up. You might feel the temptation to break copyright laws, as almost everybody you know does. But you must resist such temptations because neither the unchaste nor thieves are going to heaven.

Ah but what is the context of that? Jesus forgives all sins except blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. If you belong to him you no longer do those things, you are covered by his blood. it does not mean it's a license to sin but the entire theme behind being saved by grace is that no man can stop sinning on his own. The mosaic laws were given to us to prove that without the Messiah we would all die in our sins. Even if you had a dream about having sex with another woman who was not yours is the same as doing it, it is lust wether or not it is in your dreams. So even your dreams could damn you. Sin is engrained in the nature of man so deeply that no matter how hard we try we will never be free of it on our own and this is what the mosaic laws were designed to show us. On our own power we will be destroyed.

Well, I disagree. I believe if someone dies in a state of mortal sin without the presence of God's grace, they go to hell. I think the protestant understanding is just wishful thinking, coupled with throwing away sacred tradition, mistakenly believe ALL tradition is wrong.