Why do some people say that if I left Christianity, then I never really was a Christian to begin with?

Question

And that if I ever truly believed in Jesus, then I still would?

So - only "true" Christians remain Christians all of their life, huh?
Anyone who leaves is a "fake" or a "fraud", huh?
That's the proof of a "true" Christian?

Anyone ever think that this sort of rhetoric possibly contributes to causing others (or at least me) to decide to leave; causes one to change his/her mind/heart/spirit?

Why do I even care?

(Sorry for a series of questions, but they all stem from the same comment.)

Ahem - is it not possible that I can following Jesus' teachings of compassion and NOT be a Christian, or are those teachings only relevant to those of that particular religion. If so, then might I note that Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) taught compassion centuries before Jesus.

Answer 1

You can leave Christianity and still have Christ, even if you're a Buddhist or a student of the Buddha. Christ has nothing to do with religion -- Christ is the 'Enlightener' aspect of Divine (which we are all one with at our deepest level of Being!). Once we are Enlightened (transcending fear based ego --'Christ-embodied) we are always That. Once the ego is let go of, there's nothing appealing about it anymore.

Christians, for the most part, are not following the transformative teachings of Christ WITHIN...and in fact there is little resembling Christ in Christianity. You can't 'get Christ' by reading a book -- Christ is discovered only by going within (not that reading scripture is bad, but without 'eyes that see' (enlightened eyes) the scriptures are interpreted through ego -- big trouble there!!) But then Buddhism has also been downgraded from the original teachings of the Buddha. There have been very few truly enlightened ones in our world thus far (imo Christ was the highest enlightened being ever -- a 'seed' of an Enlightened society).

'Followers' generally don't really 'get it' or embody the Truth. 'Forgive them, for they know not what they do.' :-)

Blessings in Christ Mind

Answer 2

You hit on a topic matter i've got been milling over for years. in my view, boiling issues right down to there base, and the basic question right this is - what's a Christian? The 'as quickly as-stored, continually stored' thought, besides with the aid of fact the prospect that salvation could be lost each and each, have supporters interior the Christian faith. some would argue that the previous Christian, modern-day atheist, is destined to return to Christianity. yet i'm uncertain why this is insulting. I agree that the quote is handy, and to a great quantity a cop out, yet how does this insult somebody who does not have confidence that there is a God? i think this is going back to the question of what a Christian is. Why does not you view this persons remark as authentic for all professed Christians with the aid of fact there is not any God, and that salvation isn't something extra desirable than an artifact surpassed down from one needy era to the subsequent, as some form of placebo? right here would additionally be ideal: did evil = all and sundry left the religion = no longer a 'authentic' Christian, or left the religion = salvation isn't certain, or left the religion = for a time, yet is destined to return

Answer 3

Some believe that if you were truly a christian you would not want to leave, other say that because Jesus said "no one has the power to take from him that which the father has given him" but the truth is No one does have the power to take but we do have a choice rather to keep on following or not, and yes you are right there are a lot of religions that have high morals, and some even keep the commands of God better than some Christans I know but here is the truth rather you accept it or not, everyone is a sinner no matter how great their morals are, and the wages of sin is death. Known as the second death which is separation from God because God can not even look at sin because he is Holy, Jesus paid the price for your sin and without his spirit that God promised to give to us (Ezekiel 36:26) we can not live a life that is pleasing to God and if we try to live according to the law we have to live it fully but we would be "under the curse of it". evidently you do care or you would not have even bothered posting the question, so maybe you need to do some soul searching.

Answer 4

They can't handle the fact that you have your own views and don't need to look in the bible for every thing you should do in life. A few years ago I decided to leave the christian church. Why? Lets just say I was cornered in the sanctuary and was told that I'm not a real christian if I didn't speak in tongues and that my faith depended on me doing that right then and there. There were other views I had that conflicted with stuff in the bible but that incident really disgusted me. I had a relationship with god at the time they did this. No one but you and god know if you ever had a relationship together. I still speak to god even though I practice wicca. He is my male half or horned god. It feels right to me to ask for guidence in that way but with the mother goddess as well. Some people are probably wondering how that works and even though I don't have it worked down to the core to tell you, it just feels right. Hope my story of struggle helps. Just keep on doing what your doing. You'll find your way.

Answer 5

You can't give up something you've never had.
However, if you left Christianity, I would wonder, why. What caused the departure. Many leave because of the hypocrisy they see. Many "christians" preach one thing and live another way. Others leave because they don't agree with what their church teaches. One of the things that might surprise many is finding out that almost every major doctrine taught in the churches today is not found in the Bible.

Now if you left Christianity because of reasons like that, I would say you were justified.

Jesus indicated that there would be those who would claim to be his followers but wouldn't have his approval. Notice what he said at Matthew 7:21-23  “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.  Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’  And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew YOU! Get away from me, YOU workers of lawlessness.
Jesus Christ acknowledges as his disciples only persons who are doing the will of his Father.

Being a "true" Christian involves taking in accurate knowledge of Jesus and his Father. That is the only way to make sure first, what God's will is and second, that we are doing it. It takes more effort than most people want to put into it.

The identifying mark of a "true" Christian is love. -John 13:35
The Greek word for this type of love is agape'. Agape' is a moral or social love based on deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty, and propriety, sincerely seeking the other’s good according to what is right.

Answer 6

I'm sorry for your experience, but I know why thye would think that way.
The power of the presence of the glory of God is such a very awesome feeling, that anyone who experiences it has a hard time comprehending anyone wanting to leave it. its such an awesome thing to know that you're standing in the presence of the creator of the universe.
I hope that you would try to find what I'm talking about, it cant be put into words how wonderful it is, every word ever written in every language since the dawn of civilization couldnt begin to describe his wonder and majesty, it must be experienced.

Answer 7

It is something called disowning. It's like many asian family who disown their child saying they don't deserve the family name. This is to save the families name from being tainted or dishonored. Same with Christians. They don't want Christianity to look bad. It's the easiest way to "save face".

Here are other example:

If you killed someone, you are not a Christian to begin with.
If you have an abortion, you are not a Christian to begin with.
If you are molest a child, you are not a Christian to begin with. (Does not apply to Priest and Pastors)

PS: Tasa, I love you... spiritually that is.

Answer 8

theres a difference between believing Jesus existed, and knowing Him on a personal level. that should answer the Q

Answer 9

If you truely give you life and heart to Christ, you will never leave Him, Not only will you receive His grace but, your quility of live will be so much better. Whats wrong will loveing others as you love yourself, as I see it , what do you have to lose?

Answer 10

Christianity is FULL of rhetoric. They're the rhetoric masters. Blessed be.