I have never quite fit in, but felt that since my husband's family were Baptists that I should follow suit and raise our children accordingly. After 22 years of marriage, I divorced, but stayed in the church. I was treated as an outcast. Members I had known for years really snubbed me off. The singles group that I was in was an odd mixture of men and women of all ages and it was filled with either jealous women who could never try and even be a sincere friend, or people who exercised such religiosity that they were just plain kooks. The topper was when I borrowed my boyfriend's car while mine was in the repair shop and the rumors started flying that he had moved in. People said hurtful things about others until I just plain had enough of trying to be friends, that I left and haven't been back since last January. I'm weary of worrying about the end of the world and trying to believe that this life is not the high priority. Is religion all a lie to control the masses?
2006-12-20 14:56:11 · 15 answers · asked by lavenderbluelassie 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
wow. I wish I had a great answer 4 ya here. But I don't. I was raised a catholic in a good catholic home. I went threw a rebellious stage in my life where I didn't see eye to eye with how or who was running the church. Everyone seemed to be judging one another..."this person shouldn't be doing this" and "that person shouldn't be doing that". The way people acted made me leave the church...But I always practised my catholic faith at home. Around the age of 35 I decided I better get back to church for the sake of my kids...teach them good morals. I went back to church with the intention of not letting the people get to me. I think it was then that I realized that when I blocked out all the others and how they were acting...I could truly get the true blessing of the mass....it's just God and me in that church...the heck with everyone else.
It makes me a bit sad now when I hear someone leaving the church because of others...that's not right...they shouldn't be acting like that. But I hope you don't let those guys take away the the nice feeling the mass gives you. I'm not sure what other religion is like the Baptist Church...but maybe you could give another church that's similar to the Baptist a chance. Don't let them drive you out of the church...who do they think they are anyway. No ones perfect. (that's why we go to church)
Happy Holidays. :-)
2006-12-20 15:28:04 · answer #1 · answered by steve 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is religion a lie to control the masses?
It could be. I don't know if it's all a lie, but I think that some religions can be extremely controlling. The answer is up to your interpretation.
I think that maybe right now you are confused because the people in your church aren't treating you kindly (which is not very "Christian!!"). This might be a good time to see if your frustration is with religion in itself or the people at your church. Take some time to think about what it is that botheres you. If you want, go to another church, or explore some other religions. Maybe being Baptist isn't for you. Maybe being another Christian religion is. Maybe it's not. Ultimately, it's something you have to explore and figure out for yourself, as this is a very subjective area! I'm sure getting a divorce is not easy or fun, and maybe you need a fresh start, a different church where the people don't know you or don't judge people for getting divorced. I'm not Christian so I'm not trying to convince you to stay at any church, but you have to do what you feel is right. If you are having these doubts and questions, now is a great time to explore them. If you feel this life is a priority, it must be!
Best of luck to you.
2006-12-20 15:02:39 · answer #2 · answered by michelle 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Your situation is difficult.
People do not have a right to treat you badly. Sometimes people can be small, especially if the church congregation has become the end instead of the means to an end. It sounds dead.
It sounds like there is little room for further growth or opportunity to serve in this congregation.
It may be a message to move on. Pray on it, and act with courage. Change can be difficult, but rewarding.
Find a baptist church or similar church where you fit in better with the people and have a place where you can serve and grow.
2006-12-20 15:45:17 · answer #3 · answered by Jimmy Dean 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, you might want to go talk to your pastor about how you've been treated. He may be unaware. If you aren't satisfied with his reaction and handling of the situation, you might try a little church shopping. Be careful though. Make sure you are hearing the pure Word. You'll only know if you immerse yourself in the Word first. That's what you really need anyway regardless of the church you're in. It sounds like maybe you were for all those years just "playing church" for the sake of the family. Now you are at a point in your life where you can and need to do something just for your self. #1. Pray! #2 Pray a lot! #3 Develop a real, personal relationship with Jesus. That's what He created you for in the first place. Then trust Him with your life and He will lead you to the place that is best for you. #4 Pray some more.
God bless and prayers to you. For real Bible answers, go to www.bibleuniverse.com
2006-12-20 15:15:24 · answer #4 · answered by Devon 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Move to a different church pray that God will guide you to one where His fruits are prominent love patience forgiveness, ect... It does not sound as if there is much of it there. It does exist though. Something smaller where its more about Christ and less political might work. Denomination isn't whats important. It sounds horrible the way you were hurting and no one reaching out to you with comfort. I mean you borrowed a car to go to church and they made up stories and were eager to believe it. A different group of people who can more than claim to be Christians is who you want to associate yourself with. Look up the fruits of the Spirit in your bible. God says that is proof of His Spirit in us. So all that behavior must have been proof of something else. Just because the people who claimed to be your friend and sister/brother in the Spirit abandoned does not mean God has. In fact I'm sure He will hold them accountable for the behavior. Put your faith in God not people as they will always let you down.
2006-12-20 15:13:45 · answer #5 · answered by bess 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No sweetheart. Don't let a few nasty people taint how you feel about a loving God. Not all fellowships are like that. It sounds to me that you needed to get out of there. I would say very smart move considering how you were treated. Go to a different fellowship, perhaps nondenominational. I've found those pretty relaxing and a joy to go to. People aren't so legalistic. Pray for God to send you to a fellowship that can lift you up and edify you and help with your fears and where you can get to know more about the love of Christ and not just about snobby religeosity.
2006-12-20 15:03:16 · answer #6 · answered by sheepinarowboat 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's typical of a Baptist church, but I wouldn't extrapolate that to religion being a huge lie.
A suggestion then, try to separate your beliefs from what you expect socially within the church. Center on the beliefs, then find the church that matches your social needs.
2006-12-20 15:31:43 · answer #7 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, but all false religion will be destroyed because it gives God a bad name and your best bet would be to try to find the narrow road that leads to life and get off the road that leads to destruction. 21 years is a long time to be loyal to an organization that lies to you. Pray that God will lead you to the truth.
2006-12-20 16:29:20 · answer #8 · answered by Sparkle1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, honey - you simply had the bad fortune of being stuck in a church where the people are nosy and insensitive. It's the people who are causing the problem here, not you. Please look for another church, with kind people who will love you, respect you and treat you well, and you can grow in your relationship with God.
2006-12-20 15:01:17 · answer #9 · answered by Strange Design 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think religion works for some people and not for others.
I think for some people they have to use some common sense and some investigation to remain a member of their religion.
This is something you'll have to decide for yourself after you do some serious soul-searching.
And remember "religion" shouldn't have anything to do with other people....it's your personal relationship with God.
Good luck.
2006-12-20 15:04:20 · answer #10 · answered by daljack -a girl 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋