Curious.. is there anyone here on the board that may not be classified as "Christian" but that is genuinly interested in knowing more and making an educated decision on weather to believe or not?
Im not trying to convert anyone, I am just reading through a lot of the questions today and it seems like it is about 50% athiest ,25% snarkers (SPAM) and the other 25% undecided or other.
Where do you stand and why?
Happy New Year! :)
2006-12-29 03:32:10 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yadoncha.. geeze your that worried about spelling?? Get real
2006-12-29 04:32:43 · update #1
We are all children of God. I have accepted Jesus as The Christ.
God Bless you and have a safe and Happy New Year.
2006-12-29 03:38:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm a Pagan. I do not believe in the main doctrines of Christianity and most likely never will. I was a Christian when I was young, Wiccan during my teens, Agnostic (for lack of a better word) for a few years and then finally landed in general Paganism. I have studied Religions since I was about 14 yrs old. Have looked into the Greek and Hebrew languages of the Bible, as well as taking courses in Latin in order to better understand the translations of the early Christian era. I joined study groups, Christian and other. I've talked with people at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati (which is about 10 minutes from where I work) and have spoken with Reformed Jews as well as Kabbalists and Christian Pastors/Preachers, etc...
I stand where I am because that is where this Path has lead me. Between experiences and study, I have found no reason to believe in mainstream Religions. My own personal beliefs would not fall into the Modern Pagan category, but because there really isn't a label for my beliefs, it automatically falls in Pagan (meaning - Not a Christian/Jew/Muslim).
Happy New Year to you as well. :)
2006-12-29 12:03:31 · answer #2 · answered by Kithy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think the best thing would be to tell people that Jesus' real message of unconditional love was dramatically changed and put into the bible. Therefore, very little of it will be found there. A real Christian is someone who will be honest enough to see that there's clear evidence of people projecting their own thoughts and ego wishes onto Jesus and God and making them into what they want them to be. This is analogous to the 'good son' in the prodigal son parable who is annoyed that God doesn't match what he thinks he should be like. Unfortunately, this dynamic of projecting our expectations onto god is a common one and, when it's put into books and people are taught for millenia that these things are truth, it's extremely difficult to think otherwise. So ... I think we need to be careful of what we mean by 'Christian'. I would say that those who take the bible literally are not real Christians (but, instead, are those who have been fed the opposite of Jesus' message -- maybe we can call them Paulean Christians). Those who see Jesus and God as Unconditional Love would more properly be called 'Christian', because they are in line with Jesus' original, unchanged teachings.
2006-12-29 11:40:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I'm Wiccan. I was raised Christian. My uncle is a retired minister and my mother was a church secretary for 20 years. I "left the faith" because it didn't make any sense to me. God did not seem at all like a loving parent, and he certainly didn't seem like a good parent to me (I don't mean that as a jibe, just my personal feeling). My human parents didn't raise me to be completely dependant on them and incapable of making my own decisions. As a woman - and someone who plans to be a mother - that is what I define as good parenting and the entire point of raising children.
Plus, the complete and total lack of any female role models in Christianity never struck a chord with me. In addition to that, I saw my mother routinely taken advantage of and used as a church secretary. That isn't what I thought Christianity was about when I was growing up, and after years in school of mistreatment by my peers (the vast majority of whom attended my church), I came to the conclusion that I didn't want to be anyone's dormat because it seemed to be the Christian way to handle things. And the teachings of Christianity certainly seemed to me to preach that you shouldn't stand up for yourself, because "blessed are the meek". I am much happier and calmer now that I am Wiccan. It takes an awful lot more to upset me now than it ever did when I was a Christian, because there is no "love thy neighbor", "hate the sinner, not the sin" and "turn the other cheek". Wiccan teachings say it's perfectly okay to walk away from someone who is doing you harm. In fact, it is encouraged. "Do not spend time in the company of younger souls. They will only pull you down." Not only am I free from the animosity I feel towards people who would abuse me, but I have no guilt in simply saying, "I'm sorry you feel that way. I truly wish you a happy life," and walking away from the situation.
Happy New Year to you as well!
)O(
2006-12-29 11:45:00 · answer #4 · answered by thelittlemerriemaid 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi there.. I guess I'm in the OTHER category then.
I'm not undecided, as I was a christian for 20 years. I'm a pagan now. Why? years of studying the bible, then history and other beliefs, and finding that I the old ways are better suited to me.
Happy New Year to you!
2006-12-29 11:35:43 · answer #5 · answered by Kallan 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Happy New Years to you too!!
May you receive a pleasant unexpected surprise today!!
I think you forgot in the above comment/question the Christians that presently realize the multiple deviations from the scriptures.
2006-12-29 12:07:34 · answer #6 · answered by jefferyspringer57@sbcglobal.net 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i believe that christian are whats wrong with christianity. the bible has a simple message but some how christians mutle it up. why? why i s it so easy but you christians make it difficult . here's one thing that christians could do . feed the poor and hungry . there are so many damn churches in this country that have there doors closed to these people but have enough money to build these monstosities its a shame and christians need to realize that your focusing on the wrong things. God is greater than it all. why do you think he would give suckh wealth to ignorant people. well to help others that why.
2006-12-29 11:39:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i stand as a Born again Christian, a soldier, a servant and a child of God. many people call them self christians but the fact is that there are many kinds of christians this days. some say they are christians cause they go to church. some say they are christians cause they do good things. some say they are christians for many reasons. but the real christians are the once that Believe in God, pray and do the Commandments of God. and this where i stand as a Christian. that question is a Good question
2006-12-29 11:38:32 · answer #8 · answered by dijimon 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes everyone - you should all take advice on what faith to choose from a girl who doesnt know the difference between WEATHER and WHETHER.
Here is a lesson for you: "After WEATHERING my way through the Bible several times, it was not an issue as to WHETHER or not I was going to become a beleiver - the book is nothing more than a collection of fiction - and bad fiction at that."
2006-12-29 11:36:17 · answer #9 · answered by YDoncha_Blowme 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I used to be an atheist. But after doing some research on the origin of life and the universe, there is no doubt in my mind that there must be a God. I believe in the God of the Bible.
2006-12-29 11:34:29 · answer #10 · answered by sfumato 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I classify myself as a Christian, but I am always seeking . . . . and I still read about other beliefs and religions. Why? Because I don't believe one religion holds the monopoly on truth. God doesn't have a religion, does he?
2006-12-29 11:37:23 · answer #11 · answered by Freedspirit 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋