Spiritually confused seeking advice ...?

Question

I've always considered myself Christian. I believe in God and that Jesus is the son of God and our savior. However, I don't believe in literal creationism, original sin, or the idea of Hell -- I think that life continues for the saved but not for the unsaved. I don't believe in the endtime prophecies per Revelation. I have prayed about these things and feel strongly in my heart that man has corrupted these ideas in order to instill fear and gain control over people.

It has been brought to my attention from several other Christians that I am a hypocrite, that not accepting all of these things means that I have not accepted all of Christ, so I must not be saved. I know that it doesn't matter what other people say, only my relationship with God ... but its very hard when you want to be involved and fellowship with others who do not understand you and see you as being fake.

Is there anyone who has experienced anything similar? Any advice at all?

Answer 1

YOU are not the hypocrite. You are trying to be a good christian. You sound like you are trying to follow the example Christ was trying to teach, the very point of Christianity.

The ones who say things like 'all or nothing' or 'you can't pick or choose' - they're the hypocrites as that is exactly what they do on a daily basis. How many of these people who were slinging the hypocrite label at you wear clothing made of more than one thread? How many eat shellfish or pork? How many have been divorced, prayed in ANY public place, are male and have long hair, are female and wear pants and/or jewelry? These are all the things they are NOT supposed to be doing and yet do.

We could sit here all day and discuss it, but it all boils down to the lame "that was the old testament law" argument. Well, Jesus said “For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven”-Matthew 5:18-19 RSV

Oopsie. Looks like the biblical literalists you were hanging out with are the hypocrites, doesn't it? Point this out to them and see how much they change. Bet they don't. But remember, "Judge not, that ye not be judged..." Matt. 7:1

You are not a literalist, so you are not being a hypocrite. You are being honest. I'm sure your god appreciates that, along with your open heart to his message, more than anything else. I know that's what's important to my Gods and Goddesses.

~Morg~

Answer 2

(This is not cut and paste, I really wrote this, lol)

I personally don't think you need a book to know God. Maybe those people that do don't understand that. If they believe Jesus really existed they should believe he has the power to communicate with you.

Here's my argument against the bible being literal and infallible (not an argument against Christianity):

God is called evil all the time because if he is all powerful and all knowing he should do something about all the evil in the world. To not do so would make him evil.

The argument back is that we are given freewill, and cause our own suffering and evil and God won't take away our freewill, not even to help someone.

If God will not take away freewill to help people, and he is a good God, it must be because He really won't take away freewill at all.

If the scribes and translators and keepers of the bible over the years had freewill, they could have tampered with it.

We know the Catholic Church controlled the bible, and that at that time, the Church was the Government. We know they were trying to convert people. We know they were bad people who used murder and force. We know they had control of the bible.
And from this argument, we know they had freewill.

People say God has his ways of keeping the bible perfect, but unless He took away scribe's freewill, that's not possible.

Also, the fact that there are tons of English translations alone that you can draw vastly different conclusions from means it's not infallible. There are discrepansies.

Good luck, and don't let anyone make you feel that you worship your God any less better than they do. You know your relationship, and that's what matters. But I thought my argument might help you if you had to defend yourself.

Answer 3

Funny - the ancient Church didn't believe in literal creationism, original sin, a literal hell or a literal fulfillment of Revelation either. All of those ideas were added to Christianity many centuries after the time of Christ. You should do some shopping around and find a more traditional Christian denomination (like the Greek Orthodox).

Ancient theologians rejected the idea of a young earth, and interpreted the six days of creation as an allegory. Literal creationism is rejected by the world's largest Christian denomination.

Original sin was invented by Augustine of Hippo, 5th century AD. It is rejected by the world's 2nd largest denomination.

Hell as a created place of torment dates to the Council of Ferrara-Florence, 15th century. It is also (sort of) rejected by the world's 2nd largest denomination.

The idea of Revelation as describing future events dates to the 1820's. This is called Dispensationalism, and is only accepted by approximately 2% of the Christian population world-wide.

Answer 4

Don't let others persuade you to their faith. We all experience Christianity and Spirituality differently.
I have always been a Christian, believing in God and the Bible, and have only gone to church on and off in my life. I have learned that church is a man-made thing. God does not require us to attend church and give money or tithe to a church. He does however require us to help others and live in peace and in a loving manner.
I attended a church, volunteering many hours, for 12 year. Then my eyes opened. The administrator and associate pastor was living in sin. I found out he not only was having affairs but that he lived a life of Power. He was a youth coach and coached both my kids when they were small hurting them over and over. I could not longer take it and told him I would never set foot in his church again and I kept my promise. How could I let a sinner preach to me?

I go to different churches every now and again but feel I dont always belong. I feel some are full of those looking for your money. They spend more time feeding their church pockets that feeding those that need their guidance and help. Not all but many.

The last 3 years I have been studying Spiritualism. I know many churches would frown but I have let my soul grow more than any church could do for me. I have read books, talked to Mediums, taken classes on Self Discovery and am now a better individual.
I still believe in God, Jesus and the Bible but I also know that our soul is eternal, there is no Hell, that we live many lives, and that we are here on this earth for our souls to grow and learn. God wants us to be more like him and closer to him. We are here to learn the 10 Attributes to our Best Life:
wisdom, understanding, courage, love, tolerance, patience, compassion, faith, hope, and forgiveness.
When we learn these we become the soul God intended. But it can take many lifetimes to learn these. We really have to work at it.
I have had so many amazing things happen to me once I openned the door to Spirituality. Things are coming true that never had a chance before. I have met my angels and guides and now have a direct path to follow. You can too.
Do I want to attend church? Yes. Do I feel I need the fellowship of others? Maybe.
I was told to check out a Spiritualistic Church and I may. I now have an open heart, and open mind, and an open soul. I am leaning so much faster than any pastor could teach me all in my home.
If you want your soul to grow, learn all you can and help others learn too.

Answer 5

Yes, that's what happened to me, I eventually left Christianity then the Christians stopped calling me a hypocrite.

It is not necessarily though for you to take the bible literally, not all followers of Jesus do. It is mythology, it's meant to be symbolic anyways. To take it literally strips it of any beauty or truth. So you are on the right tract with your line of thought. You can still love and worship Jesus without a religion you know. In fact, I think Jesus would be appalled at many of the teachings that Christians hold today. You have to keep in mind that most of the NT was written by Paul long after Jesus came and went.

Answer 6

A Lord owned a large beautifull land, which had many people living on it whom He loved. One day, the Lord decides to take a journey away from his land. He leaves no body in charge , because every body on the land are his children, both daughters and sons. As time goes by, some of the people begin to lose faith and fear, so much in fact, that they begin to believe that if they do not do certain things, they will be punished when there Father, the Lord, returns.

They give themselves the title of Leader, and begin to preach to others in the land, there belief s, and warn everyone that if they do not do as the Leader says , then there Father, the Lord, shall punish them when He returns.

Some begin to follow the Leader, and others decide not to, for they know How much there Father, the Lord truely loves them.

Yet the Leader and his followers, decide to banish those whom do not follow him, and throw others out of the land.

One day, the Lord of the land, there Father, finally Returns. And when He does, He notices that many of his children were not there.

Asking around , He finds out what happened, and therefore, brings forth to Him, the leader and all the leaders followers.

And the Lord, there Father, asks them ," You sent forth some of my children from there Home here in my land . Why did you do this?"

The leader and his followers answered," We did this for You, showing our love to you we did so in your name too , to cleanse your land my lord father."

With this, the Lord, Father got Very angery, " You did NOTHING for ME ! You have sent forth MY CHILDREN into Darkness and what s worse is You did so In my NAME !! For this YOU shall recieve the SAME punishment you gave those you judged."

And with that said, He banished the leader and all his followers , and threw them out of his land into darkness

Answer 7

It is sad that you must defend or explain yourself to others regarding your spiritual beliefs - Our relationship with God is very personal and unique - questioning spirituality is very healthy - it's the only way to get to some point of understanding and acceptance, and it strengthens your bond to him. To your advocates - tell them he who is without sin, cast the first stone? Judge not or be judged. Use their ignorance and closed mindedness to silence them. If their goal is to be "Christ-like" in this lifetime - are their words and actions very "Christ-like"? I think not. Most people follow the main road to a particular destination - others make trails and find their own way. Good luck to you.

Answer 8

sweetheart you arent a hypocrite
if things dont make sense then they simply dont make sense
and do you think Jesus would want you to follow blindly ?
many true Chrisitians i know have also been where you are and decided just to follow the words of Jesus himself
and i ( as a non Christian ) feel that is what is most important
isnt it about accepting Jesus ?
please dont worry so much
perhaps find a church that is more open to you and will help you in your search
much love xx

Answer 9

The only advice that I can offer is that the Word of God is not like a smorgasbord where you can pick and chose.
You either believe it all or none at all.
I know that sounds harsh and I don't mean it to , but that the truth as I see it.
Continue to pray and seek God and the answers will come over time.

Answer 10

You say that you believe in God, and his son, Jesus Christ and part of believing him means believing in his word, the Bible. If you can believe God but not his word, then you have some real issues. Keep on praying and you're sure to hear an answer from God, but be warned, it may not be what you like.