In today’s trying times and when people are being strong-armed to do something (get vaxxed) and being told NOT to do something (practice religion) then something is amiss.
Around the world people of faith are being persecuted more than ever. I’m far from forcing my beliefs on anyone but science doesn’t have an answer for everything. In fact it seems quite the opposite these days. Being beaten over the head with so called facts doesn’t make for productive discussion.
Not to get too personal, but my wife and I have been out of church for a long time. Of course the answer is to find a place right for us but it’s also nice to fellowship with likeminded folks with common interests. Feel welcome to send me a message if you’d prefer.
People of faith have always been persecuted…albeit things today seem to have really hit a high (or low depending on your POV).
Faith has really helped me a lot over the last couple years. I find myself struggling the most when I engage God the least. When I get back to building my relationship with Christ, things always improve…if only my optimism and perspective. May sound hard to believe for some, but I definitely find peace through the Son.
The enemy is definitely out there…that is the “world”. If we are talking about “Christianity” specifically and not some broad and nebulous “faith” that encompasses every religion possible, then, if they hated Jesus, then they will hate us, it’s the way of an unbelieving and God cursed world. BUT… judgement begins in the house of God…if you look at just this forum, and specially the people who claim some sort of “Christian” faith here, for the most part, what you see is men who blaspheme regularly, use filthy language regularly, and engage themselves in lustful participation in generally lewd threads. The church is divided and weak, full of false teaches, unfaithful heirlings, and the people in the pews love it. In the end, so called “conservative” Christians esteem the Constitution higher than the scriptures…the religion of “Constitutionalism” reigns supreme. I trust Jesus alone…period.
People will always disappoint and never live up to expectations. Sometimes people in the clergy who are supposed to be God-fearing and righteous, turn out to be rotten to the core. I came to the conclusion a long time ago that organized religion most of the time is just a business, and somehow misses the true spiritual relationship with God or a Supreme Being. It has become a production with “services” that involve uplifting musical performances, the collection plate, then the canned message.
For me, I can find God sitting on a rock or leaning up against a tree, watching the clouds float by, and all you hear is the wind rustling or an occasional bird. And this setting may be many, many miles from another human. Sometimes you just have to cut out all the societal noise and get away. I have that luxury of living in the great American Outback.
Reminds me of a Three Dog Night song, recorded in 1969, but released in 1970: “Out in the Country”. The line that always connected with me is:
“I stand alone, and take back something worth remembering”.
What strikes me most about this today is persecution seems to be the “in” thing because people seem to believe Christians are forcing their beliefs on others. I find it mostly the opposite as we just want to be mostly independent and not forced to do things against our will (vax or healthcare services in general we don’t agree with but have to pay for). Also, what’s so wrong about wanting to share your happiness and beliefs? People are welcome not to listen.
It’s funny you mention foul language because that has become a sticking point with me as well lately. Not only my own language but in forums, entertainment and the public as well. Although being a sin of course, why can’t people just show respect by not always using filthy language?
Freedom of speech has become perverted as any speech regardless of how depraved. The belief of freedom to do anything one chooses in all actuality.
To me getting back to nature and basics has become a great help. The one thing good for me to come out of the great lockdown.
I was finding material possessions and always needing the latest and greatest tacticool accessories. Instant gratification in general. Sometimes it’s harder (nothing valuable is ever truly easy) to see meaning in the simple things. Which turn out not to be so simple after all.
Got mangled in a car wreck in 2014. 5 x broken ribs, concussion, collapsed lung. Couldn’t see, couldn’t walk.
Not a soul from the church where I’d attended for 20 years came to the hospital to visit. None called, none texted. “People are busy living their lives,” the pastor said.
Never went back.
The behavior of Christians today is something I find very troubling. They’ve degenerated into an arrogant and self-righteous lot, quick to condemn others and without natural affection - they are cult-like. We have a few such headcase zealots here on M4C fitting this description to perfection, but there are many others running loose in America, as well.
There’s nothing to be gained from church or being around church people, today. Count me out.
The problem with most if not all concerning happiness is that to get to that happiness part you have to first understand and take hold of how undone you really are. Most unbelievers today will be happy to tell you how happy their life is without needing some ancient rabbi telling them how to live.
John 15:20 (NASB)
“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
Taking the Lord’s name in vain is more than just using His name as a curse word. As a Christian I am an adopted child of God and an ambassador for Christ. If I am not living in a way that glorifies Him then I am taking His name in vain.
To those who say you don’t need the church I ask why did G-d establish the church then? You are not rejecting an institution of man but of G-d. If the people in your church don’t display Christ, then you have the option of finding a new church or being the example at church.
Also, I think the first commandment is much more about carrying the name of G-d as a Christian well than the specific words that come out of your mouth. Too many people have conflated political freedom and American politics with being a Christian. In fact I believe Paul specifically wrote about not exercising his freedoms to avoid being a stumbling block to others coming to the faith. He was much more concerned about his witness than his freedom. I see very little of that in most Christians lives today.