Why are you not a Christian

[Ninot]

My first response would be that I wasn't indoctrinated while growing up. Had I been, I might very well be a christian.

My second response is that while I find the holy books to be pretty reasonable moral guides, I think the rest of it is for gullible saps who need a good story.

[Krill]

Because uring my formative years I never believed in anything, not god, or especially myself. I don;t view myself as Christian purely because I like to be contrary and to make others shore up their arguemants and to be certain that they are sure of their own faith. If God does exist and I get condemned to a fiery hellhole such as Texas so be it.

[Geronimo]

Originally posted by Blake
One of the nice things about Buddhism is you get personal proof that there is no God.

no. Someone can be Buddhist and experience no such personal proof. I suppose you'll counter that such a person is not truly a Buddhist but that's no different from a Christian that says a Christian who experiences no personal proof of God's existence is not truly a Christian.

[Blake]

Originally posted by Geronimo


no. Someone can be Buddhist and experience no such personal proof. I suppose you'll counter that such a person is not truly a Buddhist but that's no different from a Christian that says a Christian who experiences no person proof of God's existence is not truly a Christian.

Someone could call themselves a Buddhist and experience no such personal proof. But if someone follows the Buddha's path (successfully), they will gain such understanding.

[BlackCat]

Taking the question serious - people borne into noncrhristian societies has a tendency to be nonchristians - people borne in christian societies and that aren't any longer christians has either converted into another religion or descided that religion is a fake.

The real question is actually why you are a christian - have you studied the wast amount of religions and desiced that christianity is the best or have you from childhood been "indoctrinated" (not the word I wanted to use, but too drunk to find the right - more like "that is how we do it in our society") into christianity ?

[Ben Kenobi]

That doesn't sound so attractive to me Blake.

Christians can have and do have those experiences, but it's not lack of faith that keeps other Christians from seeing them. They come when they will when they will, not according to our desires.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Blake
One of the nice things about Buddhism is you get personal proof that there is no God.

Why does it matter? God, The Way, whatever bull**** you want to fill your head with, it's all the same. Life sucks and there's nothing you can do about it. Accept it.

People who don't delude themselves into thinking of supernatural bull**** gain a better grasp on the realities of the world around them.

[VetLegion]

Originally posted by onodera
The mystical part of Christianity is as true as Greek myths to me, and though the ethical part is compatible with my ethics, it's not enough to call myself a Christian.

So... you turn the other cheek?

*slaps onodera*

[Blake]

Originally posted by Asher
Life sucks and there's nothing you can do about it. Accept it.

Funny, that's almost exactly what the Buddha said.

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
Christians can have and do have those experiences, but it's not lack of faith that keeps other Christians from seeing them. They come when they will when they will, not according to our desires.

Just out of curiosity, how do christian "experiences" differ from belivers of other religions "experiences" ?

[Grandpa Troll]

I am a Christian.

I am certainly not perfect, only forgiven.

Hebrews 11:1 States Faith is the substance of things hoped for and things yet unseen

God gave us his only begotten Son and whomever so shall believe on him and call him Lord shall have everlasting (eternal) life.

Salvation or the Gift from God is not legalistic in nature, it cannot be earned by being "Good" or following all the commandments, it is a Gift. Free and without merit, save the actual act of obedience of announcing Christ as Savior.

I would not try to post here and tell anyone they are wrong and will burn in Hell, although that is what God's word says, whomever shall not call upon the Christ or Messiah, shall perish and live in the everlasting lake of fire.

I am sorry I am not the witness I should be, it troubles me the more I want to do the right thing, say the right thing or share the right words, I often fail and fall short of the Glory of God.

I do however share God loves all peoples, he never in my recollection, stated he hated any person, however state he abhors sin.

I share I would hope all accept him as their Savior.

I am not a judge, jury or executioner.

As for religion, yes, people cannot pollute and dilute and try to harness it to suit their needs, wants and desire.

Can I stand here before my fellow man and woman and say I am without Sin?

No! Never and only through the Blood of Christ will I be made whole.

Do I wander on thoughts of Sin and desire of carnal pleasures, most certainly and am under constant attack and yes, too often I do willingly unlatch the gate to my heart and yes invite sin in and sup with it.

This is wrong.

Am I an outcast of Heaven, perhaps, because Heaven hath no place for these things, that is where Christ and his sacrifice comes in.

Have I made inappropriate humor and references?

Yes, wrongfully.

Am I going to heaven when I am through on earth as a mere mortal human?

Yes, 110% sure, because of God's written and inspired word tells me.

Do I fancy or even with Haughty Spirit seek a rod of judgement to cast ugliness upon my fellow man, NO!

I love all men and women and wish no ill will or harm.

Have I ever made wrong remarks or bitten at people?

Yes and I am ashamed of such behavior.

Where does this put me, well, according to Sir Elok I am longwinded.

According to Nikolai I sometimes do say wrong things.

Why do I mention these folks?

becasue they are right.

But I am Bruce, not Elok and Not Nikolai. I am only because thats my individual trait.

I hopefully wont be penalized for being long winded.

I was abused growing up. P!$$ed on, beaten within an actual inch of my life, held down and 13 years of age, ribs kicked in until broken, head held still by thugs and front three teeth kicked out of my head, then had to live amongst those thugs and be taunted and tormented for several more years. I was in such inner turmoil I contemplated suicide at an early age. I turned to drugs and alcohol at 15. I was on my own at 16 because I was kicked out of my house, my dad told me I could not live under his roof because at that age I was hanging with outlaw Motorcycles Clubs, The Sons of Satan from New Brunswick Canada and the St Croix Bikers from Washington County Maine.

I have done things this date I am too ashamed to talk about. Too embarrased to share. Too painful to speak of.

God has seen my heart and despite my most deplorable acts, my evil intentions of my heart, my rage that sometimes surfaces and sinful lustful thoughts, God wants me to be saved amnd wants my pain, my memroy to be eased of its shameful burden. My dreams, even 35-40 years after it happened, fresh in my nightmares, to be gone. I awake crying, hurt and in pain over wrong I have done.

God still helps me.

I share because I used to assault and terrorize Christians, I syill see folks preaching God's word and me attacking them.

I often wonder how they felt, aside from the physical pain, did they really forgive me?

maybe they think I am in hell, well, sometimes my burdens feel like I am, but in my heart I know that its the Devil, giving me thought so I may feel guilt and burden.


Ok, here is the point, God is available by simply calling upon him, not a sign of weakness. He is not a crutch.

He is however a Rock to hold onto during life's storms.

I long ago came to a conclusion to not argue or get in a heated debate with people over Im a Christian and your not or I am saved and will have paradise your not and will burn in Hell.

I remember once sharing on Apolyton, years and years ago, when asked what was going to happen to someone if they didnt believe and confess Christ as Savior.

I told them in a bitter spew about Hell.

I got dog-piled and deservedly so.

That was wrong to be so crass and confrontational.

Truth of the matter is, only God knows the intent of the heart and even at the last moments, hope is still their for someone to confess and be saved.

God Bless and be well one and all. If at many times I do fail and produce or display a wrong attitude, please forgive me. If I do anything good, decent or right, its God at work.

Now, if you must, I am fairly sure I can handle being torn apart. I am also 110% sure God can also defend himself and will send those more mature and spirit filled evangelicals to share more central biblical truths.

Brother Bruce

[Asher]

Originally posted by Blake


Funny, that's almost exactly what the Buddha said.

Then Buddha was a wise man. Did it ever occur to you to have original thought, or do you just idol-worship someone else?

Perhaps I should start a religion so I could get people like you to hang on my every word. We're off to a good start here, with you comparing me to Buddha.

[Solomwi]

Growing up in a Christian church, I learned at an early age that I value sleeping in on Sunday morning far higher than I do eternal salvation, especially when the latter is discounted for the risk of non-existence. I suppose I could have become a Christmas & Easter Christian, but that would still obligate me to get up on Sunday morning twice a year, and I suspect wouldn't help my chances of eternal salvation much at all over their current state. Besides, I'm not all that good at bull**** posturing.

[Alexander I]

Originally posted by Tuberski
Corrected.

I know the feeling.

ACK!

Thanks for fixing my typo.

[Geronimo]

Originally posted by Blake


Someone could call themselves a Buddhist and experience no such personal proof. But if someone follows the Buddha's path (successfully), they will gain such understanding.

If someone follows the Christian path (successfully) they will gain an entirely different understanding.