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I just recently began reading posts on this site, and only a few minutes ago did I activate my account here, simply to ask a few questions and maybe clear up a few of my questions, concerns, or whatever they are.
Now, just to start off, I am currently a Christian, the church I go to is non-denominational, but is Protestant in customs. (I'm sure you know, the two main sects of Christianity are Catholicism and then Protestantism, with Protestantism having many branches, including the church this forum is based off of, Landover Baptist). I was raised Catholic, baptized as an infant, confirmed as a child, and followed the custom of Communion (wine and wafer, representing Christ's gift to his disciples at the Last Supper). Please, I must ask you (because I've seen these actions rampant on here), do not insult my upbringings, as I do believe that Catholicism is a very legitimate form of Christianity, it just happens to be a most rite and tradition-based mass as opposed to lectures or sermons.
During my life, my family's been through a lot of difficulty (my sister was diagnosed with depression and bi-polar disorder at a young age, but she no longer suffers from it, after years of treatment.) During that time, I lost Faith, but now I like to believe it was a bit more than medication and doctors that made my sister better. Recently, thanks to my new church, and my wonderful girlfriend (with whom we have vowed abstinence till marriage, mind you
), I've come back to God and Christianity.
I found this forum, just looking around the internet, and I was interested. I'd never been part of a religious forum before, and though it would be a great teaching tool...but what I've found has been contradictory of many lessons I've been taught...Love Thy Neighbor, do unto others as you would have done unto yourself, etc. Mind you, I've seen many loving posts here, I'm not denying that, but my question is this: Why do so many of you (well, actually I'm seeing a large amount of this from 4 users in particular, I'm sure you know) show hatred towards people of other belief?
Homosexuals: "Gay" is not a derogatory term. It is a sexual preference. Yes, the Holy Bible (I studied the KJV as a child and now read an NIV Study Bible) says that it is not the natural way...but who are we to condemn others? Should we not show love to all around us? You consider it a disease...in Jesus's travels, did he ever come across a sick man, declare him an abomination, and smite him right there? No, he helped, and healed, through love and compassion. Re-read that last sentence. Love & Compassion. Do you not agree that kindly helping someone along the path to God is more effective than stoning them and dragging their body behind your horses? Jesus did.
Atheists/Other religions: Why did God give us free will? So that we may choose what we believe! Some may not agree with you, but is it your place to insult them? To ridicule your fellow humans? If anything, it is God's place to show them the light. If he does not, then it is for a reason. We have judges that try criminals, but please keep in mind that being a Christian does not give us the power of Judgement over other peoples' beliefs. That belongs to only one entity in our universe, God. Jesus. Yahweh. Adonai. Whatever you call Him, He is the same, and it's not our place to declare His authority as our own.
In my time of faithlessness, do you think seeing you people on here condemn me, say that I am eternally damned, and otherwise belittle me, would have helped me come back to God? All it took was understanding from my Pastor, and a FAMILY in my church. What you have here is not a family. It is a lynch mob, protecting your own and slandering the rest. If this is what it means to be Christian, why should I be any part of it? If this were my Church, I would not have anything to do with it.
"I love your Christ, but I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ".
-Kevin, Arizona
P.S. I understand that was a long read, thanks for all who saw it all. May God bless you, as he has blessed my family, me, and countless others. You're in my prayers.
Now, just to start off, I am currently a Christian, the church I go to is non-denominational, but is Protestant in customs. (I'm sure you know, the two main sects of Christianity are Catholicism and then Protestantism, with Protestantism having many branches, including the church this forum is based off of, Landover Baptist). I was raised Catholic, baptized as an infant, confirmed as a child, and followed the custom of Communion (wine and wafer, representing Christ's gift to his disciples at the Last Supper). Please, I must ask you (because I've seen these actions rampant on here), do not insult my upbringings, as I do believe that Catholicism is a very legitimate form of Christianity, it just happens to be a most rite and tradition-based mass as opposed to lectures or sermons.
During my life, my family's been through a lot of difficulty (my sister was diagnosed with depression and bi-polar disorder at a young age, but she no longer suffers from it, after years of treatment.) During that time, I lost Faith, but now I like to believe it was a bit more than medication and doctors that made my sister better. Recently, thanks to my new church, and my wonderful girlfriend (with whom we have vowed abstinence till marriage, mind you
), I've come back to God and Christianity. I found this forum, just looking around the internet, and I was interested. I'd never been part of a religious forum before, and though it would be a great teaching tool...but what I've found has been contradictory of many lessons I've been taught...Love Thy Neighbor, do unto others as you would have done unto yourself, etc. Mind you, I've seen many loving posts here, I'm not denying that, but my question is this: Why do so many of you (well, actually I'm seeing a large amount of this from 4 users in particular, I'm sure you know) show hatred towards people of other belief?
Homosexuals: "Gay" is not a derogatory term. It is a sexual preference. Yes, the Holy Bible (I studied the KJV as a child and now read an NIV Study Bible) says that it is not the natural way...but who are we to condemn others? Should we not show love to all around us? You consider it a disease...in Jesus's travels, did he ever come across a sick man, declare him an abomination, and smite him right there? No, he helped, and healed, through love and compassion. Re-read that last sentence. Love & Compassion. Do you not agree that kindly helping someone along the path to God is more effective than stoning them and dragging their body behind your horses? Jesus did.
Atheists/Other religions: Why did God give us free will? So that we may choose what we believe! Some may not agree with you, but is it your place to insult them? To ridicule your fellow humans? If anything, it is God's place to show them the light. If he does not, then it is for a reason. We have judges that try criminals, but please keep in mind that being a Christian does not give us the power of Judgement over other peoples' beliefs. That belongs to only one entity in our universe, God. Jesus. Yahweh. Adonai. Whatever you call Him, He is the same, and it's not our place to declare His authority as our own.
In my time of faithlessness, do you think seeing you people on here condemn me, say that I am eternally damned, and otherwise belittle me, would have helped me come back to God? All it took was understanding from my Pastor, and a FAMILY in my church. What you have here is not a family. It is a lynch mob, protecting your own and slandering the rest. If this is what it means to be Christian, why should I be any part of it? If this were my Church, I would not have anything to do with it.
"I love your Christ, but I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ".
-Kevin, Arizona
P.S. I understand that was a long read, thanks for all who saw it all. May God bless you, as he has blessed my family, me, and countless others. You're in my prayers.
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