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So I'll start this with saying I believe in "God". I believe in some sort of higher power. I do not however in any way shape or form believe in any of the man made religions. They are far too corrupted, self serving &, quite frankly, ridiculous in my humble opinion.
How can anyone possibly believe in one? Outside of being indoctrinated in their youth to believe it? There are so many different ones to believe in, all claiming to be right, nearly all claiming if you aren't living life the way they say - you will go to hell. So many that are corrupted & hateful of other peace loving people. Without meaning to offend, I find *some* religions very sad.
Anyways, I was just curious to see if there is anyone else out there that might possibly share my thoughts? I was atheist for many years until I encountered some unbelievable coincidences that my human brain interpreted to not be realistically possible without some type of intervention by an unseen power.
I don't claim to be right, but based on my life's experiences, this is the belief that has worked for me and left me at peace.
Still an atheist here but if I were going to be some sort of arm's length theist it would look like what you're talking about. You are definitely not alone, I'm sure Miss Hepburn and others are not far behind with their input and welcome.
So I'll start this with saying I believe in "God". I believe in some sort of higher power. I do not however in any way shape or form believe in any of the man made religions. They are far too corrupted, self serving, quite frankly, ridiculous in my humble opinion.
How can anyone possibly believe in one? Outside of being indoctrinated in their youth to believe it? There are so many different ones to believe in, all claiming to be right, nearly all claiming if you aren't living life the way they say - you will go to hell. So many that are corrupted & hateful of other peace loving people. Without meaning to offend, I find *some* religions very sad.
Anyways, I was just curious to see if there is anyone else out there that might possibly share my thoughts? I was atheist for many years until I encountered some unbelievable coincidences that my human brain interpreted to not be realistically possible without some type of intervention by an unseen power.
I don't claim to be right, but based on my life's experiences, this is the belief that has worked for me and left me at peace.
Welcome. You are not alone. Religions have a lot to answer for. They carry a heavy burden. We all are called in different ways . . . but usually in unmistakable ways. Sadly too many of us ignore or reject the call for myriad reasons . . . religions being a major factor. When my atheism was stripped from me I embarked on a decades long search for answers. Ironically it led me to Christ . . . initially because the consciousness I encountered embodied what was described about Christ. My further efforts convinced me of its truth.
I agree with many here, Minus Florida, you are not alone. Until I came to this forum I thought I was alone, different, unloved and unworthy because I had finally taken a stand to leave organized religions and become like a child and allow the Spirit to reform me. Personal experiences with different denominations and many years of reasoning have led me in a different direction away from all organized religion and their many doctrines. Once I put my trust in what is being taught to me from within my heart/soul/mind/gut feeling, I am spiritually in touch with the creator. I follow only the teachings of Christ who taught us a different God than who is depicted and believed in the OT. There is much wisdom within the books of the bible written by man (not God). I do not claim I possess the truth, therefore I do not debate doctrine or scripture, simply because I feel none of us holds the truth in this life. I am trying very hard to forgive the past by telling myself if it hadn't happened I would never have sought the peace that only the pure love of our creator can offer.
So I'll start this with saying I believe in "God". I believe in some sort of higher power. I do not however in any way shape or form believe in any of the man made religions. They are far too corrupted, self serving &, quite frankly, ridiculous in my humble opinion.
How can anyone possibly believe in one? Outside of being indoctrinated in their youth to believe it? There are so many different ones to believe in, all claiming to be right, nearly all claiming if you aren't living life the way they say - you will go to hell. So many that are corrupted & hateful of other peace loving people. Without meaning to offend, I find *some* religions very sad.
Anyways, I was just curious to see if there is anyone else out there that might possibly share my thoughts? I was atheist for many years until I encountered some unbelievable coincidences that my human brain interpreted to not be realistically possible without some type of intervention by an unseen power.
I don't claim to be right, but based on my life's experiences, this is the belief that has worked for me and left me at peace.
There are many more than you would think that have caught the same vibe (or similar) you have: Perception of GOD--no religion added/needed.
Count me among them.
I have no problem with religion because in itself, it is not the culprit any more than you can blame a car for hitting and injuring someone. I am also well aware that many organized religions today are guilty of hypocrisy and countless atrocities. But religion is merely the regular practice of worship or faith. That act in itself, can never be attributed to malicious intent. But many people have understandably abandoned organized religion because they believe it has led to hypocrisy and intolerance. Others feel that organized religion is nothing but a superfluous middleman between God and his worshippers.Yet, these factors are still not enough reason for me repudiate organized religion. I hold out that there must be a religion on earth that is organized to show love to all people—a religion that is organized to educate others about God’s moral principles. A religion that can help us to build genuine faith. I believe that the Bible can provide the necessary clues that can help us find it.
I dont subscribe to the idea of everyone being a loose association of spiritually-minded individuals. For example, true Christians were intended to merge into a tight community of faith. The Bible exhorts them to speak in agreement, to avoid divisions, and to be "fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought." (1 Corinthians 1:10) Those words would make little sense if God wanted people to worship him only as individuals, improvising apart from one another. The is clear evidence from the Bible that actually points to an organized form of worship as the kind that is acceptable to God. And the organized religion that the Scriptures describe, the one that God sponsors, can give you the support you require to be successful in satisfying your spiritual needs.—Matthew 5:3.
I have no problem with religion because in itself, it is not the culprit any more than you can blame a car for hitting and injuring someone. I am also well aware that many organized religions today are guilty of hypocrisy and countless atrocities. But religion is merely the regular practice of worship or faith. That act in itself, can never be attributed to malicious intent. But many people have understandably abandoned organized religion because they believe it has led to hypocrisy and intolerance. Others feel that organized religion is nothing but a superfluous middleman between God and his worshippers.Yet, these factors are still not enough reason for me repudiate organized religion. I hold out that there must be a religion on earth that is organized to show love to all people—a religion that is organized to educate others about God’s moral principles. A religion that can help us to build genuine faith. I believe that the Bible can provide the necessary clues that can help us find it.
I dont subscribe to the idea of everyone being a loose association of spiritually-minded individuals. For example, true Christians were intended to merge into a tight community of faith. The Bible exhorts them to speak in agreement, to avoid divisions, and to be "fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought." (1 Corinthians 1:10) Those words would make little sense if God wanted people to worship him only as individuals, improvising apart from one another. The is clear evidence from the Bible that actually points to an organized form of worship as the kind that is acceptable to God. And the organized religion that the Scriptures describe, the one that God sponsors, can give you the support you require to be successful in satisfying your spiritual needs.—Matthew 5:3.
When you realize you can reason, understand, and in all ways function without using the crutch of the bible, I believe you'll also learn you can dance.
I dont subscribe to the idea of everyone being a loose association of spiritually-minded individuals. For example, true Christians were intended to merge into a tight community of faith. The Bible exhorts them to speak in agreement, to avoid divisions, and to be "fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought." (1 Corinthians 1:10) Those words would make little sense if God wanted people to worship him only as individuals, improvising apart from one another. The is clear evidence from the Bible that actually points to an organized form of worship as the kind that is acceptable to God. And the organized religion that the Scriptures describe, the one that God sponsors, can give you the support you require to be successful in satisfying your spiritual needs.—Matthew 5:3.
Organized religion has corrupted the original intent of gathering together as followers of Christ in "love of God and each other." It has focused on specific beliefs ABOUT Christ . . . as if that would matter to God or Jesus as long as they follow His instructions to "love God and each other" daily and repent when they don't. Belief in Christ ONLY matters if it leads you to actually follow what He instructed His disciples to do in fellowship. Everything else is human vanity and hubris fostering division and dissension over meaningless differences in would-be "exclusive clubs." Christ was NEVER exclusive. He was always inclusive and God is no respecter of persons. Religions have become major stumbling blocks to spiritual maturity . . . and they carry a heavy burden.
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