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As for me, I was able to come into an intimate relationship with the Lord from the beginning of my conversion, more or less apart from the church's system. (I drank the book of Proverbs like He was talking straight to me, among other books of the Bible). He was so real to me, nothing else (man's approval) mattered - only Him.
Because of this foundation, I had the knowledge that His love was both the Truth, and the path to keep me. He really can lead us into Life more abundantly.
Sorry for resurrecting this thread but I too find that I don't identify with most Christians. For me it's not so much a judgemental issue, I don't expect everyone to be polished and doing the right thing all the time. Surely I'm no St Francis either. I guess what makes me wince is that sometimes they say the most trite irritating things. The slogans, the antics, the subculture, the mindset of it all just doesn't appeal to my tastes. It's my own personality thing rather than any 'fault' to find with anyone else. I seem to fit right in with any rough grass roots organization that's just starting out but once it becomes more stablished it takes on a flavor that I can't respond to. Going becomes a chore and eventually I can stand no more and just stop going. I don't dare tell anyone why, and people do ask after me so it become difficult trying to make up excuses. I do love the Lord and get some small measure of benefit out of going but it's overshadowed by my own discomfort at being there. It disturbs me but not as much as it would to force myself to go and being irritable because I'm not comfortable. Am I making sense at all? Does anyone else experience this?
As for me, I was able to come into an intimate relationship with the Lord from the beginning of my conversion, more or less apart from the church's system. (I drank the book of Proverbs like He was talking straight to me, among other books of the Bible). He was so real to me, nothing else (man's approval) mattered - only Him.
Because of this foundation, I had the knowledge that His love was both the Truth, and the path to keep me. He really can lead us into Life more abundantly.
I've always felt close to God, have had many life experiences that leave me with no doubts of His existence. I always called myself Christian, if asked. But more and more lately, I just feel like I don't identify with the ideas/behaviors of those I encounter (in person or through media, etc.) who claim "Christianity" as their faith.
It just feels to me like what I encounter is such an elitist, judgemental force. Does anyone else relate with that? It's not that I feel differently about God, because I don't. I know Jesus is real, I know He died for me. I don't question any of my beliefs. I just don't feel like I fit in among those proclaming Christianity. Does that make sense?
I'd love to be involved in church again. But it seems every one I've tried, save one (and I can't attend that one anymore because I moved out of state), felt very "cliquey" to me, like most people there really were constantly judging everyone else, looking down on them. I haven't tried to find a new church in a very long time, I just got sick of trying to find one that felt right.
And when it comes to things like the documentary "Jesus Camp", I am just left feeling like I SURELY don't want to be lumped into the same category as these folks! Not that I don't have love and compassion in my heart for them, because I really do. I just don't identify with their practices.
I also think history shows that a lot of really horrendous, very WRONG things have been done in the name of Christianity and this, coupled with the things I've already pointed out, make me leery of telling my children "you are Christian". We talk about God, we talk about and read the Bible at times, we discuss Jesus, etc. Part of me feels regretful that I don't have them involved in church...but another part of me refuses to put them in an environment where people behave elitist and judgemental because it just seems counterproductive, you know?
Anyway, I'd love to hear other people's take on this subject, and hear about your own experiences as well.
Yes, I understand where you are coming from and often feel this way. God made me the way that I am, and I refuse to change how he made me. To be honest, I like not fitting in with the crowd. Jesus did not fit in with most of the people because he refused to be molded, even though he was God, he still lead an example for us. I have such a broad view about people that most don't really understand me at times. like with me, if I see a certain person, or a group of people that are outsiders, even to some christians, I will go out of my way to talk to them, that is just how I am. But for some reason, their are certain christians out their that feel they can't hang around certain people, thinking that they are going to smear the devil on them or something. Of course you have to be careful to your surroundings and people, but God wants us to help people outside of our circle. My ideas and motives seem to be different sometimes. Well,I love The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, and will never leave God. Sometimes people just get caught up in religion, and that is not what Jesus focused on when he was here. We need to get back to the main thing and stop trying to look so religious. I am a Christian, but I am also a person who refuses to fit into a box. I think people take Christanity to the extreme and over do it sometimes. It's not about religion, it is about a relationship with God. Sometimes I prefer to hang around people that other people don't like, because they are not trying to be something that they are not. What make me mad is when people see me hanging around people that are clearly not like me, they often ask me, why would I want to even hang around them. Then I say to my self, isn't that what Christianity is all about, loving and excepting everyone. So, I understand what you mean, even though my experience is a little different.
Last edited by Miss Shawn_2828; 01-29-2009 at 09:26 PM..
Reason: Text error
I know exactly how you feel. When I was younger I didn't like going to church very much. I was an oddball loner and the people who went to my church happened to be the ones who also bullied me in highschool.
Time after time, I would ask myself (and others) how these people could be considered christian - and why didn't I feel like I belong in any of their crowds?
One day after a series of traumatic events and a whole a lot of maturing, I realized how judgemental and hypocritical I was being. Which led me to realize that I was just like them, in their crowd, regardless of how they felt about me.
All of our hearts are deceitful and none of us are worthy of Jesus. I'm not sure I can say that I know where I stand with God. I won't pretend that I know myself that well any longer, or place trust for my salvation anywhere but in God. People develop the idea that christians should act perfect and holier than thou. The truth is most of the time you'd find that the people in church are the ones that seem to have the biggest problems.
Christians are often ridiculed by other religions and non-religions alike, for their hypocrisy and inability to follow God correctly. And it is true, embarrasing as it might be. It's a reminder of the depth of God's grace. No matter where we find ourselves, what we have done to other people, how hypocritical we have been, how we have messed up - Jesus is there if we are willing to accept and follow him.
We might be a church composed of hypocrites, scandals, adulterers, liars, murderers, thieves, and even ex-convicts as well as all the good sides of human nature. But that's what makes God great. If we sincerely choose to follow him - he forgives us for everything and loves us unconditionally. We pale in comparison to him. His spirit is praised and glorified because of our imperfections made right by his perfection.
I have so much trouble hanging on to Christian friends and going to Church, because I do not believe as they do.
They like to gather on Sunday and sing, sing, sing. Then they hand over their money, listen to a few jokes, and then receive a 20 minute sermon (out of a 90 minute service) that's mostly about sports. The Pastor even says "IF you have your Bible....", as if the Word of God is optional.
When they do talk about the Bible, I often find myself disagreeing with them. When they talk about missions, I ask them what they're doing about their own Members. They tell me that they're already doing enough, when IMO, they're doing almost nothing at all to help those in need.
Instead, the Church is too busy trying to raise $3.5 million to pay for its latest addition. I feel that God is not even allowed in the Church. But when I try to talk with them about it, they put the blame on me and say that I need to open myself up to God more and stop fighting the Holy Spirit.
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