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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.
I've never really fit in and it used to bother me, it caused me to think I needed to believe differently but in reality I have learned that I do not need to fit into any social group. I find greater peace by being myself and to count myself blessed by the few who I can call real friends.
I almost never feel as if I fit in, and I'm constantly being told that I'm not a "real" Christian. Suits me fine. If the people who are so intent on excluding me from their exclusive little club are the "real" Christians, I'd just as soon not fit in. Honestly, the friction between Christians on this forum is positively unbelievable. Sometimes I just sit here and wonder what our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is thinking about how people who claim to be His followers treat their fellow Christians. The way some people here treat people who disagree with them over various points of doctrine is simply appalling, and yet it never ceases.
I almost never feel as if I fit in, and I'm constantly being told that I'm not a "real" Christian. Suits me fine. If the people who are so intent on excluding me from their exclusive little club are the "real" Christians, I'd just as soon not fit in. Honestly, the friction between Christians on this forum is positively unbelievable. Sometimes I just sit here and wonder what our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is thinking about how people who claim to be His followers treat their fellow Christians. The way some people here treat people who disagree with them over various points of doctrine is simply appalling, and yet it never ceases.
Wise words as always, Katzpur!
You know, I am always fully prepared to be attacked because I'm NOT Christian (by some - not all - and surely not many) but I am SHOCKED at how much some of the Christians attack OTHER CHRISTIANS! It really amazes me!!!
Christians can be a cantankerous group. I think even the Apostles sometimes argued amongst themselves.
I sometimes feel I don't fit in with other Catholic. In fact I think I once basically said "I love Catholicism, but I don't much like Catholics." I don't think it's really Catholics so much as Midwestern white middle-class Catholics. Many of them seem really ignorant about the religion they reportedly profess. I'm not saying they have to be a scholar of the faith, or fit my idea of orthodoxy, but like I remember one kid telling a Protestant "we don't worship Mary above God, we worship Mary equal to God." Wherever you are on the liberal, traditionalist, or charismatic perspective that's clearly misinformed. Then some like to do things because they want to be seen doing them, not because they want to actually do good. Or they get all cliquish and gossipy. And lastly there's booze. I think the stereotype of Catholics as drunks is wrong, but White Midwestern Catholics kind of are drunks a fairly high amount of the time. I don't think that's a Catholic thing, I'm pretty sure White Midwestern Lutherans or Anglicans are roughly the same, but still I don't drink at all so it separates me from them some.
However there are Catholics who have been a great inspiration for me and I don't really go to Mass to be around perfect people. The faith is supposed to be to save the sinners and I likely have just as many, if different, problems of my own. As for other kinds of Christians maybe I don't fit in with all of them, but there are ones in about all denominations I can get along with okay. Of my favorite professors one's Episcopalian and another is Greek Orthodox.
Wise words as always, Katzpur!
You know, I am always fully prepared to be attacked because I'm NOT Christian (by some - not all - and surely not many) but I am SHOCKED at how much some of the Christians attack OTHER CHRISTIANS! It really amazes me!!!
It used to amaze me, but not any more. The churches are full of hate-filled devils. Satan is seated fat and happy high up on the throne in most of the religious w**** houses across America. The religious leaders in most of what calls itself Christianity today are just like the religious leaders were when Jesus walked among them - spreading the same spirit.
Prov 6:16-19 These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,
a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.
"After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying,
'Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a habitation of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!'" (Revelation 18:1,2).
"And I heard another voice from heaven saying, 'Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities'" (Revelation 18:4,5)
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.
Do i find it hard to fit in with other Christians? Of course ... Its kind of hard to fill like you fit in with a group of people among whom most consider myself to be an heretic ...
But there are a few out there who are not of such a mind, thank God.
Do i find it hard to fit in with other Christians? Of course ... Its kind of hard to fill like you fit in with a group of people among whom most consider myself to be an heretic ...
But there are a few out there who are not of such a mind, thank God.
I almost never feel as if I fit in, and I'm constantly being told that I'm not a "real" Christian. Suits me fine. If the people who are so intent on excluding me from their exclusive little club are the "real" Christians, I'd just as soon not fit in. Honestly, the friction between Christians on this forum is positively unbelievable. Sometimes I just sit here and wonder what our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is thinking about how people who claim to be His followers treat their fellow Christians. The way some people here treat people who disagree with them over various points of doctrine is simply appalling, and yet it never ceases.
While I have no problem debating with people who are promoting what I think is false teaching, I in no way can say if they are "Christian", that is up to God.
While I would not agree with a lot of your beliefs. I really don't have a beef with you since you are not telling people to do what you do or they won't be saved.
It is the hypocrites who think they are perfect and then set out to condemn others, those people I have a problem with.
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