What I don’t understand about Christianity

Mr. Ed

Mr. Ed

Be what you is not what you what you ain’t
Location
Central NY
Right away they tell you, you are flawed, dirty and sinful. The remedy is Jesus Christ, to be like him. Rather than recognizing a persons individual assets you must tailor your life after Jesus. First of all not even identical twins are exactly a like so how is it that Christian’s should subscribe to be like Jesus?

Perhaps to be like Jesus is to have the faith of Jesus and not the actual person? Faith is a mystery to me. I cannot force myself to believe in things so hypothetically impossible no matter how much I try, when logically speaking the context is so emphatically impossible such as the rapture of believers meeting Jesus in the sky, or the concepts of sin, heaven and hell as incentives to surrender yourself to Jesus.

Maybe people need religion including Christianity because they are told from day one that they are incapable of caring for themselves, that you must rely on powers greater than your own in order to survive. So it is with religion and Christianity, instead of teaching humans how to be self-sufficient, religion capitalizes on human weakness by persuading people into believing they are insufficient without god. How convenient that religion has the answers to all of mankind’s problems, even those created by religion if you have the faith to sustain the power religion has over you.

I recall when I first questioned the validity of religion, when in actuality I questioned my parents motive for forcing me to be like them, scared to live their life outside the jurisdiction of church and religion. It has taken me a lifetime to sort through the BS of religion and becoming my own person. This is why I am adamant in teaching people to question everything because what you believe is who you are, perhaps if given a choice you might realize that you have been fooled like many others including myself.
 

Ok. I have been nudged. So, I will try to answer the questions with the Lord's help. Then, over & out. Not going to spend time arguing or debating. :)

Mr. Ed said:
Right away they tell you, you are flawed, dirty and sinful.
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I'm not sure who "they" are.... nevertheless, we are ALL flawed, dirty & sinful. God tells us that.

Mr. Ed said:
The remedy is Jesus Christ, to be like him. Rather than recognizing a persons individual assets you must tailor your life after Jesus.
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Jesus is the answer, yes. As for not recognizing a person's individuality? Who said that? Nevermind. We all have different gifts, characteristics and so forth.
Mr. Ed said:
First of all not even identical twins are exactly a like so how is it that Christian’s should subscribe to be like Jesus?
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Because Jesus was and is sinless & without blemish. Not a bad thing to subscribe to, eh?
Mr. Ed said:
Perhaps to be like Jesus is to have the faith of Jesus and not the actual person?
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Jesus naturally has faith in Himself and His Father.... He came to earth and showed mankind what a model man/woman would look like. Loving others, serving others, etc.
Mr. Ed said:
Faith is a mystery to me. I cannot force myself to believe in things so hypothetically impossible no matter how much I try, when logically speaking the context is so emphatically impossible such as the rapture of believers meeting Jesus in the sky, or the concepts of sin, heaven and hell as incentives to surrender yourself to Jesus.
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How did the earth and everything, everyone come into existence? A big bang. A bunch of nothing crashed together and created everything?
Mr. Ed said:
Maybe people need religion including Christianity because they are told from day one that they are incapable of caring for themselves, that you must rely on powers greater than your own in order to survive. So it is with religion and Christianity, instead of teaching humans how to be self-sufficient, religion capitalizes on human weakness by persuading people into believing they are insufficient without god. How convenient that religion has the answers to all of mankind’s problems, even those created by religion if you have the faith to sustain the power religion has over you.
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We can not take our next breath unless He wills it. So yes, we are pretty dependent on Him. :)
Mr. Ed said:
I recall when I first questioned the validity of religion, when in actuality I questioned my parents motive for forcing me to be like them, scared to live their life outside the jurisdiction of church and religion. It has taken me a lifetime to sort through the BS of religion and becoming my own person. This is why I am adamant in teaching people to question everything because what you believe is who you are, perhaps if given a choice you might realize that you have been fooled like many others including myself.
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And this is why I first said that I wouldn't take part. You broadbrush, criticize and look down on believers. Insinuating that we aren't very smart or we would see what you do..... And that's why, I will go no further or debate, etc. Have a good day.
 

Mr. Ed, I'm very much in agreement with the points you make. The responses remind me of my mother who would simply dismiss any questioning of her religion, by saying that it was 'just God's way', and she could offer no justification for her views. I would have respected her a lot more if she could have argued her position logically, but logic and discussion never entered her world.
 
Mr. Ed said:
Right away they tell you, you are flawed, dirty and sinful. The remedy is Jesus Christ, to be like him. Rather than recognizing a persons individual assets you must tailor your life after Jesus.
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Actually, it is taught that “All have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Also, it is not that we need to live holy lives in order to be saved but rather “We are saved by Grace through faith, and that is not of ourselves, rather it is the gift of God, not works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9) and “But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like [a]filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6).

And “God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). And in John 3:3 Jesus states: (“. . . unless one is born again, he can not see the kingdom of God”.

Yes, we should live holy lives. But we live holy lives because we have been saved. We don’t achieve salvation by our own good works.
 
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Mr. Ed said:
I am adamant in teaching people to question everything because what you believe is who you are, perhaps if given a choice
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I think you must know that we were ALL created with the ability to make choices...it's not a "perhaps"
You have made your choice clear over and over...ad nauseam.

And no one needs you or Capt Lightning to tell anyone to question their beliefs about life and death. It's instinctive.

So why do you still struggle so?..."teaching people to question?" Seriously? You're not Jesus🤭 Do you think maybe you should question yourself? Maybe you'll finally find peace and joy in that journey and then you can text about that. I'm not suggesting Christianity...you've closed the door on that.

Over and out. That's all I have to say.
 
Well, here ya go, Putin / Russian Orthodox Church. Is he saved, can ya believe it.
He's the reason for the Return of the Russian Orthodox Church.
You know, a really Holy type person? He's helping Iran today!
A spy with the KGB and most likely baptized.
Do onto others and you will have them do onto you.
Order 100,000's of people to their death. Good God fairing Man by golly.
Murders scores on Easter Weekend.

Lead a peaceful life by believing you're peaceful. Pray & do as best as I can.
For every honest person Haha there a Used Car Salesman.

Pretty much every corner of the world holds a different belief.
Are they peaceful or just looking at a Nuke.
Are Greedy places the real problems in the world today?
Are Over worked, tired and hungry people a big problem for themselves?
Are underworked, lazy and Selfish people a big problem for themselves?
Is born with a Silver Spoon a Bad thing? Maybe its a Silver plated tin Cup. ... :ROFLMAO: ...
 
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@Mr. Ed

Questioning is key. Choosing what to believe or not isn't easy. My early childhood was probably much the same as others. Parents were Methodist so going to church was a ritual followed. All the wonderful bible stories. God made heaven & earth God made mankind in "our" image, God has a plan for everyone. Really great info to answer how & why humans came to be.

Stories about the tower of Babel. Genesis 19 the story of Lots wife. Noah & the arc. to name a few, all generated the right amount of fear.

Later in life I began questioning. How did God become God? Where does God reside since making heaven & earth have to be outside our universe. What happed to all those humans that didn't have the benefit of being taught there is a sentient being billions of years old planning their lives? What do the "our" look like in made in "our" image? Why are humans born with mental & physical disabilities if God that plans lives & is merciful & kind. Never got answers that made sense typical is either imagination of how that could have been or the tired phrase of freedom of choice.

On the brighter side. Who wouldn't want to live forever if this is where eternal life will be?

The Bible portrays heaven as a magnificent and glorious city, the "New Jerusalem," with details including streets of gold, walls of jasper, gates of pearl, and foundations adorned with precious stones. It's described as a place filled with beauty, light, and abundant resources, including a river of life and fruit-bearing trees.

Google Search

Having faith or not is a personal choice. IMO neither is wrong.

Humans are not supposed to go to heaven in human body but in spirit. That has me questioning does a spirit need a place filled with beauty, light, and abundant resources, including a river of life and fruit-bearing trees.
 
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Perhaps quoting the Bible in some way satisfies you, but the Bible is not an objective point of view.. Can you provide a different source of references? The Bible is strongly biased as the only source of Christian teachings.

Why do people quote the Bible as truth when is far from being objective? There is no debate just one sided information
 
@Mr. Ed, through countless threads you've started about Christianity and your experience with being raised Catholic, I can see that you are numbered among millions that realize that the all of the superfluous trappings of the Catholic church are of no real value for understanding the message that Jesus preached, and got nailed up on the cross for. But still, you appear to desire deeper understanding of what salvation is all about, so I would urge you to leave behind all the confusion and negativity and pursue a simpler approach in getting to know Jesus and His message. Rather than getting involved with a church organization, perhaps a better approach would be to do you own search, as an example:
What Jesus taught
 
Capt Lightning said:
Mr. Ed, I'm very much in agreement with the points you make. The responses remind me of my mother who would simply dismiss any questioning of her religion, by saying that it was 'just God's way', and she could offer no justification for her views. I would have respected her a lot more if she could have argued her position logically, but logic and discussion never entered her world.
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Ya got to respect those that live the creed "Do as I say, not as I do !"
 
Knight said:
@Mr. Ed

Questioning is key. Choosing what to believe or not isn't easy. My early childhood was probably much the same as others. Parents were Methodist so going to church was a ritual followed. All the wonderful bible stories. God made heaven & earth God made mankind in "our" image, God has a plan for everyone. Really great info to answer how & why humans came to be.

Stories about the tower of Babel. Genesis 19 the story of Lots wife. Noah & the arc. to name a few, all generated the right amount of fear.

Later in life I began questioning. How did God become God? Where does God reside since making heaven & earth have to be outside our universe. What happed to all those humans that didn't have the benefit of being taught there is a sentient being billions of years old planning their lives? What do the "our" look like in made in "our" image? Why are humans born with mental & physical disabilities if God that plans lives & is merciful & kind. Never got answers that made sense typical is either imagination of how that could have been or the tired phrase of freedom of choice.

On the brighter side. Who wouldn't want to live forever if this is where eternal life will be?

The Bible portrays heaven as a magnificent and glorious city, the "New Jerusalem," with details including streets of gold, walls of jasper, gates of pearl, and foundations adorned with precious stones. It's described as a place filled with beauty, light, and abundant resources, including a river of life and fruit-bearing trees.

Google Search

Having faith or not is a personal choice. IMO neither is wrong.

Humans are not supposed to go to heaven in human body but in spirit. That has me questioning does a spirit need a place filled with beauty, light, and abundant resources, including a river of life and fruit-bearing trees.
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Ancient man / woman had a feeling about past generations and happenings. They didn't know much so much of what they learnt was
recent activities and stories. Thus a lot of confusion abounded. Earth Flat, thunder and sea gods, Trolls and Gnomes, that sort of stuff.
Great Books of Knowledge? Papyrus scrolls of great writing? Caves with stuff left in them. Big rocks seeming to waddle about.
Tossing buckets of stuff Ut in the street. Hot Tea for breaks. Camels to China, Wagon trains to San Fran. Many Wind Ships to never
Return. Mining for Coal. Milking Goats. Not many got to hunt with a Cross Bow.

Scarry stories told about the fire. Legends spread at group doings. Word of mouth. A Parrot saying ---- me, ---- it..... :ROFLMAO:
 
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Nathan said:
@Mr. Ed, through countless threads you've started about Christianity and your experience with being raised Catholic, I can see that you are numbered among millions that realize that the all of the superfluous trappings of the Catholic church are of no real value for understanding the message that Jesus preached, and got nailed up on the cross for. But still, you appear to desire deeper understanding of what salvation is all about, so I would urge you to leave behind all the confusion and negativity and pursue a simpler approach in getting to know Jesus and His message. Rather than getting involved with a church organization, perhaps a better approach would be to do you own search, as an example:
What Jesus taught
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No I’m not Catholic never have been. Where did you get the idea I was Catholic?
 
Ghandhi's experience of Christians is remarkably similar to my own. I've known a lot of "Christians" - who I call CHINOs (CHristians In Name Only). I grew up up in the church, then attended for many years as an adult, and have read the Bible cover-to-cover. The number of true followers of Christ that I've run into? Let's just say I can count them on one hand and have fingers left over.

Most CHINOs really get off on beating people up with their Bibles.

Ghandi on Christians.jpg
 
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StarSong said:
Ghandhi's experience of Christians is remarkably similar to my own. I've known a lot of "Christians" - who I call CHINOs (CHristians In Name Only). I grew up up in the church, then attended for many years as an adult, and have read the Bible cover-to-cover. The number of true followers of Christ that I've run into? Let's just say I cand count them on one hand and have fingers left over.

Most CHINOs really get off on beating people up with their Bibles.

View attachment 419164
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💯
True story.
 
PeppermintPatty said:
Why do you start all these anti Christian threads? Do you enjoy rounding up all the Christian’s so you can beat them all up? That’s how your posts come across like.
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Sadly I've come to the same conclusion. OP is entitled to his feelings, but feelings aren't facts, so every thread like this always ends up the same. Interesting to study & watch but tiring. Pete and Repeat.
 
I don't believe in happenstance. We did not just miraculously appear out of thin air. Nothing from nothing leaves nothing. In the same way that zero, or nothing is a beginning, so is God who is the Alpha and Omega. You believe whatever you want to, but God has brought me to where I am today.

I rolled 3 times in a car 1976(before air bags), been shot at multiple times, run over by a 3000 lb tractor (on my thigh just narrowly missing the family jewels). Stared hijackers down and escaped abduction in Charlotte. I've jack knifed on an icy bridge in a big truck to avoid hitting an unseen pedestrian on the back side of a bridge. I nearly bled to death when I had an artery severed and was out for days. Laid in a hospital 2 weeks at death's door with an infection whilst doctors scratched their heads. Each day I go by the grace of God. That's my truth.

But I don't expect you to believe it, because you did not see it. God's not gonna unzip the sky and say "Here's Johnny!" You must first seek the kingdom of heaven for yourself.

Mr. Ed, I grew up Methodist too. One of my first objections was the Apostles Creed. I could jive with everything until the part I believe in the Holy Catholic Church. The so-called mother church. Right then and there I concluded the creation of church was man.
But I continued to seek God. I continued to sin too. Still do, and unfortunately I enjoy it too much. Maybe some of the things that people say are sinful are really not. I dunno, that's for God to decide, not me. All I can do ask for wisdom and pray about it.

Do you believe in good and evil? If yes, how do you quantify their existence?

These are my beliefs, I don't attend church. Visiting one every few years for funerals or weddings. God is personal to me. I go to the woods. To the pond. To the creek, or the beach. You mentioned being like Jesus. We don't walk on water, we don't have the faith to do so. But that does not mean we should not try but it is simply beyond our capacity in this existence. I pray you will find him, because that's the only way to answer the math problem of nothing from nothing.
 
Many here neither believe nor disbelieve the truth or holiness of God, Jesus, Muhammad, Moses, Abraham, the Buddha, the Dali Lama, Brahman, Joseph Smith, Scientology principles, etc.

One can easily find equally devout members of all the above faiths, with comparable measures of "proof" that theirs is the one true pathway.
 
Mitch86 said:
What I like about Jesus is that He died a painful death being crucified on a Cross but never complained and never blamed anyone else for what happened to Him. We should all follow His example as we get older and older and then face a very painful ending.
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I've no intention of getting crucified.
 

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