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BridgeOvertroubledWaters · 61-69, M
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BridgeOvertroubledWaters · 61-69, M
@SilentObZerver pm
SilentObZerver · 22-25, M
BridgeOvertroubledWaters · 61-69, M
@SilentObZerver message
LeopoldBloom · M
According to a recent poll, the reasons people are leaving church are:
Stopped believing in the religion's teachings
The religion's negative treatment of LGBTQ
Their family wasn't religious when they were growing up
Attending religious services was bad for their mental health
Clergy sex abuse scandals
Church was too focused on politics
The result is that fewer than half of Americans attend church at least once a month. The US seems to be late in following the trend seen in other Western countries of falling religious participation and the growth of "nones" when people are asked what religion they follow.
I was raised in a religiously observant home. However, I stopped believing in God at age 14 and stopped attending worship services because they were a waste of time. It's possible to treat religion like a social club irrespective of belief, but I wasn't getting any benefit from that.
Stopped believing in the religion's teachings
The religion's negative treatment of LGBTQ
Their family wasn't religious when they were growing up
Attending religious services was bad for their mental health
Clergy sex abuse scandals
Church was too focused on politics
The result is that fewer than half of Americans attend church at least once a month. The US seems to be late in following the trend seen in other Western countries of falling religious participation and the growth of "nones" when people are asked what religion they follow.
I was raised in a religiously observant home. However, I stopped believing in God at age 14 and stopped attending worship services because they were a waste of time. It's possible to treat religion like a social club irrespective of belief, but I wasn't getting any benefit from that.
SilentObZerver · 22-25, M
@jackieash27 thats also great!...
So what are some of things you realized that didn't and still doesn’t sit well with you?
So what are some of things you realized that didn't and still doesn’t sit well with you?
@SilentObZerver Among other things, the idea of a "creator". My older brother got interested in the history of the Earth and how it is now as well as the development of humans . I started reading some of his books and on line articles about it and the idea of a creator began to make less sense. "Glory to God in the Highest. Creator of Heaven and Earth" sounded more and more like a fantasy. And I started to realise the chanting of the congregation was robotic and sinister sounding. And it started from there. Now I have not seen or heard anything to make me go back.
SilentObZerver · 22-25, M
@jackieash27 lol ok
SilentObZerver · 22-25, M
@Morvoren oh ok
Starcrossed · 41-45, F
SilentObZerver · 22-25, M
@Starcrossed how can a chturch be corrupt and bring shame?
Starcrossed · 41-45, F
@SilentObZerver a church can be corrupt by misappropriation of the tithes and donations, by too much salary going towards church leaders.
Tell me an organized doctrine based religion that DOESN'T shame it's members for behaviors that stray from their set of rules, I'll wait. Belief that we are all guilty of an original sin we never personally committed is shaming people just for existing as human beings. Telling someone they must repent or else face eternal damnation is rooted in shame.
Tell me an organized doctrine based religion that DOESN'T shame it's members for behaviors that stray from their set of rules, I'll wait. Belief that we are all guilty of an original sin we never personally committed is shaming people just for existing as human beings. Telling someone they must repent or else face eternal damnation is rooted in shame.
SDavis · 56-60, F
Come ye out of her _ Revelation 18:14........ Who is the her? The church called Babylon.
Revelation chapter 2 and 3 give a fair report to only two of the seven churches. And the seven churches stand for all churches in existence.
Peter says the righteous scarcely be saved - which indicates the church is messing up big time especially these days.
Revelation chapter 2 and 3 give a fair report to only two of the seven churches. And the seven churches stand for all churches in existence.
Peter says the righteous scarcely be saved - which indicates the church is messing up big time especially these days.
SilentObZerver · 22-25, M
@SDavis asking for your perspective on the issue.....its not about me.....its all about me trying to understand what you are saying!
SDavis · 56-60, F
@SilentObZerver
My perspective _ what you want me to do is give you a full list of what the church isn't doing that it's supposed to do.
A list of All of the sin and corruption inside of the church.
A list of All of the sin and corruption the church allows.
And I don't believe it's for your trying to understand my words because my words are self-explanatory _ as I said you live in this world you know what occurs the majority of the churches.
My perspective _ what you want me to do is give you a full list of what the church isn't doing that it's supposed to do.
A list of All of the sin and corruption inside of the church.
A list of All of the sin and corruption the church allows.
And I don't believe it's for your trying to understand my words because my words are self-explanatory _ as I said you live in this world you know what occurs the majority of the churches.
SilentObZerver · 22-25, M
@SDavishmm... interesting !
4meAndyou · F
The main reason is that I am just as poor at attending my present church as I was at attending church when I was a Catholic teenager. I am probably making excuses, but attending church every week was not something I did for my entire lifetime.
My present church is an uncomfortable experience, as well...because there are three people there who have been very unkind to me.
My present church is an uncomfortable experience, as well...because there are three people there who have been very unkind to me.
4meAndyou · F
@SilentObZerver No. I prevent myself from going. "My hair won't dry on time." " I can't deal with fasting today." "I slept too late." I don't have any clothes suitable for this weather that will be okay for church." "My shoes are too ugly. I can't go to church wearing sneakers." and then, last but really NOT least..."I might run into those mean people"
Elessar · 26-30, M
@jackieash27 Does TA allow zero star reviews? I thought 1 was the minimum
TheWildEcho · 56-60, M
TheWildEcho · 56-60, M
@SilentObZerver because i love God and everything Hes done for me. I love learning more about Him and meeting with like minded people
SilentObZerver · 22-25, M
@TheWildEcho is God real?
TheWildEcho · 56-60, M
@SilentObZerver definitely!!
OverTheHill · 56-60, M
SilentObZerver · 22-25, M
@OverTheHill thats great....but why so?
OverTheHill · 56-60, M
@SilentObZerver I am a follower of Christ. I placed my faith in Christ for salvation from sin, death, and hell.
The New Testament teaches in Hebrews 10: 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
I worship God, pray, and have fellowship with other believers. It is uplifting and encourwging.
The New Testament teaches in Hebrews 10: 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
I worship God, pray, and have fellowship with other believers. It is uplifting and encourwging.
Pinkstarburst · 51-55, F
SilentObZerver · 22-25, M
@Pinkstarburst ok, if not ...then whats it?
Pinkstarburst · 51-55, F
@SilentObZerver Church is walking with a Jesus heart. It’s having conversations with others daily. It’s recognizing that everyone is a sinner and loving on each other because of it. It’s being a good human being and not sticking someone in a box or putting blinders on. It’s speaking your heart and sharing struggles without judgement. It’s walking in your faith and not questioning it because someone stands at a pulpit trying to convince you that you’re wrong. It’s opening the door to your heart to everyone…believers and non. It’s sitting on a park bench and praying for the people who walk past.
I have had more endearing and moving conversations about God with the faithful homeless man downtown while sharing coffee than I ever had in a building.
I have had more endearing and moving conversations about God with the faithful homeless man downtown while sharing coffee than I ever had in a building.
SilentObZerver · 22-25, M
@Pinkstarburst interesting points raised there!
RedGrizzly · 26-30, F
Church is also a congregation of people. I don't physically go to church, but I'll listen to sermons and Bible study online or just study on my own. Either way, I'm not alone but with the Holy Spirit to guide me through these lessons as well. Then, unintentionally, there are times when I'm ministering other people when I go about my day.
Diotrephes · 70-79, M
@RedGrizzly The fact that you don't know who wrote 1 & 2 Timothy illustrates why women are supposed to be quiet.
RedGrizzly · 26-30, F
@Diotrephes well, if there's anything I appreciate from this comment is the reminder that Paul wrote the letters to Timothy. My bad, I'm human. I make mistakes as anyone else, but it doesn't negate meaning of the scripture.
Diotrephes · 70-79, M
@RedGrizzly That's one of the benefits of the forum. We increase our knowledge by interacting with others. Once you fully understand what the real Ten Commandments are, then the stories in the Old & New Testaments will make more sense.
Are Paul's various rules comparable to the fake ones the God character spewed in the Old Testament?
Ezekiel 20:25 (NKJV) = “Therefore I also gave them up to statutes that were not good, and judgments by which they could not live;"
Are Paul's various rules comparable to the fake ones the God character spewed in the Old Testament?
Ezekiel 20:25 (NKJV) = “Therefore I also gave them up to statutes that were not good, and judgments by which they could not live;"
@SilentObZerver Sure
basilfawlty89 · 31-35, M
Because I don't believe in Christianity?
SilentObZerver · 22-25, M
@basilfawlty89
What if He's Omnipotent but not loving ?
What if He's Omnipotent but not loving ?
basilfawlty89 · 31-35, M
@SilentObZerver then he can't be the Abrahamic God and it would be necessary to dethrone him for the sake of liberty.
Diotrephes · 70-79, M
@basilfawlty89
Because I don't believe in Christianity?
Christains are just Jews by religion.
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