What religion were you raised in? [Spirituality & Religion]

@suzie1960 [quote]I was brought up nominally as a christian. I later became a devout "born again" christian and began studying the bible properly.[/quote]

What do you call 'nominally Christian and born again Christian'? The way you've presented yourself so far, is not very convincing.

@GodSpeed63 If you don't know yet, there's no point my trying to explain it to you. I know you don't like the fact that a devout christian could ever see through all the lies and deceit but you can't change the fact that I did.

@suzie1960 [quote] If you don't know yet,[/quote]

I do know what being born again is, it's obvious, you don't.

@GodSpeed63 LOL! It really sticks in your craw that I managed to break free from the shackles of christianity. You just can't accept that simple fact so you have to try to deny I was a christian. :)

@suzie1960 [quote]LOL! It really sticks in your craw that I managed to break free from the shackles of Christianity. You just can't accept that simple fact so you have to try to deny I was a christian.[/quote]

I don't have to, you've done that for me.

@GodSpeed63 In your dreams. 😎

@suzie1960 Jesus loves you, Suzie, and so do I.

@GodSpeed63 And yet you would both be quite happy to see @suzie1960 suffer in hell for all eternity if she fails to accept your version of Christianity. Interesting definition of love.

@Bushranger [quote]And yet you would both be quite happy to see @suzie1960 suffer in hell for all eternity if she fails to accept your version of Christianity. Interesting definition of love.[/quote]

Your ignorance leaves something to be desired. Why would you think such a thing?

@GodSpeed63 If someone does not accept your version of Christianity, can they enter heaven?

@Bushranger Accepting Christianity doesn't save you, accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in your heart and life does. You and Suzie, of all people, would know that if your claims about being a devout Christian once are true.

@GodSpeed63 As I said, your version of Christianity. It has a common thread of belief in and acceptance of Christ as your saviour, but you would have doubts about the validity of someone's faith if they belonged to an established denomination. If I had continued to believe but also followed the practices of my original Church, would you have accepted that I was a true Christian? Be honest in your response. And I'm still waiting for your answer to my other question.

@GodSpeed63

Why is it so hard for you to accept that someone who once believed with all their heart has come to the conclusion that they were mistaken?

Does it frighten you? Shake your faith?

If not, why do you refuse to accept it? What's your excuse?

@Pikachu Probably because it's all he's got in life.

@Pikachu @Bushranger Wrong. Because they traded the truth for a lie. They had head knowledge instead of heart knowledge. There's a difference.

@GodSpeed63 By "head knowledge" I assume you mean knowledge of Christianity gained from reading the Bible. Therefore "heart knowledge" would be your faith.

The first is testable, the second isn't.

So from your faith position, you claim that anyone who doesn't have the same religious beliefs as you is not a true Christian. Mind you, there would be others who say exactly the same thing about you.

I accept you have faith, why can't you accept that others may have a different or even no fath?

@Bushranger [quote]So from your faith position, you claim that anyone who doesn't have the same religious beliefs as you is not a true Christian. Mind you, there would be others who say exactly the same thing about you. [/quote]

You still don't get it, do you. My faith in Christ has nothing to do with religion. Religion can't save you, faith without works is dead, so that can't save you, Jesus Christ alone saves you. BTW people have a certain amount of faith as long they're alive. The only people with no faith are skeptics lying six feet under their headstones. So, it's up to you to put your faith in Christ and be saved.

@GodSpeed63 And you still don't get it either. I've explained to you the use of the word religion in this context. Either you have significant difficulty in comprehension or you are just being difficult.

As I said, unless it is your particular religious belief, then everyone else is not a true Christian. You can't see the conceit in that concept?

@Bushranger [quote]Either you have significant difficulty in comprehension or you are just being difficult. [/quote]
Either could be true - he could simply be a troll.

@suzie1960 I'd like to think not, though. And I will miss him when he finally gives up on me lol.

@Bushranger [quote]And you still don't get it either. I've explained to you the use of the word religion in this context. Either you have significant difficulty in comprehension or you are just being difficult. [/quote]

What is it with you and religion? Where is it written that people have to have religion in order to have a relationship with God in heaven through Jesus Christ by His Holy Spirit? Please, think before you answer?

@suzie1960 [quote]Either could be true - he could simply be a troll.[/quote]

If you want to see someone being a troll, try the mirror.

@GodSpeed63 Did you read my previous explanation of the use of the word? I'll try again. A religious belief in the context in which I used it, has nothing to do with a religious denomination. It only speaks to beliefs and practices. Because you have a belief in Christ as your saviour and your practice would involve praying, the word describes that specific belief, as opposed to any other belief that you may have.

Even if you don't understand the term, I will continue to use it, so get used to it.

@Bushranger [quote]Even if you don't understand the term, I will continue to use it, so get used to it.[/quote]

Read James 1:27 and get used to it.

@GodSpeed63 Your point being? That verse describes a practice that is considered to be acceptable (I agree that it is a good practice), if you believe that is what is required by your faith, then it becomes a religious belief. The action of assisting others if done with the intent to please your God, becomes a religious practice. Don't forget that James used the word religion in that and other verses.

When I assist others, it is not a religious practice, so "religious practice/belief" also helps to differentiate your practices/beliefs from mine. I would have thought you'd like that.