Dante, I had saved some of the responses I got from Christians. Here are some of them:
As you encounter people like this, who might secretly be fearful about their religion and might welcome hearing about your own changes in your spirituality, then speaking up might be a blessing for them. I think the key is in discerning when to answer the call of those who might be seeking, and when to remain silent in respect to those who are comfortable with their path.
Rather than making a bold announcement which could come on too strong and generate fear among your friends and family, it might be helpful to just put out little feelers and see if you get nibbles, and be alert to questions which might indicate an openness to your new ideas. As these letters show, there may be those in your circle of friends and loved ones who might appreciate hearing your ideas, but the task is to be sensitive to where they're at.
Oh wow, we just cross-posted, and your post really nails what I was attempting to convey!
PROFOUND!!
Quote:I am a Christian. That is to say that I follow the teachings of Christ. About a year ago, I had an Revelation in my life. It is a long story, but to make it short.
I became as I was, when I was a Child. I became that HOPING person again. I became happy with God once more. I fell in love all over again. I have not felt this good since I was four years old (I am now 46 year old).
At Five years old, the Catholic Nuns got their hands on me and hammered home the EVIL IDEOLOGY of HELL.
I am better now,....LOL!
I look at things in a totally different light.
I look at people differently now. I actually LOVE THEM. As opposed to when I became "Born again" (In 1987) and said I loved them.
And by the way. Don't you ever think that Born again believers are not afraid of going to Hell. I was as earnest as I could be, YET, I was in fear of Hell.
I thought to myself that: "Maybe I didn't have enough faith and that God would reject me".
So don't let them fool you. They are in fear for their loved ones, And themselves ALSO!
Peace and God's Love be with you.
I would love to hear much more of your ideas!
Quote:You actually made me think when you posted about hell. I too have now come to believe that maybe someway everyone will get saved and be in heaven. People who turn out evil, must have had some really bad things happen to them for them to turn out that way or they believe the lies that others tell about God or other people.
I so wish we would have peace. Peace between nations, people and groups. I guess you and I will need to spread the word and show love to all. Do you have any books that you would recommend that I read on spirituality or on God? E-mail me anytime.
love and hugs,
Quote:Thank you for your kind words. I have changed alot of my beliefs over the last year. Thanks in part to the discussion.
Here is what I said to E:
I think Abraham was delusional that God wanted Him to kill his son to start with. After all some people in this day and age have that delusion and have killed their children thinking that they were doing God's will. Those people are mentally ill. Abrham was mentally ill when he took his son up on the mountain, if indeed he did. It's just a story written down and we do not know for sure if it is a true story since we were not there. Some of the stories in the Bible I'm sure are myths. They were passed down from generation to generation and as in any telling of a story, things get changed as it passes from person to person.
And they say you can't pick and choose what scriptures you want to believe. Well that is exactly what I do. If it sounds crazy, evil, mean, unthinking, stupid, or not advisable, I disreguard that scripture. I actually THINK about what is being said. I don't care if it is from a supposedly HOLY book or not, if it's evil I reject it. That is why God gave us a brain, to think and not blindly follow someone just because they claim to be the "voice" of God.
Let us love one another and encourage one another. Let God be the judge of our hearts and minds.
As you encounter people like this, who might secretly be fearful about their religion and might welcome hearing about your own changes in your spirituality, then speaking up might be a blessing for them. I think the key is in discerning when to answer the call of those who might be seeking, and when to remain silent in respect to those who are comfortable with their path.
Rather than making a bold announcement which could come on too strong and generate fear among your friends and family, it might be helpful to just put out little feelers and see if you get nibbles, and be alert to questions which might indicate an openness to your new ideas. As these letters show, there may be those in your circle of friends and loved ones who might appreciate hearing your ideas, but the task is to be sensitive to where they're at.
(04-12-2010, 10:06 AM)Quade Wrote: One who says he can't stand religion sees the difference, the one who is in the religion does not, almost to the point of questioning of what I found, and it had no influence on him at all.
Oh wow, we just cross-posted, and your post really nails what I was attempting to convey!
(04-12-2010, 10:06 AM)Quade Wrote: I went from a world of trying to love christ, or to love Jesus, to a world of the Love of Christ, or the Love of Jesus.
PROFOUND!!