[seeker1950]

I take comfort in my belief system, though it would have to be one that I have evolved into myself. I consider myself Christian, but not in the Fundamentalist way. I have posted topics here in Spiritualilty before which caused disruption, and that is not my intention here.

What I believe or don't believe: not in heaven and hell in the pearly gates/fire and brimstone kind. I believe our soul or essence departs us (and I do believe we have a soul and are much more than our physical/chemical bodies). I actually think much of the concept of Heaven and Hell developed from Medieval church doctrine in their efforts to control people. I seen no such evidence in the Bible (though I'm sure others here will point it out to me!)

...I don't believe the world was created in 7 days, including Adam and Eve. I believe this is an allegory to show how mankind is inquisitive and prone to make mistakes. The whole Adam and Eve story also places too much blame on women, and has resulted in longterm, historical suppression of the female. The early church was all too happy to enforce this!

I certainlly don't bellieve in a "Rapture," a fantastical event in which believers will be swept up bodily. I think this is a concoction primarily from the 1800's evangelists who gleaned just enough fragments of such phenomena from the Bible to make it doctrine.

Also, an omniscient God or higher power is not going to care whether we align ourselves with a denomination, go to church and sing a hymn, listen to a sermon. How we conduct ourselves in our daily, how we care for ourselves and react to others seems more important to me.

Patty

[Direction]

I agree there are all kinds of Christians...many of my beliefs are held fairly sacred to me so I don't share them very often.

I too believe that we have a soul (I call it a spirit), but I think we are talking the same thing?

One belief I would like to share is about Adam and Eve...It was necessary for Adam and Eve to have the fall...I place no blame on women...I have more on that...though I tend to hold that part to my self...

Regarding your last sentence...I do believe that God is a loving Heavenly Father and cares very much about how we conduct our lives. Christ did say “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” he said. “This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40).

Anyway those are some of my beliefs...

In a few short sentences the Savior provided mankind with two great guiding commandments—commandments that belong at the center of and provide the foundation for all we think, feel, and do: Love the Lord and love your fellow man.

[(JD)]

I agree with the subject line to a large extent. Semantics maybe? To be considered "Christian" though, is not just not be something else

Maybe a definition of how each person is using that word, what each person considers to be "Christian" would help us here? And, does God have a definition that anyone should use?

IDK these types of threads, especially when there are several going at the same time, don't appear to be supportive in nature. But I'll support you in your efforts to be supported?!

[seeker1950]

Thanks, Sky and Direction, for your insightful and balanced responses to my thread.
I do realize that I am in a state of being the least Christian in thought that I've ever been in my life, though I still retain the essence of the beliefs, I think.
This being Father's Day, I am recently having the realization that my relationship with my father has a lot to do with my rather unique and rebellious stance in matters of faith. My dad was a "devout" Christian, a depressed man, quiet and exceedingly humble, obsessed with his Fundamentalist faith and equally obsessed that I embraced it. He never touched me, never talked to me, never gave encouragement or love, and the one thing that got his approval was my joining the church at age 12. This is painful to reveal, and I realize this is the stuff for a therapist's office, and probably not here.
15 years ago, when he was dying of cancer, I would drive two hours to his home to take him to church, a Fundamentalist church, where on the last time I took him and my mother (who, like me, didn't embrace his fervor for religion), the congregation got in a frenzy and got down on their knees praying in front of me and mom for our conversion and salvation. My mom and I had driven separately to the church, and left together, at which time I told Mom..."I can't do this anymore!" and she agreed. I was STILL trying to win his approval!
So, I DO realize that the absence of a father, his obsession with his faith, has a lot to do with my cynical stance on religion. At the same time, I have my own belief system which is probably a combination of Humanism and Christianity.
I apologize for posting my controversial views here. At the same time, I think there is a place for it in the Spiritual forum.
Patty

[Direction]

Patty, I can see how hard that must have been...There is no reason to apologize for what you said...they are your views and beliefs and you are not intending to attack us for our beliefs...

I would have to admit that had I had the last experience you did...I don't know what I would think about it all...

I think this is a good place to post as it deals with how those "Christian" experiences have effected you...I believe that is why this forum was set up...so we could talk about that very thing...

Anyway on this Father's Day ... know that your dad wasn't perfect and that he loved you in the way he could...

[seeker1950]

Thanks, Direction...
I do know that, and I do miss my dad!
Love
Patty

[tranquility]

Patty -

You don't have to apologize - I liked your post! This is not the christianity forum but the spirituality forum. So my understanding is you can post about anything that has to do with your spirituality.

I consider myself very spiritual and I don't believe in the bible (any of them), adam/eve, or the god that was taught to me by the catholic church.

I like reading everyone's varied beliefs. I just think that sometimes it seems people are compelled to reply to a post with biblical sayings and their own religious teachings which I don't think is the purpose of the forum. My own opinion

Tranquility

Patty, please don't apologize for your words. You have an equal right here to say what you need to say concerning "spirituality".

I agree with Tranquility's post. Maybe people need to be reminded occasionally that this is the "spirituality" forum and not the "christian" forum. I didn't see anything in Doc John's creating it that all we could talk about was our biblical beliefs. If he did say that, I'd like to be directed to it.

Don't take your boundaries down so that others aren't upset with your words. Or that they want to argue with you and point out your mistakes. Boundaries are healthy. Wish people had more of them and recognized them more often.

I know you as a wonderful friend and a very caring and supportive person here. We're friends IRL and I cherish that, very much.

Post what you need to post and we'll carry on........xoxoxox pat

[SeptemberMorn]

Five Christian Absolutes

1. Jesus is the Christ, only begotten Son of the living of God
2. Salvation only through His blood
3. Was crucified and died for the remision of our sins
4. Rose from the dead on the third day
5. Will return for His Church to live with Him forever

The rest is up to interpretation. These are MY beliefs.

EDIT: If we're to call ourselves "Christian" then in my estimation, we need to be Immitators of Christ. Anything less doesn't make any sense to me.

[bebop]

Patty I think I understand where you are coming from. See we were mad as kids to go to church every time the doors opened. Out of 3 of us kids I have one brother that rebeled really bad. He all but refuses to walk into a church for almost any reason. He says it was crammed down his throat all his life. But he also thinks alot of things that aren't true but it is his perception. I do understand though.

we don't all call ourselves "christians" nor do we have to be here.

the forum is about "spirituality"......not called "christianity" and is not exclusive to christianity. or, unless Doc John changes things around big time............

correction: we don't all call ourselves "christians" nor do we have to, to be here.

[SeptemberMorn]

[seeker1950]

Thanks all of you for your compassion and insights!
Thing is...I really don't struggle any more about this matter of faith and spirituality. I feel more peace in my life than ever before.
Love and thanks to all of you.
Patty

[(JD)]

Good to hear (((seeker))).

Yes, there are all types of ppl who call themselves Christians. (The theme of the thread.)

My apologies to anyone who forgot the subject line and thought Christians were taking over the forum

I think it was already debated in earlier threads that spirituality and Christianity are not necessarily the same thing.

We do have a free will, to believe what we choose, and also to only take out of God's Word what we like and dispense with the rest, and still think we are Christian.

I am in awe of God too much to try and do that, but personally work on finding His perfect will for my life, in grace. :heart_spin:

[(JD)]

Good to hear (((seeker))).

Yes, there are all types of ppl who call themselves Christians. (The theme of the thread.)

My apologies to anyone who forgot the subject line and thought Christians were taking over the forum

I think it was already debated in earlier threads that spirituality and Christianity are not necessarily the same thing.

We do have a free will, to believe what we choose, and also to only take out of God's Word what we like and dispense with the rest, and still think we are Christian.

I am in awe of God too much to try and do that, but personally work on finding His perfect will for my life, in grace.

[nothemama8]

Hope ppl will understand what we're trying to say, thoughs get mixed up today
My feelings on spirituality are: I feel very spiritual sitting under a lilac bush, being it is created by a higher power, and put here for our enjoyment, small animals, babies, and my friends make me feel spiritual
I also accept the fact that Christians are trying to follow Christs teaching, thus they are trying to be Christ like.
Is this making any sense?
Angie

[SeptemberMorn]

It makes perfect sense to me, Angie!

{{{{{{{{{{{Angie and the girls}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[bebop]

it makes perfect since to me. the Bible tells us we are suppose to be Christ like right? not that any of us would or could ever achieve that status! but we do try.