Yes, I have to agree with that.

Niki, I was never taught that Christianity was an exclusive club. Nor was I taught that any other way resulted in hell fire. I have visited churches that do teach strange concepts that I could not find in the book that I use. I was taught that each person should make their own choice and live with it, whatever that choice may be. I have never seen non-Christians as hell bound. I also know of many people that have decided to join or leave Christianity without any punishment. I am surprised to find that when a Christian falls the first to kick him ARE his "Christian" brothers and sisters. I don't get that. I still feel that in any group there are the good, the bad and the ugly, but I don't slap a label on all members of any group. I'm sorry that an ideology has hurt you this way.

That's fascinating Barak! Honestly, I have heard only very small instances of Christianity holding such a welcoming doctrine. They've been usually painted in very extremist colors.

Do say more. What kind of churches are these? I see you're from Texas, so are they mainly there? What title does this denomination hold?

I have a million questions I could ask you! I'm just that more thrilled to have you, as a new poster, here.

And don't apologize. Nothing has hurt me. Many have assumed that I left from hurt. I have not! I did not want to leave. It was stripped from me, as I say, from what I studied. I simply found it either not true, or not falsifiable enough to stake my belief in. I have no hard feelings with Christianity when it comes down to it. I have many problems with it, but no pain is there.

My original church was non-denominational because I did not like the "divisions". It seems to me that every time a church chooses a denomination they "customize" their doctrine. Saved and unsaved tend to "pick and choose" what they will and will not believe in. I stayed with that church for over twenty years and still commend the early teachings that opened my eyes to my flawed thoughts. Sadly, that same church has swung to mammon now and I am looking for another non-denomination to attend. These churches can be found almost everywhere, just fewer in number than the "clubs". It also helped me to find "like-minded Christians" with which I can freely discuss His word. Modern day churches, I find, are becoming more political than spiritual. I can not abide by that, but I still communicate with their members. So long as discussions serve to increase wisdom, instead of debating precepts, I'm in.

Interesting!

Although dissapointing. "Non-denominational" is a labeled toted by many churches. Although they are generally slightly more liberal, they can also tend to be more evangelical. It's officially a denomination, in a way, but... wells says nothing about what a church believes!

So it seems yours is more of an isolated experience...

I wonder why politics bothers you though? It would seem that Jesus was an extremely political figure. The gospels are littered with political references! But then again, I guess I do understand.

I dunno. Anyway, thanks for sharing.

I've talked some about my past here. I quite agree that we have our individual paths. I think God is bigger than any religion can fathom, and I think the requirements laid down are man-made.

I had been thinking of starting a topic, "What kind of God would you want." The one I think has intersected my life at several key times in my life is quite different than taught in the Christian church.

I think the only sins are harming others or self.

Sometimes I think that there're lessons that I need to learn in this life. And sometimes I think I'm not getting there. Other times, I think maybe I am. In any event, it's an adventure.

Ooooh! Do it Carl! I can already forsee it becoming a huge discussion. I can imagine at least 4 off-shoot discussions from that alone. It would be marvelous!

Eventually you have to give up the struggle that goes on in your mind regarding the belief which no longer makes sense to you. To continue on believing in something which no longer makes sense to you is ridiculous. The acceptance of this truth will, sometimes, upset the closest of relationships. In the end, however, you must be true to yourself.

What else is there?

Just giving up the struggle doesn't mean you can't discover a kernel of something that gives you hope.

We don't really know, do we?