Bad things about Christianity

[Quiddity]

I understand where you are coming from. It seem that every "ex-Christian" that I talk to is a former Catholic. I have some scripture that is from Revelation that I believe still applies today, I believe that it is in the Bible for this exact reason.
I think the Church at Laodicea is symbolic of the Catholic Church today.

No offense Catholics, I love you.

.

Wow! I'd hate to see what hate would look like. Tell you what, I hope you don't plan to leave this as is and not intend to get the input of a catholic on this. We deserve at least that don't you think? Don't do it in this thread though, I do not wish for this thread to turn into "what do you hate about Catholicism" thread. So if you have any questions go to the Catholic section of this forum.

Oh yeah and I love you too....

 

[Green Gaia]

Specifically why I am not a Christian:

• I don't believe in the Trinity.
• I don't believe in divine revelation.
• I don't believe in Christianity's concept of the aferlife.
• I don't believe in orginial sin.
• I don't believe the Bible to be literal or divinely inspired.
• I don't believe other religions should be discounted as valid religions just because they are not Christianity.
• I'm sure there's others, but I have other things to do...
  

 

[McBell]

Not to get off topic but check this one:

Matthew 28:19

http://jesus-messiah.com/apologetics/catholic/matthew2819.html​

[FONT=Times, Times New Roman, Serif]
http://www.israelofgod.org/Constantine.htm
[/FONT]
http://www.godglorified.com/matthew_2819.htm

http://www.wrestedscriptures.com/b08trinity/matthew28v19.html


If you wish to delve into this further, I would suggest starting a new thread.

 

[SoyLeche]

Specifically why I am not a Christian:

I am a Christian and:

• I don't believe in the Trinity.
• I don't believe in Traditional/Mainstream Christianity's concept of the aferlife.
• I don't believe in orginial sin.
• I don't believe the Bible to be 100% literal.
• I don't believe other religions should be discounted as valid religions just because they are not Christianity.
• I'm sure there's others, but I have other things to do...
  

 

[adilrockstar]

Which Christianity?

Its inclusiveness, its religious education program for kids, and its dedication to social action.

Thanks for the response!

I understand what you mean when you say "which Christianity". I believe that "Satan" caused seperation, for this exact reason, to weaken it's integrity. I understand why you would have this view.

Christianity offers those same things, my Church has programs for children, and we offer social action. We give to the poor and help those in need. I just went today and visited a man in the hospital that I don't even know, he is gonna have his leggs amputated. I went to let him know we were praying for him and that God loves him. My Mom has a Prison Ministry. She goes to a womens Prison every week and teaches a Christian Class. She does this with her own money and some donated by our Church. She does not get paid a penny. She does it out of love for others.

Some Christians have given Christianity a Bad Name. This is very sad. But not all Christians are that way.

 

[Mister_T]

Here's what I don't like:

We had a memorial service held for my cousin at the church my aunt attends (she's Christian as well) on Wedsenday night. The pastor took advantage of a church full of the "unsaved" and used my cousin's memorial service to preach about how the people in attendance are not "children of God" and how they need to repent and become "good people" and if we didn't "repent" that we were going to spend our eternity in Hell. The pastor was even so bold to say that he knew what my cousin would say if he were here (which is a giant load because he didn't know my cousin at all with the exception of his grade school years). He said Jesse (my cousin) would say that we "Need to think about where we are going to spend our eternity." At which point my cousin's 4 year old daughter ripped one of the loudest farts I've ever heard come from a toddler (for those of you who don't know, my cousin loved to fart and share his "experience" with us). Afterwards was the reception which was held at the church, where the pastor's wife handed out those darling little propaganda comic books that tell you what a godless sinner you are. He managed to say so much to us about how much we need convert (about 30 minutes) and did not once mention anything at all about my cousin's daughter or what she might be going through. He did not say her name or acknowledge her once.

I hate this elitetest mindset and spiritual snobbery. Not to mention people who attain this state of mind reek of hypocrisy. No wonder people get upset with my religion.

 

[adilrockstar]

.

Wow! I'd hate to see what hate would look like. Tell you what, I hope you don't plan to leave this as is and not intend to get the input of a catholic on this. We deserve at least that don't you think? Don't do it in this thread though, I do not wish for this thread to turn into "what do you hate about Catholicism" thread. So if you have any questions go to the Catholic section of this forum.

Oh yeah and I love you too....

Ha ha....I have many Catholics in my family. But that doesn't mean that I agree with the way the church that they attend is doing God's work. It isn't the person that attends the Church that I have a problem with, it is the teaching that don't show the fullness of God. It makes for a very spiritually dead atmosphere. That is how I feel...like it or not. I believe it leads many people to God but at the same time it leads many people away from God.

Thanks

 

[adilrockstar]

Here's what I don't like:

We had a memorial service held for my cousin at the church my aunt attends (she's Christian as well) on Wedsenday night. The pastor took advantage of a church full of the "unsaved" and used my cousin's memorial service to preach about how the people in attendance are not "children of God" and how they need to repent and become "good people" and if we didn't "repent" that we were going to spend our eternity in Hell. The pastor was even so bold to say that he knew what my cousin would say if he were here (which is a giant load because he didn't know my cousin at all with the exception of his grade school years). He said Jesse (my cousin) would say that we "Need to think about where we are going to spend our eternity." At which point my cousin's 4 year old daughter ripped one of the loudest farts I've ever heard come from a toddler (for those of you who don't know, my cousin loved to fart and share his "experience" with us). Afterwards was the reception which was held at the church, where the pastor's wife handed out those darling little propaganda comic books that tell you what a godless sinner you are. He managed to say so much to us about how much we need convert (about 30 minutes) and did not once mention anything at all about my cousin's daughter or what she might be going through. He did not say her name or acknowledge her once.

I hate this elitetest mindset and spiritual snobbery. Not to mention people who attain this state of mind reek of hypocrisy. No wonder people get upset with my religion.

First of all I believe that it was a good thing to share God at the funeral. Belief in God and Christ take the "sting" out of death. The message may not have touched you but it may have touched someone else in attendance. Sometime I have noticed that people get offended no matter where the sermon is. Even at the mention of Christ they get offended. I believe it is the Holy Spirit inside of that person convicting them and Satan is trying to fight off the conviction with anger.

I was not at the funeral so I don't have any idea about how the sermon was delivered. You are correct that many Preachers and Christians in General are hypocrits. They are so busy telling you to clean up your act that they don't clean up their own. God warns against this. The Preacher could have definately been out of line. But it is not uncommon for a sermon to be delivered at a funeral. That is why we ask Preachers to come.

The main point is that we should not hold "man" up too highly. They are imperfect. We will only be let down.

God Bless

Adil

 

[MaddLlama]

I have a hard time beliving there's something that Catholicism teaches that would be more likely to turn people away than Protestantism. I don't think it's fair to say that Catholics are driving away more people than Baptists, or Methodists or what-have-you. It's not the denomination of church, but it's the general theology of Christianity as a whole, and the conduct of the majority of Christians one deals with that turns people away.

Religion isn't a "one size fits all" deal. People turn away from different religions because they feel that whatever they have now isn't expressing how they feel. I don't think there's one religion out there that everybody would be happy with.

 

[Quiddity]

Ha ha....I have many Catholics in my family. But that doesn't mean that I agree with the way the church that they attend is doing God's work. It isn't the person that attends the Church that I have a problem with, it is the teaching that don't show the fullness of God. It makes for a very spiritually dead atmosphere. That is how I feel...like it or not. I believe it leads many people to God but at the same time it leads many people away from God.

Thanks

That's all nice and dandy, but nothing you mentioned is official teaching. But as I said, you know where to go if you want to talk about it further.

 

[adilrockstar]

I have a hard time beliving there's something that Catholicism teaches that would be more likely to turn people away than Protestantism. I don't think it's fair to say that Catholics are driving away more people than Baptists, or Methodists or what-have-you. It's not the denomination of church, but it's the general theology of Christianity as a whole, and the conduct of the majority of Christians one deals with that turns people away.

Religion isn't a "one size fits all" deal. People turn away from different religions because they feel that whatever they have now isn't expressing how they feel. I don't think there's one religion out there that everybody would be happy with.

I understand this view.

I never said that Catholics were driving more people away, I just said that when I speek to ex-Christians they have ALL SO FAR been Catholic. And they all have the same reason. No personal connection with God. There are other Letters To Churches in Revelation, I believe that those letters are still a message to current Churches in the World today (not just the Catholic Church, all churches) they are a guide. That is why the letters are in the Bible. To warn.

I am not condemning the Catholics, I just don't agree with their complete teachings. But hey....I don't have to, I am just a small person in a great big World.

God Bless

 

[adilrockstar]

That's all nice and dandy, but nothing you mentioned is official teaching. But as I said, you know where to go if you want to talk about it further.

No thanks. The only reason I metioned what I did about the Catholic beliefs is to connect with a particular member. And let them know that I had heard that before. And also to back up where I get my beliefs. I also respectfully acknowledged that the statement was JUST MY VIEW.

God Bless

Adil

 

[Quiddity]

No thanks. The only reason I metioned what I did about the Catholic beliefs is to connect with a particular member. And let them know that I had heard that before. And also to back up where I get my beliefs. I also respectfully acknowledged that the statement was JUST MY VIEW.

Maybe it's just me, but when I hold a view about X, I try to venture and learn about X from the "dogs mouth" as they say, rather then from ex-catholics.

~Victor

 

[Jaymes]

I never said that Catholics were driving more people away, I just said that when I speek to ex-Christians they have ALL SO FAR been Catholic. And they all have the same reason. No personal connection with God.

I'll be a first, then. I'm an "ex-Christian" (though I hesitate to label myself that) that was Southern Baptist, and was first distraught by the hypocrisy and heartlessness of those I went to church with, then realized that praying and hoping to one day feel something you could call a religious experience probably meant I wasn't cut out for this God thing. I had to go through a pagan phase before I figured that last bit out, though.

 

[Radio Frequency X]

I am starting this thread to find out what things people do not like about Christianity. Also I want to find out what draws people to other Religions.

What do you not like about Christianity?
How does your Religion differ?
What drew you to your Religion?

I am a Christian and there is nothing that I personally do not like about it.
The Love is what drew me to it, also the personal relationship that you can have with God and the Messiah.

God Bless

Adil

1. The number one problem non-Christians have with Christianity is the self-righteous and meanspirited attitude of the Christians we meet. Christianity is given the appearance of being bigoted, hate-filled, and ruthlessly judgmental.

Now, I am drawn to the Personal God for the same reasons as you, because of the love, grace, and wisdom present in my experience of this God. I don't know much about any Messiah and have prayed that God help me understand what, if anything, is the significance of Christ. I've gotten no answers here, so I remain agnostic.

2. I don't really have a religion. Most of my beliefs about ethics come from Germanic Heathenism. My feelings about divinity in the world and in life come from ancient, southern European paganism. The belief in a personal God comes from ancient Christianity, Gnosticism, and certain Deist philosophies. I've been searching for the truth, and I'm not looking for labels. I want to believe in what is real, because I want to improve what I put in and take out of life.

 

[Green Gaia]

Christianity offers those same things, my Church has programs for children, and we offer social action. We give to the poor and help those in need. I just went today and visited a man in the hospital that I don't even know, he is gonna have his leggs amputated. I went to let him know we were praying for him and that God loves him. My Mom has a Prison Ministry. She goes to a womens Prison every week and teaches a Christian Class. She does this with her own money and some donated by our Church. She does not get paid a penny. She does it out of love for others.

Here's the difference I experienced with those things in Christianity. Christianity was inclusive, if you were Christian. Christianity had a religious education program that cast other religions in a bad light and used fear to make kids believe it's own tenets. In Christianity you did outreach programs to help others, yes, but to also convert people and to evangelize to them. I was very turned off by those things.

 

[Mister_T]

First of all I believe that it was a good thing to share God at the funeral. Belief in God and Christ take the "sting" out of death. The message may not have touched you but it may have touched someone else in attendance. Sometime I have noticed that people get offended no matter where the sermon is. Even at the mention of Christ they get offended. I believe it is the Holy Spirit inside of that person convicting them and Satan is trying to fight off the conviction with anger.

I was not at the funeral so I don't have any idea about how the sermon was delivered. You are correct that many Preachers and Christians in General are hypocrits. They are so busy telling you to clean up your act that they don't clean up their own. God warns against this. The Preacher could have definately been out of line. But it is not uncommon for a sermon to be delivered at a funeral. That is why we ask Preachers to come.

The main point is that we should not hold "man" up too highly. They are imperfect. We will only be let down.

God Bless

Adil

I think you have misunderstood me. I have no problem whatsoever with mention of God. I'm all for it and I do that myself (I am a Christian after all. Perhaps you missed that). I agree that God and Jesus take the sting out of death. My problem is that the man is preaching "fire and brimstone" when it is supposed to be a service in rememberance of my cousin. It is supposed to be providing everyone with the comfort that my cousin still lives on. Not pointing your finger all of the "godless sinners" in attendance.

There is a time and place for someone to preach to the "unsaved." My cousin's memorial is not that time or place. It's rude and tasteless.

 

[Radio Frequency X]

Here's the difference I experienced with those things in Christianity. Christianity was inclusive, if you were Christian. Christianity had a religious education program that cast other religions in a bad light and used fear to make kids believe it's own tenets. In Christianity you did outreach programs to help others, yes, but to also convert people and to evangelize to them. I was very turned off by those things.

Well said. These are the problems I still have with the Christian Religion. While at that heart of the religion (the message of love, compassion, a personal relationship with god) is beautiful, the expression of the religion, or the method with which the message is expressed is unsettling. Even if I came to believe in 100% of Christian dogma, I would be uncomfortable associating myself with any Christian label or movement. I wouldn't have a problem going to a Christian Chruch, especially if there was good, educated teaching there, but it seems to me that part of being a Christian is being inclusive. At least, that is our historical experience.

 

[Quiddity]

Here's the difference I experienced with those things in Christianity. Christianity was inclusive, if you were Christian. Christianity had a religious education program that cast other religions in a bad light and used fear to make kids believe it's own tenets. In Christianity you did outreach programs to help others, yes, but to also convert people and to evangelize to them. I was very turned off by those things.

That wasn't Christianity, that was specific to your denomination who happen to be Christian.

 

[adilrockstar]

Maybe it's just me, but when I hold a view about X, I try to venture and learn about X from the "dogs mouth" as they say, rather then from ex-catholics.

~Victor

I have attended several Catholic Churches. As I said before, I have many Members of my family that go to Catholic Churches. I have seen for myself.:yes: