Desperate to have God in my life again.

[Joshua Ray]

However, I can't relate to any of the religions of Abraham. If anyone could please help or would be up for discussion it would be much appreciated.

None of this planets religions actually feels like Abraham. I was born into the Catholic Church and raised First Christian. But every religion seems to be led by men that think they speak for God rather than direct people towards worshipping God.

The early church and people in the early church perceived Moses and the Jews to have horns as depicted in the following link (A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS Largely because everything that the Church was based on opposed the laws of the God of Abraham. So one could also assume that the early church depicted Abrahams God as the Devil and put horns on him. God in the Old Testament was often associated with fire after all and didn't punish with heaven and hell, but rather plagues.

"As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze." Daniel 7:9

Furthermore, the Catholic Church and everything it stands for is in complete opposition of Abrahams God and His Commandments.

1. “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.

Depicting Jesus as God completely contradicts this and promotes the possibility that there could be more than God himself. God can't be One when he's split into two parts. Not to mention, the concept of Jesus promotes the notion that people are supposed to kneel to and worship men when in fact that's exactly what God doesn't want us to do. Men standing as a representation of Jesus blocks people from having a direct relationship with God. Not to mention they are portraying themselves in a likeness to God.

2. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Kneeling to and clutching crosses is in complete contradiction to this commandment. It specifically states that you don't bow down to these images.

3. "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

4. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
5. “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
6. “You shall not murder.
7. “You shall not commit adultery.
8. “You shall not steal.
9. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Christianity allows people to think they can violate any of these laws and be forgiven. But why would God have given them if people could break them so freely?

Finally, to discuss the atrocities that result from a planet where people are encouraged to be subservient and kneel to/worship men.

1. By promoting an environment where men are encouraged to see themselves as superior many forms of violence are promoted in man's attempt to sustain control on those around them (murder, domestic abuse, child abuse, rape). Most of these horrendous things would not be occurring if people didn't think they had to control something. Unfortunately, God often gets the blame, when in fact if people were actually keeping His Commandments and encouraging each other to keep them and worshipping God rather than other people and items, none of these things would be happening. Instead, everybody is running over each other and I doubt Jesus died for that.
2. Child molestation is the result of men thinking they are God and playing God. But they wouldn't have this in their minds if people weren't kneeling to men and if men didn't think they spoke for God. Unfortunately, men are too stubborn to accept this and thus child molestation within the various religions on this planet will never stop. Without accepting the cause, they can never find a solution. And instead they will only look for different ways to cover it up. When in fact the solution would be to find a direct relationship between each person and God, to stop worshipping men, and to leave judgment to God alone. But this can never be realized because a large number of people can't accept that they don't speak for God.

 

[Christ's Lamb]

However, I can't relate to any of the religions of Abraham. If anyone could please help or would be up for discussion it would be much appreciated.

None of this planets religions actually feels like Abraham. I was born into the Catholic Church and raised First Christian. But every religion seems to be led by men that think they speak for God rather than direct people towards worshipping God.

The early church and people in the early church perceived Moses and the Jews to have horns as depicted in the following link (A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS Largely because everything that the Church was based on opposed the laws of the God of Abraham. So one could also assume that the early church depicted Abrahams God as the Devil and put horns on him. God in the Old Testament was often associated with fire after all and didn't punish with heaven and hell, but rather plagues.

"As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze." Daniel 7:9

Furthermore, the Catholic Church and everything it stands for is in complete opposition of Abrahams God and His Commandments.

1. “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.

Depicting Jesus as God completely contradicts this and promotes the possibility that there could be more than God himself. God can't be One when he's split into two parts. Not to mention, the concept of Jesus promotes the notion that people are supposed to kneel to and worship men when in fact that's exactly what God doesn't want us to do. Men standing as a representation of Jesus blocks people from having a direct relationship with God. Not to mention they are portraying themselves in a likeness to God.

2. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Kneeling to and clutching crosses is in complete contradiction to this commandment. It specifically states that you don't bow down to these images.

3. "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

4. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
5. “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
6. “You shall not murder.
7. “You shall not commit adultery.
8. “You shall not steal.
9. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Christianity allows people to think they can violate any of these laws and be forgiven. But why would God have given them if people could break them so freely?

Finally, to discuss the atrocities that result from a planet where people are encouraged to be subservient and kneel to/worship men.

1. By promoting an environment where men are encouraged to see themselves as superior many forms of violence are promoted in man's attempt to sustain control on those around them (murder, domestic abuse, child abuse, rape). Most of these horrendous things would not be occurring if people didn't think they had to control something. Unfortunately, God often gets the blame, when in fact if people were actually keeping His Commandments and encouraging each other to keep them and worshipping God rather than other people and items, none of these things would be happening. Instead, everybody is running over each other and I doubt Jesus died for that.
2. Child molestation is the result of men thinking they are God and playing God. But they wouldn't have this in their minds if people weren't kneeling to men and if men didn't think they spoke for God. Unfortunately, men are too stubborn to accept this and thus child molestation within the various religions on this planet will never stop. Without accepting the cause, they can never find a solution. And instead they will only look for different ways to cover it up. When in fact the solution would be to find a direct relationship between each person and God, to stop worshipping men, and to leave judgment to God alone. But this can never be realized because a large number of people can't accept that they don't speak for God.

All you have to do is get outside of yourself, then you will see the light of truth. Put all your judgements, greediness, and beliefs aside, then you will see God's Truth. That's it.

 

[Nada]

However, I can't relate to any of the religions of Abraham. If anyone could please help or would be up for discussion it would be much appreciated.

None of this planets religions actually feels like Abraham. I was born into the Catholic Church and raised First Christian. But every religion seems to be led by men that think they speak for God rather than direct people towards worshipping God.

The early church and people in the early church perceived Moses and the Jews to have horns as depicted in the following link (A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS Largely because everything that the Church was based on opposed the laws of the God of Abraham. So one could also assume that the early church depicted Abrahams God as the Devil and put horns on him. God in the Old Testament was often associated with fire after all and didn't punish with heaven and hell, but rather plagues.

"As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze." Daniel 7:9

Furthermore, the Catholic Church and everything it stands for is in complete opposition of Abrahams God and His Commandments.

1. “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.

Depicting Jesus as God completely contradicts this and promotes the possibility that there could be more than God himself. God can't be One when he's split into two parts. Not to mention, the concept of Jesus promotes the notion that people are supposed to kneel to and worship men when in fact that's exactly what God doesn't want us to do. Men standing as a representation of Jesus blocks people from having a direct relationship with God. Not to mention they are portraying themselves in a likeness to God.

2. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Kneeling to and clutching crosses is in complete contradiction to this commandment. It specifically states that you don't bow down to these images.

3. "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

4. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
5. “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
6. “You shall not murder.
7. “You shall not commit adultery.
8. “You shall not steal.
9. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Christianity allows people to think they can violate any of these laws and be forgiven. But why would God have given them if people could break them so freely?

Finally, to discuss the atrocities that result from a planet where people are encouraged to be subservient and kneel to/worship men.

1. By promoting an environment where men are encouraged to see themselves as superior many forms of violence are promoted in man's attempt to sustain control on those around them (murder, domestic abuse, child abuse, rape). Most of these horrendous things would not be occurring if people didn't think they had to control something. Unfortunately, God often gets the blame, when in fact if people were actually keeping His Commandments and encouraging each other to keep them and worshipping God rather than other people and items, none of these things would be happening. Instead, everybody is running over each other and I doubt Jesus died for that.
2. Child molestation is the result of men thinking they are God and playing God. But they wouldn't have this in their minds if people weren't kneeling to men and if men didn't think they spoke for God. Unfortunately, men are too stubborn to accept this and thus child molestation within the various religions on this planet will never stop. Without accepting the cause, they can never find a solution. And instead they will only look for different ways to cover it up. When in fact the solution would be to find a direct relationship between each person and God, to stop worshipping men, and to leave judgment to God alone. But this can never be realized because a large number of people can't accept that they don't speak for God.

Well it seems,from your own words,that you were in a organization that does not do as God commands.Start with the basics.Pray,read and study.Once you do this,you will start to see who it is that is really preaching and teaching truth.

 

[metis]

However, I can't relate to any of the religions of Abraham. If anyone could please help or would be up for discussion it would be much appreciated.

None of this planets religions actually feels like Abraham. I was born into the Catholic Church and raised First Christian. But every religion seems to be led by men that think they speak for God rather than direct people towards worshipping God.

The early church and people in the early church perceived Moses and the Jews to have horns as depicted in the following link (A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS Largely because everything that the Church was based on opposed the laws of the God of Abraham. So one could also assume that the early church depicted Abrahams God as the Devil and put horns on him. God in the Old Testament was often associated with fire after all and didn't punish with heaven and hell, but rather plagues.

"As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze." Daniel 7:9

Furthermore, the Catholic Church and everything it stands for is in complete opposition of Abrahams God and His Commandments.

1. “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.

Depicting Jesus as God completely contradicts this and promotes the possibility that there could be more than God himself. God can't be One when he's split into two parts. Not to mention, the concept of Jesus promotes the notion that people are supposed to kneel to and worship men when in fact that's exactly what God doesn't want us to do. Men standing as a representation of Jesus blocks people from having a direct relationship with God. Not to mention they are portraying themselves in a likeness to God.

2. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Kneeling to and clutching crosses is in complete contradiction to this commandment. It specifically states that you don't bow down to these images.

3. "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

4. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
5. “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
6. “You shall not murder.
7. “You shall not commit adultery.
8. “You shall not steal.
9. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Christianity allows people to think they can violate any of these laws and be forgiven. But why would God have given them if people could break them so freely?

Finally, to discuss the atrocities that result from a planet where people are encouraged to be subservient and kneel to/worship men.

1. By promoting an environment where men are encouraged to see themselves as superior many forms of violence are promoted in man's attempt to sustain control on those around them (murder, domestic abuse, child abuse, rape). Most of these horrendous things would not be occurring if people didn't think they had to control something. Unfortunately, God often gets the blame, when in fact if people were actually keeping His Commandments and encouraging each other to keep them and worshipping God rather than other people and items, none of these things would be happening. Instead, everybody is running over each other and I doubt Jesus died for that.
2. Child molestation is the result of men thinking they are God and playing God. But they wouldn't have this in their minds if people weren't kneeling to men and if men didn't think they spoke for God. Unfortunately, men are too stubborn to accept this and thus child molestation within the various religions on this planet will never stop. Without accepting the cause, they can never find a solution. And instead they will only look for different ways to cover it up. When in fact the solution would be to find a direct relationship between each person and God, to stop worshipping men, and to leave judgment to God alone. But this can never be realized because a large number of people can't accept that they don't speak for God.

You might want to check out Unitarian Universalist, at least as a place to start since it is so open. If not available, try Anglican/Episcopalian, which are also very open to theological exploration.

BTW, I belong to neither.

 

[Jumi]

Welcome, I hope you find what you seek.

 

[Baladas]

I was once a Christian as well, and a youth minister/theology student.

Welcome! Best of wishes in finding your path.

 

[Valjean]

Welcome to RF, Joshua.
If you crave the God of the Old Testament why don't you convert to Judaism?

 

[allfoak]

Well Joshua Ray,
I would say that it is a good thing that you cannot find what you are looking for outside of yourself.

If you are Biblically inclined then learn what the Beatitudes mean.
Live out the sermon on the mount.

And don't forget the parable of the sower.

Mark 4: 13

3 Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?

 

[bain-druie]

Welcome. If, as you say, you cannot relate to any of the Abrahamic religions, I humbly suggest you leave them alone and begin a different search. You are clearly uncomfortable with the Abrahamics, yet your focus remains there; perhaps because they are all you've known so far. There is a wide realm out there; don't be afraid to explore honestly rather than staying in your own front yard and trying to call that exploration.

My 2 cents.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Welcome. Hopefully you can find some of what you are looking for here.
Far be it for an atheist like me to offer advice on finding God, but is it possible that you have more of an issue with religion than with God?
If you haven't, it might be worth trying to establish a personal relationship, rather than being reliant on a Church where you see man's influence.

 

[Pegg]

However, I can't relate to any of the religions of Abraham. If anyone could please help or would be up for discussion it would be much appreciated.

None of this planets religions actually feels like Abraham. I was born into the Catholic Church and raised First Christian. But every religion seems to be led by men that think they speak for God rather than direct people towards worshipping God.

The early church and people in the early church perceived Moses and the Jews to have horns as depicted in the following link (A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS Largely because everything that the Church was based on opposed the laws of the God of Abraham. So one could also assume that the early church depicted Abrahams God as the Devil and put horns on him. God in the Old Testament was often associated with fire after all and didn't punish with heaven and hell, but rather plagues.

"As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze." Daniel 7:9

Furthermore, the Catholic Church and everything it stands for is in complete opposition of Abrahams God and His Commandments.

1. “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.

Depicting Jesus as God completely contradicts this and promotes the possibility that there could be more than God himself. God can't be One when he's split into two parts. Not to mention, the concept of Jesus promotes the notion that people are supposed to kneel to and worship men when in fact that's exactly what God doesn't want us to do. Men standing as a representation of Jesus blocks people from having a direct relationship with God. Not to mention they are portraying themselves in a likeness to God.

2. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Kneeling to and clutching crosses is in complete contradiction to this commandment. It specifically states that you don't bow down to these images.

3. "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

4. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
5. “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
6. “You shall not murder.
7. “You shall not commit adultery.
8. “You shall not steal.
9. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Christianity allows people to think they can violate any of these laws and be forgiven. But why would God have given them if people could break them so freely?

Finally, to discuss the atrocities that result from a planet where people are encouraged to be subservient and kneel to/worship men.

1. By promoting an environment where men are encouraged to see themselves as superior many forms of violence are promoted in man's attempt to sustain control on those around them (murder, domestic abuse, child abuse, rape). Most of these horrendous things would not be occurring if people didn't think they had to control something. Unfortunately, God often gets the blame, when in fact if people were actually keeping His Commandments and encouraging each other to keep them and worshipping God rather than other people and items, none of these things would be happening. Instead, everybody is running over each other and I doubt Jesus died for that.
2. Child molestation is the result of men thinking they are God and playing God. But they wouldn't have this in their minds if people weren't kneeling to men and if men didn't think they spoke for God. Unfortunately, men are too stubborn to accept this and thus child molestation within the various religions on this planet will never stop. Without accepting the cause, they can never find a solution. And instead they will only look for different ways to cover it up. When in fact the solution would be to find a direct relationship between each person and God, to stop worshipping men, and to leave judgment to God alone. But this can never be realized because a large number of people can't accept that they don't speak for God.

Ah, i see you are a bible reader.

You can always tell the difference between someone who listens to God and someone who listens to man. There are others like you who are listening to God and who do not let themselves be led along by the philosophies and empty deceptions spewed out by those who have not come to know God.

Keep seeking and ye shall find.

 

[Deidre]

Curious...why are you 'desperate' to have God in your life, again?

Welcome to RF, btw.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I wanted to just say welcome to RF... and then I thought, I have to give an RF hug with this pet peeve of mine (no offense intended):

It is sad to see so much talked against the Catholic Church instead of being comfortable with the differences...as well as accepting others devotion to Christ. I wasn't brought up Catholic; and, I had join the Church four years ago--and that is the only Christianity I knew was through the Church. Without the Church, I would not know who Christ is and who His Father is. Without the Church, I would have no food and no clothing. Although I am not a practicing Catholic now, when I read things like this, it makes my nerves itch.

While I will not go through the whole post, some things I wanted to mention from my own wonderful experiences within the Church.

The Church is not a building. It is not a political organization. It is not made of man. The Church is made up of real people, which billions hold real faith in Christ and His Father. While I cannot speak to John who worships statues and Jane who believes the Eucharist is Jesus' toes and feet; I can say, I never worshiped a statue as I pray in front of it to Christ's Father. I never took the Eucharist thinking that it is the literal (toes/feet) body/blood of Christ. (I know since I did not do this and Catholicism does not teach things--confirmed by priests and all--I know other Catholics have like feelings and do not do the things you've mentioned)

I know different Churches surprisingly emphasis different Church teachings. Some Churches focus more on Mary and the Saints others not. These are what the people teach. However, what you should look at as the teachings of the Church not the people.

The Church teaches quite a few things that are opposed to your post. Maybe your post refers to specific people who go against scripture...but whats in your post, I never read that in the Catholic Bible nor have I in their Catechism.(That is what I focus on not the people)
---
Every religion is led by man because in order for us to live our faith, we must in someway practice it. Religion is made up of people who practice their faiths. It is not an organization. When you, as a Christian, pray, you are making a religious act. That is part of religion. No spiritual person can say they are not religious unless they do not practice their faith.

No one knows what another person worships just because he or she is part of the Catholic Church. Taking the sacraments as a convert was a serious affair. I am glad I was not raised into it, because I deeply appreciate what it means to be born-again, repent, say I want Jesus to be my Lord and Savior, and receive Jesus in my heart both in spirit and in flesh.

Going back to the Catholic Bible and Catechism, you will find the second commandment about the statues, idols, etc in there. It will say not to worship idols. Hence, that is why many (I wont say all, that is generalization) Catholics do not worship idols. To say that they do is going against their own scripture.

The Church is the people not an organization. Real people who have different levels of where they are in their relationship with Christ.

Generalizing all Catholics worshiping idols is like my saying all Christians believe in Calvinism.

Kneeling and worshiping men? I have bowed to many people of specific cultures to which their custom of respect is to bow. I have bowed entering and exiting the Church because that is the place of worship--and like any other religion--places of worship are sacred. I bow my head when I accidentally step on someone's toes (don't ask me why) and say I'm sorry.

Here, you are generalizing the whole Catholic Church by what some people do. Bowing in itself is not worshiping.

With men overpowering and child molestation, again, you are looking at the actions of people and associating it with the Church. Say you are Baptist. I go into your Church and see you and fifty people out of a hundred cart roll down the ails. I hear the Pastor scream, "Hallaluah, thank the Lord! Praise Jesus!" Are these Baptist teachings? It is not. This is what the people do.

My saying "cart wheeling" in the ails is part of the Baptist faith is like you saying child molestation is part of the Catholic Church. That is not true. These actions do not reflect the teachings of these two denominations. So, I don't see how they would apply to any argument against Catholicism.

Remember, the Church is the people (in any denomination) not a building, not an organization, etc. So, saying the Church is ruled by overpowering men is belittling every person's devotion to Christ within the Church.
--
I don't know if you identify with an denomination. I just know that any Christian who puts down another Christian denomination is wrong. I'm sure you are expressing your emotions against the Church. I find it more healthy to accept people as they are. Everyone's walk in Christ is different and I know my walk in Christ completely derailed because of the people. If there is no fellowship in any Church, how is one to be like Christ?

However, I can't relate to any of the religions of Abraham. If anyone could please help or would be up for discussion it would be much appreciated.

None of this planets religions actually feels like Abraham. I was born into the Catholic Church and raised First Christian. But every religion seems to be led by men that think they speak for God rather than direct people towards worshipping God.

The early church and people in the early church perceived Moses and the Jews to have horns as depicted in the following link (A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS Largely because everything that the Church was based on opposed the laws of the God of Abraham. So one could also assume that the early church depicted Abrahams God as the Devil and put horns on him. God in the Old Testament was often associated with fire after all and didn't punish with heaven and hell, but rather plagues.

"As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze." Daniel 7:9

Furthermore, the Catholic Church and everything it stands for is in complete opposition of Abrahams God and His Commandments.

1. “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.

Depicting Jesus as God completely contradicts this and promotes the possibility that there could be more than God himself. God can't be One when he's split into two parts. Not to mention, the concept of Jesus promotes the notion that people are supposed to kneel to and worship men when in fact that's exactly what God doesn't want us to do. Men standing as a representation of Jesus blocks people from having a direct relationship with God. Not to mention they are portraying themselves in a likeness to God.

2. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Kneeling to and clutching crosses is in complete contradiction to this commandment. It specifically states that you don't bow down to these images.

3. "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

4. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
5. “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
6. “You shall not murder.
7. “You shall not commit adultery.
8. “You shall not steal.
9. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Christianity allows people to think they can violate any of these laws and be forgiven. But why would God have given them if people could break them so freely?

Finally, to discuss the atrocities that result from a planet where people are encouraged to be subservient and kneel to/worship men.

1. By promoting an environment where men are encouraged to see themselves as superior many forms of violence are promoted in man's attempt to sustain control on those around them (murder, domestic abuse, child abuse, rape). Most of these horrendous things would not be occurring if people didn't think they had to control something. Unfortunately, God often gets the blame, when in fact if people were actually keeping His Commandments and encouraging each other to keep them and worshipping God rather than other people and items, none of these things would be happening. Instead, everybody is running over each other and I doubt Jesus died for that.
2. Child molestation is the result of men thinking they are God and playing God. But they wouldn't have this in their minds if people weren't kneeling to men and if men didn't think they spoke for God. Unfortunately, men are too stubborn to accept this and thus child molestation within the various religions on this planet will never stop. Without accepting the cause, they can never find a solution. And instead they will only look for different ways to cover it up. When in fact the solution would be to find a direct relationship between each person and God, to stop worshipping men, and to leave judgment to God alone. But this can never be realized because a large number of people can't accept that they don't speak for God.

 

[DawudTalut]

Peace be on you. Welcome.

 

[Knight of Albion]

A very warm welcome to the forum, dear Joshua.

 

[Smart_Guy]

Welcome aboard. I hope you find what you are looking for