I am soooo fustrated!

[allfoak]

I see the christian view of sacrifice is dying to self/sin as they say which is the flesh of Jesus to being born again in spirit throughJesus resurrection. It just means sin serapates us God and we need (in christianity) Jesus to die for us.
What I find confusing is when you save someone normal they are present. "Feeling" (having faith) that one is saved (scrificed self) is not the same as being saved by fact.

Not many get the purpose o Jesus dying. In my opinion His body dying doesnt save in itself. Its how far we will go to death in order to help others and advocate for His Father.

Sacrifice the reason for the frustration.
Frustration is resistance to being happy.
If the frustration is tied to something you believe, then toss the belief.
Anything that takes away happiness cannot be the truth.

We should never blame any-one or any-thing for the way we feel.
No one or no thing can fix the way we feel but us.
Salvation does not come through the death of another but rather through our own death to that which separates us from the truth that sets us free from our frustrations.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Salvation does not come through the death of another but rather through our own death to that which separates us from the truth that sets us free from our frustrations.

True. That is what Christ is saying. It is not the Death of His body that saves us; but through Him rather than by Him, we ourselves sacrifice our frustrations (and other sinful, unproductive) natures to live a better life (another word for resurrection). Die to self to live. That's the message. Easily said that done, of course.

 

[allfoak]

True. That is what Christ is saying. It is not the Death of His body that saves us; but through Him rather than by Him, we ourselves sacrifice our frustrations (and other sinful, unproductive) natures to live a better life (another word for resurrection). Die to self to live. That's the message. Easily said that done, of course.

Isn't happy the default mode?
Just do a reset to factory settings.

I remember watching my son play with his best friend one day when they got into a fight.
Nothing new but it was a bad one this time, even got a little physical.
They were 9yrs old.
I watched the whole thing from beginning to end and was amazed by what i saw.
This happened 15yrs ago and i will never forget it.

The friends mother apparently got concerned, so she stuck her head out the door and yelled for the boys to stop fighting.
They looked at her, then looked back at each other, shrugged their shoulders and went off playing like nothing had ever happened.
I was amazed at how easily they were able to forget their differences.
They just did a reset back to default mode after realizing that they had acquired a virus.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I like that. I dont believe in a sinful nature so by default our natures our pure. We are Bodhitsavas of the earth with Buddha natures. I dont see how it is healthy it itself to see oneself as currupt and in need of help. Thats how I interpreted it from scripture.

Isn't happy the default mode?
Just do a reset to factory settings.

I remember watching my son play with his best friend one day when they got into a fight.
Nothing new but it was a bad one this time, even got a little physical.
They were 9yrs old.
I watched the whole thing from beginning to end and was amazed by what i saw.
This happened 15yrs ago and i will never forget it.

The friends mother apparently got concerned, so she stuck her head out the door and yelled for the boys to stop fighting.
They looked at her, then looked back at each other, shrugged their shoulders and went off playing like nothing had ever happened.
I was amazed at how easily they were able to forget their differences.
They just did a reset back to default mode after realizing that they had acquired a virus.

 

[Muffled]

I

This is a rant. I'm just so frustrated. I honestly don't know why I joined the Catholic Church. I'm pulled to their devotion and ways of worship. I love their fellowship; and I just don't believe in their tenants. It's the same with Nichiren Buddhism. I don't like too much diversity in a belief (like UU, for example), because I like having everyone to believe in somewhat the same "core" of our faiths even though we have different practices et cetera. When you're in a family, each family have different personalities, beliefs, goals, and so forth. Yet, they are all connected to each other by blood and/or upbringing.

I like that, when it comes to family, but I don't have that. My uncle says "I guess that just runs in the family." I guess it does. I just sometimes want to jump off somewhere, but then I stop because I'm thinking of my grandmother too much, grieving, and thinking I know how my mother would feel if I did something like that... over a hundred times worse than I do with my grandmother. I wish I had a person I can speak about my faith and support of some type.

Everyone I know are Christians and not the supportive-to-any-belief type, either. Even my friend, though she isn't mean, doesn't talk to me about my faith just Catholicism. I've known her for over 13 years, helped her with her faith, supported her when we'd go to Mass together, and the works. She can't answer my questions, of course, but her faith makes her so uncomfortable to even talk about my faith that it makes me literally want to upchuck. I shouldn't have gotten my Ashes, but I wanted to be closer to my grandmother who believes she is in heaven. So, I respect her faith.

I believe this is the difference between having a religion and having Jesus as Lord and Savior. IN a religion one seeks to please oneself or one's religion but when Jesus is Lord one seeks to please Jesus. I let Jesus choose what church I should go to and find that there are advantges and disaadvanatages to all the places He has ssent me but it is never about me and what I like.

I believe we have an obligation to those who have played a part in our religious education and my grandmother certainly qualifies in that respect also but showing that respect comes second to serving jesus.

 

[Muffled]

I have some idea what it's like to feel disconnected in the way you're describing. I've never been much of a joiner of groups. I don't know what will work for you, but for me I just try to accept that people and groups are what they are, people are people and I have to try to love and accept all their goofy quirks, as well as my own, and I'm sort of OK participating in a traditionwithout entirely being a "true believer" in the sense of following the exact party line on everything, so to speak. In any case, you have my sympathies

I find Jesus in me does not like to leave others in the dark. Just as He went about telling the Pharisees where they did it wrong He does the same thing in churches with me.

 

[Muffled]

I like that. I dont believe in a sinful nature so by default our natures our pure. We are Bodhitsavas of the earth with Buddha natures. I dont see how it is healthy it itself to see oneself as currupt and in need of help. Thats how I interpreted it from scripture.

Luke 18:13 But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner.
14 I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

I believe it seems to me the Buddha nature is a humble one but my experience with it is limited.

However I believe if one already has the remedy for sin (Jesus) then one needs no greater humility than that.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

True. If it helps others. Before I went into Christianity, I never thought of myself as a sinner just a person trying to do good who slips up sometimes and reconcile my mistakes and grievances as well as live the consequences of my actions.

When I "became Christian" it felt like I was so corrupt to where I needed to be saved rather than want to be. It took the pure nature I have within and tried to make me see it corrupt instead. It's a beautiful faith if one really feels they are corrupted by sin. I never got that; and, in my opinion, I am glad. As long as we are after the same goal, I'm sure everything is good. I can only speak for myself of course.

Luke 18:13 But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner.
14 I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

I believe it seems to me the Buddha nature is a humble one but my experience with it is limited.

However I believe if one already has the remedy for sin (Jesus) then one needs no greater humility than that.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I see what you mean. I never got that in religion. When I was part of the Church, we all believed that Jesus was our Lord and Savior and it was vary personal rather than organizational. Of course, from the outside or someone being in the Church, which I wasn't in either, I guess the Church would seem like a religion rather than many people having a relationship with Christ.

Other than that, I see no advantages of me having Jesus as my Lord and Savior. This is my personal opinion. Guess we all have our differences, of course.

I
I believe this is the difference between having a religion and having Jesus as Lord and Savior. IN a religion one seeks to please oneself or one's religion but when Jesus is Lord one seeks to please Jesus. I let Jesus choose what church I should go to and find that there are advantges and disaadvanatages to all the places He has ssent me but it is never about me and what I like.

I believe we have an obligation to those who have played a part in our religious education and my grandmother certainly qualifies in that respect also but showing that respect comes second to serving jesus.

 

[Muffled]

True. If it helps others. Before I went into Christianity, I never thought of myself as a sinner just a person trying to do good who slips up sometimes and reconcile my mistakes and grievances as well as live the consequences of my actions.

When I "became Christian" it felt like I was so corrupt to where I needed to be saved rather than want to be. It took the pure nature I have within and tried to make me see it corrupt instead. It's a beautiful faith if one really feels they are corrupted by sin. I never got that; and, in my opinion, I am glad. As long as we are after the same goal, I'm sure everything is good. I can only speak for myself of course.

I believe the point is not how one sees oneself but how God sees. Itis God who justifies and we can not justify ourselves although I am sure many try.

I believe the Catholic church has a sin syndrome. Take Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. He doesn't require penitence only repentance. His words were: "Go and sin no more." The idea of having to tackle sin on ones own is called believeing in works. The person trying to avoid sin on his own nearly always fails. Even the publican who is justified is not centering on his own sin but on God's mercy.

 

[Muffled]

I see what you mean. I never got that in religion. When I was part of the Church, we all believed that Jesus was our Lord and Savior and it was vary personal rather than organizational. Of course, from the outside or someone being in the Church, which I wasn't in either, I guess the Church would seem like a religion rather than many people having a relationship with Christ.

Other than that, I see no advantages of me having Jesus as my Lord and Savior. This is my personal opinion. Guess we all have our differences, of course.

I believe it is one thing to believe it and another to actually have it.

For me there has been a distinct advantage. For instance once I thought I had forgiven my wife because I knew that was required and I had a mental assent to that but my actions showed the true condition of my heart. One day in church Jesus said to me that I needed to forgive my wife and opened my eyes to the fact that my heart needed to be changed.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Many people at Church have the same outlook and type of experiences. In my opinon, whether or not they are in a Church does not negate whether or not they have a true relationship with God.

I cant speak for all people in religion; but true religion in christianity is a relationship with Christ. I see that in the Church (people that are in unity in their personal relationahip with Christ.). I dont understand how others cant see that

I believe it is one thing to believe it and another to actually have it.

For me there has been a distinct advantage. For instance once I thought I had forgiven my wife because I knew that was required and I had a mental assent to that but my actions showed the true condition of my heart. One day in church Jesus said to me that I needed to forgive my wife and opened my eyes to the fact that my heart needed to be changed.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I believe the point is not how one sees oneself but how God sees. Itis God who justifies and we can not justify ourselves although I am sure many try.

I believe the Catholic church has a sin syndrome. Take Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. He doesn't require penitence only repentance. His words were: "Go and sin no more." The idea of having to tackle sin on ones own is called believeing in works. The person trying to avoid sin on his own nearly always fails. Even the publican who is justified is not centering on his own sin but on God's mercy.

I understand what you say. We have completely different experiences in the Catholic Church. I never heard a Catholic replace works for Gods grace. They feel itthey have a relation-ship with Christ. So they act in their faith just as Jesus taught.

 

[Muffled]

I understand what you say. We have completely different experiences in the Catholic Church. I never heard a Catholic replace works for Gods grace. They feel itthey have a relation-ship with Christ. So they act in their faith just as Jesus taught.

I believe I have but I don't know how many cathlics remember what they were taught or even understand half of it. I believe there are two factors working against Catholics 1. Lack of adult teaching or discussion groups 2. Homilies so short one might easily miss the message. (There was one Church of God night service I attended where the sermon was one hour long)

I believe there is a relationship and people try not to sin but it isn't a personal relationship where Jesus can directly intervene ad save from sin. My wife has that kind of faith and it definitely does not save her from sin.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I believe I have but I don't know how many cathlics remember what they were taught or even understand half of it. I believe there are two factors working against Catholics 1. Lack of adult teaching or discussion groups 2. Homilies so short one might easily miss the message. (There was one Church of God night service I attended where the sermon was one hour long)

I agree with you to some extent there. In my Church we never had a bible in the pew. We just started Bible study what a year and a half ago. I went to a Catholic retreat a couple years back, and one older lady said she wasn't allowed to read her Bible.

I honestly think the whole anti-catholic thing is old generational teachings. I am seeing a change in individual Churches. They revised the Catechism as well.

And the Homilies, yes, I understand that. I used to go to Baptist and Pentecostal Churches. Bible study is very important in Baptist Churches and sermons are important in both. I was told by my friend "but they read the Bible during Mass" and I told her, has she read the Bible herself. She said no. This doesn't mean Catholics aren't Christians. I just think the time period 70s and 80s many Catholics are not informed of the actual teachings and history of them that they practice. I did my own leg work actually. The only people who learn the teachings are Priests.

I believe there is a relationship and people try not to sin but it isn't a personal relationship where Jesus can directly intervene ad save from sin. My wife has that kind of faith and it definitely does not save her from sin.

I completely disagree there. Take out the Church and sacraments and ask a Catholic point blank, do they believe Jesus is their Lord and Savior, they will say yes just like a protestant would.

If a Catholic walked into a Baptist Church, he or she will still have a personal relationship with Christ. They are not depended on the Church for their salvation. How can I say, the Church doesn't save them it offers the sacraments in order for them to be saved by Christ. I also feel that some Catholics (rather than the actual Church teachings express) put a lot of reverence into people and things that are foreign to me (rathe rthan wrong). For example, someone jumped on the pope when He was out of states, and my friend says "that's like jumping on God."

Then we read somewhere about a priest being treated unfairly by a congregent, and she says "that's like disobeying God."

She associated the Pope and the Priest in God's position and that is not what the Church teachings.

In some ways, it's the people. Even as a practicing Catholic, I never had that "but that is like..." I have high respect for the priests; the priest saved my sanity by offering me prayers and listening to my confessions. I will never forget that.

I wish non catholics have the same experiences in the Church. Rather than seeing it as gold and statues, actually go into the Church and express your relationship in silent prayer and reflection.

I don't know. This is just a rant. I can't make everyone experience the personal relationship Christ provides through the Church (union with the Body of Christ through the sacraments) not of gold and walls. It's a powerful feeling. Especially when you are converted to it by choice later in life, because you have an adult understanding of your faith rather than being indoctrinated into it.

I can't imagine how that feels.

Anyway. The only long homilies you'll have is during the holidays. Catholics feel you have a relationship with Christ alone. They read from the Bible and take the Eucharist; but even without these things, they still have a relationship with Christ. I wish others will see that.

I believe I have but I don't know how many cathlics remember what they were taught or even understand half of it. I believe there are two factors working against Catholics 1. Lack of adult teaching or discussion groups 2. Homilies so short one might easily miss the message. (There was one Church of God night service I attended where the sermon was one hour long)

I believe there is a relationship and people try not to sin but it isn't a personal relationship where Jesus can directly intervene ad save from sin. My wife has that kind of faith and it definitely does not save her from sin.

 

[ThePainefulTruth]

I find truth in community and fellowship rather than individual pursuance.

And Truth is equal to God in my beliefs, where Truth is knowledge, justice, love and beauty. We are all better at some of those than others, and we must know where we are in that scheme. But we get sidetracked by the pressures of others. I've lived my entire adult life being an outsider in religion. I love and honor them and vice versa, which means we almost never talk about it. . But you can't surrender yourself. If you're not you, you're nothing but self-loathing...eventually. Most families don't push it (my brother's family is evangelical), but if they try to force you to be what you're not, you gotta bend without breaking. I think that's easier for a man to say than a woman. I was very devout, which made my leaving my religion the real trauma, more so than facing my family about it. You just gotta go where the Truth in you takes you.
"This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man."

I know that sounds preachy, and quoting Shakespeare to boot, but the whole quote is much more profound that the single phrase we usually hear.
Anyway, if nothing else, courage.