Seeking God alone without the assistance of the church or any organization

[Riders]

I'm seeking God on my own although I go to the UU church but they don't tell me who to worship, I'm praying to the one God creator God. If I pray and seek and maybe even read the bible for myself and other religious bibles like the Bhagavad Gita then ILl have my own relationship with God.

If Christianity is true God should be able to lead me back to Christianity without any help of the church or Christians trying to beat the religion into me like my sisters.

What I don't understand is that if Christianity or any religion is true, then God himself should be convicting me of it and be able to learn through a relationship with God alone instead of the church.

But Christians are in my face and the only ones who witness to me 100 of every one has a membership in an organized religious church that teaches their own interpretation of the bible and IMO indoctrinates people.

This is one reason I'm convinced beyond doubt that Christianity is not a real religion, if it were I could depend on God and my relationship with God. But my sister and every other Christian Ive met has told me NOT TO DEPEND ON MY INTERPRETATION OF GOD BUT TO JOIN THE ORGANIZED CHURCH OF THEIR CHOICE.

If Gods not capable of communicating Christianity to me and I cant get the message of the cross unless I'm being indoctrinated by the church, its not the real truth.

I have as of yet found any Christian willing to give me space and time to study the bible for myself. Whenever I say let me pray about hings check the bible for me develop a relationship with God; its like No don't do that you need to be instructed in church.
Id like to know why Christians are afraid of letting people develop their relationship with God on their own without being indoctrinated by the church?

 

[Burl]

How does one determine that it is God that one finally makes contact with if indeed one does make contact with something?

 

[Riders]

well that's a good question I believe in the inner Godself hes in me and outside and but I know his presence but I can see where some would get confused. I think if your not sure being able to chant outloud and meditate instead is a good start. You don't have to know, to do that and you can also read spiritual literature either the bible or other religious bibles.

 

[Burl]

Try and you might get telepathy from something really intelligent and if you tell people about it they'll try to put you on meds, unless you tell them it's "a still, small voice" and then you'll get by.

 

[Burl]

Here's my experience in that dept:

"If we think about it we can see how we go about resolving conflict in two distinctly different methods. There is the 'Let's talk about it, dwell on it and discuss our opinions openly' method of diplomacy, and the 'Do it my way or else' method reliant on physical force.

Some will argue that physical force becomes necessary when diplomacy fails and I wonder if we are mature enough to make the decision to switch from the mental dependency on spirit in favor of the faster method of achieving our desires thru physical force.

In examining the two methods of conflict resolution we may perceive how mental diplomacy grants the right for everyone's expression, and grants the time necessary to arrive at solutions agreeable to all, whereas a dependency on physical force relies on one's own judgment and the immediacy of enacting control thereby, which can be perceived as the manifestation of the greed generated by a reliance solely on the self and by placing one's own desires (or the desires of the group one identifies with) ahead of the concerns of others.

One could conjecture that our Earthly predicament stems directly from a decision to rely on the wisdom of our own judgment and physical force primarily, while giving diplomacy a back seat, along for the ride but not to be trusted behind the wheel.

In the condemnation of our own natures we can open the door to apathy and the mistaken belief that we are unable to change the policies that mold our environment, we accept that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak and shelve any guilt in the unconscious.

Granting that animals cannot help but act according to their dispositions I wonder if the foundation upon which those dispositions rest can be altered and thereby alter the manifestations that rest upon them. I wonder if a changed reality is a testament to a changed inner nature. And I wonder if a mystical experience can be generated for everyone who sincerely desires to rest their foundations of tranquility primarily upon the mental forces of spirit rather than the physical reality that surrounds us.

In this endeavor I shall be delving deep into my soul in an attempt to harness spiritual forces sympathetic to the cause, and sincerity on your part would have you do the same even if it is only to cast about tentatively in confusion, unsure of yourself. But in this manner this endeavor becomes a joint venture, a spiritual force combining elements of both worlds into one focused desire which can't help but produce results according to the laws of the Universe.

Our motivation stems from a desire to better understand the predicament we find ourselves in and to find a rational explanation for the events that occur in and around us, and thru an attempt to understand I believe our conclusions evolve and that a changed inner nature has the power to change the future beneficially not only for ourselves but for everyone we come into contact with.

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[psychoslice]

On your own is the only way to go, organized religions are just that, organized, they have made their mind up to what their God wants, they then package and label their belief, and never adventure outside of that belief. To stay in a religion such as these will only make you stagnant and dead in spirit, we need to mature from such beliefs, to let go of the milk and go onto the meat, which is to be mature, there is only one true religion and that is your's, only found within each one of us.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I'm seeking God on my own although I go to the UU church but they don't tell me who to worship, I'm praying to the one God creator God. If I pray and seek and maybe even read the bible for myself and other religious bibles like the Bhagavad Gita then ILl have my own relationship with God.

If Christianity is true God should be able to lead me back to Christianity without any help of the church or Christians trying to beat the religion into me like my sisters.

What I don't understand is that if Christianity or any religion is true, then God himself should be convicting me of it and be able to learn through a relationship with God alone instead of the church.

But Christians are in my face and the only ones who witness to me 100 of every one has a membership in an organized religious church that teaches their own interpretation of the bible and IMO indoctrinates people.

This is one reason I'm convinced beyond doubt that Christianity is not a real religion, if it were I could depend on God and my relationship with God. But my sister and every other Christian Ive met has told me NOT TO DEPEND ON MY INTERPRETATION OF GOD BUT TO JOIN THE ORGANIZED CHURCH OF THEIR CHOICE.

If Gods not capable of communicating Christianity to me and I cant get the message of the cross unless I'm being indoctrinated by the church, its not the real truth.

I have as of yet found any Christian willing to give me space and time to study the bible for myself. Whenever I say let me pray about hings check the bible for me develop a relationship with God; its like No don't do that you need to be instructed in church.
Id like to know why Christians are afraid of letting people develop their relationship with God on their own without being indoctrinated by the church?

What I used to do, though my Church experiences where better than protestant experiences, was went to the Church (for example, you can go to the UU Church alone), and pray. Spend time with the god (and/or Jesus?) you believe in without feeling pressured during sermon or mass.

I would try not to let the interpretations and bias of Christians reflect how you see Christianity itself. For example, one thing I didn't care for and felt horrible when I was in the Church was that sooo many people hate Catholics. They don't say it outright, but you get this feeling that saying "I am Catholic" sends you straight to hell. So, I started seeing things in a different light and actually read the Bible for myself. How I interpreted god is different (innerself, similar to how you describe) and just life.

Then it became just "god and I" and no one else.

Another hiccup I find in people is defining Christianity off of Christians and/or the Church and not the Bible. Maybe reading the Bible will give you an idea of what to do and where to go. I have a co-worker that reads her Bible probably every other hour. Every situation she gets in, she consorts her Bible. It's the foundation to Christianity not the Church. So, I'd probably go that route too. Don't get discourage climbing though Exodus and Leviticus though.

Another thing I'd do, if you do not see Christ as god, is probably get a perspective from a Jew. Maybe you are pulled to god but not Christianity? I don't know if they evangelize but I'm sure it is definitely not like Christianity. I don't see Jews here picketing streets as I see Catholics during abortion rally month. Also, Judaism may give you an outlook that many Christians do not have since they carry the full Bible but only look at the New Testament for answers.

In my personal opinion (at least, this would be for me), I'd probably not read other religious books other than the Bible. The Bhagavad Gita view of god is completely different than abramahmic. Actually, I rather read the Gita than the Bible any day. Was going to buy it since I love religious books; but, it's not really a hobby, so I don't read much other sacred text but the Lotus and The Buddha's other sutras. The Bible, Gita, etc I don't read.. just personal preference. Disregard if it doesn't apply to you.

Is there anyone in the UU Church that can help you out? I know when I went for a couple of sermons, they highly degraded organized religions but I'm hoping it's just our area since, well, I understand why given what they do here.

Though, I'd say again try not to interpret Christianity through Christians and organized religions. Interpret it through your heart, experience, and however close you view the Bible as well.

The Buddha (given I see your Zen tag) says to "test teachers for accurate knowledge" I'd have to look it up if you want me to. He doesn't want people to be depended on him but on the Dharma so they can be awakened to. If awakened means to you to become a Christian, I'd keep that and try not to let others (said than done) define who you are and what your belief is.

Last story, a lot of people try to define who I am by my labels. If I say I am a Buddhist, all of the sudden I worship the Buddha. If I said spiritualist (if people knew what that meant here), they'd think I'm talking to demons and angry deceased spirits. If I said I'm pagan, all of the sudden I believe in false gods. I told a would-be friend, I just pray without no one to pray to, and she was shocked like how could I not pray to the Creator. There are so many definitions and online that it makes my skin crawl.

So, basically pray and read the Bible, is my overall point. People go to the Bible for answers; and, in my opinion, if Christianity is your thang* than get to know the history of your faith as well as your innerself. No one can tell you you are praying wrong, interpreting it wrong, etc.

Spirituality is just not like that. I wish people had my experiences in Catholicism. They helped me and let me develop my faith from one step to another. Probably go to UU given they have different religious resources?

I don't know. I hear your pain. I wish I can address it better; though, my "organized experiences" are a bit lighter so I can't share the empathy in that area.

 

[Ingledsva]

I'm seeking God on my own although I go to the UU church but they don't tell me who to worship, I'm praying to the one God creator God. If I pray and seek and maybe even read the bible for myself and other religious bibles like the Bhagavad Gita then ILl have my own relationship with God.

If Christianity is true God should be able to lead me back to Christianity without any help of the church or Christians trying to beat the religion into me like my sisters.

What I don't understand is that if Christianity or any religion is true, then God himself should be convicting me of it and be able to learn through a relationship with God alone instead of the church.

But Christians are in my face and the only ones who witness to me 100 of every one has a membership in an organized religious church that teaches their own interpretation of the bible and IMO indoctrinates people.

This is one reason I'm convinced beyond doubt that Christianity is not a real religion, if it were I could depend on God and my relationship with God. But my sister and every other Christian Ive met has told me NOT TO DEPEND ON MY INTERPRETATION OF GOD BUT TO JOIN THE ORGANIZED CHURCH OF THEIR CHOICE.

If Gods not capable of communicating Christianity to me and I cant get the message of the cross unless I'm being indoctrinated by the church, its not the real truth.

I have as of yet found any Christian willing to give me space and time to study the bible for myself. Whenever I say let me pray about hings check the bible for me develop a relationship with God; its like No don't do that you need to be instructed in church.
Id like to know why Christians are afraid of letting people develop their relationship with God on their own without being indoctrinated by the church?

Yep, No religious dogma is necessary for Spirituality.

*

 

[InChrist]

I'm seeking God on my own although I go to the UU church but they don't tell me who to worship, I'm praying to the one God creator God. If I pray and seek and maybe even read the bible for myself and other religious bibles like the Bhagavad Gita then ILl have my own relationship with God.

If Christianity is true God should be able to lead me back to Christianity without any help of the church or Christians trying to beat the religion into me like my sisters.

What I don't understand is that if Christianity or any religion is true, then God himself should be convicting me of it and be able to learn through a relationship with God alone instead of the church.

But Christians are in my face and the only ones who witness to me 100 of every one has a membership in an organized religious church that teaches their own interpretation of the bible and IMO indoctrinates people.

This is one reason I'm convinced beyond doubt that Christianity is not a real religion, if it were I could depend on God and my relationship with God. But my sister and every other Christian Ive met has told me NOT TO DEPEND ON MY INTERPRETATION OF GOD BUT TO JOIN THE ORGANIZED CHURCH OF THEIR CHOICE.

If Gods not capable of communicating Christianity to me and I cant get the message of the cross unless I'm being indoctrinated by the church, its not the real truth.

I have as of yet found any Christian willing to give me space and time to study the bible for myself. Whenever I say let me pray about hings check the bible for me develop a relationship with God; its like No don't do that you need to be instructed in church.
Id like to know why Christians are afraid of letting people develop their relationship with God on their own without being indoctrinated by the church?

I think if you are truly seeking to know God, then God will lead you and reveal Himself to you in a very personal and perfect way for you to understand . A church is not needed and any church claiming to speak for God is one to stay away from, in my perspective.

 

[Tranquil Servant]

I'm seeking God on my own although I go to the UU church but they don't tell me who to worship, I'm praying to the one God creator God. If I pray and seek and maybe even read the bible for myself and other religious bibles like the Bhagavad Gita then ILl have my own relationship with God.

If Christianity is true God should be able to lead me back to Christianity without any help of the church or Christians trying to beat the religion into me like my sisters.

What I don't understand is that if Christianity or any religion is true, then God himself should be convicting me of it and be able to learn through a relationship with God alone instead of the church.

But Christians are in my face and the only ones who witness to me 100 of every one has a membership in an organized religious church that teaches their own interpretation of the bible and IMO indoctrinates people.

This is one reason I'm convinced beyond doubt that Christianity is not a real religion, if it were I could depend on God and my relationship with God. But my sister and every other Christian Ive met has told me NOT TO DEPEND ON MY INTERPRETATION OF GOD BUT TO JOIN THE ORGANIZED CHURCH OF THEIR CHOICE.

If Gods not capable of communicating Christianity to me and I cant get the message of the cross unless I'm being indoctrinated by the church, its not the real truth.

I have as of yet found any Christian willing to give me space and time to study the bible for myself. Whenever I say let me pray about hings check the bible for me develop a relationship with God; its like No don't do that you need to be instructed in church.
Id like to know why Christians are afraid of letting people develop their relationship with God on their own without being indoctrinated by the church?

I totally understand you sister...I myself am a follower of the messiah who has learned way more being married to a Muslim and searching (studying) on my own, than any church has ever been able to teach me (and I've been to alot of them)...I also feel there's something phony about church. I for one don't put limitations on God's attributes by calling them the "trinity"....I also don't believe you have to go to church to be in "church"....Christ didn't have a church (structure) where he preached from....he was the church and wherever he preached with people gathered was his church...usually he preached (or taught...I like this word better) in the out and open- outside.
Don't worry sister..your not the only one who feels this way especially with there being such a divide in "Christianity" which is another word I'm not crazy about cause the word "Christian" was actually mentioned in the bible in a derogatory way...used to stigmatize the followers of the messiah...I also have a problem with Christians judging others all the time and trying to bombard people with their ideology......I pray for guidance and have found many many answers following the guidance that God has given me..plus, I've joined this forum which has also helped me in my journey.

 

[Nahwns Reefglin]

I'm seeking God on my own although I go to the UU church but they don't tell me who to worship, I'm praying to the one God creator God. If I pray and seek and maybe even read the bible for myself and other religious bibles like the Bhagavad Gita then ILl have my own relationship with God.

If Christianity is true God should be able to lead me back to Christianity without any help of the church or Christians trying to beat the religion into me like my sisters.

What I don't understand is that if Christianity or any religion is true, then God himself should be convicting me of it and be able to learn through a relationship with God alone instead of the church.

But Christians are in my face and the only ones who witness to me 100 of every one has a membership in an organized religious church that teaches their own interpretation of the bible and IMO indoctrinates people.

This is one reason I'm convinced beyond doubt that Christianity is not a real religion, if it were I could depend on God and my relationship with God. But my sister and every other Christian Ive met has told me NOT TO DEPEND ON MY INTERPRETATION OF GOD BUT TO JOIN THE ORGANIZED CHURCH OF THEIR CHOICE.

If Gods not capable of communicating Christianity to me and I cant get the message of the cross unless I'm being indoctrinated by the church, its not the real truth.

I have as of yet found any Christian willing to give me space and time to study the bible for myself. Whenever I say let me pray about hings check the bible for me develop a relationship with God; its like No don't do that you need to be instructed in church.
Id like to know why Christians are afraid of letting people develop their relationship with God on their own without being indoctrinated by the church?

Because reading the bible alone and with rationality is the easiest way to see it for what it is.

Go into yourself to find the truth of what exists and what does not, search your mind search yourself. Cut yourself off from outside influence through sensory depravation.

 

[Nahwns Reefglin]

I think if you are truly seeking to know God, then God will lead you and reveal Himself to you in a very personal and perfect way for you to understand . A church is not needed and any church claiming to speak for God is one to stay away from, in my perspective.

So does he not like me or something?

 

[arthra]

If I pray and seek and maybe even read the bible for myself and other religious bibles like the Bhagavad Gita then ILl have my own relationship with God

Keep seeking Riders and explore the Holy Books... in time you may see they are connected and have a common Core!

 

[Nahwns Reefglin]

Keep seeking Riders and explore the Holy Books... in time you may see they are connected and have a common Core!

Like what?

Thinking you should trust a book more than personal experience?

Vain belief in an afterlife?

 

[arthra]

Like what?

Thinking you should trust a book more than personal experience?

Vain belief in an afterlife?

The Holy Books are there for us to gain some of the wisdom and spiritual wealth of those who preceded us... You are free to ignore them but in my view it's a little like the saying and I'm sure you've heard it before:

"...those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it!"

So we can learn and derive inspiration from our forebears and the Divine/human interaction.

 

[Nahwns Reefglin]

The Holy Books are there for us to gain some of the wisdom and spiritual wealth of those who preceded us... You are free to ignore them but in my view it's a little like the saying and I'm sure you've heard it before:

"...those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it!"

So we can learn and derive inspiration from our forebears and the Divine/human interaction.

Yeah, following organized religions have lead to countless wars and murders and you are saying we should repeat it.

Our forbearers left us this, they obviously where doing something wrong.

I study history very closely, and I do not think that vainly stringing together a bunch of folk tales together is going to get us anywhere.

If you want to find what is really out there do some introspection, release yourself from the confines of culture, do not let it force your awareness through a lens that has lead the world into it's current state.

 

[Twilight Hue]

I'm seeking God on my own although I go to the UU church but they don't tell me who to worship, I'm praying to the one God creator God. If I pray and seek and maybe even read the bible for myself and other religious bibles like the Bhagavad Gita then ILl have my own relationship with God.

If Christianity is true God should be able to lead me back to Christianity without any help of the church or Christians trying to beat the religion into me like my sisters.

What I don't understand is that if Christianity or any religion is true, then God himself should be convicting me of it and be able to learn through a relationship with God alone instead of the church.

But Christians are in my face and the only ones who witness to me 100 of every one has a membership in an organized religious church that teaches their own interpretation of the bible and IMO indoctrinates people.

This is one reason I'm convinced beyond doubt that Christianity is not a real religion, if it were I could depend on God and my relationship with God. But my sister and every other Christian Ive met has told me NOT TO DEPEND ON MY INTERPRETATION OF GOD BUT TO JOIN THE ORGANIZED CHURCH OF THEIR CHOICE.

If Gods not capable of communicating Christianity to me and I cant get the message of the cross unless I'm being indoctrinated by the church, its not the real truth.

I have as of yet found any Christian willing to give me space and time to study the bible for myself. Whenever I say let me pray about hings check the bible for me develop a relationship with God; its like No don't do that you need to be instructed in church.
Id like to know why Christians are afraid of letting people develop their relationship with God on their own without being indoctrinated by the church?

Organised religions are not really organised anyways.

Look at all the confusion, bickering over about what scriptures and texts mean, can't unanimously decide on this or that even if their very lives depended on it at any givin moment.

Your actually the best person to rely on contemplation and direction with your own linterpretation of guidence. It's for you and no one's else's. That's the way it works. "0)

 

[psychoslice]

Organised religion is nothing more than poison to your inner being, avoid it as much as possible.

 

[arthra]

Yeah, following organized religions have lead to countless wars and murders and you are saying we should repeat it.

I really was not addressing organized religion as such...reading the Holy Books was what I recommended. But I would agree sometimes organized religion can be quite hellish as when Jesus was crucified..and the Bab was martyred.. and the Yazidi girls were torched. The Prophets seem to warn us about some of these issues of "organized" religions... so read the Holy Books and maybe you'll gain a new slant!

 

[ronandcarol]

Seeking God alone without the assistance of the church or any organization
Seek and you will find, Knock and the door will be open. The Bible says that if we search God with our whole heart we will find Him. You can count on that. If you cry out for Jesus in sincerity, with a submissive, repenting heart, He will find you, Jesus came to this earth to find and save sinners! We are/were all sinners until we fall at the feet of Jesus and ask for forgiveness. If it is sincere He will not turn any away, and the Angels in Heaven will rejoice. The only reason believers attend a Church is to worship with like minded believers, and get 'refueled'. It's a good place to get recharged each week and the fellowship with others is always good.

ronandcarol