What's your beef with Christianity?

[Ree]

Originally Posted by SonoranBob

"Believers" who may read this will likely dismiss me as bitter. The truth is that I'm reasonably happy and hopeful and I don't spend time obsessing about the past. That train has left the station. I'm just painfully aware of how this belief system frittered away what should have been the best years of my life in various blind alleys, and I have no doubt it has done the same for many others. It was probably a mercy that I was unlucky enough in life to have some challenges that forced me to acknowledge that the "life map" I was going by was woefully inaccurate and incomplete. If I had married smarter, for instance, I might still be living a life of quiet desperation and my faith might still be working, for some given value of "working". But I think people deserve better than that, too.

--Bob

Bob, so much of what you say resonates with me. At the tender ages of 6 to about 12, I had nightmares from the hellfire and brimstone sermons I had to listen to. Despite my young age I knew that something wasn't right about my church. Even to this day when I hear someone start spouting those trite phrases that I associate with those beliefs, I experience symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. I absolutely avoid that type of atmosphere at all costs.

Those very experiences set me on a quest for a true relationship with God, whoever or whatever that might be. Now, I'm at peace. I only wish I had possessed the strength earlier in my life to shed the guilt and the fear and find my own way.

[SonoranBob]

Originally Posted by Ree

Bob, so much of what you say resonates with me. At the tender ages of 6 to about 12, I had nightmares from the hellfire and brimstone sermons I had to listen to.

We weren't so big on hell fire and brimstone; we were more into smugness. We also made a big deal about "eternal security" and "once saved always saved" so once you bought in, the whole hell thing was not really a concern. It sounds like your particular background was more about "eternal insecurity". Seems like you had it worse than me. There are many ways to mess with a person's mind ... too many ...

--Bob

[amixa]

Originally Posted by pianoperformer

I would add a third type: Those who identify with that religion just because it's what their parents were, or what everyone else is, but really aren't enthusiastic at all. There are many of the follow-the-fold type in Christianity. Of course none can tell you why they believe what they believe—they just happened to be raised that way, so why question it? Or else they stay with it, just in case it's true.

Sorry, but I've come across many of such people in my life. Well, I would argue most.

To be fair, other religions have it, too, I am sure, but it seems to be on a much larger scale in Christianity.

exactly. they don't question it, because they don't question society, only what they've been taught to question. and for those who lose the faith and come back, a lot of people are yeah just afraid of the after life and can't for the life of them go on their own journey to find their own path... which i believe Jung said the original bible says to do? but of course they never quote that because they want you there every sunday..

i personally hate those hypocrits that judge you as if they're so great and good and pass you dirty looks in church and snub you... completely lose the whole idea of the simple message. that's the first major turn off to make me stop going
that and to me, the idea of all these souls being individual and going to heaven or hell and never ending of creation of these 'souls' seemed ridiculous to begin with.. reincarnation made so much more sense
its the same ignorant thought as to think this planet has infinite resources..
now i have a problem calling a higher power or energy source 'god' because it just brings me back to the catholic church. i also could never stand they never addressed animals.. and how to respect them as well as nature..