I'm finished with religion and church

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

LightOfMyLife

Well-known member
May 6, 2023
389
429
63
Independence, Mo
#21
I think the way things are going as we near the end, that church institutions as a whole are growing more corrupt, so I can understand why more people are leaving them but not God. You can still keep in touch with those who remain faithful without having to go to church.

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

This passage makes no mention of having to go to a church institution. Just keep meeting together with godly people!

🐄
Even though we can't meet together in person we are having fellowship online. God will never leave us nor forsake us. :love:
 
G

Gojira

Guest
#22
Yeah, the Bible's pretty clear about not forsaking the gathering of ourselves. I think the encouragement to become a lone wolf here is appalling. C'mon folks, what do the scriptures say about this? They never advocate doing what @MaryM spoke about.

Of course, if an individual congregation is preaching something that is heretical, you leave. But, you then find another that isn't. Satan loves it when we break off on our own. We become like a wildebeest no longer in the protection of the herd, and we become easy prey.

Giving up on church in general because of what church orgs did hundreds of years ago is absurd. God wants us in regular fellowship with one another, and that includes corporate worship. And, unless you have health problems of some sort, screw the online thing. Do it in person.
 

brighthouse98

Senior Member
Apr 16, 2015
656
331
63
70
#23
Mary M I agree being rid of religion!! However not with the Church!! As the disciples roamed after Jesus rose from the dead, they were supported by Churches!! (Eph 3:8-10) The point here dear sister is not for you to preach!! BUT!!!! as verse 10 states to bring wisdom from your very life to help others in the Church follow in your fine example!

I fully understand that Church today is in very sad shape in most cases, and we as true believers bear our light through our Jesus in us to support others as well as be supported. So, I only ask that you consider this. If we forsake the Church then we also forsake others who could be helped by a much-needed kind word from you as one example, or just be there to help encourage others in the Church.
 

gb9

Senior Member
Jan 18, 2011
12,261
6,635
113
#24
I've had it with automobiles. Some people have used them to deliberately hit other people. I'm never driving a car again!

I hate computers. Some people use them to hack other people's accounts and steal money from them. Computers should be illegal!

Ahem...

What I mean to say is, sure there are jerks in the world. There are some in churches just like there are some in almost every group of people. That doesn't mean churches in general are bad.
while that is true, we cannot ignore that some churches can be negative and not always do the right thing.

as a matter of fact, there was a guy with the screen name " phoneman" who openly said his church in ky. " did not tolerate dirty sinners, and would quickly tell people to leave and not come back till they got their act together".

of course, that may or may not be true, but if it is, it would be easy to see why that would give someone a negative opinion of church.
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,823
4,470
113
#25
In recent times I am avidly reading English history, especially the Tudor and Stuart periods. I am appalled at the violence, killing, burning and torture that went on especially between Catholics and protestants. I am disgusted at how much was done by 'Christians' to anyone who didn't do things as they wanted. I want no association with it because I love peace.

I know it's nothing new, maybe I am naive, but I was not that well acquainted with these histories. What I am sure of now is I will not go to church nor ally myself with any denomination ever again.

I do believe in the Bible, in Jesus Christ and in the love of God. But I study and worship in private and will never allow anyone to control me nor will I argue or try to pressure anyone into believing as I do. So no, I won't evangelise, I won't knock on doors.

The Bible is available everywhere, whosoever wants to read it and follow Jesus can do so, or not. Each man's soul is their own responsibility. Yes give children the knowledge, give them the good example of living lovingly according to obedience to God, but no pressure.

Does anyone feel as I do? Especially if you are a reader of history?
History has its scars but much of the persecution was done under the Roman Catholic Church after the Great Reformation. The Roman Catholic Church's attempt to counter reform led to who would control Europe.

It is sad that much blood took place but in one sense war is often the by product to combat evil. If the RCC had took back control who knows where the church would be today.

As for evangelism well we are commanded Biblically to do this and if others are in error we are Biblocally to teach truth.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,401
6,685
113
#26
Please keep in mind today most who say they are Christian are not truly Christian, we must be Spiritual, not carnal, in relationship, not holding to an outward form, as Jesus taught of this time before His coming again, these last few years there has been a flood of people around me who have become Spirit filled.
blessings:)
My prayer for alll who believe. Thank you...Be blessed in all manner.
 

ThereRoseaLamb

Well-known member
Jan 17, 2023
4,669
1,981
113
#27
In recent times I am avidly reading English history, especially the Tudor and Stuart periods. I am appalled at the violence, killing, burning and torture that went on especially between Catholics and protestants. I am disgusted at how much was done by 'Christians' to anyone who didn't do things as they wanted. I want no association with it because I love peace.
Catholics aren't Christians, first of all, so there's that. They follow what the pope tells them to do. Not that Protestants did everything right either. That's for God to judge and sort out. Not you. You love peace, so you're against Armageddon? King David was known for being a war hero. Great to love peace, but there is a time for everything and sometimes peace can't be kept and war is the only choice.

What I am sure of now is I will not go to church nor ally myself with any denomination ever again.
I believe someone already shared the verse about that.

... nor will I argue or try to pressure anyone into believing as I do. So no, I won't evangelise, I won't knock on doors.
Do you ever read the Bible? Why would you not want to share the Good News you have with other people?



The Bible is available everywhere, whosoever wants to read it and follow Jesus can do so, or not.
Life jackets are everywhere, would you help someone you saw drowning or just say "hey life jackets are everywhere, should've bought one"


Each man's soul is their own responsibility.
The Bible tells YOU to share the Good News. I bet if you find a good restaurant, a good clothing store, a good recipe you share it.


Yes give children the knowledge, give them the good example of living lovingly according to obedience to God, but no pressure.
No pressure huh? Well I'll tell you this, social media is gonna pressure them. Other kids at school are gonna pressure them. Teachers with agendas are gonna pressure him. TV is gonna pressure them. Pick which you prefer.
 

MsMediator

Well-known member
Mar 8, 2022
1,070
705
113
#28
In recent times I am avidly reading English history, especially the Tudor and Stuart periods. I am appalled at the violence, killing, burning and torture that went on especially between Catholics and protestants. I am disgusted at how much was done by 'Christians' to anyone who didn't do things as they wanted. I want no association with it because I love peace.

I know it's nothing new, maybe I am naive, but I was not that well acquainted with these histories. What I am sure of now is I will not go to church nor ally myself with any denomination ever again.

I do believe in the Bible, in Jesus Christ and in the love of God. But I study and worship in private and will never allow anyone to control me nor will I argue or try to pressure anyone into believing as I do. So no, I won't evangelise, I won't knock on doors.

The Bible is available everywhere, whosoever wants to read it and follow Jesus can do so, or not. Each man's soul is their own responsibility. Yes give children the knowledge, give them the good example of living lovingly according to obedience to God, but no pressure.

Does anyone feel as I do? Especially if you are a reader of history?
I think it is still important to form friendships and fellowship with other Christians, have discussions, etc.

The church (as in the local church, congregation, etc.) isn't "perfect". Nowadays I feel churches are politically aligned more or less. People also want to find a church where the pastor, everyone else, etc. agrees with their views. Also, we are not getting the "full picture" on doctrines, viewpoints, etc. through church due to the different denominations; we are being told the denomination's doctrines. So, going to church alone isn't enough we have to read and figure out things on our own.

I also do not believe in arguing with or pressuring nonbelievers, trying to convince atheists, etc. Knocking on doors can be dangerous. The least stressful form of evangelism is probably inviting people to your church. Just be open to talk about Jesus when the opportunity comes.
 

Subhumanoidal

Well-known member
Sep 17, 2018
4,041
3,143
113
#29
Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
 

Bingo

Well-known member
Feb 9, 2019
9,146
4,732
113
#30
In recent times I am avidly reading English history, especially the Tudor and Stuart periods. I am appalled at the violence, killing, burning and torture that went on especially between Catholics and protestants. I am disgusted at how much was done by 'Christians' to anyone who didn't do things as they wanted. I want no association with it because I love peace.

I know it's nothing new, maybe I am naive, but I was not that well acquainted with these histories. What I am sure of now is I will not go to church nor ally myself with any denomination ever again.

I do believe in the Bible, in Jesus Christ and in the love of God. But I study and worship in private and will never allow anyone to control me nor will I argue or try to pressure anyone into believing as I do. So no, I won't evangelise, I won't knock on doors.

The Bible is available everywhere, whosoever wants to read it and follow Jesus can do so, or not. Each man's soul is their own responsibility. Yes give children the knowledge, give them the good example of living lovingly according to obedience to God, but no pressure.

Does anyone feel as I do? Especially if you are a reader of history?
'Bingo'.............Well said. Thank you for sharing. Truth shall be away from those caught up in the dilemma of the digital wireless world.
Our 'awakening' shall be few in number...here in the now.

And within the 'power of the air'...shall be found the only eternal spiritual realm of Christ our Lord God.
Darkness of many souls cannot and will not have the capacity to grasp the reality of...here in the now.
Christ in us...in spirit and truth.
No more...No less!
I leave it there.
download.png Friendly.png 563e0526621ea_man_praying_silhouette-resized-600-Copy_jpg_0b82847a16daaa9ce48d0ca8f14dc4d5 - C...png
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,526
2,608
113
#31
In recent times I am avidly reading English history, especially the Tudor and Stuart periods. I am appalled at the violence, killing, burning and torture that went on especially between Catholics and protestants. I am disgusted at how much was done by 'Christians' to anyone who didn't do things as they wanted. I want no association with it because I love peace.

I know it's nothing new, maybe I am naive, but I was not that well acquainted with these histories. What I am sure of now is I will not go to church nor ally myself with any denomination ever again.

I do believe in the Bible, in Jesus Christ and in the love of God. But I study and worship in private and will never allow anyone to control me nor will I argue or try to pressure anyone into believing as I do. So no, I won't evangelise, I won't knock on doors.

The Bible is available everywhere, whosoever wants to read it and follow Jesus can do so, or not. Each man's soul is their own responsibility. Yes give children the knowledge, give them the good example of living lovingly according to obedience to God, but no pressure.

Does anyone feel as I do? Especially if you are a reader of history?
We all understand if MaryM feels hurt, we have grace for that... but "hurt" is not enough to make a point of view correct.


To forsake church fellowship because of something a few people did, hundreds of years ago, in one particular place...
in logical terms, is an absurdity.

We don't make any other decisions this way.
- Are we going to give up bread, because a baker in the Bible once did evil?
- Are we going to give up eating vegetable, and meat, because some farmers and ranchers in the past got angry and killed each other?
- Are we going to stop using currency, because it's been used to do evil?
- Are we going to give up our phones and computers, because the companies who make them have done wickedness?
- Are we going to stop speaking, because speech has been used in the past to hurt people?

We don't make any other decisions this way, and it's just silly.
When we're feeling hurt, or confused, we ALL say things that aren't purely rational... we all do this.
But when we do this (and we're all guilty) we need to rethink things... we need to come back to a better understanding.


MaryM,
- We all understand if you feel hurt, or angry, or confused. We all understand that. God has grace for that, and so do his children. We understand.
- But we still cannot ignore clear scriptural teaching, clear logic, and the entirety of history... all because of emotions.
- If the posts already given are not enough to convince you of a different perspective, please let me know, and I'll lay things out more clearly point by point: there are logical problems, theological problems, and historical problems. I'll be happy to sort them out, point by point, and lay things our very carefully.

God Bless
.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,088
9,194
113
#32
We all understand if MaryM feels hurt, we have grace for that... but "hurt" is not enough to make a point of view correct.


To forsake church fellowship because of something a few people did, hundreds of years ago, in one particular place...
in logical terms, is an absurdity.

We don't make any other decisions this way.
- Are we going to give up bread, because a baker in the Bible once did evil?
- Are we going to give up eating vegetable, and meat, because some farmers and ranchers in the past got angry and killed each other?
- Are we going to stop using currency, because it's been used to do evil?
- Are we going to give up our phones and computers, because the companies who make them have done wickedness?
- Are we going to stop speaking, because speech has been used in the past to hurt people?

We don't make any other decisions this way, and it's just silly.
When we're feeling hurt, or confused, we ALL say things that aren't purely rational... we all do this.
But when we do this (and we're all guilty) we need to rethink things... we need to come back to a better understanding.


MaryM,
- We all understand if you feel hurt, or angry, or confused. We all understand that. God has grace for that, and so do his children. We understand.
- But we still cannot ignore clear scriptural teaching, clear logic, and the entirety of history... all because of emotions.
- If the posts already given are not enough to convince you of a different perspective, please let me know, and I'll lay things out more clearly point by point: there are logical problems, theological problems, and historical problems. I'll be happy to sort them out, point by point, and lay things our very carefully.

God Bless
.
Hey no fair!

I've had it with automobiles. Some people have used them to deliberately hit other people. I'm never driving a car again!

I hate computers. Some people use them to hack other people's accounts and steal money from them. Computers should be illegal!

Ahem...

What I mean to say is, sure there are jerks in the world. There are some in churches just like there are some in almost every group of people. That doesn't mean churches in general are bad.
You can't just go stealing my thoughts, even if you did use different examples. That's called plague... Playger... That's called being a stinky doo doo head copycat!

I am of course kidding. You actually took the time to explain the thought, and very well.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,636
28,965
113
#33
MaryM,
- We all understand if you feel hurt, or angry, or confused. We all understand that.
God has grace for that, and so do his children. We understand.
Shocked and dismayed could maybe be added to your list; that is how I felt when I first learned of the
"church" history as a newly minted Christian. Yes, it was a different place and time, and no doubt I would
have been put to the stake for my views, beliefs, and behaviours both before and after my conversion had
I lived then. Even had I been alive as a young woman during Biblical times among the Hebrews/Israelis as
my kinfolk, I likely would have been put to death. This leaves me with an immeasurable sense of gratitude
to be alive in today's day and age, despite the insanity going on in our present times. Let us look too at:


Christians started the first places of higher learning (universities), founded many hospitals, run numerous
charity organizations, and all manner of endeavours are carried out by Christians making valiant efforts to
reduce the suffering in the world. I see a lot of value in that. They have made myriad contributions to human
progress in a broad and diverse range of fields, both historically and in modern times, including science and
technology, medicine, fine arts and architecture, politics, literature, music, philanthropy, philosophy, ethics,
humanism, theatre, and business. Many have won a Nobel prize. @MaryM So Christian history is not all bad.
 
J

jennymae

Guest
#34
Being a woman has probably never been easier than today granted you live in the industrialized world. Same goes for men.

Yet our rights are nothing we can for granted. Christianity has been tainted by corrupted people, and still is, but their power is presently being limited. Let’s pray that things will stay that way.
 
J

jennymae

Guest
#36
It's so easy in the modern world to be a woman...
that even men can do it.


.
Yet there is a rising number of women who want to become men🤨
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,526
2,608
113
#37
Yet there is a rising number of women who want to become men🤨
As far as I'm concerned... that's just setting the bar really low for yourself.
: )
.
 
J

jennymae

Guest
#38
Yet there is a rising number of women who want to become men🤨
Which reminds me, on Swedish television (svt.se), they’ve got a series that is criticizing transgender activists, transkriget (roughly translates to the transgender war).
 

LightOfMyLife

Well-known member
May 6, 2023
389
429
63
Independence, Mo
#40
These people are pretending to be something they are not. They need to face reality that they are what genitals they were born with. Their DNA is either a male or female.