What makes some people stop being a Christian?

[coffeeelover]

being that i have chosen to sin and draw away from the lord at times. that ripping part is the truth, god wont just stop and let you sin without warning you first.

a christian that choose to sin like that is often the most miserable when he does as he or she realise that he was wrong and now is to shamed to repent. so stays in that cess pool of misery.

So you are O.S.A.S too?

It's hard to keep up with all the different theologies.

 

[jasoncran]

So you are O.S.A.S too?

not really, one can loose the salvation but the problem with the opposing argument. is once you take that verse hebrews 6 that way you cant be won back as the cross wont cleanse your sins.

you are damned and no man can save you nor would want to repent.

its my believe that while it possible that you can walk away from the lord, he will follow you and try to change you back, but even he will see that you dont want him and leave you our destruction.

that being said we do have security in christ as its said he is faithful to finish the work that which he started.
and then there also is solo fide.
faith alone that is followed by works that is evidence of that initial repentance.

 

[coffeeelover]

not really, one can loose the salvation but the problem with the opposing argument. is once you take that verse hebrews 6 that way you cant be won back as the cross wont cleanse your sins.

you are damned and no man can save you nor would want to repent.

its my believe that while it possible that you can walk away from the lord, he will follow you and try to change you back, but even he will see that you dont want him and leave you our destruction.

that being said we do have security in christ as its said he is faithful to finish the work that which he started.
and then there also is solo fide.
faith alone that is followed by works that is evidence of that initial repentance.

Doesn't your line of thinking lead right into Calvanism? If one gets saved, and for the most part never loose it as God will chase you down, but won't chase down others. Then that means an elect predestined to Heaven, and everyone else predestined to Hell.

 

[jasoncran]

Doesn't your line of thinking lead right into Calvanism? If one gets saved, and for the most part never loose it as God will chase you down, but won't chase down others. Then that means an elect predestined to Heaven, and everyone else predestined to Hell.

no, if i have a choice then its not exactly what the modern calvinist preaches,

you are thinking of perseverance of the saints.
i believe in something similiar.

no the bible says that we are to make sure our salvation clearly.

it also says that the lord is longsuffering that none should perish.

that isnt overridden by my doctrine. he does pursue so that those that run away wont be lost.
he chases us all before salvation.looking back i can see that many of times.

 

[pjt]

No you don't understand Christian derived assailants are almost never clandestine in there reasons. They think they are so "moral" and up themselves that they have no reason to hide there hate.

First the Landlord was fine with me refered to me as female and by my chosen name then he sees my old male name in a document somewhere he asks me about that I not wanting to be deceitful tell him about myself. He then mentions that he has a huge problem with people "like you" that living in his property, I asked him if I could do anything he said no. then one day as he lives with us he just turns around to me and says "I don't want you living here anymore your an affront to my christian spirituality" Then goes on about the story of sodom and a whole load of other bible thumping crap and threatened to physically throw me out that night. This issue is still ongoing it's become very complicated but I've not been thrown out and he makes me uneasy.

When I was younger another group of Christians attacked me I was acquainted with them we were discussing something else they then expressed views that homosexuals were disgusting and that they were good biblical people and thus agreed with the sentiment of stoning homosexuals to death. I turned around and glared at them to which earned me a slew of homosexual slurs although I'd not said anything to them.
they saw me and later after school (we were about 16) They confronted me. Accused me of begin homosexual I refused to answer there question and continued walking home after following me abit I heard a loud banging sound I turned around and they were throwing rocks at me. I ran, I turned back briefly to see how far away they were and I instead caught a large rock right above my left eye splitting my eyebrow open dazing me. they grabbed me and shoved me to the ground where I was pelted with rocks at close range attempts to get up earned me a kick in the ribs. I told them I wasn't gay but they didn't believe me. They left after nearly pummeling me into unconsciousness I heard them say "this was gods way of straightening me out" but with more slurs and swearing I had bruises on my torso I had a gash on my eyebrow and a swollen black eye. the eyebrow left a scar.

I myself haven't been fired from a job on that basis. But I know countless others who have.

People can be cruel even Christians. This obviously will not ease the pain of what happened to you and of course we expect Christians not to be beating others up. Even nonChristians expect better from Christians so I have no defense other than to say the Bible teaches we are to treat others as we want to be treated. I doubt those boys would have wanted to be treated as you were treated. Therefore, they were acting against the teachings of God.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Time -

"Can't get my head round those who believed for years - like three to fifty years or more suddenly or gradually stop believing? It just doesn't make any sense? Does it?"

I think it make PERFECT sense -

Life is long and full of ugliness, challenges, and strife, and MOST professing Christians (in my opinion), if they ever were actual Christians, don't "Follow up" with their faith as they should. We're told to love the Lord with all our "Heart", "Mind", "Soul", and "Strength".

How many do??

Read the parable of the "sower and the seed" (Mat 13:3-23), and there is all is - 4 categories of folks who HEAR the Word, and respond to it in different ways. 2 of 'em "fall away", 1 is "unfruitful", and only the last one goes on to victory.

Most Professing Christians have NEVER Read the Bible even once, LESS that 10% even think it's an "Accurate presentation" of how things are, or relevant to their lives.

Why WOULDN'T they "Fall away"???? They don't find it "significant" to anything that matters to them.

 

[Meir]

"Can't get my head round those who believed for years - like three to fifty years or more suddenly or gradually stop believing? It just doesn't make any sense? Does it?

As someone who had believed in it for a good eleven years, I see some people falling out of it when they read and look into what it is they're actually saying they think is true. For instance, I had been born into a Christian family and just went with the flow, until I actually started reading up on everything and grew an interest in theology, in general. (Religion, in general, I find to be interesting in psychological terms... a field I have a pretty strong interest in ^^; )

Personally, I never really agreed with much of what was written, or people's interpretations of what's there and whatnot, so I fell out of it then. I also had a tendency to feel rather depressed a lot of the time when I was going to church and everything -- my views just never lined up with anyone's in the community, and when I'd try to find their point of view, I'd get shut out and people just wouldn't say anything. (ie: I'd ask "Why is ____ considered to be a bad thing?" and I'd just get a response of "Because it is. End of discussion.")

That's just me though. There are countless reasons for why someone might start to fade away from it all, but I can only provide my own experiences. Hope that helps understanding a bit, though I admit to not being the best with words. ^^;;

 

[lamplady]

As someone who had believed in it for a good eleven years, I see some people falling out of it when they read and look into what it is they're actually saying they think is true. For instance, I had been born into a Christian family and just went with the flow, until I actually started reading up on everything and grew an interest in theology, in general. (Religion, in general, I find to be interesting in psychological terms... a field I have a pretty strong interest in ^^; )

Personally, I never really agreed with much of what was written, or people's interpretations of what's there and whatnot, so I fell out of it then. I also had a tendency to feel rather depressed a lot of the time when I was going to church and everything -- my views just never lined up with anyone's in the community,and when I'd try to find their point of view, I'd get shut out and people just wouldn't say anything. (ie: I'd ask "Why is ____ considered to be a bad thing?" and I'd just get a response of "Because it is. End of discussion.")

That's just me though. There are countless reasons for why someone might start to fade away from it all, but I can only provide my own experiences. Hope that helps understanding a bit, though I admit to not being the best with words. ^^;;

hello Meir ... ...

What's in bold is interesting. 'Fraid it sounds to me like you're yet another who wants the bible to say what YOU want it to say rather what it DOES say ...

 

[SDJonathan]

As an Atheist and former Christian, I thought I'd give my two cents:

Not sure why I stopped believing. Nothing in my childhood drove me to find the concept of religion to be particularly immoral or illogical. In fact, I considered myself a Christian until around 9th grade, even though I had stopped believing in God between the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus (This is not intended to be a cheap shot or a taunt, that's just how I remember the order going). I rarely brought up religion among my peers, and so I actually went through the majority of my school years thinking that most Christians didn't believe in the literal existence of God. I only started calling myself an Atheist once I discovered how blatantly incorrect this impression was, around 9th or 10th grade.

So honestly, it was just something I didn't really consciously notice myself doing.

 

[pjt]

As an Atheist and former Christian, I thought I'd give my two cents:

Not sure why I stopped believing. Nothing in my childhood drove me to find the concept of religion to be particularly immoral or illogical. In fact, I considered myself a Christian until around 9th grade, even though I had stopped believing in God between the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus (This is not intended to be a cheap shot or a taunt, that's just how I remember the order going). I rarely brought up religion among my peers, and so I actually went through the majority of my school years thinking that most Christians didn't believe in the literal existence of God. I only started calling myself an Atheist once I discovered how blatantly incorrect this impression was, around 9th or 10th grade.

So honestly, it was just something I didn't really consciously notice myself doing.

Would it be safe to say that your belief in God somewhere between the Easter bunny and Santa was the same sort of belief as in the Easter Bunny and Santa, just a naive childish belief without any real heart, meat or feeling to it? Just sort a thing you were told existed and you went along with it without really giving it too much thought or care?

I ask this because I think this is how most people brought up in a church/"Christian" environment are so your assumption that most "Christians" didn`t really believe probably has a great deal of truth to it. Personally I can relate to that because that is how I felt before I became a real Christian. Before I became a Christian if you asked me if I believed in God, I would have said yes but only because that was the culture I knew and it was the way I had been raised. I went to church on Sunday mornings and prayed before meals, but truthfully these things meant absolutely nothing to me until I became a Christian, and then they had great meaning to me, but not before. Therefore, to be honest I have to say even though I would have claimed to being a Christian before, the truth is I was not. I was just a person that held to a Christian culture and went to church but I was not a Christian. It sounds like perhaps the same could be said of you?

 

[SDJonathan]

Would it be safe to say that your belief in God somewhere between the Easter bunny and Santa was the same sort of belief as in the Easter Bunny and Santa, just a naive childish belief without any real heart, meat or feeling to it? Just sort a thing you were told existed and you went along with it without really giving it too much thought or care?

I ask this because I think this is how most people brought up in a church/"Christian" environment are so your assumption that most "Christians" didn`t really believe probably has a great deal of truth to it. Personally I can relate to that because that is how I felt before I became a real Christian. Before I became a Christian if you asked me if I believed in God, I would have said yes but only because that was the culture I knew and it was the way I had been raised. I went to church on Sunday mornings and prayed before meals, but truthfully these things meant absolutely nothing to me until I became a Christian, and then they had great meaning to me, but not before. Therefore, to be honest I have to say even though I would have claimed to being a Christian before, the truth is I was not. I was just a person that held to a Christian culture and went to church but I was not a Christian. It sounds like perhaps the same could be said of you?

Sounds fairly accurate, honestly. I went to church and sang in the children's choir, but my parents weren't really that religious, and my dad is a deist, and they made a point of not imposing their own beliefs on me and thereby allowing me to come to my own conclusions. I'm grateful for that, and I'm going to do that with my own kids when that day comes.

So yes, I don't think I can really call myself a "former christian", and I rescind that comment.

However, since then I've looked into the world's various religions, and with an adult mind I feel I can say with confidence that I made the right choice in distancing myself from Christianity.

 

[pjt]

Sounds fairly accurate, honestly. I went to church and sang in the children's choir, but my parents weren't really that religious, and my dad is a deist, and they made a point of not imposing their own beliefs on me and thereby allowing me to come to my own conclusions. I'm grateful for that, and I'm going to do that with my own kids when that day comes.

So yes, I don't think I can really call myself a "former christian", and I rescind that comment.

However, since then I've looked into the world's various religions, and with an adult mind I feel I can say with confidence that I made the right choice in distancing myself from Christianity.

Thank you for answering this because I think for the sake of this thread, it is important to make this distinction.
As for your personal choice, as a Christian I am glad I follow a God that encourages personal choice rather than forced conversion, and the Bible says God prefers someone hot or cold rather than lukewarm! So amazingly God prefers a frank atheist to a wishy, washy, lukewarm "Christian". It is better to get off the cultural fence as we both did than to stay there contently sitting on it. Of course, you and me jumped to different sides of the fence but getting off is more honest than just sitting there! However, I do hope one day you decide to join me on my side of the fence. You are welcome to hop over anytime!!! Until then, take care!!!

 

[SDJonathan]

Thank you for answering this because I think for the sake of this thread, it is important to make this distinction.
As for your personal choice, as a Christian I am glad I follow a God that encourages personal choice rather than forced conversion, and the Bible says God prefers someone hot or cold rather than lukewarm! So amazingly God prefers a frank atheist to a wishy, washy, lukewarm "Christian". It is better to get off the cultural fence as we both did than to stay there contently sitting on it. Of course, you and me jumped to different sides of the fence but getting off is more honest than just sitting there! However, I do hope one day you decide to join me on my side of the fence. You are welcome to hop over anytime!!! Until then, take care!!!

And you on my side of the fence as well.

 

[turnorburn]

Sounds fairly accurate, honestly. I went to church and sang in the children's choir, but my parents weren't really that religious, and my dad is a deist, and they made a point of not imposing their own beliefs on me and thereby allowing me to come to my own conclusions. I'm grateful for that, and I'm going to do that with my own kids when that day comes.

So yes, I don't think I can really call myself a "former christian", and I rescind that comment.

However, since then I've looked into the world's various religions, and with an adult mind I feel I can say with confidence that I made the right choice in distancing myself from Christianity.

What kind of church?

 

[SDJonathan]

What kind of church?

Honestly, I don't remember. I think it MIGHT have been Methodist, but I'm not sure.

 

[farouk]

What?

God gave the world the free gift of Jesus - they knew that - who can turn their backs on the greatest love?

Can't get my head round those who believed for years - like three to fifty years or more suddenly or gradually stop believing? It just doesn't make any sense? Does it?

Apostasy can reveal that some ppl who professed, never really believed at heart in the first place. (Jude's Epistle.)

I like the word 'everlasting' in John 3.16: once truly started, it doesn't stop.

 

[SDJonathan]

Apostasy can reveal that some ppl who professed, never really believed at heart in the first place. (Jude's Epistle.)

I like the word 'everlasting' in John 3.16: once truly started, it doesn't stop.

...Yeah, I honestly don't buy that. Genuine Christians have abandoned their faith, I've seen it happen.

 

[farouk]

...Yeah, I honestly don't buy that. Genuine Christians have abandoned their faith, I've seen it happen.

God sees the heart, not us.

I was trying to go by the Bible's definitions.

 

[craigmn3]

I see you follow the O.S.A.S theology. That is debated all the time here. I think as it stands the those against it have the better argument.

I follow the O.R.S.A.S theology. Once REALLY saved always saved.

Alot of confusion is derived from what salvation REALLY is. As my previous comment stated what it is not is

• one time trip to the altar
• going to church
• a mental assent
• an agreement with the theology
• an affection for the ideas and thinking of Jesus
• a habit

What it is, is a life alterating acceptance of the Lordship of Jesus Christ which causes drastic and permament changes in your life. The rooting of Christ in your heart and relationship with God is no more lose-able than your head...it is a part of you. Indellible by all but the drastic and willing seperating on yourself from God.....which is not what we are talking about.

The falling away, the failure of the planted seed talked about in Mark 4, was a never was Christian situation.

Yes so once you are TRULY saved it is not something you can lose, or walk away from without great trauma.

 

[farouk]

I follow the O.R.S.A.S theology. Once REALLY saved always saved.

Alot of confusion is derived from what salvation REALLY is. As my previous comment stated what it is not is

• one time trip to the altar
• going to church
• a mental assent
• an agreement with the theology
• an affection for the ideas and thinking of Jesus
• a habit

What it is, is a life alterating acceptance of the Lordship of Jesus Christ which causes drastic and permament changes in your life. The rooting of Christ in your heart and relationship with God is no more lose-able than your head...it is a part of you. Indellible by all but the drastic and willing seperating on yourself from God.....which is not what we are talking about.

The falling away, the failure of the planted seed talked about in Mark 4, was a never was Christian situation.

Yes so once you are TRULY saved it is not something you can lose, or walk away from without great trauma.

c3:

Yes, by God's grace, ppl need to get the 'Ye must be born again' aspect right, first of all.

Then, everything else in their experience will flow from that later, right?