Manipulative Christianity: Done with organized religion

[persecuted]

I decided to post my thoughts on here for anyone interested and consider this also a goodbye posted here but actually intended for organized religion in general. After trying to find a church and simultaneously playing around on a number of christian web sites, including this one, I am withdrawing once again to my bible and personal relationship with Christ. I will quickly give some reasons for this as described below. My experiences have obviously been negative as I feel I came across a number of groups which I feel are dominating organized religion and contrary to what they say, their viewpoints cannot be considered wholly biblical. Some will get defensive of the three groups I mention. Some will say there are other groups just as bad or worse. I don't doubt it, but where I live and with my experiences these are in fact the three groups I have grown to wish to distance myself from. Some of you will already have heard much of this due to my previous posts of a month or two ago on this website.

1. The third world crowd. This group by far is the one that keeps me from church. They insist that it is my obligation to stop my life and give everything I have to the third world. I actually doubt that God has put me on this earth to tirelessly sacrifice so that other people and cultures can have as many children as possible with no heed of trying to do such through the God ordered sanctimony of marriage. If christian groups want to accuse me of being a sinner for not giving then they should at least be actively involved explaining to people in Haiti, Africa, etc. that there is something wrong with their behaviours. I would also expect those lecturing me on how much I should be giving to take their own advice and make greater personal sacrifices since many are much wealthier than myself. Finally, I would expect a thorough financial audit of any and all aid group since a fortune was given on Haiti and no results came anyhow. Just where did the money all go? But overall the concept that somehow I'M the problem for not giving is tired and ridiculous.

2. The Israel Lobby. I don't pretend to know whether or not modern day Israel is the same exalted one of biblical prophesies. However, I cannot blindly support a group of people as Godly creatures when they are overwhelmingly mixed up with support of abortion, gay marriage, usary, and blatant discrimination and persecution of christians as well as being on the wrong side of many other issues in the long standing culture wars. If Israel wants a coalition with christians, then they themselves are obligated to come forward and make it viable rather than just quoting one or two bible verses selectively. Sadly, my experiences suggest that the "biblical" insisted support for Israel is more about money and political correctness. Hardly worth my time when some insist that its all about the bible yet behave as such for these ulterior purposes.

3. This might sound strange, but apparently I have come across hordes of single moms and divorcees who pile themselves into churches and christian web sites and make a number of insistances. Apparently it is un-christian to make any judgements about them and this includes deciding you would rather date a girl with no past than them. They tell me that "church is not a dating service" when I talk to some girl after service but after they break up my conversation and chase the girl away, I am given speeches about how I am obligated to date them. Some are so agressive that I was literally afraid to go to a church service which I wanted to for no ulterior motive of my own such as getting a date. As I have dealt with this many times over the years, I have put forth a question: exactly why should I be obligated to a single mom or divorcee at church on sunday morning as opposed to "forgiving the sins" of a party girl at the bar on saturday night? No one seems to be able to answer this question but this strange insistance goes on of the obligation to the second chance church women. Further, any and all sin of mine, such as not having a high enough income is perfectly okay to judge ME on.

In the end I feel my life and relationship with God are better served by living my own life rather than forever trying to appease other groups which seem to expect perfection from myself whilst I overlook any and all of their sins. I would expect pastors to ask for high standards of personal conduct for all since churches now mostly attract very diverse crowds but instead I have found lecturing which only matches politically correct humanistic standards of victim groups and monster groups. As I have never accepted the victim/monster classifications of the anti-christian politically correct it is pointless for infiltrated churches to try to hit me with the same ideology only now claiming it is what the bible wants.

But anyhow, those are my thoughts and it is goodbye for me to organzied religion.

 

[for_his_glory]

Amen

Latin root word for religion is bondage, following tradition and the doctrine of a mans church, not Gods true church. Religion tells you what you can and cannot do and becomes socially acceptable by mans interpretations, traditions and doctrines. Religion is what nailed Christ to the cross because this Bible is not socially acceptable to society, if it were then Christ would have died in vain. God is not about mans religion, nor does he recognize religion. God is about a personal relationship with you and His son Jesus Christ, John 1:1-5.

The biggest deception Satan can use is to confuse the unlearned mind. God said his people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. You forget me and my word and I will forget you and your children. This is a pretty profound statement that holds so much truth. This is why this world is in the shape it is in today with so many religions claiming they are the true religion and only they will go to heaven and those who do not conform to their ways will go to hell. Truth has now turned to deception of the carnal minds ways of thinking which produces mans interpretations, traditions of law and doctrine. Satan has such a foothold on religions and has side blinded all of us into believing whatever is taught behind the pulpit is truth because after all, they are the Priest, Rabbis, Pastors, etc. etc. and they should know what they are talking about because they are our teachers. Satan is pretty clever and the master of lies and deceit, Hosea 4:6, 7; 1Peter 5:8-10.

With so many different religions in the world today how can a person be sure of what they are being taught and how did all these different religions come to be? The foundations most religions are based on is God, but mans misinterpretations of what God spoke is what has led so many into confusion and division, which is what Jesus called the falling away, which means falling away from truth or what God spoke to man through his prophets. God does not recognize any organized religion, but only knows his own by the depths of our hearts. We are all the same in the eyes of the Lord, but religion has separated us from the truth of what God has spoken to us through his prophets. It's time for the church to stand up and go back to the very foundations of our roots with God. You can read in Genesis how everything was created and wonderfully made until deception was brought on by unbelief of what God had instructed man not to do. Sin soon entered the hearts of man which caused them to be destroyed for their lack of knowledge and that lack of knowledge still continues today as many are being used by Satan unaware to preach a deceptive word of God.

Not all religions are of God, but that which were established on false doctrines and the twisted word from the synagogue of Satan. God’s true church is not four walls with pews and fancy windows as Gods church, or body are those who are of the Spiritual covenant generation of Abraham being filled by that same Spirit as being the body of Christ through confession and belief in Gods word as we establish our own personal relationship with Jesus. Remember, our English words can take on many different meanings which can lead to many misinterpretations and translations of the Bible that can mislead us into confusion and division within the body and as we stand alone individually before the Lord to give account for what we have taught others or what we have allowed ourselves to be taught there will be no excuse before the Lord on that glorious and dreadful day of his return in the clouds to call his bride home. Get into the word of God for yourself so you will not fall prey to the devices of the Devil as he is wise in his deceit that he can fool the very elect of God if they are caught off guard.

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Ephesians 3:14-21 be ye rooted and grounded in the knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.

 

[Webb]

There is a church, the Lord's church found in the scriptures. I have found it! It meets none of the identities you mentioned. Don't forsake, keep looking, its all in the Bible, and God bless!

 

[persecuted]

Thank you for the positive feedback I have received on this post. It will always be with a sense of sadness that I will go about my time on this earth walking with Jesus but without Christian fellowship. As I see "christians" of today are more outraged by violations of political correctness than by biblical violations I believe that my walking alone with Jesus is in fact the only way.

 

[childeye]

Amen

Latin root word for religion is bondage, following tradition and the doctrine of a mans church, not Gods true church. Religion tells you what you can and cannot do and becomes socially acceptable by mans interpretations, traditions and doctrines. Religion is what nailed Christ to the cross because this Bible is not socially acceptable to society, if it were then Christ would have died in vain. God is not about mans religion, nor does he recognize religion. God is about a personal relationship with you and His son Jesus Christ, John 1:1-5.

The biggest deception Satan can use is to confuse the unlearned mind. God said his people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. You forget me and my word and I will forget you and your children. This is a pretty profound statement that holds so much truth. This is why this world is in the shape it is in today with so many religions claiming they are the true religion and only they will go to heaven and those who do not conform to their ways will go to hell. Truth has now turned to deception of the carnal minds ways of thinking which produces mans interpretations, traditions of law and doctrine. Satan has such a foothold on religions and has side blinded all of us into believing whatever is taught behind the pulpit is truth because after all, they are the Priest, Rabbis, Pastors, etc. etc. and they should know what they are talking about because they are our teachers. Satan is pretty clever and the master of lies and deceit, Hosea 4:6, 7; 1Peter 5:8-10.

With so many different religions in the world today how can a person be sure of what they are being taught and how did all these different religions come to be? The foundations most religions are based on is God, but mans misinterpretations of what God spoke is what has led so many into confusion and division, which is what Jesus called the falling away, which means falling away from truth or what God spoke to man through his prophets. God does not recognize any organized religion, but only knows his own by the depths of our hearts. We are all the same in the eyes of the Lord, but religion has separated us from the truth of what God has spoken to us through his prophets. It's time for the church to stand up and go back to the very foundations of our roots with God. You can read in Genesis how everything was created and wonderfully made until deception was brought on by unbelief of what God had instructed man not to do. Sin soon entered the hearts of man which caused them to be destroyed for their lack of knowledge and that lack of knowledge still continues today as many are being used by Satan unaware to preach a deceptive word of God.

Not all religions are of God, but that which were established on false doctrines and the twisted word from the synagogue of Satan. God’s true church is not four walls with pews and fancy windows as Gods church, or body are those who are of the Spiritual covenant generation of Abraham being filled by that same Spirit as being the body of Christ through confession and belief in Gods word as we establish our own personal relationship with Jesus. Remember, our English words can take on many different meanings which can lead to many misinterpretations and translations of the Bible that can mislead us into confusion and division within the body and as we stand alone individually before the Lord to give account for what we have taught others or what we have allowed ourselves to be taught there will be no excuse before the Lord on that glorious and dreadful day of his return in the clouds to call his bride home. Get into the word of God for yourself so you will not fall prey to the devices of the Devil as he is wise in his deceit that he can fool the very elect of God if they are caught off guard.

Dear for his glory. Please forgive my comment here. I don't expect a reply. But you cause me to wonder how you have said all these well said points and yet on the freewill thread you say things that to me appear contrary?

For example, in this post you recognize that there is deception by Satan, you point out the necessity of the knowledge of God, you recognize the carnal mind interprets carnally, you also recognize distrust preceded disobedience in the garden, you speak about the english language and the confusion caused by semantics.

These are all some of the very same points I have made to show men are only free in their wills when they are set free by the Truth that comes by revelation.
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Ephesians 3:14-21 be ye rooted and grounded in the knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.

Dear for his glory. Please forgive my comment here. I would have sent a PM, but it says I am unable to do so. As you have displayed a desire to not have discourse with me, I don't expect a reply. But you cause me to wonder how you have said all these well said points and yet on the freewill thread you say things that to me appear contrary, at least to me?

For example, in this post you mention the existence of bondage to religion, you recognize that there is deception by Satan, you point out the necessity of the knowledge of God, you recognize the carnal mind interprets carnally, you even recognize distrust preceded disobedience in the garden, you speak about the english language and the confusion caused by semantics.

These are all some of the very same points I have made to show men are only free in their wills when they are set free by the Truth that comes by revelation. How it is that you can say there exists all this blindness in mankind and then say men are free in their wills has me completely befuddled. You have made good points here on this thread however, and I was glad to read it.

 

[tws]

The letters or epistles in the New Testament were written to communities of people, or leaders of communities. The faith is not meant to be lived in isolation. No church is perfect because no one is perfect. But we are supposed to help each other grow in Christ, and your growth will be curtailed or completely stagnate without brothers and sisters at your side. Anyway, best wishes.

 

[Webb]

The pattern given in the NT for the church IS perfect, having been given by God Himself, the church's members comprise what is imperfect. Thats why we must study to show ourselves approved, II Tim.3:15.

 

[Rageprophet]

Well I like the post it seems to be carefully thought out and well spoken, however this is where I run into a problem. When people find themselves so Holy that they cannot find anyone else any congregation any denomination that they can relate to because they are so vastly superior in their walk that they pull completely out and withdraw from any and all fellowship in my experience these people and I have met many are extremely inconsistent they judge everyone and everything that does not line up with their interpertation of scripture while holding everyone else to a standard that they cannot live up to themselves. Now I am not saying you are like this and granted if the churches you are going to really have these problems then that is a very good reason to have a gripe, but I implore you to continue to pray and continue to look for a body that you can fellowship with. There are no perfect churches or denominations because there are no perfect people so get that out of your head. There are however churches out there that can accept you where you are that can teach the bible and that don't put ridiculous restrictions on you, keep looking and don't give up!

 

[Christ_empowered]

This is going to sound hypocritical (I haven't been to church in a while...weird situation) but I think church is important. As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another, that sort of thing. We learn about life and how to walk with God by being around other struggling Christians.

 

[persecuted]

Well I like the post it seems to be carefully thought out and well spoken, however this is where I run into a problem. When people find themselves so Holy that they cannot find anyone else any congregation any denomination that they can relate to because they are so vastly superior in their walk that they pull completely out and withdraw from any and all fellowship in my experience these people and I have met many are extremely inconsistent they judge everyone and everything that does not line up with their interpertation of scripture while holding everyone else to a standard that they cannot live up to themselves. Now I am not saying you are like this and granted if the churches you are going to really have these problems then that is a very good reason to have a gripe, but I implore you to continue to pray and continue to look for a body that you can fellowship with. There are no perfect churches or denominations because there are no perfect people so get that out of your head. There are however churches out there that can accept you where you are that can teach the bible and that don't put ridiculous restrictions on you, keep looking and don't give up!

I think you make a very fair point. But at the same time the concern you have with lone wolf christians is exactly how I would put my own gripes with churches and church groups of late. I used to laugh at environmentalists because after giving speeches about how no one really needed a car they'd have some justification why they themselves had to have a car. My recent experiences with churches are of the exact same nature. Not going to make this very long because my thread starter sums most of it up but it seems rather ridiculous having someone lay into me about how selfless, giving, and forgiving I'm supposed to be while the evidence is clearly before me that they themselves are not living up to the standard they are demanding of me.

To me the concern isn't that I will become overly judgemental but rather that I will slide into acceptance of sin but then, I think hanging out with the christians I described made me think this way. For instance, I used to have this romantic image of the chaste good christian girl that I would meet, fall in love with, marry, and start a family with. Now after having been to churches full of people telling me its wrong to judge or expect a standard to be held to (see point #3 above) I am thinking dating a stripper is a grand idea... although I just keep getting this nagging feeling that despite the widespread christian support for this endeavour that bibilically I might be in some sort of trouble for it.

 

[BobbyKing]

But anyhow, those are my thoughts and it is goodbye for me to organized religion.

Hi

Thanks for that elaborate and honest, downright sharing. I fully agreed with that statement, 'down with organized religion...'

Whatever man or system may do to change, alter or modify God's Salvation, God cannot be moved except according to His Word, written in the Bible. I do not think that ALL organized religion are bad but that's just my opinion.

More importantly, I encourage you and everyone to embrace God's Salvation beyond the church walls; Receive His Salvation, share His Good News, make disciples of all nations, be a blessing to the less fortunate.. notice that these can be done everywhere, in your community, school, market, office, town and is definitely outside organized religion..:yes

 

[Rageprophet]

I think you make a very fair point. But at the same time the concern you have with lone wolf christians is exactly how I would put my own gripes with churches and church groups of late. I used to laugh at environmentalists because after giving speeches about how no one really needed a car they'd have some justification why they themselves had to have a car. My recent experiences with churches are of the exact same nature. Not going to make this very long because my thread starter sums most of it up but it seems rather ridiculous having someone lay into me about how selfless, giving, and forgiving I'm supposed to be while the evidence is clearly before me that they themselves are not living up to the standard they are demanding of me.

To me the concern isn't that I will become overly judgemental but rather that I will slide into acceptance of sin but then, I think hanging out with the christians I described made me think this way. For instance, I used to have this romantic image of the chaste good christian girl that I would meet, fall in love with, marry, and start a family with. Now after having been to churches full of people telling me its wrong to judge or expect a standard to be held to (see point #3 above) I am thinking dating a stripper is a grand idea... although I just keep getting this nagging feeling that despite the widespread christian support for this endeavour that bibilically I might be in some sort of trouble for it.

Aye bouy LOL's I think you need to visit some diffrent churches the ones you been going to I think may be broke. I think I might have developed the same ideas as you have if I had been going to those churches. The strippr thing might not be a good idea but an x stripped turned born again Christian you might be able to get away with.

 

[persecuted]

Aye bouy LOL's I think you need to visit some diffrent churches the ones you been going to I think may be broke. I think I might have developed the same ideas as you have if I had been going to those churches. The strippr thing might not be a good idea but an x stripped turned born again Christian you might be able to get away with.

lol... according to the "christians" I come across that is the ONLY girl I will get away with. Apparently a girl with less of a history needs to be condemned as her trying to be pure was actually a judgmental attack on the rest of society.

Got some more gems from the "the only sin is not accepting sin" crowd. Not really much to say, just watching them in action remembering these are some of the people that would gladly kick me out of their church or delete my account for questioning their dogma while they continue to tell me that christian obligation demands that I ignore that some nations are into voodoo, others its the norm to have 5 kids with 4 different partners, and others have just plain rejected Jesus despite hundreds of years of failed missionairies. One would think they might be honest with themselves and acknowledge that if they truly believe in endless tolerance and christian love for all peoples of the world they might want to expand it to the persecuted as well as the sinners. But, no, that's not going to happen, is it? Instead watch and enjoy the condemnations and attacks on those they claim are "too harsh" or "too extreme". Apparently there is no one that present day "christians" hate more than an actual believer of the bible.