Why Christianity Is Dumb

[SunDrop 0]

Today I saw my grandmother, who is probably more religious than all the churches combined. I have been skipping church because I get nothing from it an think organized religion is a sham. She gave me another book in the Left Behind series...making this one from each my mom and my grandma. Then she looked really deeply into my eyes and said "It's really scary to think of what will happen to those who are left behind." And then she started to cry.

[herokid7 0]

Today I saw my grandmother, who is probably more religious than all the churches combined. I have been skipping church because I get nothing from it an think organized religion is a sham. She gave me another book in the Left Behind series...making this one from each my mom and my grandma. Then she looked really deeply into my eyes and said "It's really scary to think of what will happen to those who are left behind." And then she started to cry.

Why is that dumb? She obviously cares about those people? Why is it dumb to care about people? Why is it dumb to care about you?

[SunDrop 0]

Why is that dumb? She obviously cares about those people? Why is it dumb to care about people? Why is it dumb to care about you?

Because she doesnt' care about me. She knows absolutely nothing about me. She still talks to me like I'm 7. She only cares about the fact that people from our church know I'm not going, and that makes her look bad.

[herokid7 0]

Because she doesnt' care about me. She knows absolutely nothing about me. She still talks to me like I'm 7. She only cares about the fact that people from our church know I'm not going, and that makes her look bad.

I find that hard to believe. I hope it's not true. But, if she doesn't know anything about you, maybe you should let her get to know you. Take her out to lunch. Talk to her. Get to know her, and then maybe she'll get to know you. Besides, who says you have to know someone to care about them? Believe it or not, sundrop, I don't know you and I care about you. I don't know a lot of people that i care about. I once heard a lady i had never met until the day talk about losing her son and husband in the span of a month. My heart ached for her. At a youth camp a few years ago, one of the youth groups on the way to our camp had a wreck and 7 of their youth died. I cried for hours over that one, never met a single member of the youth group. So, even if you say your grandmother doesn't know you, she probably still cares about you.

[cu in 4years Dan 1]

churches are not organised religion. it is a gathering of fellow worshipers to worship the God we trust in so much. it is a celebration.there are however cults such as HILLSONG which is near me which is sucking in about 3000 people in each of the 6 services every week. somtimes multiple times a week.it is these crappy hippy cults that are spreading a bad word for Christianity. pretty much scaring away people from God in my opinion. too pushy.

[Loismustdie 0]

Today I saw my grandmother, who is probably more religious than all the churches combined. I have been skipping church because I get nothing from it an think organized religion is a sham. She gave me another book in the Left Behind series...making this one from each my mom and my grandma. Then she looked really deeply into my eyes and said "It's really scary to think of what will happen to those who are left behind." And then she started to cry.

She is an example of the sheep being led to the slaughter. Mainstream christianity is not what God had in mind, not even close.

[Petoria 0]

She is an example of the sheep being led to the slaughter. Mainstream christianity is not what God had in mind, not even close.

Probably true, but how can you claim to have an idea about what God is thinking.

[Mattnxtc 0]

A few things on this. Yes the Modern Gospel isnt good. Its all about what God can do for you today. While flipping through the tv tonight I saw 5 different adds for things that were supposed to make your life better...from some holy clothe to spiritual water to donating $1000 to some guy who promises God will return this amount 1000%. It is truly disgusting. The message of christainity is simple. It isnt easy. Your life will not always be fun on this earth. You will suffer, you will struggle, you will lose freinds and family members but that by believing in Jesus you will be saved. You will have eternal happiness in heaven. Some pastors are afraid to preach this message for fear of scaring people off. That is a huge mistake in my opinion b/c it really isnt the true meaning of Jesus's words. People struggle and dont understand why. The figure God is punishing them. They dont realize that these struggles are foretold. That we will suffer. I dont know your grandma or you for that matter so i dont know her intentions. You say that they are so that she doesnt look bad but who knows. Realize though what she says about the end times is true. Those who are left behind are going to have one heck of a struggle. Both sides are going to suffer greatly and it is a time I am glad I wont be there for

[Loismustdie 0]

Probably true, but how can you claim to have an idea about what God is thinking.

Look at mainstream christianity. Look at what God ACTUALLY had in mind in the scriptures. Not hard to know what he thinks, he as much as tells you so.

[herokid7 0]

A few things on this. Yes the Modern Gospel isnt good. Its all about what God can do for you today. While flipping through the tv tonight I saw 5 different adds for things that were supposed to make your life better...from some holy clothe to spiritual water to donating $1000 to some guy who promises God will return this amount 1000%. It is truly disgusting. The message of christainity is simple. It isnt easy. Your life will not always be fun on this earth. You will suffer, you will struggle, you will lose freinds and family members but that by believing in Jesus you will be saved. You will have eternal happiness in heaven. Some pastors are afraid to preach this message for fear of scaring people off. That is a huge mistake in my opinion b/c it really isnt the true meaning of Jesus's words. People struggle and dont understand why. The figure God is punishing them. They dont realize that these struggles are foretold. That we will suffer. I dont know your grandma or you for that matter so i dont know her intentions. You say that they are so that she doesnt look bad but who knows. Realize though what she says about the end times is true. Those who are left behind are going to have one heck of a struggle. Both sides are going to suffer greatly and it is a time I am glad I wont be there for

I think I disagree a little it matt. I think God intended this life as a gift to us. We are supposed to enjoy this life and be happy. Sure things may not always go our way but we know "that all things work together for the good of those who love God" Rom. 8:28. So we should have faith thru the hard times that Christ will pull us thru. That is a reason to be happy. I don't believe we have to suffer. Jesus himself prayed "Let your will be done on EARTH as it is in HEAVEN." I don't think there's suffering in Heaven. i enjoy my life. I don't suffer, because i know that God is there. I think that sometimes you see the people on tv and hear about the "megachurches" think that all they preach is "name it and claim it" that simply is not true. The message is there is a way out. Sorry, brother. The message you're preaching of "Christianity is suffering" is just plain wrong.P.s. By the way, sorry if I came off like i'm being mean with you, matt, I still love ya. Just got a difference of philosophy. Hope you still think I'm a Brother in Christ

[Mattnxtc 0]

I think I disagree a little it matt. I think God intended this life as a gift to us. We are supposed to enjoy this life and be happy. Sure things may not always go our way but we know "that all things work together for the good of those who love God" Rom. 8:28. So we should have faith thru the hard times that Christ will pull us thru. That is a reason to be happy. I don't believe we have to suffer. Jesus himself prayed "Let your will be done on EARTH as it is in HEAVEN." I don't think there's suffering in Heaven. i enjoy my life. I don't suffer, because i know that God is there. I think that sometimes you see the people on tv and hear about the "megachurches" think that all they preach is "name it and claim it" that simply is not true. The message is there is a way out. Sorry, brother. The message you're preaching of "Christianity is suffering" is just plain wrong.

No thats not the message im preaching...but yes it is foretold that we will suffer1 Peter 2:20-21"For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you habe been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His footsteps."My point is this. The modern Gospel that is presented excludes these types of verses. Heck Joel Osteen who is the leader of the biggest church in america wont talk about Hell in his sermons. He only discusses all the great things God wants to do in your life. Now are we going to suffer every minute of the day? Of course not. But are we going to suffer...yes!!! And the good majority of people dont realize that. They think that as long as you believe life is grand. But that just isnt the case. Christianity is not just suffering. It is about the love that God has for us. That He willingly sacrificed Jesus to pay for our sins. But what is excluded nowadays is the fact that you will end up suffering for your belief. Just b/c your a christian doesnt mean happy days are here. If that was the case everybody would want to be a christian. It is an everyday battle against sin's temptations, knowing that we have Jesus on our side.

[herokid7 0]

No thats not the message im preaching...but yes it is foretold that we will suffer1 Peter 2:20-21"For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you habe been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His footsteps."My point is this. The modern Gospel that is presented excludes these types of verses. Heck Joel Osteen who is the leader of the biggest church in america wont talk about Hell in his sermons. He only discusses all the great things God wants to do in your life. Now are we going to suffer every minute of the day? Of course not. But are we going to suffer...yes!!! And the good majority of people dont realize that. They think that as long as you believe life is grand. But that just isnt the case. Christianity is not just suffering. It is about the love that God has for us. That He willingly sacrificed Jesus to pay for our sins. But what is excluded nowadays is the fact that you will end up suffering for your belief. Just b/c your a christian doesnt mean happy days are here. If that was the case everybody would want to be a christian. It is an everyday battle against sin's temptations, knowing that we have Jesus on our side.

Lol. Thought you were referring to my good buddy, Joel. Here's the thing: Joel does preach about Hell. Quite often in fact. But, lost people really don't respond to Hell sermons well. Just look at some of the posts by the atheists on this site about Hell being a scare tactic. Lost people don't need to know about it, it does nothing but turn them off. we need to tell them about the love of God and how, while this life may not be EASIER as a Christian, but it is more ENJOYABLE as a Christian. Get this, Jesus did suffer on the cross, but He did it with joy in his heart because he knew the purpose for which He was doing it. So in the verse you quoted it means that when we suffer we should suffer in the same manner as He did. With peace in our hearts.

[Mattnxtc 0]

Lol. Thought you were referring to my good buddy, Joel. Here's the thing: Joel does preach about Hell. Quite often in fact. But, lost people really don't respond to Hell sermons well. Just look at some of the posts by the atheists on this site about Hell being a scare tactic. Lost people don't need to know about it, it does nothing but turn them off. we need to tell them about the love of God and how, while this life may not be EASIER as a Christian, but it is more ENJOYABLE as a Christian. Get this, Jesus did suffer on the cross, but He did it with joy in his heart because he knew the purpose for which He was doing it. So in the verse you quoted it means that when we suffer we should suffer in the same manner as He did. With peace in our hearts.

Dont get me wrong...Joel is a great guy. His sermons are entertaining but I dont agree with the messageFrom Joel himself: “Listen; don’t dangle people over the fires of hell. Lisa and I always kid about you know we’re going to dangle them over the fires of hell. Listen, that doesn’t draw people to God. They know what kind of life they live. They know how bad they’ve lived. What you’ve got to do is talk about the goodness of God. Listen, it’s the goodness of God that brings people to repentance. It’s the goodness of God. One thing I always appreciated about my dad is that he instilled into us a good vision of who God was. We learned about a good God.”andOsteen said his goal is to “give people a boost for the week.” “I think for years there's been a lot of hellfire and damnation. You go to church to figure out what you're doing wrong and you leave feeling bad like you're not going to make it,” Osteen said. “We believe in focusing on the goodness of God”In John 15:22 - "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin"and more importantly John 3:18 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already...."Do you see the importance of it. This is what Joel avoids talkin about..The very words that Jesus spoke. Now dont get me wrong...I again do think he is a good speaker. But he doesnt think it necessary to mention that Hell is there for all the unbelievers...Finally lets look at an interview he had with Larry King: KING: “What if you're Jewish or Muslim, you don't accept Christ at all?OSTEEN: “You know, I'm very careful about saying who would and wouldn't go to heaven. I don't know ...KING: “If you believe you have to believe in Christ? They're wrong, aren't they?OSTEEN: “Well, I don't know if I believe they're wrong. I believe here's what the Bible teaches and from the Christian faith this is what I believe. But I just think that only God with judge a person's heart. ... I don't know all about their religion. But I know they love God. And I don't know. I've seen their sincerity. So I don't know. I know for me, and what the Bible teaches, I want to have a relationship with Jesus.This is what he said...It was only after people called in question how he coudl be a pastor and believe this that he changed his thoughts on the subject. Isnt that a little suspect comin from a person who is supposed to have an understanding of the bible? Again he is a great speaker..I watch him when hes on tv..but dont let him be your primary pastor. His biblical education is suspect as he never attended formal training at all. Make sure you have a church that is firmly grounded in theology and watch him for an extra boost. His goal is to make you feel better which he does...just dont mistake that for the truth

[herokid7 0]

Dont get me wrong...Joel is a great guy. His sermons are entertaining but I dont agree with the messageFrom Joel himself: “Listen; don’t dangle people over the fires of hell. Lisa and I always kid about you know we’re going to dangle them over the fires of hell. Listen, that doesn’t draw people to God. They know what kind of life they live. They know how bad they’ve lived. What you’ve got to do is talk about the goodness of God. Listen, it’s the goodness of God that brings people to repentance. It’s the goodness of God. One thing I always appreciated about my dad is that he instilled into us a good vision of who God was. We learned about a good God.”andOsteen said his goal is to “give people a boost for the week.” “I think for years there's been a lot of hellfire and damnation. You go to church to figure out what you're doing wrong and you leave feeling bad like you're not going to make it,” Osteen said. “We believe in focusing on the goodness of God”In John 15:22 - "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin"and more importantly John 3:18 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already...."Do you see the importance of it. This is what Joel avoids talkin about..The very words that Jesus spoke. Now dont get me wrong...I again do think he is a good speaker. But he doesnt think it necessary to mention that Hell is there for all the unbelievers...Finally lets look at an interview he had with Larry King: KING: “What if you're Jewish or Muslim, you don't accept Christ at all?OSTEEN: “You know, I'm very careful about saying who would and wouldn't go to heaven. I don't know ...KING: “If you believe you have to believe in Christ? They're wrong, aren't they?OSTEEN: “Well, I don't know if I believe they're wrong. I believe here's what the Bible teaches and from the Christian faith this is what I believe. But I just think that only God with judge a person's heart. ... I don't know all about their religion. But I know they love God. And I don't know. I've seen their sincerity. So I don't know. I know for me, and what the Bible teaches, I want to have a relationship with Jesus.This is what he said...It was only after people called in question how he coudl be a pastor and believe this that he changed his thoughts on the subject. Isnt that a little suspect comin from a person who is supposed to have an understanding of the bible? Again he is a great speaker..I watch him when hes on tv..but dont let him be your primary pastor. His biblical education is suspect as he never attended formal training at all. Make sure you have a church that is firmly grounded in theology and watch him for an extra boost. His goal is to make you feel better which he does...just dont mistake that for the truth

Lol. He is no way my pastor. I like him. My pastor however is good friends with him. But, I do think Joel is in the right when he said don't dangle people over Hell. The Hellfire and brimstone messages were right for a time, but this day and age is different. The lost know about Hell, they need to know the love of God. Hell is irrelevant to a believer. i would follow God even if there wasn't a Hell, this is what I think Joel tries to preach.His shows are an evangelical tool. He knows that Hell will just turn people off. And whats wrong with a boost for the week? I may not like the way it's worded but I don't think it's a bad thing. Don't worry, I do to go to a good church, with VERY educated pastors, currently enrolled in a Christian college as a Religion major myself. So I got good roots. I just think people know what's in store for them if they don't believe, they need to what awaits them if they DO believe. Love ya, brother.

[Mattnxtc 0]

Lol. He is no way my pastor. I like him. My pastor however is good friends with him. But, I do think Joel is in the right when he said don't dangle people over Hell. The Hellfire and brimstone messages were right for a time, but this day and age is different. The lost know about Hell, they need to know the love of God. Hell is irrelevant to a believer. i would follow God even if there wasn't a Hell, this is what I think Joel tries to preach.His shows are an evangelical tool. He knows that Hell will just turn people off. And whats wrong with a boost for the week? I may not like the way it's worded but I don't think it's a bad thing. Don't worry, I do to go to a good church, with VERY educated pastors, currently enrolled in a Christian college as a Religion major myself. So I got good roots. I just think people know what's in store for them if they don't believe, they need to what awaits them if they DO believe. Love ya, brother.

O i was in no way raggin on u and thats awesome your involved...I have thoughts of attending Dallas theological seminary or possibly lookin at Talbot to get to have JP Moreland as a teacher. I was just pointing out the problems associated with what Osteen preaches. I much prefer people to have a more theological aspect of the bible as they know and understand the bible much more. The bible does make it clear that hell is necessary to know why we believe in Jesus...otherwise jsut as others on this site say...When you die you just die. They dont realize the real meaning of death. But i am just the same way with regard to u. I have a very good group of pastors that help in my growth and I do watch Osteen purely for his positive message. But i worry for those who put their full faith in Osteen. His messages are positive for certain i just don tknow how helpful they are to a lot of people who question things

[herokid7 0]

O i was in no way raggin on u and thats awesome your involved...I have thoughts of attending Dallas theological seminary or possibly lookin at Talbot to get to have JP Moreland as a teacher. I was just pointing out the problems associated with what Osteen preaches. I much prefer people to have a more theological aspect of the bible as they know and understand the bible much more. The bible does make it clear that hell is necessary to know why we believe in Jesus...otherwise jsut as others on this site say...When you die you just die. They dont realize the real meaning of death. But i am just the same way with regard to u. I have a very good group of pastors that help in my growth and I do watch Osteen purely for his positive message. But i worry for those who put their full faith in Osteen. His messages are positive for certain i just don tknow how helpful they are to a lot of people who question things

Yeah, I understand your concerns with Joel and i think you have some substance. Hell is real and should be taught, but I think the messages that God is concerned with our everyday life and wants us to be happy here are good for people, saved and lost. Good luck if you decide to go to seminary. I got some friends in Dallas who go to Christ For the Nations, my pastor wanted me to go but I didn't want to leave that far from home.

[akoff 0]

"I don't know you and I care about you"I don't...

[MyPlayIsRAB 0]

Today I saw my grandmother, who is probably more religious than all the churches combined. I have been skipping church because I get nothing from it an think organized religion is a sham. She gave me another book in the Left Behind series...making this one from each my mom and my grandma. Then she looked really deeply into my eyes and said "It's really scary to think of what will happen to those who are left behind." And then she started to cry.

my last girlfriend did this to me too.. needless to say, i have a new one now..not that i think its bad, i just think that when you point fingers at people for not being religious and saying theyre evil or not going anywhere in the aftgerlife or wahtever, thats dumb.

[Mattnxtc 0]

my last girlfriend did this to me too.. needless to say, i have a new one now..not that i think its bad, i just think that when you point fingers at people for not being religious and saying theyre evil or not going anywhere in the aftgerlife or wahtever, thats dumb.

depends...if shes right then shes tryin to save you from eternal hell...and that is great of her

[PokerJoeVIP 0]

Why is that dumb? She obviously cares about those people? Why is it dumb to care about people? Why is it dumb to care about you?

Corruption has made many things a sham and to various degrees all religions have become a sham...but the original truth that all religions speak of are what they areThe truth your grandmother speaks when she looks at you and wonders if you are to be one of those left behind...her concern of what those times will be likethese things are not corrupt