From now on, I'm an atheist

[damo1]

from damo1

hgih paranoid Android

i came back to this link and got your message you left me i understand what you are saying as i do the same thing from this side of the world and that is work on my self and make sure that i am not a stumbling block to no new christian as i go alnoe by the warning to what it says in gods word

only now am i able to state that i am a chrisitan for a long time even when i was young i could not say that i was a christian because i had a lot of work to do from with in and i needed to also get rid of the junk that i belived in and alow the holy spirit to bring in the truth of gods living word as doctrine can be confusing when you are given things to hold on to then as you look at that doctrine it becomes flawd

just look at how often he would confront the pharisees and catch them out these guys took advantage of people and he cought them out

jesus did what the pharisees were not doing he reached out to the commen man and took people for who they were and he sat with the lowest of the lowest and did not reject but he reached out and gave people hope

its ok i understand what you are saying yet as my other sister stated in her message left to me you can be a light to those that are strugling and we are like an open book to those that might not have any means to get to a church

[Massorite]

Yep - I'm atheist, and I'll tell you why.

Whenever I've been in discussion over exactly what a "Christian" is, quite often the answer has nothing to do with Christ. People will often say they are Christian but never know what it means or even follow God. Some won't even believe Jesus existed. Some don't even believe in God. Yet when i challenge them as to why they are "Christian" then, people say I'm being discriminatory and that if they want to call themselves Christian who am I to question them.

It has been my experience that the term "Christian" has become the most abused word in the English language. Any man and their dog can claim to be Christian, while not even believing in God.

So, from now on, I'm going to claim I am an atheist. And when people ask me why I don't believe in God, I will tell them promptly that I do believe in God. I will tell them that I believe Jesus is Lord and Saviour. And then they will look at me like I've just been braindamaged somehow, and tell me that I'm not an atheist because I believe in God. Then I will tell them that if I want to call myself "atheist" who are they to discriminate against my choice.

I'm not really becoming atheist - don't let the topic title fool you. But why is it that the secular world has come to accept the name "Christian" to apply to anyone who calls themselves Christian, regardless of what they believe, yet on the other hand, if I claimed to be an Atheist but believed in God, people would tell me I am wrong, or if I was Buddhist but didn't believe in Buddhist teachings they'd tell me I'm not Buddhist.

The label that we give ourselves should have some meaning. If "Christian" has become so watered down as to mean absolutely anything, then perhaps its time that I call myself something else, because quite frankly, I don't want to be associated with a word that can simply mean anything at all, even including not believing in God or Jesus at all.

Just some food for thought.

No food for thought needed here Android. I have already been running down that road myself. The word Christian is not the only one. Look at what the gay agenda has done to the Rainbow and how about the cross. Gangsters and porn stars wear them now. The lines between the physical religious world and the secular would have become blurred.

Iniquity is abounding.

[Paul Edwards]

Yep - I'm atheist, and I'll tell you why.

Whenever I've been in discussion over exactly what a "Christian" is, quite often the answer has nothing to do with Christ. People will often say they are Christian but never know what it means or even follow God. Some won't even believe Jesus existed. Some don't even believe in God.

Yes, this is very amusing. What you say is exactly right. However, to me, this is the strength of Christianity. No-one owns the definition, and there is a great variety of ideas, and it has quite frankly, led to a lot of very nice people. The days of Christians burning heathens at the stake are long gone. Christians are incredibly tolerant in comparison.

[Trusting Jesus]

But God's word cannot be compromised. His word does not change. People try to water it down, or choose only the parts they feel comfortable with. Too often the "great variety of ideas" end up with man changing God's word to make it easier to live with. Jesus loved with a perfect love, but He did not accept sin. He love the person, but told people to "go and sin no more". We have to know Christ and what He expects from us. Then, in love, we need to live following Christ's example. I am far from perfect, but I really want to be more like Christ.

<>< ><>

Nathele

[MeCajunboy]

I don't want to be labeled a Christian either, just because of the conetation it brings

I will always say I am a Christian. I could care less what other people think about it. I won't live my life in fear of "offending" someone by being labeled a Christian. If they believe it comes with a lot of bad baggage, I'll take the time to clarify. If they still don't like it....tough. That's really their problem, not mine. The only being that I'm trying to please is God...not man.

Im not afraid of offending anyone either, kari. Im offended by how people view christians, therefore i do not want the label. People treat you differently when they know you're a believer, and frankly, im tired of it. It's not a good different either. They automatically assume things about you that may not be the case. Like if i were to go to a rated R movie or have a beer at a football game, just because of the simple fact that i'm a believer makes it so i can't do those things. Or makes people believe that i SHOULDNT do those things. Its ridiculous

Hi Thoughtful, I had long ago thought that you might have been having these type of feelings. Of course, a person as well-versed as you are know all to well that God and Jesus both said that we would have to stand persecusion before many. Did you think that would not come with a heavy penalty. Did you think that you wouldn't have to "give up" all those bad habits and still have Jesus in your heart? Did you think that God woiuld sit with you and rest peacefully in your soul while you "knowingly" watch an "R" rated movie. I think what you're saying is, you don't want to be called a "Christian" if you have to relinquish all those fun things you used to do and be if it means doing without some of those that you mentioned.

I'm afraid you're of the impression that you can make up your own rules about knowing and loving God and now you tell us that if you have to be shunned or condemned for obeying what God calls commands, if you have to do all that, then you don't want to be called a Christian. Well, my friend in Christ, the one thing I do know is that "to be a Christian means to be AS CHRIST! At least to strive to be AS CHIRST! God knows we will all fall short of being AS CHRIST, but we still have to continue to strive and work towards living as Christ did , and one great leap in that direction would be by trying to avoid sin at ALL COSTS. And we can no longer sit idly by and just say, "well that's the best I can do!" When God is speaking to us, we have to respond to HIS call. And Thoughtful and Paranoid Android.......GOD IS SPEAKING VERY CLEARLY TO YOU BOTH!

[MeCajunboy]

I don't want to be labeled a Christian either, just because of the conetation it brings

I will always say I am a Christian. I could care less what other people think about it. I won't live my life in fear of "offending" someone by being labeled a Christian. If they believe it comes with a lot of bad baggage, I'll take the time to clarify. If they still don't like it....tough. That's really their problem, not mine. The only being that I'm trying to please is God...not man.

Go Kari ! Blessed are those who strive to be "Christ-like!"

[MeCajunboy]

Very clever, ParanoidAndroid. It's sad but true that virtually anybody can call themself a Christian under the false belief that all one has to do to be a Christian is simply believe in God or go to church.

heck, I've met Christians (well, people who call themselves that, at least) who don't even believe in God at all. Someone I met on another message board believes that a Christian is someone who has mastered the "Science of Compassion" - in other words, they can be nice to other people. If someone does that, then they are Christian in his eyes. No Bible is required. The Bible to him is just one of the many guides given to us to help us achieve that mastery of compassion. If someone wants to pursue that in another way, then that is up to them.

It's sickening, really.

~ Regards, PA

P.S - I've edited my original post to add just a little more information

Sorry PA, but again I have to disagree with your thought process. And actually, I've never met a "Christian" who claimed to not know or hate God. And that would be an "oxymoron" at best for someone to claim so. I'm not sure what your efforts to call yourself "atheist" will get you except wasted attention. I do agree that many more people should make much more efforts to back up what they claim. But that's not very different than you and "thought" sounding as though you've both "given up " on the world. Finally, I don't think I've ever met one "Christian" or want to be "Christian" who has never sinned. As for that, my friend, I'm afraid we're all in the same boat. If you are merely disgusted with the way the world is turning out and those who seem not to care are merely bailing out on it, you're not alone. But, by all means PA , give them some constructive suggestions and/or criticism at best, and refrain from sounding like you're joining in on thier "pity party."

hmmm, i think this is the first time i've ever disagreed with you, cajun. for one thing, just because you "never met a "Christian" who claimed to not know or hate God." doesn't mean P.A. hasn't. i can't count the number of people i know whose definition of christian is someone who follows certain moral rules. it is an oxymoron for us of course. but there are many who do not see Christ in Christian.

uhuh? Hi Fraught, I not saying that many so called "Christians" don't have the same concept of what is means to be "Christ-like." Anyone can visually comprehed that at first glance of many. But firstly, neither you nor I should doubt for one minute that anyone we meet along the way who we have these serious doubts about in witnessing their beliefs, can't one day or some day "see God's true light" and eventually turn out to be one of the best Representatives for God before they expire. So don't be dismayed when you meet someone of a lower caliper just because you think they should be further along when you meet them....they still have many years to come around to understanding, and wisdom of God. Secondly, normally when I have met such people as PA and Thoughtful, I usually sit back and observe them a while before I draw any conclusions about where they're at in their walk and how much more they have to go. You will note that if you read on farther down where Thoughtful plays his cards on the table, when he tells us that "He's not interested in avoiding "R" rated movies or not drinking at a football game just to prove to others that he is not a "Bad" Christian. And the simple answer is, "Just do what God requires or commands us to do or NOT do. " IF God is putting it in your heart to avoid R rated movies....then you sure better discontinue going. Or drinking....same thought. Finally, when I decide that I have interpred a scripture properly, I pray on it and if it comes back to my spirit a solid response....I go with it. I haven't come against a COMMAND from God yet, whether it be verbally, or literally, that I didn't get or understand it to be directed for me. If it was for me......I GOT IT!

As for morals and scruples, if you trust God and love HIM with all your heart and soul. I promise you that you will naturally have good morals and scruples, and much wisdom and knowledge about the word. Whether you believe me or not, matters not as I am only quoting Proverbs and God. And please don't hestitate to disagree with me on any note.....But not God!

Blessings

Cajun

[KeilanS]

That is a very interesting idea. It would be neat to call yourself an Atheist, and then if anyone challenges you on it, ask them what makes them a Christian. Get them to think about it. (unfortunately though, anyone who isn't pretty firm in why they're a Christian probably won't challenge you on your so called atheism, they'll be afraid you'll consider it "intolerance").

I definately see where you're coming from though. A vast majority of Canada calls themselves Christian, yet the bulk of the born again believers I know are the ones who regularly attend my church. My catholic school is a joke, I'm like one of the three people in my circle of friends who will actually defend Christianity. In my religion class, a student actually described his faith life by saying "I acknowledge my faith but it has no bearing on my decisions". That's the breed of Christian that makes up the majority.

[Trusting Jesus]

That is a very interesting idea. It would be neat to call yourself an Atheist, and then if anyone challenges you on it, ask them what makes them a Christian. Get them to think about it. (unfortunately though, anyone who isn't pretty firm in why they're a Christian probably won't challenge you on your so called atheism, they'll be afraid you'll consider it "intolerance").

I definately see where you're coming from though. A vast majority of Canada calls themselves Christian, yet the bulk of the born again believers I know are the ones who regularly attend my church. My catholic school is a joke, I'm like one of the three people in my circle of friends who will actually defend Christianity. In my religion class, a student actually described his faith life by saying "I acknowledge my faith but it has no bearing on my decisions". That's the breed of Christian that makes up the majority.

How sad that your classmate acknowledges his faith but doesn't live it. Only God knows his heart, but I hope he starts making his decisions based on God's Word soon, or he may find that he either moves away from his faith or ends up in big trouble. All decisions should be Scriptural from.

My grandmother used to say that you can preach a better sermon with your life than with your mouth. In other words, if you are living your life so that it is pleasing to God, people should see it in your actions.

<>< ><>

Nathele

[RedeemedByHim]

Ok..since I am a Christian...I would much rather be called a Christ-follower because it is my daily goal to follow in the footsteps of Christ and represent Him.