I've been very open about my beliefs on religion on BGP. I do not consider myself to be a "religious" person. I do not attend church often. I actually feel less connected to god after a church service. I find myself sitting in the pew, thinking of ways to contradict the preacher. I've sat through many services and never felt the urge to jump out of my seat and praise anything. I have issues with baptism. I have a hard time believing that because you were dipped in water, you are a better person than me in the eyes of god. I feel church is such a show. I don't understand the altar. Are my prayers not heard from my bed ? Do the people who pray at the altar mover to the front of the list to speak to god ? I actually pray every night and often through the day. I'm just not sure who I'm talking to yet.

 

My main problem with religion is the fact that so many are available to choose from and of the choices, the members of each believe that the religion they choose to follow is the only true religion. I just can't imagine a world where when we die, the Catholics go to heaven and the rest of us go to hell. I guess I'm saying that I'm not sold on one true religion. I believe in something bigger than me, something more powerful than me, something that has a hand in why things happen in our lives. I don't know if this is the god many Americans praise, Buddha or some other idol.

 

Many groups in this world have some beliefs that seem insane to me. Who am I to tell them they are wrong ? Who are you tell them how or what to worship ?

 

I believe religion in large is something we are born into. The religion we choose to follows depends largely upon the religion of the people who raised us(not all cases). I don't want to be like that. I want to figure this thing out on my own.

 

I'll use my aunt as an example of something that bothers me about religion. My aunt is Christian, my grandfather was Catholic. My aunt truly worries he is in hell because he wasn't the same religion as her. That's crazy to me. She's a robot of her religion.

 

Sorry for the rant. I'm just a confused 25 year old trying to figure out what makes this world turn.

I fully understand Catholics who question their faith as a result of the continual failed leadership in the Church. The Church has survived DESPITE many of the leaders.

I fully understand Catholics who question their faith as a result of the continual failed leadership in the Church. The Church has survived DESPITE many of the leaders.

 

Agreed. My point was why attend a church if you think the leaders are hypocrites? That's why I think the numbers are going down. It won't get better either as long as religion is taken out of schools. The belief of a God being taught isn't bad if it is delivered correctly.

I've been very open about my beliefs on religion on BGP. I do not consider myself to be a "religious" person. I do not attend church often. I actually feel less connected to god after a church service. I find myself sitting in the pew, thinking of ways to contradict the preacher. I've sat through many services and never felt the urge to jump out of my seat and praise anything. I have issues with baptism. I have a hard time believing that because you were dipped in water, you are a better person than me in the eyes of god. I feel church is such a show. I don't understand the altar. Are my prayers not heard from my bed ? Do the people who pray at the altar mover to the front of the list to speak to god ? I actually pray every night and often through the day. I'm just not sure who I'm talking to yet.

 

My main problem with religion is the fact that so many are available to choose from and of the choices, the members of each believe that the religion they choose to follow is the only true religion. I just can't imagine a world where when we die, the Catholics go to heaven and the rest of us go to hell. I guess I'm saying that I'm not sold on one true religion. I believe in something bigger than me, something more powerful than me, something that has a hand in why things happen in our lives. I don't know if this is the god many Americans praise, Buddha or some other idol.

 

Many groups in this world have some beliefs that seem insane to me. Who am I to tell them they are wrong ? Who are you tell them how or what to worship ?

 

I believe religion in large is something we are born into. The religion we choose to follows depends largely upon the religion of the people who raised us(not all cases). I don't want to be like that. I want to figure this thing out on my own.

 

I'll use my aunt as an example of something that bothers me about religion. My aunt is Christian, my grandfather was Catholic. My aunt truly worries he is in hell because he wasn't the same religion as her. That's crazy to me. She's a robot of her religion.

 

Sorry for the rant. I'm just a confused 25 year old trying to figure out what makes this world turn.

 

You and I have a lot of the same thoughts. Am I supposed to believe that everyone in the world who wasn't lucky enough to be born into my situation or one like mine is going to Hell? A lot of churches and church leaders lost their way a long time ago. It really isn't surprising at all to me that the figures listed in the article are what they are.

You and I have a lot of the same thoughts. Am I supposed to believe that everyone in the world who wasn't lucky enough to be born into my situation or one like mine is going to Hell? A lot of churches and church leaders lost their way a long time ago. It really isn't surprising at all to me that the figures listed in the article are what they are.

 

Romans is a great read for the bolded.

 

Here is a thread on Romans.

http://www.bluegrasspreps.com/showthread.php?t=200324

 

Check out post #7 that addresses your question in the bolded.

 

 

 

 

And then a famous Scripture to Christians that seems to address the age-old question of what do you do about those who have NEVER heard about Jesus.

 

12All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

Agreed. My point was why attend a church if you think the leaders are hypocrites? That's why I think the numbers are going down. It won't get better either as long as religion is taken out of schools. The belief of a God being taught isn't bad if it is delivered correctly.

 

The bolded is a loaded statement. To NOT be hypocrites a person would have to be perfect and never sin. I am never going to reach that point till I am in Heaven.

 

So, even though I love the Lord, Jesus Christ and say that God is responsible for all I have, I am a hypocrite and there is no changing that.

 

Old saying, I am glad that the church is full of hypocrites or I would never be allowed in.

 

Translation, you could only be perfect to get in. SSC, do you want that to be the criteria to get into the door, SSC and LBBC has to be perfect?

 

I know I would never be allowed into the door if it was.

I've been very open about my beliefs on religion on BGP. I do not consider myself to be a "religious" person. I do not attend church often. I actually feel less connected to god after a church service. I find myself sitting in the pew, thinking of ways to contradict the preacher. I've sat through many services and never felt the urge to jump out of my seat and praise anything. I have issues with baptism. I have a hard time believing that because you were dipped in water, you are a better person than me in the eyes of god. I feel church is such a show. I don't understand the altar. Are my prayers not heard from my bed ? Do the people who pray at the altar mover to the front of the list to speak to god ? I actually pray every night and often through the day. I'm just not sure who I'm talking to yet.

 

My main problem with religion is the fact that so many are available to choose from and of the choices, the members of each believe that the religion they choose to follow is the only true religion. I just can't imagine a world where when we die, the Catholics go to heaven and the rest of us go to hell. I guess I'm saying that I'm not sold on one true religion. I believe in something bigger than me, something more powerful than me, something that has a hand in why things happen in our lives. I don't know if this is the god many Americans praise, Buddha or some other idol.

 

Many groups in this world have some beliefs that seem insane to me. Who am I to tell them they are wrong ? Who are you tell them how or what to worship ?

 

I believe religion in large is something we are born into. The religion we choose to follows depends largely upon the religion of the people who raised us(not all cases). I don't want to be like that. I want to figure this thing out on my own.

 

I'll use my aunt as an example of something that bothers me about religion. My aunt is Christian, my grandfather was Catholic. My aunt truly worries he is in hell because he wasn't the same religion as her. That's crazy to me. She's a robot of her religion.

 

Sorry for the rant. I'm just a confused 25 year old trying to figure out what makes this world turn.

 

There is a bunch in there and I don't know your aunt but if she truly believes it what is she a robot?

 

And it seems you have no problem calling out her and her faith and the Catholics and their faith but don't want to call out others around the world? Why is that?

 

I will agree with you that I don't believe one denomination has a sole hold on salvation.

 

You want to figure it out, simply study the Bible. Read Scripture. Discuss Scripture. Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead you during that Scripture reading and studying.

 

Use discussion from man as a point to spark pray and thought but don't take anything any of us say as sole reasons to believe. If someone cannot support with Scripture then hold what they say in serious doubt.

 

My view is this. I will believe in what Scripture says. If I can't prove what I say through Scripture, then I do not know what I am talking about.