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"picks of the week" led me to your site, and I am sure you will have many
others visit. I find your comments very thought provoking and challenging,
especially since I am a pastor of church. Most of your ideas have spun
around in my mind from time to time and I too grew tired of much of the
religion I saw expressed not only on TV but in local churches. I suppose
that the biggest reason to believe in Christ is the transformed lives
of His followers, but then again, I the biggest objection people have
with Christianity is the lack of transformation in the lives of His followers.
To be honest with you, there are days when I look at my own life and wonder
if I am making a dent. It seems to me that you both are not into bashing
- and that is good. When I left a mainline church I grew up in, it was
quite tempting to do some bashing to justify leaving, but that didn't
seem like it was in the spirit of Jesus whom I want to serve. Two points
for that attitude! I can imagine the anger rising up in many who find your site threatening to their faith or religion. Their anger or harsh words don't seem to line up with their Master's. Jesus never seemed to defend himself, but defending the child, the women, the poor, the oppressed, that is another thing. Since the beginning of history, I suppose, man has found ways to use religion to control others. I personally don't want anything to do with that stuff. I prefer to see people set free. I believe that God is not threatened in the slightest by your comments or current disillusionment with the state of religion in America. In fact, He probably agrees with you more than you know. I wanted to be one Christian who encouraged you to keep honest, believing that the truth sets people free. Any story told in the Bible that has more allegory than actual fact, more imagery and figure of speech than is understood by those who need to interpret the Bible "inerrantly" will ultimately be valued more for the truth it hides than the truth it makes plain. Jesus' disciples describe themselves plainly as clueless, they just didn't get what was going on around them - until they experienced a man die and then, being a goner, come back to life. I have never seen anything so dramatic. I hunger for the clear direction of those "clueless men of the gospels" once they started living in Acts. I wish that I was so completely transformed by another that life's choices were made simpler. If there is one thing that they knew - it was this: People Matter to God. I believe that too, but I lose focus so easily and worry about the car or the way the Cleveland Indians are playing or how to pay my bills, and sometimes miss out on the miracle of life God placed all around me. Whatever you do, don't let puny man's religion allow you to miss the miracles around you. God Bless, -Ken I
can understand why you would question God's intentions, in sending his
son to die. One thing to keep in mind, and this is the haredst thing to
do, is that God is not a man and does not think like a man. The bible
lets us know his ways are not our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts.
It's not just that his death was so noble, which it was, it's not just
that it was an unselfish act of love, which it was, but the fact is it
was the only acceptable sacrafice. I'm not writing to condemn you, I'm
writing because I love you. I pray that you will reconsider your view
of God, and realize that He does love you, and that he did die for you.
It might not make logical sense to you, but somethings don't and may never
make sense to us, thats where faith comes in to play. We may not have
all the answers, but know this"Jesus is the answer and he can be whatever
you need." Love your friend in Christ, -Eric What
religion to you practice? And how do you sleep at night thinking there
is no heavenly place? About 40 - 50 years ago the world ran alongside
the Christian ideas, and the 10 Commandments. And yes, I will agree that
alot of churches forming from other existing churches base themselves
on only part of the Bible, (or what they want to believe of the Bible),
but I was taught that Christianity was following the ways of Christ as
best as you knew how and as best as you could, and still live in this
sinful world we are put on. People these days are too laxed on their worshiping
and beliefs. Because it is better to sit on the fence in the "Comfort
Zone" and be excepted by everyone, then to jump down on the side you believe
in and fight for it. Where would "Freedom" and "Independence" be today
ifÊpeople sat on the "Comfort Zone" fence of America, like they do with
Christianity. Granted, I have only skimmed the surface of your site, and
I will read it all, but I am very uncomfortable with your beliefs. Wonder
how your going to answer to The Lord when your judgement day comes around.?
- Deborah Who
are you to say what Heaven is or is not? Have you been there? In Heaven
even a flower would be perfect and would need no rain to grow. Would you
say that hell is a healthy alternative?-Jerry I
will not try to say your experiences with religion are not real--I see
similar experiences happening all the time around me. The difference in
why I believe and you do not is this: I have had an experience from God,
He entered my life and spoke through me in unknown tongues as evidence,
45 years ago when I was a child. I know that this is "real" because the
experience has kept me from real harm through my teenage years, college,
marriage, career, and now, retirement. I live life, not escape it. Therefore, I believe in the sanctity of life, all life. I do not need to carry a gun because God keeps me and knows the way that is best for me. I am not a simpleton: I earned a college degree way back in the days when that meant one learned something. God allows me choices: I can choose evil or good, but His spirit helps me make those choices. Even in my chosen church affiliation I find those who give lip service to God and the way to live. This makes me sad because it leads others to experience religion as you did. Even with this being the case, I know personally, there is a real God and one can have Him live in your life, giving comfort, guidance, and salvation. I don't expect one email to make you reconsider your choices. You are obviously bright, talented individuals. I almost didn't write, but I do so hoping that your minds are not closed on the matter. -Linda Hello,
I am a young man in my final year of seminary, less than one year away from becoming an ordained minister. I really enjoying looking at sites like yours and other "agnostic ex-Christians" sites. You bring up a lot of good points and ask questions that a lot of Christians are too afraid to ask. But the one thing I have noticed is that you make the same mistake a lot of these conservative fundamental wackos make. You see Christianity as an either/or situation, where everything is either right or wrong with no in between. In arguing against Christianity all you are really doing is arguing against one very narrow definition of Christianity. I will admit that this narrow definition gets an inordinate amount of airtime, but please be open-minded and realize there is a wide spectrum of Christians. There is a large group of us who believe the Bible is a not direct divinely inspired document and that it contains mistakes, interpretations, and myths. But this is not to say that we reject the Bible and its message altogether. We just choose to read and study it with open and informed minds, instead of blindly following it. A number of Christians do not believe in the traditional interpretation of heaven either. There is a whole branch of theology out of Latin America that speaks of a Kingdom of God here on earth and is much more concerned about feeding the hungry and seeking justice for the poor, than "giving your heart to Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior." In some ways I think I have more of a reason to reject and be upset with the "Christianity" of the right-wingers because they give Christians like me a real bad name. Keep up the good work, but please try and see less in black and white and more in shades of gray. -Shawn Emery
+ Russ, Hi! I've kinda glanced around your site a bit. And read things here and there. Well! I'm a born again christian. And honestly reading your comments and opinions really bothers me. For starters I feel for you. Because obviously you guy's havent ever experienced God's presents, love, grace, etc. Christianity isn't just a religeon to me. I don't know if the christianity you've experienced was superficial and insencere or not but, I just wanted to let you know that you two have become #1 on my prayer list and I hope someday you will realize what christianity is all about. And i'm not talking about the christianity that a Church will show u on a sunday morning. I'm talking about the 1 on 1 on going, comunication relationship that exists between a humble heart and christ. U probably are not to fond of me but i would really be interested in hearing from you. I respect your opinion. And I love the fact that you test my faith. That's important. Thanks for reading! -Jan Hi
Emery, Firstly, I'd like to shares my opinion about your website. The
design is OK, but the contents are extremely wrong. Albright, maybe you
have been disappointed in the past by someone in your Church or anything.
I too sometimes have been disappointed by some of my colleagues. But remember
this, they are human. Human and religion cannot save you or redeem you.
Only God can. And only God can supplies all our needs by His grace. And
the greatest grace is redeeming us by the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. In my case, I live in Indonesia.
In my country, peoples always tend to make Christians/Jesus-believers
got the worst part of everything. And one of the worst accident was the
riot in May 1997. Many of Christians was killed or any other bad things
happen to us. Churches are burnt. But still Jesus' grace was shown for
He still let us rebuild our country step by step. By faith, not by our
power or our mind. For no one would be able to do anything without His
grace. Anyway, He gave us our freedom to receive Him or to abandon Him.
To be redeemed or to be punished. And it's up to you now to decide your
path. May Lord Jesus apologizes you. If you get mad by this mail, get
mad to me, not to Father, Lord Jesus or the Holy Spirit.-Rian The
bible is not contradictory. I would like to see one example of that which
cannot be easily explained. It says no where that women are not to learn in church. the passage that you are reffering to is on orderly worship. This was written when chruch services were disorderly and crazy. People would get up and just say what ever and women would cry out and so on. So nothing would get accomplished. Therefor this was written. Yes God told moses to behead the worshippers of Baal. If you were God and you gave the people everything and then they went and worshipped a false God. They rejected you. They spit in your face. Then they are going to burn in Hell anyways cause they did not follow God. So God made and example of them and got some good out of it. Basically everything that you use is out of context and poorly researched. I could sit here all day and show you why every one of your bible answer thingies is wrong. But i choose not to. Whatever your reaction to this may be I and many are now praying for you. -Brandon Hi
guys I am not even sure how I stumbled on to your website. But I am glad that I did. I am interested in reading your testimonies but because I have kidproof on our computer, I am unable to view it. I am also a beginner on the computer. All I really know how to do is email .Ê It seems to me from what little I have read, that you have both been deeply hurt by PEOPLE in the church. Those people are not God and I would urge you to not allow that to give you a warped view about who God is. Whether you believe it or not, God is an all knowing and all loving God it's people that are sinful. Yes even us Christians. Please know that whatever your experience God does love you wherever you are at in your walk with him. If you ever truly were His in the first place (attending church doesn't make anyone a Christian that would be like me saying that I'm a hamburger because I'm at McDonald's) He will NEVER leave you or forsake you.Ê I, whether you like it or not am praying for you, and I would still very much like to know your testimonies. I hope I will be able to figure out how to view it. Jesus is the way the truth and the life my friends. I pray that you would find out that Jesus is your friend and would get to know him the way that I have been able to. May I also add that becoming a Christian does not mean that everything is going to be all rosy, quite the opposite. Just look at how Jesus was treated . We should expect the same." In the world you will have trouble but I leave you my peace " Forgive us if we have hurt you, but do not be deceived. Jesus loves you even if some people don't . Your Christian friend , -Bonnie You
guys were not Christians...you were false converts (see Mark 4). God bless,
-Ray What
christians teach about GOD that HE should be mad on them? If you do not
believe in GOD you will burn in Hellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!If
Jesus was so dead wrong, then can anyone tell me what the way to God really
is and prove it right? Can those of you who say God doesn't even exist
tell me how life began, what the point of it is and prove it? Oh, I forgot
to mention, you can't use science because that's circular reasoning. If
I can't tell you God is because my faith says so you can't tell me He
isn't because science says so. Use infallible proof to prove that life
just 'happened' and there is no God. In fact, if you can show me that
God doesn't exist by not using science and theory, then maybe I'll stop
believing. I'll give you as much space & time as you'd like, but the proof
cannot be theory...it must be totally based on FACT. I'll go one step
further in saying that I'll wager this: if you cannot provide me with
sufficient proof, are you willing to consider my POV more openly? If you
CAN, like I said, maybe I'll stop believing. -Mike You
have very intellegently made your points. Your site seems to be fair in
allowing us beleivers to put our two cents in. Im not intrested in bashing
or swaying your beleifs in any way.I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT IF ANYONE comes
to you for support you can be just as fair. Ensure that you discover the
root of the problem. Is it the religion that has turned them off.Is it
that like so many have been unable to discover there own interpitation
of the bible. Encourage people to make sure they do alot of research before
they come to their final conclusions. You have nothing to gain or loose.
Weather you are a christian or not it is important to treat people fairly
with dignity and respect and not lead or mislead. People will surely make
up their own minds.I recomend that you ensure people have exhausted all
other possible factors. I have turned away from religion for many reasons.
I finnaly discovered that yes I believe however i a personal reationship.Just
remeber when one supports someone they ensure all resources are exhausted
as well should be impartial either way. It is a true shame that you were
unable to get to know God and that your religion spoiled the whole interpation
of who God really is for you.It is ashame that you were unable to look
at the book as a whole consider the era, and really understand the messages.God
never was upset with an innocent man. and at the end of it....he understands
we sin and all ya gotta do is realize your mistakes and ask for forgivness.
just as though you would have hurt someones feelings...u apologize. It
is ashamed you have taken the word of God so dramatically.Really now is
there any harm in following Gods rules? He did give us free will. Ya gotta
give him that. I could take everything you say outta context as well and
turn your whole site into something it wasnt meant to be. I do respect
you for standing in what you beleive in and allowing for everyones opionion
Sounds like you still have some of God in you like it or not. : ) Happy
trails to you, may you find everlasting happiness along the way! -Barbara....forever a believer I
feel sorry for the both of you. If you two really beleive this you two
will not have to worry one bit about going to heaven, because you two
will go to Hell. You know that place ruled by Satan, the one the both
of you claim that you do not worship. See the trick is according to God
you do not have to openly worship Satan to be sent to Hell, all you have
to do is NOT believe in God.-Jeff Hi
guys, I really enjoyed reading through your site. It is quite thought
provoking. Your testimonials were especially interesting. I've never really
understood fundamentalists of any religion. But then I am a Methodist
(the California variety at that), and Methodists are so open minded their
brains have been known to fall out. Of course, I do have all the answers,
but that's because I'm in management. Your piece on Heaven is a bit weak.
It tries to define Heaven in earthly ways. If there is a Heaven, I'm sure
it's quite different. Frankly, I've never been one to dwell on the subject.
I have plenty in this life to keep me busy! The information on murder
in the Bible Belt is amazing. I've also read divorce is high in that area.
It seems people marry younger (so that they can finally have sex I presume).
I guess the nice thing about Biblical literalism is you don't have to
think much. I can think of a couple of Biblical quotes against going with
the herd. It's far more fun to take it all out of context though, don't
you think? Open mindedly yours, -Barry I
understand, I really do know where you are coming from. I am a Christian
( I wanted to tell you that up front ) and I don't hate you or feel sorry
for you but I understand. You see I kind of went the other way. I hated
the church and all the glib answers people tossed around and don't depend
on people. Yes, I know if God is so great why doesn't He do this or why
doesn't He do that ( at least help me win the Lotto ) I guess it all comes
down to a faith thing for me. I am sure you have had discussions with
people who are "Theological giant" who can't explain it. So I couldn't
even begin to try. I guess purpose is another reason I believe God is
who He says He is. I think times without a God driven purpose life would
at times seem rather senseless and well what difference would it make
if I helped better personkind if in a billion years it would all end.
Thanks for a very interesting site I will be here often. I love to learn
why people think and do what they do. By the way who gets kicked off the
island next. -Bob Hi,
I stumbled upon your site through a yahoo links newsletter. So you two
were southern baptists huh? Figures, so am I and I'm pretty disillusioned
right now. I don't know if I'll ever leave the faith, but after becoming
friends with someone who did, I'm beginning to think that God is not who
Christians make him out to be. I plan on exploring all sorts of religious
views. Anyway, I just wanted to email you long enough to say that I understand
what you're trying to say, and I agree with a lot of it. Regards -Kelli I
don't really know how to say this because I am a Christian. We all have
a choice in life and you've made yours and I've made mine. I can't think
of anything that would change your mind from rejecting Christianity. Everything
I want to say like you guys are messed up or anything else doesn't seem
right so I'll just ask you one question. What if you died tonight? Your
site is also evidence that we are living in the last days, and the bible
clearly states that there will be godlessness in the last days. Does it
matter to you guys what you believe in as long as you're sincere? I think
it does. A few verses from the bible to close this off. I am praying -
and prayer works. I hope you will know the truth and it will set you free.
Hebrews "See to it brothers that none of you has a sinful unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God." James "Submit yourselves then to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." -Henry I
found your site via Yahoo's Cool list, and was intrigued to read your
stories, and things you've compiled. I appreciate your integrity to respond
to your conscience, and sincere effort to live with what you truly believe.
As I read your testimonies, I understand some of the frustrations you've
had with your Christian experiences. Even as a Christian myself, I find
that the very experiences you've had to be suspect and disillusioning
as well. There is a portion of Christian history and Christian ministry
that is repulsive and overly naive. Yet I do find that there are also
those who are Christians out of good conscience, with integrity and openness
and honesty-- ones who don't claim to know all the answers, ones who know
the frailty of the human soul, ones who know that life doesn't work in
a simplistic cause & effect way. I hope to be numbered among these Christians
who live with openness and honesty. -dj How
ignorant are you to think that God did not suffer, and that it is just
a small task to die on the cross for our sins. He created this world to
see good prosper, but at the same time he blessed us with a free will
so that we would be able to make our own decision in life. That was to
make us all different individuals. Unfortunately some people took the
free will to do evil. That is why, as I am sure you are well aware of,
that Jesus came to die on the cross. You can never compare yourself to
Christ and what he has done. He died to help build a bridge from heaven
to earth. He rose again on the third day to give the unbelievers, still
at the time of his death, something to believe in, and to fulfill the
prophecies in the Old Testament. He was seen by over five hundred people
after he rose again. He then promised that he would come again. It is
very unfortunate that there are individuals in this world that discourage
faith and mock the very center of a Christian belief, which is the Holy
Bible. I will pray for your souls that you may once again come to believe
in God and his works. Also, that you will see the darkness in which you
live for what it is. The Devil working within you! God Bless. -Erin Well
I must begin by saying that your site definately caught my attention.
However I'm sure it's not how you think. I completely do not agree with
what you're saying. I am a born again Christian and believe totally in
Christ. I don't want to raise a big fuss or give you the "you're going
to hell" speech. However I do want to share a scenario with you. Let's
just pretend for a second that the vast majority or mankind has been wrong
about Christ. That the most evidentual character and life relating to
God is actually non existent. And that for centuries what the majority
of mankind has chosen to believe in is the largest hoax of all time. Are
you willing to wager all of that over eternal torture and torment in hell??
You seem like a very intellegent set of gentlemen so I'm going to assume
that you understand it's either you believe or don't believe. So there's
no way to dance around the question. And I don't want the old "I'll answer
with a question" response either. I would appreciate to hear your response
as soon as possible. Love and Faith Through Christ, -NS first
of all god never sent anybody to hell. people send themselves to hell
by rejecting him. he gives everybody a chance to get saved and not go
to hell. second, a lot of them cruel old testament laws were not written
by God. he wrote the 10 commandments and gave them to moses then the priests
added a bunch of laws. if God intended them laws t be there he would have
given them to moses. and i agree with you, i dont understand why God doesnt
take care of the starving children, but he doesnt send manna from the
sky. he uses them programs where you can sponsor a child and they get
taken care of. how many children have you sponsored? that is how they
get taken care of. God uses people to do his work and sometimes his people
wont do it. you can blame him you can only blame the human race. well
hopefully someday you will realize that you are wrong turning your back
on God.- Joel ps: he told Lot's wife not to look back and she disobeyed him. she looked back because she would rather life in sin than live for God. he was showing what would happen if you chose to live your life like that. |
