I'm sick of religion

[JesusMySavior]

Can't we all just get along?

I called a church today because I lead a Christian band who plays at youth events. I called the church and the guy automatically assumes we're a paganistic band and don't believe in the apostolic doctrine. (Note that I didn't even bring this up, he just assumed) and then he goes into this 12 minute babble about how God is One and how trinitarians are pagans (once again note that I never said anything about being trinitarian or whatever).

I just simply thanked him for his time and vowed to never call there again.

Why are some Christians so STUCK UP? Most of these "Christians" are sure missing the mark according to Jesus who said, "I give you a new commandment - you must love one another".

Religion happens when one comes out of touch with God. We might be playing at this coffee house soon and the owner is a Taoist. My first initial reaction is to say "hey man, you're wrong". But is that love? No. More than likely we'll play there again so why not just SHOW him what a Christian is like and let HIM ask the questions?

:rolleyes: seriously folks, can't we all just get along, whether trinitarian, presbyterian, vegetarian, or scythian? I mean seriously, what's the difference?!

[HisLeast]

I know what you're feeling. I know what you mean. I think the word "religion" is taking an undeserved beat down though buy using the term to describe what you're experiencing.

No matter which way you cut it, what we ascribe to is "a religion". There's good ways and bad ways to practice it, but its just re-purposing the word if you only apply it to the bad experiences.

[JesusMySavior]

TRUE religion is found in James 2.

False religious fronts and doctrinal flesh weapons is what I'm talking about I guess. :)

[Vhayes]

:rolleyes: seriously folks, can't we all just get along, whether trinitarian, presbyterian, vegetarian, or scythian? I mean seriously, what's the difference?!
Some folks just want to be "Daddy's Pet" and the only way they think they can do that is to tell their brothers and sisters they make the Father happier with their behavior.

It's called Pharisee-ism in my book.

[wondercoolguy]

Religion is causing people to go to Hell.


My pastor always says some of the meanest people he has ever met are Christians. We are a people that should always have a smile on our face and radiate Christ-like demenor. Not looking for the first chance to jump on some one if slip up or do something wrong.

[stoomart]

Dear brother,

I too know exactly what you are dealing with here, it is the religion of man abusing the power that comes along with the truth of God's word.

As for showing love, yes we should show love, but we should also use an equal amount of truth when showing love, as the two are in-separable. Take a look at OregonGrown's recent post on this forum about being full of truth and grace. Jesus didn't just show love by how he lived, He also spoke to them in full truth as well as grace. This means speaking what should be said boldly (without fear of opposition) while not shoving down their throat.

Revelation 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Notice He's knocking, not knocking the door down.


In Christ's love, stoo

[JesusMySavior]

Dear brother,

I too know exactly what you are dealing with here, it is the religion of man abusing the power that comes along with the truth of God's word.

As for showing love, yes we should show love, but we should also use an equal amount of truth when showing love, as the two are in-separable. Take a look at OregonGrown's recent post on this forum about being full of truth and grace. Jesus didn't just show love by how he lived, He also spoke to them in full truth as well as grace. This means speaking what should be said boldly (without fear of opposition) while not shoving down their throat.

Revelation 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Notice He's knocking, not knocking the door down.


In Christ's love, stoo


Well said. Is that chocolate cake in your picture?

[1of7000]

Can't we all just get along?

I just simply thanked him for his time and vowed to never call there again.

Why are some Christians so STUCK UP? Most of these "Christians" are sure missing the mark according to Jesus who said, "I give you a new commandment - you must love one another".

Religion happens when one comes out of touch with God. We might be playing at this coffee house soon and the owner is a Taoist. My first initial reaction is to say "hey man, you're wrong". But is that love? No. More than likely we'll play there again so why not just SHOW him what a Christian is like and let HIM ask the questions?

:rolleyes: seriously folks, can't we all just get along, whether trinitarian, presbyterian, vegetarian, or scythian? I mean seriously, what's the difference?!

Your example is the best witness. ( caution:note: cliche approaching at a high rate of speed) they don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

folks are more interested in emotional self preservation than learning God's truth. until we set ego aside we'll never get along.

p.s. watch the vow thing i've had more than one vow come back to haunt me.

[wondercoolguy]

Well said. Is that chocolate cake in your picture?


I'm gonna have to agree I was wondering the same thing. :rofl:

[stoomart]

Well said. Is that chocolate cake in your picture?Thank you. Why yes it is, figured it goes well with my signature verse. : D

[Bethany67]

he goes into this 12 minute babble about how God is One and how trinitarians are pagans (once again note that I never said anything about being trinitarian or whatever).

Sound like you didn't call a Christian church - probably Oneness Pentecostal or similar.

[stoomart]

Another thing, Ephesians 4:1-6 provides the exhortation and model for which we are to be unified as one body. I believe it also lays the foundation for the seven major things that the body must have in common, the rest of things being areas where we can agree to disagree or tolerate another opinion:

1. I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
2. with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
3. endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
5. one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6. one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Notice how it speaks directly of what is referred to as the "trinity" being one Spirit, one Lord, and one Father, just like 1 John 5:7.


In Christ's love, stoo

[Archiveit]

I guess I'll weigh in here (my first post by the way; I just found this site yesterday).

First of all, there is no end to the good that can be done when Christians work together. That said, there can be negative consequences as well. For example, and I'll use this as it relates to the situation given, take the Christian reaction to many of the heavy metal bands that constantly praise Satan and go out of their way to be anti-Christian. I think that we can all agree that this is the sort of thing that Christians should be upset about. Christians then come together to denounce it (as they should), but then the argument takes an interesting turn. In the debate over which of these bands are really a problem some of the more radical individuals will begin naming anything that has questionable content (though not necessarily Satanic or anti-Christian in nature) and before you know it these people and their followers start to see all secular bands as in league with Satan. This of course takes us back to the OP, where one of the people of this mindset automatically hear of a band and makes the connection to paganism. It doesn't matter to him that it is a Christian band because his mind is already made up that "band" = "evil". (This guy was no doubt burning Beatles albums in his youth).

I guess my point is that at times Christians can form a sort of irrational groupthink that is completely unbiblical. It is actually quite sad because not only does it lead to the sort of legalism that Paul and other NT writers constantly criticize, but it also encourages the stereotype of Christians being judgemental and "holier-than-thou" sorts of people.

[Sold Out]

Religion happens when one comes out of touch with God.

You will LOVE this website: www.notreligion.com (http://www.notreligion.com)

[JesusMySavior]

You will LOVE this website: www.notreligion.com (http://www.notreligion.com)


Woah sweetness :pp

[minnesotaice]

Its rampant. I just stopped going to a church where the Music Pastor will only play with super talented musicians. It doesn't seem to matter how spiritual they are or if they even believe at all. He is allowed to spend money to get the best musicians in town and will look down on those who are not as talented. Some churches are no different than a corporation.

[Orendorf]

Its rampant. I just stopped going to a church where the Music Pastor will only play with super talented musicians. It doesn't seem to matter how spiritual they are or if they even believe at all. He is allowed to spend money to get the best musicians in town and will look down on those who are not as talented. Some churches are no different than a corporation.

I've seen that happen too, its a shame. I think in particular of a huge church in Dallas some years ago, some of the musicians there were an absolute disgrace. The pastor just ignored it, along with many other things... lo and behold now the church is gone.

[dale1257]

In his books "The Case for the Real Jesus" and "The Case for Faith" Lee Strobel refers to the arrogance of Christians. This is one of the main areas that keep people away from the Church in general. It was, for me anyhow, one of the reasons that I always avoided going to church.

And then one day, I heard a story about an old man who wandered into a church. He wasn't dressed as nice, and it was obvious that he did not have the money the congregation had. The congregation tossed him out of the church. As he sat and pondered, he began to cry. Kicked out of a Church!! How bad could things get? The next thing he knew, he was talking to Jesus, who told him "Don't let them bother you" Christ said, pointing a thumb at the church. "I've been trying to get in there for years"

Obviously, that is the very short and condensed version of the story, (which by the way I heard while watching a movie called 'Welcome to Paradise') But the point is very clear, and it woke me up.

I don't know how to respond to your delima, but perhaps Christ is telling you something. Like maybe what he told me.

[superwoman8977]

As a 31 year old divorced single pregnant woman I can let you know that its all about a relationship with the Lord. Believe me when I tell you I am treated like a 2nd class citizen because of my situation. Dont quit with your music, keep going music is the spice of life. I love country and Christian Praise and worship and I loved that story that you shared about the gentleman that got kicked out of church. I used to be in a church like that and I decided ...nope I need to find a church that accepts you as you are and so God has shown me several. Its not easy when you are doing something the Lord wants you to do. The devil has to put up roadblocks so my advice is to stay strong and dont give up, the Lord will open the doors you need opened. And if that pastor doesnt want you to play at his church then thats his loss. You know you are on the right track and thats all that matters. Thats the best advice I can give for the situation you are in.

[ServantofTruth]

I have had my own problems lately, which are on these boards. I guess someone has to draw the line themselves, take the bad and decide to be strong enough not to give it out. This is never easy and sometimes i admit, i want to go to some Christians, open the bible to the relevent page, and read it very loudly!

I say this to myself, repeating what many people have said to me - we have to realise people are at different stages in different areas of their faith. Some are very new believers and just don't know enough to get everything right and we must be patient. Others have grown very little since baptism and this is often because it is not encouraged by the church they attend. Howver those churches encourage growth in other areas more than ours does.

My advice would be focus on your walk. Try to act correctly even when other don't. Pray for them. Be kind to them. Support and strengthen them. Gently steer them in a better direction, but never argue.

Easier to post i know, than do! SofTy. :hug:

[Sold Out]

Its rampant. I just stopped going to a church where the Music Pastor will only play with super talented musicians. It doesn't seem to matter how spiritual they are or if they even believe at all. He is allowed to spend money to get the best musicians in town and will look down on those who are not as talented. Some churches are no different than a corporation.


Far too many churches put an emphasis on music ministry, all the while no one is out witnessing and people are dying and going to hell every day.

Priorities anyone?

[JesusMySavior]

I think with prayer and seeking God, a good "church" should be very balanced between helping to edify the body and heal the broken believers and saving the lost. I believe at any given time in the church there should be ministries and small groups hosted by people who are experienced in certain life patterns. Support and ministry groups for single parents; pregnant and unmarried; teenage relationships; marriage relationships; parenting classes; bible studies; apologetics; prophecy study; alcohol and drugs recovery; kids ministries; worship leading; missionary and evangelism classes; and just plain get together and love each other Christ meetings :hug: . We need each other. And the world needs us.

I think in the body it is very important not to judge condemningly. We are to judge believers but in a Godly manner (i.e. if I see a brother in sin I obviously won't leave him that way but I will correct him in love). It's important to have adequate resources led by people who are experienced in certain fields (i.e. an evangelism class led by someone who has been out there evangelizing for years and knows the best approaches, etc...not just reading from a book). Teaching on salvation by grace and grace alone is also very important (for through grace our works are made manifest by which our faith is made perfect in God).

[Welder4Christ]

Some folks just want to be "Daddy's Pet"

Honestly...What's so wrong with wanting to be favored by God?