A Believer's Thoughts on Faith

[Deesse23]

I can see this being said about many people's demonstration of Christianity, but not when it's followed properly.

What is your version/denomination of christianity?
What methodology did you use to find out how to properly do christianity?

[brewer]

I can see this being said about many people's demonstration of Christianity, but not when it's followed properly.

Who decides 'properly', only true Christians?

Which denomination would you like to pick? Wait, I got it, the one that gives you the golden ticket. Must be the snake handlers.

[brewer]

I dont claim to have mastered being a Christian by any means, but I believe I am following it properly because it started with facing many of my worst fears.  In fact, I registered here to talk with the members here because (ironically) I thought they would be a step ahead of the Church in this regard, having searched from the heart what they believe is true.

Then talk to us, don't preach at us.

[The Grand Nudger]

I can see this being said about many people's demonstration of Christianity, but not when it's followed properly.

I dont claim to have mastered being a Christian by any means, but I believe I am following it properly because it started with facing many of my worst fears.  In fact, I registered here to talk with the members here because (ironically) I thought they would be a step ahead of the Church in this regard, having searched from the heart what they believe is true.

I think you'll find that there are people here who wouldn't cosign any version of christianity, however well practiced...and would even more strenuously object to specific sub-cults precisely because the adherents are more committed to their practices than others.  

You can probably think of subsects like that, yeah?  Sister wifers, theocrats, jihadis.  Maybe even easier when you consider some random pagan.  We can allow that these people have come to a genuine belief after searching their hearts and even facing their fears.

Welcome aboard, btw.

[Mister Agenda]

I dont claim to have mastered being a Christian by any means, but I believe I am following it properly because it started with facing many of my worst fears.  In fact, I registered here to talk with the members here because (ironically) I thought they would be a step ahead of the Church in this regard, having searched from the heart what they believe is true.

Welcome to the lion's den, rlp. I haven't heard of that reason to believe one is following it properly before, usually it's something along the lines of 'my sect interprets the scriptures correctly'. Thanks for giving us some credit, part of the path that led to me winding up an atheist was the realization that I wanted to believe what's true, even if it's not what I want to be true.

Good luck, some theist members have been around a long time and have earned our respect, but it doesn't always turn out that way. If you keep the beatitudes in mind, you should be fine.

[Pat Mustard]

I can see this being said about many people's demonstration of Christianity, but not when it's followed properly.

Gee willikers, isn't Jesus lucky to have you to show the world how to Jesus right?

[rlp21858]

please forgive the lowercase: i use an unusual device. im not used to posting on forums, but i'll try to respond to everyone.

to brewer, i dont mean to preach to anyone, only to speak what i believe is true (and why). nothing will be forced on anyone. i dont see why my original post was deemed "against forum use" but it wasnt intended to be, and from it i only hoped to explain some things and speak with some members. but i do believe that for some who follow atheism, their decision comes from a misunderunderstanding about some things, and perhaps from provoking by the Church, so i hope i can add some information that may be missing.

Boru, i think you misunderstood: my Christian faith started by facing the fears that a Christian doesnt want to face.

Deesse23: i dont mean to have a self-righteous tone since there's enough of that already, but i believe i'm living it properly because my beliefs come from my own heart and understanding, not from an attempt to upstage another doctrine. i also dont recognize people's attempt to categorize every system of Christian beliefs that exist. i only call myself a Christian.

[Deesse23]

Deesse23: i dont mean to have a self-righteous tone since there's enough of that already, but i believe i'm living it properly because my beliefs come from my own heart and understanding, not from an attempt to upstage another doctrine.  i also dont recognize people's attempt to categorize every system of Christian beliefs that exist.  i only call myself a Christian.

How do you know your understanding is right? I repeat: What method are you using?
Heart? My heart pumps blood, so what are you talking about?
You call yourself a christian, but so do others. You however, have claimed that you are right (and they are wrong). How.do.you.know?

[The Grand Nudger]

  but i do believe that for some who follow atheism, their decision comes from a misunderunderstanding about some things, and perhaps from provoking by the Church, so i hope i can add some information that may be missing.

Unlikely, particularly in that you seem to think atheism is a thing people follow, and make some decision to do or be.  Sure, religious institutions are a raging dumpster fire, but we can both see that, apparently.  Hasn't convinced you that there's no god - and isn't why I'm an atheist either. Do you believe that christ died on the cross and through this we are vicariously redeemed? Is this a misunderstanding?

[Orbit]

please forgive the lowercase: i use an unusual device.  im not used to posting on forums, but i'll try to respond to everyone.

to brewer, i dont mean to preach to anyone, only to speak what i believe is true (and why).  nothing will be forced on anyone.  i dont see why my original post was deemed "against forum use" but it wasnt intended to be, and from it i only hoped to explain some things and speak with some members.  but i do believe that for some who follow atheism, their decision comes from a misunderunderstanding about some things, and perhaps from provoking by the Church, so i hope i can add some information that may be missing.

Boru, i think you misunderstood: my Christian faith started by facing the fears that a Christian doesnt want to face.

Deesse23: i dont mean to have a self-righteous tone since there's enough of that already, but i believe i'm living it properly because my beliefs come from my own heart and understanding, not from an attempt to upstage another doctrine.  i also dont recognize people's attempt to categorize every system of Christian beliefs that exist.  i only call myself a Christian.

What fears about religion do you have that you don't want to face?