Jesus changed my life!!!!!

[BelleMcNally]

Ok,one other things because this being raised in a multi-faith household interests me..DO you feel it confused you? Made things harder for you...I'm the Jewish person in the house... One of my kids feels like Judaism is the thing for him.. One has no feeling about religion/agnostic and 1 would call themselves a Christian...We used to to go to the Mission San Louis Rey in Ca and they have all also been to temple...My feeling is that as long as they become good productive human beings,I don't care what relgion they choose ,but I do wonder if I'm confusing them ..What I'm aiming for is making them more tolerant.

Not at all...I fell like my life is so much richer for having grown up with two faiths. I found more similarities between my parents' beliefs than differences. And it also taught me that you could wholly love someone and still disagree about something pivotal.

 

[chobie]

In my experience it really seems to depend on the branch..As someone who was raised Catholic,I think most Catholics are just raised to be Christians..There is often no lightbulb moment,just a general growth in the faith. Obviously I'm not saying all Catholics are like this.Now people who weren't raised Christian often talk about that AHA moment, or even lots of people that I know from more fundimental religions. They can usually tell you exactly when they were saved. There wasn't really an aha moment with me in regards to Judaism either,just a genuine growth towards it.

I was raised a Catholic, but was sent to a Southern Baptist school when I was 8. I had a light bulb moment then about born-again Christians which led to me being completly disgusted by them. Later actions by friends who became born agains and the rise of the Christian Coalition cemented that for me. I had started to move in highschool to being really into being Catholic and then some adults in my parish that I really respected and looked up to tried to recruit me to bomb abortion clinics. Another lightbulb moment. I'm a happy heathen now.

 

[phorsenuf]

Since this thread seems to be "safe" at the moment , I'll go ahead and say what got me "burned" nearly a year ago: I love Jesus: as a "role model", a "great person", whatever (i'm not trying to sound flippant, just trying to keep things simple). I love Jesus' teachings. I find his ideas about forgiveness, charity, and selflessness profound and life-changing. However, I'm not entirely sure what I believe about him as a "savior". That's the truth of the matter: I just don't know. I don't believe he was the Old-testament Messiah because, academically, he just doesn't fit the bill...but as I mentioned in a nother thread, this has no bearing for me on whether he was the Son of the Most High.

There was a point of time in my life where I was certain he was the truest incarnation of God, but I was driven further and further away from that belief when I realized that I was not really welcome in any Christian communuity. granted, it was nrealy a moot point at that time because I find most branches of Christianity to be primarily vocal about things that, in my study, I don't think Jesus really cared much about. I was also always confused about how we were to know which parts of the Law he "fulfilled" and which we still had to hold to. And, no, St. Paul was not a good enough answer for me.

The more I studied about and participated in other religions, the more I found that just about all of them has a center of spiritual peace and truth....a way to be truly fulfilled. I had a couple amazing conversations with my Hindu friends about Jesus and all of the overlap between our beliefs. I spent a night on a mountain with a Shaman in New Mexico. They all gave me the same feeling as receiving communion or reciting the Kaddish.

Wow...that was so long winded....sorry!

I agree with alot of that. I think some of my problem is I don't like being told what is right and what is wrong. Not everything is black and white. I just don't believe that. I love going to church (I really should more often) I love learning about the bible, but I don't like being preached to (no pun intended) of how I should believe. I think people believe in alot of different ways and no way is better than the other. I truley believe that. Does that contradict what I thought was my "religion"? probably. So what does that mean? Does that mean by Baptist terms I'm not a true believer because I don't agree with them 100%? I don't know. I do know that some things that are taught I do not agree with at all. So where does that leave me? I feel sometimes like a Christian without a home.
And how does one go to their Pastor and talk about these things? You know they will say that you are wavering in your faith and Satan is making you doubt yourself. That's not what I want to hear. I want real explanations, help me sort things out even if it means leaving one church for another. Afterall their goal is to save, right?
How's that for a tag! LOL

 

[Cass]

Can we forget about religion and get back to fighting about the new healthy children's menu?

 

[JennyMominRI]

Can we forget about religion and get back to fighting about the new healthy children's menu?

It's not Kosher...I'm offended.

 

[BelleMcNally]

It's not Kosher...I'm offended.

well, you aren't the MAJORITY. The MAJORITY of people in this country want it that way, so that's the way it's got to be!

 

[BelleMcNally]

I agree with alot of that. I think some of my problem is I don't like being told what is right and what is wrong. Not everything is black and white. I just don't believe that. I love going to church (I really should more often) I love learning about the bible, but I don't like being preached to (no pun intended) of how I should believe. I think people believe in alot of different ways and no way is better than the other. I truley believe that. Does that contradict what I thought was my "religion"? probably. So what does that mean? Does that mean by Baptist terms I'm not a true believer because I don't agree with them 100%? I don't know. I do know that some things that are taught I do not agree with at all. So where does that leave me? I feel sometimes like a Christian without a home.
And how does one go to their Pastor and talk about these things? You know they will say that you are wavering in your faith and Satan is making you doubt yourself. That's not what I want to hear. I want real explanations, help me sort things out even if it means leaving one church for another. Afterall their goal is to save, right?
How's that for a tag! LOL

One of the things I've always loved about Judaism was the emphasis on questioning--I never once had my Rabbi tell me I should leave Judaism altogether because I debated a point of theology...in fact he was more than willing to hash it out with me!

Of course, because I'm not a Bat Mitzvah, I guess it's fair to say my Judaism is more cultural than anything else.

 

[JennyMominRI]

One of the things I've always loved about Judaism was the emphasis on questioning--I never once had my Rabbi tell me I should leave Judaism altogether because I debated a point of theology...in fact he was more than willing to hash it out with me!

Of course, because I'm not a Bat Mitzvah, I guess it's fair to say my Judaism is more cultural than anything else.

Shoot,debate is an artform in Judaism..You may have heard the old joke that if you ask 2 Jews a question you will get 3 answers.

 

[JoyG]

I agree with alot of that. I think some of my problem is I don't like being told what is right and what is wrong. Not everything is black and white. I just don't believe that. I love going to church (I really should more often) I love learning about the bible, but I don't like being preached to (no pun intended) of how I should believe. I think people believe in alot of different ways and no way is better than the other.

As a Baptist myself I'm curious to know more about what you mean here. Like specifically what are you told that doesn't resonate with you? Are you talking about the "legalistic" stuff like no drinking, or dancing (which I don't necessarily agree with either) or more fundamental stuff like "you must be saved to go to heaven?"

You know another thing that really helps me when I have questions, and I have them all the time, is to really read the Bible. I'm working on reading the NT cover to cover and taking notes on what I read. I find that I'll stumble across some verse in the Bible and it will click like, "oh, that's why we believe that."

I grew up in a christian home, so my light bulb moment wasn't as "defined" as someone who converted, but what I've found in my adulthood is I had memorized "all the rules" without consulting the primary source. I've really gone through a period of devouring information about my faith and why we believe what we do. It's been a real blessing for me.

 

[Cass]

Speaking of Bibles

Baby Got Book

 

[MzDiz]

Maybe I'm the odd woman out, but I really am offended when someone tries to "witness" to me. I have a religion.
Here's a fun experiment - next time someone comes to your door with the Jesus pamphlets, tell them you're a Buddhist. See what you get. It's enough to make me want to mess up my karma - really, really bad. I've been called some interesting things and told some crazy stories about hell. Yeah, scare me, that'll bring me over.

 

[JoyG]

Since this thread seems to be "safe" at the moment , I'll go ahead and say what got me "burned" nearly a year ago: I love Jesus: as a "role model", a "great person", whatever (i'm not trying to sound flippant, just trying to keep things simple). I love Jesus' teachings. I find his ideas about forgiveness, charity, and selflessness profound and life-changing. However, I'm not entirely sure what I believe about him as a "savior". That's the truth of the matter: I just don't know. I don't believe he was the Old-testament Messiah because, academically, he just doesn't fit the bill...but as I mentioned in a nother thread, this has no bearing for me on whether he was the Son of the Most High.

There was a point of time in my life where I was certain he was the truest incarnation of God, but I was driven further and further away from that belief when I realized that I was not really welcome in any Christian communuity. granted, it was nrealy a moot point at that time because I find most branches of Christianity to be primarily vocal about things that, in my study, I don't think Jesus really cared much about. I was also always confused about how we were to know which parts of the Law he "fulfilled" and which we still had to hold to. And, no, St. Paul was not a good enough answer for me.

The more I studied about and participated in other religions, the more I found that just about all of them has a center of spiritual peace and truth....a way to be truly fulfilled. I had a couple amazing conversations with my Hindu friends about Jesus and all of the overlap between our beliefs. I spent a night on a mountain with a Shaman in New Mexico. They all gave me the same feeling as receiving communion or reciting the Kaddish.

Wow...that was so long winded....sorry!

You make some interesting points. I think I hear you saying that some of the things Jesus taught are also taught in many other religions like Hindu, etc.

Do you know that christians have an explanation for that? We believe that God has gradually revealed his law to creation. First He wrote it on Nature (Ps 19:1), then it was written on conscience (Ro 2:15), then it was written on tablets of stone (Ex 24:12), then it was revealed through Christ (John 1:14). That's how I can explain that many religions have the same "code of ethics" that I do.

What I find fascinating though, is that in all religions there was never a messenger or profit that make the bold claims that Jesus did. None ever claimed to be the son of God, none ever rose from the dead.

You mentioned that you didn't feel welcome by the Christian community. How so? Do you mind sharing that part?

 

[Galahad]

Shoot,debate is an artform in Judaism..You may have heard the old joke that if you ask 2 Jews a question you will get 3 answers.

The joys of pilpul!

Jenny, if you like murder mysteries, check out the Rabbi Small series ("Monday the Rabbi took off", "Tuesday the Rabbi....", by Harry Kemelman. Great mystery stories and great Jewish fun!!

 

[BelleMcNally]

Maybe I'm the odd woman out, but I really am offended when someone tries to "witness" to me. I have a religion.
Here's a fun experiment - next time someone comes to your door with the Jesus pamphlets, tell them you're a Buddhist. See what you get. It's enough to make me want to mess up my karma - really, really bad. I've been called some interesting things and told some crazy stories about hell. Yeah, scare me, that'll bring me over.

I don't find it offensive (usually...there have been a few times...) but I do find it frustrating. I love a good, rigorous discussion about religion--it's actually my preferred dinner conversation. but when people are trying to Witness, there is no dialogue...well, usually.

 

[JennyMominRI]

You make some interesting points. I think I hear you saying that some of the things Jesus taught are also taught in many other religions like Hindu, etc.

Do you know that christians have an explanation for that? We believe that God has gradually revealed his law to creation. First He wrote it on Nature (Ps 19:1), then it was written on conscience (Ro 2:15), then it was written on tablets of stone (Ex 24:12), then it was revealed through Christ (John 1:14). That's how I can explain that many religions have the same "code of ethics" that I do.

What I find fascinating though, is that in all religions there was never a messenger or profit that make the bold claims that Jesus did. None ever claimed to be the son of God, none ever rose from the dead.

You mentioned that you didn't feel welcome by the Christian community. How so? Do you mind sharing that part?

There were a couple who claimed to raise from the dead before Jesus..I wish I could remember who..Now Jesus claiming to be G-d was new,but Jews believe we are all the sons and daughters of G-d, so Jesus claiming to be the son of G-d certainly is appropriate from a Jewish POV.

 

[JennyMominRI]

The joys of pilpul!

Jenny, if you like murder mysteries, check out the Rabbi Small series ("Monday the Rabbi took off", "Tuesday the Rabbi....", by Harry Kemelman. Great mystery stories and great Jewish fun!!

I have one sitting here that I will get to one day..Maybe on my next Disny trip.

 

[phorsenuf]

As a Baptist myself I'm curious to know more about what you mean here. Like specifically what are you told that doesn't resonate with you? Are you talking about the "legalistic" stuff like no drinking, or dancing (which I don't necessarily agree with either) or more fundamental stuff like "you must be saved to go to heaven?"

Well, I do not agree with the whole not drinking and dancing thing. I don't drink so thats a moot point anyways, but still. I also don't always agree with the what we should and should not watch thing. Just because I may watch a show that doesn't have the best morals or bad language certainly isn't going to change my belief in God. Does it honor him, no but it's not like I'm the one having the affair on tv or saying the bad words.

I suppose my biggest one is homosexuality. I cannot stand hearing such bad things being preached about it. It just grates me to the bone. I know somebody who is gay. I knew from the time that person was a young child that he was gay. I mean 8 years old young. So I find it hard to believe that at 8 years old this child made a choice to be gay. I don't think so. Now I certainly have no intention of debating being gay as a choice or an inherent trait but I think that is one of my biggest stumbling blocks.
Of course other ones pop up here and there that make me scratch my head too.

 

[JennyMominRI]

There were a couple who claimed to raise from the dead before Jesus..I wish I could remember who..Now Jesus claiming to be G-d was new,but Jews believe we are all the sons and daughters of G-d, so Jesus claiming to be the son of G-d certainly is appropriate from a Jewish POV.

JFTR Osirus was one God who claimed to have risen from the dead.

 

[BelleMcNally]

You make some interesting points. I think I hear you saying that some of the things Jesus taught are also taught in many other religions like Hindu, etc.

Do you know that christians have an explanation for that? We believe that God has gradually revealed his law to creation. First He wrote it on Nature (Ps 19:1), then it was written on conscience (Ro 2:15), then it was written on tablets of stone (Ex 24:12), then it was revealed through Christ (John 1:14). That's how I can explain that many religions have the same "code of ethics" that I do.

What I find fascinating though, is that in all religions there was never a messenger or profit that make the bold claims that Jesus did. None ever claimed to be the son of God, none ever rose from the dead.

You mentioned that you didn't feel welcome by the Christian community. How so? Do you mind sharing that part?

Sure! Actually, there are plenty of other religions where figures have claimed to be the child of God--just not quite in the same way that Jesus did. I guess what I'm saying is not so much that there exists a common "Code of Ethics" across the board, but more so that there are deep theological similarities (for example, Hinduism has a trinitarian deity that functions quite like the Father-Son-Holy Ghost of Christianity.)

As far as not feeling welcome by Christian communities, I felt that a lot of "sermon time" was spent talking about condemnation and how to avoid it. I disliked the dismissal of other religions. I also found that people reacted to me one of two ways: 1) that I was some kind of "pet salvation project" or 2) I made them terribly uncomfortable. the message I got from a lot of places was that if you walked into the church wanting to be baptized that day (or maybe after a couple of "witnessing" sessions) you were welcome to stay. If, however, you were just unsure and wanted to belong to a community that mirrored the teachings of Jesus (which I don't believe focused primarily on being Born Again) they didn't want to have much to do with you.

The Mennonite Church I went to with one of my friends was an exception. they were lovely to me.

 

[JoyG]

Well, I do not agree with the whole not drinking and dancing thing. I don't drink so thats a moot point anyways, but still. I also don't always agree with the what we should and should not watch thing. Just because I may watch a show that doesn't have the best morals or bad language certainly isn't going to change my belief in God. Does it honor him, no but it's not like I'm the one having the affair on tv or saying the bad words.

The drinking issue was really something that changed for me after I got into the word. The "rule" was Baptists don't drink. I just really took that for face value (well except in college ). I'm not proud to say I once saw someone from my church out at dinner and they were (gasp!) drinking a beer! In my mind I was so judgmental about that. Then I finally got around to reading Romans chapter 14 myself.

What God has taught me is that for me drinking is not profitable. I come from a family with a large alcoholic population and me opening up a brewski at family events is not going to help them in any way. But I am in no position to be judging others on that issue.

You know I think TV watching goes along with that. The Holy Spirit will convict us individually in His time about that. As I've gotten closer to God there are shows that would have never bothered me before that I can't stand now. I don't think I was any less saved when "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" was my favorite show, but I'm definitely more sensitive about it these days. I'm just glad that show is off the air, the temptation to watch it would be too great. Even passing it on reruns is hard sometimes (By the way, I'm not trying to say people shouldn't watch Buffy, I'm just talking about myself).