I recently saw a news article about one group of Christians were picketing another church group. Supposedly they were picketing because they felt the church group, who allowed gays and women who had abortions into their assembly, was being soft on sin.
I can only assume that the picketers thought the gays and the abortion people were too big of sinners to be in with the religious folk.
Seems the church assembly was being more Christ-like to me, but the whole situation made me feel a little ashamed to be called a Christian. In fact, I think it is a good idea to give up being called a Christian. It is just another man-made religion, and I have come to a point in life that I am done with religion. Rather than being called a Christian, I think it makes more sense to say I am a follower of Jesus. He did not start Christianity and he did not come to start any kind of religion.
Being a Christ follower is a daily 24/7 lifestyle, not something to be done once a week in a building. It is not following a doctrine or a set of rules and regulations.
As a Christ follower, we accept all people and we love all people, like Jesus did when he walked this earth.
This does not mean we agree with everyone. It does not mean people can live anyway they want and have fellowship with God. Yet once they come to God, the Spirit comes to live within them, and he will guide them in their daily lives and actions. It is not our job to condemn others. Jesus command under the New Covenant is for us to love God and love others.
Like the picketers and church group mentioned above, a lot of Christians today spend more time fighting and arguing amongst themselves while the world watches and laughs.
As followers of Christ, we need to keep in mind that we, the Church, are the body of Christ in our world. We may be the only “Jesus” many people see. We should focus on Christ as our ultimate source and lay down our personal feelings. Our goal should be more of Him and less of us.
Michael Donahoe created Done with Religion after he and his wife left the institutional church after over fifty years within the system. He wanted a way to express his thoughts and concerns about the religious system, and tell why he and his wife decided to leave the institution but not their faith in God. They have now been outside the walls of religion for over fifteen years. He enjoys writing about his experiences and thoughts, and he wants to encourage others who are going through the religious deconstruction process. He also writes on Substack at https://deconstructiontrail.substack.com/ and https://personalmeanderings.substack.com/ Michael can be contacted by email at: jimgordon731@gmail.com
One reason I had to quit calling myself a Christian was when it became associated with being anti-gay, etc. It is hard for many to hear anything positive about God when leaders imply that God and the Bible condemn gays. Leaders fail to admit their interpretation could be wrong, yet they destroy many individuals and families presuming they are right about God’s heart. Leaders must stop implying or presuming God condemns gays for being gay. It is clear leaders’ lack of support. You don’t have to say explicitly what one is implying with their words. Just ask where they stand with God and gays. I am convinced for many it would be a negative stance or “I love you but….”
Leaders should know better
It is seldom admitted literature requires interpretation or one’s interpretation could be wrong, thus one’s understanding of God could be wrong. Even if you believe your Holy Book is inspired by your God, our interpretations are not inspired. Besides, it is rarely admitted that it cannot be proved one’s sacred book is inspired by their God. We cannot prove God inspired every word in the Bible (God controlling what writers/editors thought and recorded). If we did not assume literature is inspired, but rather the writers wrote what they believed was true of their God, we could avoid extremism. If we didn’t assume biblical writers always understood God correctly, this leads to more open discussions what God is really like. See link: Shouldn’t we assume the Bible isn’t inspired by God – all rants against the Bible
God loves gays
Nothing may be more destructive to God’s reputation than when Christian leaders explicitly or implicitly condemn gays in God’s name. Gays no more choose who they are attracted to than straights can? Many gays will tell you they have always been attracted to the same sex. If you are a straight man, don’t you naturally have to fight not looking at naked women than men? Ask gays their battle! Who chooses to be gay when one has to hide their sexuality because of bigotry and hostility See: God Loves Gays
There is real debate if the Bible condemns gay relationships
It is impossible to not feel personally attacked when one utters “I love you but I hate your sin.” Especially if being gay isn’t a sin.
Many, because of their understanding of the Bible, will respond with some version of “I love you; I hate your sin.” This is not a phrase found in the Bible. One is hard pressed to find anywhere in the Bible where this is a recommended strategy in relationships whether the Bible clearly condemns a behavior or not. It is impossible to not feel personally attacked when one utters “I love you but I hate your sin.” What is heard is I or God don’t love you.
But some actions are really harmful
It can be argued that hating alcoholic behavior is loving because alcohol abuse is harmful. Hating homosexual sex is only loving if homosexual sex is sinful. But do we tell a drug abuser that we love them but hate their behaviors? You don’t tell anyone coming for help with their addiction that you love them but hate their behavior. You simply say I love you and let’s do this together. They probably already hate their own behaviors. When someone is overweight, which is a lot of us, should we say “I love you but I hate you are fat?”
Please don’t reject a gay child in God’s name!
Some parents condemn their child because the Bible supposedly does. Not all agree. See here. When there are any doubts what the Bible might be advising, God-followers must take the most compassionate, less judgmental stance toward others. Many parents know in their hearts to not judge their child but they are torn when hearing others claim the Bible condemns homosexuality.
Please stop!
Even if you think God and the Bible condemns gays, please don’t imply or speak for Christians and claim God condemns gays. Leaders seldom state directly God condemns or gayness is a sin but it is implied. Come out and say you don’t know even if you believe being gay is a sin, unless afraid of losing your position or donations. Hopefully, you do that for women’s roles. Surely, you admit there is debate concerning if women can be priests or pastors. This is another topic that breaks my heart when leaders presume their interpretation is inspire to deter women from pursuing their gifts or subjecting a wife under a husband’s authority which often can lead to domestic violence.
Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the Done with Religion site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like
I have argued ad nauseum about possible lies about God concerning many moral issues. Biblical scholars and laypeople don’t agree on many moral issues according to the Bible. I am convinced many inclined to believe in God but don’t is becauses of claims made about God according to the Bible by those who call themselves Christians. I believe a literal Hell is a biblical myth. . See here. We get wrong that God thinks women can’t serve in the same religious or marriage roles that men can. See here. Also, we get wrong that God condemns gays according to the Bible. See here.
Is the problem the Bible or interpretation?
It is seldom admitted literature requires interpretation or one’s interpretation could be wrong, thus one’s understanding of God could be wrong. Even if you believe your Holy Book is inspired by your God, our interpretations are not inspired. Besides, it is rarely admitted that it cannot be proved one’s sacred book is inspired by their God. We cannot prove God inspired every word in the Bible (God controlling what writers/editors thought and recorded). If we did not assume literature is inspired, but rather the writers wrote what they believed was true of their God, we could avoid extremism. If we didn’t assume biblical writers always understood God correctly, this leads to more open discussions what God is really like. See link: Shouldn’t we assume the Bible isn’t inspired by God – all rants against the Bible
Leaders should know better
I grew up going to church as a young man. It wasn’t until I attended a year of seminary in my early twenties that I realized Christian leaders had different opinions on many moral issues. I remember being shocked in one of my classes. We reviewed a book that three professors at my seminary wrote together with three different view concerning God and the end times. And God forbid – one professor actually believed and wrote that women could be pastors of churches and be in authority over men. Not all professors agreed.
One of my pastors growing up told me leadership is being certain. I disagree. Pastors rarely admit in the pulpit about their experience in seminary or what they know to be true. Not all agree on interpretation regarding biblical passages that address moral issues. Great leaders don’t have to always be certain. Parents know this. One of my biggest regrets as a parent was being so damn certain of my interpretation of Genesis regarding the beginning of creation when my son came home believing in evolution.
Biggest interpretation error?
The biggest myth may be that God’s main message according to the Bible is that salvation is about going to Heaven or Hell rather than how to live life here on earth. That certainly can’t be true if Hell isn’t real even according to the Bible where such a thought originates. It is important to know that God cares about you here and now and not about just the afterlife. The Bible/Jesus/God’s message isn’t dropping to your knees to avoid Hell to go to Heaven after death, but start loving now – a path toward great relationships. God’s main desire is for you to avoid a life full of regrets. See What Is Main Message Of The Bible/Jesus That Christians Get Wrong?
What about eternal life according to the Bible?
Jesus was asked by a religious leader how to have eternal life. (Lk.10:25-37). Jesus elsewhere defined eternal life as beginning in the here and now (Jn 17:3), not what awaited in the afterlife. I doubt the leader had in mind how to get into Heaven away from this Earth. Jesus simply said to love God and your neighbor. “Eternal” appears to be on the quality not quantity in life. Jesus spoke of a life worth living being a loving life empowered by God. Jesus’ salvation was about living a meaningful life here on earth with God’s help. The Bible/Jesus/God’s message isn’t dropping to your knees to avoid Hell to go to Heaven after death, but start loving now – a path toward great relationships.
God only seeks to inspire you to avoid a life full of regrets
We are told the message of the Bible is Jesus coming to give you salvation to save you from Hell so you could enter Heaven. I believe Jesus spoke of loving God not to get into heaven but to receive help in loving others as you love yourself now. You may be different than me, but I get help from God in pursuing a life not full of regrets. Try it! It’s on God to come through for you if you choose to follow. Jesus when leaving this earth spoke of having God’s spirit within us. If you refuse to love, you may end up a lonely, regretful soul.
Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the Done with Religion site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like
To those of us who have grown up in church, have you ever felt that you needed to know all the answers? Were you afraid to ask questions? When a non-believer questions your faith, or asks something about the Bible, do you feel you have to know the answer and be able to explain it to them?
I know I have always felt that way. Although the more I think about it and the more I run into people who have all sorts of questions, I have come to realize that I do not have all the answers…and that is okay.
Even my wife and I talk we come up with questions we cannot answer. We have come to realize that God is too big for us to figure out. If we do not have all the answers for ourselves, how could we have all the answers for everyone else?
Basically, questioning is not wrong. I think we have been taught that we should not question the pastor, the Bible, our faith, even God, but God is not afraid of our questions. What is wrong with us saying ‘I don’t know’?
Admitting that you do not know does not mean you are not a good Christian. Admitting that you do not know does not mean your faith is shallow or we do not believe God.
If we knew everything, what kind of a God would we be serving anyway? The Spirit will be teaching us throughout our entire life here on earth, and we still will not begin to know it all.
While Jesus was on earth, he basically told stories and parables. A lot of the time, he did not give an answer but usually asked another question. I suppose if he gave a direct answer, we would have made it a basic doctrine by now anyway.
Do not be afraid to ask questions. Do not be afraid to say I don’t know. That is the best way to learn. God is perfectly capable of guiding us to the truth in His timing.
Michael Donahoe created Done with Religion after he and his wife left the institutional church after over fifty years within the system. He wanted a way to express his thoughts and concerns about the religious system, and tell why he and his wife decided to leave the institution but not their faith in God. They have now been outside the walls of religion for over fifteen years. He enjoys writing about his experiences and thoughts, and he wants to encourage others who are going through the religious deconstruction process. He also writes on Substack at https://deconstructiontrail.substack.com/ and https://personalmeanderings.substack.com/ Michael can be contacted by email at: jimgordon731@gmail.com
In my last Post I wrote about something very controversial. One may be in God’s grace same as a believer and not know it. See here. What inspired me to write it is that I have many friends who very much live a life of love, yet don’t think of their lifestyle motivation being because of inspiration or belief in God. God is seldom if ever mentioned in their conversations. They live a very moral life, that puts to shame many who refer to themselves as Christians or believers. Many are inclined to believe in a God, though hesitate to take a leap of faith.
Now let’s discuss what about those who are skeptical or just don’t even believe in God.
The Bible may be a main reason for hesitation or unbelief
I am convinced many inclined to believe in God but don’t is because of claims made about God by those who call themselves Christians. It is seldom admitted literature requires interpretation, so your understanding of God according to the Bible could be wrong. Biblical scholars do not agree what the Bible teaches about many moral issues.I am convinced a literal Hell is a biblical myth. See here. We get wrong that God thinks women can’t serve in the same religious or marriage roles that men can. See here. Also, we get wrong that God condemns gays according to the Bible. See here. But the biggest myth may be that God’s main message according to the Bible is that salvation is about going to Heaven or Hell rather than how to live life here on earth. People reject God based on claims about hell, women, gays. It is important to know that God cares about you here and now and not about just the afterlife. See:
Perhaps the main reason many who may be inclined to believe in a Supreme Being but aren’t motivated to take the leap of faith is because of the presence of so much evil in the world and God doesn’t intervene. Some explanations are better than many rationalizations give. Perhaps, God can’t be all-powerful because love isn’t controlling. See here:
Thomas Oord beliefs have brought me the most comfort during my medical challenge. See:
Another fair argument about whether God really exist is why then is God so hidden. The idea that if an all-loving God truly exists and wants to have a personal relationship with those desiring such a relationship, why doesn’t God make their presence obvious. Such signs could convince many, removing distress and uncertainty. See Greg’s post here:
Can’t all enter heaven anyway?
Another good reason to believe God doesn’t required belief in God to be in his grace or achieve eternal life is both intuitive and biblical. The best way I know to understand God’s love is how I or a parent loves their children. My love isn’t based on if my kids show they love me or believe in my guidance. I can’t stop loving them. Neither can God!
There is some biblical evidence that in the afterlife, God welcomes all and will attempt to convince them and live with God forever. There are rational reasons God doesn’t appear physically here on earth. Besides, the majority of people born in this world didn’t have access to a Bible or know of Jesus. See: All Will End Up In Heaven According To The Bible
C’mon Edwards…you have to believe Jesus resurrected from the dead?
Jesus’ disciples didn’t believe Jesus’ claims of resurrection until seeing the spike marks three days later after the Cross. Maybe if you saw someone die on a Cross and saw them alive days later, you would believe too. And believe that Jesus was more than human. Are you leaning toward than away from God. God welcomes you.
I currently am convinced Jesus’ resurrection isn’t legend and has historical verification, but others may not. I don’t believe God hates me if I change my mind. Jesus’ disciples didn’t believe Jesus was coming back from the dead, despite witnessing Jesus’ miracles beforehand, until seeking Jesus after his death with their own eyes. I would like to think many of us seeing a man or woman coming back from the grave, after killed on a cross, would be convinced. I have a hunch God cares the most that you believe in the possibility of a loving God to begin a faith journey.
I have a hunch God especially loves skeptics!
Personally, I don’t want to dimmish the power of belief in a loving God. God’s influence in my life has been awe-inspiring. A parent obviously loves a child who struggles to accept them and their ways. We don’t unlove our skeptical children. Is God any different? Spiritual or human parents don’t desire forced love, which isn’t genuine, but hope for consideration and to prove the possibility of a better relationship. Many may not pursue a relationship with a God they are inclined to believe in because of what they have heard from others what God is like. Don’t believe everything you hear! God only seeks to love you like you wish you were able to love others. This is the God you can believe in and seek influence in living a purposeful, meaningful live.
Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the Done with Religion site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like
Understandings and mental views of God shape your belief in God and your relationship with God. God surely delights more in one seeking to know God than the ninety-nine, offended by one’s interpretation of the Bible, who already know their Creator (Lk. 15:3-7). Biblical interpretations must be plausible based on what a loving God should be like.
God demands we bow the knee or burn in Hell
There are good reasons to not believe a literal Hell is a reality in the Bible. See here. Terrorists demand belief in their God or they don’t even wait to kill you in the afterlife like the God of the Bible supposedly does. The God I believe isn’t a terroristic God. My God gave me a brain to imagine what a loving God does to those who don’t believe while living a short time here on earth.
Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the Done with Religion site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like
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