Why am I not a Christian?

[OreCove]

I have never felt God's Spirit in church leaders or service members. Everyone seems content with a worldly spirit. After reading the Bible, I confirmed my concerns. To me, Western Christianity is a sect of book scribes focused on ideology, interpretations, and decoding prophecies. Eastern Christianity feels like a sect of idolatry, centered on icons and relics. Catholicism appears as a sect worshiping substitutes, such as the Pope, Mary, and its hierarchical structure.

Despite the Bible's simple, direct instructions—repentance, rebirth through the Spirit, self-denial, and following Yeshua (Jesus) toward the Heavenly Kingdom where we will meet God as our Father, which is the main goal—Christianity has created numerous barriers and excuses to avoid following these teachings. All churches exhibit these tendencies to varying degrees, and many members expect blessings or benefits from their beliefs. Protestant churches search for the best way to worship God, believing that uncovering hidden secrets in the Bible or finding the right interpretation will earn God's blessings. Catholics likely seek to be in the right place under the "holy organization," which they view as distributing blessings from God like humanitarian aid. The Orthodox Church competes with Catholicism, as if questioning which institution holds direct authority from God on Earth. Is it the one with grand buildings or abundant gold?

What about Judaism? They, too, seem unclear about what God wants from them and, like others, fail to recognize the greatest Treasure we can attain. Still, even an imperfect church is better than being agnostic or atheist. At least in a church, one can occasionally find a sense of common sense and God's wisdom.

 

[Dan Clarkston]

Why am I not a Christian?

Because you have decided to NOT believe

God's Word is like a seed... those who believe what the Lord says and refuse to allow it to be stolen from them (being talked out if it) will find God's Word will grow and start producing fruit which is the Lord showing up in one's life and they become convinced He is real and He loves them.

This is not something you say "I think I'll try that and see if it works" because that is one foot out there door where the devil will send people and situations to you geared towards convincing you there's nothing to this Jesus stuff

 

[Matthias]

I have never felt God's Spirit in church leaders or service members. Everyone seems content with a worldly spirit. After reading the Bible, I confirmed my concerns. To me, Western Christianity is a sect of book scribes focused on ideology, interpretations, and decoding prophecies. Eastern Christianity feels like a sect of idolatry, centered on icons and relics. Catholicism appears as a sect worshiping substitutes, such as the Pope, Mary, and its hierarchical structure.

Despite the Bible's simple, direct instructions—repentance, rebirth through the Spirit, self-denial, and following Yeshua (Jesus) toward the Heavenly Kingdom where we will meet God as our Father, which is the main goal—Christianity has created numerous barriers and excuses to avoid following these teachings. All churches exhibit these tendencies to varying degrees, and many members expect blessings or benefits from their beliefs. Protestant churches search for the best way to worship God, believing that uncovering hidden secrets in the Bible or finding the right interpretation will earn God's blessings. Catholics likely seek to be in the right place under the "holy organization," which they view as distributing blessings from God like humanitarian aid. The Orthodox Church competes with Catholicism, as if questioning which institution holds direct authority from God on Earth. Is it the one with grand buildings or abundant gold?

What about Judaism? They, too, seem unclear about what God wants from them and, like others, fail to recognize the greatest Treasure we can attain. Still, even an imperfect church is better than being agnostic or atheist. At least in a church, one can occasionally find a sense of common sense and God's wisdom.

Catholicism. Protestantism. Eastern Orthodox. What you’re describing is, primarily, Nicene Christianity.

Why I’m a primitive Christian: Jesus of Nazareth; a Jewish monotheist.

 

[PS95]

I have never felt God's Spirit in church leaders or service members. Everyone seems content with a worldly spirit. After reading the Bible, I confirmed my concerns. To me, Western Christianity is a sect of book scribes focused on ideology, interpretations, and decoding prophecies. Eastern Christianity feels like a sect of idolatry, centered on icons and relics. Catholicism appears as a sect worshiping substitutes, such as the Pope, Mary, and its hierarchical structure.

Despite the Bible's simple, direct instructions—repentance, rebirth through the Spirit, self-denial, and following Yeshua (Jesus) toward the Heavenly Kingdom where we will meet God as our Father, which is the main goal—Christianity has created numerous barriers and excuses to avoid following these teachings. All churches exhibit these tendencies to varying degrees, and many members expect blessings or benefits from their beliefs. Protestant churches search for the best way to worship God, believing that uncovering hidden secrets in the Bible or finding the right interpretation will earn God's blessings. Catholics likely seek to be in the right place under the "holy organization," which they view as distributing blessings from God like humanitarian aid. The Orthodox Church competes with Catholicism, as if questioning which institution holds direct authority from God on Earth. Is it the one with grand buildings or abundant gold?

What about Judaism? They, too, seem unclear about what God wants from them and, like others, fail to recognize the greatest Treasure we can attain. Still, even an imperfect church is better than being agnostic or atheist. At least in a church, one can occasionally find a sense of common sense and God's wisdom.

repentance, rebirth through the Spirit, self-denial, and following Yeshua (Jesus) toward the Heavenly Kingdom where we will meet God as our Father, which is the main goal

Those are absolute teachings where I come from.
Without rebirth though you can't do anything else. It's not a working of the flesh. It is only through the spirit that we can be saved and are renewed INWARDLY.
I don't think you have been reborn or you would not be looking at Judaism. It's simply not an option.
Jesus said to look for love among the members. I've seen that love in many churches. Don't be fooled by love bombing. Make sure they teach the scriptures accurately, but if there is no love there turn away.
My best advice to you is to pray and read the scriptures and ask God to help you to discern properly . Remember, you are not going to find the perfect church full of perfect people. The body of Christ is individuals throughout the globe. They are not all in one building or denomination. Christianity is a one on one thing. In church buildings you will find a mix of true believers and those there for other reasons. Some will be more mature believers and some will be young at it- some are merely seeking. This is an individual walk with Christ,

Many times a person can find a church to fellowship in because their expectations are wrong or they have an attitude which they don't even realize yet- one of criticism having high qualifiers for others that they don't themselves have.

As for the pastor- look for one who teaches the scriptures well, has integrity and shows love toward others.

 

[JohnDB]

I have never felt God's Spirit in church leaders or service members. Everyone seems content with a worldly spirit. After reading the Bible, I confirmed my concerns. To me, Western Christianity is a sect of book scribes focused on ideology, interpretations, and decoding prophecies. Eastern Christianity feels like a sect of idolatry, centered on icons and relics. Catholicism appears as a sect worshiping substitutes, such as the Pope, Mary, and its hierarchical structure.

Despite the Bible's simple, direct instructions—repentance, rebirth through the Spirit, self-denial, and following Yeshua (Jesus) toward the Heavenly Kingdom where we will meet God as our Father, which is the main goal—Christianity has created numerous barriers and excuses to avoid following these teachings. All churches exhibit these tendencies to varying degrees, and many members expect blessings or benefits from their beliefs. Protestant churches search for the best way to worship God, believing that uncovering hidden secrets in the Bible or finding the right interpretation will earn God's blessings. Catholics likely seek to be in the right place under the "holy organization," which they view as distributing blessings from God like humanitarian aid. The Orthodox Church competes with Catholicism, as if questioning which institution holds direct authority from God on Earth. Is it the one with grand buildings or abundant gold?

What about Judaism? They, too, seem unclear about what God wants from them and, like others, fail to recognize the greatest Treasure we can attain. Still, even an imperfect church is better than being agnostic or atheist. At least in a church, one can occasionally find a sense of common sense and God's wisdom.

Christianity is not a "feeling of God's presence ".

And just about every group is going to have some aspect about their faith/belief in God that is going to "use all the oxygen in the room"
Because they are excited and attracted to what they believe about God.

All these various groups do tend to gloss over the very basics and essentials of what the Bible and scriptures are all about.

Which is that the Greatest and second greatest commandments are the core of our faith.

Essentially the Bible is about relationships and how you can have a positive relationship with God and your fellow man. Simple to say but very complex and difficult to have. Which is the reason why the Bible is such a large collection.

And this "feeling"? It has more to do with YOUR belief and faith than anyone else's. Because you are the change agent in your relationships. You get to choose on a daily basis how you act and react in your relationships with God and others. It can be based upon your faith in God being right or it can be based upon how you are feeling at the moment. You get to choose....even long term you make choices of what you are ultimately working towards: Self pleasure or God pleasing.

Your Legacy?
It can be eternal or short lived.
GLTY.

 

[Riven]

Well, you can always start your own religion. Show a little initiative.

 

[quietthinker]

Because you have decided to NOT believe

God's Word is like a seed... those who believe what the Lord says and refuse to allow it to be stolen from them (being talked out if it) will find God's Word will grow and start producing fruit which is the Lord showing up in one's life and they become convinced He is real and He loves them.

This is not something you say "I think I'll try that and see if it works" because that is one foot out there door where the devil will send people and situations to you geared towards convincing you there's nothing to this Jesus stuff

What you mean is, OreCove is not jumping through your hoops, Doug!

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

I have never felt God's Spirit in church leaders or service members. Everyone seems content with a worldly spirit. After reading the Bible, I confirmed my concerns. To me, Western Christianity is a sect of book scribes focused on ideology, interpretations, and decoding prophecies. Eastern Christianity feels like a sect of idolatry, centered on icons and relics. Catholicism appears as a sect worshiping substitutes, such as the Pope, Mary, and its hierarchical structure.

Despite the Bible's simple, direct instructions—repentance, rebirth through the Spirit, self-denial, and following Yeshua (Jesus) toward the Heavenly Kingdom where we will meet God as our Father, which is the main goal—Christianity has created numerous barriers and excuses to avoid following these teachings. All churches exhibit these tendencies to varying degrees, and many members expect blessings or benefits from their beliefs. Protestant churches search for the best way to worship God, believing that uncovering hidden secrets in the Bible or finding the right interpretation will earn God's blessings. Catholics likely seek to be in the right place under the "holy organization," which they view as distributing blessings from God like humanitarian aid. The Orthodox Church competes with Catholicism, as if questioning which institution holds direct authority from God on Earth. Is it the one with grand buildings or abundant gold?

What about Judaism? They, too, seem unclear about what God wants from them and, like others, fail to recognize the greatest Treasure we can attain. Still, even an imperfect church is better than being agnostic or atheist. At least in a church, one can occasionally find a sense of common sense and God's wisdom.

@OreCove, I would enjoy a discussion of the church, but which church would you like to discuss? Please don't generalize about all churches, since my large church doesn't fit your view at all. It's hard for me to deal with such a huge generalization which doesn't any church that I know. One suggestion is that you might search the churches in your area to try to find one that is alive and well like mine.

 

[OreCove]

@OreCove, I would enjoy a discussion of the church, but which church would you like to discuss? Please don't generalize about all churches, since my large church doesn't fit your view at all. It's hard for me to deal with such a huge generalization which doesn't any church that I know. One suggestion is that you might search the churches in your area to try to find one that is alive and well like mine.

Hi. Just tell me, how many people in your church have at list level of John the Baptist? How many do not commit sins?

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

Why am I not a Christian?

Unbelief, which is choosing to not believe God's promises and submit to the Lord

 

[Lambano]

Despite the Bible's simple, direct instructions—repentance, rebirth through the Spirit, self-denial, and following Yeshua (Jesus) toward the Heavenly Kingdom where we will meet God as our Father, which is the main goal—Christianity has created numerous barriers and excuses to avoid following these teachings.

It sounds like you are attracted to Jesus and His teachings. If so ,then follow Him. As best you can.

It may get to be a little lonely. The challenge will be to figure out ways to get along with others who don't see Jesus the way you do.

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

Hi. Just tell me, how many people in your church have at list level of John the Baptist? How many do not commit sins?

"List level"? What is that? We are all sinners, but for true believers among us, we are not dominated by Satan and sins. We have over 5,000 members who attend weekly. What are you asking, and why do you ask it? I measure a church by how closely its teaching and preaching stick to the Bible, not by the lives of its people, since we're all imperfect. Aren't you imperfect too, @OreCove?

 

[OreCove]

"List level"? What is that? We are all sinners, but for true believers among us, we are not dominated by Satan and sins. We have over 5,000 members who attend weekly. What are you asking, and why do you ask it? I measure a church by how closely its teaching and preaching stick to the Bible, not by the lives of its people, since we're all imperfect. Aren't you imperfect too, @OreCove?

Sorry for my English. I ment to say "at least ".
My flesh is designed to be sinful. But I don’t use flesh anymore to live. I live by Spirit, and I can say, I don’t commit sin. I don't have limitations to grow. I don't have apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers even Yeshua (Jesus) between me and God. If you follow Yeshua to the end, you will meet Father, our God. This is what God promised through Yeshua.
I believe Yeshua and God more than all Christians do.
I believe, to axiom number one - to love God more than myself, my wife and children.
I believe to be perfect is possible, God is doing it, not me.
I believe, that Yeshua already led me to the source of stream of life. And I believe, I'm not thirsty anymore, I can teach others, but it is not my role to teach. God will teach everyone who is spiritually alive directly.
I believe in importance to be like a lamb, reject yourself, to put flesh on a cross, accept sacrifice of that lamb in my Temple.
I believe, that Yeshua was in a wilderness (40 days?) not for fun. It is time to the end of all sources of life to the flesh (dies like a scapegoat). And the next.
I believe, this is how you stop being a slave of two masters.
I believe, dead (spiritually) still can love who loves them, who from their tribe. Feelings are instinctive, and come from flesh.
I believe that pure hearted can see God, and meek are God's children.

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

We are all sinners

Speak for yourself.

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

I have never felt God's Spirit in church leaders or service members. Everyone seems content with a worldly spirit. After reading the Bible, I confirmed my concerns. To me, Western Christianity is a sect of book scribes focused on ideology, interpretations, and decoding prophecies. Eastern Christianity feels like a sect of idolatry, centered on icons and relics. Catholicism appears as a sect worshiping substitutes, such as the Pope, Mary, and its hierarchical structure.

Despite the Bible's simple, direct instructions—repentance, rebirth through the Spirit, self-denial, and following Yeshua (Jesus) toward the Heavenly Kingdom where we will meet God as our Father, which is the main goal—Christianity has created numerous barriers and excuses to avoid following these teachings. All churches exhibit these tendencies to varying degrees, and many members expect blessings or benefits from their beliefs. Protestant churches search for the best way to worship God, believing that uncovering hidden secrets in the Bible or finding the right interpretation will earn God's blessings. Catholics likely seek to be in the right place under the "holy organization," which they view as distributing blessings from God like humanitarian aid. The Orthodox Church competes with Catholicism, as if questioning which institution holds direct authority from God on Earth. Is it the one with grand buildings or abundant gold?

What about Judaism? They, too, seem unclear about what God wants from them and, like others, fail to recognize the greatest Treasure we can attain. Still, even an imperfect church is better than being agnostic or atheist. At least in a church, one can occasionally find a sense of common sense and God's wisdom.

@OreCove, I suggest that you move to West Michigan (Hudsonville) and start attending our church, Chapel-Pointe.org, for a church that is close to the Scriptures, not to traditions. I'm actually kidding about that move. However, God has blessed our church abundantly because of its commitment to the Triune God and to Jesus as the only way to the Father's approval. Our website has many sermons that you can listen to, though.

 

[OreCove]

I'm with Father. I have been listening to others almost all my life. No more, until I meet someone who no more slave of two masters.

 

[Riven]

Speak for yourself.

You are without sin?

 

[ScottA]

I have never felt God's Spirit in church leaders or service members. Everyone seems content with a worldly spirit. After reading the Bible, I confirmed my concerns. To me, Western Christianity is a sect of book scribes focused on ideology, interpretations, and decoding prophecies. Eastern Christianity feels like a sect of idolatry, centered on icons and relics. Catholicism appears as a sect worshiping substitutes, such as the Pope, Mary, and its hierarchical structure.

Despite the Bible's simple, direct instructions—repentance, rebirth through the Spirit, self-denial, and following Yeshua (Jesus) toward the Heavenly Kingdom where we will meet God as our Father, which is the main goal—Christianity has created numerous barriers and excuses to avoid following these teachings. All churches exhibit these tendencies to varying degrees, and many members expect blessings or benefits from their beliefs. Protestant churches search for the best way to worship God, believing that uncovering hidden secrets in the Bible or finding the right interpretation will earn God's blessings. Catholics likely seek to be in the right place under the "holy organization," which they view as distributing blessings from God like humanitarian aid. The Orthodox Church competes with Catholicism, as if questioning which institution holds direct authority from God on Earth. Is it the one with grand buildings or abundant gold?

What about Judaism? They, too, seem unclear about what God wants from them and, like others, fail to recognize the greatest Treasure we can attain. Still, even an imperfect church is better than being agnostic or atheist. At least in a church, one can occasionally find a sense of common sense and God's wisdom.

Thanks--that is refreshing to hear!

You're on the right track.

The issue has become one of "How shall we therefore live" (in this world, during our time remaining here). But as you have said, most have done poorly. A good example of what is correct, is the story of Mary and Martha. It's enough.

And yet, we should all be personally asking God: "For what purpose have you left me in the world, as Paul referred to it, as 'alive and remaining?''

Paul also gave some indication of what that purpose is to be, saying “When He (Jesus) ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men...And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love" (Ephesians 4:8-16).

 

[GodsGrace]

I have never felt God's Spirit in church leaders or service members. Everyone seems content with a worldly spirit. After reading the Bible, I confirmed my concerns. To me, Western Christianity is a sect of book scribes focused on ideology, interpretations, and decoding prophecies. Eastern Christianity feels like a sect of idolatry, centered on icons and relics. Catholicism appears as a sect worshiping substitutes, such as the Pope, Mary, and its hierarchical structure.

Despite the Bible's simple, direct instructions—repentance, rebirth through the Spirit, self-denial, and following Yeshua (Jesus) toward the Heavenly Kingdom where we will meet God as our Father, which is the main goal—Christianity has created numerous barriers and excuses to avoid following these teachings. All churches exhibit these tendencies to varying degrees, and many members expect blessings or benefits from their beliefs. Protestant churches search for the best way to worship God, believing that uncovering hidden secrets in the Bible or finding the right interpretation will earn God's blessings. Catholics likely seek to be in the right place under the "holy organization," which they view as distributing blessings from God like humanitarian aid. The Orthodox Church competes with Catholicism, as if questioning which institution holds direct authority from God on Earth. Is it the one with grand buildings or abundant gold?

What about Judaism? They, too, seem unclear about what God wants from them and, like others, fail to recognize the greatest Treasure we can attain. Still, even an imperfect church is better than being agnostic or atheist. At least in a church, one can occasionally find a sense of common sense and God's wisdom.

You sure do understand the different sects of Christianity really well !
So why are you not a Christian?

What difference does your OP make?
Isn't worshipping God what we should be doing?

 

[GodsGrace]

You are without sin?

LOL
Ooooooh.
We know someone like this!