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.