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Post by buzzybee on Jan 21, 2010 4:56:35 GMT -5
When i was an innie not to long ago, there was a lot of judgment about other churches not being right etc. I just wonder how one can judge others churches as being wrong when most have never checked one out with an open mind. They may have set through one sermon of one church, and you can bet is was only to get ammunition to preach a sermon about everything that was wrong about it.
Thoughts?
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BC
Senior Member
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Post by BC on Jan 23, 2010 18:21:23 GMT -5
Hi, I am professing and attending meetings in NZ. We don't hear workers dissing other churches so much, we used to, but I feel this way is progressing and growing up. My personal feelings are that I have no right to judge another and I am so conscious that living a Christian life while still possessing a human body and mind etc that I have many short comings myself. We all have different minds and as such place different interpretations on things we read and hear, so therefore Christianity is Christ within, not a particular "way" or "religion" but more a concience guided way of life. Why do I go to meetings? ask that to someone attending weight loss meetings such as weighsweet thingchers why they go. You perhaps don't need to attend meetings to loose weight nor do you need to subscribe to any particular group, but if you do, it is great to talk with those that have the same philosophy as you, and it helps to keep you focused on the end goal and how you are applying yourself to get there. I was born into this way and as a teen decided that this wasn't the only way to heaven. I looked at a lot of other church groups and compared them to what I read in the bible and found that this was the group of people that best lined up with what I interpreted from Christs' teachings. I believe that God will judge with judgement that is far different than we have ever imagined in this life, there will be many that we feel are sure candidates for heaven that wont be in that final number and many many more who we judge as not worthy that will be in paradise.
Peace to you and yours BC
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shushy
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Post by shushy on Jan 24, 2010 22:14:46 GMT -5
When i was an innie not to long ago, there was a lot of judgment about other churches not being right etc. I just wonder how one can judge others churches as being wrong when most have never checked one out with an open mind. They may have set through one sermon of one church, and you can bet is was only to get ammunition to preach a sermon about everything that was wrong about it. Thoughts? While I attended meetings if I had gone into another church I would have felt disloyal to the workers. I honestly do not think I could have relaxed enough in any high church to listen and accept their theology. For the fear that surrounded my life about any other church going to heaven. True buzzybee we cant judge other churches for being wrong unless we understand the right from wrong. We were not taught what the church is.I never heard the term body of christ, I never heard the term to be bornagain, the gift of salvation was not clearly taught to the point of understanding that I am saved and I do have eternal life. THe emphasis on John 1:1, and power of our God was not emphasised either. It was after I left meetings that I learned these things and now have confidence in who I am who he is and where I am going. I find this incredibly sad and feel for the friends that they are not taught properly about the Kingdom of God. It isnt their fault. They are victims of a religious system. They havent been taught the truth about the scriptures. They are not encouraged to seek the holy spirit either. THey are encouraged to listen to the workers.
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Post by ScholarGal on Jan 25, 2010 13:00:44 GMT -5
It was after I left meetings that I learned these things and now have confidence in who I am who he is and where I am going. Shushy, I'm glad you have found faith and confidence in your spiritual journey. I'm one of those people in meetings who cringes every time I hear all other churches called wrong. I find it especially annoying when the speaker has never attended enough outside services to really test the spirit of another church. (I get less annoyed when I know the person has extensive background in another church.) I don't like the "us vs. them" mentality, and usually stop listening to workers who employ that technique regularly. Either the frequency of church-bashing has decreased, or my avoidance techniques are getting more effective. I hope it is because there really is less church-bashing!
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Post by buzzybee on Jan 26, 2010 3:53:12 GMT -5
SG, it was that us vs. them mentality that was one of the main reasons i quit going after 39 years. Plus there were questions i had that i would ask over and over, and they never got answered.
I have found the abuse that goes on in the two by two is most of the time a subtle, but effective emotional brainwashing. Sometimes it's not so much in what they say, but in what is implied. When they come right out and bash another church- that is direct. When they employ techniques like "the truth is the only way" etc., then its implied that all other ways are wrong. However there is little room for error in everyone coming to the same conclusion when implications are used.
Just some thoughts.
BB
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julio
Junior Member
Posts: 142
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Post by julio on Jan 27, 2010 5:26:22 GMT -5
I'll say 'ditto' to BC.
What we have been 'taught' may be different from what we have 'learned'. In gospel meetings today, we hear a lot about seeking counsel personally from God, and praying for the Holy Spirit to lead. When we let God work within our hearts, then the the thoughts of men don't have such influence.
Men have 'tainted' all the churches of the world, including our fellowship. Like BC, we will all be surprised who we find in heaven!
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Post by ronhall on Feb 1, 2010 20:36:47 GMT -5
When i was an innie not to long ago, there was a lot of judgment about other churches not being right etc. I just wonder how one can judge others churches as being wrong when most have never checked one out with an open mind. They may have set through one sermon of one church, and you can bet is was only to get ammunition to preach a sermon about everything that was wrong about it. Thoughts? While I attended meetings if I had gone into another church I would have felt disloyal to the workers. I honestly do not think I could have relaxed enough in any high church to listen and accept their theology. For the fear that surrounded my life about any other church going to heaven. True buzzybee we cant judge other churches for being wrong unless we understand the right from wrong. We were not taught what the church is. I never heard the term body of christ, I never heard the term to be bornagain, the gift of salvation was not clearly taught to the point of understanding that I am saved and I do have eternal life. THe emphasis on John 1:1, and power of our God was not emphasised either. It was after I left meetings that I learned these things and now have confidence in who I am who he is and where I am going. I find this incredibly sad and feel for the friends that they are not taught properly about the Kingdom of God. It isnt their fault. They are victims of a religious system. They havent been taught the truth about the scriptures. They are not encouraged to seek the holy spirit either. THey are encouraged to listen to the workers. Strange that "the body of Christ" and being "born again" were never subjects you heard about while professing. Just seems that about every Gospel meeting series at least one sermon is about Nicodemus who was taught by Jesus about being born again. Every Sunday morning, prior to taking part in the "bread", a prayer is given concerning the broken body of Christ. Maybe it is different in your area. I certainly haven't been everywhere.
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Post by sofastarch on Feb 9, 2010 14:12:02 GMT -5
It is probably safe to say that the us vs. them is a comfort zone for a lot of people... it's prevalent in preschool play circles all the way to the grave. We find another person or group that matches our ideas in one way or another and it provides the security of not being alone.
It's good to be self analyzing enough to figure out if our little security zone is really a safe or wise place to be. Dissing all other groups, besides your own, is a childish and self centered tent that won't stand any storm. There's real stability and security in a group if it sticks together for other reasons, like friendship, love, or common purpose.
I find that in our meetings, there are very few who disrespect other churches. The references are rare, but quite grating when they happen. They seem to be made by people of little experience outside the fellowship, or the very young who want to please God, but haven't borne a lot of the fruits of the Spirit yet.
I think of the times I've been in funerals and other services of Catholic and Protestant churches. Because I haven't been there hundreds of times, their format and traditions have made me uncomfortable at times. Because I don't understand all the beliefs behind what they are doing, some of their doings seem empty to me. Because the same words are read every time, they have seem "canned" to me sometimes. When the collection plate is passed, or a "plea for $" speech happens, it cheapens the holy atmosphere for me.
The differences between our own way of operating and the ways of others can cause that "us vs. them" attitude. I think it's every person's responsibility to accept that we don't understand others and all their beliefs, but we are obligated to treat them with care and consideration anyway, which dispells the "us vs. them". The better I get to know people, other than my circle of faith friends, the more I respect them as simply other struggling souls just like me, trying to do what's right. That gives me permission to love them and let God sort us out in the end. When we just mind our own business and do our best in every day and every situation to have the essence of Christ within, we do well. Still trying to get that right! Best regards.
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Post by Scott Ross on Feb 9, 2010 14:20:04 GMT -5
well... because I CAN... I am going to amke this a 'Post of the Week' sofastarch. I appreciate your thoughts on the subject. Scott
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Post by buzzybee on Feb 9, 2010 21:58:02 GMT -5
i learned to play well with others, because if i didn't i got my toys taken away.
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shushy
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Post by shushy on Mar 15, 2010 8:44:34 GMT -5
While I attended meetings if I had gone into another church I would have felt disloyal to the workers. I honestly do not think I could have relaxed enough in any high church to listen and accept their theology. For the fear that surrounded my life about any other church going to heaven. True buzzybee we cant judge other churches for being wrong unless we understand the right from wrong. We were not taught what the church is. I never heard the term body of christ, I never heard the term to be bornagain, the gift of salvation was not clearly taught to the point of understanding that I am saved and I do have eternal life. THe emphasis on John 1:1, and power of our God was not emphasised either. It was after I left meetings that I learned these things and now have confidence in who I am who he is and where I am going. I find this incredibly sad and feel for the friends that they are not taught properly about the Kingdom of God. It isnt their fault. They are victims of a religious system. They havent been taught the truth about the scriptures. They are not encouraged to seek the holy spirit either. THey are encouraged to listen to the workers. Strange that "the body of Christ" and being "born again" were never subjects you heard about while professing. Just seems that about every Gospel meeting series at least one sermon is about Nicodemus who was taught by Jesus about being born again. Every Sunday morning, prior to taking part in the "bread", a prayer is given concerning the broken body of Christ. Maybe it is different in your area. I certainly haven't been everywhere. Ronhall I think what you say is probably true around the world now. Simply because the workers have had to rethink their teaching. My family do not use the term bornagain. Its always professing, and who has professed not who has become a new creation in christ.
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Post by ronhall on Mar 16, 2010 14:55:31 GMT -5
Strange that "the body of Christ" and being "born again" were never subjects you heard about while professing. Just seems that about every Gospel meeting series at least one sermon is about Nicodemus who was taught by Jesus about being born again. Every Sunday morning, prior to taking part in the "bread", a prayer is given concerning the broken body of Christ. Maybe it is different in your area. I certainly haven't been everywhere. Ronhall I think what you say is probably true around the world now. Simply because the workers have had to rethink their teaching. My family do not use the term bornagain. Its always professing, and who has professed not who has become a new creation in christ. Having been born & raised among the F&W and a "yankee" albeit one from the Pacific Northwest, some years ago when my wife and I lived briefly in the south east we often found ourselves speechless when a perfect stranger would ask if we were "saved" or "born again Christians". Those terms were never used, or at least not in casual conversation in the area we were from, even amongst openly religious people. They were discussed in Gospel meetings, of course, on an intellectual level, but one certainly wouldn't ask a stranger if they were . . . . . In the meantime, I've come up with some possible responses, e.g., "What is your need to know?", or "Do I look the part?" or "What do you plan to do with the information?", etc. Probably a good thing I haven't been asked that for a long time! Heh! Heh! Heh!
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