I didn't mention Westboro... and while they are a cult on their own, they aren't the only ones doing the things I mentioned.
Trying to isolate a part of the faith and cut it from the whole, is... a wasted effort. The truth is Christianity was started by a human man, Paul, and is therefor fallible like all the others. There is no correct religion and being insecure for corporate Christianity is a waste of time. Especially if you actually think for yourself then you'll notice the herd start to slowly push you away...
The unfortunate reality is that there are no sides... there are no teams, it's all an illusion to divide and control. And not to downplay having a personal relationship with Jesus or anything like that, but that's the grand irony of it: a PERSONAL relationship... yet if you share your perspective and it's not in alignment with the hierarchy of whatever church you're in, they're gonna slowly remove you until you feel unwelcome and leave. Saw it happen to my parents and very good family friends. If you're useful, the church will keep and exploit you. If you start asking questions and defying the established protocols, you'll be ostracized...
I understand people need the order and structure and religion is just a tool at the end of the day. My overall point is, Christianity is a false religion just like all the others. Spirituality is a personal journey that you must figure out for yourself. Anyone trying to speak with an authority in your life should be questioned and resisted. Conformity and control have harmed more lives than have helped and in the end we don't know what awaits us. Jesus didn't teach us how to be right... He showed us what IS right... and sometimes that means calling out the establishment religion as He did...
I didn't mention Westboro... and while they are a cult on their own, they aren't the only ones doing the things I mentioned.
Trying to isolate a part of the faith and cut it from the whole, is... a wasted effort. The truth is Christianity was started by a human man, Paul, and is therefor fallible like all the others. There is no correct religion and being insecure for corporate Christianity is a waste of time. Especially if you actually think for yourself then you'll notice the herd start to slowly push you away...
The unfortunate reality is that there are no sides... there are no teams, it's all an illusion to divide and control. And not to downplay having a personal relationship with Jesus or anything like that, but that's the grand irony of it: a PERSONAL relationship... yet if you share your perspective and it's not in alignment with the hierarchy of whatever church you're in, they're gonna slowly remove you until you feel unwelcome and leave. Saw it happen to my parents and very good family friends. If you're useful, the church will keep and exploit you. If you start asking questions and defying the established protocols, you'll be ostracized...
I understand people need the order and structure and religion is just a tool at the end of the day. My overall point is, Christianity is a false religion just like all the others. Spirituality is a personal journey that you must figure out for yourself. Anyone trying to speak with an authority in your life should be questioned and resisted. Conformity and control have harmed more lives than have helped and in the end we don't know what awaits us. Jesus didn't teach us how to be right... He showed us what IS right... and sometimes that means calling out the establishment religion as He did...