(09-16-2022 03:08 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  

(09-16-2022 07:38 AM)Kruciff Wrote:  Link

Quote:Christianity has remained at the forefront of the nation's political and social conversations for centuries — but new research shows that could be changing.

A new report by Pew Research Center and the General Social Survey published on Tuesday found that the large numbers of people in the U.S who practice Christianity are declining. The religion's demographic has been dwindling since the 1990s, the report said, as many adults transition to an identity of atheist, agnostic or "nothing in particular."

So your idol Kark Marx's dream is coming true. Isn't that part of the Communist Manifesto?

Jesus wants us to come to him, if we desire not to it's on the individual as no one is stopping them. I'm just glad that when I die there won't be an Liberals in heaven with me, LOL.

And you want to know why?

they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Not real hard to see.

NO MAN can serve two masters. You will grow to love the one and hate the other. Plain as the nose on your face.

Not rocket science

Meanwhile, Russia has seen a massive resurgence of Christianity. Yet another way they are bad in the eyes of the Globalists.

https://brutalproof.net/2019/03/the-rise...blishment/

Every country has its own ebbs and flows according to its own history and unique circumstances.

(09-16-2022 07:56 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  This trend has been evolving for years now. And it is not surprising.

If it were not for the rise of the Hispanic population, the U.S. dip in the percentage of citizens identifying as Christian would be even more dramatic.

Well Bill that's what happens when mainline denominations take government money, refuse to stand up for Biblical standards in a changing world, and people leave in droves because of it.

People still believe in God, many in Christ, but very few believe in churches which embrace sin as normal and condemn those who hold fast to Scriptural teachings.

It's okay though. God may love us, but God doesn't need us. Especially when we vote away rules for living which we societally speaking don't like. God is not a democracy. Government, schools, and parents may tread lightly on rules, but that doesn't change God. And because of that people decide it's easier not to believe than to be obedient.

The consistent point is that rules enhance our lives and ignoring them usually ends in disaster. But it is always our choice. Choice is never compelled, and open rebellion doesn't change our choices or their consequences.

I've been with too many who were dying. All of them lament poor choices, cherish those they have loved, want more time, and the vast majority still believe in a deity.

I have yet to meet more than a few who lead non Christian, or non Faith lifestyles who are genuinely happy and content. When I see a reasonable number of those who are contented perhaps I'll change my viewpoint. Misery is what I most often find. Those outside of God's basic rules are unhappy, malcontented, and inconsolable. That's a rough way to live.

Churches are of the clergy, for the clergy and by the clergy and more than 95% of every dollar given to mainline denominations will go to some kind of clergy support whether salary, retirement, expenses of the job, travel, study, housing, etc, and duplicate it all again for denominational leaders. Mission budgets are spent on the missionary for the same things.

We were told to give to the widows, orphans, poor, sick, and strangers within our gates. Why? Because when you actually help people they want to know why and when you tell them that's a witness. Churches don't save people. The love of God shown by people saves other people and mostly from themselves. Grace demonstrated changes lives.

So, if churches as we know them fail perhaps its a step back toward authentic concern, compassion, and grace demonstrated. I am not disheartened but encouraged!

Oh, and Bill, most churchy people are focused on self-image and pretty miserable as well. I'll pass on the corporately churchified, but will be drawn to watch compassion in action wherever I see it. There's nothing quite like seeing Christ in action where those wounded by life have been triaged by polite society!

(09-16-2022 07:38 AM)Kruciff Wrote:  Link

Quote:Christianity has remained at the forefront of the nation's political and social conversations for centuries — but new research shows that could be changing.

A new report by Pew Research Center and the General Social Survey published on Tuesday found that the large numbers of people in the U.S who practice Christianity are declining. The religion's demographic has been dwindling since the 1990s, the report said, as many adults transition to an identity of atheist, agnostic or "nothing in particular."

This does not even surprise me. The "large numbers " I believe weren't Christians to begin with. If you were hoping to slam Christians with this post, you failed miserably. All you posted was the exact truth: there aren't many Christians in this world.

(09-16-2022 07:54 AM)Kyle Mack Wrote:  Oh look another commie post....we will get rid of Christianity blah blah blah.

The world has tried and failed several times to stamp out Christianity. Even the communists have failed, but they refuse to admit failure. Fire (persecution) heats metal ore and purifies it. The impurities are burned off leaving the desired metal.

(09-16-2022 08:28 AM)gdunn Wrote:  I get it... I see on Sundays around where I live ball tournaments and all kinds of activities for kids..

Most of the smaller churches here struggle because there's a megachurch with several branches and they bring in all kinds of people..

We went once.. wasn't our cup of tea. We now go to a smaller church.

I prefer smaller churches with genuine Christians over megachurches with counterfeit Christians. One thing that hasn’t been said much on here to my knowledge: true Christianity isn't racist, and it's a beautiful thing to see on Sundays, at revivals, and out in the world. One of my favorite customers is an old Christian black lady who I love to talk to. Every time I see her, I feel encouraged and even excited!!

On the subject of interracial marriage really quick: I personally have no problem with it as long as it is two genuine Christians who love God and love each other. I have seen some of those types of couples before, and it's an awesome sight to see!!!
The reason I even bring this up at all is because I have encountered some on here who believe that Christians are against interracial marriage. That is a lie told by none other than by Satan himself. There are some Christians that are unfortunately racist and against interracial marriage, but God hasn't given up on them, and eventually they will come around.

(09-16-2022 10:56 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(09-16-2022 07:56 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  This trend has been evolving for years now. And it is not surprising.

If it were not for the rise of the Hispanic population, the U.S. dip in the percentage of citizens identifying as Christian would be even more dramatic.

Well Bill that's what happens when mainline denominations take government money, refuse to stand up for Biblical standards in a changing world, and people leave in droves because of it.

People still believe in God, many in Christ, but very few believe in churches which embrace sin as normal and condemn those who hold fast to Scriptural teachings.

It's okay though. God may love us, but God doesn't need us. Especially when we vote away rules for living which we societally speaking don't like. God is not a democracy. Government, schools, and parents may tread lightly on rules, but that doesn't change God. And because of that people decide it's easier not to believe than to be obedient.

The consistent point is that rules enhance our lives and ignoring them usually ends in disaster. But it is always our choice. Choice is never compelled, and open rebellion doesn't change our choices or their consequences.

I've been with too many who were dying. All of them lament poor choices, cherish those they have loved, want more time, and the vast majority still believe in a deity.

I have yet to meet more than a few who lead non Christian, or non Faith lifestyles who are genuinely happy and content. When I see a reasonable number of those who are contented perhaps I'll change my viewpoint. Misery is what I most often find. Those outside of God's basic rules are unhappy, malcontented, and inconsolable. That's a rough way to live.

Churches are of the clergy, for the clergy and by the clergy and more than 95% of every dollar given to mainline denominations will go to some kind of clergy support whether salary, retirement, expenses of the job, travel, study, housing, etc, and duplicate it all again for denominational leaders. Mission budgets are spent on the missionary for the same things.

We were told to give to the widows, orphans, poor, sick, and strangers within our gates. Why? Because when you actually help people they want to know why and when you tell them that's a witness. Churches don't save people. The love of God shown by people saves other people and mostly from themselves. Grace demonstrated changes lives.

So, if churches as we know them fail perhaps its a step back toward authentic concern, compassion, and grace demonstrated. I am not disheartened but encouraged!

Oh, and Bill, most churchy people are focused on self-image and pretty miserable as well. I'll pass on the corporately churchified, but will be drawn to watch compassion in action wherever I see it. There's nothing quite like seeing Christ in action where those wounded by life have been triaged by polite society!

Amen brother!!

(09-16-2022 09:08 AM)Eldonabe Wrote:  While I consider myself agnostic, I think many (too many) tie attending church regularly/periodically with being a Christian.

I can count on 1 hand how many times my parents have been to church in my entire life and they still consider themselves Christians. I did the CCD thing and all hen I was a kid, but organized religion is just not for me. Does that make me not a Christian - I dunno?

I think most people assimilate attending services of some kind with being of a certain faith.

You just kind of described me with the difference being that my mother was a devout Catholic, especially in her later years. My father had little use for the church and I think that influenced me a lot. I think being required by my mother, who was a force of nature, to attend Catholic schools sporadically in my youth is ultimately what turned me away from all organized religion and the idea of God as portrayed by the Bible. I've read the NT from front to back twice but couldn't quote too much scripture If I had to. I consider myself agnostic but it's funny how in times of trouble I find myself saying prayers, usually not traditional ones, but more a running dialogue in my head.

I think deep down I have a spirituality that doesn't align with traditional theology. I believe in the concept of a supreme being, an architect of the universe or a creator if you will, who orders the universe but what exactly that is remains fuzzy to me.

However, of all the organized religions, I lean toward Catholicism more because I find the ritual and solemnity of it more attractive and somehow comforting on its face. That said I also understand how men used that faith as a cudgel and often did evil things in the name of the church. I think ritual is what led me to become a master mason and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite mason. But I can't remember the last time I attended mass for reasons other than funerals, baptisms and weddings and I no longer regularly attend lodge functions - my year as master of my local lodge soured me on it.

My older brother is a devout Catholic and for years he's sent me a text message every Saturday morning wishing me a Happy Saturday and a blessing, often including a short quote of scripture. I think he does it because I've often looked down my nose at his faith in an institution I find seriously flawed but it could be that he genuinely feels I need all the prayers I can get.

(09-16-2022 11:53 PM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(09-16-2022 08:28 AM)gdunn Wrote:  I get it... I see on Sundays around where I live ball tournaments and all kinds of activities for kids..

Most of the smaller churches here struggle because there's a megachurch with several branches and they bring in all kinds of people..

We went once.. wasn't our cup of tea. We now go to a smaller church.

I prefer smaller churches with genuine Christians over megachurches with counterfeit Christians. One thing that hasn’t been said much on here to my knowledge: true Christianity isn't racist, and it's a beautiful thing to see on Sundays, at revivals, and out in the world. One of my favorite customers is an old Christian black lady who I love to talk to. Every time I see her, I feel encouraged and even excited!!

On the subject of interracial marriage really quick: I personally have no problem with it as long as it is two genuine Christians who love God and love each other. I have seen some of those types of couples before, and it's an awesome sight to see!!!
The reason I even bring this up at all is because I have encountered some on here who believe that Christians are against interracial marriage. That is a lie told by none other than by Satan himself. There are some Christians that are unfortunately racist and against interracial marriage, but God hasn't given up on them, and eventually they will come around.

On the subject of inter-racial marriages and relationships I think I just naturally evolved into being a person who doesn't see it as unnatural or offensive and have never considered a religious component to it. Being a product of old school southerners I think I found it "offensive" in my youth more because it was expected of me by peers from my teens and some older family members rather than finding it inherently wrong. I also think growing up on Army bases around the world, up until I was 12-13, with the diversity those presented influenced my attitude towards it.

(09-17-2022 03:46 AM)TigerBlue4Ever Wrote:  

(09-16-2022 09:08 AM)Eldonabe Wrote:  While I consider myself agnostic, I think many (too many) tie attending church regularly/periodically with being a Christian.

I can count on 1 hand how many times my parents have been to church in my entire life and they still consider themselves Christians. I did the CCD thing and all hen I was a kid, but organized religion is just not for me. Does that make me not a Christian - I dunno?

I think most people assimilate attending services of some kind with being of a certain faith.

You just kind of described me with the difference being that my mother was a devout Catholic, especially in her later years. My father had little use for the church and I think that influenced me a lot. I think being required by my mother, who was a force of nature, to attend Catholic schools sporadically in my youth is ultimately what turned me away from all organized religion and the idea of God as portrayed by the Bible. I've read the NT from front to back twice but couldn't quote too much scripture If I had to. I consider myself agnostic but it's funny how in times of trouble I find myself saying prayers, usually not traditional ones, but more a running dialogue in my head.

I think deep down I have a spirituality that doesn't align with traditional theology. I believe in the concept of a supreme being, an architect of the universe or a creator if you will, who orders the universe but what exactly that is remains fuzzy to me.

However, of all the organized religions, I lean toward Catholicism more because I find the ritual and solemnity of it more attractive and somehow comforting on its face. That said I also understand how men used that faith as a cudgel and often did evil things in the name of the church. I think ritual is what led me to become a master mason and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite mason. But I can't remember the last time I attended mass for reasons other than funerals, baptisms and weddings and I no longer regularly attend lodge functions - my year as master of my local lodge soured me on it.

My older brother is a devout Catholic and for years he's sent me a text message every Saturday morning wishing me a Happy Saturday and a blessing, often including a short quote of scripture. I think he does it because I've often looked down my nose at his faith in an institution I find seriously flawed but it could be that he genuinely feels I need all the prayers I can get.

I can tell you flat out there is only one path to that Creator and that is Jesus Christ.

You cannot get to the Father any other way but through Him and Him alone. If you don't believe in the death, buried and Reassertion of Jesus you have no hope of every reaching Him.

What you are describing is Satans biggest con job of the modern age. He uses corrupt religious intuitions like the Catholic Church, The papacy and protestant mega churches to separate people from Jesus because people think they only way to to know Jesus is through those man made institutions. And when they finally turn their back on those corrupt institutions they also very softly turn away form Jesus and begin to convince themselves that they believe in some for of God, just not one those institutions claim to follow. So now you are creating God and how to reach Him yourself.

Then you have fallen for Satan's lie and deception hook line and sinker. He uses those man made and corrupted institutions to turn you away from Jesus, whome you need no man made institution to have salvation through.

Then you create God in your own image and imagination and your own path to God in your own image and imagination. Its God who made us in His image and gave us salvation through Him via His only begotten Son. But Satan deceives you into flipping that all around. And look how cleverly he pulls it off.

When the Apostles founded the church in Acts, its was simple as 1, 2, 3. You heard the Gospel (the death, burial and Resurrection of Jesus), you believed and repented and salvation came the moment you genuinely believed and repented. You would get baptized by another believer, but salvation came the moment you believed and repented, you are already saved when you are water baptized. After accepting Jesus and gaining your salvation, you spread the Gospel and dedicated your life to Him by spreading the Gospel and serving each other. There was no man made institution you had to go though or gain acceptance from. There was no priest you have to confess your sins to or go through to reach Jesus, nor did you go though Mary. You went straight to Jesus yourself, no in between. Church was simply a small gathering of believers who worshiped, sang a hymn and heard a message message or sermon from, typically in a friend or family members living room.

That was 1st century Christianity according to the Bible and the 1st and 2nd century church fathers. That is what Jesus taught, that is what they did. Jesus warned they would utterly corrupt all of it after He left, but He also promised those who truly and genuinely seek HIM will not be deceived by it.

Based on everything you have said on this topic, it does not sound like you know Christ or have salvation through Him. Its sounds as if you truly are lost and headed on a path to eternal separation from God.

So I pray with all my heart brother that you seek Christ out through the simplicity of the Gospel, because that is the only path to the Father. All other paths lead to eternal damnation. Don't fall prey to Satan's 21st century deceptions. He is far craftier than both of us combined.

There is is not one person on this earth, no matter where they are born or what religion they are born into that genuinely seeks God and will not find Him through Jesus Christ. NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON. Think of all the Muslims out there across the world who tell us they had dreams or visions of Jesus, or just simply felt His pull on their spirit and turn their backs on Islam and became born again Christians, even with threat of death by the hands of their own people and families.

If you truly seek Him, if you truly seek God over your own preferences, pleasures and life, you WILL find Him through Jesus and the Gospel. It does not matter what false religion you grew up in or were brainwashed by or what the circumstances.

It starts by putting aside what you would prefer or feel more comfortable with and just coming to and seeking Him as a small child does. That is the biggest stumbling block for most people who grew up "religious" but are not saved. They want it to be on their terms, not His. And that is not genuinely seeking Him as a small child, that is not coming to Him as He taught and as the first Christians did.

Jesus did not come to Peter, Paul or any of the Apostles and disciples as they wanted or preferred or expected. They had to put all that aside and start over with Him personally one on one. They had to put away all they knew growing up and all their perceived notions, comforts and expectations and just follow Him with the humbleness and simplicity of a small child.

There is no other way to know Him or follow Him.

(09-16-2022 03:08 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  

(09-16-2022 07:38 AM)Kruciff Wrote:  Link

Quote:Christianity has remained at the forefront of the nation's political and social conversations for centuries — but new research shows that could be changing.

A new report by Pew Research Center and the General Social Survey published on Tuesday found that the large numbers of people in the U.S who practice Christianity are declining. The religion's demographic has been dwindling since the 1990s, the report said, as many adults transition to an identity of atheist, agnostic or "nothing in particular."

So your idol Kark Marx's dream is coming true. Isn't that part of the Communist Manifesto?

Jesus wants us to come to him, if we desire not to it's on the individual as no one is stopping them. I'm just glad that when I die there won't be an Liberals in heaven with me, LOL.

Yeah, old Karl wrote "Religion is the opiate for the masses"......That's kinda' been the cornerstone for the commies for decades, and they've been trying to destroy religious beliefs since day one. While I agree that many small church's may be struggling with attendance, the mega church's are booming, and they appeal to a younger demographic. The Leftist's in this country still have a long way to go, if their goal is to destroy Christianity in this country.

That highlighted part is vital, TigerBlue. You and I and most everyone here are in a very similar situation to the 1st century Judeans, Samaritans and mix Jews throughout that region. We grew up in a religious culture, either if we followed it or rejected it. We got older either in or out of that religious upbringing and find ourself separated from God, just as all those Judeans, Samaritans and various mixed 1st century Jews. We have built in expectations and ideas about God and religion, and we want to seek or find Him on our terms, or our way and in our image.

And just like those 1st century Judeans, Samaritans and mixed Jews (even Romans) we have to put all that aside and seek God on His terms, outside of what we would prefer, what we think we know or how we think it should be and seek Him on His terms as a small child, totally humbling ourselves to Him.

Jesus did not come to Peter, Paul or any of the Apostles or any of those early Christians as they wanted or preferred or expected. They grew up with a very different idea of the Messiah and what God was going to do in their day. They had to put all that aside and start over with Him personally one on one. They had to put away all they knew growing up and all their perceived notions, comforts and expectations and just follow Him with the humbleness and simplicity of a small child.

That is what He seeks in us because only then is our repentance and faith genuine and real. If its on our terms instead of His then its not really genuine, is it?

There is no other way to know Him or follow Him.

The very moment we do that through faith and repentance, He enters us via the Holy Spirit and we are born again spiritually. And when it happens you know it, you don't have to ask anyone or ever wonder again, YOU KNOW IT.

(09-16-2022 10:56 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(09-16-2022 07:56 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  This trend has been evolving for years now. And it is not surprising.

If it were not for the rise of the Hispanic population, the U.S. dip in the percentage of citizens identifying as Christian would be even more dramatic.

Well Bill that's what happens when mainline denominations take government money, refuse to stand up for Biblical standards in a changing world, and people leave in droves because of it.

People still believe in God, many in Christ, but very few believe in churches which embrace sin as normal and condemn those who hold fast to Scriptural teachings.

It's okay though. God may love us, but God doesn't need us. Especially when we vote away rules for living which we societally speaking don't like. God is not a democracy. Government, schools, and parents may tread lightly on rules, but that doesn't change God. And because of that people decide it's easier not to believe than to be obedient.

The consistent point is that rules enhance our lives and ignoring them usually ends in disaster. But it is always our choice. Choice is never compelled, and open rebellion doesn't change our choices or their consequences.

I've been with too many who were dying. All of them lament poor choices, cherish those they have loved, want more time, and the vast majority still believe in a deity.

I have yet to meet more than a few who lead non Christian, or non Faith lifestyles who are genuinely happy and content. When I see a reasonable number of those who are contented perhaps I'll change my viewpoint. Misery is what I most often find. Those outside of God's basic rules are unhappy, malcontented, and inconsolable. That's a rough way to live.

Churches are of the clergy, for the clergy and by the clergy and more than 95% of every dollar given to mainline denominations will go to some kind of clergy support whether salary, retirement, expenses of the job, travel, study, housing, etc, and duplicate it all again for denominational leaders. Mission budgets are spent on the missionary for the same things.

We were told to give to the widows, orphans, poor, sick, and strangers within our gates. Why? Because when you actually help people they want to know why and when you tell them that's a witness. Churches don't save people. The love of God shown by people saves other people and mostly from themselves. Grace demonstrated changes lives.

So, if churches as we know them fail perhaps its a step back toward authentic concern, compassion, and grace demonstrated. I am not disheartened but encouraged!

Oh, and Bill, most churchy people are focused on self-image and pretty miserable as well. I'll pass on the corporately churchified, but will be drawn to watch compassion in action wherever I see it. There's nothing quite like seeing Christ in action where those wounded by life have been triaged by polite society!

Yes, indeed.

(09-17-2022 05:01 AM)ericsrevenge76 Wrote:  

(09-17-2022 03:46 AM)TigerBlue4Ever Wrote:  

(09-16-2022 09:08 AM)Eldonabe Wrote:  While I consider myself agnostic, I think many (too many) tie attending church regularly/periodically with being a Christian.

I can count on 1 hand how many times my parents have been to church in my entire life and they still consider themselves Christians. I did the CCD thing and all hen I was a kid, but organized religion is just not for me. Does that make me not a Christian - I dunno?

I think most people assimilate attending services of some kind with being of a certain faith.

You just kind of described me with the difference being that my mother was a devout Catholic, especially in her later years. My father had little use for the church and I think that influenced me a lot. I think being required by my mother, who was a force of nature, to attend Catholic schools sporadically in my youth is ultimately what turned me away from all organized religion and the idea of God as portrayed by the Bible. I've read the NT from front to back twice but couldn't quote too much scripture If I had to. I consider myself agnostic but it's funny how in times of trouble I find myself saying prayers, usually not traditional ones, but more a running dialogue in my head.

I think deep down I have a spirituality that doesn't align with traditional theology. I believe in the concept of a supreme being, an architect of the universe or a creator if you will, who orders the universe but what exactly that is remains fuzzy to me.

However, of all the organized religions, I lean toward Catholicism more because I find the ritual and solemnity of it more attractive and somehow comforting on its face. That said I also understand how men used that faith as a cudgel and often did evil things in the name of the church. I think ritual is what led me to become a master mason and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite mason. But I can't remember the last time I attended mass for reasons other than funerals, baptisms and weddings and I no longer regularly attend lodge functions - my year as master of my local lodge soured me on it.

My older brother is a devout Catholic and for years he's sent me a text message every Saturday morning wishing me a Happy Saturday and a blessing, often including a short quote of scripture. I think he does it because I've often looked down my nose at his faith in an institution I find seriously flawed but it could be that he genuinely feels I need all the prayers I can get.

I can tell you flat out there is only one path to that Creator and that is Jesus Christ.

You cannot get to the Father any other way but through Him and Him alone. If you don't believe in the death, buried and Reassertion of Jesus you have no hope of every reaching Him.

What you are describing is Satans biggest con job of the modern age. He uses corrupt religious intuitions like the Catholic Church, The papacy and protestant mega churches to separate people from Jesus because people think they only way to to know Jesus is through those man made institutions. And when they finally turn their back on those corrupt institutions they also very softly turn away form Jesus and begin to convince themselves that they believe in some for of God, just not one those institutions claim to follow. So now you are creating God and how to reach Him yourself.

Then you have fallen for Satan's lie and deception hook line and sinker. He uses those man made and corrupted institutions to turn you away from Jesus, whome you need no man made institution to have salvation through.

Then you create God in your own image and imagination and your own path to God in your own image and imagination. Its God who made us in His image and gave us salvation through Him via His only begotten Son. But Satan deceives you into flipping that all around. And look how cleverly he pulls it off.

When the Apostles founded the church in Acts, its was simple as 1, 2, 3. You heard the Gospel (the death, burial and Resurrection of Jesus), you believed and repented and salvation came the moment you genuinely believed and repented. You would get baptized by another believer, but salvation came the moment you believed and repented, you are already saved when you are water baptized. After accepting Jesus and gaining your salvation, you spread the Gospel and dedicated your life to Him by spreading the Gospel and serving each other. There was no man made institution you had to go though or gain acceptance from. There was no priest you have to confess your sins to or go through to reach Jesus, nor did you go though Mary. You went straight to Jesus yourself, no in between. Church was simply a small gathering of believers who worshiped, sang a hymn and heard a message message or sermon from, typically in a friend or family members living room.

That was 1st century Christianity according to the Bible and the 1st and 2nd century church fathers. That is what Jesus taught, that is what they did. Jesus warned they would utterly corrupt all of it after He left, but He also promised those who truly and genuinely seek HIM will not be deceived by it.

Based on everything you have said on this topic, it does not sound like you know Christ or have salvation through Him. Its sounds as if you truly are lost and headed on a path to eternal separation from God.

So I pray with all my heart brother that you seek Christ out through the simplicity of the Gospel, because that is the only path to the Father. All other paths lead to eternal damnation. Don't fall prey to Satan's 21st century deceptions. He is far craftier than both of us combined.

There is is not one person on this earth, no matter where they are born or what religion they are born into that genuinely seeks God and will not find Him through Jesus Christ. NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON. Think of all the Muslims out there across the world who tell us they had dreams or visions of Jesus, or just simply felt His pull on their spirit and turn their backs on Islam and became born again Christians, even with threat of death by the hands of their own people and families.

If you truly seek Him, if you truly seek God over your own preferences, pleasures and life, you WILL find Him through Jesus and the Gospel. It does not matter what false religion you grew up in or were brainwashed by or what the circumstances.

It starts by putting aside what you would prefer or feel more comfortable with and just coming to and seeking Him as a small child does. That is the biggest stumbling block for most people who grew up "religious" but are not saved. They want it to be on their terms, not His. And that is not genuinely seeking Him as a small child, that is not coming to Him as He taught and as the first Christians did.

Jesus did not come to Peter, Paul or any of the Apostles and disciples as they wanted or preferred or expected. They had to put all that aside and start over with Him personally one on one. They had to put away all they knew growing up and all their perceived notions, comforts and expectations and just follow Him with the humbleness and simplicity of a small child.

There is no other way to know Him or follow Him.

Spot on Eric. Jesus tells us unless a man is born again of the spirit and water he/she will not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

As far as conforming Jesus to fit our needs you need look no further than Judas. Judas had seen the miracles Jesus performed and wanted the Roman Rule overthrown. He knew Jesus could it but thought Jesus needed a push. It backfired on him when he saw Jesus was not going to become militant and in his regret he committed suicide. The only difference between Judas and Peter who denied Christ in that same pivotal moment was that Peter repented and Judas chose another route. Had Judas repented we would have an entirely different version of him.

One last thing. You made mention of Muslims facing death when they convert reminded of one Park Ranger in Africa. He was told his entire life never to read the Bible. He secretly started reading it with much apprehension. One day he got an emergency call to come help with an elephant that had went rogue. Not sure how many rangers were hurt or killed but the situation became dire for himself as the elephant broke away from all the restraints and was charging him. Knowing he couldn’t outrun the elephant he saw his life flash before his eyes. And in that moment he thought of Jesus and the miracles he had read about and yelled at the elephant in the name of Jesus I command you to stop. He said it was as if someone grabbed the elephant and yet the elephant was still making every effort to break free and come after him yet it couldn’t. The other Rangers looked on in disbelief. One of the Rangers commented would have been better to die from the elephant than the hands of Allah. He fled his life there that night and never went back. Death is the sentence in third word countries if you turn away from Islam.

"It's okay though. God may love us, but God doesn't need us. Especially when we vote away rules for living which we societally speaking don't like. God is not a democracy. Government, schools, and parents may tread lightly on rules, but that doesn't change God. And because of that people decide it's easier not to believe than to be obedient."

This reminds me of a meme where it says, "It doesn't matter whether you think it's a sin or not. If God says it's a sin, it's a sin".

(09-17-2022 06:31 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  "It's okay though. God may love us, but God doesn't need us. Especially when we vote away rules for living which we societally speaking don't like. God is not a democracy. Government, schools, and parents may tread lightly on rules, but that doesn't change God. And because of that people decide it's easier not to believe than to be obedient."

This reminds me of a meme where it says, "It doesn't matter whether you think it's a sin or not. If God says it's a sin, it's a sin".

I get that attitude a lot from some people who say they reject God because they think He is evil for making us live under the current curse of sin and death. They brag they refuse to worship Him because He is evil and unfair.

I always ask them so your answer is to protest His decisions by burning in hell for all eternity? Solid logic there.

Imagine going before a judge when you know you are 100% guilty under the law. The judge is willing to suspend your sentence anyway if you just admit guilt and apologize, but you disagree with the law and so you tell the judge to piss off and to throw the book at you instead.

That's stupid and flat out insane.

(09-18-2022 01:31 AM)ericsrevenge76 Wrote:  

(09-17-2022 06:31 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  "It's okay though. God may love us, but God doesn't need us. Especially when we vote away rules for living which we societally speaking don't like. God is not a democracy. Government, schools, and parents may tread lightly on rules, but that doesn't change God. And because of that people decide it's easier not to believe than to be obedient."

This reminds me of a meme where it says, "It doesn't matter whether you think it's a sin or not. If God says it's a sin, it's a sin".

I get that attitude a lot from some people who say they reject God because they think He is evil for making us live under the current curse of sin and death. They brag they refuse to worship Him because He is evil and unfair.

I always ask them so your answer is to protest His decisions by burning in hell for all eternity? Solid logic there.

Imagine going before a judge when you know you are 100% guilty under the law. The judge is willing to suspend your sentence anyway if you just admit guilt and apologize, but you disagree with the law and so you tell the judge to piss off and to throw the book at you instead.

That's stupid and flat out insane.

Those who hate rules and law given to them that they may have life, better life, and abundant life by a loving God, and in lesser part by loving parents, and hate both God and parents as well as their rules and law, are insane Eric! The world is out to destroy you. To despise those who are working to bless and protect you is the essence of insanity, and of course stupidity.

(09-18-2022 01:40 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(09-18-2022 01:31 AM)ericsrevenge76 Wrote:  

(09-17-2022 06:31 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  "It's okay though. God may love us, but God doesn't need us. Especially when we vote away rules for living which we societally speaking don't like. God is not a democracy. Government, schools, and parents may tread lightly on rules, but that doesn't change God. And because of that people decide it's easier not to believe than to be obedient."

This reminds me of a meme where it says, "It doesn't matter whether you think it's a sin or not. If God says it's a sin, it's a sin".

I get that attitude a lot from some people who say they reject God because they think He is evil for making us live under the current curse of sin and death. They brag they refuse to worship Him because He is evil and unfair.

I always ask them so your answer is to protest His decisions by burning in hell for all eternity? Solid logic there.

Imagine going before a judge when you know you are 100% guilty under the law. The judge is willing to suspend your sentence anyway if you just admit guilt and apologize, but you disagree with the law and so you tell the judge to piss off and to throw the book at you instead.

That's stupid and flat out insane.

Those who hate rules and law given to them that they may have life, better life, and abundant life by a loving God, and in lesser part by loving parents, and hate both God and parents as well as their rules and law, are insane Eric! The world is out to destroy you. To despise those who are working to bless and protect you is the essence of insanity, and of course stupidity.

Exactly

(09-16-2022 10:43 PM)Todor Wrote:  Meanwhile, Russia has seen a massive resurgence of Christianity. Yet another way they are bad in the eyes of the Globalists.

https://brutalproof.net/2019/03/the-rise...blishment/

Every country has its own ebbs and flows according to its own history and unique circumstances.

That's right. I forgot about the resurgence in Russia.


Interestingly enough, when the Bolshevicks took over Russia one of the unintended byproducts was the preservation of new testament documents. There is a treasure trove of documents in Russian cathedrals.

Dan Wallace, founder of CSNTM (Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts)

https://vimeo.com/536047367





Maybe I'm not embedding the vimeo link properly.

(09-18-2022 01:46 PM)umbluegray Wrote:  

(09-16-2022 10:43 PM)Todor Wrote:  Meanwhile, Russia has seen a massive resurgence of Christianity. Yet another way they are bad in the eyes of the Globalists.

https://brutalproof.net/2019/03/the-rise...blishment/

Every country has its own ebbs and flows according to its own history and unique circumstances.

That's right. I forgot about the resurgence in Russia.


Interestingly enough, when the Bolshevicks took over Russia one of the unintended byproducts was the preservation of new testament documents. There is a treasure trove of documents in Russian cathedrals.

Dan Wallace, founder of CSNTM (Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts)

https://vimeo.com/536047367





Maybe I'm not embedding the vimeo link properly.

Everything is cyclical. The reason there are ‘Great Awakenings’ which are historical facts is because there were ‘Great Lapses’ previously and those can go on for a couple of generations.

The Bible mentions untold periods of the Israel falling away and going after other gods like Baal and others and then returning