For those who want to know...RULES at my church!

[Thad]

Originally Posted by Michlow

Non-fundamentalist Christianity?



I honestly don't know if I will ever get to that point, or if I even WANT to get to that point. I do have 3 people that I trust implicitly and discuss spiritual issues with them. 2 of them are ex-UPC'ers that have been through similar experiences to mine, but are further along on the road to healing. The 3rd is still technically UPC, but along the lines of how I was for the last year or so before I left; not ready to leave, but not willing to play by the "rules" either.
I guess I never thought of them as being "suicidal" thoughts, but definitely along the lines of "God, since I can't seem to be everything you want me to be, and since I can't stand the thought of living the next 50 years in this miserable state, just kill me now..."
What you call flashbacks, I call triggers, and they seem to be hidden everywhere, christian music, the Bible, church, even on AFF (which is why I usually only show up once a month or so when I am unaccountably bored)

So how do you define "non-fundamental" ? like " mainline denominational" or what ?

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by Thad

So how do you define "non-fundamental" ? like " mainline denominational" or what ?

When I think of fundamentalist Christianity, I think of those who claim to have the only and ultimate truth, and who send everyone else who is not in their little group to hell.

This includes, but is not limited to most conservative Christian denominations, and politically the religious right.

As for denominations and such, I pretty much scorn organized religion as a whole.

Though I might consider myself unorthodox or "out of the box", you and 99% of the people on this board would probably prefer the following labels:

Backslidden
Reprobate
Sinner
Deceived
Apostate
Fool
Heretic

Feel free to use whichever one you feel is most descriptive

[Thad]

Originally Posted by Michlow

When I think of fundamentalist Christianity, I think of those who claim to have the only and ultimate truth, and who send everyone else who is not in their little group to hell.
This includes, but is not limited to most conservative Christian denominations, and politically the religious right.
As for denominations and such, I pretty much scorn organized religion as a whole.
Though I might consider myself unorthodox or "out of the box", you and 99% of the people on this board would probably prefer the following labels:
Backslidden
Reprobate
Sinner
Deceived
Apostate
Fool
Heretic

Feel free to use whichever one you feel is most descriptive

So where does this place your belief system specifically? how is one saved outside of christianity ? what is the opposite of organized religion?

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by Thad

So where does this place your belief system specifically? how is one saved outside of christianity ? what is the opposite of organized religion?

One is not saved by Christianity, either inside or outside of it. One is saved by Jesus, period.

The opposite of organized religion would be disorganized religion

For me, it simply means that I have no desire to be involved in an organization, denomination, congregation, or church.

I view faith as an individual thing that is between one and the Lord. I think the modern church has put entirely too much power in the hands of others, whether due to laziness, or just because that is what they were taught to do.

Additionally, I am of the opinion that once a group of believers gets organized and starts to set up leadership and structure, they tend to get off track. Eventually their main concerns seem to be about money, programs, and building bigger buildings, as well as having a little spiritual country club with those who think exactly like them.

I am not denying their right to do those things, I just don't want to be a part of it.

Originally Posted by Michlow

One is not saved by Christianity, either inside or outside of it. One is saved by Jesus, period.

The opposite of organized religion would be disorganized religion

For me, it simply means that I have no desire to be involved in an organization, denomination, congregation, or church.

I view faith as an individual thing that is between one and the Lord. I think the modern church has put entirely too much power in the hands of others, whether due to laziness, or just because that is what they were taught to do.

Additionally, I am of the opinion that once a group of believers gets organized and starts to set up leadership and structure, they tend to get off track. Eventually their main concerns seem to be about money, programs, and building bigger buildings, as well as having a little spiritual country club with those who think exactly like them.

I am not denying their right to do those things, I just don't want to be a part of it.

This my girl is an excellent post.....you hit it right on the head!

Originally Posted by Michlow

When I think of fundamentalist Christianity, I think of those who claim to have the only and ultimate truth, and who send everyone else who is not in their little group to hell.

This includes, but is not limited to most conservative Christian denominations, and politically the religious right.

As for denominations and such, I pretty much scorn organized religion as a whole.

Though I might consider myself unorthodox or "out of the box", you and 99% of the people on this board would probably prefer the following labels:

Backslidden
Reprobate
Sinner
Deceived
Apostate
Fool
Heretic

Feel free to use whichever one you feel is most descriptive

I have been called all those.....

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by Michlow

When I think of fundamentalist Christianity, I think of those who claim to have the only and ultimate truth, and who send everyone else who is not in their little group to hell.

This includes, but is not limited to most conservative Christian denominations, and politically the religious right.

As for denominations and such, I pretty much scorn organized religion as a whole.

You did a pretty good job of describing this. I was trying to work out how to say what it means to me and was coming up empty. lol

Originally Posted by Michlow

Though I might consider myself unorthodox or "out of the box", you and 99% of the people on this board would probably prefer the following labels:

Backslidden
Reprobate
Sinner
Deceived
Apostate
Fool
Heretic

Feel free to use whichever one you feel is most descriptive

Hmph. I'd hope no one would use any of those after reading your posts. But I know there are those who will. I really hope you're 99% figure is extremely high. But again I know it's probably not that far off.

How about:
Hurting
Seeking
Sheltered
Wandering (not all that wander are lost..I love that bumper sticker..lol)
Wondering
Finding. You will find. What, I don't know. But you will.