Why Are You Christian ?

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by trialedbyfire

Why am I christian?

...Because Hell is hot.

(it's gettin' hot in here...)

[UltimateUltraConservative]

Originally Posted by Questioner

Was born into it, into a UPC preacher's family. Never understood it. Played along until I was old enough to get away by getting a job and working all the time so that I could miss church.

At an early age, I realized that if you ask any hard questions the answer was, "Have you asked God about it?".

Let's try it with a simple question: God, what does 2 plus 2 equal?........

Silence?

At some point, I realized that if I wanted any answers I would have to find them myself. Plus, not being a masochist, I never understood going to church since it seems to be where people go because they enjoy being yelled at multiple times a week and told how worthless they are... and how that they are never doing enough... and that they are supposed to give all of their money to the church so that they can never get ahead and will always struggle financially and can remain in a co-dependent relationship with the church.

Oh wait, the question was, "Why am I a Christian?" Oops...

Oh wow! I feel so bad for you and the experience you had. This makes me realize all the more how blessed I am and thankful for the teachings I've received. I've never been made to feel worthless or that I wasn't doing enough...and if I ever felt that way, it was because (sometimes I JUST feel like this and sometimes it's because I've sinned) I felt unworthy/undeserving of God's love and mercy and can't believe sometimes that He would/could love me so unconditionally, or that I felt like I wasn't doing enough in the kingdom of God and wanted to do more.

Experiences like yours make me hurt...I can't imagine what I'd feel if it had happened to me.

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by Questioner

Was born into it, into a UPC preacher's family. Never understood it...
Oh wait, the question was, "Why am I a Christian?" Oops...

A big amen.
"Seek your own salvation..."

I can't tell you how jealous I am,
experiences like yours give me hope,
etcetc.

Still love you, UUC.

[UltimateUltraConservative]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

A big amen.
"Seek your own salvation..."

I can't tell you how jealous I am,
experiences like yours give me hope,
etcetc.

Still love you, UUC.

Aww! Love you too, bbyrd. I hope you find it.

[Dordrecht]

Originally Posted by endtimer

Im Christian because nearly 19 years ago Jesus saved me from the sins of my past, present and gave me power to overcome sins of my future. It was Jesus who saved me from alcoholism. It was Jesus who stopped me from committing suicide. It was Jesus who freed me from guilt and severe depression. It was Jesus who saved me from the hate, hurt and bitterness I had. It was Jesus who gave me a hope for the future. Let me answer the skeptics and the cynics as to how I know it was Jesus... they preached Jesus, the power of the cross and even in my agnosticism I simply responded to what I felt and heard. With my repentance came instantaneous relief from the immense burden of guilt I had (I was quite wicked). With my baptism in His name came a clean slate and with His holy Spirit came immediate power to overcome my addictions. Im Christian today because I tried Him and He worked. Still does.

That sums it up very well.
Thanks for posting for both of us!

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by UltimateUltraConservative

Aww! Love you too, bbyrd. I hope you find it.

Ty. I found it!

anybody remember that one?

[Jermyn Davidson]

I am a Christian because Jesus won't let me go.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Questioner

At some point, I realized that if I wanted any answers I would have to find them myself. Plus, not being a masochist, I never understood going to church since it seems to be where people go because they enjoy being yelled at multiple times a week and told how worthless they are... and how that they are never doing enough... and that they are supposed to give all of their money to the church so that they can never get ahead and will always struggle financially and can remain in a co-dependent relationship with the church.

Oh wait, the question was, "Why am I a Christian?" Oops...

You must have been born in my region.

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by UltimateUltraConservative

Aww! Love you too, bbyrd. I hope you find it.

But really, UUC? You don't think your complex is showing here, just a little?

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

You must have been born in my region.

Oh, c'mon--they're every region...they're just doing what they think best, and revealing _______ premises; think your parents on steroids or something.