Anyone on the verge of leaving Christianity? For nothing or another religion.

[Molearner]

Originally Posted by candyfloss28

I'm thinking about it as it is not working for me.

candyfloss28,

First question.....have you tried Christianity? G.K. Chesterton said....."The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried". I offer this because I believe the focus of this discussion is errant. People are focusing on beliefs rather than focusing on practices. Brought to mind are the virtues that Christianity emphasizes....i.e. love, forgiveness, mercy, generosity, understanding, humility, etc.

No one will be eulogized for the great beliefs they had in life....the facts that they believed in the resurrection, that Jesus really lived, baptism by immersion, that Saturday is the real Sabbath, that they had a great and powerful ego, that they were really good at judging others, etc. Instead they will be remembered for what they practiced on a daily and regular basis.

When we are tempted to dismiss Christianity it is usually because we have noticed that professing 'Christians' fail to live up to the ideals they profess and when we judge others----given that we have the knowledge of what they supposedly believe----a microscopic view will reveal their shortcomings. This would apply to any religion or belief system. People simply fall short of the ideal when it is defined by beliefs. It is how we practice anything and how we have interacted others that will define our legacy.

[JosephineB]

Originally Posted by Molearner

candyfloss28,

First question.....have you tried Christianity? G.K. Chesterton said....."The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried". I offer this because I believe the focus of this discussion is errant. People are focusing on beliefs rather than focusing on practices. Brought to mind are the virtues that Christianity emphasizes....i.e. love, forgiveness, mercy, generosity, understanding, humility, etc.

No one will be eulogized for the great beliefs they had in life....the facts that they believed in the resurrection, that Jesus really lived, baptism by immersion, that Saturday is the real Sabbath, that they had a great and powerful ego, that they were really good at judging others, etc. Instead they will be remembered for what they practiced on a daily and regular basis.

When we are tempted to dismiss Christianity it is usually because we have noticed that professing 'Christians' fail to live up to the ideals they profess and when we judge others----given that we have the knowledge of what they supposedly believe----a microscopic view will reveal their shortcomings. This would apply to any religion or belief system. People simply fall short of the ideal when it is defined by beliefs. It is how we practice anything and how we have interacted others that will define our legacy.

Well said. But do we need any kind of label attached to these practices. Just do it! And I don't mean you in particular btw.

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by Molearner

candyfloss28,

First question.....have you tried Christianity? G.K. Chesterton said....."The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried". I offer this because I believe the focus of this discussion is errant. People are focusing on beliefs rather than focusing on practices. Brought to mind are the virtues that Christianity emphasizes....i.e. love, forgiveness, mercy, generosity, understanding, humility, etc.

No one will be eulogized for the great beliefs they had in life....the facts that they believed in the resurrection, that Jesus really lived, baptism by immersion, that Saturday is the real Sabbath, that they had a great and powerful ego, that they were really good at judging others, etc. Instead they will be remembered for what they practiced on a daily and regular basis.

When we are tempted to dismiss Christianity it is usually because we have noticed that professing 'Christians' fail to live up to the ideals they profess and when we judge others----given that we have the knowledge of what they supposedly believe----a microscopic view will reveal their shortcomings. This would apply to any religion or belief system. People simply fall short of the ideal when it is defined by beliefs. It is how we practice anything and how we have interacted others that will define our legacy.

I find all religions interesting. What we 'see' on the surface is not what the religion originally stood for.

[Molearner]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

I find all religions interesting. What we 'see' on the surface is not what the religion originally stood for.

So true. I must agre with that.

[sentient]

In my heart I only know one Church – the embodiment of Christ, where we ALL … Christians, Indigenous, Wilderness ….. found our belonging, our “unified home” ….. in One Love - in One Sacred Reality – in One Spirit.

Love from the bottom of my heart and Gratitude:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsxxJNpZtHA
(Kinda fitting the Crow came in to sing as well).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG5gEzymh5c

*

Originally Posted by Molearner

candyfloss28,

First question.....have you tried Christianity? G.K. Chesterton said....."The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried". I offer this because I believe the focus of this discussion is errant. People are focusing on beliefs rather than focusing on practices. Brought to mind are the virtues that Christianity emphasizes....i.e. love, forgiveness, mercy, generosity, understanding, humility, etc.

No one will be eulogized for the great beliefs they had in life....the facts that they believed in the resurrection, that Jesus really lived, baptism by immersion, that Saturday is the real Sabbath, that they had a great and powerful ego, that they were really good at judging others, etc. Instead they will be remembered for what they practiced on a daily and regular basis.

When we are tempted to dismiss Christianity it is usually because we have noticed that professing 'Christians' fail to live up to the ideals they profess and when we judge others----given that we have the knowledge of what they supposedly believe----a microscopic view will reveal their shortcomings. This would apply to any religion or belief system. People simply fall short of the ideal when it is defined by beliefs. It is how we practice anything and how we have interacted others that will define our legacy.

Well expressed, as usual.

Thanks for the key perspective/s here.

JL

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

I find all religions interesting. What we 'see' on the surface is not what the religion originally stood for.

That is such a great point ! It's fascinating to watch the progression of various religions from what they "originally stood for" to what they have become.

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by Molearner

candyfloss28,

First question.....have you tried Christianity? G.K. Chesterton said....."The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried". I offer this because I believe the focus of this discussion is errant. People are focusing on beliefs rather than focusing on practices. Brought to mind are the virtues that Christianity emphasizes....i.e. love, forgiveness, mercy, generosity, understanding, humility, etc.

No one will be eulogized for the great beliefs they had in life....the facts that they believed in the resurrection, that Jesus really lived, baptism by immersion, that Saturday is the real Sabbath, that they had a great and powerful ego, that they were really good at judging others, etc. Instead they will be remembered for what they practiced on a daily and regular basis.

When we are tempted to dismiss Christianity it is usually because we have noticed that professing 'Christians' fail to live up to the ideals they profess and when we judge others----given that we have the knowledge of what they supposedly believe----a microscopic view will reveal their shortcomings. This would apply to any religion or belief system. People simply fall short of the ideal when it is defined by beliefs. It is how we practice anything and how we have interacted others that will define our legacy.

You are so right that it's all about the PRACTICE !

[sky]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

You are so right that it's all about the PRACTICE !

And practice comes from your beliefs

If you believe everything written in the OT as many do then your beliefs encourage your practice to be very unloving towards some....

Practice what you preach comes to mind.

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by Still_Waters

That is such a great point ! It's fascinating to watch the progression of various religions from what they "originally stood for" to what they have become.

Also look at the core teachings of each religion: they all seem to be saying the same thing.