Cults - Page 8

NotforSale · #71 07-03-2014, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILG

Yes I am very opposed to the lack of assurance. My assurance was actually stolen by the doctrine that Jesus name must be pronounced over you by a preacher. Scripturally, it seemed right, but really wasn't. It took me many years to overcome that. That was cult-like, yes. I see cults on a spectrum. Some religions are severe, some are marginally cult like. I see OP groups as marginally cult-like and some of the churches are not evidenced by some of the people I have met who attend some OP churches. And some are very cult-like evidenced by other folks.

Because of my early age of being exposed to the Fear Based dogmas of our Religion, I had many insecurities when I was a pastor. You mention baptism, and I would fear that if I didn't completely submerge the person being baptized, I would risk the persons soul.

This is so sad. I can't believe what a fool I was. God had a club, and he would use it. This was bondage, not liberty, nor was it even natural. Animals had more moral understanding than me.

NotforSale · #72 07-03-2014, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrotherEastman

Jesus preached about hell, so did Paul.

You're not answering my question. Who is going to Hell?

We can get into a discussion about HOW Hell ended up in our Bible, but that is a lengthy debate.

Religion is the reason, and Christianity came from Rome, where Paul was a citizen. The Textus Receptus is written in Greek, John the Revelator received his vision on the island of Patmos, a Greek island known for the abuse of hallucinogenics , and the Catholic Church is the predominate influence of who we are today in the Christian World.

Whether we like it or not, Roman Culture and idolatry is deep seeded into the Christian Faith.

http://entheology.com/peoples/revela...hdelic-vision/

ILG · #73 07-03-2014, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotforSale

I agree. Religion and Spirituality are totally separate. You do mention the word that brings this whole point together, for me; measure. Reaping what you Sow is a measurement. Everyone should experience growing things to learn about life and themselves.

Believing in Hell is not a measurement, it's an unproven Religious dogma that came from primitive Cultures long before Christianity to posses and control people with fear. This does not conform to Nature and the Laws within it, and makes absolutely no Scientific or Humane sense.

Yes, I am not sure there is a hell as modern Christians define it. I hope not.

ILG · #74 07-03-2014, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotforSale

I agree. Take Hell out of the equation and what's left? The Truth.

ILG · #75 07-03-2014, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotforSale

Because of my early age of being exposed to the Fear Based dogmas of our Religion, I had many insecurities when I was a pastor. You mention baptism, and I would fear that if I didn't completely submerge the person being baptized, I would risk the persons soul.

This is so sad. I can't believe what a fool I was. God had a club, and he would use it. This was bondage, not liberty, nor was it even natural. Animals had more moral understanding than me.

I had more fear while I was in the church than at any other time in my life, including when I was smoking pot and drinking. And the pot caused paranoia. But I had no idea what the church dogma would cause. I still want to go to church (a church not OP) and I still want to believe. But I really struggle with it now. One thing I know....when I repented, I was set free, when I was baptized in the titles, I was cleansed. Yes! I could feel it all through me! (When I was baptized with the pastor saying Jesus over me I felt nothing because there was nothing left to wash away) and when I spoke in tongues it was magnificent. Beyond that, I have had many wonderful spiritual experiences. But I don't really know what to do with it all now.

n david · #76 07-03-2014, 01:15 PM

Take hell out of the equation and people can do whatever they want with no fear of judgment. I guess God expelling Adam and Eve from the garden was a heavenly clerical error. Oops, there's probably no heaven either, right?

n david · #77 07-03-2014, 01:17 PM

That whole "narrow is the way" vs "wide" was just a bunch of malarkey, too.

NotforSale · #78 07-03-2014, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILG

I had more fear while I was in the church than at any other time in my life, including when I was smoking pot and drinking. And the pot caused paranoia. But I had no idea what the church dogma would cause. I still want to go to church (a church not OP) and I still want to believe. But I really struggle with it now. One thing I know....when I repented, I was set free, when I was baptized in the titles, I was cleansed. Yes! I could feel it all through me! (When I was baptized with the pastor saying Jesus over me I felt nothing because there was nothing left to wash away) and when I spoke in tongues it was magnificent. Beyond that, I have had many wonderful spiritual experiences. But I don't really know what to do with it all now.

I totally understand your dilemma. My wife and I are also "Deprogramming" from years of Religion and its clutches. I've also spoken with others who have done the same thing and nothing but time is on our side. What I find very troubling is, the films that I posted also included people who struggled to leave those Faiths because of being so bound by them.

The journey is a long one, but a worthy one. In time, you won't pass by the man in the ditch, but you will be the outcast who truly helped someone when they are in need.

I don't miss going to Church, one bit. I find Church a place where bondage is waiting, not liberty, where performance is gauged by all, during insignificant gatherings of indulged emotion which doesn't represent the outside World and the realities we really face in life.

I'm not saying all Churches fit this niche, but the over-emotional Religions can be the worst to escape.

NotforSale · #79 07-03-2014, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n david

Take hell out of the equation and people can do whatever they want with no fear of judgment. I guess God expelling Adam and Eve from the garden was a heavenly clerical error. Oops, there's probably no heaven either, right?

Hell and Heaven didn't exist at that time. At least according to the Bible.

NotforSale · #80 07-03-2014, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n david

That whole "narrow is the way" vs "wide" was just a bunch of malarkey, too.

Yep, and I left the Broad Way of Religion for the Narrow Way of life and truth. You want to talk about being persecuted, I'm more persecuted now than when I decided to become an Apostolic. Very strange how that happened...

The Religious are the dangerous ones in the World.