The REAL Reason CONS have left or rarely post - Page 30

mizpeh · #**291** 07-24-2008, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I can see that it could happen, but that's not what AFF is for or there's no hidden agenda to do that.

To me this is a place for fellowship - - I'm not trying to sway anyone one way or the other!

We can give the cons a point because I haven't cut my hair since October - - does that mean they have influenced me?

Or I just like having longer hair now?

You grew it out for the wedding?

rgcraig · #**292** 07-24-2008, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StMark

i want every ultra con to see what you have allowed to happen!!!

So you are blaming the ultra cons for this because they weren't here to "uphold the truth" to sway this person?

rgcraig · #**293** 07-24-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mizpeh

You grew it out for the wedding?

I did, but I don't think I want to cut it now.

StMark · #**294** 07-24-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizzyde

In a word...NO!

Just a really bad analogy. Having honest conversation and challenging yourself to look at your faith and what you believe is no comparison to what you said. If our beliefs cannot stand up to being challenged, then we have no real beliefs.

i don't think it was a bad analogy
you just didn't get it - It's okay though DIZZY

StMark · #**295** 07-24-2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

So you are blaming the ultra cons for this because they weren't here to "uphold the truth" to sway this person?

Yes they are partly the blame

rgcraig · #**296** 07-24-2008, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deltaguitar

This forum has been a huge influence in helping me change my mind on many things. There is no better place to have discussions and logical debate because every word is documented and there are many sheriffs (experts) on both sides of almost any argument.

However, it was not the forum that started the changes in my life. I was already on my way to change. The forum just helped.

My sister sent me the entire audio from Dan Seagraves class at CLC on Romans and Galatians. Yes, I know that he is a three-stepper but the way he taught the class changed my life forever. I cried many times listening to him teach as I learned about the grace of God that I had somehow missed in my 20 plus years in the UPC. This got me to really thinking about other issues that I had always been taught.

See, I loved my pentecostal heritage and the fact that we were a separate people. I loved the worship and at the same time I was searching for a spiritual breakthrough that I thought I needed in order to be saved. Yes, I had been in the UPC all my life, played guitar on the platform, and followed every standard and rule. But I was dead inside.

I just couldn't keep defending a belief system that didn't line up, in my opinion. I wouldn't witness and invited people to church knowing that what was going to be preached didn't line up with what I had read in the bible. Now, I also have some of the best teachers as parents and they knew our oneness beliefs better than any so I was not someone who was easily swayed. I came searching for something else.

So, while I came to this forum looking for answers. I was looking for certain answers that lined up with what I knew had to be true.

I found out about Christianity Without The Cross, I learned that I could still be a pentecostal and still believe in salvation by faith alone. I found other websites like ChristianChallenge.org and InChristAlone.org. All these together along with my wanting a change brought about a huge change in my life. Much larger than I ever though possible.

I firmly believe that there are many young people in the UPC and other oneness organizations who are looking for the same things I was looking for.

Yes, many minds are being assisted in their search for change. It won't be long and the ideas that we are debating here will be debated withing the UPC and other organizations.

Also, there has been one huge change in my life in that last year I left the UPC as a result of a church split. Once I was out of the mothership I wanted to have nothing ever to do with the UPC again. In a few years, it is possible that my only connection withe the UPC will be this forum.

Catch this too, Mark?

deltaguitar · #**297** 07-24-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Thanks Deltaman!!!!

This is exactly what I've been trying to say and it's not a bad thing either!

I would like to think because you found others that "think" like you might have saved you from completely walking away..........just a thought.

I was so close from walking away from everything, not God, but all the crazyness.

What the conservatives don't understand is that there is so much pressure inside our movement for those that grow up in it that it is very hard to leave. I went to a UPC school so everybody I knew in the world was UPC. When you leave you have to realize that you will be called a charismatic, rumors will fly (some of them will be true), and your family won't talk to you as much and they will get defensive.

Thank you DA, Sam, Craziehome, and others who have helped me in my journey.

RandyWayne · #**298** 07-24-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StMark

I think it's time to come clean about this issue. I know a lot of
you are going to find what I have to say unbelievable
perhaps my bluntness makes it hard to swallow, but I am dead serious about this.

Here are the real reasons why many Cons have left, formed
other groups and rarely come around anymore. Now, please
don't attack me. I'm just telling WHY. I just want your comments
and hopefully some good honest interaction...

Welcome to the information age!

For years the church and the pastor were beyond reproach. You simply didn't question them unless you were in a state of rebellion -which is of course as the sin of witchcraft. Dontchya know!

On a board like this, every poster is an individual who is not speaking for their church, but for themselves and their own beliefs. And lo and behold, people are finding that they are not the only ones who think a certain way! Glory be!

So what happens when you have a bunch of "conservative via way of tradition" men (and women) who see this? Why they think the sky is falling and that the entire org is reprobate and thus the feelings of superiority become even greater at being one of the few, the remnant, the chosen ones via way of their 1950's traditions. Ever wonder how an ultra con sleeps? Probably pretty durn good considering they most likely leave feeling like they were just persecuted for Christs sake.