First let me explain. I grew up in a Christian family. My mother taught Sunday school. My father, before he left us, was studying to be a minister. They were Baptist. As a child, I cursed God many times. He let my father leave. We didn't know from one day to the next if we were going to eat. Three of us kids split one small can of Campbell's soup, and that was our supper. But at least we had something.
Then worse things happened as I grew into a teenager and young adult. Even through all of this, I kept my faith. I went searching for the truth. I went to Baptist churches, Nazarine churches, Catholic, Episcople, Protestant, and other Christian churches. I found it rather odd that each church had members who basically told me I would go to hell if I didn't believe in their religion.
Wow, what a frightened young lady I was. I desperately tried to figure out which church I should be in. They were all different, and I sure as heck didn't want to go to hell. This meant to me that only one of the churches was the right one, and all the rest had followers that were lying to me. Hmm, and they were Christians?
That's when I decided to quit going to church. I realized that these church-goers didn't know the truth, even though they were trying to preach it to me. I began to read the Bible for myself. What I found out was everything I had heard being preached so far about the Bible had been taken out of context. Many people read it to find messages. I read it for what it is worth. I read the words to hear the story. I have a different concept of the Bible, which I am not about to discuss in this article.
After reading the Bible, I decided that I wasn't actually a Christian. I believe there was actually a person, named Jesus Christ, that he was a great person, and a wonderful example to many. He stood up for what he believed in, and never let anyone convince him otherwise, even to his death. That is admirable, and definitely worthy of praise.
However, I am not a Christian. I am not alone, either. There are many wonderful people who practice different religions. I am a spiritualist. Others are Buddhists. There are Jehovas Witnesses, and the list goes on. The members of these religions are not Christian. Does this make them horrible people who must rot in hell? Does this make them "the anti-Christ?"
Well, no and yes. Having a different religion does not make them bad people. But, yes, techincally they are the "anti-Christ". To a non-Christian, being called an anti-Christ really doesn''t (or shouldn't) mean a thing. I mean, if I am not Christian, wouldn't that make me ANTI-Christ? If not, then why do Christians use the term to curse a non-Christian?
My message to Christians who want to quickly judge and call us non-believers the anti-Christ, go ahead. I am not a Christian, so it doesn't bother me at all. I still love you for who you are. That is what is important to me.
*I do not judge anyone based on their religion. I do not preach any religion. I accept everyone. So, please accept non-Christians for who they are, not for what you want them to be.
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Comments: 35
There is much to discuss on this post; wonder where it will go?
accept Jesus as your personal Saviour.
Without Him, I would be lost.
I am a sinner saved by HIS precious blood.
God Bless You. :)
I've never heard a sermon preached on these topics: Gossip, gluttony, self-love (except where it obliquely referred to masturbation, which is, of course, a 'sin') or not judging others. Strangely enough, these are the things that seem to afflict our society in the most detrimental way...the media abounds with 'celebrity gossip', obesity is a HUGE problem, and the mindset of our country (USA for those overseas) seems to be "it's all about me".
Not to say that other sermons I HAVE heard preached had a positive effect either. But that's a whole 'nother post.
Why I no longer go to church either....I'm not 'anti-Christian' I'm 'anti-religion'. (And Southern Baptist is one of them).
I don't judge people. People have rights to believe what they want to believe.
And to tell you the truth, I don't even know what type of christian group or church I belong to. But I do believe in God.
Here’s another kicker, you may or may not know about a year ago I had a cancerous tumor removed and then had to undergo chemo (all reports since then have been good) and throughout that entire time I never questioned my faith. Others around me did theirs, but I was secure that whatever was to be would be. Further, I didn’t go through the stages of grief, I never felt anger for what I was going through. Something inside of me just knew that this cancer was my destiny and that although it sucked (losing my hair still irritates me… I hate short hair with a passion) that it was really a blessing. In fact, the first thought that popped into my head when told I had cancer was that it was a blessing. Think, all of these positive emotions and no organized religion in sight.
With all of that said, I will add that I did appreciate people’s prayers because even though they weren’t my belief system, it was theirs, and their positive efforts for me were duly noted.
Labeling anyone who is not a Christian an Anti-Christ is dangerously blinding in my view. First off; the neutral, lukewarm or apathetic people are not an imminent threat, such as a zealous opponent would be, or is; and, second, treating the lukewarm, neutral or apathetic as if they are imminent threats can push them toward becoming zealous opponents. What's the point of making enemies where there were none before?
By the words and tone of this article, I would have to say, Tammara, that you are not really an Anti-Christ. IMHO
On Gather there's only one antichrist, John A, the Antichrist. :)
Tamara, I don't agree that not being a Christian makes us "anti-Christs". Not believing something doesn't mean you're against something. Of course, you're right that it's no big deal to us to be called that (provided we don't live in a Christian theocracy), but it does tell us something about the person who calls us such names. It's useful to note who those Christians are (it's a minority), and then move on.
I started public school the following fall and never wanted to go to church again.
At this point in life, I really do not believe in much (for a religion that is)... I do believe in being a moral and honest person, and being kind to others.
Always seek truth.
I'm sure glad we live where freedom to say what we are either thinking or feeling is allowed. How about you?
I pray sometimes and think 'do unto others' covers most of my actions. When financially able to............ I support my Community church......... because IT supports and welcomes EVERYONE................no exceptions, no limitations.
Jesus of Nazareth had many wonderful things to say. We can all learn something from those things he said.
Suppose you had a friend--call him Igor. Do you think anyone else you know (or don't) could have the exact same relationship with Igor that you do? And if no two relationships are the same, how can any religion be a one-size-fits-all? Each of us should follow his own spiritual path, whether Hindu, atheist, Unitarian, or even Christian.
--from a recovering baptist, and happy pagan
I was raised Catholic and rejected that by age 10. I've tried several other religions and decided that they all were just subsets of something else. Lots of similaries, but vehement in the differences. My theory is that the truth should be liberating, not oppressive, encouraging, not restrictive, loving, not hate-filled. People who believe in and follow the truth should be happy people, kind to others and secure in their own self-worth (not the kind of people to name call, tear down other people, etc.)
Some of the worst people I've ever known were deeply into organized religion, so I've rejected that. I'm keeping my mind open.
Some of the more rabid Christian religions I've come across do some of the meanest things ... for example, devout Christians who disown their own children because they do things they don't approve of (like being gay, marrying someone of another color, etc.) I've been publically made fun of by an adult while I was a child ... by a "devout" Catholic. There was a LOT of cruelty in the Catholic households I knew.
Real religion should be uplifting, not crushing to the spirit OR condemning.