Shut Up!! I'm Not Going To Hell!!

We are all entitled to find out what/where we want to go. I'm notorious for saying, like the bible, where two or more are gathered in my name, there I'll be also.
Great way of letting us all know about you & your reguards to churches. I am not currently going to church because of some of the same reasons that you stated. Thank you.

I dont go to church because i am a catholic , I am 38 years old and they still scare me, if you missed church when i was a child you got terrorised off the teachers at school. Like you I think everybody is equal, and I hated my mum for making me go every week when she didnt, .........shudder......bad memeories x

oops, memories, lol see your making me dither lol x

This is one of the funniest articles I have ever read, and BRAVO for your guts for yelling back at that minister and for standing up to that church later. Although I am spiritual, church doesn't work for me, either.

I don't go to church but I am spiritual, a gathering can be in a church or among like minded people. Or you can can your own communication with your higher power.

It is not God that is off it is the doctrine and each church has a different one, and then how people interpret that doctrine. Some never get it right, and some do from the start. I choose my faith after all these years of going to different churches by believing in myself and my power of discernment and deciding in my heart what I feel is right.

Right on Carolyn! I cannot stand the hypocracy of many folks in the mainstream churches. They say one thing, but behave as if they never knew about it. As well, the way preachers carry on sometimes, it is just disgraceful and I'm sure our Lord is having a fit! Not only do they turn the words of the Bible around to suit themselves, but they are not the least bit embarrassed to ask for more and more money. I would much rather commune with my Lord in the privacy of my own home.

Carolyn, although I laughed through much of your story, I can so relate to your experience. I've had similar ones. But back in 1987 I discovered a Unity church and now I'm a Unity minister. This is truly a church of non-judgment and acceptance. You are not preached at, talked down to, or called "sinners". People are lifted up and not put down. If you'd like to find a Unity church, check out this web site. www.unity.org .

OMG!! What kind of church did your sister take you to? Do you remember that? How scary for a little kid.

I was raised Catholic (still practicing and raising our son the same way) but we went and stayed with relatives who were Baptist and I remember going to church with them and the preacher yelling about people going to Hell.

Now maybe you can feel better since you let it all out !!!

Go girl....

First off... Since I have moved to where I live now almost 14 years ago... I have not gone back to church unless it was for a death or a marriage... And honestly that is the only time I am planning on returing again... Although I do want to get married in a Catholic church and need to finish a few steps before I can actually get married in it... I find church to be freakin scary as hell... And I know as well as you I am not going to hell... If I was I would have alreadly been dead... I could have died three times alreadly...

I thoroughly believe that Jesus is somewhere shaking his head and wondering how it all went so incredibly wrong. I love Jesus, just have problems with his fan club.

Thank you for all the comments. I was hoping that people would disagree with me, tell me that it was just me that felt that way. I can see that it isn't just me that experiences these things. Carla I'm glad that you found a good Church to go to. A few years ago, I became a Universal Life Church Minister on the internet. I keep daydreaming about starting my own Church, but to be honest with you, I just don't have the energy anymore.

I agree with your decision. I have found that most people in church want to be with their own kind and really don't want to deal with anyone different. I don't worry about it much but it was difficult when I was younger.

You're right Joe, I just wish they were more tolerant of people and learn not to judge everyone.

I always believe that it's best not to judge another person because one never knows who they might miss out on. Some of the best people come in untidy packages. I told the story of the man who came to my father's wake in blue jeans. He wanted to tell my mother about how my Dad introduced him to the woman he married. It was just another layer of Dad that we all needed to hear.

I have had mostly positive experiences at church. I've been a member of one church since 1965. Obviously, I like it or I wouldn't still be going. The people have never been judgemental or non-welcoming to anyone. I also do not pass judgement on whatever faults they have...since we all have our' faults. It doesn't make us hypocrites...we're all human so there are bound to be imperfections in each and every one of us...everyone has their' own demons to contend with. I have moved away at times and had to go to a different church, but, I have never stopped being a member of my home church. I'm sorry that you have had such negative things happen to you in churches throughout your' life. It reflects badly on all churches. I for one would never laugh at something embarrassing that happens to another person. If I see some one slip or fall I try to avert my eyes somewhere else to make it seem like I didn't see it...I know how embarrassed a person feels and I would certainly never, ever laugh at them. Again, my experiences in church have been, over 40 years, mostly positives and nothing really negative. We all have different experiences and react accordingly.

That is so true about some of the best people come in untidy packages. I remember hearing about a preacher who wanted to make just that point to his congregation. He dressed in dirty rags and poured booze all over himself. He wore a long wig that he teased to make it look all tangled and snarly. He then put on a ratty, stinking, dirty ass coat. He laid down in front of the doors to the church before anyone got there. As people showed up for church they noticed this man and stepped over him to get in the door. Several of the people were making ugly remarks about the filthy bum laying in the doorway. He waited till everyone had taken their seats, then he walked in and went up to the podium. He took off the wig and everyone gasped. He then said, "I don't think I have to tell you what todays sermon is about."

Thank you Felix, I'm so glad to hear about some of the good churches out there.

Honey, I am with you all the way! I tried every church imaginable. I agree it works for lots of folks, but not for me.
I worship the Lord every second of every day by obeying the law, doing as Jesus would do, giving to others and being kind. No offence to churchgoers, but Jesus was a simple man, when He said "church" - He didn't mean an edifice somewhere - He mean WE are His church - we people who believe. It is possible to be a good Christian in your own home. I don't need to go to a certain spot to worship the dear Lord, who gave me life not once but three times. I believe some people need the 'social' atmosphere of a building and like-minded folks. I believe I worship him when I buy a meal for a homeless kid, or speak kindly to the mentally people who are on our streets.

Thank you Sherry, very well said. I'm curious, what did you mean when you said he gave you life three times?

yes going to hell fer this article missy and I'll see you there!

Carolyn, thank you, thank you, thank you!

I don't believe in going to church, I feel that if I want to talk to God, He can hear me whether I am in a church, in my home, in a park, wherever. He created us, and it is my belief that He does not need us to be in a church to talk to Him. I am a former Roman Catholic and do not embrace alot of the beliefs that were shoved down my throat as a child. I also had an issue with my bio father being welcomed back as a communicant and serving at the altar after he had been divorced 2 times. I also did not appreciate the Church turning their backs on my mom after she divorced my bio father, telling her that she was a liar and was slandering a good Christian man. (I don't know about you, but I think breaking 2 of the Top 10 would not keep you in good graces.) jmho

roxanne leaves the room, dropping 2 pennies in the jar on the way out

Am not Travis! LOL!

You're welcome Roxanne. I too believe that we don't have to go to church to be close to God.

Carolyn...my heart goes out to you. I have had many of these same experiences. When I was around 14 years old, I went to a Primitive Baptist church with my best friend, and it scared the wits out of me. The preacher was yelling and carrying on. He was also pointing at people telling them they were going to hell..even the little children who he had crying. I was apalled.

Other churches I have went to have also treated people a certain way based on the way they looked, and the clothing they wore. This I also found apalling. Jesus would not turn these people away.

I am happy to say that a little over a year ago, I found a church that is like a second home to me. People wear exactly what they want....jeans, flip flops, WHATEVER. Nobody is looked down upon. Everyone is welcomed with love, and treated equally. This church is one that reaches out to the least and the lost of the world. We work in the inner city and reach out to the poor. That is our focus. Our focus is to reach out to help others...and to love them....for no other reason than because that is what God wants us to do. There ARE good churches out there, but it takes some investigating. And it pains me how many people are truly hurt by Christians who preach love. I agree that one does not have to go to church to love God and to be a Christian. Sometimes the fellowship is very helpful if you can find a good church. Thank you for sharing with us. This is a topic that is close to my heart.

Cheryl, you're Church sounds really awesome! I would love to find one like that. It is so important to help others, even if you don't have much to give. Just giving a smile or kind word can make all the difference in the world to someone.

Just exactly where the hell is hell anyway ?

Former Methodist and Jehovah's Witness speaking here.

In fact, all of this hell fire and brimstone and the world is going to end tomorrow, as well as the collection plates and drop boxes has turned me against organized religion forever.

Then throw in the sexual crimes commited against children by ministors, elders and priests as well as the people who have been disfellowshipped by these organizations for reporting these crimes? nuff said

Amen.

AMEN!!!

I'm lucky enough to feel comfortable in the church where I was baptized, but I don't go every week. I'm not going to make church a HABIT, because once something is made a HABIT it's no longer meantingful to me. I go when I am moved to do so.

Leah. that's great that you found a church that you like. I remember when I was younger, they used to send people to your house if you missed a day at church. Do they still do that?

It's always been a battle zone. The war of the denominations and who is the most doctrinally correct. The Baptists were sure they were the only one's who had religion and God right, everyone else was wrong. The Lutherans, Methodists, Catholics, Pentecostals, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Messianic temples and everyone else were and are the same. With over 27,000 different sects and branches of religion today, exactly which one has it all right?


None of them.


We have a different branch and different denomination for every disagreement imaginable over theology. If religion is man's attempt to find God, theology is the foundation the religion is based on. And that's where the problem is because somewhere God has been replaced by man's attempt to define Him.


Years ago I kept wondering what the real church was. What did the apostles really preach? What were the real beliefs back then compared to what they are now? What exactly was the early church and what did they believe? It was this journey to find the truth from Yahweh that so much of today's deceptions would be revealed to me by Him.


When you start to search and seek Him for answers the most obvious things will start to stand out to you. The most glaring is the obvious distinction that there are two different gospels. The one the apostles taught and the one being preached today in the churches. When you study the early church you realize that the churches today resemble almost nothing like the early ones.


When you take this even further you will begin to realize that not only do the teachings of today resemble nothing of what the apostles taught, there are two different Saviors presented


Most of the churches today are teaching false doctrines and being led by false shepherds.

One thing that I find interesting is the fact that all of these denomoninations can pull a verse out of the Bible that proves their teachings to be correct.

Great comments, Latisha. I agree. By going to any church, you are defining yourself by their parameters, thus excluding others.

Go with your heart, Carolyn, and do what feels right for you. Your awareness of the "wrongness" you've encountered in the past is the first step towards your own enlightenment. You don't need a building or a group of people in it to express your spirituality.

Latisha, I completely agree with you. Alot of the churches today are just preaching what they think we want to hear and have moved away from what the Bible actually teaches. In Revelation chapter 2-3 Jesus is not too pleased with how some of the chuches has strayed from the truth. Do you think they are doing it just to get more people to join the church? More People, more money. I feel sorry for the people who fall for it. I think that's why it is so important to read the Bible for yourself and not just take someone's word for it.

Latisha....After going to several different churches, I had to remind myself that Jesus did not preach doctrine. He preached love. And its as simple as that. Once I stepped back and looked at that, it made it easier to weed out many churches. The one I to to is non-denominational and its a wonderful church.

Mitch, I agree. I don't understand why people feel like they have the right to label and judge other people who don't have the same views as they do. I am guilty however of judging people for some of the actions they take in life. I can't help it. I am always amazed at the evil deeds people are capable of. Does that make me a hypocrite?

Charles, yes you are right, our relationship with our God is a very personal thing and no one should tell us what we believe is wrong. As long as we aren't hurting anyone we should be able to practice whatever religion we want.

You know, I've encountered people like that. I have a friend who went to church, but all the girls picked on her. When she came to our elementry, the people in the school picked on her, too. I stood up for her one day, and now we are really close friends. Although, the many years of being picked on made her build a wall. She doesn't let people in too easily, and I can't say I blame her. She says that the people at church were the cruelest. Aren't they suposed to be accepting? I'm not saying all church people are like that, but they definately exist. And I don't see anything wrong with saying thankful either!

Thank you Mikal. I am so glad there are people like you that will stand up for others. I find that most of the people I know who go to church are very good people. There are some though, who love to make themselves feel better by putting other people down. I feel sorry for them, what a miserable life they must have if it makes them happy to hurt someone else.

Steve, thank you so much for posting this. That says it way better than I ever could. It's a little scary isn't it?

That means alot to me Liz, thank you.

The word of God is within each of us, the bible says that when 2 gather in his name, then a fellowship of love and of god is formed. And for those Catholics out there who were run off, scared or ridiculed... Think on your devotion to Gggggod and Jesus. Jesus told us, Do not go into the masses and pray as the heaten do, using repititous word and phrases. Iiit is better that a man enter into his closet and pray in solitude. There are actually 23 articles in the Bible I have found that Catholosism Disobeys that are direct commandments from either God, or Jesus. But as far as church, Church is for those who wish to meet together and discuss God, and hear the Word, and have spiritual enlightment together as a whole, and like in the times of Jesus, " You have taken my Church, and turned it into a den of thiefs! " avoid churches that care only about your money, and not your salvation. I have an idea for you, take your Bible and go to a park, or to a forest, somewhere you can be alone. Open up the Book, anywhere, it doesn't matter where, lean against the tree God placed, on the ground God created, breathe in the Air God blessed, and commune with God one on one where God really is... in your heart. Than, after being one with nature, one with Gods Creation, read his word. Read the pages you have just opened to. And if the Holy Spirit doesn't find you there, and God himself, doesn't open your mind, and Jesus' love doesn't fill your heart, then, and only then are you trully lost. Church!!! HMMMPH! God doesn't need 4 walls and a preacher, he needs your individual attention and love for what he created, and for who He is. I guaruntee, as a Christian, you'll learn then and there what God really means for you. That is why I no longer call myself a "Christian".. That denotes I go to church, and believe in false ideas of men and women who want my money or who think that their interpretation of the Word is the only corect one. I am A God Child! I am the child Jesus tells us to be in order to get into heaven. Everyone is my friend, I don't make enemies anymore, and I try to help everyone I can.

I hope this comment can help you in your seeking of a true church. The trueest church, is the personal communion between you and God.

man I have a heavy hand, or the pc is on the fritz again, sorry for the mistypes

That is so true. I live in a very small town with many beautiful old trees everywhere I look. I love to sit outside and enjoy the wonderful gifts of beauty that God has blessed us with. Sometimes I feel so close to him that I can feel his love wash over me. I've never felt that in a church, I think it's because all those people disteact me.

Its because its where God really resides. He created us a gerden and named it Eden. Not a Building and called it church.. Thant was man's foley. God is nature, maybe one of my theories holds some truth..... In every religion, save Judeo/Christian faiths, there are a minimum of 3 Dieties. But wait.. So does Christian religion.. we have 3.. God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit. But in the other religions, we see that there are the 2 main gods, a male, and female. And then the children/child. But, in Christianity, there is no female to take the reigns of the 3rd entity of God. Its a " Spirit " instead. If all religions are traced back to thier origins, and I mean all of them, then we have the answer.. The native American indians were praying to "Her" already.. The Earth.. Lets take, if you will the Bible's account for the creation of man. And God took from the Earth clay and molded man in his image. Then He breated the breath of life into man. And he saw this and it was good. and this was the 6th day. .. Now we already know that the son of God, Jesus, is the Word of God manifested in Man. So we have John 1. In the beginning, there was God, there was the Word, and the Word was God. So everything God spoke.. ever... was manifested in the physical being of Christ, but in order to give birth to the physical, one needs a mother. Even Adam. So the Mother Earth, the giver of life, The spirit Giah.. What ever name we have given her, is the one thing God tells us not to blasphemy. For there is only one unforgivable sin, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Denial of her. Think on this.. Can we live without the Earth? NO We need her to produce our food, air, water, clothes, everything we make comes from her. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, we all are just organisms with our roots here in the very soil we walk on. God spoke everything into excistance EXCEPT MAN! He took from the Earth, made it our Womb, created man, from it directly! With his very hands! Who are we to deny that we need the Earth? Everything that has spirit owes part of its creation to her! For we are not just God's creation, we are essentially part of the Earth!

Anyway, its only with Nature, whom I feel is the Holy Spirit, that I can trully communicate with God.

Enjoy your time with her, we are killing her very fast.

Daniel, that reminds me of a letter that Chief Sealth of the Duwamish tribe wrote in 1855. Here is the link if you would like to read it. http://www.cs.rice.edu/~ssiyer/minstrels/poems/184.html

Steve, just think about all the poor people who are being mislead. I hope they realize it before it's too late.

That is the most amazing poem/letter I have ever read.. So true are the words, I cant help but cry.. Thank you for sharing it, im going to post it for public viewing here on Gather, I think everyone should read it.

Daniel, I am so glad you liked it. I read it years ago and it still makes me cry whenever I read it. Yes the words are so true. Don't you wish that we had listened to him back then, when it could of made a big difference. Yes! Post it on here, I think everyone should read it too. I did post some of it on the article "What's You're favorite Quote?" but I had to choose only a little of it to put on there. It definitely should read in it's entirety. If you're interested, here is the article I was talking about.

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976845552

and if it is really 'the last days' as they r always preaching, just why do they need all that money? can u pack a duffle bag full of cash and take it with u?
church and childhood trauma r synonymous

I think that in their minds, money means power. If they have power they can control more people. Please don't get me wrong, there are so many good people and churches out there. They are not in it for the money and they truly love to help people in need. There are those though that are misleading so many people. They are teaching them false doctrines and they are getting rich in the process.

Well Swaggart wasn't ALL about the money.
He like to look sin in the eye, so to speak.

I really liked some of Jimmy Swaggart's sermons when I saw him on T.V, but when I saw him in person it was all singing and dancing. It was like a Broadway show. One song they did for twenty minutes, and just when I thought it was over they started it all over again. I had time to go out and smoke three cigs, shop in their gift shop, I even stopped and talked to some guy for five minutes. When I came back in I still had to listen to that damn song for five minutes more!

I'm so sorry you've had bad experiences with churches Carolyn. Christians are supposed to build each other up in love... not tear others down. I feel shame inside when I hear that someone who claims to be a fellow sister or brother does something like that.

I have been lucky to have gone to the same church my entire life and while there are a couple people who seem to judge others or think highly of themselves (I just avoid them... it says in the Bible that we are going to see people like that who aren't what they claim to be)... the people in my church are loving, giving and generous to others. Not just to members of the church but the entire community.

I don't know if people that act badly even realize how they appear to others. I had a friend in school who was really outgoing and a bit pushy. Sometimes literally. She would walk up to her friends and give them a big shove. She didn't see anything wrong with it at all. I ignored it... I'm a shy person by nature and hardly ever speak up for myself or tell someone what they do bothers me or hurts me. One day I had a really bad time in school and had spent my lunch in the computer lab working on an assignment. I came out when the bell rang and there was my friend. She came up to me and gave me a big shove. I was in such a bad mood I kind of let her have it. I yelled at her, " Don't EVER push me again." I stormed off to my class leaving her standing there with her mouth agape. Now I know she thought she was being funny or just being herself. She never knew it upset me. A lot of people have told me she's rude or obnoxious or mouthy. I've talked about this with her since then... yes we are still friends to this day. I apologized to her for getting so upset the next day at school and explained that I was just having an awful day. Anyways... she doesn't realize she appears that way to people. It's just her personality and she means nothing bad by it. She's a really sweet and caring person when you know her well. I know this story doesn' t have a lot to do with how you were treated but it could explain some of the people.

Some people ARE truly nasty people but others just don't see how others see them. Over the years though I have come to actually pity the people that are nasty to others. I pity them because they don't know the love and fellowship they are missing out on by judging others or feeling superior to them.

Blessings

wow I just realized how much I wrote..... lol sorry I ramble sometimes! :)

Oh and thought of my husband. He didn't grow up in a church at all and his mom believed in God but didn't really go to church and his dad didn't believe. His dad now after my husband has become an adult has come to know the Lord and was baptized a couple years ago! Anyways.... my husband had a couple bad experiences in churches too. The first one was when he was about 16 or 17 and he had a girlfriend that went to church. He started going with her, got to know the people and really enjoyed going to church there. Then they broke up and he liked the church so much he decided to continue going there. The first sunday after they broke up he showed up at the church and as he was going in the doors was confronted by someone from the church (not sure if it was the pastor or not) and told him he "needed to find a new church." What kind of people of God would reject a fellow brother? That was not a good church!

Good article. The things people do to each other in GOD's name is amazing. You would think church would be the one place we would not be terrorized, patronized, degraded, humiliated, or judged, yet to experience any of those, all you have to do is walk into a church. Something is twisted about that, but I don't think it's going to change. It makes me angry when someone tries to frighten me in God's name. Very angry.

Molly, I am so glad you found a good church and are able to ignore the people who are rude and judgmental.

Lynn, I have come up with a solution to this problem since I wrote this article. I have started a weekly study group in my home. I have invited only the people who are willing to learn and study the bible. Not just the pleasant stuff that they teach in church, but the things that are happening in the world today and how they relate to what it says in the bible. We also speak of ways to prepare for what the near future holds in store for us. Even if people don't believe the Bible prophecies, it's still a good idea to prepare for future disasters. The supplies we have bought really came in handy during and after the recent hurricanes.

I find it ... odd ... that I came across this so long after you wrote it, just shy of two years. Now while I don't believe in coincidences I do believe in divine appointment.

I just want to tell you this, the Kingdom of God resides within ourselves, our hearts if you will and not in a building, meeting place or congregation.

Man and woman alike will always fail you and mislead you with what they think or do, most of the time with good intentions. The road to hell is paved with good intention and mans failures.

Look to God and not man, don't take it out on Him for what man has done to you or the poor examples man sets.

It is His Spirit that lives within us, not mans and Jesus Christ is the only man who will never cheat on you or try to lead you astray.

You don't need man or a church to have a relationship with God.

I just try to remember that no one is perfect, like Jesus was. That helps me be more compassionate towards my fellow Christians when I see their hypocrisy. I am sure I have been a hypocrite at least once in my life because it is impossible to be perfect. BUT, I can still strive for it and desire to be more like Christ was. So, I guess my point to this is that the reason churches are so screwed up is because they are run by humans! We are all sinners in need of a Savior!

I am thankful that we found a non-denominational church that breathes life into our spirits! It also operates more like a new testament church did. We have smaller groups that meet from "house to house" like they did in Acts. Also, we have a huge benevolence ministry which heads up taking care of the poor, needy, orhans and widows in the community. Which is what I believe God intended in the first place - for the church to be a place where people could come to get their needs met - spiritual, physical, emotional and mentals needs --- and once we are healed and in a place to give back, for us to in turn give and bless the next batch!

Anyway, satan knows that if he can just distort and destroy churches that it will keep people from finding the support, love and help that they need. It's unfortunate really that you and so many others have had these experiences... because at my church, you would be so welcomed, loved on, fulfilled and wanting to give to others out of the overflow.