Please help. Really struggling.

paulineb_2

I don't live my life by my horoscope, but if I want to read it, I'll do it safe in the knowledge that no one is making me feel like Im doing something wrong by doing so and that's the crux of this matter, other people making the OP feel bad because shes reading a bloody horoscope, or married to someone who isn't a Christian.

!!!!!!, seriously, do people have nothing better to do with their lives than nit pick in the name of Christianity?

paulineb_2

Archergirl wrote: »

There are lots of good people who do not go to church.
There are lots of bad people who do go to church.
Pray at home and join a group of people for friendship that has nothing to do with church/religion.
Don't be too hard on youself and enjoy your life with your good husband.

I think this advice is spot on.

Billie-S

LOL, loving these posts. Thank you so much

I agree Pauline that Archergirls's post is fab!

Toto

*max* wrote: »

Maybe because being based, like religion, on belief and not evidence, they can be seen as competition...and therefore must be avoided? I have no idea, it's all complete nonsense to me anyway. Although I have to say I have never heard of murders committed, or wars started, by a mob of angry astrologers, so if I had to choose...

I was so close to having a rant about offensive bigoted outdated views, but this comment snapped me right out of it :rotfl:

System

People who study the bible are told :

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

However, they are also told :

Matthew 7:1-5

7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Seems like they like the first scripture more than the second.

Billie-S

Judi wrote: »

People who study the bible are told :

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

However, they are also told :

Matthew 7:1-5

7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Seems like they like the first scripture more than the second.

Yep, sounds like it Judi

Also, if the first scripture were to be believed, almost EVERYone is not going to go to Heaven :rotfl: Especially some of the catholic priests :cool:

The hypocrisy (from some) in religion, knows no bounds.

System

My one child is a fan of witchy and wizardy type things on telly, and in films, and one girl (at the Church,) told her she was 'evil' for liking it. Then one time I mentioned that I had bought my friend a Libra necklace for her birthday, and the people at the Sunday School looked shocked that I had bought something that class as part of the 'occult.'

The Bible says:

Deuteronomy 4:19
And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars all the heavenly array,do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.


However, instead of letting the Holy Spirit into your heart and convicting you itself, these people thought they would help you along the way.

The Bible says:

Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”


If your under pressure now to conform, just think what it will be like 6 months down the line.

Run for the hills!

lostinrates

*max* wrote: »

Maybe because being based, like religion, on belief and not evidence, they can be seen as competition...and therefore must be avoided? I have no idea, it's all complete nonsense to me anyway. Although I have to say I have never heard of murders committed, or wars started, by a mob of angry astrologers, so if I had to choose...

Whilst I love the last comment .....its not really true that no wars or violence were associated with such thing. Think of the Romans and Greeks and pharoahs who would take advice from astrologers before war or " politics' that might not have been clean handed,

Astrology is associated with medieval Europe so HAS crossed over with Christianity during the renaissance and was associated with Islam centuries before that....so crossed over with the major religions associated with religious war to us.

I don't know anything about Asian history at all, so have no idea whether asia's astrological history can be even tenuous related to any violence.


Btw....I think its all harmless fun too ( for the vast majority of those who are interested)

Errata

Judi wrote: »

People who study the bible are told :

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither... drunkards nor slanderers ...will inherit the kingdom of God.

I suspect it's an amazingly empty place.

Lunar_Eclipse

Billie-S wrote: »

I just cringed. I HATE this side of Christianity; the bigoted and judgemental side. Some of the women were nice and chatty and asked me all about myself and my family, but when the religious stuff kicked off, I got really uncomfortable, as some of the talk became rather judgemental.

What is Christian about despising a whole group in society, who have done nothing to deserve it?

I'm also a Christian and encourage you not to give up! I think you've been very unlucky in your experiences at Church so far although I can relate to the comments you make and also struggle with it at times.

I can't decide whether you should try another Church, or spend a bit longer at the one you've just joined in trying to find like-minds. You just need a few friends that you can relate to, who would completely change the experience for you.

The judgemental behaviour you describe is definitely not Christian behaviour. However, the Bible also teaches us that we are all sinners, so it's normal for all of us, Christians included, to have off moments where we might make comments that are far from Christ-like (eg judgemental comments.) The difference I believe is self awareness, and recognising when we aren't acting appropriately.

I currently go to a Baptist Church and whilst it's not perfect (I love traditional Church buildings and it doesn't have one), the people are really nice and I've met a lovely bunch of good Christians.

Whereabouts do you (roughly) live?