User Tag List
Thanks: 0
Likes: 0
Results 21 to 25 of 25
Thread: Questioning How You Were Raised
-
09-07-2004, 04:18 PM #21Freshman Napp
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Posts
- 2
- Reviews
- Read 0 Reviews
- Post Thanks / Like
- Mentioned
- 0 Post(s)
- Tagged
- 0 Thread(s)
- Rep Power
- 0
What an interesting thread! I particularly appreciate and agree with the sentiments expressed by Melanizm, Librarising, Miss_Jazz, Lbellatrix, and Shontelle.
Looking back, I was fortunate to have been taken to church no more than occasionally during my formative years. I believe that not being forced to go to a particular church on a weekly basis kept my eyes open to the controlling and hypocritical natures of far too many “Christian” churches in this country. As a child, it was easy for me to identify and question many of the inconsistencies spouted by ministers and churchgoers who seemed all-too-willing to throw common-sense out the window in order to preach “God’s word” and spread “the fear of God” in the community. As you know, children are often first to see the emperor is wearing no clothes. My young mind could not understand how adults were apparently to swallow inconsistencies hook, line, and sinker without question. I did not, and still cannot, fathom why people would believe that God is the epitome love, yet is a full-of-wrath power to be “feared”. I did not understand how humans are supposedly created in the image of a loving God, yet are sinners doomed to hell unless thrown on God’s mercy. I did not understand how any self-respecting woman would willingly attend and support a church that deemed her unworthy to be a minister simply because she was born a woman and because male preachers had decided that permitting women to preach is somehow “against the word of God”. As an adult, I came to see that something is terribly askew when homosexuals-- who have always been strong forces in the pulpit, behind the pulpit, and in front of it-- feel compelled to deny lie about and cover up their natural orientations in order attend and perpetuate churches that preach the doors of “heaven” are double-padlocked to them. I have attended several funerals of relatives that were ceremoniously concluded by the minister’s grand declaration that “Those that have not accepted Christ as personal lord and savior will never see (insert name of deceased relative/friend/loved one here) again”. What an example of “Christian love” and understanding in a time of need! I don't think I've ever heard a more presumptuous statement uttered. I am fundamentally unable to accept that a loving God would as be as vengeful, hateful, or petty as mere humans would have us believe. If Christians have exclusive rights to heaven, then what about dear friends and loved ones who do not claim to be Christians? What about our African ancestors who died journeying through the Middle Passage without having first been “converted” to Christianity? What about those born profoundly mentally handicapped without the capacity to speak or understand language? Are they damned to “hell” for all eternity for their “failure” to acknowledge and accept Jesus Christ as lord and savior?
I, too, have serious issues with organized religion. I do not regularly attend church and haven’t in years. I feel that many churches require one to forsake one’s own God-given brain and remain ignorant in order to remain a “faithful” member-in-good standing. It appears to me that too many people attend church as a way to be entertained and be comfortable in ignorance instead of a means to improve lives and the world. I have known several who spend all day in church, but would never think to improve reading skills; learn more about science, sexuality, or history; or study foreign cultures or religions. I have never felt that “the fear of God” is necessary in order live a good, productive life or to raise a child well. Genuine concern, well-reasoned limits, civility and responsibility are.
I recently attended a secular function that was largely attended by members of a church located two blocks from my home. After being invited to attend the church, I later overheard the deacon refer to an absent member as being “ugly as sin”. Not only did the nearby church members laugh, they went on to quote Bible passages in their effort to bolster their beliefs that God favors men over women. Hmmmm……
So little space, but so much to say! Wishing all a productive day
-
09-08-2004, 01:08 AM #22Extreme NappAddict
- Join Date
- Sep 2003
- Posts
- 4,378
- Reviews
- Read 0 Reviews
- Post Thanks / Like
- Mentioned
- 0 Post(s)
- Tagged
- 0 Thread(s)
- Rep Power
- 0
:app @ your entire post millerkin
especially these lines: "I have attended several funerals of relatives that were ceremoniously concluded by the minister’s grand declaration that “Those that have not accepted Christ as personal lord and savior will never see (insert name of deceased relative/friend/loved one here) againâ€. What an example of “Christian love†and understanding in a time of need! I don't think I've ever heard a more presumptuous statement uttered. I am fundamentally unable to accept that a loving God would as be as vengeful, hateful, or petty as mere humans would have us believe."
thanks to everyone who responded. you've all helped me out a lotWe have all established that our hair is different....At the end of the day we pride ourselves as being NAPPY! [b]Let this quest for right and wrong go[/b] - RoseBurnt
[url="http://public.fotki.com/melanizm13"]UPDATES[/url]...12/08
-
09-08-2004, 05:27 PM #23Junior Napp
- Join Date
- Jul 2011
- Location
- Baltimore, MD
- Posts
- 79
- Reviews
- Read 0 Reviews
- Post Thanks / Like
- Mentioned
- 0 Post(s)
- Tagged
- 0 Thread(s)
- Rep Power
- 0
I was also raised a baptist christian and was forced to go to church every sunday. I live in one of those "if you live in my house you will go to church" type house holds. So I would go. At the age of 10 I was baptised and a devoted christian. I cutt the perm off in 2000. With that new begining I begun to look at things in a different manner. I questioned everything and was in search of answers. In 2002, I offical stop practicing christianity and started to improve my spiritual relationship with the creator. The interesting thing was that I fought the desire to leave the christian church for a while, in fear of dying and going to hell. Then one day I was like, if I go to hell I'll be there with all ancestors! That was the end of that.
-
09-08-2004, 06:06 PM #24morena23 Guest
I didn't really question anything until I was an adult. I was raised Christian in a baptist church, but my mom always let me discover things on my own. When I decided last year that I would no longer consider myself baptist, she was fine with that. I am a bible believer who believs the entire word. Denominations often raise up one point and step on another. I consider myself Christian. The more I studied the more I realized that there shouldn't even be denominations. All have changed some aspect of the church that Jesus intended (as far as the Bible is concerned).
I do not attend church. I get more out of studying with a small group or by myself. I feel like too many people go to church for a show.
Melanizm: Don't let anyone tell you that you shouldn't search, or that you shouldn't question. One person's truth may not be yours. If my mother hadn't given me the push to study, I would still be in a belief system that wasn't for me. I say if you feel like Christianity isn't for you, search for a belief that is.......... I wish you well on your journey, and my prayer is that you find everything you seek.
:heart
-
09-01-2018, 12:17 PM #25
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Location
- Richmond
- Posts
- 190
- Reviews
- Read 0 Reviews
- Post Thanks / Like
- Mentioned
- 0 Post(s)
- Tagged
- 0 Thread(s)
- Rep Power
- 14
Re: Questioning How You Were Raised
Palm Rolling... 125 locs... Nature's Protein Gelee
Naturals Salon & Spa... http://gotlocsva.com/
http://www.afropedea.org/pics
Bookmarks