ComaToast
Zealous dogma prolongs pain and the path of fools
Hello all!
Found this site because I'm in the thick of it going round and round with my brother. He is a fundamentalist christian, I am a former fundamentalist christian. I definitely believe in God, but have evolved out of christianity into a completely different paradigm over the span of 10 years.
I'm having a heck of a time with the circular logic of fundamental christians. I wouldn't say that I've been estranged from my brother, but we haven't had a close relationship. Recently, he reached out to me out of love to quote scriptures to me, because me being on the path to hell is weighing heavily on his heart. I do realize that he is very sincere and believes everything he says 100%, and tries very hard to live by what he believes. So he isn't a hypocrite or an *** about anything. He also has a masters degree and is a professor at a christian highschool.
What I'm really struggling with, is why christians believe the bible is the inerrant word of god. Why do they believe this? I ask him why and he quotes scriptures to me. But isn't it really because they (for the most part) were indoctrinated as small children into christianity? Made to go to sunday school, memorize bible verses, sing the songs, then one day the potent horror of hell is thrust upon them. Mom and dad believe it, all the nice folks at church believe it, it is pounded into them over and over again upon threat of eternal torture.
Then, once firmly ensconced in the faith, only watch christian programs, hang out with christians, absorb christian media, etc. No potential for confirmation bias
How can you get across to someone lost in the "letter of the law" that the spirit is ALIVE. It didn 't just speak to men thousands of years ago, it still speaks to us today. See, I don't believe in hell, it makes no sense whatsoever. It makes so little sense that I am willing to bet my life on it. The idea grates against the spirit in me. Men thousands of years ago accepted slavery, the second class status of women. The bible says that god ordered them to slaughter the amalekites (jihadists want to kill us infidels over here because god tells them to. We are from satan over here). Lot was just in giving his daughter up to the raping mob to protect his guests. Women should be silent in the temple and keep their heads covered. Women are not permitted to teach men. etc, etc, etc.
Christians say, "well you have to take these things in context with the culture of the times". I say EXACTLY!!!!!! Why do they allow the spiritual interpretations, practices, and beliefs of men who lived thousands of years ago completely control your beliefs and actions in today's landscape?
Because of the DEVIL.
They have been conditioned to believe any thought, feeling, or idea that could possibly contradict the scriptures is satan trying deceive you. There is no room for critical thought outside of the scriptures. Once you cross that line you are heading for hell. All because of a BOOK that was written by multiple authors over the span of 1500 years or more. Nothing more can be written, experienced or learned, unless it jives with the scriptures. Otherwise it is satan.
I'm sorry lol, I guess this might have been a venting if anything else! If anyone was kind enough to read this that has any suggestions or helpful ideas/links, please let me know. It's driving me a little nuts. My brother said, sincerely and lovingly, "you create god in your own image to justify your wickedness and sin". He can say this to me and still somehow believe that he is not judging me?
If you've read this, thanks for your time and have a great day!
Found this site because I'm in the thick of it going round and round with my brother. He is a fundamentalist christian, I am a former fundamentalist christian. I definitely believe in God, but have evolved out of christianity into a completely different paradigm over the span of 10 years.
I'm having a heck of a time with the circular logic of fundamental christians. I wouldn't say that I've been estranged from my brother, but we haven't had a close relationship. Recently, he reached out to me out of love to quote scriptures to me, because me being on the path to hell is weighing heavily on his heart. I do realize that he is very sincere and believes everything he says 100%, and tries very hard to live by what he believes. So he isn't a hypocrite or an *** about anything. He also has a masters degree and is a professor at a christian highschool.
What I'm really struggling with, is why christians believe the bible is the inerrant word of god. Why do they believe this? I ask him why and he quotes scriptures to me. But isn't it really because they (for the most part) were indoctrinated as small children into christianity? Made to go to sunday school, memorize bible verses, sing the songs, then one day the potent horror of hell is thrust upon them. Mom and dad believe it, all the nice folks at church believe it, it is pounded into them over and over again upon threat of eternal torture.
Then, once firmly ensconced in the faith, only watch christian programs, hang out with christians, absorb christian media, etc. No potential for confirmation bias
How can you get across to someone lost in the "letter of the law" that the spirit is ALIVE. It didn 't just speak to men thousands of years ago, it still speaks to us today. See, I don't believe in hell, it makes no sense whatsoever. It makes so little sense that I am willing to bet my life on it. The idea grates against the spirit in me. Men thousands of years ago accepted slavery, the second class status of women. The bible says that god ordered them to slaughter the amalekites (jihadists want to kill us infidels over here because god tells them to. We are from satan over here). Lot was just in giving his daughter up to the raping mob to protect his guests. Women should be silent in the temple and keep their heads covered. Women are not permitted to teach men. etc, etc, etc.
Christians say, "well you have to take these things in context with the culture of the times". I say EXACTLY!!!!!! Why do they allow the spiritual interpretations, practices, and beliefs of men who lived thousands of years ago completely control your beliefs and actions in today's landscape?
Because of the DEVIL.
They have been conditioned to believe any thought, feeling, or idea that could possibly contradict the scriptures is satan trying deceive you. There is no room for critical thought outside of the scriptures. Once you cross that line you are heading for hell. All because of a BOOK that was written by multiple authors over the span of 1500 years or more. Nothing more can be written, experienced or learned, unless it jives with the scriptures. Otherwise it is satan.
I'm sorry lol, I guess this might have been a venting if anything else! If anyone was kind enough to read this that has any suggestions or helpful ideas/links, please let me know. It's driving me a little nuts. My brother said, sincerely and lovingly, "you create god in your own image to justify your wickedness and sin". He can say this to me and still somehow believe that he is not judging me?
If you've read this, thanks for your time and have a great day!