3 ms·

> Nobody should have a problem with you wanting to be a part of a church community, even if you aren't a "real" believer. I really appreciate this view, but ce

> Nobody should have a problem with you wanting to be a part of a church community, even if you aren't a "real" believer. I really appreciate this view, but certainly some people do have a problem with it. I think it would be especially awkward if you spend a significant amount of your life there, raise kids, etc, but never claim the religion is true. It almost sounds like a cringe-comedy movie

shepherdjerred 3y ago
If your values and actions align with the religious community, and you're okay being around people who are religious/spiritual, I believe it can be mutually beneficial. If your values and actions don't align with the religious community, then you should still be accepted, but if you don't have belief, then it's unlikely you'll stay for long. ^ note: by "should" I mean that, at least in my view, a "real" Christian should be accepting and not judge others. In practice nobody lives up to this, but it can at least inform how you should feel, e.g. if you feel judged it's saying more about others than it says about you. ^ double note: "real" Christian is incredibly hard to define. The Bible can be interpreted any way you want. Ultimately what guides me is trying to do what I think is right, using the Bible as one source of information.
- pinkmuffinere 3y ago
  Absolutely agree with everything you said. The biblical Jesus sets a high standard that is impossible to live up to. Even though I don’t believe now, I love people that try to live to that standard, and I aspire to as well
  - paulryanrogers 3y ago
    Except the whole dooming most of humanity to external lakes of fire. And maybe terrorizing kids with the threat that they'll commit the unforgivable sin, and be destined for said lake of fire
    - pinkmuffinere 3y ago
      lol ya, those are part of the reason I’m no longer Christian. Shepherdjerred didn’t discuss those in his comment though
RankingMember 3y ago
> cringe-comedy movie Church Crashers

shepherdjerred 3y ago

If your values and actions align with the religious community, and you're okay being around people who are religious/spiritual, I believe it can be mutually beneficial. If your values and actions don't align with the religious community, then you should still be accepted, but if you don't have belief, then it's unlikely you'll stay for long. ^ note: by "should" I mean that, at least in my view, a "real" Christian should be accepting and not judge others. In practice nobody lives up to this, but it can at least inform how you should feel, e.g. if you feel judged it's saying more about others than it says about you. ^ double note: "real" Christian is incredibly hard to define. The Bible can be interpreted any way you want. Ultimately what guides me is trying to do what I think is right, using the Bible as one source of information.

pinkmuffinere 3y ago
Absolutely agree with everything you said. The biblical Jesus sets a high standard that is impossible to live up to. Even though I don’t believe now, I love people that try to live to that standard, and I aspire to as well
- paulryanrogers 3y ago
  Except the whole dooming most of humanity to external lakes of fire. And maybe terrorizing kids with the threat that they'll commit the unforgivable sin, and be destined for said lake of fire
  - pinkmuffinere 3y ago
    lol ya, those are part of the reason I’m no longer Christian. Shepherdjerred didn’t discuss those in his comment though

RankingMember 3y ago

> cringe-comedy movie Church Crashers