A big problem with organized religion is that it rests in the hands of man,
Agreed.
Let me ask you a question and this is not a bash in anyways, but a means to understand....
How do you do things your way and consider yourself a lifetime christian? Wouldn't you have to do things "their way" or "the christian way"?
I had this discussion with a friend, but about islam, in islam there is a section that speaks about having 4 wives under certain circumstances etc etc, but there are many people out there that say, no no I don't believe in that, or I would never allow my husband to have more than one wife, but I'm still a muslim, well then, how can you believe in one part of the relgion but not the other? You can't pick and choose the religion.
Its like with Catholics and confessions, I've heard of people saying, I'm a true practicing catholic but I don't believe in confession... Well again, then you are not a true practicing catholic? You are picking and choosing what part of the religion to follow and what not to? Its like you're bending your religion!
Or all the true christians (or any other relgion) that are practicing pre-marital sex on Saturday night, but are in Church Sunday morning? Isn't that sorta hypocritical?
And I know man is NOT Perfect, but some people are not even trying... they say they just don't believe that part or just don't care about that part.
You get what i'm saying? How can you do it your way and still be a true christian? It just doesn't work, if you want to be a TRUE Christian, then you have do it THEIR way, by the book!
I think part of the confusion is that a Christian (to simplify) is a person who recognizes their need of a a Savior and has accepted Christ as such. There really is no "Christian Religion" if a Religion is something that has a set of rules that must be followed to attain salvation.
Christianity is all Grace and faith. "You are saved by grace through faith and not of works, so that no one can boast." EPH 2:8-9.
Other "religions" have some guidelines you must follow to attain (or keep) salvation. The bible rejects this idea and states that Jesus did everything that needs to be done...all we need to do is believe....no physical works (confessing to a priest...saying 3 hail Marys or praying 5x a day in some direction etc) can "save" us according to the bible. So for someone to say they are a "practicing Christian" to me, indicates they are confused or else maybe they are trying to present themselves as living as Jesus Christ did....and that, for us, is impossible.
buffdnet, do you still talk to that nun? Would she answer some questions for us or if you guys talked a lot about it, did she ever say anything about:
1 Timothy 4:1-3
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
