Games Christians Play
sent in by Sunfell
Recruitment Tactics for the Young and Vulnerable
The first time I was exposed to Twice-born Christianity was when I attended high school in the bible belt after my dad got out of the USAF. Until that time, I'd gone to schools with a variety of people and religions, and the subject never came up. Before I got to where I was, my best friends were Buddhist and Jewish.
At that school, I was an outcast from the moment I opened my mouth on day one. I didn't act, dress, or talk like they did, and didn't know any of them. They all knew each other from kindergarten. I was shunned as the oddball geek, and I hid from the bullies, jocks and popular girls behind books.
The first time I was asked if I was 'saved', I didn't really understand the question. Yes, I had savings- why did they want to know about that? I quickly learned that their kind of 'saving' had nothing to do with money. And I'd never been condemned to hell until then, either.
One day one of the popular girls asked me if I wanted to join them for lunch. Hey, why not? I didn't understand why she and her usually snobbish friends were suddenly so nice to me, but I reveled in it. This went on for a few weeks, and then I was asked to come to a party. A party! Normally, I hated parties, but it was so nice to be treated like a human being, that I accepted the invite.
I should have known that something was fishy when the party was held at a church hall. But they had live music, good food, and interesting people and I was actually enjoying myself and my new friends. Then a college age fellow got up on the stage, and started talking to us about Jesus, and I realized that the party was a fake- it was meant to get us to convert and join a church. The sermon went on and on, and I noticed that some kids were starting to cry. When he called on them to go up and get saved, they went. I wasn't moved to tears by the sermon. Instead, it made me very uncomfortable and embarrassed for my friends. Then I noticed that they weren't embarrassed at all. In fact, my new 'friends' urged me to go up too- but I refused.
That was when they dropped the bomb: If I didn't get 'saved', they could no longer be my friends. I still refused- I never could parse the irrational nonsense that was Christianity, and a bunch of popular girls and a persuasive preacher at a fake party weren't going to de-sanitize me. Instead of heeding the altar call, I called home and my mom picked me up. I was in tears when I told her what happened. I think that I was more upset at being faked out than anything. Happily, she understood. She'd given up on trying to drag me to church to please my grandmother, and we'd come to an understanding about religion. I simply was not interested in it except as a social curiosity.
Of course, the 'friendly' girls immediately shunned me the very next school day, and my life returned to its book-bound geekiness. I've been 'love bombed' a few more times, but I've learned to read the signs, and not bite any more. Christianity is a memetically transmitted virus of insanity, and in its own way a kind of mental illness. I mean, how else could anyone explain how young Christians could so callously befriend someone under false pretenses, and then treat them so horridly if they don't convert?
I don't hate Christians- I prefer to avoid them, but I do study the more virulent sects like the Dominionists. I am a TechMage, with over 30 years of metaphysical study and practice under my belt, including an initiatory path of old-school Alexandrian Witchcraft and a long tenure as a Rosicrucian.
I understand that many Christian sects are compelled to spread their mental virus, and that trying to reason with them is fruitless. So is trying to out-zealot them. I've tried both. Today, I keep an uneasy peace with them, understanding that they can break out into a frenzy of Revalation-fueled insanity at any moment. I am watching our hard-fought country, constitution and laws beginning to crumble under the onslaught of the most virulent of their faith- the theonimically oriented Dominionists, and I fear for the future of the US. But I hope that perhaps more will free themselves from their shackles, and keep the Light of reason burning. While there may be a Creator, or even a group of them, I very seriously doubt that Biblegod and Son had anything to do with our existence or our fate.
Sunfell
Sex: F
URL: www.sunfell.com
State: AR
Country: USA
Became a Christian: 'baptised' Catholic (but very messily rejected my baptism, according to my mom. They had to disinfect the font when I got done with them!)
Ceased being a Christian: About 6
Labels before: Magus and Witch
Labels now: AntagoGnostic TechMage
Why I joined: It was 'forced' on me.
Why I left: I prefer to call it shaking off the shackles. It never 'took' so it wasn't a struggle to shed it.
Recruitment Tactics for the Young and Vulnerable
The first time I was exposed to Twice-born Christianity was when I attended high school in the bible belt after my dad got out of the USAF. Until that time, I'd gone to schools with a variety of people and religions, and the subject never came up. Before I got to where I was, my best friends were Buddhist and Jewish.
At that school, I was an outcast from the moment I opened my mouth on day one. I didn't act, dress, or talk like they did, and didn't know any of them. They all knew each other from kindergarten. I was shunned as the oddball geek, and I hid from the bullies, jocks and popular girls behind books.
The first time I was asked if I was 'saved', I didn't really understand the question. Yes, I had savings- why did they want to know about that? I quickly learned that their kind of 'saving' had nothing to do with money. And I'd never been condemned to hell until then, either.
One day one of the popular girls asked me if I wanted to join them for lunch. Hey, why not? I didn't understand why she and her usually snobbish friends were suddenly so nice to me, but I reveled in it. This went on for a few weeks, and then I was asked to come to a party. A party! Normally, I hated parties, but it was so nice to be treated like a human being, that I accepted the invite.
I should have known that something was fishy when the party was held at a church hall. But they had live music, good food, and interesting people and I was actually enjoying myself and my new friends. Then a college age fellow got up on the stage, and started talking to us about Jesus, and I realized that the party was a fake- it was meant to get us to convert and join a church. The sermon went on and on, and I noticed that some kids were starting to cry. When he called on them to go up and get saved, they went. I wasn't moved to tears by the sermon. Instead, it made me very uncomfortable and embarrassed for my friends. Then I noticed that they weren't embarrassed at all. In fact, my new 'friends' urged me to go up too- but I refused.
That was when they dropped the bomb: If I didn't get 'saved', they could no longer be my friends. I still refused- I never could parse the irrational nonsense that was Christianity, and a bunch of popular girls and a persuasive preacher at a fake party weren't going to de-sanitize me. Instead of heeding the altar call, I called home and my mom picked me up. I was in tears when I told her what happened. I think that I was more upset at being faked out than anything. Happily, she understood. She'd given up on trying to drag me to church to please my grandmother, and we'd come to an understanding about religion. I simply was not interested in it except as a social curiosity.
Of course, the 'friendly' girls immediately shunned me the very next school day, and my life returned to its book-bound geekiness. I've been 'love bombed' a few more times, but I've learned to read the signs, and not bite any more. Christianity is a memetically transmitted virus of insanity, and in its own way a kind of mental illness. I mean, how else could anyone explain how young Christians could so callously befriend someone under false pretenses, and then treat them so horridly if they don't convert?
I don't hate Christians- I prefer to avoid them, but I do study the more virulent sects like the Dominionists. I am a TechMage, with over 30 years of metaphysical study and practice under my belt, including an initiatory path of old-school Alexandrian Witchcraft and a long tenure as a Rosicrucian.
I understand that many Christian sects are compelled to spread their mental virus, and that trying to reason with them is fruitless. So is trying to out-zealot them. I've tried both. Today, I keep an uneasy peace with them, understanding that they can break out into a frenzy of Revalation-fueled insanity at any moment. I am watching our hard-fought country, constitution and laws beginning to crumble under the onslaught of the most virulent of their faith- the theonimically oriented Dominionists, and I fear for the future of the US. But I hope that perhaps more will free themselves from their shackles, and keep the Light of reason burning. While there may be a Creator, or even a group of them, I very seriously doubt that Biblegod and Son had anything to do with our existence or our fate.
Sunfell
Sex: F
URL: www.sunfell.com
State: AR
Country: USA
Became a Christian: 'baptised' Catholic (but very messily rejected my baptism, according to my mom. They had to disinfect the font when I got done with them!)
Ceased being a Christian: About 6
Labels before: Magus and Witch
Labels now: AntagoGnostic TechMage
Why I joined: It was 'forced' on me.
Why I left: I prefer to call it shaking off the shackles. It never 'took' so it wasn't a struggle to shed it.
Comments
I completley understand where you are coming from. I have heard and seen people in my own church do that to people. You had a bad incounter with "christians" that definitly had there veiws mixed up.
If you would permit me I would like to tell you my veiws, but don't mistake this as a ploy to convert you to christianity. I have made a promise to myself as a christian to except everyone, whether christian or not.
My family are not christians. I wasn't forced into it. It was somthing I choose a long time ago. I have witness someone come to my church who was going through struggles in his life with drugs, and stuff. He found that leaning on God helped him through his hard days. But, one very traditional man commented on his earrings and tatoo's and this person after making friends with me and alote of young adults of the church and finding a way to deal with the things hurting in his life was offened by this man and eventually left our church. The man that said those comments is not a well liked man. I myself have confronted him about it. But he is stubborn. Anyway, my point is that not all christians are like the ones you encountered or the stubborn man I mentioned. I have friends who are homosexuals and I love them for them, but I don't agree with the act. I have non-christian parents and a brother but I never force them to church or tell them they are going to hell. I except them.
Yes, as christians we believe that God calls us to tell people about him. However, it's to be done with love, not judgement. I try to show God through my actions not by words. Many times the only time I talk about God is if someone ask me too.
I hope that you will not base christians on the encounter that you experiance. One of my biggest pet peeves are people who claim to be christians but show no love or compassion for people in general... whether with faith- or- faithless.
Again, I am not saying this to change your veiws, I just wanted to tell you that myself, and the people I associate with are not like the christians you describe.
We are all people looking for answers and contenment. This is my answer and what makes me feel content and secure. I have comfort in knowing that there could be a Heaven with a God and a son named Jesus. Maybe you see that different, and that's completly your choice. I guess I would rather be safe then sorry. Either way I win. If there isn't a God then I don't have anything to worry about, but if there is and if what the bible says is true about Heaven and Hell, then I don't want to take the chance of losing a life in Heaven. I hope you understand where I am coming from.
I think it is important for Christians to except people for who they are regardles of there faith or there life style, but I think that applies to non-christians as well, to except christians regardless of there faith or there life style. Everyone is different and to put down someones way of life or beliefs, to me is not nessisary.
Best regards,
Katie
Coming from a childhood of sexual, physical and mental abuse - my life was so empty. I was forced to go to church by my dad - and by the time I was in my teens, I was living a double life with 2 identities. One life was a church girl only to please my dad and the other life was a reckless one without God. Partying doing drugs.
The church people that I grew up with even though they didn't drink or do any "BAD THINGS" that they perceived was wrong - mentally I think they were mucked up. They put the rules before the true meaning of church ... which I beleive now is not the church building or about what you don't do wrong. But falling in love with Jesus.
And I have to just say this is not a ploy to convert you to Christianity this is just me sharing from my heart. Did you know when Jesus was alive that He hung with prostitues, people with leprosey, the homeless .. bascially the people that were outcasts? He did .. and I just love Him for that and He never ever forced them to beleive in Him it was always them running to Him to be healed, to be given freedom.
And that was me, I came to a point in my life where I was sick of living this false life. I knew there was more but I just didn't know where or who or what could help me. So I prayed as my last straw. God heard me. Never say God doesn't answer prayers .... co's He does ... ARRGGGGGH ... Cut a long story short ... 6 years after I'm living in a foreign country telling people about this Jesus I beleive in but through music.
It's been awesome ... I get to go to public and private high skools and primary skools, PRISONS, DETENTIONS CENTRES .... and share with them the hope I have. I'll tell you what - there are SO many people dying out there with mental illness that don't beleive in Jesus .... and if you don't beleive in Jesus .... I can't help but think it's the devil who wants us to die. And so I come across young people who have tried to comitt suicide, kids who have been involved in trying to stop their friend who was murdered who have no hope .... who don't even beleive in Jesus but like when we sing to them and share with them they get a glimpse of who Jesus is. And that's all I can do aye, just like share my story like I am with you.
My best friend is an ex-homosexual and one of my other best friends is a homo-sexual. I have always loved them never judged what they do but always had their back. And I realise ... thats how God is with me.
Anyways, I'm gonna stop writing but you take care.
If you honestly believe this, then I believe it is YOU who is insane. BTW--"mentally ill" people hear voices in their head, as well as "see" and speak to people who AREN'T there. 'Got Jesus?...
....cLiNg, cLiNg, cLiNg, we got a winner!
They haven't all been prepared to present you with the perfect wording so they may not offend you or someone else, but the baseline is they needed a savior probably more than you needed one at the time they did hurt you.
The relationship you are to seek when you go to church is with the one who can save you Jesus the Christ or if you prefer the one who can kill both your body and soul (GOD), not the crowd around you.
A time is coming (on your death bed) where you will have to face the decision to believe in him or reject his graceful salvation.
Please do not reject him because of what you see in churches but because you made a rightful decision reading what he has to tell you in the Bible.
By your comment I can suspect you haven't given God a chance to speak to you. Am I right?
Is he/she/it that weak?
All we are say---ing, is give God a chance
Knowledgeable disbeliever, meaning the ones who seriously made some research, you are prooving the Lord's word to be true.
Psalm 10:19 say when words are many, sin is not absent.
ex: you have 4 witnesses who followed him for the time of his ministry. How many does it take to prove your case of non belief? 1?
John 6:65 No one come to me unless the Father has enabled him.
To a man who thinks he is rich, materially or spiritually, Jesus gave us this teaching:
Matthew 19: 23,24, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
In 2005 we went to Alaska to spend two weeks on an Island off of Wrangle with 30 or 40 young people for a Christian summer camp. My wife who isn' so sure she should believe or not told me: " You are going to brain wash these kids about Jesus?"
My answer was: Since Adam and Eve, Satan has temporarily control over the Earth. According to the Bible, he(satan) has roamed the earth since then (book of Job) and thinks he is god himself. Who do you think has brainwashed who during all these years?
When a man look at an other man he looks at him outwardly, God search the heart of man, the reason some are offended when they enter a church.
2Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Jesus washed his disciple's feet to teach us something. He told us about: Him being the shephards and us being the sheeps to show us to be humble.
He told us if we wanted to be the greatest, we had to become the least first.
He tought us that Satan thinks he own the world. AND
This is the battle. It in everyone's heart he is talking about, every men's battle the spiritual warfare that is in us not in the world
I have let my Lord talk to you. The reason He said: "Heaven and earth will pass away but my word will never pass away (Matthew 24:35)" How many years are we on this earth? 50 to 100 years? Compared to eternity it is very short, did He lied ther too?
Satan's gonna get cha! BOO!