Brainwashed?

[Landune]

First let me say that I am a seeker, not an atheist or someone just trying to stir up trouble. I have been seeking for well over a year now, and I have had my ups and downs. I had a weak faith to begin with which blossomed into a near strong faith, but sadly, dissipated in the last few months.

I want to stop just blindly following. I am going to raise objections, but in hope that my own faith will be strengthened. Please put some reason and thought into helping me with my latest issue.

Brainwashing. When I see people raising their hands in the air to praise, or recite "signs" that they have seen in dreams, or the children who so blindly follow a faith that has been drilled in their heads.. I think of Christianity as some kind of cult. It almost seems like it turns people looney. Now, I want to know God, and believe, but I can't do it by "brainwashing". I find their being something wrong with surrounding yourself with something till you believe it. I want to question and seek the discrepancies.

So please, tell me why (without giving me generic Christianity answers), why Christianity is not cultish or is brainwashing it's seekers and children?

 

[Boanerges]

First the reality of Jesus Christ and the miracles He did are an established fact. His enemies -those in power who sought to stay in control could not deny what He did as those deeds were done in front of multitudes of people. So while denying the power was not an option the ones who had everything to loose had to resort to calling those miracles witchcraft. So Jesus own enemies testify to His power.
Second, only a born again believer can know Christ. There are many religious folks that know about Him but a believer has something that no one else has- a living relationship with Him.
Telling you about the miracles I have seen (and there were many), telling you about the manifestation of God's glory (to the point one could not stand in His presence) and so on- these are but bites of the same apple so to speak. Unless you taste the apple for yourself how will you really know the reality of it's texture, flavor and etc?
You are in my prayers.

 

[Landune]

I thought I was a born again believer... I know my life has changed since last year, I have had God on my mind since then, and I asked him into it. However, I still don't feel like I am getting more than a nibble of that apple.

 

[TheDJ]

I thought I was a born again believer... I know my life has changed since last year, I have had God on my mind since then, and I asked him into it. However, I still don't feel like I am getting more than a nibble of that apple.

Hi Landune - great to see you here.

Salvation is about a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is about us asking Him into our lives to be Lord of our lives and that we realize we are sinners and need Him to wash away our sins which He did on the Cross. If you believe He died for your sins and God rose him from the dead then you are saved, however it has to be from the heart.

Take a look at Romans 10:9-10: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28184">10</sup>For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

It is from our heart that we turn to Jesus Christ for what He did on the Cross. Once you are born-again the Holy Spirit then dwells within you and will teach you all things. (John 14:26.) How does He do that? Well you need to be in the Word of God, that is God's written Word to us!

Once I became a born-again believer I started to understand the Word of God in a way I could never in the past, only because the Holy Spirit teaches and guides.

If you have asked the Lord to be Lord of your life, that you confessed to Him that you are a sinner and need Him, and that you accept He paid for your sins and that God rose Him from the dead, and at the point he defeated death, Satan, and all sin, and it comes from your heart, then you are saved.

Take a look at these key verses:

Man is a sinner:
“For there is not a just man upon Earth, that doeth good and sinneth not” (Eccl. 7:20).
“For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).

Jesus died for us and we need Him!

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God . . .” (I Pet. 3:18).

Once you receive Jesus as your personal Saviour, you are born again! Jesus told Nicodemus "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

Read the Gospel of John, it is easy to read and has some of the greatest teachings of Jesus concerning our salvation, it is wonderful!

You asked how Christianity is not a cult and I want to touch on that a little.

As stated above, God has proven His word through bible prophecy. Take a look at the Old Testament and how all the prophecy's concerning the Messiah came true well before Jesus was even born. These have also been confirmed by archeologists to be written in the time period they say they were to validate the truth behind the Word.

There is no book on the face of the planet other than the Bible that has prophecy written down to the minute detail and have it come true.

Now, you may hear of false teachers who do not proclaim that Jesus was God in the flesh, or that their are other ways to the Kingdom of God other than Jesus etc.. and those you have to be very careful not to follow! Their will always be false teachers and the Word warns against them.

I think it is wonderful that you are seeking more truth about God and I will pray for you as well. It is a long journey, but getting to know God is the most wonderful thing you could ever experience! Take time to spend with God by praying (Which is communication with God, just talk to Him like you would anyone else,) spend time in the Word, and Worship the Lord (Worship is loving God back, we can do this by praise in words, songs etc..)

I hope this is helpful and any questions let us know, everyone is here to help!

Take care and God Bless,

DJ

 

[Brighthouse]

Landune,Without using any scripture,based simply on common sense,perhaps,this will help. If I wanted to get to know someone,I would have to spend time with them first,the more time I would spend with them,the more, I would not only get to know them!! BUT!! myself as well. Brainwashing to me,is when one believes something,but does not know why one believes it.I agree. One must know why as well.With Jesus,he is the Word,so therefore understanding this, I sought him out through the Word,if someone said something to me, that did not line up with the Bible,then they are wrong.that simple. Scrpture makes things clear for me,it identifys who I am in Christ,my only thought now, was how far do I really wish to know my Jesus? PURPOSE!! All things are created for this,matters not if one believes this or not,still true,like whatever goes up, one day, lol will come down. Jesus who is the only living God,was my reason to seek him out,for no dead god can answer me,no other God left to worship other then one who is living to me. So I had to decide that my feeling needed to match my Faith,not the other way around,for as we both know feeling can decieve,Jesus cannot. Get into his Word,you will find our Jesus is a God of love,of understanding,and all he wants from us,is to allow ourselves to walk in his light,rather then our darkness in our past. To gain knowledge,one must seek it out,to recieve something we need,we must first understand in ourselves, how one can obtain this.I do not say to have blind Faith,blind Faith leads us to a blind walk. I say,seek out Jesus in his Word,then decide for yourself. If we believe something,we will act as if we do believe.In this way,you will see in yourself,where Jesus will take you.I hope through my love in Christ,and in those who seek him,I have encourged you,for me,there just was no other answer,do I still make mistakes?? lol sure,but it is so good to know,that I serve a living God,one who loves me,one who will always love me,and never ever leave me or forsake me. You may ask, what scripture drew you to the Lord? one!! Titus 1:2 God is not a man that he can lie!! Knowing this,and believing this,I had no more doubt in me,and you will not either,IF!!! you truly seek our Lord through his Word. Forgive me for using one scripture,I just wanted you to know,what it was that made a true believer out of me! Blessing to you!!

 

[El Hombre viejo]

First let me say that I am a seeker, not an atheist or someone just trying to stir up trouble. I have been seeking for well over a year now, and I have had my ups and downs. I had a weak faith to begin with which blossomed into a near strong faith, but sadly, dissipated in the last few months.

I want to stop just blindly following. I am going to raise objections, but in hope that my own faith will be strengthened. Please put some reason and thought into helping me with my latest issue.

Brainwashing. When I see people raising their hands in the air to praise, or recite "signs" that they have seen in dreams, or the children who so blindly follow a faith that has been drilled in their heads.. I think of Christianity as some kind of cult. It almost seems like it turns people looney. Now, I want to know God, and believe, but I can't do it by "brainwashing". I find their being something wrong with surrounding yourself with something till you believe it. I want to question and seek the discrepancies.

So please, tell me why (without giving me generic Christianity answers), why Christianity is not cultish or is brainwashing it's seekers and children?

So you're trying to increase your faith....
Faith cometh not by arguing or discussing doctrine. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing and hearing the Word of God. Romans 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Pick up your bible and start reading it out loud and keep doing it until you know that you know that you know that what you read is real. Read it aloud until you know that you are saved, delivered, healed, prospered and so on You can know that you ARE the blessed. Only by hearing the Word. I say read it aloud because yours is the first voice your spirit and mind will believe. You will have the Word going into your eyes, out your mouth and into your ears. A three way win.

 

[soberxp]

first of all. I don't mix things up. I don't mix the climatic fluctuations up with god. I only mix them up with knowledge(know-how; science;reasonable bible truth).

eye for eye..............word for word

Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves.
Did scientist really say, 'You must not read from any part in the bible'? and you must not touch it, or you will die ? did you really believe in evolution theory,For scientist knows that when you read of bible your eyes will be opened,and most scientists really read bible, since you knowing Adam and Eve,most scientists really want to know why the serpent said :"You will not surely die ."



Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.


I don't believe in the movie2012 nor the saying.



but as for flood disaster,yes!that's a fact because Modern Science and Technology.the Most important is Avarice knows no bounds,not because their purpose was bad,cuz God Makes Foolish the Wisdom of the World,I am not envious of scientist and rich man nor hate them.not really they are Foolish,cuz the rich man and scientist not the same person,if a person is rich man and scientist at the same time,things should be better than NOW,still what I said only in GOOD person way.


Genesis - 创世记 8:21
kjv:And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

as for the movie2012,I didn't know their purpose why they made such a film.but for the bible,there will be no such thing as the movie2012.

but as for flood disaster,yes!that's a fact because Modern Science and Technology which is ........Global warming and the climatic fluctuations ..ETC.my point at this is Scientist and entrepreneur or even leader and people and myself (especially Scientist) will have to ask/answer for what we have done,what?you still don't get my point? ok,look at these,
1.Scientist said there is no god only Modern Science and Technology,so they will have to ask/answer for what's gong on about NOW(Global warming and the climatic fluctuations...or even 2012 subject)
2.entrepreneur and leader will have to ask/answer for what's going on about our system depend on 1st.
3.people will have to ask/answer for they can't depend on 1st n 2nd to find the all answer.

the situation is , I can't only depend on Science or bible to answer for what we have done.
we should depend on both(Science and bible) to answer for what we have done.

so what's Science?it's all about Fiction.
1.Fiction that god is true.
2.Fiction that god is False.
this is Science,this is really called Science.but how about now?the Science complete denial of GOD and bible.

1.Fiction that god is true.
Modern Science and Technology and all our liveing life,whether or not it corresponds to bible.
2.Fiction that god is False.
Modern Science and Technology and all our living life,whether or not it corresponds to reality.

AS FOR the ideological sphere
socialist system:Everyone is equal.Everyone will has a car,country villa,a villa by the lake,a computer,a Mobil phone,ETC.this is really a society permeated with idealism. and perhaps people who under socialist system,are also bound by their own laziness.The government, after all, can do the thinking for them.

Capitalism system:there is no need to talk about more about it,you know it,I know it.Modern Science and Technology,environmental pollution,sharpen the polarization between the rich and the poor,Global warming,the climatic fluctuations,better city better life.ETC. OH!at one time(this is truth,but only once) every chinese found the Capitalism system somehow is more alike socialist system than different,but this is still not my point.

my point is our living life,our Modern Technology ,our system,we already can't found the answer in Science.no matter socialist system or Capitalism system,people think everything will be ok with Modern Science and Technology ,That could be impossible because of limited resources yet never-ending hominine desires.Jhn 6:12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Jhn 6:13 Therefore they gathered [them] together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.



when people acknowledge Science and bible,they will found all the real answer in the bible.

that's about
at the coming of the Son of Mankind, will He be finding the faith on the earth? Luke 18:8
people didn't even depend on bible to thinking nor depend on science to thinking,they depend on whatever rapture theory to thinking.did you get it? are these funny?

can we rapture(I just rap a long stuff about true)?!!! LOL

I wanna add something...........as we all knew God is the creator ，
we are just disciple; follower ，student; pupil ，
no matter who we are,
rich man
painter
fabulist
sculptors
inventor
philosopher
musician
medical scientist
biologist
Geographer
building engineer
military engineer
Christian
catholic
we are just a person who has studied theology (I think THE REAL theology should include:
0.bible,the word of god
1.science; scientific knowledge
2.philosophy
3.thought; thinking; idea; ideology)


JUST wana remind you guys.we are not HATER.

 

[Boanerges]

I thought I was a born again believer... I know my life has changed since last year, I have had God on my mind since then, and I asked him into it. However, I still don't feel like I am getting more than a nibble of that apple.

Then my friend it is time to reach for a bigger bite. There is no end to His glory and an eternity is only enough to scratch the surface of knowing Him. God indeed created this universe and it cannot contain all that is He.

I purpose a challenge to you:
For one month:
Read the New Testament at least a chapter a day.Ask the Holy Spirit (our Teacher) to show you what it means and how to apply it to your life.
Spend at least one hour a day in worship.
Pray- talk to God about everything that is on your mind.
That is called sewing to the spirit and if you press in to find Him He will show you His glory.

 

[stephen]

First let me say that I am a seeker, not an atheist or someone just trying to stir up trouble. I have been seeking for well over a year now, and I have had my ups and downs. I had a weak faith to begin with which blossomed into a near strong faith, but sadly, dissipated in the last few months.

I want to stop just blindly following. I am going to raise objections, but in hope that my own faith will be strengthened. Please put some reason and thought into helping me with my latest issue.

Brainwashing. When I see people raising their hands in the air to praise, or recite "signs" that they have seen in dreams, or the children who so blindly follow a faith that has been drilled in their heads.. I think of Christianity as some kind of cult. It almost seems like it turns people looney. Now, I want to know God, and believe, but I can't do it by "brainwashing". I find their being something wrong with surrounding yourself with something till you believe it. I want to question and seek the discrepancies.

So please, tell me why (without giving me generic Christianity answers), why Christianity is not cultish or is brainwashing it's seekers and children?

Hello dear brother......welcome to 'talkjesus'

Talk Jesus....Yes. A person you cannot talk about if you do not know Him. If you have not met Him.


Jesus Himself said "Seek and you will find, Knock and it will be opened, Ask and it will be given" Matt 7:7

My personal take on these words is that Jesus was reffering
to Himself.

Dont stop till you have 'found' 'opened' been given'.......in Jesus. It will change your life.