SWIM Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 OK, this poll is for all people. Ex-christians, *when* you were a christian, which one had a monopoly on god? Christians, which one are you currently convinced is the right one and why? Just curious as to where the majority here originated from. Understanding the roots of someone's beliefs betters us in our understanding of where they have been and what they have gone through. This is the Lion's Den christians, so be prepared for discussion on why you think one is better then the other, as always in the den, it might get heated so be warned. As for the exchristians, it might help pair up discussions. In other words, someone claiming being a baptist might to well to talk with an ex-baptist. As would an ex-fundie (RubySera?) might be better qualified to address fundies, etc etc. Sojourner, (If she ever deconverts) might do well talking to universalists. Or ex-universalist might do well talking to her. (Not picking on anyone, just trying to fine tune the method of conversation to be most effective). Of course we all benefit from many diverse opinions from many differing backgrounds, but knowledge is power, and it is in this spirit I create the poll. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Jeff Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 I started out Baptist, but then Kryasst baptized me in the Holy Spook one glorious night, and I became one of those hand-raisin', tongue-talkin', pew-jumpin', dancin', shoutin', "On Fire for the LARD" Charismatics! Glory! I believed that all Christians were children of God, but that those outside of the Charismatic movement were missing out on the greatest power and blessings that God had for us as believers. Of course, I was a better Christian than they were because I believed the "Full Gospel", and so I enjoyed greater spiritual power, and I was better at kicking the Talking Snake's ass in prayer. Not that I ever had a problem with the sort of pride that pisses Jesus off... Of course, now I know that my neighbors just thought I was weirder than if I had been just an average Baptist fundie... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deva Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Raised in an independent (fundamentalist) Baptist church. No choice in the matter. My mother was a Sunday School teacher, my dad is presently a deacon. Mom never liked the Southern Baptists, I don't know why, maybe they were probably too liberal or too organizational in some way. She said their books and Sunday School materials were "just not right." To us, Catholics were not christians, and people who spoke in tongues were in error. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sojourner Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 the first chruch Attended was southern baptist then I went to a nondenomiational then I met my husband who was on staff at an assembly of God church he married me a devorce' and lost his license because I was an undesirable,had committed some unpardonable sin by being divorced, needless to say we left there soon since then we have been in a nondenominational church, he is still currently on staff at one I am a universalist, I dont have a chruch that I would call my home (the one he is on staff at is a place I visit if you will certainly not my church) other than the folks I gather with online if you will. There are few universalist churches at all sojourner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWIM Posted October 27, 2007 Author Share Posted October 27, 2007 Raised in an independent (fundamentalist) Baptist church. No choice in the matter. My mother was a Sunday School teacher, my dad is presently a deacon. Mom never liked the Southern Baptists, I don't know why, maybe they were probably too liberal or too organizational in some way. She said their books and Sunday School materials were "just not right." To us, Catholics were not christians, and people who spoke in tongues were in error. Interesting. As a boy, my grandma on my dad's side forced my to go to RCC every sunday, but thankfully they did not make me go the whole RCC path. When my folks got divorced I moved to FL and my grandmother on my mom's side was Ass Of God. She spoke in tongues too (quite fake sounding too). Fortunately for me, most all members of my immdiate family were lip-service only, rarely attending church, this I think saved me from much brainwashing. I really *feel* for you guys that were deeper into it. It makes it a bit hard to relate. Being ex an extremely long time makes it harder to understand a recent ex, like how they could have stayed so long. But, in all fairness, I cannot judge this, in fact, it is a *testament* to you folks having an extrodinary will-power, which I admire. I shudder and quake to think where *I* might be had I been forced into heavy involvment. Might even have "apologist" near my sig, or not have even come here at all, still wrapped in it. The way I see it, you guys stood the test of fire, one I fortunately did not have to take. Kuddos to you folks who were wrapped up in it heavy and *still* found the will power to break away! Have a drink on me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thackerie Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 I'm the one (so far) who checked off "Unitarian" - because I do go to services at a Unitarian church occasionally where I enjoy the open discussion of current affairs and the regular presentation of guest speakers representing all types of religious thought and philosophies. But, I would hardly call it christian; it's truly creedless. No one is required to "believe" a specific theology. There may be Unitarians who also believe in a literal ressurrection and all that jazz, but I've yet to meet any (or at least any in the Washington, D.C. area where I live). And that's the way I like it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deva Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Fortunately for me, most all members of my immdiate family were lip-service only, rarely attending church, this I think saved me from much brainwashing. I really *feel* for you guys that were deeper into it. It makes it a bit hard to relate. Being ex an extremely long time makes it harder to understand a recent ex, like how they could have stayed so long. But, in all fairness, I cannot judge this, in fact, it is a *testament* to you folks having an extrodinary will-power, which I admire. I shudder and quake to think where *I* might be had I been forced into heavy involvment. Might even have "apologist" near my sig, or not have even come here at all, still wrapped in it. The way I see it, you guys stood the test of fire, one I fortunately did not have to take. Kuddos to you folks who were wrapped up in it heavy and *still* found the will power to break away! Have a drink on me! Thanks Mike. Sitting here with another glass of wine typing this. I am not a recent ex but took me many years and it wasn't easy. Amazing how all their brain washing didn't work. It is still there, but only in the tendency to take things literally. Thank Azathoth I escaped!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vigile Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 I picked none. I was the ultimate church hopper. I reasoned that god was far more loving than anything I saw in the churches I visited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. S. Martin Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 As would an ex-fundie (RubySera?) might be better qualified to address fundies, etc etc. Michael, you may be surprised to know, but scholars seriously question whether the church I come from is modern enough to be fundamentalist. They think it's a tradition much older than fundamentalism--more like German Pietism of the 1600s. I see nothing of the sort on your list. Nor do I know of another regular on these forums from such a tradition. Most people who deconvert from this tradition go only so far as fundamentalist churches. Fundamentalism started about 1870 at the very earliest. My problem is with Christianity, not with fundamentalism. So you identify as a Christian? I hadn't been sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. S. Martin Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 I looked at your list again and voted now. I voted Lutheran. And I don't mean Missouri Synod, I mean the kind of Lutheranism that is being taught at the seminary where I am studying. I started studying there before I deconverted. If I had no problems with Christianity as a whole that is probably where I would make my spiritual home. Their view of God and the Bible and humanity agrees best with my convictions, provided I could convince myself that God existed and that humanity needed salvation. Which I can't. I spent enough of my life trying--in vain. In this thread I discussed some of my ideas around this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelli Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Too bad you didn't put an "other" category in there because the choices don't quite cover everything. I wouldn't necessarily say Unitarian, but maybe Universalist in general, as far as established sects go. But I'd actually have to say self-invented. I believe there is more to our existance than what most people see. I'm just not sure what exactly it is and how it came to be, though I have beliefs and theories that I personally am comfortable with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sojourner Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 I also didnt pick one because universalist is the closest to my beliefs though even that can be a broad term and in other ways not broad enough sojourner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWIM Posted October 27, 2007 Author Share Posted October 27, 2007 As would an ex-fundie (RubySera?) might be better qualified to address fundies, etc etc. Michael, you may be surprised to know, but scholars seriously question whether the church I come from is modern enough to be fundamentalist. They think it's a tradition much older than fundamentalism--more like German Pietism of the 1600s. I see nothing of the sort on your list. Nor do I know of another regular on these forums from such a tradition. Most people who deconvert from this tradition go only so far as fundamentalist churches. Fundamentalism started about 1870 at the very earliest. My problem is with Christianity, not with fundamentalism. So you identify as a Christian? I hadn't been sure. I didnt think modern, or anchient had anything to do with fundieism, I thought fundieism was "fundy" because they literally believe everything line by line. Do I have that wrong? OR is what I am thinking evangelical? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWIM Posted October 27, 2007 Author Share Posted October 27, 2007 OK folks, since this thread is still new, just a few hours old, I edited it to include "Other not listed above" Apologies if you already voted and cannot change the answer, but with only 8 votes and tons of members, it should not skew things by much at all, so far I only see one, maybe two that would have been other. Sorry for not including it in the OP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toaster Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 My father called himself an athiest or agnostic, apparently depending on his mood that day. My mother's family was all RCC, and she was taught by nuns. I was not allowed to go to church as a result of an agreement between my parents before my birth. I was naturally curious, and snuck in a few times with some of my Catholic friends, but as it was in Latin in those days, it was totally a waste of time. I had no religious teachings whatsoever, therefore, at the time I came into the knowledge of the Lord, just short of my 30th birthday. Not trusting the agenda's of men, I set out to study the Word of God by myself for 2 solid years, in the original languages, 8 to 16 hours a day. I had, up to that point, never read a word of it, didn't even know what John 3:16 meant if you had said it to me. I would have said, "Who's John and what's a 3:16?" That's how ignorant I was of the written Word of God. But I had a spiritual experience (actually several of them rapid fire over the next several months), and I knew (and so did my family) that I had literally woke up different. So I reasoned then that if that (salvation experience) was true and I knew that it was, then maybe it ALL might be true, including the scripture that you need not ask that any man should teach you, but the Holy Spirit will teach you and bring all things to your remembrance. So I asked the Holy Spirit to teach me, not having a clue how that might be accomplished. The things that He began to teach me rapidly broke ranks with mainstream beliefs and I ended up for a short time, in non-denominational churches, but mainly for the purpose of fellowship and group worship. My independent streak (in submission to His Spirit) has served Him well, as it has enabled Him to lead me into "uncharted waters", many times, leaving behind the doctrines of men as I follow Him. I claim no denomination, as there are none in the Word. That's my story and I'm sticking to it ......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest end3 Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Verily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWIM Posted October 27, 2007 Author Share Posted October 27, 2007 Verily Which one did you choose? Just curious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest end3 Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Always been a Holy Spirit guided kind of soul. Church is church. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lycorth Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 ^..^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWIM Posted October 27, 2007 Author Share Posted October 27, 2007 Always been a Holy Spirit guided kind of soul. Church is church. ROFLMAO never ever a straight answer, even to a simple question... typical Correct answer was, : A: none of your business (that's cool) B: Other - none of the above Why is it oh so hard to get straight answer out of xtians? Even simple question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. S. Martin Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Just curious here, end3. You say you are electrified by Josh, that Jesus is your God, and that you are guided by the Holy Spirit. If you also believe in God the Father, does that make you a Quadritarian? Not exactly a Trinitarian, seeing that this is four rather than three. So why isn't your name end4? Just trying to pick a fight, that's all. I've never met a quadritarian who claimed to be a Christian. Sounds rather polytheistic to me....three's quite a crowd, but 4???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest end3 Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Did ya'll not have enough Christians to pick on today? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWIM Posted October 27, 2007 Author Share Posted October 27, 2007 Did ya'll not have enough Christians to pick on today? Never enough, like lays potatoe chips, you can't eat just one.(course in this case, it's more like chewed up, an spit out)... hehe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toaster Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Just curious.....but what exactly is a quadritarian, if there is such a thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelli Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Did ya'll not have enough Christians to pick on today? If you can't take it, why come here? You want us to feel sorry for you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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