NewStats: 3,265,076 , 8,185,585 topics. Date: Friday, 13 June 2025 at 11:42 AM 3m491w

Over the past two years I have been having serious thoughts about religion, Christianity in particular because I was raised a Christian. A lot of things don't make sense to me lately and I will explain my points now.
1. Salvation: Christians believe that without salvation, which is accepting Jesus into your life, you're going to hell. But I have been curious to know what is the fate of these categories of people: People who existed before Jesus was born, and people who by their background, are likely not Christians. I mean, if I were born in India or Pakistan, I would like be a Hindu or a Muslim. If you were born in that region, you're likely to die practicing the religion of your parents and never get the chance of hearing about Jesus.
2. Religion seems to forbid you asking critical questions: I have come to realise that you're not allowed to ask critical questions if it is seen as a threat to how the system has been organised. Even if you do, you're told something that is very shallow and unconvincing.
I have once tried to ask why God decided to choose a small tribe in Israel to start the salvation of mankind and risk a lot of people in other civilisations not being aware of anything.
As always, I was given another unconvincing answer.
3. Teachings from the Bible sounds good, but not really applicable to real life situations: Imagine you're coming from church and somehow you enter into an argument with a bus conductor and he suddenly slapped you in the face. What would you do? Would you 'turn the other cheek ' like Jesus said or fight back? We are humans, and most times, we act as our emotions leads us. We're fallible and yet we're to live with the burden of being perfect enough for heaven. How is that possible.
I'm beginning to start believing that Christianity is an ideological concept, not very different from other religions.
I have a thousand thoughts concerning the whole Idea of Christianity, but let me stop here yet.
4. Money and billing is driving me crazy!: I attend a Pentecostal church, and to be honest, I don't agree with some of the doctrines. Why would you tell people to bring half their salary every January to sow seed? That's outrageous if you ask me. I watch as I see people being milked dry with multiple offerings every service.
Events upon events that dig holes in the pockets of in the name of contribution. Like, I'm tired! The church doesn't even know how you survive from Monday to Saturday or how your life outside church is like.
I think I will stop going to church for now.

Do not stop. It is alright to not have all the answers you need at a moment in life, but trust me, having questions makes you intelligent and very okay. Your questions are valid, you only need a teacher to instil sound principles to guide you on the right path.

Concerning turning the other cheek, God wants us to be like Him in character, principle and behavior. Having vengeful, violent and aggressive traits are not reflective of His person but of the devil. When you turn fron becoming vengeful to anyone who trues to do you harm, restrain yourself or turn the other way, you shock and confuse people and by so, sow a seed that may later on lead to the conversion of the other individual or even witness of the events. Saul converted to Paul because of the act of Stephen




Concerning pentecostal churches. Yes, many missions have shown in recent years to not care for the sheep as Christ would. As a minister of God that turned away from one of the most popular churches because they do not reflect the level of care i desired for God's children, i apologise on behalf of the kingdom to you. But, i wish to impact into you that His word says look unto God the author and finisher of our faith. Take away your eyes and worship from G.Os. take your faith and hope away from expecting them to help. If you mist seek for care from the church, you have freedom in Christ to change to another church that reflects more of your expectations. Please do bot stay too long in any church that does show care and God's love to you. They are only keeping you stuck.

But as Christians are we supposed to endure evil or oppose it? A slap is not a kiss on the cheek. Would you really pretend nothing happened if someone slapped you in an argument?

Sp33i:
Do not stop. It is alright to not have all the answers you need at a moment in life, but trust me, having questions makes you intelligent and very okay. Your questions are valid, you only need a teacher to instil sound principles to guide you on the right path.

Concerning turning the other cheek, God wants us to be like Him in character, principle and behavior. Having vengeful, violent and aggressive traits are not reflective of His person but of the devil

Gideonski:
But as Christians are we supposed to endure evil or oppose it? A slap is not a kiss on the cheek. Would you really pretend nothing happened if someone slapped you in an argument?

Someone blew me over ten times recently publicly. I shocked the public by not raising a finger and let the matter be judged by God. I wont raise an hand, i will also turn away from anywhere my life maybe harmed.

Sp33i:
Do not stop. It is alright to not have all the answers you need at a moment in life, but trust me, having questions makes you intelligent and very okay. Your questions are valid, you only need a teacher to instil sound principles to guide you on the right path.

Concerning turning the other cheek, God wants us to be like Him in character, principle and behavior. Having vengeful, violent and aggressive traits are not reflective of His person but of the devil. When you turn fron becoming vengeful to anyone who trues to do you harm, restrain yourself or turn the other way, you shock and confuse people and by so, sow a seed that may later on lead to the conversion of the other individual or even witness of the events. Saul converted to Paul because of the act of Stephen




Concerning pentecostal churches. Yes, many missions have shown in recent years to not care for the sheep as Christ would. As a minister of God that turned away from one of the most popular churches because they do not reflect the level of care i desired for God's children, i apologise on behalf of the kingdom to you. But, i wish to impact into you that His word says look unto God the author and finisher of our faith. Take away your eyes and worship from G.Os. take your faith and hope away from expecting them to help. If you mist seek for care from the church, you have freedom in Christ to change to another church that reflects more of your expectations. Please do bot stay too long in any church that does show care and God's love to you. They are only keeping you stuck.

OP, by "teacher" he means brainwasher (just kidding!).
Whatever you do don't JW and become brainwashed like Maxindhouse and Janosky!😆

But seriously, to answer your questions, we really don't know because we're incapable of knowing much for sure. All we know is that Jesus is God (God the Son), and only because we have evidence of it - we were told for thousands of years that God was coming, when he came he told us he was the God we were expecting. He forgave sins, accepted worship, raised himself from dead, and said his words would never away Thousands of years later he's being worshipped and is alive and active in people's lives, exactly as he said, and his worshippers far from being punished, are enormously blessed in every possible way more and more everyday!

Gideonski:
But as Christians are we supposed to endure evil or oppose it? A slap is not a kiss on the cheek. Would you really pretend nothing happened if someone slapped you in an argument?

Concerning asking questions. The sunday school is specially designed for asking questions. Attend a church you can attend sunday school and ask questions as much as you may desire. But try not to ask all your questions in a single day. It appears to me you are young. If you find and submit yourself to a mentor, you may get the answers you seek in life along the way

Gideonski:
Over the past two years I have been having serious thoughts about religion, Christianity in particular because I was raised a Christian. A lot of things don't make sense to me lately and I will explain my points now.
1. Salvation: Christians believe that without salvation, which is accepting Jesus into your life, you're going to hell. But I have been curious to know what is the fate of these categories of people: People who existed before Jesus was born, and people who by their background, are likely not Christians. I mean, if I were born in India or Pakistan, I would like be a Hindu or a Muslim. If you were born in that region, you're likely to die practicing the religion of your parents and never get the chance of hearing about Jesus.
2. Religion seems to forbid you asking critical questions: I have come to realise that you're not allowed to ask critical questions if it is seen as a threat to how the system has been organised. Even if you do, you're told something that is very shallow and unconvincing.
I have once tried to ask why God decided to choose a small tribe in Israel to start the salvation of mankind and risk a lot of people in other civilisations not being aware of anything.
As always, I was given another unconvincing answer.
3. Teachings from the Bible sounds good, but not really applicable to real life situations: Imagine you're coming from church and somehow you enter into an argument with a bus conductor and he suddenly slapped you in the face. What would you do? Would you 'turn the other cheek ' like Jesus said or fight back? We are humans, and most times, we act as our emotions leads us. We're fallible and yet we're to live with the burden of being perfect enough for heaven. How is that possible.
I'm beginning to start believing that Christianity is an ideological concept, not very different from other religions.
I have a thousand thoughts concerning the whole Idea of Christianity, but let me stop here yet.
4. Money and billing is driving me crazy!: I attend a Pentecostal church, and to be honest, I don't agree with some of the doctrines. Why would you tell people to bring half their salary every January to sow seed? That's outrageous if you ask me. I watch as I see people being milked dry with multiple offerings every service.
Events upon events that dig holes in the pockets of in the name of contribution. Like, I'm tired! The church doesn't even know how you survive from Monday to Saturday or how your life outside church is like.
I think I will stop going to church for now.

Thank you for speaking up right on time, millions of people are actually in your shoes as you have been pondering over things regarding religion.
First of all I will like to inform you that everything regarded as religion are all self made, the concept of religion is not really well defined and that is why we have lots of contradictions and controversies within the religious sects.In other to correct this abnormalities I would employ you to look more into spirituality instead of religion.

phorget:



Thank you for speaking up right on time, millions of people are actually in your shoes as you have been pondering over things regarding religion.
First of all I will like to inform you that everything regarded as religion are all self made, the concept of religion is not really well defined and that is why we have lots of contradictions and controversies within the religious sects.In other to correct this abnormalities I would employ you to look more into spirituality instead of religion.

Do not lead him astray. Jesus said in scripture, it will not be well with anyone who leads any of His sheep astray. As for you, learn to pay more attention to the needs and conditions of your own soul and read the scriptures for yourself

Gideonski:
But as Christians are we supposed to endure evil or oppose it? A slap is not a kiss on the cheek. Would you really pretend nothing happened if someone slapped you in an argument?

if sey u from Yoruba tribe??
U slap sum1 and he or she turn d next side of his or her face to slap, my guy?? U go fear, next is prostrate and beg him or her, bcus u no knw weytinz dey inside dat person, and wot will come out after d slapping

Sp33i:




Someone blew me over ten times recently publicly. I shocked the public by not raising a finger and let the matter be judged by God. I wont raise an hand, i will also turn away from anywhere my life maybe harmed.

That means you wouldn't readily die for what you believe if your life depended on it. Please don't get me wrong, I'm just trying to know how much we can take as humans for what we claim we can give everything up for.
Your not retaliating in a fight Is impressive, but it could also be because you were outnumbered and walking away was a wiser choice.

Sp33i:



Do not lead him astray. Jesus said in scripture, it will not be well with anyone who leads any of His sheep astray. As for you, learn to pay more attention to the needs and conditions of your own soul and read the scriptures for yourself

What religion did Jesus Christ practiced while on earth? Try and make a research about religion and spirituality perhaps you'll understand what I'm trying to point out here. Spirituality doesn't stop you from reading the Bible or Quaran, spirituality only gives you a direct connection to your creator without you going through your pastor or imam which religion encourages.

Welcome to new dispensation young man…

I doubt if you’ll ever get answers to your questions,many before you has going through phase and many will…
I have no answers to your questions sadly,but in everything you do,do not forget your own spirituality

You are not alone bro, I am with you on this decision of yours. It's not that I am against the religion but the wrong people are now occupying leadership positions in the church and ing the wrong message to gullible .

Gideonski:
Over the past two years I have been having serious thoughts about religion, Christianity in particular because I was raised a Christian. A lot of things don't make sense to me lately and I will explain my points now.
1. Salvation: Christians believe that without salvation, which is accepting Jesus into your life, you're going to hell. But I have been curious to know what is the fate of these categories of people: People who existed before Jesus was born, and people who by their background, are likely not Christians. I mean, if I were born in India or Pakistan, I would like be a Hindu or a Muslim. If you were born in that region, you're likely to die practicing the religion of your parents and never get the chance of hearing about Jesus.
2. Religion seems to forbid you asking critical questions: I have come to realise that you're not allowed to ask critical questions if it is seen as a threat to how the system has been organised. Even if you do, you're told something that is very shallow and unconvincing.
I have once tried to ask why God decided to choose a small tribe in Israel to start the salvation of mankind and risk a lot of people in other civilisations not being aware of anything.
As always, I was given another unconvincing answer.
3. Teachings from the Bible sounds good, but not really applicable to real life situations: Imagine you're coming from church and somehow you enter into an argument with a bus conductor and he suddenly slapped you in the face. What would you do? Would you 'turn the other cheek ' like Jesus said or fight back? We are humans, and most times, we act as our emotions leads us. We're fallible and yet we're to live with the burden of being perfect enough for heaven. How is that possible.
I'm beginning to start believing that Christianity is an ideological concept, not very different from other religions.
I have a thousand thoughts concerning the whole Idea of Christianity, but let me stop here yet.
4. Money and billing is driving me crazy!: I attend a Pentecostal church, and to be honest, I don't agree with some of the doctrines. Why would you tell people to bring half their salary every January to sow seed? That's outrageous if you ask me. I watch as I see people being milked dry with multiple offerings every service.
Events upon events that dig holes in the pockets of in the name of contribution. Like, I'm tired! The church doesn't even know how you survive from Monday to Saturday or how your life outside church is like.
I think I will stop going to church for now.

Hello, I might be of help in some ways, feel free to chat me up on 08089456258. But my first suggestion is for you to give that particular church a break

JESUS IS LORD

Gideonski:
Over the past two years I have been having serious thoughts about religion, Christianity in particular because I was raised a Christian. A lot of things don't make sense to me lately and I will explain my points now.
1. Salvation: Christians believe that without salvation, which is accepting Jesus into your life, you're going to hell. But I have been curious to know what is the fate of these categories of people: People who existed before Jesus was born, and people who by their background, are likely not Christians. I mean, if I were born in India or Pakistan, I would like be a Hindu or a Muslim. If you were born in that region, you're likely to die practicing the religion of your parents and never get the chance of hearing about Jesus.
2. Religion seems to forbid you asking critical questions: I have come to realise that you're not allowed to ask critical questions if it is seen as a threat to how the system has been organised. Even if you do, you're told something that is very shallow and unconvincing.
I have once tried to ask why God decided to choose a small tribe in Israel to start the salvation of mankind and risk a lot of people in other civilisations not being aware of anything.
As always, I was given another unconvincing answer.
3. Teachings from the Bible sounds good, but not really applicable to real life situations: Imagine you're coming from church and somehow you enter into an argument with a bus conductor and he suddenly slapped you in the face. What would you do? Would you 'turn the other cheek ' like Jesus said or fight back? We are humans, and most times, we act as our emotions leads us. We're fallible and yet we're to live with the burden of being perfect enough for heaven. How is that possible.
I'm beginning to start believing that Christianity is an ideological concept, not very different from other religions.
I have a thousand thoughts concerning the whole Idea of Christianity, but let me stop here yet.
4. Money and billing is driving me crazy!: I attend a Pentecostal church, and to be honest, I don't agree with some of the doctrines. Why would you tell people to bring half their salary every January to sow seed? That's outrageous if you ask me. I watch as I see people being milked dry with multiple offerings every service.
Events upon events that dig holes in the pockets of in the name of contribution. Like, I'm tired! The church doesn't even know how you survive from Monday to Saturday or how your life outside church is like.
I think I will stop going to church for now.

Christianity is not a religion. Its a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus through the holy spirit. Pray, read ur Bible and fast until you start hearing God speak to you clearly which always matches with his word. Until then...

Successsearch90:
Christianity is not a religion. Its a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus through the holy spirit. Pray, read ur Bible and fast until you start hearing God speak to you clearly which always matches with his word. Until then...

I think it is still a religion with a decent ideology on how people should live.You're easily a Christian because you were born in the right place. What if by chance, you were born into a remote tribe far from civilisation? (Yes, there are people who still walk around naked in the bush in this time).
If you were born there, would you know what is called salvation, heaven or hell? You'd probably be praying to a statue or a stone and thinking you're doing the right thing because that's the only thing you know!

Sp33i:
Saul converted to Paul because of the act of Stephen

This is not biblical though. Saul was intercepted by Christ on his way to persecute more Christians in Damascus. No mention his conversion had anything to do with martyrdom of Stephen

QuinQ:


This is not biblical though. Saul was intercepted by Christ on his way to persecute more Christians in Damascus. No mention his conversion had anything to do with martyrdom of Stephen

Smiles.

Sp33i:



Smiles.

Big smile

I've also made the inference you made, but always aware that's not what's in the Bible

I made a research and I discovered that the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John wasn't written until about sixty years after Jesus died. These were the possible reasons:
1. The Apostles of Jesus were busy spreading the story of his resurrection and his teachings as they were instructed by Him, so they didn't have the time to sit and write the s of what happened.

2. They were also waiting for Jesus to return because he told them he would return in their lifetime, so they felt they was no need.

However, when the witnesses of Jesus started ing away, the need for a comprehensive biography of Jesus needed to be recorded to avoid the risk of twisting or exaggerations that could make the whole thing look like a myth. You know how stories can change quickly when there's no written proof.
If you tell a friend a story today, the story will not be the same if your friend decides to tell another person tomorrow. Not to talk of sixty years!

Apostle Paul, who converted to Christianity, never met Jesus in his lifetime. He only became a convert after that divine encounter on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians.
He saw so much division in the churches at that time because many people were coming up with their own version of what Jesus's doctrine and teachings actually was. (, there was no written evidence yet), and some charlatans were twisting the gospel for their own selfish interests.

Paul spent over 20 years of his life writing to the churches in the different areas in Greece, telling them how they were supposed to behave as Christians and being of one mind. You could tell he was trying to stop the different doctrines that was flying around in Christianity which has led to the different denominations of churches we have today.

I believe that since the Jesus and the early Apostles died, Christianity has gone through a lot of changes over the centuries that has been far from what the people who started it had in mind. Humans are good at spoiling things.
The concept of Christianity might be valid, but it is also being abused as well. People had done some outrageous things in the past using Christianity as a shield.
My take is to be open to knowledge and apply the principles as best as I can

I would love to drop my 2 cents as well.

You can try to think logically about religion and it's demands and some things just don't make sense..but this same logic cannot explain a multitude of things happening in the world today.

Nature is simply beyond human capabilities and understanding and we keep learning something new everyday even though we've been on here for tens of thousands of years. Even the global political sphere is spiralling out of control because no man can claim control over everyone.

Following this thought trajectory, you would soon arrive at the conclusion that there is a need for a supreme being, the absence of whom all you see today would not exist.

In your personal life as well, you would soon réalisé you can't control many things, neither can the humans you look up to....and that why people resort to a higher being which explains the multiple religions/doctrines we have today.

Now we have free will and can choose whatever faith we want and abide by it's rules. This is not by church or pastor but by the supernatural. Simply put, 1000 people in a church could all have different beliefs.

Hold on to your belief. If your beliefs go against tithes and offerings, don't pay it and don't be cajoled or intimidated to do so. That won't prevent you from entering the church everyday to dance to praise and worship.

But if your understanding of your personal faith says you should do somethings you feel uncomfortable with but are necessary. You would do it, no questions asked.

Talkisneeded:
Welcome to new dispensation young man…

I doubt if you’ll ever get answers to your questions,many before you has going through phase and many wil after you
I have no answers to your questions sadly,but in everything you do,do not forget your own spirituality

I percieve your desire is for intellectual debate borne out of pride. Go read 1 timothy 6.

Why not work through your own salvation with fear and trembling. endless debate and geneology only lead to strife. Meanwhile Jesus is for the whole world(muslims, budists, indus, jew. “christians” etc)

1. Everyone is in hell. Yes. And everyone who is not a Christian goes to hell.


2. Either you believe or you don’t. If you believe, there is no critical thinking.


3. If you are a believer, yes, you will turn the other cheek. But when it comes to a reaction—if your life, or the life of someone close to you, or someone else, is in danger.


4. No one is forcing you to go to church. God is in your heart. You can turn to Him anytime and anywhere.



🙋🏻

Bro Gideon,

I attend a Pentecostal church, and to be honest, I don't agree with some of the doctrines. Why would you tell people to bring half their salary every January to sow seed? That's outrageous if you ask me. I watch as I see people being milked dry with multiple offerings every service.

Nobody put a gun to your head to bring half your salary to church as seed offering. That you don't flow with the doctrine does not mean you should stop attending church. Going to church is a business between you and your maker and not an appointment with the pastor.