Uncomfortable with religion?

I am curious how many others have felt uncomfortable with major religons?
Not talking about the ancient teachings but more so the image the church portrays.
Since very early age I remember sensing something very uncomfortable with Christian preachers. Also the jehovah witness folks as well and catholicism to a point. I guess the best way to explain it is like when you meet someone and get that feeling like something is off. I don't know if this happens when people obsess over something or what. Plus I see preachers feel like they have all the answers and come off very over confident. I won't even touch on the subject of controlling the masses. More so the feeling of being uncomfortable is the reaosn of the post. I think for many people that may like to attend church or learn about God are very turned off by the image that has developed mainly with Christian sect. Do you agree?

I always admired the Hindo religon cause it seems so peaceful and bright. Some may disagree with elephant Gods etc but I think the bright colors and animated drawings offer a very comforatble factor for young an old.

Please post your feelings and experiences on this topic. I would love to hear about them.

Originally posted by thebookling
I am curious how many others have felt uncomfortable with major religons?

I have! Not that it ever affected the confidence I felt correct in placing in God--but rather I think that that confidence enabled me to question religion without questioning God. And that is precisely what we are to do--question all things, because whatever is not of God will not stand under close scrutiny. God certainly has no apprehension about our questioning in any manner--it is an essential part of our spiritual development and He is the author of that just the same as everything that exists.

Also the jehovah witness folks as well and catholicism to a point. I guess the best way to explain it is like when you meet someone and get that feeling like something is off. I don't know if this happens when people obsess over something or what.

My blunt opinion on that sort of thing is that it is actually insecurity and fear of the very same sort that initially led that person on that particular path--but instead of allowing God to lead, fear prevented that first free-fall step that is required in every case--and in certain timeframes it seems that certain things are expected in the 'prescribed' god-seeking journey. The easiest person any of us can lie to and get away with doing so, is ourselves! And we do it so much we certainly don't have any clue until one day God somehow removes those scales from our eyes and we see! Until then we continue to externalize the devil and blame our human fallibilities on him, instead of realizing the true demonic culprit is our own personal ego!

It is self-deception that causes things to seem a bit 'off.' Because thing are awry in that case!

Plus I see preachers feel like they have all the answers and come off very over confident.

They are certainly held to having to put themselves in such a position--which is really unreasonable and unrealistic, not to mention totally outside of God's intentions. It is a situation that has come about due to myriad causative factors, and it is just another
standard measure of the educational, transforming, human experience. It, too, will pass, as things become more real than illusory in the years ahead of us.

More so the feeling of being uncomfortable is the reaosn of the post. I think for many people that may like to attend church or learn about God are very turned off by the image that has developed mainly with Christian sect. Do you agree?

Absolutely! 100%.

In fact, even before I began to get even my first glimpse of what was really real-- through God's eyes, not mine--I had a painful understanding of there being so much harm done, toward each other,through the making out of God to be something man-made, petty, unreasonable, and unfair; and so becoming a source of discouragement and futility to most, yet all in the name of 'saving lost souls!' Something we are not called to do, anyway--and not only for the fact that it's already been accomplished, but because it is totally outside of our abilities!

Totally bad publicity. :shk:

I truly believe that the main contributing factor of atheism is christianity, itself!




*duck*

because someone will surely cast a stone in this direction, since I finally found the gall to confess that conviction!

I always admired the Hindo religon cause it seems so peaceful and bright.

I always thought that Buddhism seemed to instill a more peaceful state of the human mind--not into meditation or anything like that, but the advice given in Buddhist proverbs is quite pertinent and actually lines up with what Christ taught and exampled. Buddha never sought to replace God or start a religion, I'm sure. Saying Buddha is an idol and is taboo is putting all the responsibility for individual human misdirection in the lap of one who was at no fault in their lifetime, as far as such accusations go.

Some may disagree with elephant Gods etc but I think the bright colors and animated drawings offer a very comforatble factor for young an old.

I totally stand behind the idea that God seeks that for us: not elephants but true peace and comfort for young, old, and all in between--in our current state of existence!

God does all things for the good of mankind (the whole human race).

Not to punish us but to rescue us from the low point of the grave in which we already are! We are 'already' condemned, John 3:18 says--we are not condemned by not believing, but rather remain condemned (in just the very same state in which we were all born).

But how can anyone give this idea any credence when we have such negative publicity going on in the midst of those who loudly proclaim their way is the only way to God? How can anyone see the simple truth demonstrated through the resurrection (which is that life continues, not that we can hope for some sort of zombie-ish restoration of our physical aspects which is promoted as 'salvation.') when those that publicize it are not only not portraying themselves as completely confident in their work as well as totally confident in God, but who also constantly bombard us with nonsensical juxtaposition and contradiction that even they cannot explain, satisfactorily, when sincerely questioned by those they seek to 'shepherd?'

Im an athiest who respects people right to follow any religion. However I do take issue with people that expect me to live my life by there delsions. I will live my life how I choose and if you dont like the way Im living my life thats your problem. On the whole I dislike organised religion.

Until my late 20s I had a most interesting dilema. I was totally uncomfortable about religion and it was all I could do to force myself to attend church a couple of times a year, yet I wanted to be a minister. I began being drawn to churches when I was a small child and I always knew I should be a minister. I also knew I wasn't a Christian, nor would I ever be.

Luckily I did find a (non-Christian) church where I am comfortable and I am well on my way to becoming a minster there.

I am not saying that everyone just needs to find the right church, far from it. However, it was just an interesting predicament to feel like I should become a minister when religion seemed pointless and churches were unbearable.

Rest assured that you are not alone in your feelings.