If there was no reward or punishment would you be involved in any religion?

by restrangled 35 Replies latest jw friends

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  Apostate Kate

  For me being a Christian, a real mainstream Christian in a non denominational mainstream church keeps me in the here and now. Gives me focus on the hear and now. Gives me purpose for the hear and now. Not because my pastor tells me what to do or how to think today, but because Jesus is constantly before me. He is here and now with me by His Words (reading the Bible daily), by spending time with others who believe, by our unified worship in music.

  He shows me the boundaries I need to obey for today for my own benifit. His Spirit guides me when I am not sure. He will orchestrate circumstance to assure me if I am unsure. I really don't care much about heaven, hell, or the unknown. I don't care much about the future.

  Being born with a genetic blood disease that has caused chronic illness, surgeries, and a death sentence that I have outlived by 14 years so far, you would think I should have quite a bit to give me worries. I live one day at a time, by the blood of Jesus His grace has brought me to a very beautiful place of peace and love.
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  mouthy

  I live one day at a time, by the blood of Jesus His grace has brought me to a very beautiful place of peace and love.

  AMEN!!!!
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  GentlyFeral

  OK, disclaimer first: I haven't read any of the replies...

  But consider this: If your spouse didn't love you, would you still be married? It's the same kind of question, because there are other rewards to religion than the hope of an afterlife.

  gently feral
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  AuldSoul

  Yes. I know for sure because I don't believe reward is a reason to seek relationship and I don't believe punishment is a rational cause to avoid an exercise of choice.

  Respectfully,
  AuldSoul
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  Apostate Kate

  The Watchtower teaches a warped non Biblical view of the nature of God the Father. They put the rules and regulations on God's love, not the Bible and not most other mainstream churches.

  A healthy relationship with the Father is encouraged, one of love and respect.
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  Little Bo Peep

  Strange, we were just talking about this earlier this evening. Although raised a JW for over 50 years, I never want that kind of control on my life again. I still believe in the Bible, Jehovah (Yahweh) or..., his son Jesus etc. I think there is some good in all religions, at least good people in them, but don't want to become anyone's project. I don't think there are any religions that are anything like the "congregations" of the apostles times. I believe one should try to show Christian qualities in their lives, the "golden rule" so to speak. The "church" that the Bible speaks of are "people", not buildings and organizations. I am thankful to be truly FREE!

  Little Bo Peep