If God exists.... which church does he attend? (page 2)

Ding

For me, the key is the resurrection of Christ which authenticates the claims of Jesus.

Is there evidence outside of the Bible that it really happened?

I believe so.

I would recommended to anyone who is interested in this Lee Strobel's book The Case for Christ Josh McDowell's Evidence That Demands a Verdict and More Evidence That Demands a Verdict.

I certainly don't claim that those books will persuade everyone, but I think they contain a lot of thought provoking information.

As far as the title of this thread is concerned, I think it's a mistake for someone to look for ONE organization that has all the answers and correct Bible interpretations.

I think it's best to read the Bible itself, investigate various interpretations, pray about it and focus on a relationship with God before looking for a church.

After that, then find a church or churches that you believe best measure up in terms of doctrine and practice, understanding that no organization of human beings will be perfect.

As jw's, our minds were swayed by the powerful brain washing that was regularly dished out to us. When we did read the actual scriptures, we were set up, so that our thinking would automatically jump to default. Our thoughts were only what had been imbeded into our brains.

So now, when I read a scripture, such as posted by Lovelylil, I think how could I have possibly missed that one, it's so plain!

"Acts 17:24,25 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else"

>

So great that my mind now does not translate this to "yeah, all those fancy churches with crosses & leaded glass & collection plates & music - yuk, god wouldn't be there? Oh no, he just likes halls with no windows..."lol !!!

Also just saw this -"He is not served by human hands"(works), ...He himself gives everyone.."(grace)

Nice one Lovelylil

clarity

frigginconfused

After years of searching other religions I have personally concluded Jesus is the real deal.

I beleive he is the only way to salvation. I have no need to follow a man made org. to be a follower of him though. So church is out for me.

Ding

Frigginconfused,

I think you're right to focus on Jesus rather than on a human organization.

Contrary to what the WTS teaches, salvation comes through Christ, NOT through association with "God's organization" or "God's sole channel of communication" or "the faithful and discreet slave organization."

That said, I've also found that you can be involved in a church without being a "follower" of that organization.

The vast majority of churches don't claim to be the only true Christian church or the only way to Jesus.

frigginconfused

Ding Hmmm... I dont know how to do this. How do you become part of a church without being a follower. Sure you can go to church. But unless you play by thier rules you wont really be welcomed in. Help me understand.

Ding

Hi Frigginconfused,

Many churches allow you to come and worship with them, even participate in small groups, without becoming members.

There are a number of "seeker targeted" or "seeker friendly" churches that allow you to come to "seeker services" where you aren't expected to know the lingo or agree with what the church teaches. You just come to investigate and check things out, ask questions, and the like. These churches go out of their way NOT to pressure you to become a member or subscribe to the church's doctrinal statement. Yes, they will present things from the Bible and they will have definite interpretations they are presenting, but they allow you freedom to be there without joining anything. They pass a collection plate, but it's perfectly acceptable to put nothing in. In fact, often more people just pass the plate along at those types of services than put anything in. Really, no one notices whether you're donating or not.

They will welcome you as a person who isn't ready to commit to their teaching and membership. Of course, you won't be invited to be on an elder board or governing committee that way, but that's your choice because you don't WANT that type of organizational involvement.

Lee Strobel is a good example. He came to Willow Creek Community Church (South Barrington, Illinois). That's a large (15,000 attenders per week) church. They allowed him to come in anonymously, listen, and leave. He first came as a staunch atheist who wanted to prove to his wife that the whole thing was some sort of scam or at least a place that presented pabulum for the weak minded. He was so uncomfortable being in a church that he brought along his reporter's notebook (he was a reporter for the Chicago Tribune) so that if anyone recognized him, he could claim he was covering the event for the newspaper, looking for scams, whatever. After two years of this type of anonymous attendance, with no pressure, he ended up becoming a Christian and later became a pastor at that church. But the point is that he could still be attending there every week anonymously 15 years later if he wanted to.

The church I attend is a Willow Creek Association church. You could come for years if you want without joining anything. Obviously, you won't be appointed to boards or committees that are involved in running the church if you do it that way, but again that's because you don't want to make that sort of commitment to that organization, not because they aren't welcoming toward you.

"Seeker targeted" or "seeker friendly" churches like that often have optional "seeker small groups" where people who haven't bought into the church's teachings can come get questions answered. All but one or two people at those meetings are seekers or skeptics rather than church members.

To be sure, some churches DO push attenders to agree with them, become members, donate money, etc. If they push too hard or too fast, you can always tell them no thanks and go somewhere else or quit going altogether.

Most churches have printed doctrinal statements you can read before deciding whether to attend.

Willow Creek, for example, believes in and teaches the Trinity. You can steer clear of them if you don't like that or you can go listen anonymously anyway, or you can go up to an usher, tell them you're an ex-JW and ask to set up a time to meet with a pastor to have him explain to you from the Bible why they believe this. Odds are, a large church like this will also have members who are ex-JWs who will understand you very well.

If you have further questions based on this posting, feel free to PM me.

cyberjesus

And still my question remains, why believe the bible instead of the Torah or the Koran? IF the people who believe the Koran is the Real Deal and they think they have Gods word why dont you join them?

tec

I don't believe in religion.

I do believe in Christ. (Faith in Christ if that is easier to grasp - but not the organizations that claim to speak for Him; though not all of them do. Some of them just want to be around others who share faith in Christ.)

As for what I believe from the holy books - that all depends on what is written. My faith is NOT in the bible; but I certainly believe many things written in it... at least as pertains to Christ. (because of the content; not because its 'in-the-bible')

Tammy

MrFreeze

Reminds me of an episode of South Park. Bunch of people are in hell:

One man: Hey, wait a minute, I shouldn't be here. I was a totally strict and devout Protestant! I thought we went to heaven!

Hell director: Yes, well I'm afraid you were wrong.

Another man: I was a practicing Jehovah's Witness.

Hell director: Uh, you picked the wrong religion as well.

Another man: Well, who was right? Who gets into heaven?

Hell director: I'm afraid it was the Mormons. Yes, the Mormons were the correct answer.

If God exists.... which church does he attend?

OUTLAW

Ding

clarity

frigginconfused

Ding

frigginconfused

Ding

cyberjesus

tec

MrFreeze

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