Tips from a Southern Baptist...

I'm not a christian. Honestly...I don't know what god, or gods, I believe in, which is why I label myself agnostic. I just can't be atheist anymore, because too many wonderful things have happened in my life this past year, year and a half, for me to chalk it up as merely coincidence. Maybe it's just karma paying me back for all the undue stress I've encountered. It's something, though. I've had miracles happen right in front of my face.

I'll always get tired of the "sin" and "hell" thing, because regardless of my beliefs my mom is gonna be baptist forever. *L* And the thing about the baptists where I'm from is they believe they must convert everyone around them with tales of fire and brimstone, so I'll be hearing it for the rest of my life. -_-

 

Please don't take this as preachy, I don't mean it that way at all, it's just that from your Thanksgiving post I think you really love your mother! So here goes.

The thing about your mother, is that if indeed she really loves you, and she really believes you are "going to hell" then she will never stop telling you, because no one, ever wants anyone they love to go there.

I know the approach is harsh, and I do believe there are many better approaches, but I understand where she is coming from. If you are able to assure her at all that you believe in Jesus Christ as your savior she will accept that and probably leave other doctrinal issues alone. She may even stop having issue with some of your life choices. If you don't agree on everything, she may be OK with that. Of course I don't know her, but I think it's eternity she is worried about.

I don't think you would ever try to convince her of a faith in Jesus Christ if you don't really have one, for that I respect you, because I can see you would never be a hypocrite about it. But if she even knows you are open and trying to figure things out for yourself, it may be easier for her, because we (Bible thumping Christians) all know God has children, but not any grandchildren. (Meaning she understands you need to be sure of what you believe for yourself and her beliefs won't get you into heaven anyway.)

 

I want to cum in Sarah Palin's mouth.

 

How mature :roll:

 

Since you are my Double L T (Long Lost Twin, aren't I so clever and witty?) I feel similar, and the spirituality I most often claim is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Age So I thought maybe I could just share it with you and see what you'd think...? I like it because it's "characterized by an individual approach to spirituality, while rejecting religious doctrine and dogma." And especially, the "individual approach to spiritually" and that's how I'd describe mine.

 

I love my mom fiercely, though I agree with her choices in life about as much as she agrees with mine. But she's still my mom, and we've been though some tough times together. I may not care about my dad, but me and my mom are tight.

You're right, though. I can't just tell her something unless it's true, so I can't pretend to believe in something I don't. I don't like to lie, especially to my mom. I withhold information sometimes, because it would cause her undue worry about me, but I try my best not to lie outright to her. I respect her too much for that, ya know?

But I have told her that I believe in god. I haven't went in depth to explain that I'm still a little unsure of exactly what I believe god is (as in, what flavor of religion I'd most adhere to) but I think the small faith I've got at least eases her mind slightly.

However, you're wrong about the jesus thing. My mom's backwoods church believes jesus to be nothing more than a man, and thinks that everyone who worships jesus or mary is going to hell with all the murderers, rapists and atheists. And muslims. And...everyone else but them.

I know she'll never lay off it, and I know we're going to butt heads over the religion issue almost as much as we butt heads about politics (She said she's afraid now that Obama will be president), but I just hope we can at least politely agree to disagree and talk about other things sometimes.

 

haha. and of course I love new age spirituality stuff, too.

DoubleLT f'reals, homie.

 

DoubleLT fa'shazamizles, homeloafslice! :mrgreen:

 

Well if your mom doesn't believe in Jesus, I don't understand where she is coming from because by definition, Christianity, is the belief in Jesus Christ. As far as I know the only reason anyone can go to hell (according to the Bible) is to reject Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

So if she doesn't believe in Jesus Christ then I don't understand how she can preach hellfire and brimstone. People are to good at choosing to take certain scriptures they like and leave the rest of the Bible out, as if they could chose to believe the earth is round but not believe it orbits the sun.

Sorry, I couldn't be of more help. I do hope you keep the love lines open with her though, and it sounds like you will. Hang in there.

 

Weird your mom is a "christian" but has a problem with you dating a black guy?

hmm what would Jesus Do...........

No ofeense to your mom or anything, I always find it funny the most racist people are these so called "hardcore christians", I wonder what bible they are readin.

 

DITTO!!

 

The same bible as the other christians.

Not that you're one of them, but I've been reading this thread and some folks here are acting like there aren't any hateful/"unloving" passages/messages in the bible.

 

Nowhere in the Bible does it say anything negative about IR relationships, Moses married a black woman from Ethiopia, and the Queen of Sheba was a black woman who loved King Solomon, and their love is documented in the Song of Solomon.

Yes there are hateful/unloving passages in the bible, that isn't one of them, the bible, you also have to be sure you know who is talking and to whom when you see things like Christ calling the Pharasies a bunch of snakes and a that sort of thing.

 

Good Morning, Renee here... the hubby of Diana. I just read all the posts, and am editing my first post, and suffice to say I had a "very" religious up bringing.

According to the Bible all divorces are a sin- "because it falls short of what God intended" in the short explaination. This was covered.

Not all divorces are "sinful" and thus remarriage is not a sin for 2 reasons- adultery and abandonment.

As mentioned God divrced Isreal because they abandoned him and would not follow Jesus.

If your husband comitted adultery or left (abandonment) then you are free to remarry.

There is only about 1 verse/passage I know of speaking on divorce in the whole Bible. When I say abandon it can mean more than just move out. Did he party too much? Did he hang wth guys too much? Did he well act like an 18 year old boy instead of a 30 year old man mature enough to be a "proper" husband.


You know if you "had to get married" well then you can say you were forced to make the marriage vow by others... so you should not be held accountable and I tink God would tend to agree... but I am not him...

I did not see why you got divorced so...

If there were neither of these reasons well we can get a bit deeper.

The Bible was canonized about 400 years after Jesus by a bunch of Catholic Cardinals. They kept some books and tossed out others. The ones that served their purpose were deemed fit. So who is to say some of the ones tossed out by them would not have had something more to say about divorce.

Now mind you I am not saying these are "the truth" only that is what the Bible says on divorce. I went through it yers ago.

On a side note... Many tings about Catholicism was stolen/borrowed from Pagans. I do not have much time, but then some Catholics decided that what the Catholics believed was not true and so Protestantism started. So over the years now there are a zillion Christion denominations and each was started by a man or a woman and fuzed his or her beliefs into "their" religion.

The only thing that I am sure about in religion is well...

"Only the dead know the truth and they ain't talkin".

I will say this and it is just my opinion I think "God" has more important things to deal with than a mistake an 18 year old made.

I hope this helps. Your mom may never discover "True Sprituality" and stay mearly religious. That is what organized religions want- they taake your individual power and money.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_Spirituality

Perhaps buy her this book. It can be had for $5. Although she probably will not read it.

I hope this helps.

 

My point was God is bigger than organized religion.

Do not worry about what your mom says.

If you read old testament "God" got upset not at a different race but different religions.......

but this is another lesson. If he is black and will go to church "God" aqpproves.

if he is white and will not go to church "God" does not approve.

If he is black and will not go to church then do not worry. God has bigger worries.... Cool?

 

One last thing- the protestants tossed out some of the Catholic books of Bible. Do not worry...

You know the Bible says no one is held accountable for any actions under the age of accountability. USA says that is 21, I would say 30 because I am 50 so my point is anything done at 18 is under the age of accountability. Sorry I do not see well sometimes and type worse...


Sweet dreams girly you are cool with "God".

Peace to your heart. Do not have a "heavy" heart.

You know this is our first post and I worry about you.

I do not like worrying about people I know, but I do about you because I can see a troubled heart.

 

One last thought is

"Evil like beauty is often in the eye of the beholder".