People choose their religion based on something about themselves (Full Version)

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Covaan_Meshuga -> People choose their religion based on something about themselves (7/6/2008 1:12:43 PM)

In Worship Wars, a new member, DSmitty, made the following statement:
quote:

I've noticed . . . that people . . . choose their religion based on something about themselves. Sometimes it's ethnicity, sometimes it's personal tastes and preferences. Since God has been around a lot longer than I have, it would be pretty foolish for me to assume that who and what He is revolves around who and what I am. He didn't suddenly put on the breaks the day that I showed up in the world and say, "Whoa! Hold everything! This changes everything!"


I find his statement to be both interesting and relevant.

Questions:
1. Have you continued in the faith/religion/church in which you were reared?
2. Without mentioning G-d's leading, what caused you to choose your present faith/religion/church?
3. What causes you to continue where you are presently attending?
4. Are you considering changing your faith/religion/church for any reason other than moving? Why?
5. What do you think of DSmitty's comment, "Since God has been around a lot longer than I have, it would be pretty foolish for me to assume that who and what He is revolves around who and what I am."



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: People choose their religion based on something about themselves (7/6/2008 1:16:08 PM)

1. Have you continued in the faith/religion/church in which you were reared? No
2. Without mentioning G-d's leading, what caused you to choose your present faith/religion/church? Initially, when other religions could not/would not answer straight-forward questions
3. What causes you to continue where you are presently attending? A desire for straight-forward truth and integrity
4. Are you considering changing your faith/religion/church for any reason other than moving? Why? No, I am not.
5. What do you think of DSmitty's comment, "Since God has been around a lot longer than I have, it would be pretty foolish for me to assume that who and what He is revolves around who and what I am." I just found the statement interesting, really. It made me smile. That's all. [:D]



SonInMe1 -> RE: People choose their religion based on something about themselves (7/6/2008 10:44:31 PM)

quote:

1. Have you continued in the faith/religion/church in which you were reared?


My mom's church which I attended as a young kid was baptist. I was saved in a pentecostal church. I moved, 1500 miles, and my wife and I choose a charismatic church. Left that one and now attend a baptist church.

quote:

Without mentioning G-d's leading, what caused you to choose your present faith/religion/church?


The charismatic church was a good church doing good things but they seemed more inter4ested in entertainment than preaching God's word. When it was prteached it was good, they just seems to preach only once or twice a month. So I decided to switch churches. Flyer on my window, there ya go.

quote:

What causes you to continue where you are presently attending?


The teaching.

quote:

Are you considering changing your faith/religion/church for any reason other than moving?


nope



mayfly -> RE: People choose their religion based on something about themselves (7/6/2008 11:01:47 PM)

Questions:
1. Have you continued in the faith/religion/church in which you were reared?
Nope, I was raised atheist (my immediate family is very anti-Christian). Sometimes I call my faith my little teenage rebellion stage that overstayed its welcome. [;)]

2. Without mentioning G-d's leading, what caused you to choose your present faith/religion/church?
When I first attended church (I joined the choir at age 12 to gain singing experience and I was not religious at all) I was blown away by how NICE everyone was. Every single person I met at church was so happy and kind. Everyone was accepted and loved, and I realized that it was because they were completely focused on God and set on doing His will. Just regular folks doing God's work.[:D]

3. What causes you to continue where you are presently attending?
I'm not presently attending any church... the last one I attended was Baptist (and before that United, and before that the Anglican church I mentioned before.) I'm hoping to start going again next week once I move into my new house. My landlord is a pastor and from the sounds of things his church is really great. (It's non-denominational, but with Baptist influences.)

4. Are you considering changing your faith/religion/church for any reason other than moving? Why?
No, I'm pretty content with where I'm at right now. I'm definitely not planning on changing my faith/religion anytime soon! But as for denomination/specific church, I'm not too attached to where I am now. I think there are a lot of ways of doing things right within the Christian faith, and I know I don't have all the answers.

5. What do you think of DSmitty's comment, "Since God has been around a lot longer than I have, it would be pretty foolish for me to assume that who and what He is revolves around who and what I am."
Funny! And so true. It kind of reminds me, I think we have a tendency to only take the parts of God that sound appealing to us and form a belief system based on that. It's an easy, and incorrect path to take--all of Scripture is important, not just the parts we like. It's incomplete to go on and on about how loving and forgiving God is (and He is!) and then oops! forget to mention sin or hell or any of those other nasty bits.



gmc4Jesus -> RE: People choose their religion based on something about themselves (7/6/2008 11:54:50 PM)

I am not currently attending a church in the same denomination that I grew up in, only because the churches I grew up in are not as aggressively evangelizing and reaching the lost as the church I've been attending.

My roots are still in the church of my childhood because I simply believe that they are trying to be more like the church in the New Testament. They have a name that everyone can accept. The practice a communion and baptism that everyone will accept. Their only authority in all matters of faith and practise is the Bible which all churches will accept (although a few denominations tend to water it down).

At present, I am talking with another pastor about starting a new church in my neighborhood. If I do, we will have a very strong emphasis on the life and teachings of Jesus and use the Old Testament and the rest of the New Testament to support what Jesus taught and did. Please pray that God will show me clearly if this is His will for my life.

God bless you as you seek to grow in your walk with Him.



DSmitty -> RE: People choose their religion based on something about themselves (7/7/2008 12:21:06 AM)

A small disclaimer... I mean, I think everyone pretty much understood but I think I should throw this out there, just so there's no confusion:

When I said "people" I was refering to our human nature, not what everyone always does. God draws us and it's only His work in us that makes us genuinely hungry for truth. Of course there are those who respond and are hungry for truth no matter what that means. I guess the bottom line is that the way of the cross is a way of self-denial.



blueshadow -> RE: People choose their religion based on something about themselves (7/7/2008 12:22:58 AM)

I was reared a Christian, and am still a Christian. However, I am no longer a part of the denomination I spent most of my childhood in.

I originally visited the church I am currently at because my boyfriend was attending. I am still attending because the community is wonderful - very close, partially because the church is quite small. I've never experienced anything like this community, and it's wonderful. I'm not planning on leaving, nor am I planning on moving, so I'll hopefully be there for a while.



drussell52 -> RE: People choose their religion based on something about themselves (7/7/2008 8:29:40 AM)

Hi everyone, this is a great topic. When single and living out east, I attended a church similar to the one in which I was raised because the worship was familiar, I was struggling personally and professionally and they had ministries to assist with both aspects, and left because I met my wife, moved back home sooner than planned and married. We attend the church in which I was reared, but left for 2 decades and returned to serve but not join as I don't agree with all their minor points of doctrine. The experience is teaching me to dialogue in love, the old iron sharpens iron addage. It also has challenged me to define Paul's remarks, Let every man do according to his conscience. Still being defined. Interestingly, I heard A Prairie Home Companion over the weekend, and Garrison Keillor was talking about being raised in the Brethren faith, more evangelical in comparison to where we worship. Summer evangelism, reminded me of when I was attracted to that type of expression, and found myself agreeing with him that the modality was kind of cold and insensitive, i.e. toss gospel tracts out the window and whoever reads them, without the benefit of interacting with another, well, so be it.. Covenant and relationship, is what it's about for me today. Thanks for bringing this up!



deermousie -> RE: People choose their religion based on something about themselves (7/7/2008 11:35:28 AM)

1. Have you continued in the faith/religion/church in which you were reared?

No. I was raised in a cult, and I'm now a Presbyterian (PCA, not PCUSA).

2. Without mentioning G-d's leading, what caused you to choose your present faith/religion/church?

My husband wanted to go to a Reformed church, and I was very surprised and pleased how different it was (i.e. God is sovereign - it's a cornerstone of Reformation theology, and has made such a difference in my life).

3. What causes you to continue where you are presently attending?

The great teaching and fellowship. No one wants to go home after church and we stand around talking about an hour every week. The teaching shows me to understand God and how to apply the Bible to my life.

4. Are you considering changing your faith/religion/church for any reason other than moving? Why?

No.

5. What do you think of DSmitty's comment, "Since God has been around a lot longer than I have, it would be pretty foolish for me to assume that who and what He is revolves around who and what I am."

It looks like true humility to me - knowing who we are and who God is, and not trying to take over His job. Goodness knows, I've tried it enough in the past! [:D]



swtonscrappn -> RE: People choose their religion based on something about themselves (7/7/2008 12:24:58 PM)

1. Have you continued in the faith/religion/church in which you were reared?
I guess my answer would have to be no. My family left the catholic church when I was in pre-school. For years after that, my mom bounced us from church to church. We never settled and found a community, so we were never part of a specific religion.

2. Without mentioning G-d's leading, what caused you to choose your present faith/religion/church?
I am specifically and purposefully not affiliated with a specific religion. I choose my church by its faithfulness to God's Word rather than the churches own traditions. I have often found that many traditions of the church have come to contridict God's Word over time.

3. What causes you to continue where you are presently attending?
The church we are considering attending speaks true of the Scriptures, teaches the children, and works to form a community bond.

4. Are you considering changing your faith/religion/church for any reason other than moving? Why?
I have recently left my church because difference over the community aspect of the church. Those with families were suffering and being left out of activities because of changes in programs. It had nothing to do with the base beliefs of the church.

5. What do you think of DSmitty's comment, "Since God has been around a lot longer than I have, it would be pretty foolish for me to assume that who and what He is revolves around who and what I am."
While I think this statement is a no brainer, I do wonder if some take offense to it. I have seen some of the arguements on this forum about those who claim to belong to a "Bible Believing Church". For some reason, it seems that this statement is being taken as a "our church is better than your church" attitude. Yet if Im not attending a service that is presented as God wants it to, I could easily be led astray. We all know that non-believers do attend church, and follow the rules and commands of the church. They believe themselves safe because they follow the letter of the Law. This is really revolving our faith around ourselves and what we can do by works. Yet it is only through God's Word that the heart can be convicted. And not all churches are faithful to ALL of God's Word.

Edited: I didnt answer one of the questions.



Liveloved -> RE: People choose their religion based on something about themselves (7/7/2008 12:44:41 PM)

quote:

DSmitty's comment, "Since God has been around a lot longer than I have, it would be pretty foolish for me to assume that who and what He is revolves around who and what I am."


I like this statement. It is both true and false. True in that God is bigger than we can know or imagine and His ways and purposes are inscrutable. We can invent or create the god of our imagining or we can know Him who is eternal life. False because He surrounds us with His favor and songs of deliverance and longs that none, no not one, perish.

In answer to the other questions, it all comes down to Jesus. It is all about Him. It is not a religion, a church, a specific group of people or what I do or don't do. It is a relationship with a person, Jesus Christ, who sought me, found me, saved me and is conforming me to His very image, moment by moment, day by day. It is finding my true love and living in His love always for eternity. That means I can be wherever, with whoever, doing whatever because He is with me.

Great question!



SavedByGraceMD -> RE: People choose their religion based on something about themselves (7/8/2008 3:43:36 PM)

Questions:
1. Have you continued in the faith/religion/church in which you were reared?

No, I was raised in the Catholic church. Was an altar boy for 2 years. As soon as I was allowed to make my own choice, I stopped going to church. I am now a born again Christian.

2. Without mentioning G-d's leading, what caused you to choose your present faith/religion/church?

I gave my life to the Lord at 21(almost 11 years ago come the 13th). Empty words lead to an empty faith and I quickly fell away. In the 10 years following, failed relationships, failed jobs, and being told I should be dead, all led me back to Him. I have found my purpose.

3. What causes you to continue where you are presently attending?

Currently would be the wrong word, due to my lack of attendance, but I plan on going again regularly, starting this week. What causes me to go there is the straight forward truth, the fire and zeal for God, that the Pastor has. It is what brought me to that church and what will make me continue on there. It is a non denominational church by the way.

4. Are you considering changing your faith/religion/church for any reason other than moving? Why?

No. My faith is unshakable. I don't ascribe to any religion, just Jesus, and my church is the only one I would attend at this point.


5. What do you think of DSmitty's comment, "Since God has been around a lot longer than I have, it would be pretty foolish for me to assume that who and what He is revolves around who and what I am."

This is true, but I would say that who and what I am, revolves around who and what He is, my savior and my God.



Focusing -> RE: People choose their religion based on something about themselves (7/8/2008 10:20:31 PM)

Simply based on the title of the thread, I would have to say yes! I am very much drawn to pastors and others who have a hunger for the Word that never stops!!

In our sermon this past weekend, the pastor said this: The delivery of the message may change, but the message itself does not change. [:)]


1. Have you continued in the faith/religion/church in which you were reared?
No. I left that church and found God.


2. Without mentioning G-d's leading, what caused you to choose your present faith/religion/church?
A desire to not belong somewhere that was legalistic. And, a coworker whom I respect attends this church and has said things about it that encouraged me to check it out.


3. What causes you to continue where you are presently attending?
The pastors have a huge hunger for the Word; they have a wonderful children's ministry; they have really good music - not just current stuff, but occasionally old hymns, and songs that just bring me to a point of total humility in front of God; and they have a group specifically for single moms - which I am (and the fact that it's called SAM - Single And a Mom - makes me smile)


4. Are you considering changing your faith/religion/church for any reason other than moving? Why?
No. Well, I would have to switch to a new church if I moved ...


5. What do you think of DSmitty's comment, "Since God has been around a lot longer than I have, it would be pretty foolish for me to assume that who and what He is revolves around who and what I am."
[sm=thumbsup.gif] Very true!



makarizo -> RE: People choose their religion based on something about themselves (7/8/2008 10:49:36 PM)

it is only natural for man to create God in his own image...... after all, He created us in His own image, why not create Him back in our own image.

and then one day.... He reveals Himself ... and everything changes.



ChristopherJ -> RE: People choose their religion based on something about themselves (7/8/2008 11:21:37 PM)

ANSWERS:

1. Have you continued in the faith/religion/church in which you were reared?
I wasn't raised in the church. A friend of mine led me to the Lord at the age of 18, and he was a part of a Word Faith church, and for the first few years after I got saved, I continued to attend a WF church.

2. Without mentioning G-d's leading, what caused you to choose your present faith/religion/church?
As I started to grow in the Lord, and in my knowledge and understanding of His Word - and, as I began to read reformed literature by authors such as Charles Spurgeon, I left the WF churches for an independant charismatic church. The church I was a part of joined the Foursquare Gospel Church denomination, and I have been a part of the Foursquare churches for the past 8-10 years.

3. What causes you to continue where you are presently attending?
I have read and studied up on many different world religions and found them all to be false and lacking. Of all the Christian denominations in the world today, I continue to attend the Foursquare church because their beliefs and practices most closely mirror my own understanding of the Scriptures.

4. Are you considering changing your faith/religion/church for any reason other than moving? Why?
No. I am totally satisfied in our Foursquare family, and have no desire to leave.

5. What do you think of DSmitty's comment, "Since God has been around a lot longer than I have, it would be pretty foolish for me to assume that who and what He is revolves around who and what I am."
Obviously God came first, and my job is to come to an understanding of who He is, and submission to His will for my life, and not the other way around...



BibleL7 -> RE: People choose their religion based on something about themselves (7/9/2008 4:27:21 AM)

1. Have you continued in the faith/religion/church in which you were reared?
Well not reared in any faith, religion or church was Atheist most of my life
2. Without mentioning G-d's leading, what caused you to choose your present faith/religion/church?
Cant say other than His leading really other than my church moved to this town to help a church though it is not quite the same as my full belief it is fundamental.
3. What causes you to continue where you are presently attending?
Tough one but His will
4. Are you considering changing your faith/religion/church for any reason other than moving? Why?
Not up to me but Him
5. What do you think of DSmitty's comment, "Since God has been around a lot longer than I have, it would be pretty foolish for me to assume that who and what He is revolves around who and what I am."
Would say is one way of putting it faily good one



mariadreamer -> RE: People choose their religion based on something about themselves (7/11/2008 8:42:58 PM)

1. Have you continued in the faith/religion/church in which you were reared?
Not really. I was raised in an atheist family.

2. Without mentioning G-d's leading, what caused you to choose your present faith/religion/church?
Visiting all kinds of churches, comparative study, church history, prayer, realizing I was wrong and eating humble pie, and certain experiences that are beyond description. In short, I was blown away by the humility and the closeness of God in this faith.

3. What causes you to continue where you are presently attending?
There is a huge cloud of witnesses of those who have gone before us and testify to the redemptive power of Christ, these cannot be explained by any other way except God.

4. Are you considering changing your faith/religion/church for any reason other than moving? Why?
No. I have moved around a lot when I was looking for a church, God helping me, I will not give up my faith. It is the ancient apostolic faith where God has dwelled for 2000 years.

5. What do you think of DSmitty's comment, "Since God has been around a lot longer than I have, it would be pretty foolish for me to assume that who and what He is revolves around who and what I am."
I agree in the sense that if men pick and choose what they like in their worship and doctrine, they are focused on themselves and not on God. But I would say God is merciful and does care about us personally and deeply.



phillyblues -> RE: People choose their religion based on something about themselves (7/17/2008 11:01:41 AM)

quote:

Questions:
1. Have you continued in the faith/religion/church in which you were reared?
2. Without mentioning G-d's leading, what caused you to choose your present faith/religion/church?
3. What causes you to continue where you are presently attending?
4. Are you considering changing your faith/religion/church for any reason other than moving? Why?
5. What do you think of DSmitty's comment, "Since God has been around a lot longer than I have, it would be pretty foolish for me to assume that who and what He is revolves around who and what I am."


1. Although my mother was a Catholic, I was given a religious education. My mother would answer any questions I had about G-d but I never had any formal introduction to Catholicism. My introduction to G-d was to be found by reading the Children's Bible. This is not to say my mother was not religious; she just didn't force it on me. I did not become interested in religion until I was in my 30s. I've dabbled in New Age philosophies (dont recommend that course of action ever), Methodism, a brief fling with Catholicism before become a evangelical.

2. My wife's influence has led me to where I am now and I am so very grateful for it.

3. I really enjoy my church, my pastor and the fellowship it provides.

4. No; not ever. I'm finally content with what and who I am.

5. I think of Max Lucado's statement that 'it's not about you; it's about Him'. Worship should be focused not upon my needs or wants but upon the glorification of G-d. If I am a faithful enough servant, G-d will reward me. Either way, I have His love and that is enough.



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