On The Forever Existin'

[JoeyKnothead]

From Post 5 here:

...
We are going to exist forever more.
...

For debate:

Please offer some means to confirm the referenced statement is true.

[Haven]

Indeed. I can speak of one who sought God for well over 30 years and even believed I had a relationship with him. I received no evidence or confirmation of any after life. All I got was people promoting what appeared to be a fantasy, one which I promoted myself, believing it to be real.

Same here. I was a dedicated evangelical Christian for years and was convinced that I had a relationship with God and would someday 'enter the kingdom of God' (either after I died or when Jesus returned). Fasting, praying, Biblical study, preaching to others, and church attendance (including mission trips) were all major parts of my life. Eventually the weight of the evidence and arguments against my faith--and the lack of support for it--led me to rethink and eventually abandon my beliefs.

[KCKID]

Indeed. I can speak of one who sought God for well over 30 years and even believed I had a relationship with him. I received no evidence or confirmation of any after life. All I got was people promoting what appeared to be a fantasy, one which I promoted myself, believing it to be real.

Same here. I was a dedicated evangelical Christian for years and was convinced that I had a relationship with God and would someday 'enter the kingdom of God' (either after I died or when Jesus returned). Fasting, praying, Biblical study, preaching to others, and church attendance (including mission trips) were all major parts of my life. Eventually the weight of the evidence and arguments against my faith--and the lack of support for it--led me to rethink and eventually abandon my beliefs.

I find myself fast becoming one of this group of people ...i.e. the 'once believers'. And yet, I feel an inner loss for losing such a strong belief that I once had. Is it 'Christianity' as it's meant to be (whatever that might mean) or is it 'Christianity' as has been screwed up by men that has become the turn-off for 'us' ...?

[Zzyzx]

.

I find myself fast becoming one of this group of people ...i.e. the 'once believers'. And yet, I feel an inner loss for losing such a strong belief that I once had.

You are in good company. Many here and elsewhere have abandoned religion (and people in advanced / educated nations are doing so in increasing numbers).

There is a sense of loss even when one quits smoking -- so it is not reason for concern or reason to revert. We all get past those "losses" and go on -- often to better things than we left behind.

I actually cannot be of much help to you in this matter because I rejected religion (Catholicism) at least six decades ago -- and never really bought into the indoctrination.

Others here, however, have walked your path and may be sources of information and/or support.

Is it 'Christianity' as it's meant to be (whatever that might mean) or is it 'Christianity' as has been screwed up by men that has become the turn-off for 'us' ...?

Does it really make much difference if the corruption is ancient or modern if (since) the belief system is bankrupt or faulty?

Christianity evolved by declaring Judaism had become corrupt (or lost its way), Protestantism evolved from Catholicism declaring it had become corrupt. Now there are tens of thousands of "Christian" sects, cults, splinter groups, denominations -- most of which declare that they alone have "the one true path to salvation" (which makes all the other tens of thousands wrong -- or "Not REAL Christians").

"Oh the tangled webs we weave . . . "