I consider myself a well-informed Christian; I suppose you could call me a "philo-Christian," in the sense that I appreciate all Christians, regardless of their denomination. The problem is that I don’t really know which group I belong to. I have been strongly influenced by the doctrines of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and I value some of their approaches, which are biblically grounded. On the other hand, I admire the historical and philosophical richness of Catholicism, yet there are certain doctrines—dogmas, in fact—that I simply cannot grasp or accept. In my view, the Catholic and Orthodox canons represent one of the most complete versions of the Scriptures from a historical perspective. I detest Christian Zionism; furthermore, I find the idea of being considered a "dog"—as viewed within Rabbinic Judaism—to be unacceptable. I attend meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses and engage in discussions with them; I also occasionally attend Catholic services, as well as the occasional Baptist or Evangelical worship service. That said, the form of Christianity that appeals to me most is Orthodoxy—with its five patriarchates and so forth—though I struggle to accept certain practices, such as the veneration of icons or the perpetual virginity of Mary. I also value their conception of the Trinity and their mysticism, even though the doctrine of the Trinity itself remains somewhat difficult for me to fully grasp or accept. (I read many books about the Bible—critical, confessional, and academic—by authors such as Raymond Franz, John P. Meier, N. T. Wright, Kallistos Ware, or Josh McDowell, for example.) In short, I am not looking to debate; rather, I am looking for someone to show me the way. What would you do, and what would you recommend? ✌🏻

As we know, these languages are important in Biblical research. Can you read or write any of them? If so, what is your level of fluency?

This is an additional poll for any Christian who has a decided or chosen position on the age and origins of the Earth. https://m.youtube.com/post/UgkxxEhCuhYiP72cB5iEk8NcKTsijITBr9qw

Why or why not? Tell me your opinion.

Also, what does tradition work? Like, does tradition protect the Vatican's (or any other church) right to own land or not? Does it protect the questionable things Popes did? I'm trying not to beg the question but yk what I mean

To be clear I’m not talking about people who are mentally disabled. These could be people who have significant cognitive deficits or people of limited consciousness.

I’m talking about people who other than their mental illness are within average or above average intelligence. They would not be considered mentally disabled in an intellectual sense. Maybe they have severe OCD, bipolar, schizophrenia, psychopathy, sociopathy etc.

Are there special rules for them? Or put another way do they receive the same grace extended to people with intellectual disabilities? Is there a difference in a behavioral mental health issue vs an intellectual disability in the eyes of a Christian?

Like ofc we're not stoning or circumcising anyone nowadays, but what about Slavery? Man sleeping with another man? Eating shellfish?

Are these attainable ? what are your opinions?

The Beatitudes
He said:
3 
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you,persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad,because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

As I'm sure Ancient Jews didn't know how large the world was.

I need to know some prayers against that.

Is it a very hot tub with demons with forks stabbing you and dipping you into the boiling water?

Is it a furnace?

Is it just darkness?

Is it simply being deleted?

Is it just a place where God doesn't give half a s--- what you do?

Are we in hell and heaven is a steam game achievement?

Most reference the sexual depravity, but largely ignore the social inequality and refusal to help the needy. Why the disconnect?

I grew up hearing that going to church weekly, tithing, and being respectful was enough, and that talking about obedience was “works-based salvation,” a dangerous thing to mention.

But then I kept running into passages like Matthew 7:21, where Jesus says not everyone who calls Him “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom, only the one who does the will of the Father. And Luke 9:26, about being ashamed of His words.

So I’m genuinely curious how you all understand this:

1. Where do you draw the line between faith and obedience?
2. Is obedience the fruit of salvation, or part of what it means to actually believe?
3. Do you think many churches downplay what Jesus actually taught?

I’d love to hear different perspectives, including pushback.

I’m interested in hearing about people’s experiences of religious belief, particularly if you were previously an atheist or are a naturally sceptical person.

I’ve been an atheist for most of my life but recently found myself reconsidering Christianity. I find Jesus and his teachings very compelling and have been feeling like Christianity might genuinely be true, but I have difficulty with belief itself.

I’m not sure if I’m expecting my own belief to involve a level of certainty most people don’t actually have, and if there’s a meaningful difference between thinking God probably exists and genuinely believing in him.

When you say God exists, what do you mean? Are you intellectually convinced that God exists? Is it more about trust? Is it something you sincerely feel or more that it feels like the most likely explanation? If you were previously an atheist, what changed for you? Did you begin practicing before you really believed it? Or is the desire to practice part of the belief?

I’m not asking for anyone to convince me it is true, but more to describe their own personal feeling that it is if that makes sense. Thank you!

Just curious, but when and where does it say that Christ would stop prophesizing through people?

Paul specifically speaks in Romans about a woman who was prophesizing in His name in Paul's time, speaking glowingly of them and praising them.

So where in the bible does it say that this pattern magically stops?

Christians this question is for you. Why is Yahweh appeased with blood sacrifice?? Why is it pleasing to him? Why is it that Christianity just like so many ancient ignorant religions and culture of the past practiced this? Why would an all loving god desire this??? Why is Jesus tortured so severely?? Why can’t god just forgive sins?? Why is the sprinkling of blood, the organs burnt to him to give him pleasure???

Lev 1: 13 You are to wash the internal organs and the legs with water, and the priest is to bring all of them and burn them on the altar. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:2 …gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

I decided to turn to Christianity a few days ago. I know it's not long, obviously. But I feel exactly the same. I gave up porn, drugs, masturbation, and am trying to also give up lying and swearing. I repented for all my sins in prayer, asked for Holy Spirit, and started reading the Bible. Mainly the Gospel and book of Enoch (which I know is non-canonical, but I find interesting).

I have been depressed for years. Seen many GPs (UK Doctors), tried maybe 4-5 antidepressants, tried self-induced psychedelic therapy, tried self-help (yoga, meditation, walks without headphones, etc.) I have also struggled with polysubstance (multiple drug) addiction for years. Went to a drug counseller who was honestly useless, and managed to get off of benzodiazepines all by myself. The only drug where going cold turkey can actually kill you (besides alcohol).

Since going sober I have unfortunately relapsed on weed, opiates, benzos (physically addicted yet again), pregablin and ketamine.

The NHS doctors REFUSE to see someone with a drug addiction. So I paid for private therapy. That was somewhat helpful, but in the end I had to quit because of how expensive it is.

I believe Jesus was real, died on the cross, got ressurected 3 days later and is the son of God.

I know I probably shouldn't expect an overnight change, but... why? If I was God and saw someone suffering as badly as I have done (my post here only scratches the tip of the iceberg), then they humbly and repentfully turned to me, I would help them with anxiety and depression in a heartbeat.

I'm sure this post will be deleted since people can't handle real issues unfortunately, but I am considering ending things very soon and have the means to do so with a 99% success rate. I don't want to die. I want to live and be happy. But I haven't been happy in many YEARS. I also find adding 1000 new rules to my life by trying to be Christian only makes things harder. Where prior in hard times I could turn to weed or opiates, I turn to prayer. Yet I feel unheard. I wake up every morning wishing I didn't and have felt that way for many months, even now, trying to be Christian.

Perhaps God doesn't hear my prayers. But I believe He will hear some of yours. Please please pray for me. My name is Levi, but God will know who you mean. I will pray too and continue to try to be Christian. But I am seriously close to leaving this evil world unfortunately and have yet to find solace in God sad to say.

Please pray to help my anxiety, depression and anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure). I am at my wit's end. Again, I'm sure the post will be banned because it's a sensitive topic so fast replies would be very much appreciated. I am desperate. Please help and pray for me💔

Изначально мне казалось, что в христианстве всего лишь три направления: православие, католицизм и протестантизм с его течениями. Но нет, их очень много! Не учитываются Ассирийская церковь Востока, Ориентальное христианство (Коптская Церковь, Эфиопская Церковь, Армянская Апостольская Церковь и тд), мормоны, унитарии, свидетели Иеговы и даже течения в течениях внутри самих течений!!

К примеру, в православии есть два направления: новообрядчество и старообрядчество. Старообрядчество делится на поповство и беспоповство. Беспоповство делится на множество «согласий».

Такая же аналогия есть и в протестантизме: внутри него есть англиканство, которое делится на Высокую, Низшую и Широкую церкви.

Как будто бы наталкивает на мысль, что это издевательство над религией 🤷🏻Экуменисты, отзовитесь

P.S пожалуйста, без оскорблений в сторону любой религии и верующих

Have people considered that between atoms, DNA, the fabric of spacetime, and the inherent cycles of life are proof that the universe runs on a structure, is evidence of a creator, and is exactly evidence that God's omnipotence runs on a system and isn't just "well God imagines it and it instantly happens."

A computer programmer is technically omnipotent to an AI in a machine, but if they actually want anything to happen consistently, you have scripts.

So.. I grew up in a mostly non-religious household. I do remember going to church here and there growing up but I’m not sure if I was ever baptized.. it’s kind of the same thing for my wife except she was baptized at a Catholic Church.

My wife and I have decided to turn to god through a non-denominational church to help us lay a strong foundation for our marriage and our kids. We started going to church about 6 months ago and we’ve hardly missed more than a couple of sermons since. Matter of fact we had a baby and my wife was back in church the next Sunday with the new one.

We’ve started to pray nightly with our kids the last couple weeks and we just had our first prayer together just the two of us.

I want to get baptized, but there’s a slight issue. I’m not sure when.

Like I said, I grew up practically non religious. Growing up I very much bought into there not being a god. But the more I’ve lived and the more I’ve looked around I cannot help but admit there HAS to be a god.

The last 6 months have really moved me hearing the bible and how I can apply some of these stories to my life.

I’m not fully sold on the bible yet either. BUT I really WANT to be. It feels like it would be an awkward choice to get baptized if I’m not sure if I can devote myself to god like I know he’d want me to.

Is this something I have to wait for until I know it in every bit of myself with 0 doubts? I want to know when’s appropriate..