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I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity - Religion - Nairaland

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I'm Losing Faith In Christianity / My Faith Verses Near Death Experiences - I'm Losing It. / I Think I'm Losing My Faith In God (2) (3) (4)

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I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by efepro(m): 1:02pm On Jan 12, 2011
when i read about Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and his christ Embassy church for imposing =N=1,000 toll fee
on worshipers who attended new year's(2010) eve service at the

christ Embassy headquaters in lagos,i was'nt puzzled,because i withness similar
experience (on Sunday basis) at my church (name withheld) where i have been a member

for over a decade; where new-comers are asked to buy two copies of sunday sermon before
they can gain entrance to the church.
However,i begin to doubt my faith and ask myself: are these churches serving a living God?
Is a church of God not meant for all,irrespective of class?
The notion of christianity/religion has been subverted to commercialization; a business centre,
This is not Christ-like.I'm beginning to lose my faith in

Christianity.
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by afrobaby(f): 1:20pm On Jan 12, 2011
I feel u guy, I have come to notice that MOST churches are now business centres,
Take for instance, I left my very big church in shomolu becos most of the time what they talk about is money for this,money for that, the only time u can actually hear any good sermon in the church is when the pastor's wife is the one preaching and that doesn't happen most times, maybe, once in 3 months. So, I moved to a smaller church. Alas, dis one is even worse, to pay tithe, they will tell tithers to go to d back of the church and dance forward, and then, pastor will begin to shower prayers on them, isn't giving supposed to be a secret between u and ur God
Just december, my fiance followed me to my church, and they were announcing the children carol, to my greates surprise, Pastor announced that the children will have to buy a cap for #250 to enable them participate in the children carol, and we, the adults in the church were given small papers that contains some denominations to assist in the carol party, my fiance was so annoyed that, what if their is a mother who doesnt have money for her children, does that mean the child is automatically disqualified. Also, what will they use the money that the adults are contributing for?
But the only difference I see is that am not losing my faith in christianity, cos christianity to me i a way of life, it has nothing to do with church, my only clause is, am losing faith in the churches and pastors that are suppose to guide us.
Anyway, we all have our bibles which is the main guide.
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by MaJBlige(f): 1:28pm On Jan 12, 2011
How can the gospel be preached to the length and breadth of the world without money as an instrument?
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by Jenwitemi(m): 1:33pm On Jan 12, 2011
There is actually no such thing as "christianity" in the real world. What you have, in real world, is "Churchianity" and that is what you are loosing your faith in. The bible, which you erroneously think is the word of God, is actually the word of the church because it was put together by the church to begin with. And they(the church clergy) put it together to serve their own egotistical and nefarious purposes. The result is what you are seeing today in Nigeria. One day you people will fully awake from your state of trance to see the real truth of what has been done to you.

BTW, the true word of God is in the entire creation itself and not limited to a mere book.
efepro:

when i read about Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and his christ Embassy church for imposing =N=1,000 toll fee
on worshipers who attended new year's(2010) eve service at the

christ Embassy headquaters in lagos,i was'nt puzzled,because i withness similar
experience (on Sunday basis) at my church (name withheld) where i have been a member  

for over a decade; where new-comers are asked to buy two copies of sunday sermon before
they can gain entrance to the church.
However,i begin to doubt my faith and ask myself: are these churches serving a living God?
Is a church of God not meant for all,irrespective of class?
The notion of christianity/religion has been subverted to commercialization; a business centre,
This is not Christ-like.I'm beginning to lose my faith in

Christianity.
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by Jenwitemi(m): 1:41pm On Jan 12, 2011
Ma_J_Blige:

How can the gospel be preached to the length and breadth of the world without money as an instrument?
The gospel has already been preached worldwide. Some have accepted it, others have rejected it. So what do they need the cash for other than to pocket it? This people(MOGs) do not care about the believers' spiritual needs or wellbeing. Hell no! That is the believers' job, their indivdual and personal task. They(the MOGs) care only for what is in their wallets and how to relieve them of whatever is in there. Make una shine una eyes already.
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by alexleo(m): 2:44pm On Jan 12, 2011
The problem is that most of you that claims to be christians are just worshiping your pastors more than God. In the church i attend, we dont talk money there like all this other churches. We strictly preach God's word more as it concerns our soul, how we should live for christ on earth so as to make heaven at last and this contains keeping to all the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing like offering time during service. We have a box in-built in the church wall where you can put your tithe or offering anytime anyday without anyone seeing you or checkmating you. We believe that those things are strictly between you and God. In our church the pastor has no access to cash, his own is to approve when there is need and of course he is not the only one to approve. Most churches today are just business centres with pastors who are more money minded than heavenly minded. Quite a
pity their members are not fed with the word of eternal life thereby making them unprepared for heaven. May God deliver such churches. Amen.
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by wlex8(m): 3:25pm On Jan 12, 2011
alexleo:

The problem is that most of you that claims to be christians are just worshiping your pastors more than God. In the church i attend, we dont talk money there like all this other churches. We strictly preach God's word more as it concerns our soul, how we should live for christ on earth so as to make heaven at last and this contains keeping to all the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing like offering time during service. We have a box in-built in the church wall where you can put your tithe or offering anytime anyday without anyone seeing you or checkmating you. We believe that  those things are strictly between you and God. In our church the pastor has no access to cash, his own is to approve when there is need and of course he is not the only one to approve. Most churches today are just business centres with pastors who are more money minded than heavenly minded. Quite a
pity their members are not fed with the word of eternal life  thereby making them unprepared for heaven. May God deliver such churches. Amen.


pls what's the name of your church, how I wish I can locate one like that. most pastors are driving people away from God's kingdom
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by bankylan: 3:50pm On Jan 12, 2011
I guess some of us are still babies in Christianity, If youR Pastor still places more emphasis on giving, that means the people in the church have not experienced the wealth of God in a great level and maybe the pastor just want to see changes, A christian should have basic understanding of giving as written in the bible. The church I attend, no member of the church gives more than my Pastor. He pays tithe even more than the millionaires in my church. Are you asking me where he gets money? He has his own business being run by the wife, yet he preaches 3 times on Sundays, and also on Tue and Wed and never allows his personal business to disturb his calling, He is doing business so that he can show the church the evidence of what he preaches, If a church is being Pastored by a poor pastor, that is when people think Pastors are after their money, I have read people compaling of giving first fruits, It is in the bible, if you have the faith and trust God, the benefits of giving it is enourmous.
If you want to be rich and have God's blessings, you have to give, It is saddening that the amount Coca Cola spends annually to propagate her brand is more than what all Nigerian Churches use in propagating our LORD JESUS CHRIST, Yet we shout and make noise about the little we give.
I am just a church member, but I have an understanding of the word of God, Most people out there are just church goers without knowing God in His numerous dimensions.
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by nuella2(f): 4:44pm On Jan 12, 2011
@ poster

You could not call the name of your church, why? But you called the name of another church. My question is' are you born again' if you are do you know the importance of what christ did for you? Are you convinced and fully persuaded that Jesus is the ONLY way to the father. So how on earth can you lose faith because of what you think is not right.

I think you should ask yourself serious questions, if you want to lose faith for such a matter, if you see gun on your head you go curse jesus na.  Jesus christ shed his blood for you it was not a joke and you will give account of that remember. There is no perfect church anywhere, cos church is really not the building but the christians. We are all walking towards perfection.

When you stand before God, its just you and him. He will ask you personal question, no excuses then. So if you like, turn to a free thinker. Christianity is a personal race, even though we have people inspiring us in the race. I will sincerely say, you make up your mind to finish the race like paul. Cos life without christ is a life of crisis. The race is for the strong, thats why God told Joshua to be very courageous.  Look unto Jesus the author and finisher of your faith.

shalom.
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by Nobody: 6:10pm On Jan 12, 2011
My question is' are you born again'


so many people keep asking these question without even knowing the meaning.No one can ever become a christian without being born again by water of baptism.Even if you verbally confess Jesus as LORD from now to the end of the world without baptism,you are not born again.I say this because I understand the pentecostal definition of the term "born again"
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by Azibalua(f): 8:41pm On Jan 12, 2011
alexleo:

The problem is that most of you that claims to be christians are just worshiping your pastors more than God. In the church i attend, we dont talk money there like all this other churches. We strictly preach God's word more as it concerns our soul, how we should live for christ on earth so as to make heaven at last and this contains keeping to all the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing like offering time during service. We have a box in-built in the church wall where you can put your tithe or offering anytime anyday without anyone seeing you or checkmating you. We believe that  those things are strictly between you and God. In our church the pastor has no access to cash, his own is to approve when there is need and of course he is not the only one to approve. Most churches today are just business centres with pastors who are more money minded than heavenly minded. Quite a
pity their members are not fed with the word of eternal life  thereby making them unprepared for heaven. May God deliver such churches. Amen.

Interesting, pls can you enlighten us a little.
in your church do you have seats,also do you have a sound system?
Okay let's take a step ahead: do you have an outreach where you reach out to the poor and destitute, do you preach the gospel around the world via satellite?
Now if the answer is yes then I think you are a problem in that congregation,the gospel is very free ,oh yes it is .but
trust me it is not cheap at all,even if you do not belong to the group that give in your church I can assure you that.
there are those who do it and am sure they are getting blessed,or do you receive allocations from NGO
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by AbuHanifa: 5:11am On Jan 13, 2011
If christianity doesn't work for why not try the supreme alternative, ISLAM!
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by nuella2(f): 10:00am On Jan 13, 2011
AbuHanifa:

If christianity doesn't work for why not try the supreme alternative, ISLAM!

FROM LIGHT TO DARKNESS? NEVER!
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by lagerwhenindoubt(m): 10:26am On Jan 13, 2011
nuella2:

FROM LIGHT TO DARKNESS? NEVER!

You mean from Fry-pan into the Fire grin grin grin
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by mudley: 11:13am On Jan 13, 2011
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Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by lookwonder: 12:20pm On Jan 13, 2011
@ poster; i understand you well. i am disillusioned with the churches and pastors. Note that if you come out in public and say the dumbest thing with a very serious countenance. you would get gullible people that would beliceve you. the world is full of irredemable optimist. those who never see the wrong in anything.

the bible as it is was compiled by the catholic fathers at the Council of Nicea during the reign of Alexender as pope. the books that favoured them was put in and others rejected. any one who precahes from the books rejected was branded a heretic and burned at the stakes. as Jenwitemi said, the true word of God is in the entire creation itself and not limited to a mere book.
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by alimat2(f): 1:40pm On Jan 13, 2011
nuella2:

FROM LIGHT TO DARKNESS? NEVER!

The word missing here is Knowledge . Just as Hosea 4:6 Says in d bible ,  My People Perish cos they lack Knowledge, 

Nobody can force any form of religion on us but the vital issue that will lead us to salvation is just seeking of profitable religious   Knowledge.

Before u can say a religion is darkness u must have proper insight/details of the religion and not what people say or do about the religion, dis will make u draw d conclusion.

Likewise before u can say a religion is in light u must also do the same research about it considering all its shortcoming and its history and not only the good side of it.

If u say Islam is darkness then u must have read the whole of the Quran and understand the Principles/fundamentals of Islam, if that  have not been done than u are heading towards what Hosea 4:6 says in the bible. 
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by alimat2(f): 1:55pm On Jan 13, 2011
U cant call yourself a good xtian without having knowledge of the Quran and the fundamentals of Islam cos that will tell u that u have completed ur religious search for knowledge, Likewise a Muslim will never say he is a good Muslim without having Knowledge of the Bible if truly he is religious cos dis will make u complete ur course on comparative religion.

What must people know abt is islam is just what they hear frm people around them without making Proper research on their own.

Its own search for knowledge that will determine who will succeed and those that will perish.
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by alexleo(m): 3:11pm On Jan 13, 2011
wlex8:

pls what's the name of your church, how I wish I can locate one like that. most pastors are driving people away from God's kingdom


pls contact me on my email  beyonddesun@yahoo.com so i can direct you to the nearest branch depending on the area you live.
God bless you.

Azibalua:

Interesting, pls can you enlighten us a little.
in your church do you have seats,also do you have a sound system?
Okay let's take a step ahead: do you have an outreach where you reach out to the poor and destitute, do you preach the gospel around the world via satellite?
Now if the answer is yes then I think you are a problem in that congregation,the gospel is very free ,oh yes it is .but
trust me it is not cheap at all,even if you do not belong to the group that give in your church I can assure you that. 
there are those who do it and am sure they are getting blessed,or do you receive allocations from NGO

My dear, if you read my post properly you would have seen where i mentioned that we have an in-built box where you can drop your tithe or offering at anytime and any day without anybody checkmating you because we believe it is strictly between you and God. It is from there that the work of God is sponsored. I never said we don't believe in tithe and offering or that we don't give. Personally I give, not only to my church but to other churches who are spreading the message of ETERNAL LIFE and not the message of prosperity. I said that we don't preach the message of prosperity (much) as others do and we don't even talk money as others do. Ours is to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto us and truly God has also been faithful to us. Its not by preaching prosperity and money 200 times in a month that it will come. God is blessing us mightily. I am a living testimony. Its better you tell me the bitter truth about God's word that will prepare me for heaven than going to a church that will tell me sweet words that will only benefit me here and destroy me in eternity. Thats the summary of what am saying.
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by maddock(m): 4:18pm On Jan 13, 2011
Hmmm i laugh in Igala language. Everybody want to go to heaven but nobody wan dead. Even in freetown there is no free lunch. A lot of folks can buy coke and meat pie everyday but to give offering na wahala. No worry hold your money dont give it. That money you dont want to give to God willingly , somebody go take am by force and you would even be begging the person to take it. We make mistake by thinking when we give money in church we are improving the life of the pastor. have we ever taken time to closely watch people that gives willingly am not taking about christians here. They hardly go broke, because all truth are parallel. the more you give the more you receive.
There is a spirit behing money and if you tie that spirit down,its not going to invite his other brothers and sister. This is not written in any bible but commonsence.
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by Joagbaje(m): 4:32pm On Jan 13, 2011
maddock:

Hmmm i laugh in Igala language. Everybody want to go to heaven but nobody wan dead. Even in freetown there is no free lunch. A lot of folks can buy coke and meat pie everyday but to give offering na wahala. No worry hold your money dont give it. That money you dont want to give to God willingly , somebody go take am by force and you would even be begging the person to take it. We make mistake by thinking when we give money in church we are improving the life of the pastor. have we ever taken time to closely watch people that gives willingly am not taking about christians here. They hardly go broke, because all truth are parallel. the more you give the more you receive.
There is a spirit behing money and if you tie that spirit down,its not going to invite his other brothers and sister. This is not written in any bible but commonsence.

This is great truth. Many people make others feel as though when one gives to God , the person will be broke. That is simply an expression of unbelief. Every principe from scripture proves that we are blessed through our giving. The Antichrist tries to rob people of their inheritance in christ by discouraging giving. It's a life principle. As Jesus and apostle Paul taught. Us.

Acts 20:35
. . . and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by JeSoul(f): 4:40pm On Jan 13, 2011
Re: I am losing my faith in "christianity".

Poster, I may be the only one on this thread that thinks that this is a great thing for you. Perhaps if you lose this 'christianity', you may find Christ and if you lose this 'religion' you may find God. I encourage you to continue asking questions, God will guide you if you put your trust in Him. Godbless!
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by Dulcet7(m): 4:51pm On Jan 13, 2011
JeSoul:

Re: I am losing my faith in "christianity".

Poster, I may be the only one on this thread that thinks that this is a great thing for you. Perhaps if you lose this 'christianity', you may find Christ and if you lose this 'religion' you may find God. I encourage you to continue asking questions, God will guide you if you put your trust in Him. Godbless!
+1
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by AKHOZEM: 4:59pm On Jan 13, 2011
[/quote][quote author=JeSoul link=topic=584241.msg7523845#msg7523845 date=1294933245]
Re: I am losing my faith in "christianity".

Poster, I may be the only one on this thread that thinks that this is a great thing for you. Perhaps if you lose this 'christianity', you may find Christ and if you lose this 'religion' you may find God. I encourage you to continue asking questions, God will guide you if you put your trust in Him. Godbless!
What kind of counsel is that. You ask a distracted person to continue in distraction just because her pastor ask her to buy a sermon? You should have ask questions rather . How much is the pamphlet . 50nairra or 100? Are they selling it for the money or to ensure members discipline themselves to study it for their growth. My pastor once mandated all of us leaders to get study bible by force. And we were glad because we were careless . We buy shoes and expensive things without investing in our spiritual life. A good pastor is a coach. Pls avoid dangerous counsel. Paul had books he reads and he encourage Timothy to study. They didn't get those books free. We invest in our growth.
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by Dulcet7(m): 5:03pm On Jan 13, 2011
AKHOZEM are you also Joagbaje?
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by AKHOZEM: 5:09pm On Jan 13, 2011
grin I am Dulcet grin
Are you Jesoul?
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by Dulcet7(m): 5:15pm On Jan 13, 2011
No sir I am not Jesoul but my intuition hardly ever fails me. Take care.
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by maddock(m): 5:23pm On Jan 13, 2011
At times like this that I am impressed with the muslim suicide bombers who are ready to die for their belief even if its wrong. As Christians we should ask ourselves what do we believe.Some of us call ourselves Christians yet we question everything viz offerings,tithes,seeds,firstfruits .Oh all these  are to enrich the Pastor.We seem to forget the very essence and basis of Christianity is giving. God gave us his very best and Jesus gave his life. Did God bother to think wether we would accept him or not before sending Jesus to the earth to die.Did Jesus even rationalised if he would still be rejected instead he went on to give his life. Why can't we as Christian do and let God be the one to rationalise.Evryman wether Pastor or member would one day answer to his or her deed.So those of us here who think they are good bible students should continue to rationalise.One day monkey go go market and he no go return.
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by AKHOZEM: 5:33pm On Jan 13, 2011
@poster
If you're not convinced about  your church activities , it is not wrong to go to a church you feel more comfortable with. But you should be led by God spirit. When I was forced by my own pastor to buy a study bible which cost more money than the normal one we had, it was a faith challenge for some of us. But we are glad in the end . I'm not in your church to justify your pastor but just be led . Thanks.
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by JeSoul(f): 6:39pm On Jan 13, 2011
AKHOZEM:

What kind of counsel is that. You ask a distracted person to continue in distraction just because her pastor ask her to buy a sermon? You should have ask questions rather . How much is the pamphlet . 50nairra or 100? Are they selling it for the money or to ensure members discipline themselves to study it for their growth. My pastor once mandated all of us leaders to get study bible by force. And we were glad because we were careless . We buy shoes and expensive things without investing in our spiritual life. A good pastor is a coach. Pls avoid dangerous counsel. Paul had books he reads and he encourage Timothy to study. They didn't get those books free. We invest in our growth.
Akhozem, what is your definition of a "distracted person"?

Why are you (and others) so afraid of people asking questions? does not the bible teach us ask questions and test everything? Are you afraid they might actually open their eyes and learn for themselves instead of relying on a "pastor" to teach/tell them what is truth or godly or biblical?

Jesus said "my sheep hear my voice and they obey it". I am not worried about any person "asking questions" or "losing their faith" . . . because it means they are actually searching and thinking for themselves - as opposed to the multitudes of zombies occupying churches these days that think they're going to heaven just because their pastor told them so, and because they 'pay' their 'tithe' and offerings.
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by AKHOZEM: 7:24pm On Jan 13, 2011
^^^^^
i was not against asking question . I said you should have asked question rather than giving a counsel that may be damaging to the soul of the individual. The fact that someone picks an offence at an issue does not make the person right. How much info do you have of that church or the pastor. Your counsel may be right if you are equipped with all information about her pastor.
Re: I'm Losing My Faith In Christianity by JeSoul(f): 7:33pm On Jan 13, 2011
^funny thing is, I didn't even offer him any 'counsel'. I simply told him to trust in God as he searches for the truth.

Read his post again. He is not losing faith in God - he is losing faith in the man-made systematic, business, money-driven operation of 'churches' today. He knows what should be Christ-like and he is seeing a disconnect with how his church operates. As far as I'm concerned this is a fantastic thing.

A "distracted" person? far from it! on the contrary, he's paying enough attention to notice that there is something wrong with naija 'christianity'. And to that, I wish him plenty of "losing of faith".

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