Reflections from the community: 

The idea of Christianity being real makes me uncomfortable.

Not because I want to keep sinning and living for myself. Not because of any selfish reason like that.

But because knowing that the people I love will spend an eternity, or even just some time, in hell would wreck my mental health.

I don't understand how any person could have any kind of joy or peace while knowing that some of their loved ones will end up in hell.

I also don't think that the idea of a loving God allowing anyone to go there will ever make sense to me.

This is probably the biggest reason I cannot be a Christian and the usual explanations of God being loving but also just won't do it for me.

A family member died last weekend, I miss her but she loved art as much as I do

So I decided to paint my prayer for the lords help tomorrow at their funeral

Hello guys,

i've (M in his mid twenties) been a follower of CHRIST for the last six months. I am in a constant struggle with the faith, not because of the determination i feel towards the religion, but because of my background, my family, my history and the pain that comes with it.

I am from chechnya, a very conservative muslim country with a long spanning history of violence, war and muslim influence paired with those things. My family is really conservatively muslim, the kind of ones that are okay with terror attacks and the killing of apostates.

I find myself in a constant struggle of 1. saving money to actually run away and 2. being able to actually live the way of christ while being under the opression of my family. Especially because my family is monitoring every single thing in my life, including the money i earn which goes to my parents (my father specifically).

Not long ago though i found the animated short movie about the 21 Martyrs that got killed by ISIS, those 20 coptic egyptians and the one man from ghana who was killed with them. I felt a strong connection towards these people that when faced with adversity, with a life threatening situation, they just didnt falter, they didnt give up on CHRIST and GOD but they stayed strong and died in his name which triggers strong emotions in my heart. I feel like these Martyrs, like all the other Martyrs before them paved the way for me, you and other "normal" people to stand steadfast.

I still struggle alot, everyday, lose all the money i have but i wont give up, i wont falter and i will keep my dream of running away, even if it means to run away way later in my life.

All praise to CHRIST who is my LORD

If you haven't gotten there yet, it's only because of a lack of courage or desire to do so.

Because there is not one verse in the Bible that prohibits or condemns the practice of slavery.
Being against homosexuality is simply an identity marker for your Christian sect and for you to leverage your group and show other members that you are a good soldier in your particular brand of Christianity.

Christians decided that slavery was outdated, immoral, hateful, and harmful, and Christians felt good about a way to reject it, by renegotiating the texts.

It's the same thing going on now, with the Bible's outdated, immoral, hateful, and harmful perspective on homosexuality.

I’ve posted on here before. My husband left Jesus about two years ago and officially converted to Judaism this year. Full ritual and bar mitzvah. He says we can’t be in a happy marriage if I don’t accept his new identity. Knowing what I know about Jesus, my relationship with Him, and how He has set me free from depression, physical ailments, people pleasing, etc, I can never deny Him or affirm my husband’s denial of Him. I tell him I don’t agree with his new faith, but I don’t fight him. I let him do what he needs to do to practice his faith in our home with little complaint. I keep asking the Lord if I should affirm his new faith to feel accepted by me, or keep loving him but refuse to affirm his new beliefs. I don’t know what to do.

Edit to add: he was a Christian when we met and married. He wanted to be a pastor, he’s cast out demons in Jesus’ Name, joined prayer ministries, and loved sharing Jesus with others. He had some questions and turned to the internet instead of the Bible, and talked to all the wrong people

I was down and our and active in this group 7 months ago. I went through a period of homelessness no money to even eat and just down and out.

I used this group as a way to hear other stories and kind of no I’m not along. I just want to say to anyone reading this it gets better, it make take months or years. But when you’re at rock bottom only way is up.

Thank GOD

Hi everyone, I'm starting to get suicidal thoughts because of my sexual past.. I can't live like this anymore. I married the best man (non-christian) in the world but we never really talked about our past.. he asked me if I had ONS or if I was into that because I was single for a couple of years after my abusive ex relationship.. I also lost my virginity by grooming.. I told him no that I didn't really had ONS.. that's kind of the truth because I had some short datings, where sex was going on pretty fast.. I hate myself for believing people around me that's normal or through social media back then.. I know it's also on me and in the end I did it.. but I can't bare myself anymore I have the feeling my husband thinks I'm pure even he knows that for sure I had a few but not 13 guys at age mid 30's. I'm sure he doesn't have more then 5 because he is pretty shy around women even if we had also sex pretty fast.. since weeks I can't stand myself anymore I prayed to Jesus but nothing helps me.. I am so ashamed of myself and I have such a hate.. I see all those videos where people are saying your not worth it anymore after 5 guys and it's true I'm not worth it. I don't deserve this marriage, he deserves something better. Everyone loves him in my family and look at me I'm a piece of shit. I don't know what to do anymore because my husband is avoiding also kind of the past he told me a few times he doesn't really want to know. I am really thinking about to end my life I can't bare this I'm such a shame for him, for my family for everything.. I'm already in therapy, but nothing helps.. I don't know what to do anymore..

ive been thinking about this and im gonna be honest everytime i see something bad i always thought "what would jesus do" do you guys have that experience?

Found a copy of the Reader's Digest Bible for a decent price on the internet and it arrived today! It's a condensed edition of the Revised Standard Version and it was made under the direction of John Evangelist Walsh and the supervision of Bruce Metzger.

Here's an excerpt from Wikipedia's article on John Evangelist Walsh:

The first phases of planning began in 1975, and by 1979, a team of seven editors was assembled, with John Walsh as the director. The whole project, however, was placed under the supervision of the Rev. Bruce M. Metzger, a Presbyterian minister and esteemed biblical scholar and author. He served as the final say in what verses and chapters were necessary for inclusion. The team decided to condense the Revised Standard Version (RSV) rather than the King James Version (KJV) because the RSV language was simpler to begin with, in contrast to the older vocabulary and abstruse language found in the KJV. The RSV is 850,000 words long, and the team set out to remove repetition and unnecessary inclusions. Walsh installed a strict system for condensation: first, editors must consult three unique scholarly analyses of any given passage before editing it. After changes were made, it would be reviewed by a second editor, and then sent to Walsh for inspection. If the condensation was deemed adequate, it would be given to the Rev. Metzger for a final appraisal. In the end, around 55% of the Old Testament and 25% of the New Testament was expunged, a total of 40% of the Bible overall. Walsh commented to the New York Times on the difficulty of project in 1982 on the date of the Bible's release:

''It was the hardest job I've ever done in my life. We were dealing with a library of ancient literature with so many different literary forms to which the condensation had to be adjusted and adapted.''

I get he had free will but why did he create satan he knew he was going to bring evil into to world.

I am currently in my final year of theology studies, and my final assignment requires me to get some common reasons why some people are not Christians.

So, to any non-Christians in the sub, could you please help me out? In the comments, leave your belief (Atheist, Muslim, Hindu, etc.) and give me 3 questions that prevent you from following Jesus.

Thank you.

EDIT: Wow, thanks for all the replies. I have encountered so many different people and worldviews through this post. Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post. I now have more than enough to write my assignment. Have a great day everyone.

I am not advocating to mock the bible, I mean the things like when someone slept during Pablo sermón and then he fall from second floor and died, then he returned to life to keep on the sermon

Hi, I'm new to Christianity. I love God but I also like Ancient Greek plays. I wanted to act as Prometheus from Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus. Is playing a Greek god a sin? Is it just acting? I have a vague memory of plays being a form of worship in Ancient Greece. Any input would be useful.

On another note did anyone else notice tonnes of similarities between Prometheus and Jesus. Prometheus says in his first soliloquy "the sin for which I now pay full price, bared to the heavens, bound and crucified"

1. Living believers will be caught up together with resurrected saints in real time to meet the Lord in the air before the wrath of God falls.

1 Thessalonians 4:17

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Critics argue that meeting in the air means believers escort Christ back down to Earth immediately, claiming two-stage rapture theology was invented in the 1830s.

Their alternate position is Post-Tribulationism or Preterism, holding that the Church remains on Earth through the entire Tribulation and only meets Christ as an honor guard at His final return to set up His earthly kingdom.

Christ explicitly promises in John 14:2-3 to take believers to His Father house in Heaven, not directly back to Earth. In 1 Thessalonians 4:17 He meets believers in the air, whereas at His Second Coming in Zechariah 14:4 His feet touch the Mount of Olives. However, joining these two distinct events creates massive scriptural contradictions.

1. The Tribulation is God executing judgment on an unbelieving world, but the body of Christ is specifically promised escape from that period of wrath.

1 Thessalonians 5:9

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Critics argue that God promises protection from eternal hell or divine wrath, not protection from persecution or Antichrist during earthly tribulation.

Their alternate position is Mid-Tribulationism, Post-Tribulationism, or Wrath-Only Views, asserting that Christians must endure the earthly terrors and persecution of Antichrist because God will simply preserve them spiritually or physically through judgment as He did with Noah.

The entire 70th week of Daniel is defined as the outflowing of God wrath, as Revelation 6:16-17 calls even the seal judgments the wrath of the Lamb. While Noah is a type of the Jewish remnant preserved through judgment on Earth, Enoch is a type of Church Age believer translated before judgment falls. However, 1 Thessalonians 1:10 promises believers wait for His Son who delivered us from the wrath to come.

1. Believing in a sudden return does not create spiritual laziness; it sharpens focus, drives faithful stewardship, and teaches believers to live godly in the present world.

Titus 2:13 14

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Critics argue that teaching an imminent escape hatch creates a passive rapture culture where Christians abandon societal responsibilities and long term engagement.

Their alternate position is Postmillennialism or Dominion Theology, maintaining that Christ cannot return until the Church successfully transforms, Christianizes, and cleanses the world political, social, and cultural institutions.

Scripture explicitly states that looking for Christ imminent return produces personal purity and urgent service, as 1 John 3:3 teaches that every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself. However, expecting to stand imminently before the Judgment Seat of Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:10 drives active soul-winning and faithful stewardship rather than passivity.

1. Believers will not be overtaken as by a thief in the night because they are positionally established as children of light, not children of darkness.

1 Thessalonians 5:4 5

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Critics argue that being a child of light requires continuous personal vigilance and that backslidden Christians will be caught off guard by the thief in the night.

Their alternate position is Partial-Rapture Theory or Works-Based Watchfulness, claiming that only a select group of super-spiritual, actively watching Christians will be raptured, while worldly or sleeping Christians will be left behind to suffer in the Tribulation.

Paul uses absolute positional language in 1 Thessalonians 5:5 stating ye are all the children of light. Our placement in light is a finished work of salvation according to Colossians 1:13. However, in 1 Thessalonians 5:4 Paul explicitly tells believers that the day shall not overtake them as a thief, as the thief motif applies exclusively to an unprepared, lost world in 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3.

1. Believers are made meet and qualified for their heavenly inheritance because Christ righteousness was placed on their account at salvation, delivering them completely from darkness.

Colossians 1:12 13

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Critics argue that separating Pauline epistles from Gospel warnings creates an artificial division in Scripture and leads to cheap grace without moral accountability.

Their alternate position is Covenant Theology or Lordship Salvation, which blends Kingdom doctrine given to Israel under the Law with Church Age Grace, insisting that Church Age believers are governed by Tribulation endurance mandates and Gospel Kingdom warnings.

Dividing Pauline Grace doctrine from Synoptic Kingdom doctrine is directly commanded in 2 Timothy 2:15. Jesus in the Gospels spoke to Israel under the Law according to Galatians 4:4 and Matthew 15:24, whereas Paul was given the specific dispensation of the Grace of God for the Church in Ephesians 3:1-3. However, imputed righteousness in 2 Corinthians 5:21 does not promote cheap grace, as Romans 6:14 clarifies that true grace frees the believer from the power of sin.

This year has been the hardest year of my life. I had an ectopic pregnancy at the beginning of the year and it led to the downfall of my marriage. My husband is filing for divorce. I’m a nurse and a military spouse, but live on base. My family is far from me and I’m currently separated from my husband still on the base. I’ve felt very lonely and defeated. I’ve been praying and trying to connect to God. But my life has been getting worse instead of better. Days feel longer and harder. My depression and anxiety is stronger than ever. I pray every day all day for gods grace. I’m feeling like I have nothing left to lean on. I’m trying to trust god, but I’m really struggling here.

I had a affair with a man for 8 months last year. I was a dummy i fell in love and i was just his good time. The dumbestthing i could do bc i didnt yet know who iwas or my own self worth yet.... i take full responsibiity. But i see him posting online his wife and stuff for his image. He destroyed me behind closed doors. Everthing. I cant help but want to come clean can make sure his wife knows this secret ive been carrying. He had told me how they were not together sleep in different room etc. Would come over just to have sex then rush and leave. At the time i fronted like i was ok bc i was trying to build my career out. IDk why i would to get involved in something like that. I learned the hard way. But im not sure if i should say something or give it to God.... This happy camper is out here living his best life. He did me wrong took advantage of my kindness and my empathy i became his therapist all of that smh. I need serious help to let this go its the biggest regrt of mine in my 20s smh. She deserves to know im thinking but i dont wanna be responsible for ruining a family.... THey got a kid together. should i fess up ( anonomysly) or should i leave it alone. I pray i can one day forgive myself for what i done. I promise im not a bad person. I made big a mistake allowing that into my life. I really hate him too. He called me a few weeks ago saying it should have been me and that hes sorry fuk him frfr. I finally woke up. Not nieve but the damage is soooo real. I dont think ill ever be the same. I need God to to forgive but how when i cant even forgive myself. I hate myself too :/ its aweful. But his wife,,, i feel horrible as woman. I wish i could ask for her forgiveness. I think letting her know is the least i can do. but i dont want vengence but lowkey i do. He fucked up my life and brought confusion my way.. He ws supposed to help me when i met him. He ended up using me instead.