A most powerful tool in the hands of those who were determined to control the masses and keep us enslaved by fear. I nearly drowned in this horrific ocean of lies, but at the age of 52 I started meditating and my thinking began to change and my brain began to heal.
I left Christianity and the Christian church in 2018. But it wasn’t just my religion. It was also my life’s work and career so this move was life changing to say the least.
I remember the first time I realized hell was a made up thing to keep Christians in bondage. What a relief! No need to live in fear any longer. Sharing this new found freedom with a few close friends, I soon realized they thought I had gone mad. Best to keep my mouth shut.
The brainwashing we all go through as members of the Christian church (pick a denomination - just about any of them will do) is nearly inescapable. When one of the sheep finds their way out if the pen prison we’ve been indoctrinated to call “haven”, it scares the hell out of everyone else.
I having been saying this for a long time Andrew. I am not a Christian I am a follower of the Jesus whose message was way different than what I was always taught. And as each day goes by and I see and hear the things I hear from people who claim to be Christians it makes me sick. Hope you have a wonder Christmas💙💙💙
I didn’t have to go to Divinity School to come to these conclusions, but I’m very much looking forward to your future posts on how to follow ‘The Way.’
That sounded more critical than I meant it to (and I have studied theology and church history, through an Episcopal Church program called Education for Ministry, and I taught the ‘History of Christianity’ at a prison, so I am pretty well steeped in theology and history!).
Thanks for writing this and congratulations on completing your first semester of seminary. Two points at the moment (1) Muslim people, in my experience, have a different perspective on Hagar and Ishmael (founder of the Arab nations and Islam). I co-led a Sunday service in my church one morning with a Muslim scholar. I preached the cruelty of Abraham and Sarai. He preached the water coming from the rock and (2) my second point: salvation through suffering.
Peace,
Dwight Lee Wolter, author of “The Gospel of Loneliness” (The Pilgrim Press, a UCC imprint) and available on Amazon.
Oh that sounds very interesting! I think we have a lot to learn from our Muslim brothers and sisters. Union is actually doing amazing, cutting-edge work on inter-religious engagement (much more than YDS). And that's so cool about Williams! Did you have her in class?
I came to the same conclusion many years ago. After going to Catholic school for 12 years, life at university opened my eyes. Reading the Nag Hammadi Library also made me realize that organized religions are brainwashing factories. Especially since I later discovered that the elementary school I went to was a hot bed of priestly child abusers.
“The Nag Hammadi Library, a collection of thirteen ancient books (called "codices") containing over fifty texts, was discovered in upper Egypt in 1945. This immensely important discovery includes a large number of primary "Gnostic Gospels", scriptures such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Philip, and the Gospel of Truth. The discovery and translation of the Nag Hammadi library, initially completed in the 1970's, has provided impetus to a major re-evaluation of early Christian history and the nature of Gnosticism.” http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/nhl.html
Then I moved to Japan and encountered Buddhism, a much more sensible philosophy in my opinion. The philosophy of the historical Jesus are pure and simple, not contrived or political. I think about them everyday but never go to church.
I am a dyed-in-the-wool, cradle Presbyterian, and am proud to claim that, however I also agree with your complaints here. But I must stop short of reaching the same conclusion. I have long argued that the "neo-evangelicals"* have sullied the name "Christian" by their misinterpretation of what it means to be Christian. I am not willing to abandon the name, though, because I believe that we who contend that Jesus was killed by the religious and political authorities because he was successfully challenging the system have allowed the misinterpretation to go unchallenged for too long. But I am not willing to reject the name because of their sullying of the Word.
It was ironic that your post came as I was preparing my Christmas Eve reflection for a small church where I often fill the pulpit. (No need to repeat the points 'cause if you're interested, you can read them at https://decenthillsorderlyhollows.substack.com/p/of-christmas-2023. Further, if you scroll through earlier postings, you will definitely detect a theme, I think.)
I know your decision is heart-felt and well thought out; I am not suggesting you reconsider, but I want to note that there are many of us who continue to "defend the faith." If you haven't, you might noodle around Substack where you'll find many others doing the same far better than me. (Diana Butler Bass, The Cottage; Holly Berkley Fletcher, A Zebra Without Stripes; Nadia Bolz-Weber, The Corners; et. al.)
I'll be interested to follow the rest of this journey. And, also, congratulations and best wishes on your engagement.
Grace and peace,
John
PS: And just to be a smart ass, are you considering disowning your West Virginia heritage because of the horrendously negative stereotypes of your home, and my adopted, state -- to say nothing of the recent mess of its political atmosphere? Seems somewhat an analogous situation. :)
jb
* See "Being Presbyterian in the Bible Belt;" Foote, Thornburg.
I think what I've come to the conclusion is that all Christianity is a corruption of Jesus of Nazareth's message and ideas—from Paul on. Jesus never (at least openly) referred to himself as the "Son of God," that's a title his followers would give him after his death. Scholars generally agree upon this, whether or not they believe in the divinity of Jesus. Doing so would have gotten Jesus executed for blasphemy, the punishment being death by stoning (as prescribed in Leviticus 24:16, the fate suffered by Stephen in Acts 6-7). But Jesus isn't stoned to death of course, he's executed by crucifixion, the punishment for sedition/challenging Roman imperial rule. This is just the beginning of a mountain of evidence in my mind that demonstrates the difference between the religion of Jesus and the religion of Christianity. Seeing as how I reject the idea that Jesus is the messiah, I don't feel it's fitting to call my a Christian.
And sadly, I gave up on West Virginia a while ago. What the Republican Party, Capitalists, and Christianity have done to my home state fills my heart with sorrow. But thats another can of worms!!
I love reading about your journey. I also get a lot of insight reading about Jesus as understood by oppressed or otherwise marginalized people. James Baldwin has taught me a lot about Jesus, though perhaps he wouldn't have meant to. James Cone and Vine Deloria, too. Hannah Arendt, especially, since she taught a great deal about Jesus.
I'll answer to "Christian," but I don't like calling myself one. Peter seems to regard "Christian" as an epithet, up there with murderer and thief. And since the God of scripture doesn't call anyone a Christian, I don't feel like I have to set myself up as one, either.
I'd love to be able to say that I'm a follower of Jesus, and I think I'm coming closer to being one based on some decisions I've made. I'm a worshipper and admirer of Jesus. I often identify as a child of God.
A most powerful tool in the hands of those who were determined to control the masses and keep us enslaved by fear. I nearly drowned in this horrific ocean of lies, but at the age of 52 I started meditating and my thinking began to change and my brain began to heal.
I left Christianity and the Christian church in 2018. But it wasn’t just my religion. It was also my life’s work and career so this move was life changing to say the least.
I remember the first time I realized hell was a made up thing to keep Christians in bondage. What a relief! No need to live in fear any longer. Sharing this new found freedom with a few close friends, I soon realized they thought I had gone mad. Best to keep my mouth shut.
The brainwashing we all go through as members of the Christian church (pick a denomination - just about any of them will do) is nearly inescapable. When one of the sheep finds their way out if the pen prison we’ve been indoctrinated to call “haven”, it scares the hell out of everyone else.
Best choice I’ve ever made.
I'm so sorry that you went through all that—I hope you're doing better now!
I having been saying this for a long time Andrew. I am not a Christian I am a follower of the Jesus whose message was way different than what I was always taught. And as each day goes by and I see and hear the things I hear from people who claim to be Christians it makes me sick. Hope you have a wonder Christmas💙💙💙
I should know you're always right Karen!!! <3
I didn’t have to go to Divinity School to come to these conclusions, but I’m very much looking forward to your future posts on how to follow ‘The Way.’
That's what my boyfriend says!!! Hahaha
That sounded more critical than I meant it to (and I have studied theology and church history, through an Episcopal Church program called Education for Ministry, and I taught the ‘History of Christianity’ at a prison, so I am pretty well steeped in theology and history!).
P. S. I am a Union Theological Seminary (NYC) grad and was a student during Prof. Williams’ tenure.
Thanks for writing this and congratulations on completing your first semester of seminary. Two points at the moment (1) Muslim people, in my experience, have a different perspective on Hagar and Ishmael (founder of the Arab nations and Islam). I co-led a Sunday service in my church one morning with a Muslim scholar. I preached the cruelty of Abraham and Sarai. He preached the water coming from the rock and (2) my second point: salvation through suffering.
Peace,
Dwight Lee Wolter, author of “The Gospel of Loneliness” (The Pilgrim Press, a UCC imprint) and available on Amazon.
Oh that sounds very interesting! I think we have a lot to learn from our Muslim brothers and sisters. Union is actually doing amazing, cutting-edge work on inter-religious engagement (much more than YDS). And that's so cool about Williams! Did you have her in class?
Yes.
I came to the same conclusion many years ago. After going to Catholic school for 12 years, life at university opened my eyes. Reading the Nag Hammadi Library also made me realize that organized religions are brainwashing factories. Especially since I later discovered that the elementary school I went to was a hot bed of priestly child abusers.
“The Nag Hammadi Library, a collection of thirteen ancient books (called "codices") containing over fifty texts, was discovered in upper Egypt in 1945. This immensely important discovery includes a large number of primary "Gnostic Gospels", scriptures such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Philip, and the Gospel of Truth. The discovery and translation of the Nag Hammadi library, initially completed in the 1970's, has provided impetus to a major re-evaluation of early Christian history and the nature of Gnosticism.” http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/nhl.html
Then I moved to Japan and encountered Buddhism, a much more sensible philosophy in my opinion. The philosophy of the historical Jesus are pure and simple, not contrived or political. I think about them everyday but never go to church.
I’m new to Substack and I’m feel so blessed to fine your writings. Be blessed and continue being a blessing to others!
Andrew (assuming the headline isn't clickbait)"
I am a dyed-in-the-wool, cradle Presbyterian, and am proud to claim that, however I also agree with your complaints here. But I must stop short of reaching the same conclusion. I have long argued that the "neo-evangelicals"* have sullied the name "Christian" by their misinterpretation of what it means to be Christian. I am not willing to abandon the name, though, because I believe that we who contend that Jesus was killed by the religious and political authorities because he was successfully challenging the system have allowed the misinterpretation to go unchallenged for too long. But I am not willing to reject the name because of their sullying of the Word.
It was ironic that your post came as I was preparing my Christmas Eve reflection for a small church where I often fill the pulpit. (No need to repeat the points 'cause if you're interested, you can read them at https://decenthillsorderlyhollows.substack.com/p/of-christmas-2023. Further, if you scroll through earlier postings, you will definitely detect a theme, I think.)
I know your decision is heart-felt and well thought out; I am not suggesting you reconsider, but I want to note that there are many of us who continue to "defend the faith." If you haven't, you might noodle around Substack where you'll find many others doing the same far better than me. (Diana Butler Bass, The Cottage; Holly Berkley Fletcher, A Zebra Without Stripes; Nadia Bolz-Weber, The Corners; et. al.)
I'll be interested to follow the rest of this journey. And, also, congratulations and best wishes on your engagement.
Grace and peace,
John
PS: And just to be a smart ass, are you considering disowning your West Virginia heritage because of the horrendously negative stereotypes of your home, and my adopted, state -- to say nothing of the recent mess of its political atmosphere? Seems somewhat an analogous situation. :)
jb
* See "Being Presbyterian in the Bible Belt;" Foote, Thornburg.
John,
I think what I've come to the conclusion is that all Christianity is a corruption of Jesus of Nazareth's message and ideas—from Paul on. Jesus never (at least openly) referred to himself as the "Son of God," that's a title his followers would give him after his death. Scholars generally agree upon this, whether or not they believe in the divinity of Jesus. Doing so would have gotten Jesus executed for blasphemy, the punishment being death by stoning (as prescribed in Leviticus 24:16, the fate suffered by Stephen in Acts 6-7). But Jesus isn't stoned to death of course, he's executed by crucifixion, the punishment for sedition/challenging Roman imperial rule. This is just the beginning of a mountain of evidence in my mind that demonstrates the difference between the religion of Jesus and the religion of Christianity. Seeing as how I reject the idea that Jesus is the messiah, I don't feel it's fitting to call my a Christian.
And sadly, I gave up on West Virginia a while ago. What the Republican Party, Capitalists, and Christianity have done to my home state fills my heart with sorrow. But thats another can of worms!!
PS - I loved Paul Simon. That is all.
I love reading about your journey. I also get a lot of insight reading about Jesus as understood by oppressed or otherwise marginalized people. James Baldwin has taught me a lot about Jesus, though perhaps he wouldn't have meant to. James Cone and Vine Deloria, too. Hannah Arendt, especially, since she taught a great deal about Jesus.
I'll answer to "Christian," but I don't like calling myself one. Peter seems to regard "Christian" as an epithet, up there with murderer and thief. And since the God of scripture doesn't call anyone a Christian, I don't feel like I have to set myself up as one, either.
I'd love to be able to say that I'm a follower of Jesus, and I think I'm coming closer to being one based on some decisions I've made. I'm a worshipper and admirer of Jesus. I often identify as a child of God.
The Jesus chart is wonderful!
Thank you Bryce! Reading more James Baldwin is definitely on my to-do list!