Non-denominational Hearts Feel Free To Gather Here........

[Friday]

I got thrown out of sunday school (as in go sit on the front step and wait for your parents) when I was 5 for asking if hell was big enough to hold all the buddists in china.

LMFAO... I got thrown out once for something similar. If Heaven was supposed to be big enough to hold everyone and Hell was the opposite of heaven, wouldn’t Hell not be able to hold anyone? Besides, doesn’t ruling over a kingdom of none sound like a more fitting punishment for the Angel who tried to take over Heaven and rule over all?

:whistling: There was also the time I’d climbed up on the desk (to be eye to eye, well somewhat taller, than the Pastor) to have a shouting match in the (Navy) Base Chapel. The Rabbi from next door came over and collected me by either my waist band or jacket collar, I kind of forget which, but remember dangling in the air. “I think this one’s mine!” and exited with me stage left. Apparently being given a brain & commanded to question/argue with god? Meant I needed to walk through the door with a star on it. Not the t. Ah RabbiM. :inlove: Such a damn good man. He still cracks me the hell up. Man used to sneak around base delivering presents on Christmas to the kids whose dad’s were deployed. (Okay. That’s it. Santa IS real.) I CAUGHT him at it.

 

[ladee]

Oh, am loving the stories about why some of us were not welcome in CHURCH... my main emotioanal abuser, Ugly Sister#1, was always after me to go to CHURCH... so she signed me up to play baseball with the youth.... if there is a connection there, I missed it, anyway, she takes me out there... not one of those kids spoke to me, or welcomed me, I wasn't one of THEM.... so the guy running the thing, just sort of left me standing there, but I was watching the rest of them.... the second baseman had a strong arm and could really throw, so after awhile he puts me in as catcher.... a few strike outs, then someone bunted the ball, one person was on first... So I ran forward, threw the ball to second.... I knew he could throw it to first and we'd have two outs...

The guy lost his mind.... he started flayling his arms and screaming at me, all I remember is I SHOULD have thrown the ball to first.... and when I was younger, when I got embarrassed or shamed to death, my face would get red... so the rest of the kids were snickering and doing what crappy mean kids do... after the guy settled down a little... I told him I was confused, could he show me what he meant... he had had the pitcher throw me the ball.. I handed him the ball and glove.... and walked off!!! I was hurt, embarrassed , angry at my sister, and if this was what being a part of this church meant, f*ck it... I could be treated that way at home without having to sweat !!

I was walking down the hiway crying, and US#1 stopped and picked me up... thank God (excuse the pun) for disassociation...I don't remember one word of what I am pretty sure was a lecture and how I had embarrassed HER !! Even as an young teen I remember thinking... and THESE are Christians... not me baby, not me !!

As an adult I did go to other churches....Because I was seeking something.... some kind of peace, safety?? But I just learned thru life, that was not what I wanted or needed... I needed truly kind and compassionate people, T's that understood and gave a damn... and nature... when I go rock hunting, I call that 'going to church'... I am peace, I breathe , I feel positive, I see miracles, and on and on...

So tho I did not ask questions about heaven and hell, I did let them all know, by walking off, that I was questioning what they all stood for.... and I didn't want any part of it...

 

[Mach123]

I am spiritually religious and religiously spiritual. I am an equal opportunity hater. I don't know if I hate the religious people or the I'm not religious (spiritual) people more. Trying to tell which is the most hateful and why is confusing so, I avoid both and the subject(s) entirely.

 

[ladee]

@Mach123 I think the being hateful comes from having neither.... just my opinion.... hypocrites abound... I think they just belong to their own tribe... :cautious:

 

[Deleted member 8714]

My mind's definition/understanding of denomination is strongly identifying with a particular religious organization/belief whether you physically attend the building(s) they inhabit or not. Yet another example of how language as well as our life experiences can be (and remain) our biggest hurdles at times.

And therein lies the problem. There is an actual definition in churches of what a denomination is. I found a website if you're interested in learning about denominations. Though probably not based on your above statement.

Major World Christian Denominations

One of the non-denominational churches is the Born Again Movement. Upon reading the site, it was the first time I even knew there was such a denomination. According to the website, there are several non-denominational churches. So therefore, I stand with my original post. I am not a part of any denomination. Period. Never have been.

That's my last post.

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

I usually avoid the subject, too, @Mach123 , until I saw other threads about religion, especially as it relates to trauma, had a combination moment of weakness/being triggered/emotional reaction and decided to make a thread and further post my feelings about it.

Thanks for the educational moments @Congruency , et al, be it in linguistics or otherwise. My apologies for harboring/adopting an inaccurate definition of denominations for so long, along with my heavily jaded view of all things christian/religious based heavily on personal experiences. As always, one of many AFGO moments...Another F'n Growth Opportunity. Peace.

 

[MyWillow]

I don’t have any beliefs except in the law of science. Animals bring me all the comfort I need. I’m happy for everyone to believe in what they need to as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone. You can worship the tooth fairy for all I care. Try to change my beliefs? Well then I get a bit touchy.

 

[Kay Mouse]

I was delighted to see this thread. I definitely have faith, in God, and pray very regularly. I am non-denominational. I was in a church just before Christmas and it was hilarious. Groupthink everywhere. Isn't it interesting how the congregation can also be referred to as a 'flock'? As in, sheep. They passed their little dish around expecting me to put money in it, which I didn't, of course. I also viewed a nativity, which was why I was there. Normally I love kids nativities, and enjoy them, but the church, in an attempt to be modern, had given this one a modern slant. Adults had clearly written the script and orchestrated the whole thing. It was painful, I felt embarrassed for the kids. The whole experience annoyed and bored me and I considered it nothing to do with God.