Finding truths online about Christanity can be hard at times

[Justmerach]

I am a Christian and began my own walk with my faith in my teens. I existed for decades without a computer and without social media. I am finding that using online for anything of matters pertaining to religion can have benefits and disadvantages as you will find in life and in too of course the social media world. There are advantages and I know them well but what do you about some of the disadvantages.

I will give you my experiences towards the negative aspects. The truth I think to religion and Christianity is that you will very unlikely find the full truth to it on Google and Wikipedia for that matter. Wikipedia acknowledges that for religion you will not likely find it factual as with religion you cannot judge who is accurate or not.

I have seen like some childhood things many of us grew up being brandised as pagan. Like with the whole Christmas tree thing is just a start and it makes many people feel uneased for nothing. God has been with them and has been in fact saving their lives.

Also with museums, as someone with health conditions myself and we are still living in the world, but doing our best. You can find online somewhere you want to go with a right mind and given it your approval and got tickets and then you will read something later brandishing that event is not Christian. How can you enjoy yourself again when now have tickets and you’ve read it. I will give you an example here for me this has been a few times around theatre and museums which caused me to throw out memorabilia in my flat and regret it later.

People can determine for themselves Christian or not whether they want to see a museum. Now I am bit put off going to this museum History Museum but I have got tickets and will avoid the areas I do not want to go if I do decide to go.

This is a big one for me. I attended Catholic schools as child to 19. I have grown up with art not knowing what it meant at an artistic level and in mass. It became intrinsic to me.

I also heard much a time about songs like walking in the light. What I am writing about is that some of our Christian art pictures of anointed people can receive some illumination. Much to my disdain I googled this looking for examples but was met with many faiths examples and no Christian examples. A Google search led me to read topics by others that it was untruthful in my most easy to digest words. The answer will never be found I think on Google.

Also there are several Bible references to walking in light and being of light. I heard recounts to from others which tallied in different ways in the modern world. Now since my childhood and reading very negative information literally can feel declarations of others of what they declare as untruth almost like a wound to the stomach and can feel off for days. It is not only that you want to be careful that what you tell others is accurate so to read someone thoughts at times can make you question yourself that people will be given factual information.

I have tickets to go the Royal Academy of Arts and I was told by someone that some religious paintings were there and I like some halo art and thought it could be found there and bought tickets trying to live my life in the best ways I can then saw what I put on Google looking for more pictures and read about someone that has proclaimed it is an untruth halo Christian art. Now I am thinking how do I go and enjoy this and cannot get a refund and wanting to be on guard yourself. It is too much and you know the truth and have thrown it back out with force. Now I am quite diminutive in stature but will forcibly moves right put.Still, it can mess with the mind for a while. If you have thoughts about this yourself please let it guided by your truths if you are to share.

I have also just read pure stupidity about the Holy Spirit helps people like helping to them to find car keys, it is just too much silliness.

There are truths out there for sure, but you have to be careful how you navigate them. We are here online and many of us try and use it in a positive way. It has given me things to be glad about as well.

I have decided myself to try and use my Bible more to pray as the computer festers a lot of untruths which I do not support. I do not need the computer telling me how to live my life.

I wish you well and go with God.

I didn't tease this out when I posted and it escaped my Word checks.

I am just posting what I meant to write.

I meant to write-
It is too much and you know the truth and have thrown it back out with force. Now I am quite diminutive in stature and some may wonder. Still, it can mess with the mind for a while.

and not this-
It is too much and you know the truth and have thrown it back out with force. Now I am quite diminutive in stature but will forcibly moves right put.Still, it can mess with the mind for a while.

I think the best thing you can do is read the Bible and pray, and ask God to give you wisdom.

You can find opinions that say anything if you Google.

Do you use the Bible app You version? They have some lovely daily reading plans that are helpful.

Also are you in a church?

This is true of anything you come to know a little bit about.

My dd has an unusual, but not rare condition. The amount of rubbish on line about it (especially from American "doctors") is considerable. Some of it is frankly dangerous, and I'm very glad the internet was not around in this form when I was pregnant with her because the misinformation would have made a fairly traumatic time into a really traumatic time.

And Christianity, in the UK and others, is something people "think" they know all about because they heard "Bible" stories at school and read about it in the press. So they feel they have the authority to speak what they believe to be the truth, which is often far off. They also feel that gives them the authority to criticize what they believe to be the truth about Christianity because they were "brought up" with it.

And, again as with anything else, if people have a view on something, they will read more confirming their view and be convinced there is evidence that they are right.

I have also just read pure stupidity about the Holy Spirit helps people like helping to them to find car keys, it is just too much silliness.

I would be in two minds about this. If I have lost something, I often stop and pray. And more often than not I will then find the item fairly quickly, sometimes in a place I thought I'd already looked.
I suspect a non-believer would say that it was me stopping and focusing rather than panic looking, but I've tried just stopping and thinking and it's nothing like as effective.
I also pray when looking for a space to park, or for an easy exit from a difficult junction, and it is normally answered. God wants to answer the little things as well as the big.

But sometimes people can take it to an extreme, where it becomes almost more like a superstition. I try to be careful not to make it that.

I have often prayed to find lost car keys, and found them!

I understand where you’re coming from; it can feel like such claims trivialize the profound nature of the Holy Spirit’s work. The idea of the Holy Spirit guiding us is deeply biblical, but it seems some interpretations lean more toward the everyday and mundane, which might not agree with everyone. It sounds like you’re lpoking for a faith experience with depth and reverence rather than superficial orcasual experience. Nowhere in the Bible can you find the Holy Spirit doing something like that.

This is just classic as well. I booked to see Joseph in the theatre in London a few years ago. I went and found it was ok and got souvenirs a pamphlet and fridge magnet. Some months on I googled some Christians saying it wasn’t Christian online. In my wipe out I threw it out on based on what I read. JosephI knew of the story in the Bible but it threw out me. Sometimes my memory on the Old Testament can wane at times.

When I came to my senses I retrieved them where I threw it out and still have those memories. One day I was doing Bible study and then it came to Genesis about Joseph and the Tehnicolour dreamcoat and I squealed out it is in the Bible and I will never trust them. Now, the modern take may be a bit different but to cast it as not Christian is too much. My nurse who has a family was exasperated as well and she is Roman Catholic and agreed like what can we do.

I will come back and read the replies in a bit, just preparing for Sunday as well.

You see I have tickets to go the Royal Arts Academy. What I read impacted me. I am due to go next week and a bit tired of these things. I have the magnet as well as I mentioned now permanently on my fridge.

About the keys I never wrote it. Someone else did online. I tuink think the purpose is to do so and if it doesn't happen for some and then see as a failing.

It even told me about my food Google and I was pulled out of that one.

The safest way is to read the bible

Thank you, I do appreciate this. I do have issues tha may make it harder for me to study in typical ways. I have critically unwell at times which affected my memory for some things, Many things from my life thankfully I noted decades earlier in multiple ways so they are never lost. I never really ask for a thing and leave it to God to protect me. God know what I need. Also, I folllow along on audio Bible and learn in different ways as well.

I am not that technological. I have download an audio through Faith Comes by Healing. Yes I do attend church also and have really helpful rectors.

I have read all of the replies and find them very interesting.

This plays on another as well and it can put in the middle frustrated what to do next.You may not belief it but you can start to play safety and may avoid something based on that.

I don't know what is to make of it and I have read on another religious section of the board that people generally are seeing the Holy Spirit less in their lives these days. I don't know why they say this if it is about faith or perhaps with modern day things like card gaming lottery usage for the Holy Spirit attempts well. May be some parts of the world are revival and some are not.

We can all have our moments but if I was to do this it would ne internet messing me around. God will do whatever he feels is right for someone.

It’s an interesting and thought provoking topic. Some people feel they’re seeing less of the Holy Spirit in their lives because of the distractions and noise of modern life things like technology, consumerism, and social pressures can pull attention away from God. Others might feel disconnected due to personal struggles or having a lack of deep, intentional spiritual practices like prayer, worship, and meditation on Scripture. But it’s important to remember that the Holy Spirit is never absent; He’s always present and working, even when we don’t feel it (John 14:16-17). Revival depends on hearts truly seeking God. In some parts of the world, revival is happening because people are hungry for God’s presence and power, while in other areas, their faith might feel stagnant because of spiritual complacency or worldly influences. Ultimately, as you said, God will act in His wisdom and timing. The Holy Spirit moves in ways we may not always understand, but He knows what is right for each of us. Faith isn’t about perfectly feeling His presence all the time, it’s about trusting that He’s working, even in the silence or struggles. Have you ever experienced moments where you unexpectedly felt God’s Spirit moving?

Your post provides much food for thought, thank you. God as well knows everyone well from every generation of age. He handles it better than me

Moving On
I have a book called Saints with disabiliites and there appear to be some simple souls in there using the words in the book, but they appear pure and strong in their faith. Some like Saint Folly or I can grab my book and I will-Bleesed Eustochium was chatised by some nuns. They are holy and miracles have been recorded.

I am human being obviously and I know what wisdom means but still that old one. I was saying to myself a few days ago about all of this. I am not looking for more wisdom. Like with space I wouldn't attempt to try and find were Heaven is as well. Then it went to the Garden of Eden would have wanted to know knowledge and I said no I am fine as I am.

On the subject of experiencing the Holy Spirit I find that, while He is always with me and often prompts me during the day, the most consistent time and place to encounter Him is in my personal worship time.

It helps me to have a regular time and place which I set aside daily just to seek His face and wait upon Him.

That time and place may be different for each of us but personally I tend to follow our Lord’s example, although I don’t usually leave the house :
“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”
Mark 1:35

I think Psalm 95 beautifully describes the progression of drawing near to God with thanksgiving and praise (v 2 -5) (see also Psalm 100:4) followed by worship (v6) and then the hearing of His voice (v7).

Of course this is Blessed and a sound relationship thank you for sharing.

I cannot link to any halo Christian art but I am still undecided now about going next week and I have tickets. I am talking about the Royal Academy of Arts. The Natural history museum for me I am quite in the middle about them. I have not seen them so cannot verify it dinosaurs. I am not personally interested to find out more but know some Christian parents who have no issue with their children about it with dinosaurs I would like to see minerals and the earth as part of God's creation.

I will say in my early life serving in the Church briefly was a seer. a visoner very junior as well. I have conditions and there was protective elements why this happened. I was not intended to be a minister and now do not have the capability in the body because of it. I have though tried to edify the Church in my own personal narratives of my faith. There is not really a way I can be used in that sense but still see God's grace.

Could I suggest visiting some of the older churches and cathedrals that have Christian Art as part of the fabric and fixtures of the building. Many will have chaplains on site who may have time to listen if anything concerns you and help you work out what helps you in your relationship with God. Orthodox churches often have the most exquisite Ikon screens. Many CofE and Catholic Cathdrals now have contemporary and copies of older ikons. There is even a dedicated ikon gallery of far older ikons within London. This is the website for Christian Art. It is a dedicated page by Fr Patrick Van Der Vorst who is a now catholic priest but who spent many years as an art historian. his page provides detailed explanations of the art work that is portrayed on his page each day.
https://christian.art/

Thank you so much triballeader, I love those suggestions. I cannot wait to look into that.

Today after church I relayed it to my rector about this. I did try on whatsapp but it didn't sound quite there .They said though that the illumumination often seen over Saints and Christ's head is a symbol of holiness.

That is what they said a symbol of holiness.
I will take it as that short. No further searching for me. I would love to go to the Royal Academy of Arts now. in a bit of venom over this perhaps like the Natural History museum like told I cannot do something and it causes me disturbances..

There has got to be a line drawn under of all of this for me. So much I threw out i regretted and I never got those back.

I think because Christianity has so many different denominations and so many interpretations of the bible, you could probably google 'is X christian' for pretty much any subject and get a range of views, from those completely opposed to whatever you search for to those completely in favour. You could drive yourself nuts reading all the different views and not knowing which one was 'true'.

I'd maybe stop googling things so much..... Going to see artwork isn't a 'bad' thing to do, but it does depend on what the content of the art is; same for things like stage shows, films, tv etc. So for example, I don't watch horror films, or films with lots of violence in them, mostly because I don't like them, but also I don't feel - for me - that I, as a Christian, should be watching films like that. Some people would disagree with me, and that's fine. In the same way we're careful about what we eat - a diet of entirely junk food would be bad for us - I think we also need to be careful of what we 'consume' in other ways - tv / films / books etc.

It's good that you're in a church where you can talk about these things - that's definitely a wise thing to do; to chat with other Christians about their experiences. We all need other (wiser) Christians in our lives to help us grow.

Thank you so much Catinabeanbag for your good common sense advice.
For me I was researching as well online for writing so topics and if I started a thread with an innoncent search would be fed things by unknown opinated people knowing nothing at all about them but screaming LIES to long established norms in the church. It can shake you.

I will not a search engine dicate my life and i'm lucky and for less research now.
Unfortunetly due to spinal strenght issues had to delay my trip but I can get fresh tickets before the event is over and I hope the weather will place nice for a while.

I need to start being me again not so scared to do things because of the internet and always be the way God made me. I have to be very careful with what I watch and view as well.I am very hypersentive as well, level 2 moderate autism in this area tested.

I will say this be cautious as well generally everyone. For this AI in short is means artifical intelligence. This means the intelligence of a robot which you likely than higher intelligence than it and you are going to it for advise and information. It is often now the first source on Google with no information given where it came from..Perhaps just be aware.

I agree with you @Justmerach
” I have to be very careful with what I watch and view as well”

This statement really reminded me of the scripture -
“I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me.”
Psalm 101:3