Have you or your kids been to Soul Survivor?

[Coffeeandcards]

You might want to read this if so:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/04/12/mike-pilavachi-soul-survivor-charity-watchdog/

@PrimitivePerson I don't wish to engage further with you. Kindly stop tagging me.

Good thing I'm not part of the C of E then @TomPinch. It is not the final authority on the word of God and I believe their stance to be wrong. Wouldn't be the first thing they've got wrong either, nor the last.

Is it possible to block posts from certain users?

FWIW I was involved in a large evangelical C of E church when I was in my teens. While I don't remember any specific strictures against dating non-believers it was definitely regarded as a problem, not least because of breaking the no-sex-before-marriage rule.

In fairness dating itself was not discouraged and respectful behaviour in dating absolutely was encouraged.

I also remember that the church came out in favour of women's ordination back then the vote in Synod happened.

You ought to know that standard Christian theology does not say that the Word of God is synonymous with the Bible.

Furthermore, the Bible does say that God is just. How is it just to condemn someone to everlasting torment regardless of what they have done?

You may say that the Bible has its own version of justice. But I prefer to rely on the fact that that is the word it uses, leastways in the English translations.

Getting back to your post @TomPinch I assume the C of E teach hell is empty because of the theory of soul sleep but it will be open for business, as it were, after the Judgment day?

Can I please ask that we take the conversations about arcane aspects of theology elsewhere? I'm finding it triggering and distressing, and I'd rather not see it.

Fair enough - sorry - I'll leave off immediately.

Thanks, @TomPinch , but that wasn't aimed at you. See earlier posts.

I really don't think it's fair for one poster to dictate what gets posted on any thread - there are plenty to choose from. Out of common decency however, I will drop the subject.

Apologies, I appreciate I have helped derail this thread somewhat.... I'll ask for my post to be deleted.

Again, not aimed at you.

Interesting @guineacup..I've heard that analogy before....🤔Anyway, see above posts.

Again, not aimed at you.

Thanks, but I was one of those having this arcane theological discussion, so I was partly responsible!

You need to ask yourself exactly what you're trying to achieve here and compare it to what you're actually doing.

Win an argument?
Assert yourself?
Convince us?
Save us?
Have a go at us?
Or actually just hurt feelings and make everyone hate you? Is that really what you want?

I appreciate your consideration, and I also appreciate your analogy.

I'll admit being on here right now probably isn't doing my mental health and my blood pressure much good. I apologise to all if I'm coming across as bit of a dick. I do, however, feel quite strongly that as a lot of people on here have been spiritually abused, certain things should be off-limits for the safety and well-being of those involved. There is, of course, nothing to stop people opening up another thread to discuss these things. I'll steer well clear of it if that happens.

I absolutely can't be around people trying to witness to me, and I found some earlier posts on this thread to be quite triggering as a result.

If social media existed 30 years ago, it would have been me trying to save everyone, and convince them my theology was right. That's one reason I find it so hard to deal with now, I really regret behaving like that.

You and me both. I'm ashamed of it too, but I reckon we have to forgive ourselves and recognise that we got taken in a bit.

Yeah, that's very much what my therapist reckons. I'm working on it.

I think I also feel very concerned for the safety and well-being of people I see who are still in the hardcore camp, and express the opinions I used to hold. I've been there and seen what it does, so I actually find it quite distressing to see people spout this stuff without really knowing or understanding what they're doing. It's very sad.

That must hurt but the fact you think that does you a lot of credit.

Please go easy on yourself and I hope you work things through in time. I did (mostly.)

Thank you. All the best.

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Jesus.

This is hopeless.

I'm not 'the World'. I am a fellow Christian.

Furthermore the World might also hate you because you're being a dick, not because you're being a good Christian.

No one has insulted you, persecuted you, or said anything false or evil about you. We just don't agree with you. Why on earth would you regard that as any of those things?

So instead of rejoicing I suggest you go away and reflect instead.

bangs head against wall repeatedly

It occurred to me while reading this thread that I wouldn't be surprised it the net result of some of these orgs (SS, CUs and the like), and people who 'witness' without apparently thinking about the pain they're causing isn't to reduce the number of Christians.