Trying to be a Christian... any tips?

[HeroicMinute]

I've just started listening to the Hallowed app. The first thing I've come across is a Routines course, which is great for me as I am horrendous time waster, which probably explains why I haven't spiritually evolved.
I was raised loosely Christian and attended the village church as a child. I think I want to replicate this traditional experience, but with some slightly more intellectual content.
I've been thinking about Christianity for a few years, and have tried a few different churches, but nothing's stuck.
My reasons for not sticking at a church:
-I can't handle a church band, it all seems very nice and worshipful but it makes me cringe a bit. I love a choir.
-I am very opposed to modern identity politics and didn't go back when a vicar started talking about structural racism in the church.
-I stopped going to an evangelical church because the curate was sweet and excited about his Christianity but did lengthy sermons suitable for children with no analysis or intellectual stimulation.
-found a curate at another church a bit creepy.
-found the sermon in a big popular church on 8th October to be a bit antisemitic.

You get the picture; I'm a bit of a PITA and I'm obviously putting up barriers. Don't get me wrong; I'm not a particularly intellectual person but I am curious and I sincerely want to be a Christian. I don't yet believe properly, sometimes I do, well I suppose I usually do, but with varying levels of conviction.
Any tips would be very gratefully received.
Thank you in advance.

@Kdtym10 ok, if you believe things as you have written, what significance has Jesus Christ to you in terms of a follower of Christ? Correct me if I am wrong but you are not Jewish are you?

What sources do you trust in terms of your own enlightenment? How do you find reassurance if you feel spiritually unsure or confused?

And if you believe in an individual path to enlightenment, if the teachings of Christianity resonates with people why do you seek to criticise that? What are you getting above what Christianity with all its miracles, mystery, healing, comfort and overcoming adversity can offer? Spells? Magic? Why do you consider prayers and miracles the lesser? Fortune telling and divination? Are Christian prophecies and encounters with God and Angels lesser? *N.B. I am talking about the spectacular because you indicated upthread you felt signs and wonders to be particularly significant. Personally I think very ordinary seemingly everyday occurrences can be just as significant spiritually speaking.

I happy to answer those things separately, but not here, as they aren’t relevant to the point under discussion. This is on the assumption you are asking in good faith.

@Kdtym10

I happy to answer those things separately, but not here, as they aren’t relevant to the point under discussion. This is on the assumption you are asking in good faith.

And arguing over the validity of Paul's evangelism is relevant? When the OP asked about being a Christian? Paul whose writings make up a large proportion of the New Testament in the Christian Bible? Is that in good faith?

I ask about those things because you criticise here but offer no alternative as to a better way of seeking God. It is plain you are on an alternate path to the accepted Christian church. You said upthread you are a follower of Christ. You scrutinise Christianity but do not offer up your own beliefs for equal scrutiny.

It is very relevant to critique Paul when discussing Christianity. It is only one perspective on Christianity, I have simply set out some of that perspectives shortcomings. I have provided details of one alternative Gnosticism. I am not saying the OPshould follow my personal beliefs, hence why my personal beliefs are irrelevant to the current discussion.
The only value in “offering up” my personal beliefs would be to for others to scrutinise. Why would anyone want to scrutinise my position? The only possible reason is that I have criticised others belief systems so rather than discuss the matters at hand the only way they can deal with it is to criticise my belief system
(which again I would stress I’m not imposing on anyone).

The only possible reason is that I have criticised others belief systems so rather than discuss the matters at hand the only way they can deal with it is to criticise my belief system
(which again I would stress I’m not imposing on anyone).

@Kdtym10, is it not hypocritical to criticise other's beliefs without being open and transparent about your own?

The op simply asked for tips on how to be a Christian. Maybe after all your criticism it is right to check what qualifies you to criticise in the way you have. At the very least to understand more about where you are coming from...

I have provided details of one alternative Gnosticism

@Kdtym10 but not said much about why you think it is better and when asked to elaborate on this subject refused to on this thread,

And no one is imposing Christian beliefs on the op. The op asked for tips on how to be a Christian.

No it’s not hypocritical at all. An academic discussion regarding the validity of a belief system does not necessitate looking at the personal practices of the person discussing it. My comments are based on objective points (which have been made by many others) regarding the background of the concept of a Jewish messiah, about a widely academically discussed position of Paul being a Jewish mystic, about the historical fact of a genocide against other Christian’s by the Catholic Church and about the historical facts around how the canon of the western church was developed and that other Christian churches have alternated cannons, together with the presence of other gospels. I’ve also discussed other Christian traditions.

All of this is relevant if someone is seriously considering Christianity. In making any decision it’s important to have as many perspectives as possible would you agree? Why would you want to limit peoples knowledge.

If you think what I’ve said is incorrect, by all means argue against it.,

What I won’t participate in is ad hominem arguments, which can be the other motive for demanding my personal beliefs are laid bare because of some kind of retaliatory desire.

That would be for the OP to decide

And I’m just broadening the conversation as to what Christianity is.

@Kdtym10,

And I’m just broadening the conversation as to what Christianity is.

Not without giving more detail regarding contrasting beliefs. You're only talking about what you think its not.

Broadening is more palatable in terms of pointing towards Christ in places we might not expect to find Christ. But telling people Christ is not in a large proportion of the NT and The Good News was only meant for the Jewish people is rather depressing.

Bit there are multiple different takes. Ok Christianity which one would you like to discuss. And before you say mine that is my personal beliefs and not relevant to the OP as they are not replicable and I’m certainly not saying the OP should follow that.

why is saying a Jewish man, people claim to fulfill a Jewish prophecy which is centred around freeing Jewish people from persecution and oppression and ending Jewish exile is for Jewish people depressing? The only depressing thing is people aren’t thinking this through.

An academic discussion regarding the validity of a belief system does not necessitate looking at the personal practices of the person discussing it.

@Kdtym10, faith cannot be reduced to an academic discussion. Faith is an integral part of someone who possesses it. It forms part of their identity. Criticising someone's faith is a very personal criticism to make. It takes a certain amount of bravery to put oneself in a position where you are vulnerable to an intergral part of yourself to be attacked.

The only depressing thing is people aren’t thinking this through.

@Kdtym10, it is depressing to me that you don't seem to recognise the significance of faith.

But I’m not criticising anyone’s faith, I’m discussing what is included in the Bible, how various things in the Bible are connected or not. It is discussion on an intellectual level. Therefore if people’s faith is separate from matters of intellect the discussion in this thread should have had no bearing on anyone’s faith. If they aren’t separate then surely people would welcome intellectual discussion to make sure their faith is as well informed as possible.

The only people who would mind are people who need to support their faith intellectually and are not able to refute what I’m saying on an intellectual basis.

If the intellectual position doesn’t matter then why would people mind the intellectual discussion.

People can believe/have faith in whatever they want.

If the intellectual position doesn’t matter then why would people mind the intellectual discussion.

@Kdtym10, because it is reductive, the way you put an emphasis on intellectual discussion as if it is the aspect of Christianity which has the most significance.

It isn’t reductive at all. I am discussing an aspect of Christianity, others are able to discuss whatever aspect they want to. For me, it is important to look at any position critically. If God created man and gave him dominion over the other animals as stated in Genesis, then surely all the faculties He gave man to enable this are sacred. One of the major things that does make man master over the other animals is his intellect. I have no issue with people arguing against what I’m saying. Do you not think we should use our intellect to guard against wolves in sheep’s clothing. As a way to bolster our faith? Or do you think faith is there as a catch all when our god given intellect tells us what we want to believe is not true?

This is the religion and philosophy board- people discuss a broad range of topics from various angles. There will always be people who disagree.. I believe there is a Christian board which is there for Christians to discuss things without the awkward questions- I totally respect people with faith so wouldn’t have these discussions there. Maybe you could extend the same courtesy when people want to discuss religion from other angles including those which question some of your beliefs.

Maybe you could extend the same courtesy when people want to discuss religion from other angles including those which question some of your beliefs.

@Kdtym10, but you don't offer your own beliefs up to similar scrutiny. Seems rather convenient.

Paul is interesting. He was a Pharisee and according to you a mystic/Gnostic engaged in the occult practice of Chariot mysticism, he was also learned and concerned with proper adherence to Jewish teachings and as such attacked the Christian faith. Yet, ironically it was his supernatural experiences which prompted his conversion and he began to share The Gospel. You believe these revelations should have remained personal which concurs with your occult perspective.

It's is not surprising really. It's the age old conflict between what is occult and what is orthodox. Your faith is protected and only for initiates, mainstream Christianity is openly shared. You believe in an essentially occult perspective regarding your own beliefs and practices(correct me if I'm wrong) so you feel free to attack a faith which is openly shared. However, within Christianity we are allowed to protect our faith by wiping the dust from our feet and moving on when what we offer is not welcomed.

Yes orthodox Christianity is open to all, this is the very purpose of it, exoteric religion is designed for mass consumption because it is primarily used as a means to harmonise groups often for purposes of control. Because that religion is attempting to control others it often seeps into everyday living and affects everyone, therefore everyone can have a perspective on that. This “ open to all” position has led to millions of deaths as ultimately everyone will have a different perspective, But rather like neo liberalism exoteric religion is only welcoming and “for all” when everyone is happy to accept the doctrine, questions disrupt the harmony - the primary driver of exoteric religion. But the flip side of being so open is that people can question it (becoming more popular since there’s less chance of being burned at the stake for doing so). It is the validity of the exoteric religion we have been discussing here, The stories and perspective that have been shared and enforced on societies for millenia. As such, every person in those societies has a right to comment.

On the other hand, more esoteric practices are based more on personal experience, it’s generally no one else’s business as what I personally believe. My personal practices have no effect on anyone else, they are an entirely different matter to this thread. What I find interesting is people are no longer arguing against the points being discussed and instead demanding I “offer up my beliefs for scrutiny”. Why, I have not tried to pass my beliefs off as the only way to millions of people”. I have mentioned any aspects of my beliefs that may have a passing relevance to the topic at hand.

So assuming that people cannot continue arguing against the points being discussed they have moved on to trying to find a way to make a ln attack on me. This ad hominem methodology usually results from a persons inability to defend their position and is generally seen as an extremely poor debate method.

@Kdtym10 as I said upthread. Christianity is both exoteric and esoteric. It is that I believe you have an issue with. Christianity can only be by choice because to be a Christian there needs to be personal faith, for which there needs to be personal belief and hope.

The fact that beliefs and hopes are shared doesn't lessen them, it magnifies them, yes, it does lend Christianity power. Christians do have a responsibility to check themselves that their faith is appropriately based in Christ's teachings and not out of their own selfish motives (personal and group). But I don't believe that means personal revelations should not become shared ones. I believe we should not attempt to hog the light of God for ourselves. Doing that might cast shadows onto others.

I don’t have any issue with esoteric Christianity at all. What I have issues with is people taking the perspective of one man, the Jewish Mystic Paul who has many common features of a cult leader, someone who never met Jesus, and confusing those with the actual teachings of Jesus in order to define Christianity when, in fact there are many different interpretations of Christianity and many different practices.

If anyone is trying to take the light of God and casting a shadow over Christianity, I can confidently state that would be orthodox Christianity which has been so keen to hog the light it has tortured and murdered many millions of fellow Christians because they differ in their interpretation of Christs teachings. Now that casts a really long shadow over Christianity throughout the years. Historically, one of the reasons people do keep their non- conformist views hidden is this kind of abhorrent persecution that has been practised by orthodox Christianity.

If people want to follow the belief system of a Jewish mystic, that’s fine, but don’t be surprised when someone points out that is what is happening. Don’t be surprised when someone points out that Jesus doesn’t really fit with being the messiah - it’s hardly controversial. Except it is when Christian’s have spent millenia persecuting Jews on this basis, ironically proving Jesus was not the messiah set out on Jewish scripture because, quite clearly the final redemption hasn’t come.

if you’re looking at who is casting the shadow you might want to look at othodox Christianity and the darkness it has cast throughout the years, especially on women and the vulnerable.

@Kdtym10 so how do you propose female Christians let God's light shine through them? I imagine not through openly sharing their faith - too orthodox - too exoteric. So maybe through good works and raising children according to their beliefs? That's safer. Doesn't impose personal beliefs on anybody. Ironic, that would mean it's come full circle back to what Paul advised the women who were criticising his teaching and usurping his authority to do...

I might be missing something here, but I actually can’t see what point you’re trying to make.

The issue with Paul’s comments lies in the inequality of treatment of men and women. Was he telling men the couldn’t teach? No. Was he telling men to be silent? No. Was he telling men they couldn’t have authority over women? No.

So how should women let Gods light shine through them- well in the same way men should, I would understand that by first finding and cultivating that light or the kingdom of God within, what that looks ike is going to be different for each of us.

Hi OP. I'm christened Catholic but have only this year been able to call myself a Christian. I felt a strong pull towards the Lord and have started praying throughout my day and reading the New Testament and scriptures. I have been a terrible worrier all my life and feel like an enormous weight has been lifted from my shoulders through giving my worry up and leaning on Jesus. My life feels lighter and my mind clear. I've also had a few moments of overwhelming love towards Jesus to the point of tears. This is after a long time of having little to no faith and being sceptical. I still have moments of doubt but I pray on it and every time I feel my faith renewed and get that overwhelming feeling of love towards God.

All I know is I feel happier and lighter. I want to continue reading the bible and attending Church when I can. I will never have an interest in arguing or debating while quoting bible references as I believe God found me, I didn't have to listen to anyone arguing or quoting to force me to believe different points. I just woke up one day and felt a pull towards Jesus and his word, which I never felt throughout my years of learning about Religion and attending mass as a child.