₦airaland Forum

CAPSLOCKED:
My dad keeps telling me he prays for me every day that I’ll come back to God. I just can’t see that happening. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my change in perspective. Now that my mind has been opened it not only changes how I see things but also allows me to discover new things. I recall a story of two boys looking through a hole in a fence. All that could be seen was bright yellow metal. So one boy stood on the shoulders of the other and could peer over the top of the fence. From that view, he could see the parked bulldozer up against the fence and the entire construction site bustling with activity. I don’t think it’s possible to ignore the things I’ve learned. My journey now is creating a better world in this life. So glad I released the burden of religion. There's no turning back, how could I?

- Brian James

CAPSLOCKED:
My dad keeps telling me he prays for me every day that I’ll come back to God. I just can’t see that happening. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my change in perspective. Now that my mind has been opened it not only changes how I see things but also allows me to discover new things. I recall a story of two boys looking through a hole in a fence. All that could be seen was bright yellow metal. So one boy stood on the shoulders of the other and could peer over the top of the fence. From that view, he could see the parked bulldozer up against the fence and the entire construction site bustling with activity. I don’t think it’s possible to ignore the things I’ve learned. My journey now is creating a better world in this life. So glad I released the burden of religion. There's no turning back, how could I?

- Brian James

CAPSLOCKED:
My dad keeps telling me he prays for me every day that I’ll come back to God.
I just can’t see that happening.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my change in perspective.
Now that my mind has been opened it not only changes how I see things but also allows me to discover new things.

I recall a story of two boys looking through a hole in a fence.
All that could be seen was bright yellow metal.
So one boy stood on the shoulders of the other and could peer over the top of the fence.
From that view, he could see the parked bulldozer up against the fence and the entire construction site bustling with activity
- Brian James

CAPSLOCKED:
I don’t think it’s possible to ignore the things I’ve learned.
My journey now is creating a better world in this life.
So glad I released the burden of religion.
There's no turning back, how could I?

- Brian James

CAPSLOCKED:
My dad keeps telling me he prays for me every day that I’ll come back to God. I just can’t see that happening. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my change in perspective. Now that my mind has been opened it not only changes how I see things but also allows me to discover new things. I recall a story of two boys looking through a hole in a fence. All that could be seen was bright yellow metal. So one boy stood on the shoulders of the other and could peer over the top of the fence. From that view, he could see the parked bulldozer up against the fence and the entire construction site bustling with activity. I don’t think it’s possible to ignore the things I’ve learned. My journey now is creating a better world in this life. So glad I released the burden of religion. There's no turning back, how could I?

- Brian James

KaBabs1:
I'm sorry to digress, my man. But what happened happened to your phone/laptop's upper case function here?

joseph1013:
Hi friends, I don't even know if I can follow through with this and continue infinitely like I would love to do. I don't know. I only have a feeling that writing best captures what I have to say.

This page will be my questions and thoughts page.

I am not naive enough to expect that most who come to this page will abandon the faith they hold dear, but I do hope to convince my readers that many of us who walk away have not done so out of a rebellious, juvenile whim, but rather out of a careful weighing of the reasons for and against our former faith. Our decision, far from being "sad," as many of my friends and family perceive it, represents a move from unquestioning acceptance of tradition to a spirit of openness and adventure that pursues the evidence wherever it leads. We left in pursuit of truth.

A little about me: I grew up in a devoted Christian family, loving the Lord. I was devoted and zealous. I was the 'dream' child. And because I was equally brilliant, parents pointed me as an example to their kids.

Of course as I grew up, I had questions. One of the earliest I remember was asking how Cain had a wife if there were only three people on earth (Abel having died). The answer my mum gave to that and many of the innocent questions of mine at a tender age was that I should make sure I get to heaven so I can ask God myself. It didn't prove sufficient but what was a child to do otherwise?

I was a part of my school christian groups. I also remember being picked by the Children Church's teachers to preach to the entire Church congregation on Children's Sunday. It was awesome.

When I got to one of the foremost Federal Universities, I could not be more devoted. I was now into theological texts and got more than five translations of the Bible. I was a walking bible. Of course, there were no bible apps at that time. I consumed alot of religious materials, and read books by so many Christian authors. I also got into reading Islamic texts, mainly so I could know what I was talking about when I encountered Muslim apologists, and oh I was very successful with them.

With time, I was made a Pastor of one of the most vibrant fellowships on Campus. We did not only study the Greek and Hebrew renditions, we knew at heart copious parts of scriptures and could reel them out in our sleep. We were respected on Campus, not the least by the Christian community. We would argue scriptures and rattle men with our knowledge of the redemptive work of Christ and the concept of the New Creation.

As an Engineering student, I spent 3 of my 5 years being a Pastor of this fellowship.

It was after my NYSC that I came across certain comments in books that made me look twice and search further to see if what I had believed and devoted my time to were indeed true.

I have been on this journey for a while now and I can say that I have come to a stage where I can sufficiently say that I am longer a Christian or a religionist. I do not conclusively deny the existence of God, but I can totally say that nobody has given me a convincing evidence for the existence of the Abrahamic God.

Some have told me that I am angry with God. That cannot be true, for you cannot get angry with something you are convinced does not exist in the context that I mentioned earlier. Some have said I believed wrongly, to these folks I say they know not what they sayeth.

I invite Christian readers, as well as other God-believers to consider the possibility that my apostasy is a result not of divine or diabolical deception but of a simple weighing of the evidence ... It might be that I am wrong. It might be that I have not sought God sufficiently or studied the Bible thoroughly enough or listened carefully enough to the many Christians who have admonished me ... Maybe. But the knowledge that billions of seekers have lived and died, calling out to God for some definitive revelation without ever receiving it, or receiving revelation that conflicts with the revelation others have found, contributes to my suspicion that there is no personal God who reveals himself to anyone.

One of my primary reasons for having this page is self-serving: I do not relish knowing that others consider me to be on the road to eternal damnation if I don't repent, and I want to do what I can to change their perception of those of us who do not share their faith. Yet is this self-serving endeavour reckless? If I believed it would worsen the lives of all those who follow my thoughts and questions, then yes, it would be reckless. But I am convinced that life can actually improve for those who come to understand that our earthly existence is not simply a stage, a cosmic morality play, a precursor to an eternity to come. This life is the real (and only) deal.

Enjoy...

And hey, if you look at my Nairaland history, I do love Football a lot and I'm an investment buff. I'm interested in Politics too and most of all, I love adventure. I love to travel and see new places. I'm also an eclectic reader. Who says unbelievers have a boring life?

joseph1013:
Of course as I grew up, I had questions. One of the earliest I remember was asking how Cain had a wife if there were only three people on earth (Abel having died). The answer my mum gave to that and many of the innocent questions of mine at a tender age was that I should make sure I get to heaven so I can ask God myself. It didn't prove sufficient but what was a child to do otherwise?

I have been on this journey for a while now and I can say that I have come to a stage where I can sufficiently say that I am longer a Christian or a religionist. I do not conclusively deny the existence of God, but I can totally say that nobody has given me a convincing evidence for the existence of the Abrahamic God.

9inches:
From the first paragraph of your original post, it was already evident to me that you are a potential Catholic Church convert! You already have what I think it takes - the smarts, the inquisitiveness, the perspicaciousness, sound logic, genuineness and humility. Having read through your original post (and subsequent ones as well), I am even more convinced.

Now, your issue is not any different from millions of Christians (and non christians) worldwide. The whole point is: YOU HAD QUESTIONS THAT DEMAND ANSWERS AND NO ONE HAS OFFERED YOU ANYTHING THAT MADE SENSE ENOUGH TO ASSUAGE YOUR HUNGER FOR TRUTH!
I also figured (I might be wrong though) you are mostly self-taught (autodidacticism).

Have you tried to learn Christianity the Catholic way?

There's a saying that goes "Weak Catholics become protestants, strong protestants become Catholics."


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdhSfZFBZhs


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3czEocSLT7w

CAPSLOCKED:
COPIED POSTS ARE USUALLY IN LOWER CASES. MY DEVICE IS FINE.

LordReed:
@joseph1013

JWs and Catholics are haggling for your soul. LMFAO!

TATIME:
Just as Atheists are everywhere on NL trying to convert everyone to Atheists too.
But they can only catch people who feels there's no need for intelligent creatures to be obedient to other intelligent creatures,yet you're always posting different threads on NL. Is it to tell people that you guys are posers or teachers?

LordReed:
LoL @ convert. Understand something, there is no religious fervor in what I do, I am simply here to enjoy myself at the expense of deluded ideas. If someone comes to the realization that their ideas are stupid, well good for them. I won't even be haughty enough to call myself a teacher because there are people who have studied and can explain stuff far better than I can, if anybody wants to listen to them its a free world.

TATIME:
Religion is surely another facet of politics!
But there is a group of true worshippers on earth today. What you shouldn't expect of them is "perfection" because they're also humans like everyone else so they have feelings. But you can SEE the evidence of God in their midst as all the nine qualities of God's Holy Spirit permeates their group.Galatians 5:22,23
There is nowhere on earth today that this group is celebrated because they're speaking the Truth (undiluted),yet they're almost in all the countries around the globe! Everyone can SEE that they truly love themselves. John 13:35
And everyone else hate them for their steadfastness. John 17:14
There is another powerful spirit creature that's controlling the earth, he has been ruling from the moment God turned HIS back on the first human couple, he is the one responsible for RELIGION, the true God has no intention of establishing religion, all HE wanted is to give us info as in instructional manual on how to live peacefully together as a global family{Isaiah 1:18,48:17,18}, today Satan (the evil genius) is trying to unite people with a very powerful tool "POLITICS",he is only doing so to get people battle prepared for a showdown against that one and only group, that's why most people are gradually rebelling against their former religious leaders and democracy is what everyone is clamoring for, Democracy simple means "rulership of the people by what the majority decided upon",you too can testify to the fact that majority of people you're seeing in the neighborhood are crazy so how can they come up with something truly beneficial? soon they'll form alliance and ban religion for life,scrap all forms of virtuous morals and finally turn massively against that single group of true worshippers. All these are prophesies documented in the Bible that you know very well but it's a pity you can't notice it if you've not given the true worshippers the chance to help you see it in your copy of the Bible.
I'm telling you this because you said you believe in God but if truly you believe in God then you should know that God as the Creator must have given us some info on how to coexist peacefully!
God bless you Sir.

9inches:
From the first paragraph of your original post, it was already evident to me that you are a potential Catholic Church convert! You already have what I think it takes - the smarts, the inquisitiveness, the perspicaciousness, sound logic, genuineness and humility. Having read through your original post (and subsequent ones as well), I am even more convinced.

Now, your issue is not any different from millions of Christians (and non christians) worldwide. The whole point is: YOU HAD QUESTIONS THAT DEMAND ANSWERS AND NO ONE HAS OFFERED YOU ANYTHING THAT MADE SENSE ENOUGH TO ASSUAGE YOUR HUNGER FOR TRUTH!
I also figured (I might be wrong though) you are mostly self-taught (autodidacticism).

Have you tried to learn Christianity the Catholic way?

There's a saying that goes "Weak Catholics become protestants, strong protestants become Catholics."


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdhSfZFBZhs


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3czEocSLT7w

LordReed:
@joseph1013

JWs and Catholics are haggling for your soul. LMFAO!

joseph1013:
Zeus be praised!

TATIME:
DELUDED IDEAS! That's exactly what everyone else would say once you're not getting the sense of what the other person is saying. So to a Muslim others are full of deluded ideas, to a churchgoer others are full of deluded ideas, to one of Jehovah's witnesses others are full of deluded ideas and to an atheist everyone believing in some highly intelligent beings are deluded with stupid ideas.
It's all the same thing my friend, that's why the most REASONABLE is one who joyfully goes to visit others whether invited or uninvited with the intention of reasoning together on some common grounds! If you're just mocking others thinking they're being stupid, well that's exactly what they are also thinking about you!

joseph1013:
Thank you for your concern, sir.

What you have written about sounds appealing, so I ask what is the name of this group of true worshippers? What sect of Christianity are they?

Please, let's start from there?

TATIME:
They're "International Bible students" They noticed that religion has caused the most horrible events in human history so they started making a thorough research into all the available information both printed and inscribed on stone tablets or ancient city walls. All these they keep compiling in order to investigate with efficacy if truly there is a Creator who has something tangible to say for the benefit of all the inhabitants of the earth.
During the course of their research they discovered that misinformation has been the first obstacle coupled with egotism on the part of those who have been given high ranking religious titles. Moreover the fear of loosing self esteem is keeping many in the dark as they won't speak out for what they don't know.
OK they began studying all the books that's regarded as INSPIRED and they discovered the solution to all the problems or shortcomings they've noticed in people. The teachings of Jesus of Nazareth covers all these aspects, so they concentrated on His teachings He teaches that for TRUE Peace and Security to excel, there must be a global training for people of all sort. These are part of what He said.
*Everyone must accept that there is stress due to all the hustle and bustle so "speak consolingly to people".
*Greedy persons aren't gaining nothing worthwhile because "they're often hunted by fear of those in need"
*Pity those who hate you because "their hearts are filled with bitterness,full of emotional sours".
*Uncontrolled anger is killing those having it because "it will affect their health"
Many more are the things that Jesus of Nazareth taught that made Mahatma Gandhi {19th century human right activist from India} said "if everyone on earth could practice what Jesus taught the earth will become a paradise"
Gandhi also said "i love Jesus but i hate Christians"
Definitely there is misinformation and misrepresentation going on!
The international Bible students realized that the churches aren't representing Jesus in the right sense so they started making corrections regarding all what supposed to be done. Today the true God has blessed the effort of this little group and they've accomplished what Jesus initially had in mind. They've gathered people from different nationalities to become a happy global family of worshippers. You will notice them in your neighborhood as they've adopted a divine name called "Jehovah's Witnesses"!

joseph1013:
Ah...Jehovah Witnesses. They are perhaps my favourite Christians.

I like to describe them as a Protestant sect minus hellfire and the Trinity.

I remember reading Raymond Franz’ book, Crisis of Conscience. Ray is a former member of the topmost echelon (the “Governing Body”) who was later excommunicated. Anyone interested in the JW doctrine will find tremendous insights therein.

TATIME, I will not bore you with a lot of epistles. I will ask only three questions that bother me the most about your sect:

1. JW believe that the year 1914 is very significant; that 1914 was the beginning of the Endtimes, when God established his Kingdom in heaven. In 1914, Jesus received kingly powers from Jehovah. Because of how significant the year 1914 is, The End is supposed to come within one generation after 1914.

Why has the world not ended?

2. JW do not believe in evolution. While they believe that the universe and the planet may be billions of years old, the human race is only some six thousand years old.

How then do you explain the many archaeological evidence of humans having existed for hundreds of thousands of years?

3. I know JWs don't believe in blood transfusions; they would rather allow the person die than acceded to blood donation. How do you reconcile that as a person despite our great advances in technology that has made blood donations very safe?

joseph1013:
It's interesting that two people of (assuming) two different sects of christianity are telling me I'm a potential convert in back to back posts. Thank you, Jesus.

I also thank you sir for your concern.

But I don't think I am a potential catholic convert, but then, I may be wrong.

I saw the two videos. The second one caught my attention. The damsel said she believed morality must be objective, then she found out that Catholicism gave her the best explanation. That's interesting.

You know, it's like someone saying that Buhari must be Jibrin, and then encounters the IPOB crowd who provides him with their own (subjective) evidence. He thereafter thanks his stars and becomes a Biafra warlord.

There is a term for what the two of them did in Cognitive Psychology; Confirmation Bias.

I would think there is a logical reason for her conversion. Something like an actual evidence of the existence of the Catholic God, since some sects in Christianity do not belief Catholics are Christians anyway.

Would you be kind enough to tell me why you are a Catholic?

pressplay411:
You are a victim of lust.
You lusted after the worst lust.
The same lust that destroyed Adam and Eve.
Lust for Knowledge.
You ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
And you certainly manifest its fruit.
Pride, Self Awareness and Self Centeredness, a Puffed up knowledge and Thinking as Eve also thought, that you are now like God.
And for this, you have suffered the same consequences of Adam and Eve.
You have been rejected from God's Presence.
No matter how hard you try, you can't see God's face again, why? Because a Veil has been placed over your eyes. Cherubs have been placed between you and God's Presence.

I hope you will repent soon enough because you are very aware of the consequence of not being in God's Presence. I'm sure you're well read in the story of King Saul. This is what happens when God withdraws His Spirit from man.

I can't delve deeper.

GARBAGE IN.... GARBAGE OUT!

joseph1013:
I remember reading Raymond Franz’ book, Crisis of Conscience. Ray is a former member of the topmost echelon (the “Governing Body”) who was later excommunicated. Anyone interested in the JW doctrine will find tremendous insights therein.

budaatum:
Download and read, or listen to
Raymond Franz’ book, Crisis of Conscience

LordReed:
She had a Catholic boyfriend and got interested because they used to argue. Not much different from being born into a Catholic family.

9inches:
That's a lazy reductive summary of her story.

joseph1013:
It's interesting that two people of (assuming) two different sects of christianity are telling me I'm a potential convert in back to back posts. Thank you, Jesus.

I also thank you sir for your concern.

But I don't think I am a potential catholic convert, but then, I may be wrong.

I saw the two videos. The second one caught my attention. The damsel said she believed morality must be objective, then she found out that Catholicism gave her the best explanation. That's interesting.

You know, it's like someone saying that Buhari must be Jibrin, and then encounters the IPOB crowd who provides him with their own (subjective) evidence. He thereafter thanks his stars and becomes a Biafra warlord.

There is a term for what the two of them did in Cognitive Psychology; Confirmation Bias.

I would think there is a logical reason for her conversion. Something like an actual evidence of the existence of the Catholic God, since some sects in Christianity do not belief Catholics are Christians anyway.

Would you be kind enough to tell me why you are a Catholic?

9inches:
Everything you want to know about the beliefs, teachings and practices of the Church is here:

1. https://www.catholic.com/
2. http://www.ewtn.com/search.asp

Just type in your question in the search bar.

LordReed:
The only arguments she considered worth her time were the ones coming from Catholics, the very people in her social circle. Lazy? More like obvious.

9inches:
Duh.. The only argument that made sense to her, after being a debater and having encountered many other folks in Yale, was that of the Catholics. You could deduce that just like you (I assume), she had never heard any coherent and logical argument about religion, truth, morality or God that made such sense to her.

9inches:
I'm a Catholic because I believe it's the truth, and coherent. I was raised Catholic but I wouldn't have remained a Catholic if I don't think it's in line with what the early Christians taught.