You are right in saying that some religous people are not really believers but only want to keep family peace. On the other hand I know a young man who sincerely believes in Christ but does not want to tell his family because they are all heathens. It works both ways. I know a number of young people who go to universities who are to afraid to tell their lecturers that evolution is a load of crap even know they sincerely believe and know it. Personally my children are free to choose. If they can't see anything in what I believe then it is not worth believing in. I don't believe in manipulation like secular and religous people do alike. I will love them unconditionally anyway. Thankfully to this stage they have all left school and are following Christ.

You ask how can I be sure that my brand of Christianity is the right one? I don't think that following Christ is really all that difficult intellectually. What is difficulty is laying aside my own agenda and taking up God's plans and purposes for my life. Being born into selfishness I often desire my own will instead of God's. I don't rally consider I have a brand. I do my best to follow Christs and His apostles teachings. I surround myself with like minded people who I can encourage and whom can encourage me

*I surround myself with like minded people who I can encourage and whom can encourage me*

Well runner, I am always again amazed how Xtians can change the
interpretation, to suit the occasion.

Take a look at this lot:

http://christiannymphos.org/

Sounds like making whoopee for God can be heaps of fun :)

Yippee, no more guilt!

YESSSSS Yabby :) but note the 'within marriage' bit? hmmmmmm?

I can't fault that site at first glance... probably a bit of an over-reaction to something I'd say...but certainly not unChristian unless someone can point to something about it that I didn't notice.

Here is some real good 'mumbo jumbo' from Vance Havner.. a great preacher of yesteryear.

"You can't tell it like it is, if you don't believe it like it was."

(I love that one)

"Most church members live so far below the standard, you would have to backslide to be in fellowship with them."

"Sometimes you hear congregations say concerning a preacher's message, ' I didn't get it.' It's not our place that they get it, it's our place to see that they hear it."

"Some preachers ought to put more fire into their sermons or more sermons into the fire."

"If you want to be popular, preach happiness. If you want to be unpopular, preach holiness."

Hi Celivia.. my book title is along the lines of the 'sandwich sign' I want to use one day :) "Get 'rich' quick.. believe in Jesus"

Which of course is a taunt at the Prosperity gospel and would be intended to draw observers into a conversation where the true riches of peace of heart and mind (rather than the wallet) could be explored :)

Examinator

I read your post yesterday detailing your difficulties with your daughter; appropriate words remained elusive as I empathised with you. Fortunately the wonderful Foxy found words many of us feel for you.

One thing I do know is that from reading your posts, you are a great communicator. I am sure that deep down your daughter knows that you are there for her - even though she may appear unreachable. I hope that you can continue to reassure her that you always care for her - without causing further alienation.

I do know, from personal experience, how significant a positive frame of mind is to recovery or coping with illness; ideally a combination of medical aid and cognitive development offer a holistic approach. There is rarely a single magical answer, as you well know.

BTW I too could identify with your 'astrological' approach to the game of flirting, all I can say is good for you, you clearly had much more to offer than the typical callow youth.

Celivia,
I would take up your challenge but I would need your bithday, time of Birth place and a picture. Feel free to post them on the site (he he He). ;-)

Fractelle,
Thank you for your kind thoughts.
What do you mean HAD more to offer? There's more of me now than then! I was 60kg give me a drink of rasberry codial and I looked like a thermometer.. or a hairy swizzle stick!...and now I weigh ...well er...um...a bit more. (tee he he) :-)

Most mainstream religions are becoming rather "New-Ageish".

When you start to pick and choose which bits to believe as facts and which bits are open to "various personal interpretations", it's no different from any other belief system except for it's historical longetivity.

It has to be all or nothing doesn't it? Don't they appoint official spokespersons who interpret the true meanings?

If one significant group can believe that you "get your own planet when you die" and that "God mates with mortals" and still be regarded as mainstream then what does that say about the whole package? Some still espouse the Fire and Brimstone approach and others don't.

Some of the things that followers argue today would have previously seen them burned as heretics.

There seem to be both New Age Cults and New Age Religions, each able to be customised for the consumer to make them more palatable and get around those inconvenient hard-to-explain bits that arise from time to time.

Casting the first stone is not advisable when living in a glass house.