The title is really painful for me. For all the years of people hurting me in church God has remained the one faithful constant. People will always let you down. Always. Why does that make God bad? He loves us so deeply. And that is first hand experience not what I have been brain washed to believe. I hope you hear Him wooing you again. He loves you to the point of death and back.
That's a mean-spirited, hateful dismissal of someone whose experiences contradict and challenge your beliefs. You just made matters worse, and highlighted very effectively WHY people are leaving your religion. A pity you can't see that. "You just Jesus-ed all wrong." Ugh, seriously, it's so tedious. But you hope someone will wonder how they messed up something that's supposed to be so easy and simple--and ask how you're Jesus-ing so well that you've escaped ever wondering about the many, many contradictions and challenges to Christianity. But you're just as confused as they are--which we can tell because you think you're being super-Jesus-y here, but in reality you're just as hateful and mean-spirited as the "bad Christians" you're badmouthing.
@@Surftouka You would not know a single thing about this deity if it weren't for the religion supporting the idea of him. It's funny that you think you can have the deity without the religion, but ultimately it's part of the problem--not the solution to the problem.
From what I understand, they came back to God. Here's a video that has more information that this video apparently left out ruclips.net/video/h1W_feJnmeI/видео.html
They left out the part where her husband did go back to his faith later on. They are both still Christ followers and do ministry together. I had the privilege of seeing them perform at my (small) church last year with an open Q&A in the middle of the concert. I asked Lisa about her faith and it was refreshing to hear how she still wrestles with doubts yet is filled with passion for finding and serving God. I could relate to that, and I think most Christians do too. Having questions is crucial to any authentic faith. "...seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you" Matthew 7:7
Sadly, sounds like they went back to where they could make money again (church.) She needs to publically repent or stay out of "ministry" until she'd be truly SURE of her salvation and understand & BELIEVE that Jesus DIED to give her eternal life. No mention by her of salvation, new life in Christ... #falseteachers #Rev3:14-22 #LaodiceanChurch #Endtimes "Whosoever will deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father in Heaven." Words of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 10:33
I do want to thank you for sharing, and I pray she is truly walking with the Lord. Please, I mean no criticism to you whatsoever w/my comments. May God bless you!
@@tinac945 Yeah i felt like if she is still searching then maybe she shouldn't be performing in church but then again maybe that is the Pharisee in me and only God knows what he is doing in their lives.
I love how Buzzfeed changed the title of this video from "I Stopped Believing God After Pastoring a Megachurch" to "How I Lost Faith in the Megachurch" only after Lisa Gungor spoke out and said that Buzzfeed left out a lot of things in the interview and misled viewers to think she's an atheist was when they decided to change it... Buzzfeed can be very propaganda-like and super suspicious. And its almost like they were trying to make atheism trendy. Too bad Jesus is always winning.
I love you sister... One thing I have learnt us that everyone is drawn away by his or her desire.. Now this people want say God doesn't exist or what? God does exist he is the one holding our lives... ,,,
Jason Lewis Yet u have questions otherwise wt r u doing in this section & commenting ?😀Jesus loves u ,died for u Even when u dont have faith in Him. U see He died for the lost. Ppl think Jesus is limited in institution like a House of church He aint He is unlimited . Church according to the word of God is a colloection of souls that r born of the spirit. The spirit lives in anyone who have faith in Christ.The truth n the matter is ppl still call gather anywhere and dosnt have the spirit . How do we know God is there? Where the spirit of God is there is freedom, there is no douubt He is there or not, He is the living God so there will be a living testimonies!
Exactly what I was thinking! I love Jesus, but I've never felt right in the mega churches. We have one in my town. It started out in a shopping center. My son was even dedicated there, but then they moved to a new building and that's when it started to change.
This is soo true. You cannot just stop believing in God. Either people believe in God or they don't. So i think these people never believed in God in the first place.
@Vyce Versa I am atheist and I do not believe in Mythology. The post said you dont need religion to love Jesus. The is bible a religious tool, therefore you asking me that invalidates the post
Great comment. The prosperity movement causes some people to lose out with the Lord. When the prosperity teaching doesnt work for them, then the doubt comes in. Its false teaching for sure. But it works well in a society that is so selfish and materialistic and confortable.
bjkimber86 suffering and persecution here on this side.... and then perfect peace and joy in eternity with God in heaven where there is no more pain, no more sin....
I've always been a fan of smaller churches, myself. Where I live there's an area of town a lot of wealthy people live, and lots of "non-denominational" churches have sprung up. Of course, they're all in beautiful large new buildings with large crosses and other symbols on the outside, and fancy cars parked in the parking lots. Prosperity gospel stuff always comes to mind. Although, I realize I do need to be mindful of my own judgement and failings.
Fully Agreed, This seems to be the norm for these mega churches now tho... You got a huge building, all the lights, smoke machines, and a rock band playing the most trendy music with some Christian lyrics thrown in,.... and a motivational speaker that calls himself a pastor who promises all kinds of things, mainly wealth or financial gain to all who believe. They bring in thousands of members because of this promise of wealth or anything the people want but deliver nothing more than "it'll be your turn next week, tomorrow, or maybe even today" speeches to keep the members coming back. They hardly ever talk about sin and what's right and what's wrong because they are there to make money and the best way to do that is to keep them coming back and keep up the promise that the more you put in the bigger your blessing will be, and when things dont happen they just say "it's because you dont have enough faith" or something in that order. What they dont teach is the true gospel of Jesus Christ who died for our salvation or how to be thankful for this one thing that will save all of us who repent our sinful ways and believe, or how we need to love one another as he loves us. The real reward is not going to happen in this lifetime, but in the next one, this lifetime is just as a vapor, here for a very short while then gone. We will suffer and sacrifice in this life but like I said, this life is very very short. If your church isn't teaching about repentance and true salvation thru the Gospel of Jesus Christ and they're only focused on what God can do for you in this life, it's time to find a new church, but never time to stoop believing. Always refer to your bible whenever you hear anything you're not sure of and find a church where your pastor will spend one on one time with you to talk and answer questions. You definitely won't get that in a church where the "pastor" walks around with bodyuards and doesn't even know who his members are.
@@daviddavis8653 The problem is if you don't believe, you are told you will face condemnation. So essentially, there is no option BUT to believe, otherwise you aren't living in your best interests. That doesn't sound like a benevolent God. If he is righteous, he doesn't need to make sure everyone else is righteous.
My story is the exact opposite. I was touring the world as a secular DJ/entertainer. We did events with up to 100,000+ people. However, I eventually found that nothing was worth more than God. So, on Nov. 20th 2011, I canceled all of my secular events & went into the church... My sister, there has never been a better period of time in my entire life. I have no mega church, no riches, & I’m not famous anymore, but I have a committed relationship with the one true God of the universe & the salvation that he brings. Trust God my sister. It’s not too late to go back home. Believe God, more than you believe anyone else in this entire world, including yourself... Much blessings to you and yours, as you make your way back to the father #InJesusNameAmen 🙏
@Brandy Pompeo Thank you sister that is true Love you will correct me if I am on the wrong path and encourage me to keep pressing on GOD bless you Sister. 😁
The concept of born again has been around thousands of years before Christianity. It was just called something different. Their experience was just as real and joyful. The buddhist taught this hundreds of years before Christianity just worded differently. It's nothing new or unusual unless God simply ignored them. I'm an atheist in general but not as dismissive as some of them. I worked with the handicapped and people have told me they see God in me. I asked what?! Perhaps I'm born again and just dont know it! Even atheists can then be born again! I didn't let them know. I left it alone. Very interesting. Truly love and take care. I mean that. Take care from Lee.
@@leegleissner9771 Well you misunderstood the meaning of born again, in Christianity it means you surrender everything and accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior..you turn away from your sins based on the 10 commandments.. All men sinned, we all fall short. It is because of our sinful nature. That is why Jesus died in the Cross for all of us to "save us" because the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life. He wants you to come back because he loves you so much brother/sister. as you said you are an athiest..so you believe nothing created everything?? thats just weird haha
Pastor Christopher Pabai ..Nice . Praise the ALMIGHTY GOD CREATOR Of HEAVEN AND EARTH...Too many ILLUMINATI SATANIST'S NWO SODOMITE'S BAPHEMET DEMONIC in these Prosperity Pimps SATANIST'S NWO Government, fake church.
You are so right. But sadly today alot of people dont really understand what true christianity is. I see it all the time. Some of them are inside the churches, and some dont even go to church. They need to hear the real message of salvation. Thats not being taught much anymore. This is the new modern western gospel.
@@leegleissner9771 Its no possible to be born again and an atheist at the same time. Thats like saying black is white and white is black. You sound confused. Get a Bible and read the gospel of John. Maybe you will understand the truth and be really born again. I hope so.
I’ve lost my faith in the church BUT my faith in God has never been stronger! I thank God for all of our (many) trials! They have only served to bring my husband and so closer to God! 😇
The problem with a lot of churches in North America is that they're so institutionalized. Even to the point where becoming more worldly and more attractive. Pastors like Joel Osteen who preach prosperity gospel and not truth from the word of God.
We do not have any right to judge them what so ever. I am a Christian but what i do believe in is having a relationship with God. Not so much the religion aspect to where we have to follow all his rules but to let God know me and to let God in. But yeah we should not condemn her and her family but have open arms to welcome them back in if they would like.
Noel Dancel I don’t think most people know that Christianity is about the relationship with you and God but they think it’s about the Religion and following all the laws but we’ve got to tell them that Jesus loves them for who they are; no matter what they’ve done.
Noel Dancel exactly, I always hate it when they blame all churches for one specific church that shunned them. We are not all like that. And we’re sorry
Anthony Torres i mean there are laws to follow, and he makes them so that he stays center in our lives and that we don’t stray from him. But we all stray from him and sin and that’s reality, it’s impossible to be perfect, and its a battle we gotta fight together as one
Bad things don't happen to good people?? Job lost everything and he was considered the most righteous man in his time. Jesus is literally the Son of God and he was crucified. Not sure what book they are reading in that "mega church" but we can safely say it was not the Bible.
"Bad things don't happen to good people??" *WOW! Come out swinging with a strawman. She never stated that bad things don't happen to good people.* "Jesus is literally the Son of God" *Evidence your ridiculous claim.*
*No, it wasn't. She said nothing about good people having bad things happen to them. Do you even realize she still believes an invisible magician exists? You'll notice that she never said she stopped being a theist and numerous people here have commented that she's still stuck in the delusion that magic is real.*
Hopefully if buzzfeed is truly honest and objective news they'll also interview someone who has gone in the opposite direction (unchurched but found God) I can promise you that from my experience their stories are far more interesting.
I can assure you that it is not their agenda or in their best interest. Society and mass media at large are more concerned and interested in "loosing their religion and BELIEF in GOD" nowadays. It's only convenient to profess a belief in God after a mass shooting, terrorist attack or natural disaster.
Its important that people seek on their own. I wasn't raised in church. Jesus saved my life. But.. Jesus without the holy spirit is just a religion. We can't do it without the helper. Many Christians don't even know what that means. All it takes is a heart humble enough to say God help me know the truth. He will bring someone to you. That's for all of you who won't even give God a chance. True Christianity is absolutely beautiful.
Mormons dont believe in the holy spirit and jehovahs. They think its just a figment of imagination. They also believe in a mother of God, and certian structural things you cannot do. She wasnt trying to sound biblical she was just sharing an opinion. But I am a Church of England worship leader, so I wouldnt set what I said in stone.
It’s because you were listening to the church and not to god...don’t follow religion. Christianity is about your relationship with the lord. plus jesus came for the sick people which are us the church people so not everyone at church is prefect.
Maksie0 can you detect the air your breathing? The answer is No. it’s the same thing, you can’t detect god unless you accept him as a savior. Let me give you another example...can you get a hair cut with out going to the barber? No, same thing with Jesus, you can’t experience him if you don’t go to him.
You can absolutely detect air. We can study the exact molecules that make up the air we breathe, we can fill a balloon with it, you can even store it in a tank and use it to breathe underwater! And yes, you can get your hair cut without going to the barber! Literally just hand a pair of scissors to a friend you reasonably trust! Did you think these analogies through?
Mega church doctrine is not the true word of God... it’s new age belief, compromise. It’s a rock concert that motivates people with a sprinkle of Jesus.
I think that as children grow up, it's extremely important to allow them to explore and question rather than blindly accept what they have been told. Obviously, most parents are raising their children with values and beliefs that they truly think are best for them. Personally, my parents are religious but I am not. I think it's extremely hard for parents to allow or accept questioning when it comes to religion, but to me it would make the faith much more meaningful and valuable if you question and truly understand *why* you believe what you believe.
Everyone is religious one way or another. You are not clear about what you mean by your parents being religious. But Christianity, being the awesome truth that it is, encourages questions, learning and apologetics. Anyone that says otherwise hasn't read the Bible.
This should apply to everything though not just religion. People don't want you to question other things like science and history n such. Science has been disproven several times in certain areas (such as flat earth or the way time works etc) and history can be misleading or it can omit information (like black slave owners). People everywhere want us to blindly believe in lots of things so that we can be controlled (usually to gain political power). We should question everything.
I believe in God but I must say I also agree. Obviously if you have children and you are of a certain religious belief, you will encourage that lifestyle in your houshold, but let your kids understand it. Dont just tell them to believe it. I grew up in a very strict religious household and very sheltered. I never really "left the church", but i did have my points of doubt and questions. I had to do mh own personal understanding to come to what I believe after watvhing many debates, getting INTO many debates, and just reading up the bools myself. I never would have been able to have the relationship with God I do now if i just blindly went with things and kept being a pew warmer. We have too many people who say they are of a certain religion or belief and dont care to know why or how to answer the major questions. I dont think you have to be a scholar to who knows the absolute tiniest details, but at least take some time to reflect and reach out and think with an unbiased mind. God bless.
Buzzfeed, why do you falsely misrepresent Lisa in your video here? She is not an atheist according to her Instagram response to your video. She still believes in God, so your video's entire premise is false.
THE TRANSACTION MODEL IS NOT BIBLICAL. You cannot pray your problems away, you can only have assurety that where you are and where you're going is the best path for you and those around you. Trust in God, and lean not on your own understanding.
My son died 28 of allergic reaction to some medicine that he took. He left behind three children and a beautiful wife. My daughter was in a scandalous court case where my whole family was under scrutiny. Suffering is part of every life including Christians. My encounter with the living God can never be changed. I’ve met the man Christ Jesus. I was atheist until I was 26. And one day the presence of God consume my living room when I was all by myself with no media on. And even when I want to get away he is there. I didn’t fall in love with a message or a organization or a church. I fell in love with Jesus
I am glad your faith has been a strength during your difficult time. Deepest condolences for the death of your son. The loss of a child is the worst pain a parent can feel. Look after yourself and your family. ❤
She found a church...she found a boy who was "very christian"...but she didn't mention if she sought and found Christ. Being a part of a church doesn't automatically make you a Christian. We must seek the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) and be born again (John 3:3) and this is only possible through Jesus Christ who is THE WAY, THE TRUTH amd THE LIFE. (John 14:6)
She was clearly religious and didnt really had a relationship with God. she basically said that she believed that if you prayed more you get blessings. and at the end she said this happens in every religion. but i cant blame her though, growing in a strictly christian environment and big megachurches tend to stray away from deeper relationship with God and more on works and rules which is really sad.
N D like I’m thinking that too like I literally have questions about the faith and wonder but it’s hard for me to deny a relationship ship with God (eternity is something not to take lightly and to be honest I’ve had things happen supernatural things)like a personally relationship meaning him walking with you in day to day life always guiding . Encouraging strengthen I. Different ways whether through post on Facebook that touches your heart , hearing a word sermon that you needed or Him literally speaking to me or a dream I had or His Holy Spirit a great gift talking with me I have doubts but I guess I’m sort of on Crux near hereticism but like I’m just going to seek Matthew 7:7-9 Notice she did not mention like Him speaking to her ? Did she not by herself one to one cry out to God or talks with him had she not waited for Him to speak back with her It’s drives me a bit crazy because it’s not like it can’t be done (hearing Him) I remember being mad At God about ( maybe it was related to worries of hell something like that)and based on what I was told to do to hear Him, Literally was in my bed crouched down and waited as quiet as I could for awhile to Hear Him . eventually I heard Him speak and say something like or exactly like “ I want my children to be strong and free and not coming to me in judgement “ I l feel she needs to seek to have a relationship with God hearing Him . Maybe she do any need to hear literally but like I mean considering the doubts she has and troubles maybe that would help her know he truth.. Like to connect with the living God!!
How can you "clearly" make a judgement call off of a 7 minute video? You don't know anything about her. Take some time to hear her story and then make judgements... Or also just don't make judgments. I can tell you that this video was edited in a way that hollowed out the story. You can find more of it on The Liturgists Podcast or in her book "The Most Beautiful Thing I've Seen"
Jesus did not want to be worshiped. Also directed us to God. He claimed oneness but that does not make you God. The arguments continue. The fall of man is an exposed myth. Take care from atheist/agnostic Lee.
Going to church doesn't make you into a Christian any more than going to McDonald's makes you into a burger. She's full of herself, it's all about Me Me Me Me Me. Shameful.
For those who don't know, Lisa Gungor posted this on her Instagram the day after BuzzFeed posted this video: To be clear, I am not an atheist, nor did I pastor a mega church. I was a music leader at a mega church, yes. Michael and I started a small church in Denver, yep. I struggled with belief A LOT, tried to be an atheist for a day (I failed). The video title was out of my hands and also out of the producers hands. I didn’t even know what the title was going to be. I wasn’t sure what to say about it yesterday or if it needed to be cleared up. I don’t think our stories are ever completely understood by everyone; sometimes you just let the story be, but this one was too misleading for me because actually, I see God everywhere. I understand why some people end up subscribing to Atheism, but to say I did would be so far from the truth. A lot of what I said was cut out for sake of time, and I didn’t have say over what was kept and what was taken out. I do love a lot of what was kept in. It’s a catchy title for sure.
Ok, thanks that make a lot of sense. So if you want to say something say it on your Twitter or RUclips account. Just like Trump does it. So no one will twist your words and meaning of them.
How on earth do you “try” to be an atheist for a day? You don’t have to do anything to be an atheist, so “trying” to be one is categorically incorrect. I say you have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s the indoctrination of religion that leads you to believe that everyone MUST believe in something no matter what position they take, they teach you that humans are naturally made for worship. But evidently it’s not true.
"my faith has been a transaction. if i'm good enough or i pray enough or if i believe enough...then i get blessings...a baby...a good life. that's not how life is." That's also not what the Gospel is either. It's actually the exact opposite of the good news of Jesus and her description of her Christianity really demonstrates that she did not have a deep and intimate enough understanding of her relationship with God - who in his word makes clear that his love for us is not performance based at all. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and thi sis not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
I also found that odd, whatever happened to the verse “in this world you will have trouble..” I was always raised to expect some hardship and that our relationship with God oscillates (as is the case in any relationship). Granted, this is easier said than done but as a pastor, shouldn’t she have known this?
They were believing in a different God, a different perception of God that was presented by that church. For example, they believed that if you pray enough God will give you a child, that relationship with God is like a deal, the better Christian you are the better things you can expect. Gungors realized it's not true.
She lost her faith in the megachurch? Faith never starts with a church or a pastor including a warm-and-fuzzy congregation or music program. In faith the target is always Jesus Christ nothing more nothing less! 😲
E/YBARRA----Who tells me what holy scripture means ? There are thousands of churches that disagree on the what HIS sacred words mean. Do I make up my own church like all the other ones ?
The church seems to have lost sight of that when they tell people things like they told her, which is why she drifted away from the church. Drifting away from the church isn't the same thing as drifting away from God if the church fails to practice what they preach.
WAIT!!!!!! I am CONFUSED!!!!!!! In this video it seems that she no longer believes in God. In her INSTAGRAM, she says from her page, "To be clear, I am not an atheist, nor did I pastor a mega church. I was a music leader at a mega church, yes. Michael and I started a small church in Denver, yep. I struggled with belief A LOT, tried to be an atheist for a day (I failed). The video title was out of my hands and also out of the producers hands. I didn’t even know what the title was going to be. I wasn’t sure what to say about it yesterday or if it needed to be cleared up. I don’t think our stories are ever completely understood by everyone; sometimes you just let the story be, but this one was too misleading for me because actually, I see God everywhere."
From what I have seen onlibe, Buzzfeed is a pro-atheistic site that does not attempt to tell the truth, but splatters lies and creates stories and propaganda to get young adult views, and spread hatred.
The_Player_ XD_1 It is a magenta color background with white letters saying, "CORRECTION In case you were wondering about the previous posted video...". She goes on to give a long explanation.
Everyone, THIS VIDEO IS VERY MISLEADING. Lisa Gungor herself explained in her band's instagram post that the interview was misleading. She did TRIED to not believe in God for A DAY. She clarified what actually her story is in her instagram. Buzzfeed, I'm so disappointed. I did not think that buzzfeed would go this LOW.
Do you know what buzzfeed is? It's in the name it's creates drama that makes people buzz around then they feed it to you on a silver platter to get money
yea that makes sense.. it's just that it's very unethical to spin someone's story like this.. i get it if it was just a clickbait, but this is just pure sabotage.
Genuinely I ask, it's not? From the outside it very much looks like one. A million billion sacrifices big and small from benign to unconscionable made for thousands of years so some god will make the crops grow or ensure victory in battle or answer a prayer.
@@davethompson1687 He meant Christianity is not a transactional process. God is not a genie in a bottle. He has his own will which is perfect. So if we are in control of everything by works, there is not point in God. Jesus did many good deeds. He healed the paralytics, lepers, and the lame, but they still spat on him, mocked him, and crucified him. You can also look at other people in the Bible which were persecuted for serving God.
You folks haven't been reading your Bibles closely, eh? Nowhere in Scripture does it mention a small congregation (or larger) is "more obedient" to the Lord. Where do you even get that nonsense? Look at the assembly in Jerusalem, which grew from 12 "members" to roughly -- according to scholars -- fifty-thousand (in Acts) "members." We don't see any rebuking of that Jerusalem congregation. What is seen is the Temple could no longer hold the sheer number -- and house meetings began to occur. By Acts 15 the Jerusalem congregation is enormous. Stop reading your ideas in the Text in order to sound spiritual -- and just allow the Bible to speak for itself. God's Word doesn't need any assistance.
As a Christian, I appreciate her honesty. Faith without doubt is not faith at all, it is blind orthodoxy. So it is healthy to have a "measured" amount of doubt. Our doubts help us appreciate the faithfulness of God. However, doubt is not a virtue ultimately. When we look solely at a concentration camp or a sick baby, everyone would become an atheist. Too few today are comfortable with tension between two seemingly competing ideologies: a God who is good and human suffering. Most assuredly, they do not compute on this side of heaven. As a pastor, I have doubts how they mesh. I often do not see what God sees when He looks at the world. And yet, I know God is real. I know He is good and more often than not, we are not good (as seen by the Christian comments in this thread). We too often prove God right: we need grace, day after day. We are lost. We are sheep. and God loves us.
Doubt is absolutely a virtue. When there's not sufficient demonstrable evidence for something, doubt is all you should have. And the existence of concentration camps should absolutely make you doubt the idea of a benevolent, omnipotent god.
God was there in their suffering, as He is with us in each of our own trials we face. There is justice here on earth (flawed as it may be); there is also perfect justice after this life. God may not have intervened as we would have wished, but there is absolute judgement for those men who carried out the Holocaust. The question of "Why didn't God stop _____?" could be repeated ad nauseam for a whole host of examples. The question of "Why is everything so bad?" isn't the correct question. The more correct question is, "Why isn't everything WORSE?" Its amazing we can experience beauty, love, grace, or life at all. God gives free will, without it we would be automatons, but unfortunately in a world where men and women can become saints, they also have the proclivity to become the worst demons of hell. Where was God in the Holocaust? He was hanging on a cross, suffering along with His people. And just as He is risen from death, so too we also may rise if we so choose.
+Maksie0 We hold our tongue in awestruck respect, and we listen to what he actually has to say. An intelligent human being, is one who knows when to shut up. I wouldn't start accusing someone who is obviously 1,000,000,000 times more intelligent, and 1,000,000,000 times more powerful than me. I'll shut my mouth and listen, because that's how you get wisdom; by listening to someone smarter than yourself.
She never said those words, “I stopped believing in God after I pastored a mega church.” Once you have heard her testimony you know the title in itself is click bait. I don’t like how Buzz-feed has done this. But they’re creating a buzz and I hope people are touched in the most united way. No same believer believes in the exact same thing. Even our convictions are different. I mean honestly, has anyone seriously sat down and counted the number of denominations the church has??? God has called us to “love thy neighbor as we would love ourselves” that includes loving without judgment or at least attempting to. God bless her for her honesty even though it’s bittersweet. Faith is a work in progress. Complete faith is what we aim to have our whole lives but it’s not something that many can say they have. That’s why life is considered “long-suffering”. It’s hard and it’s beautiful and it has many hard lessons.
Amen! We are all a work in progress, and God didn't create robots and doesn't expect us to be robots, either! We question people, God, other Christians and even the Bible. God knows we will do this. Christians are all different as all human beings are. Pray, faith, relationship with Jesus and Bible study are very important. A good church is, too.
I’ve spent the last year plus really delving into my relationship with God deeply. Do you know what I learned? I can pray for what I want until I am blue in the face and never get an ounce of it. That doesn’t mean I don’t believe in God. I tried. I felt like I was trying to strong arm God into getting what I wanted. But, as my relationship deepened with God I realized who I was in relation to him. I was a child who was trying to tell God I knew what was best for me. My prayers changed when I realized this. God’s not a wish granting genie. He’s the creator of the universe and I am but a child. The wisest man in the Bible, Solomon, in his prayer referred to himself as a child. If the wisest man called himself but a child to God, that makes me an infant. A newborn. I can pray for what I want, but the only prayer that matters is the prayer of obedient submission to the will of the one who made and loves me and knows what’s best for me. I can trust him no matter what happens to me because he will work it all out for his good, if not in this life the next.
you do know you can make your own choices, as Jews say, the last time God told them what to do, he was voted out, like your relationship with God doesn't have to be one of submission, like Christians and Muslims don't know that they have a godgiven right to be mad at God, to argue with him, to be friendly with him to have other gods and to be free from god
Thanks everyone for the nice replies. Honestly, this is something I need to remind myself of a lot even now. I’m glad that God could use my words to minister to you all.
Mary Pauline Palacio doubt it, they would get to much backlash, even the do called 'diverse' buzzfeed are to scared to make a video about God. They too scared of atheists getting triggered. If they do, God bless them!
Why would they? It’s a video to give emphasis on something taboo that is rarely ever shown or spoken of. People believing in god is super common and not at all taboo so showing a video of someone finding god is not an uncommon and rare thing that will reach people that usually can’t be reached by regular exposure to society. Stop derailing the conversations. We are talking about atheism and lack of faith. You don’t go onto videos about breast cancer and ask why they haven’t mentioned skin cancer or ovarian cancer, do you? It’s because they’re trying to bring awareness to what people don’t commonly know
Why should they? It's over-saturated with stories like that. Every single religious person could tell you those stories. They even hunt you down the street to try and convince you. Buzzfeed chose to represent those with no support, no mega worldwide religion to back them up. No one is telling their stories of becoming atheist. Buzzfeed wanted to give the perspective of that, because there are tons of "why I believe in god" stories but nothing the other way. Why can't you religious people EVER respect others? Why can you never respect and accept that not everyone wants to be part of your mega corporation/religion? Stop sulking, and stop demanding attention when this video isn't about you. Ugh.
This just tells me she never understood the concept of Grace. She was following what other people told her was supposed to be right but never found her true conviction. Being a believer and a Christian has never been about a church system, the church is made of flawed people, the promise of being a Christian is never that you will be ok, it's quite the opposite, you will find joy in a life full of mistakes and even dark places. I do think that mega churches and some of the crap it's being said in some of them just leads people to believe that if you do X, Y and Z you will have everything figured out.... and it's far from the truth. It saddens me but... oh well.
She was never given the concept of grace. I hope she meets some old lady or some individual who can approach her about the real concept of grace. People can give you the concept of grace, but it's you who define what grace is.
When the church is mentioned in the bible, its not talking about a building it's talking about the people who come together in fellowship to worship God.
PolarBear :3 No, but the Church, the real and true Church (hence the capital C) is the Body of Christ, and He is coming back for a perfect Church without spot or blemish.
Atheist ? No... In fact the personification of god bothers me. I believe in Mother Nature and the science behind her, with a touch of the communicating trees and ancestors from Avatar(James Cameron)
No I’m pretty sure this is an accurate representation of the ridiculousness of church based Christianity. If you pray to god he will totally let your football team win this Sunday but he won’t do anything about starving children or children experiencing child abuse.
you all know Faylin's comment makes sense and it's something that is blatantly apparent in today's world. Most religious people seem to turn a blind eye on this logic though perhaps reality isn't something that everyone can swallow.
Why do Christians always say this? Like, if Christianity doesn’t work, it’s just that you’re doing it wrong. How do you know they’re doing it wrong? Imagine if we did that with anything else: “this medicine is amazing! It always works! And if it doesn’t, it’s because you’re doing it wrong.”
This video breaks my heart, and the comments to this video even more so. Too many people making statements about them and their faith that are completely ungrounded. If you are Christian and truly care about this family, pray for them and let them know that they are loved. What good does it do to make claims like “if they ever believed or not?” How about we focus on displaying the Gospel in our actions (and comments) and praying that God may work miracles through that?
I am pretty sure most of them are praying for her and her husband. They aren't judging her, they are just speaking the truth of Christianity. They, including me, want to lead her into the right direction. The prosperity gospel is a very manipulating path to go down, and you must have a very twisted up tremendous faith to believe that believing in God would give you a good Earthly life with all the riches you've ever wanted. Jesus doesn't want us to get comfortable with the world, rather to get comfortable in heaven where our permanent "settlements" will be.
KXNG KXNG player, you dont know that God speaks? you still behind. u think a phone is the only communication tool? read the bible and found out how the old apostles spoke to God.
KXNG KXNG he speak through signs and people it's like talking in codes. If you cant see them or even in touch with his presence then you wouldn't hear him
My friend, whilst partially I agree, do not forget that the church has been established by Christ himself and we are his body. Jesus without Church cannot be. But yeah, Jesus should be the head and not the other way round.
Yes, believer are the temple of the Holy Spirit.... Don't be discouraged be these comment. You speak the truth not that they hate it But they are in doubt....
Aubrey William "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." - Psalms 14:1
I heard people saying they purposely left out the fact that she is still a Christian and she just doesn't agree with the MegaChurch, which I don't as well. It's buzzfeed, what do you expect?
I admire their honesty and the fact that they faced their doubts and misconceptions about God! Many people just believe something blindly without questioning it. Sad that when you express those doubts or fears, many times you're osrisized or shunned for it!
Christianity is not a transactional deal with God, you were badly taught. Its not " if I do good, God must make my life perfect". No, look at Job, look at the apostles .... All had awful torment or persecution, your faith is not dependent on how blessed your life is, your faith must be in God, irrespective of how your life story goes, good or bad.
"not a transactional deal with God" Is there no longer any covenant? " look at Job," If her story was reversed and blessings had her turn to a God, would she be equally wrong?
@@gusb232 if her outcome was reversed she would erroneously believe she is blessed due to her upholding her part of the "deal". Transactional Christianity is a false teaching of works, it stems from prosperity preachers like Copeland and faith healers like Benny Hinn, the idea is you are healed or prosper if you have sufficient faith and give financially to them. If you remain sick or poor, or have problems its all on you, you dont have enough faith, never gave enough money. It puts milliins of people under condemnation, and they dare not complain because then they are making a negative confession, which they think creates the bad situation. Very bad theology.
"stems from prosperity preachers " Sure those are examples ,But like snake handling churches doesnt it stem from the bible to some degree? Doesnt the Bible promise an inheritance more than the world if you follow its teachings? Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time
As a Christian, it is okay to doubt, it is fine to experience the full rage of the human emotional spectrum that ranges from fear to peace. Interestingly what matters is your relationship with God, not religion and that my friend MUST be personal. There is no other way to go, it is based on Grace NOT works. #GRACE !! (screaming like only a Nigerian could) so stop trying so hard, Christ died for me (and you) even before I came into existence therefore I can't really do anything to impress Him and He doesn't even want me to. All God wants from us is a personal relationship with Him no Strings attached. None whatsoever.
"Doubt"?? Scripture says "Believe on the Lord, Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Not "Doubt on the Lord, Jesus Christ." If you don't believe it enough to live it.. need to get your money back 'cause you bought the wrong plan.
Nobody says "doubt on the Lord". All that we're saying, doubt is a good thing, that means you're thinking, but it's also crucial, because just a slight misinformation would turn you to the other way.
Actually, it is never okay to doubt. Doubt means you do not trust God when you say you do. Doubt is from Satan. And the book of James says anything less than faith is sin, and without faith we can never please God
I believe in God, but not in organized religion. Religion is a restriction. It tells you what to do, and how to do it, when they're just people making the rules (not everything that happens in the church is holy, anyway). I believe in God, but I don't have to do something if I don't want to do it. God isn't telling me to do all the things the church says or does! God respects my decisions. That being said, I respect what everyone believes in, as long as it does not hurt or put anyone in uncomfortable positions :) Long live freedom of opinion :D
@@Shaw4444 God is not a religion though. I just believe in him. I don't have to go to church to believe in him. He's not forcing anyone to do anything or go anywhere. So I don't have to.
I totally agree. I left organised religion because I knew God wasn’t the way they portrayed Him to be. You should feel nothing but free in your faith, not bound by a community or way of life. And you owe no one an explanation for the way you want to believe in Him. God knows your heart and that’s all that matters!
Equus Lu why would God make us n want us to believe in him without any authority? We need a text which he has sent down to follow so we don’t fall into sin. If we don’t follow anything, we would all be doing whatever we liked, eg stealing
Wrong Adlin. She did love Jesus Christ which isn't even his authentic name. Letter J did not exist in his language. I dont reject Yeshua as a man. Certainly not but I still dont believe in God. I believe in the goodness if humanity wherever you may find it. God? I thank God every day that he doesnt exist. We are God because we do the action. No evidence God does anything. This is not a new age idea. It is the oldest. I doubt there is anything more than this life. Love you all anyways from Buddhist oriented agnostic Lee.
I think the opposite happened. She fell in love with Jesus, but the religious church made her not to focus on the Jesus she fell in love, but in their religion and their Jesus.
Maksie0 Maksie0 Who said im pretending! Lol you are right! Christianity is considered a religion but my point is many Christians focus on the religion aspect of their faith and the people that fall within that religion rather than focusing on a relationship with Christ and what it means to follow Christ. This is something I’ve been learning lately myself. Its not about church its about Christ although Christ can be within the church! :)
I believe in God but not religion its a man-made construct to keep people under a democracy or controlled. This is the most likes I have ever gotten thanks for all the love and participation in the comment section ❤️
Jacinta Religion is used to control people and a lot of people (not all people) use it to spread hate to people who are different. Like gay people, or pro-choice people, or people who are of a different religion. I believe it can be a beautiful thing, until people use it against each other and as a way to spread hate.
@@lj4969 you seem to be missing his point,grammar police..both religion and so-called "democracy" are and have been controlling factors for the masses for a long time..religon longer than democracy but BOTH are malignant tumors on society,they have both brought pain and suffering to humanity..I believe in a higher power,but I am not religious..religion is man's laws disguised as the laws of the Great Creator,spirituality actually ARE the laws of the Great Creator..and that is not "new age" BS,many ancient cultures knew about these universal laws
Zack M., what you've said is true of any social grouping, not only religious. It is the nature of individuals aggregating and the dynamics of identity and exclusion that define the group. The "hatred" may not be against the people who practice homosexual behaviors. If you listen objectively, not from a prejudiced mind of how you think they are hating, you might hear them say, "Love the sinner, hate the sin." Now, if the sinner holds onto the sin and the Christian hates the behavior and actions, then that judgement appears to be directed at the sinner. However, if that sinner stops sinning, then he or she will be embraced to demonstrate the Christian loved that person all along, but could not condone their actions. Don't you think you should say good things about Adolf Hitler and not condemn him? After all, he is a person with a different belief than you. Just accept him and love him, even though he wants to destroy every person of the planet who does not fit his mold of what you externals should look like... examining even your DNA? Do you get my point? A homosexual may believe his actions are not immoral, but that does not exclude them from being immoral. Not only that, if the Christian believes they are immoral actions you cannot judge and hate the Christian for hating those actions and refusing to accept the one doing them, until that person stops. The Christian has the freedom to judge and behave and associate with those he or she wishes to. For you to limit the Christian's freedom on this point is to limit his or her Constitutional Rights to Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Association.
Sunshine Hornick, these institutions cannot in and of themselves do anything. People hurt people and that is the Christian message. Since people have sin influencing their decisions, when you aggregate people together who are still operating under that influence to hurt others, then the hurt will be larger and often targeting groups of people identified by some commonality. This behavior is social and is seen in any aggregation of humans operating under the influence of sin, even in many churches that have lost the teachings of distinguishing the influence of the carnal mind versus the leading of the Spirit of cleanness to the point of terrifying (meaning of the Greek word for Holy). John Wesley tried to recover this through his methodical discipleship, St. Ignatius of Loyola tried to teach others through his Spiritual Exercises, and many others have tried to restore this teaching in the Church universal. God continues to raise up those who will guide believers in Christ back to this holiness of separating out the differences between the carnal mind and the mind led by the Holy Spirit.
I am living in the middle East. With all the hardships in living in a Muslim country when I'm Christian, I still have faith in God. Trails are a way to have a stronger relationship with God. please stay strong, and have faith. Have a good day♥
Tony Yohana You will be in my prayers. As followers of Yeshua (Christ) especially in those types of countries, it can be hard, but know that when He returns that He will crown you. Continue to trust in Him and live by the Spirit, and He will direct your path.
And now lets think about what it must be like for all those muslims living in Christian countries, because believe me or not, they face way more discrimination
@Pivos Pivepic my comment is bit harsh... I'm sorry for that ... People should go directly to God instead of any alternative. In the beginning of my faith I couldn't even understand single verse I was mad at God used to argue him and asked him directly that I'm a fool I can't understand this bible .. please help.. then . Behold.. god made noise Turned into music ...Because faith comes by hearing( understanding) from God.. I mean not literal voice sometimes if necessary he will... God be with you too... See you in heaven
I think there's a difference between losing faith in God and redefining who God is to you. To me, God is a loving being who watches us make mistakes and still loves us when we screw up. God wants to embrace us in our sadness, and guide us when we're lost. But God also won't stop us from making mistakes, but instead use the opportunity to teach and mould us into wiser beings. Christians who use their 'faith' as a justification for persecution, judgement and hate truly sicken me. Identifying that I had a problem with some Christians behaviour and not God was a fundamental point in my faith journey. I want to hang out with the marginalised, love the lonely and house the homeless. That for me is the gospel message, and I don't have time to listen to those who want to segregate humanity according to who they believe to be worthy. I just want to love and help people.
Believing in God doesn't mean that you won't experience suffering. Suffering is a consequence of sin. She say's that she was constrained, but truly knowing Jesus as my Lord and Savior has left me feeling free. The grace of God is freely given---you aren't forced into believing in Him. When you assume that good works can bring you more blessing, you have the wrong idea of what following Jesus is all about.
Long suffering is one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. . . so I disagree totally. Yah suffered and we have to as well. In our suffering we will reign with Him. All suffering is not because of sin. There is a cost to count up for following Yah( Jesus)
So, she found that what others told her wasn’t true....... that means that her belief was never built on the Bible but on what she was told by others. She never had a real relationship. She was only in it for the lights and cameras.
So easy to say that, like you know what's best for her. You have seen a 5 min clip and think you have her all figured out.We just need to accept where people are and pray God's will for them, not our flawed will.
I was in "ministry" for 25 years. After several terrible experiences of getting steamrolled by this thing we all call "church", I walked away. It's been 11 years since I consistently attended "church", but my faith in the Lord is alive and well. I think for me, leaving helped me to detox from all the toxic religiosity that exists in these systems we have declared to be "the way" to flesh out the life of a Believer. People have chastised me about my need for the body, but honestly, how much of "the body" do we really get to know in deep and meaningful ways at these services? We sit in rows, stand up, sit down (repeat x 10), then we leave smile, shake hands, and in our hearts know who our real tribe members are. I love the Lord Jesus and want to serve and love Him, but I'm not sure "church" is the best way to live out being His child in this broken world.
That's only proves what Stephen warned, in Acts: “But the Most High does not dwell in temples made by the hands of men… ” (Acts 7:48). Paul will repeat the same sound New Testament doctrine: "The God who made the world and all that is in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made by the hands of men" (Acts 17:24). That's why people is disappointed, in great anguish, with organizations because he associates God with organizations, but He is not there. Never been there. This is a biblical statement.
My parents were shunned for two years from everyone in their church because my mom confronted the Pastor of stealing from the tithing (which was found to be true). It caused my parents divorce and caused an unequivocal amount of stress on my family and I. My mom struggled with alcoholism due to the fact that she was a single mom with four kids, the fourth being diagnosed with a very rare genetic disorder that left her with endless questions, trials and little help. She hated the people that shunned her for two years then asked for her forgiveness after finding out she was in the right. She hated worshiping on a stage that represented everything opposite than what she believed the Christian faith to be. She hated the Christian church for 20 years and firmly believed that she would never step foot into a church again but.... never did she once believe that Jesus wasn’t her Lord and Savior. And after 20 years of being imprisoned by her own hatred she finally found freedom. She’s currently sober for one year and is involved in a church she is confident in; preaching the good word effectively and has only shown her love and respect even after her questioning. She’s inspired/helped hundreds of both single or married moms of kids with disabilities over the last 13 years and continues to give her praise to her constant provider, Jesus. She could go on and on about the moments of complete darkness of her addiction and how the only reason she’s alive today is because of God. RELIGION makes us believe that we have to be perfect, be “good”, give everything we have to the church/world because we don’t deserve it, always have humility, can never stray away from our faith or the church, or can never question the Bible or even the staff at the Church. That is and never will be realistic and more importantly that’s not what God expects us to do. KNOWING JESUS is being kind, patient, loving, and forgiving yet knowing we are human and are allowed to be angry at times. It’s realizing that our blessings are gifts to use to bless others. It’s remembering that no matter how long we forget about, hate, resent, or question God, God will ALWAYS accept us with open arms. UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE is what teaches us to question our church staff (pastors, preachers, leaders) so that we don’t trust too much in man and be misguided. It reminds us that we should always find hope in darkness because we know God loves us so deeply that nothing we endure is only for the purpose of turmoil but to find clarity and bring us closer to Him and to others. There are a lot of churches that I believe have become the downfall of the Christian faith. Though, once coming to truly know Jesus, rather than just knowing a church that claims to know Jesus, there is a part of you that could never revert your ways forever. Because you know in your heart that someone who gave his life solely to set you free from your heavy burdens of sin and guilt, could only love you more than anyone or anything else in the universe and would NEVER want you to feel burdened by the pressures of religion, the western world and it’s corrupted systems. I hope the girl in this video remembers those moments of warmth that she felt when being near to Jesus. The moments that made God’s sovereignty real because there was no way something so perfect could be a coincidence. Remembering those full body chills when singing your favorite worship song and connecting to those lyrics so deeply you couldn’t help but lose it. When being on your knees one night and asking God why you’re going through this horrible situation and a week later God shows you exactly why. When you see something so perfect and beautiful that you can’t help but believe a perfect and beautiful creator constructed it flawlessly. Remember these moments because there’s nothing else in this world that will continue to give you these fulfilling, deep, vibrant, beautiful, complete moments.
@@rickc2172 Lol you need to learn what "evidence" is. Secondly, there is no such thing as a "consensus" for the resurrection anywhere outside of the faith based community.
I am very sorry that someone didn’t teach you the Gospel. Jesus’s love is not transactional. Nothing we do changes his love for us. That’s the beauty of it. Jesus loves us regardless. He blesses us regardless of prayer or “good works” The beauty of Christ is grace and grace alone. Love and being loved abundantly.
Antonia Okafor actually Jesus said you have to hate everyone to follow him including yourself. Go look that up since you know what he teaches. And maybe you’re African American so just am FYI your lovely Jesus also tells slave to submit to their earth masters as you would do thy lord your god. If you can’t find it I’ll send your the verses cause i want you to open your book and read it for yourself.
How can you tell someone who they are when you don't know who you are. That's a very "godly " image of you with guns. I guess a scriptures failed to mention a pistol packing Christ and his gun carrying disciples - but wait that would a militia group a band of racial extremist.
Kevin Jencins so I’m a good person I never hurt anyone never did extreme bad things. I do good around me and to others. I help disabled people as Well. But I’m Atheist. Your all loving god all righteous god Will send me to hell because i felt like their was no evidence to prove he’s real?
You're all extremely heartless. Just because it's reasonable to expect people to suffer, it doesn't give you the right to drive more nails in.. It must be people like you who drove her out..
You were fed the prosperity gospel. It's not the truth. The true gospel doesn't say, say it enough, believe it enough and it will happen. The bible speaks of suffering more than anything else. Joyful sorrow. Yet in the sorrow, He is the giver of peace. I am sorry you were hurt by the church. That hurts my heart. I hope that you will continue to read God's word and ask honest questions. Don't be afraid of the answers you'll find. Blessings to your beautiful family.
Yes! I was looking for someone who would say this! Its so sad that many so called Christians buy into this word of faith and prosperity gospel heresy! It just limits our view of God to that of a genie in the bottle! I wish she and her husband at least leaned a bit towards the good preachers or towards a bit of Reformed theology, particularly the concept of the Sovereignty of God! That would have given her a high view of God
Following Christ is the best thing that ever happened to me. I've been hurt by the church, cast aside, and judged (which doesn't even reflect the truth of the word even). It took me a while but I realized this is not the true church, which should concerns itself with serving others but instead focuses on maintaining/sustaining itself and it's power. But O when I read the WORD it's life and truth that establishes my steps, so I can follow in the footsteps of the One who gave it all to redeem me/us back to HIMSELF! Now this is worth building a life on!
I'm sorry but if you don't believe in God anymore because of a church, people and circumstances, you've never really known, believed or loved God to begin with. I avoided church and church people for years but I finally found an amazing church after I worked on my relationship with God. True Christianity is relationship with God and you've missed it completely. It's not believing 'a certain' thing it's about believing the word of God. Perfect love casts out fear and I pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth and love of God to you. Andrew Wommack - Living In God's Best and Believers Authority will be a good place to start. Many blessings!
Amen I know the holy spirit lives in me too he sustained me even when I messed up when you truly love God and are born again truly from your heart nothing can move you no circumstances in life!! Your filled with so much lights and love and peace religious practice don't give you that..it only leads you astray just like this woman we have to pray
That's the problem with the mega churches, name it claim it preachers, and feel good preachers. They teach that we're in control of what God does by saying it or through works, but that's not the truth. It's grace by faith and we can petition God through prayer, but ultimately his will is done. So naturally, when people aren't taught the truth they lose faith when it doesn't work for them. It's best to put religious ideology aside and dig into the word yourself.
With all due respect most people who cant believe for answer to prayer love to say Gods will be done. Only one place in the bible does it say this and that was Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane and he said farther take this from me but not my will but your will be done. Jesus already knew what he was going to do. The bible is clear if you believe and ask in Jesus name it will be given unto you.
@@rogerledoux4741 I totally believe God answers our prayers, but not always in the time or fashion we expect. I'm referring to the people that present God as their personal genie that grants their every wish because they commanded it. God is not our slave to be commanded. He answers our prayers because he loves us and wants to, not because he has to.
@Scott Johnston it's because they had a false sense of God, and actually their prayers were answered. They have two beautiful girls, but for now they don't see it that way. I hope and pray that they find God truly and can witness to people that are going through the same thing.
Corban Philo It’s because she’s relying on a fake gospel. A transactional gospel to be exact. When you have your foundations rooted in a fake gospel, you can’t go anywhere and ultimately you turn away when bad things happen. Her church is a big at fault on this, and it’s unfortunate she had to experience this.
@@kshksh5033 Oh, so she's just Jesus-ing all wrong, and gosh, it's too bad she didn't consult you to find out how she's Jesus-ing wrong, so you could have set her straight and avoided all her doubt and eventual apostasy? Do you even half understand how absolutely prideful and mean-spirited and hateful you really are?
Kittens for Peace your over exaggerating..mean-spirited & hateful ? Not necessarily it’s simply truth not all truths are rainbows and unicorns, unfortunately for this women in the video she was drawn away by being in a church that didn’t share a bible centered gospel, the Bible talks about these kinds of church’s that are superficial and are only for show, and warms us Christians to stay away from them. It’s no wonder she apparently stopped believing in god when you’ve been in a superficial church. I’m sure she was earnestly searching for god but she had the wrong people guiding her. I’m only 20 years old and it wasn’t until last year that I became free from 4 years of drug addiction through the power of Jesus Christ, I wasn’t pressured by some church or told to recite some bible verses. But of true repentance/ a change of mind from my sinful life style. And in that I found true freedom in Jesus, being a Christian isn’t a happiness trip to be a Christian it takes courage you must be long suffering because as a Christian I suffer sometimes from things I don’t understand but I keep faith and things have always turned out good. Long suffering and patience is part of being a Christian, but when presented with a fake gospel people don’t understand this and thus they turn away from god.
Kittens for Peace Oh no I pissed someone off for telling her she’s incorrect. Why is there no tolerance for being corrected? Would you have be so reactive if I had said “you can’t drink soup with a fork”? You don’t have to be prideful to know if she’s correct or not. You just have to be able to distinguish a fake gospel from the rest. No I did not hate on her, and I especially didn’t tell her to rot in hell either, as many other Christians would have said to her. I’m not being hateful I’m telling her what she is saying is very wrong because the idea of a mutual deal with God is simply-impossible. She simply does not know what the true gospel is. If what she said was true, wow everyone would be happy in this world. Oh did I say she was wrong for doubting? I said her idea was wrong, can you read? It doesn’t matter what circumstances she has, if Lisa starts off the wrong foot, it’s impossible to go on unless she knows how to get back on track. Everyone experiences doubt. Doubt is part of a journey, and honestly I think you’re taking this way too subjectively.
I think what happened with this couple was that they were serving their church not serving God, I also think alot of people get wound up in the idea that you have to live a certain way for God to love you. I can totally understand the anxiety and pressures young people in the church feel and maybe to some it feels like freedom to just choose to not believe anymore, Freedom from religion is what I believe strongly but God is my savior Jesus Christ is the answer only him and he doesnt demand money sacrifice or your life because he gave his, all God wants is for humanity to accept him with an honest heart.
Website guy How the hell do you know? Man, there are so many wonderful Christians, but close minded, self righteous people like you give them a bad name.
Sad that people believe bad things won't happen to good people, and that they'll be given a happy, care-free life on Earth if they just do what the Lord wants. Have they never heard of Job? or John 16:33? or Romans 5:3-5? or even the Bible for that matter. . .
Yes. Jesus said He was the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to The Father but through Him. I would encourage you, if you really want to know if there's a God or not, to read the scriptures and pray for understanding. You will go to hell, as all sinners will who reject the sacrifice Christ made on their behalf.
Good response...but I have an honest question for you. Let's say there was an observant Jew in Egypt the day Christ rose from the grave. This Jew believed a Messiah would come someday and followed the religion the best he could. The day before Christ died, this Jew was on his way to heaven. Was he still going to heaven after Jesus rose? He would never hear the Gospel--it was not even written for 40-70 years later. If that Jew did not go to Hell--how long was the grace period before people started going to Hell for not knowing that God had changed the rules???
@@peteanddrake4242 do you realize that is in control of time and space? If it is His will that every person have a chance to choose life or death then EVERY PERSON WILL HAVE A CHANCE! That settles it. We are so limited in our humanity that we forget that God do whatever needs to be done. Aren't we glad that God is not like man.
@@btdfw Keep following the prosperity gospel and see where it leads you. Hell will be your home for sure. Become a Bible reader, not a Bible browser and you'll understand there are no insecurities and disillusions for those who follow the teachings of Jesus.
+mark *'The' never stated the he is part of the 'prosperity gospel' silliness. Just like he never stated he's part of any of the 'Christian' silliness.*
I feel for this women. She was taught a "prosperity" gospel also known as "The Law of Attraction", which is unbiblical and then they used it against her. That's why God warns us of false prophets because unfortunately it is prevalent in the church. The Bible doesn't ever teach that we are good either. Actually on the contrary, we are fallen creatures. Additionally, we are to also pray Lord your will not my will. In other words, it's not I want this and that, God isn't a genie in a bottle you just rub and pooof he appears. Lastly, we are encouraged to question as some in The Bible wrestled with God. I understand where she's coming from, from a religious perspective, but we should not throw the baby out with the bath water when it comes to Christ.
"They went out from us, but they were not of us for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us." ♥️😥
@@steviemcintyre9718 He's not using scripture to judge them. I think he's using scripture to show everyone else that could possibly doubt because of her negative testimony, that the Bible already covers this topic. The same thing happened in the time of apostles.
@@JoshB913 I didn't see him ask us to pray. I'm praying for them. Our prayers can do more. It's not a negative testimony, it's her personal experience and struggle with Faith
@@steviemcintyre9718By negative I mean not the desired response or testimony. I feel very bad for that lady and her husband. There is so much suffering in this world which is one of the reasons we need Jesus.
Her journey is not over yet....Whatever her belief system is now, I don't think it's final.... After all we are constantly evolving and changing, impacted by what we experience in our lives.
Can't you just accept that she doesn't want to be christian? Could you please try to respect that? I'm so sick of religious people always thinking that atheists "just hasn't found god yet". Leave people alone. Stop telling them their belief system isn't final. It's SO disrespectful I can't even understand how you could write such a thing.
@@wolfsbane1991 Lol. Relax honey. I wasn't judging her. I am nowhere near religious. In fact, I am on my own journey. I have strayed away from the church myself, even started dabbling in the new age. But now I am finding myself coming back to God, but I still have issues with religious doctrines because I believe spirituality and religion are two different things. Please, before you make such a comment, don't assume that you know exactly who I am. You haven't even met me or even know my life story! Seriously, get a grip.
So, I can relate to your story. I was born to a lovely woman, Christian, poor but satisfactory home and a good dad. I schooled in a Catholic school, got baptised and confirmed. At 22, I loosed my dad, later that year, dropped out of uni, that was 2012, searched and got a very low remuneration job in 2013, by 2014, accused of embezzlement of $30000 while I had less than $1000 savings. Got locked up and later tried in court and found not guilty, came back out and tried to fix my life, decided to get a baby from a premarital relationship and after 2 months of my girlfriend being pregnant, I realised I was sick ( I won't tell), 7 months later, got the baby and he passed after some few hours. These difficulties turned my life and I loosed faith in everything. I searched to get a reason for living and all I got made me just feel more depressed. I'm glad now I realise I can talk to God in my hard times and times of doubt but I'm still learning to believe. I realised I went from the light to darkness in search of the light. God bless your children who in search of the truth!
Ebai Derrick Thank you for sharing your testimony i’m so sorry that you went through so much I just want you to know that Jesus loves you and he cares about all that you’ve been through and he meets you where are you are he wants to build your life in a better way he wants you to put your full and complete trust in him repent meaning turn away from your sin and trusting only in him for the forgiveness of sin he’s the only way to heaven he never promised that we would have an easy life but he promised that he would go through each storm with us our perspective should be eternal we’re just passing through this life I’d like to encourage you to find a Bible believing church or even go online and listen to got some godly preaching but especially the church where you can fellowship with other Christians and hear the gospel preached and learn how to grow in the Lord . I also came from a rough background and today I love Jesus and desire to serve him with all my heart I will pray for you God bless you as you seek him with your whole heart.
Ebai you've certainly had it tough. I had a similar Christian upbringing but turned my back on the teachings of the church. Persued girls and drugs and found that lifestyle empty. When I came back to God all my problems didn't go away but I've learnt recently that life is better when you learn to live a life without compromise taking impure thoughts captive and chasing after God every day. God Bless you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.
I love Lisa and Michael and their courage to ask honest questions and stand up to the evangelical-industrial complex when they found it has misrepresented the Gospel. The vicious comments of the haters say far more about them than about these beloved children of God. In a generation they will be seen as the heroes of the faith instead of the pariahs they have sadly become
so as long as they were living the "mega church" dream they were faithful and believed in God. the moment things weren't going their way they stopped believing. funny how as long as they had the things that money could buy they were great. the bible is full of people praying and not getting what they wanted and still remaining faithful. sounds like they worshipped the mega church and never bothered to actually read the bible.
Sooo trueee brother Kennedy.i think part of the problem would be these mega church pastor's with their megalomaniac minds bigger than the whole world who use these platforms to project themselves , twisting scripture , milk money out the congregation who teach the things of this world rather than god. New age god= success mantra Jesus .give Me.bless Me.and mind your business Jesus...
The other point. God did answer their prayers for babies. But in His timing not theirs. Then then turn their back on God. They were not true to Jesus and their faith as Him for Saviour. Once you are changed, beileve with all your heart, nothing will can make you change your belief in God and your salvation.
I did not get that out of the message at all. She was saying that everything was based on a transaction.. they were "loved if.." they had enough faith, prayed enough, did the right things, etc.. She never said they stopped believing the moment things did not go their way, what she was expressing was the began to wake up to the errors and the contrasts of their tribe and real life. They started having questions and doubts and were deemed heretics. That is the sad part. They willingly left the mega church life for something more authentic for them.
@@DreamsofStardust75 she stated her husband said he no longer believed in god and is now atheist. She to stated there is freedom outside the belief of God and compared it to other religions. I dunno, what her message was trying to explain
God always shows up regardless of the chaos of life to prove that He does exist. If evil and bad exists then so does good and God. Doubting is natural as we live in the flesh but one must never loose the conviction that there is a divine being watching over us all
@@Gonzo4Ever You follow your mind too much. Learn to let your heart control your mind. Prayers will definitely work. Thank God for everything, every situation bad and good. Cause everything in this world is a test of faith. We get tested through tribulation. Look at life like business, it will never be good all the time, you'll always find a wall that blocks you. We are more blessed than we realize.
@@vancouversworstdrivers There are over 2000 different religions. That fact alone should be enough to make you wake up , but apparently it's to late for u. Keep dreaming and remember the church needs money! 😁 sorry to break this to u but you are getting fucked so bad.
Sad story, throughout all her life going to churches the Gospel never reached her. Christianity isn't about doing what you don't want to do in order to get a ticket to heaven. Christianity is about transformation. God gives you a new heart, and enables you to follow Him *willingly*. It is all a gift! What we are called to do is believe in Him, and the rest is God's work. His Word, says: I will take away your stony heart, and I will give you a heart of flesh; it's God's work in your life. You can only keep His Word if you've been given a new heart, and the Gospel calls us to repent and to accept Christ as our Savior in light of our inability. I hope she gets it, no one can live the faith in the flesh, we are Christians if we are born again. If we are born again, we love to follow God and keep His commandments. It's not a forced thing, but transformation.
Something certainly did transform them. It is not about religion but relationship. The question than becomes, was it God? Why would the church world push them out if it was so loving like our God?
I enjoy my relationship with the invisible sky wizard. Sometimes he visits me. He tells me to do things . Naughtythings. I talk to him sometimes while waiting for the bus. Then I take seroquel which I'm prescribed , and it all goes away. Praise the lord!
They were in a church that could be considered any of the following: Pentecostal, Charismatic, Full Gospel, Word Of Faith, Prosperity Gospel Preaching, Healing Gospel Preaching. All of these messages are heresies. I left a small church that preached these things for the same reasons they did, but I didn't stop trusting God. I now go to a non-denominational fundamentalist church where those heresies aren't preached. My wife and I can relate to her story since we faced the same accusations they did, even as I questioned their theology with reasonable and logical questions, many of which they either couldn't answer or answered incorrectly, all the while indirectly putting the blame on us rather than the church for its wrong theology. The churches that fall under any of the categories I listed above can be considered very dangerous because of the heresies they preach. They also tend to fill the church buildings with false converts (people who "think" they are soundly saved but are not actually saved) because even if they preach born again and hell, they often give their congregations a false sense of salvation since neither justification or sanctification have actually taken place in the supposed believer. False converts never actually repented of sin (because they were never made to tremble at the law of the 10 commandments) nor put their faith in Jesus because sin, repentance, and faith in Jesus were never preached in the first place (OR, they were watered down to no effect). Also, these churches teach people to come to Christ for all the wrong reasons, and they will be rightly judged by God on Judgment Day. Visit www.needgod.com and/or www.areyouagoodperson.org if you are unsure of your salvation. Lastly, visit www.livingwaters.com and listen to their free messages called "Hell's Best Kept Secret" and "True And False Conversion". God bless you.
Trust me, when you get out into the world, you notice how horrible it is out there. And it's normal to have inner spiritual conflicts, because it truly is horrible out there and you can't seem to understand why a good and loving God would allow all of this. Of course it's a huge topic to cover but many people struggle with it when they see how the rest of the world lives, with poverty, hunger, (mass) murders, rapes, you name it.
Carolina Zúñiga I’ve heard it all before I know. I wish I knew why bad things happen to good people in this world or why the world can be so messed up beyond measure, but I just speaking for myself. There are events that have happened in my life that I cannot explain and I can’t help but feel their is a divine presence acting upon it. Also it is a fact that most people who stopped believing in god had a tragic event in which they went “why me” and slowly stopped believing. Everyone has their doubts even me. But I know that faith is the substance of things hoped for and it is the evidence of things not seen.
I never comment on videos but I really need to, promise to keep it short. Always ask questions, so you as an individual can find out for yourself. Don't fear praying to God when there seems like there isn't an answer. Never put your faith in a person or organization because that person or that organization is run by people like you and me who have their own struggles to overcome. Remember that if you seek God you'll find out He's been at your side the whole time. He loves you so much. 💕
I really wanted to sit down and watch the video and just see what I could take away from it no matter what my beliefs are, but the clickbaity title really ruined it for me. She clearly wasn’t a pastor lmao misleading people for a couple more views really destroys any credibility
Manya Zhu she wrote a statement on her Instagram that some of her story was cut out and the title wasn’t what she said. Buzzfeed edited her story to fit their agenda. Check her Instagram .
I think a law should be pass That If a person uploads lies online they should be fine And if it's fine too many time there should be incarceration Because it's not rigth to spread lies What do you think? Spread the word
@Nikki E. that is the farthest thing from the truth. God didn't "damage their daughter". I am 15 years old and my family adopted a girl from China when she was 7 that has Down's Syndrome. Bryndal is now 12. Every single day I see God all the time in my sibling. She is never hurtful, always loving, helping with everything, and always so joyful. If God damaged her, then wouldn't she damage us? If God didn't "damage" her and loves her, then wouldn't she love us? Everyone that accepts God's love turns right around and gives it to another. Bryndal doesn't even know that she is giving God's love to us everyday, but she does. God doesn't damage ANYONE for that matter. If God did damage people, then his love would be uneven and divided, and that is NOT the case. The Gungor's having a daughter with DS is not damaging. Yes it might be a test, but it is the farthest thing from the truth to say that God "damaged" their daughter
@jitlogs Jitlogs Friend, This is what I was saying God loves them dearly. He is hurting for He want to have them close. Not close to church, close to His loving heart. I tasted His love and an amazing Grace. He doesn't judge them He is waiting with open arms without blame for them to come to Him. His sons and His daughters. That is His Father's heart. He in amazing!!!
I feel bad for all these Christians and atheists because they did not experience the Father's noodly appendages. No one leaves after tasting the holy sauce of our great Flying Spaghetti Monster. Ramen!
That's the sad thing about Pentecostal churches. They preach that you will be healthy and wealthy, but God never promised those things this side of Heaven. Jesus came to save us from sin and to reconcile us to God. A relationship with God is about living for God, not getting things from God as though He were a genie. I recommend the book "Where Is God When It Hurts?" by Philip Yancey
Why you generalizing Pentecostal churches as if all Pentecostal churches do this. You're definition and perception is so inaccurate. That message is a prosperity message not a Pentecostal message. I actually agree with your point about that message is wrong but then you writing that that's a Pentecostal message threw me off because it's not. The root and overall essence of Pentecostalism is God heals, saves, and baptists. If you had a bad experience with Pentecostal churches I'm truly sorry because they were misrepresenting us. I please ask that your negative experience may not compel you to categorize all of us as connected to that message, because my Pentecostal church would actually agree with you and disagree with the message you claim we would agree with
That is not what Pentecostal churches preach. My mother was a minister. I hate that the comment section is every christian who is scared to death that they will be the last one to hold onto their silly beliefs. It's ridiculous that this woman can't be atheist without thousands of christians doubling down on their nonsense. It's a defense mechanism because they feel threatened. Give this lady some love for her courage. She now has the freedom to live and to breath. I couldn't be more happy for her. Welcome to life, LISA!
jusfugly You don’t know New Testament history is taught in Major Universities by secular professors? You really think this is just a topic Christians touch? It really seems you haven’t done your homework before speaking .. or you may been listening to the wrong people like zeigiest or Richard carrier.
Hi There Lisa---(Goodness, this turned out to be a long one! So sorry, in advance!) Thanks so very much for your vulnerability in sharing your experience. I can really resonate with the pain, heartbreak and deep frustration that can come with the "tribe" aspect of the church body. Particularly since you were in such a position of leadership and visibility, that pressure must have been so incredibly heavy to hold. I can't even imagine. I personally can resonate with having pains within the church body, post experiencing a divorce in which I felt misunderstood and, for lack of a better word, ravaged, by some of the members. While still validating that heartbreak, disappointment and anger, the irony is, I always come back to Jesus's story and all the hell on earth he experienced in dealing with the fickleness and flimsiness of human nature, directly. Though it can be flat out rough to be a Christian in the "tribe" sense, I can't share how many times I've been so heartened and downright refreshed by Jesus's modeling when he dealt with similar (though amplified) struggles---Though we through popular culture often create him out to be this two-dimensional, waif-ish, prophet guy floating from place to place, he was just so the opposite (as I'm sure you well know and appreciate.) What I wish people would realize, on a large scale, is how truly remarkable, dimensional and nothing short of badass (the true definition of badass, quite frankly) Jesus was in dealing with the frustrations that came with being relational. Jesus was certainly not devoid of emotional expression, which I'm SO thankful for! I know it sounds funny, but it is so heartening to me when he gets aggravated, annoyed and/or flat out angry with the people he is interfacing with throughout scripture, particularly the religious elite. He never fails to go head to head when it counts and do it with such savvy. He was just so bold and unapologetic, never letting anyone push him around while still being the perfect and flawless example of God in flesh form. AND the truest portrait of love. So, so awe-inspiring. No matter how many times I read certain scriptures, I'm just left so gobsmacked and inspired by his example. He provides the perfect example for holding our own with power, might and poise. I thank you for sharing your story of burnout within the church. It is so incredibly relatable and I can attest to the feeling. (And of course, not to throw all church life under the bus. Certainly not. It's of course more nuanced that just a black or white assessment---with people, comes complexity and church can and is meant to be deeply powerful and transformative.) I wish you and your family joy and vibrancy and most of all, I just hope that despite the church body (and every single one of us being so darn flawed) that your direct relationship with Jesus stay strong. He's so not one of us, his ways are not ours, and I just pray the holy spirit move in a way that reminds you that our flaws are not His. He's so in love with you and has you. I send warmth and respect your way!
Matthew 13:5-6 "Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root." Matthew 13: 20-21 "The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away."
The title is really painful for me. For all the years of people hurting me in church God has remained the one faithful constant. People will always let you down. Always. Why does that make God bad? He loves us so deeply. And that is first hand experience not what I have been brain washed to believe. I hope you hear Him wooing you again. He loves you to the point of death and back.
Eco Fundi, Agreed. I'm saddened by this... religion has let them down, not God.
That's a mean-spirited, hateful dismissal of someone whose experiences contradict and challenge your beliefs. You just made matters worse, and highlighted very effectively WHY people are leaving your religion. A pity you can't see that.
"You just Jesus-ed all wrong." Ugh, seriously, it's so tedious. But you hope someone will wonder how they messed up something that's supposed to be so easy and simple--and ask how you're Jesus-ing so well that you've escaped ever wondering about the many, many contradictions and challenges to Christianity. But you're just as confused as they are--which we can tell because you think you're being super-Jesus-y here, but in reality you're just as hateful and mean-spirited as the "bad Christians" you're badmouthing.
@@Surftouka You would not know a single thing about this deity if it weren't for the religion supporting the idea of him. It's funny that you think you can have the deity without the religion, but ultimately it's part of the problem--not the solution to the problem.
From what I understand, they came back to God. Here's a video that has more information that this video apparently left out
ruclips.net/video/h1W_feJnmeI/видео.html
God won't let you down because you can't perceive him ever doing so. After all, he is your imaginary friend. You may sculpt him however you desire.
They left out the part where her husband did go back to his faith later on. They are both still Christ followers and do ministry together. I had the privilege of seeing them perform at my (small) church last year with an open Q&A in the middle of the concert. I asked Lisa about her faith and it was refreshing to hear how she still wrestles with doubts yet is filled with passion for finding and serving God. I could relate to that, and I think most Christians do too. Having questions is crucial to any authentic faith. "...seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you" Matthew 7:7
That's really sad that they left that out. :( Thank you for sharing!
Sadly, sounds like they went back to where they could make money again (church.) She needs to publically repent or stay out of "ministry" until she'd be truly SURE of her salvation and understand & BELIEVE that Jesus DIED to give her eternal life. No mention by her of salvation, new life in Christ... #falseteachers #Rev3:14-22 #LaodiceanChurch #Endtimes
"Whosoever will deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father in Heaven." Words of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 10:33
I do want to thank you for sharing, and I pray she is truly walking with the Lord. Please, I mean no criticism to you whatsoever w/my comments. May God bless you!
@@tinac945 Yeah i felt like if she is still searching then maybe she shouldn't be performing in church but then again maybe that is the Pharisee in me and only God knows what he is doing in their lives.
thank you for clarifying. this video intentionally left out these conclusions.
I love how Buzzfeed changed the title of this video from "I Stopped Believing God After Pastoring a Megachurch" to "How I Lost Faith in the Megachurch" only after Lisa Gungor spoke out and said that Buzzfeed left out a lot of things in the interview and misled viewers to think she's an atheist was when they decided to change it... Buzzfeed can be very propaganda-like and super suspicious. And its almost like they were trying to make atheism trendy. Too bad Jesus is always winning.
I noticed that title change too. Where did see her say that by the way? I'd like to read anything she's talked about since this!
@@FarAwayDistance This guy made a video about her instagram comment about this video. Skip to 1:30 ruclips.net/video/-v3oIk_Qtr0/видео.html
Sooooo true
I love you sister... One thing I have learnt us that everyone is drawn away by his or her desire.. Now this people want say God doesn't exist or what? God does exist he is the one holding our lives... ,,,
I would say Buzzfeed has an anti-christ/ianity agenda.
I don't have faith in a mega church either, but I do have faith in Jesus Christ.
Best comment on here.
Jason Lewis There you go dear one...
Amen 🌿🕊
Jason Lewis Yet u have questions otherwise wt r u doing in this section & commenting ?😀Jesus loves u ,died for u Even when u dont have faith in Him. U see He died for the lost. Ppl think Jesus is limited in institution like a House of church He aint He is unlimited . Church according to the word of God is a colloection of souls that r born of the spirit. The spirit lives in anyone who have faith in Christ.The truth n the matter is ppl still call gather anywhere and dosnt have the spirit . How do we know God is there? Where the spirit of God is there is freedom, there is no douubt He is there or not, He is the living God so there will be a living testimonies!
Exactly what I was thinking! I love Jesus, but I've never felt right in the mega churches. We have one in my town. It started out in a shopping center. My son was even dedicated there, but then they moved to a new building and that's when it started to change.
Well, I'll just say this. If a "church" made you stop believing in God then you were apparently believing in a church and NOT God.
Amen!
Well put, Tom.
This is soo true. You cannot just stop believing in God. Either people believe in God or they don't. So i think these people never believed in God in the first place.
HELL YEAH TOM! PREACH IT!
Agreed!
And that’s why I hate religion....
But I love Jesus.
You need religion to have Jesus. They go hand & hand
Common Sense RUclips it: why I hate religion but love Jesus (spoke word by Jefferson Blake)
@@JosephTheDreamer Heard it, know him, it was recorded in my home town. Still doesn't change the fact that Jesus is tied to religion. Lol
@Vyce Versa If I used the bible that would be using religion. Lolol
@Vyce Versa I am atheist and I do not believe in Mythology. The post said you dont need religion to love Jesus.
The is bible a religious tool, therefore you asking me that invalidates the post
She rejected the prosperity gospel, which isn't Christianity. The real gospel promises suffering for believers, not prosperity.
Great comment. The prosperity movement causes some people to lose out with the Lord. When the prosperity teaching doesnt work for them, then the doubt comes in. Its false teaching for sure. But it works well in a society that is so selfish and materialistic and confortable.
bjkimber86 suffering and persecution here on this side.... and then perfect peace and joy in eternity with God in heaven where there is no more pain, no more sin....
Well damn, good thing I’m not a believer. I’m no fan of suffering.
This 👆🏾👆🏾
I've always been a fan of smaller churches, myself.
Where I live there's an area of town a lot of wealthy people live, and lots of "non-denominational" churches have sprung up. Of course, they're all in beautiful large new buildings with large crosses and other symbols on the outside, and fancy cars parked in the parking lots. Prosperity gospel stuff always comes to mind.
Although, I realize I do need to be mindful of my own judgement and failings.
True Christianity begins when we stop believing in a Jesus who can make our dreams come true and begin to love Him for what He has already done.
I agree
Fully Agreed, This seems to be the norm for these mega churches now tho... You got a huge building, all the lights, smoke machines, and a rock band playing the most trendy music with some Christian lyrics thrown in,.... and a motivational speaker that calls himself a pastor who promises all kinds of things, mainly wealth or financial gain to all who believe. They bring in thousands of members because of this promise of wealth or anything the people want but deliver nothing more than "it'll be your turn next week, tomorrow, or maybe even today" speeches to keep the members coming back. They hardly ever talk about sin and what's right and what's wrong because they are there to make money and the best way to do that is to keep them coming back and keep up the promise that the more you put in the bigger your blessing will be, and when things dont happen they just say "it's because you dont have enough faith" or something in that order.
What they dont teach is the true gospel of Jesus Christ who died for our salvation or how to be thankful for this one thing that will save all of us who repent our sinful ways and believe, or how we need to love one another as he loves us.
The real reward is not going to happen in this lifetime, but in the next one, this lifetime is just as a vapor, here for a very short while then gone. We will suffer and sacrifice in this life but like I said, this life is very very short.
If your church isn't teaching about repentance and true salvation thru the Gospel of Jesus Christ and they're only focused on what God can do for you in this life, it's time to find a new church, but never time to stoop believing. Always refer to your bible whenever you hear anything you're not sure of and find a church where your pastor will spend one on one time with you to talk and answer questions. You definitely won't get that in a church where the "pastor" walks around with bodyuards and doesn't even know who his members are.
Beautifully said.
@@daviddavis8653 The problem is if you don't believe, you are told you will face condemnation. So essentially, there is no option BUT to believe, otherwise you aren't living in your best interests. That doesn't sound like a benevolent God. If he is righteous, he doesn't need to make sure everyone else is righteous.
What has Jesus ever done for us!!! Quite a lot less than the Romans
Not religious anymore.... but when I was in didn't like megachurches. It always felt like capitalism and religion had a very hungry baby.
Communist?
Nothing wrong with capitalism or religion.
@Catzer Urois, true, but anything can become bad when taken to the extreme
Well they didn't just want your money, being able to tell you how to vote also gives mega "churches" power.
More like cults, really.
TheDustyForest I didn't say anything about taking religion to the extreme.
My story is the exact opposite. I was touring the world as a secular DJ/entertainer. We did events with up to 100,000+ people. However, I eventually found that nothing was worth more than God. So, on Nov. 20th 2011, I canceled all of my secular events & went into the church... My sister, there has never been a better period of time in my entire life. I have no mega church, no riches, & I’m not famous anymore, but I have a committed relationship with the one true God of the universe & the salvation that he brings. Trust God my sister. It’s not too late to go back home. Believe God, more than you believe anyone else in this entire world, including yourself... Much blessings to you and yours, as you make your way back to the father #InJesusNameAmen 🙏
True salvation involves repentance amen.
Hallelujah!!!
@Brandy Pompeo Thank you sister that is true Love you will correct me if I am on the wrong path and encourage me to keep pressing on GOD bless you Sister. 😁
Those were beautiful words, God bless you.
I'm sure God's looking down on you saying "Well done my son" ...what a cool testimony!
Being born again and being a member of a church are two very different things.
The concept of born again has been around thousands of years before Christianity. It was just called something different. Their experience was just as real and joyful. The buddhist taught this hundreds of years before Christianity just worded differently. It's nothing new or unusual unless God simply ignored them. I'm an atheist in general but not as dismissive as some of them. I worked with the handicapped and people have told me they see God in me. I asked what?! Perhaps I'm born again and just dont know it! Even atheists can then be born again! I didn't let them know. I left it alone. Very interesting. Truly love and take care. I mean that. Take care from Lee.
@@leegleissner9771 Well you misunderstood the meaning of born again, in Christianity it means you surrender everything and accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior..you turn away from your sins based on the 10 commandments.. All men sinned, we all fall short. It is because of our sinful nature. That is why Jesus died in the Cross for all of us to "save us" because the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life. He wants you to come back because he loves you so much brother/sister.
as you said you are an athiest..so you believe nothing created everything?? thats just weird haha
Pastor Christopher Pabai ..Nice . Praise the ALMIGHTY GOD CREATOR Of HEAVEN AND EARTH...Too many ILLUMINATI SATANIST'S NWO SODOMITE'S BAPHEMET DEMONIC in these Prosperity Pimps SATANIST'S NWO Government, fake church.
You are so right. But sadly today alot of people dont really understand what true christianity is. I see it all the time. Some of them are inside the churches, and some dont even go to church. They need to hear the real message of salvation. Thats not being taught much anymore. This is the new modern western gospel.
@@leegleissner9771 Its no possible to be born again and an atheist at the same time. Thats like saying black is white and white is black. You sound confused. Get a Bible and read the gospel of John. Maybe you will understand the truth and be really born again. I hope so.
I’ve lost my faith in the church BUT my faith in God has never been stronger! I thank God for all of our (many) trials! They have only served to bring my husband and so closer to God! 😇
The problem with a lot of churches in North America is that they're so institutionalized. Even to the point where becoming more worldly and more attractive. Pastors like Joel Osteen who preach prosperity gospel and not truth from the word of God.
We do not have any right to judge them what so ever. I am a Christian but what i do believe in is having a relationship with God. Not so much the religion aspect to where we have to follow all his rules but to let God know me and to let God in. But yeah we should not condemn her and her family but have open arms to welcome them back in if they would like.
Noel Dancel I don’t think most people know that Christianity is about the relationship with you and God but they think it’s about the Religion and following all the laws but we’ve got to tell them that Jesus loves them for who they are; no matter what they’ve done.
Noel Dancel exactly, I always hate it when they blame all churches for one specific church that shunned them. We are not all like that. And we’re sorry
Anthony Torres thank you! That’s so true
What god
Anthony Torres i mean there are laws to follow, and he makes them so that he stays center in our lives and that we don’t stray from him. But we all stray from him and sin and that’s reality, it’s impossible to be perfect, and its a battle we gotta fight together as one
Bad things don't happen to good people?? Job lost everything and he was considered the most righteous man in his time. Jesus is literally the Son of God and he was crucified. Not sure what book they are reading in that "mega church" but we can safely say it was not the Bible.
"Bad things don't happen to good people??"
*WOW! Come out swinging with a strawman. She never stated that bad things don't happen to good people.*
"Jesus is literally the Son of God"
*Evidence your ridiculous claim.*
@@AsixA6 actually that was the entire basis of her apostasy.
I agree. I say this couples doubt is normal, however their approach to it was bad.
*No, it wasn't. She said nothing about good people having bad things happen to them. Do you even realize she still believes an invisible magician exists? You'll notice that she never said she stopped being a theist and numerous people here have commented that she's still stuck in the delusion that magic is real.*
Shut up, Anthony. Go laugh at women getting punched in the face like a good ole Christian boy.
Hopefully if buzzfeed is truly honest and objective news they'll also interview someone who has gone in the opposite direction (unchurched but found God) I can promise you that from my experience their stories are far more interesting.
Perhaps her interview was edited with a specific agenda in mind?
Like Unbelief in God is a Life Success Story now? Oh God.
I can assure you that it is not their agenda or in their best interest. Society and mass media at large are more concerned and interested in "loosing their religion and BELIEF in GOD" nowadays. It's only convenient to profess a belief in God after a mass shooting, terrorist attack or natural disaster.
Why would doing that equate to "honest" or "objective"?
@@BimboYerro Of course it is, religion is a terrible thing
Going to a church makes you a Christian as much as standing under a garage makes you a car.
So are you making fun of us or the video us i mean. Chistin
@@AndyACD Neither. Personally to me there are no 'us' or 'them'. We are all in this charade, together.
Church is a group not a building
Olivia Baird he is just trying to say you don’t necessarily have to go to church to believe in god, to be Christian.
Christian religion as religion is inseparably
with tradition.
Its important that people seek on their own. I wasn't raised in church. Jesus saved my life. But.. Jesus without the holy spirit is just a religion. We can't do it without the helper. Many Christians don't even know what that means. All it takes is a heart humble enough to say God help me know the truth. He will bring someone to you. That's for all of you who won't even give God a chance. True Christianity is absolutely beautiful.
Amen I agree
Yes yes and Yes! Christianity without the Holy Spirit is like a bird with no wings! Just a religion!
Amen also spell the Holy Spirit with capital letters it shows you fear God 🙃
Who did he bring to you?
Mormons dont believe in the holy spirit and jehovahs. They think its just a figment of imagination. They also believe in a mother of God, and certian structural things you cannot do. She wasnt trying to sound biblical she was just sharing an opinion. But I am a Church of England worship leader, so I wouldnt set what I said in stone.
It’s because you were listening to the church and not to god...don’t follow religion. Christianity is about your relationship with the lord. plus jesus came for the sick people which are us the church people so not everyone at church is prefect.
Christianity is literally a religion.
Maksie0 it’s about your relationship with the lord not by following religion....
But the belief that this god exists in the first place is a religious belief. And how do you have a relationship with something that is undetectable?
Maksie0 can you detect the air your breathing? The answer is No.
it’s the same thing, you can’t detect god unless you accept him as a savior. Let me give you another example...can you get a hair cut with out going to the barber? No, same thing with Jesus, you can’t experience him if you don’t go to him.
You can absolutely detect air. We can study the exact molecules that make up the air we breathe, we can fill a balloon with it, you can even store it in a tank and use it to breathe underwater! And yes, you can get your hair cut without going to the barber! Literally just hand a pair of scissors to a friend you reasonably trust! Did you think these analogies through?
Mega church doctrine is not the true word of God... it’s new age belief, compromise. It’s a rock concert that motivates people with a sprinkle of Jesus.
Dominic Gomez “A Ted Talk with a Bible verse”
It's honestly the same reason everytime. Never let the church interfere with your relationship with God
I think that as children grow up, it's extremely important to allow them to explore and question rather than blindly accept what they have been told. Obviously, most parents are raising their children with values and beliefs that they truly think are best for them. Personally, my parents are religious but I am not. I think it's extremely hard for parents to allow or accept questioning when it comes to religion, but to me it would make the faith much more meaningful and valuable if you question and truly understand *why* you believe what you believe.
So true!
Everyone is religious one way or another. You are not clear about what you mean by your parents being religious. But Christianity, being the awesome truth that it is, encourages questions, learning and apologetics. Anyone that says otherwise hasn't read the Bible.
This should apply to everything though not just religion. People don't want you to question other things like science and history n such. Science has been disproven several times in certain areas (such as flat earth or the way time works etc) and history can be misleading or it can omit information (like black slave owners). People everywhere want us to blindly believe in lots of things so that we can be controlled (usually to gain political power). We should question everything.
You covered everything I think! I completely agree.
I believe in God but I must say I also agree. Obviously if you have children and you are of a certain religious belief, you will encourage that lifestyle in your houshold, but let your kids understand it. Dont just tell them to believe it. I grew up in a very strict religious household and very sheltered. I never really "left the church", but i did have my points of doubt and questions. I had to do mh own personal understanding to come to what I believe after watvhing many debates, getting INTO many debates, and just reading up the bools myself. I never would have been able to have the relationship with God I do now if i just blindly went with things and kept being a pew warmer. We have too many people who say they are of a certain religion or belief and dont care to know why or how to answer the major questions. I dont think you have to be a scholar to who knows the absolute tiniest details, but at least take some time to reflect and reach out and think with an unbiased mind. God bless.
Buzzfeed, why do you falsely misrepresent Lisa in your video here? She is not an atheist according to her Instagram response to your video. She still believes in God, so your video's entire premise is false.
@Marcos Estevez how
Buzzfeed does things like this on purpose. They use clickbait for viewership.
@Marcos Estevez Edgy
The video doesn't say that she's atheist either
Just like Buzfeed
THE TRANSACTION MODEL IS NOT BIBLICAL.
You cannot pray your problems away, you can only have assurety that where you are and where you're going is the best path for you and those around you.
Trust in God, and lean not on your own understanding.
That's exactly what she said, genius.
Repent vile Christian. You are all in denial and choose to follow false gods. May our great Flying Spaghetti Monster have piety on your souls. Ramen!
@A theism That's really condescending.
@@jen4264 It's not my fault you choose to worship false gods.
You think the Jews trusted in God in those camps?
*Buzzfeed literally cut out all the important parts to make her seem like an atheist*
Is it possible to see the original cut?
@@jeremycorporan4810 nope. Im pretty sure this woman later said in a post that Buzzfeed is trying to make her look bad. Typical of buzzfeed.
She is tho isn't she?
@@Marcus-mk3sd i don't think so
Buzzfeed is not known for accuracy.
My son died 28 of allergic reaction to some medicine that he took. He left behind three children and a beautiful wife. My daughter was in a scandalous court case where my whole family was under scrutiny. Suffering is part of every life including Christians. My encounter with the living God can never be changed. I’ve met the man Christ Jesus. I was atheist until I was 26. And one day the presence of God consume my living room when I was all by myself with no media on. And even when I want to get away he is there. I didn’t fall in love with a message or a organization or a church. I fell in love with Jesus
I am glad your faith has been a strength during your difficult time. Deepest condolences for the death of your son. The loss of a child is the worst pain a parent can feel. Look after yourself and your family. ❤
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Powerful testimony Mike Smith. No one doubts proof or convinctions of a personal encounter.
I got goosebumps reading this so true.Amen!
Truly touched by your comment. No Mather what you think, He is always there!!! I love that.
She found a church...she found a boy who was "very christian"...but she didn't mention if she sought and found Christ. Being a part of a church doesn't automatically make you a Christian. We must seek the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) and be born again (John 3:3) and this is only possible through Jesus Christ who is THE WAY, THE TRUTH amd THE LIFE. (John 14:6)
Yea...I feel her been so young also allowed for her naivety. You cannot hinge your faith on another person's faith.
fyber777 amen!
AMEN!!!
Amen
Amen
She was clearly religious and didnt really had a relationship with God. she basically said that she believed that if you prayed more you get blessings. and at the end she said this happens in every religion. but i cant blame her though, growing in a strictly christian environment and big megachurches tend to stray away from deeper relationship with God and more on works and rules which is really sad.
N D like I’m thinking that too like I literally have questions about the faith and wonder but it’s hard for me to deny a relationship ship with God (eternity is something not to take lightly and to be honest I’ve had things happen supernatural things)like a personally relationship meaning him walking with you in day to day life always guiding . Encouraging strengthen I. Different ways whether through post on Facebook that touches your heart , hearing a word sermon that you needed or Him literally speaking to me or a dream I had or His Holy Spirit a great gift talking with me
I have doubts but I guess I’m sort of on Crux near hereticism but like I’m just going to seek
Matthew 7:7-9
Notice she did not mention like Him speaking to her
? Did she not by herself one to one cry out to God or talks with him had she not waited for Him to speak back with her
It’s drives me a bit crazy because it’s not like it can’t be done (hearing Him)
I remember being mad At God about ( maybe it was related to worries of hell something like that)and based on what I was told to do to hear Him,
Literally was in my bed crouched down and waited as quiet as I could for awhile to Hear Him . eventually I heard Him speak and say something like or exactly like
“ I want my children to be strong and free and not coming to me in judgement “
I l feel she needs to seek to have a relationship with God hearing Him . Maybe she do any need to hear literally but like I mean considering the doubts she has and troubles maybe that would help her know he truth..
Like to connect with the living God!!
How can you "clearly" make a judgement call off of a 7 minute video?
You don't know anything about her. Take some time to hear her story and then make judgements... Or also just don't make judgments.
I can tell you that this video was edited in a way that hollowed out the story.
You can find more of it on The Liturgists Podcast or in her book "The Most Beautiful Thing I've Seen"
You don't know that. You have no idea if she had a "relationship".
Why is it sad? She's happy and free. Both her and her husband. That's sad? lol
I mean this in the most respectful and empathic way, but I agree with you 100%
Going to church DOESN'T make you a Christian its only a place to go on Sunday to worship Jesus
But church doesn't make you a Christian God does
Jesus did not want to be worshiped. Also directed us to God. He claimed oneness but that does not make you God. The arguments continue. The fall of man is an exposed myth. Take care from atheist/agnostic Lee.
Your faith makes you a Christian.
Going to church doesn't make you into a Christian any more than going to McDonald's makes you into a burger. She's full of herself, it's all about Me Me Me Me Me. Shameful.
For those who don't know, Lisa Gungor posted this on her Instagram the day after BuzzFeed posted this video:
To be clear, I am not an atheist, nor did I pastor a mega church. I was a music leader at a mega church, yes. Michael and I started a small church in Denver, yep. I struggled with belief A LOT, tried to be an atheist for a day (I failed). The video title was out of my hands and also out of the producers hands. I didn’t even know what the title was going to be. I wasn’t sure what to say about it yesterday or if it needed to be cleared up. I don’t think our stories are ever completely understood by everyone; sometimes you just let the story be, but this one was too misleading for me because actually, I see God everywhere. I understand why some people end up subscribing to Atheism, but to say I did would be so far from the truth. A lot of what I said was cut out for sake of time, and I didn’t have say over what was kept and what was taken out. I do love a lot of what was kept in. It’s a catchy title for sure.
Ok, thanks that make a lot of sense. So if you want to say something say it on your Twitter or RUclips account. Just like Trump does it. So no one will twist your words and meaning of them.
Thanks man!!
How on earth do you “try” to be an atheist for a day? You don’t have to do anything to be an atheist, so “trying” to be one is categorically incorrect.
I say you have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s the indoctrination of religion that leads you to believe that everyone MUST believe in something no matter what position they take, they teach you that humans are naturally made for worship. But evidently it’s not true.
She should consider Christianity.
Love you brother. Amen God's everywhere. People make excuses for sin
"my faith has been a transaction. if i'm good enough or i pray enough or if i believe enough...then i get blessings...a baby...a good life. that's not how life is." That's also not what the Gospel is either. It's actually the exact opposite of the good news of Jesus and her description of her Christianity really demonstrates that she did not have a deep and intimate enough understanding of her relationship with God - who in his word makes clear that his love for us is not performance based at all.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and thi sis not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
Amen
I Absolutely Agree With You
I also found that odd, whatever happened to the verse “in this world you will have trouble..” I was always raised to expect some hardship and that our relationship with God oscillates (as is the case in any relationship). Granted, this is easier said than done but as a pastor, shouldn’t she have known this?
Truth!!
Didn't read her Bible enough!
dedmanic I completely agree with you. God bless you for this revelation
this makes me sad...if the church made you stop believing in God then you weren’t believing in God you were believing in church.
Or maybe how the church "believes in God" is actually not doing it right and turns people off, yes?
They were believing in a different God, a different perception of God that was presented by that church. For example, they believed that if you pray enough God will give you a child, that relationship with God is like a deal, the better Christian you are the better things you can expect. Gungors realized it's not true.
They believe in church instead of God
Well done the church then.
The bible stopped me from believing in a god.
She lost her faith in the megachurch? Faith never starts with a church or a pastor including a warm-and-fuzzy congregation or music program. In faith the target is always Jesus Christ nothing more nothing less! 😲
E/YBARRA----Who tells me what holy scripture means ? There are thousands of churches that disagree on the what HIS sacred words mean. Do I make up my own church like all the other ones ?
Ernesto Ybarra amen!
The church seems to have lost sight of that when they tell people things like they told her, which is why she drifted away from the church. Drifting away from the church isn't the same thing as drifting away from God if the church fails to practice what they preach.
@@Outoftheboxhomeorganizing Indeed always exercise discretion in what is being preached especially outside the Scriptures
Buzzfeed literally edited it that way and had misleading titles
WAIT!!!!!! I am CONFUSED!!!!!!! In this video it seems that she no longer believes in God. In her INSTAGRAM, she says from her page, "To be clear, I am not an atheist, nor did I pastor a mega church. I was a music leader at a mega church, yes. Michael and I started a small church in Denver, yep. I struggled with belief A LOT, tried to be an atheist for a day (I failed). The video title was out of my hands and also out of the producers hands. I didn’t even know what the title was going to be. I wasn’t sure what to say about it yesterday or if it needed to be cleared up. I don’t think our stories are ever completely understood by everyone; sometimes you just let the story be, but this one was too misleading for me because actually, I see God everywhere."
From what I have seen onlibe, Buzzfeed is a pro-atheistic site that does not attempt to tell the truth, but splatters lies and creates stories and propaganda to get young adult views, and spread hatred.
Oh wow I thought watching the video and reading the video title was a mismatch. Nice try Buzzfeed what a fail!!! Talk about clickbait :(
That's why "Real Video" is taking so many away from you tube!!
What do u mean ? I checked her Instagram and i didn’t find anything
The_Player_ XD_1 It is a magenta color background with white letters saying, "CORRECTION In case you were wondering about the previous posted video...". She goes on to give a long explanation.
Everyone, THIS VIDEO IS VERY MISLEADING. Lisa Gungor herself explained in her band's instagram post that the interview was misleading. She did TRIED to not believe in God for A DAY. She clarified what actually her story is in her instagram. Buzzfeed, I'm so disappointed. I did not think that buzzfeed would go this LOW.
Do you know what buzzfeed is? It's in the name it's creates drama that makes people buzz around then they feed it to you on a silver platter to get money
yea that makes sense.. it's just that it's very unethical to spin someone's story like this.. i get it if it was just a clickbait, but this is just pure sabotage.
Wow really? Dam
This needs more likes. Pathetic clickbait from BuzzFeed (not that we should be surprised)
Wow
The most divided comment section I've seen in a while, and for obvious reasons.
Dont call yourself an idiot. Be more compassionate toward yourself.
Carlos Parra well said!😂🤣😂🤣
This video is misleading, Lisa herself clarified this in her band's instagram post. She did not lose her faith. go to @gungormusic
Religion is not a transactional process. Prosperity Gospel let her down.
Genuinely I ask, it's not? From the outside it very much looks like one. A million billion sacrifices big and small from benign to unconscionable made for thousands of years so some god will make the crops grow or ensure victory in battle or answer a prayer.
@@davethompson1687 He meant Christianity is not a transactional process. God is not a genie in a bottle. He has his own will which is perfect. So if we are in control of everything by works, there is not point in God. Jesus did many good deeds. He healed the paralytics, lepers, and the lame, but they still spat on him, mocked him, and crucified him. You can also look at other people in the Bible which were persecuted for serving God.
Cheap grace, Jesus is costly
I would like ur comment but it has 69 likes
@@xavierbondwe4877 very well put :)
I'm a Christian but these megachurches just isn't what Christianity is about.
They're definitely not. Mostly about money and power. At least from my experience. I left one, too, after, giving five strong years.
Yep! so sad
*You people need to learn what a 'no true Scotsman' fallacy is.*
It seems safe to say that giving to Joel Osteen's church is a sin.
You folks haven't been reading your Bibles closely, eh?
Nowhere in Scripture does it mention a small congregation (or larger) is "more obedient" to the Lord. Where do you even get that nonsense?
Look at the assembly in Jerusalem, which grew from 12 "members" to roughly -- according to scholars -- fifty-thousand (in Acts) "members." We don't see any rebuking of that Jerusalem congregation. What is seen is the Temple could no longer hold the sheer number -- and house meetings began to occur. By Acts 15 the Jerusalem congregation is enormous.
Stop reading your ideas in the Text in order to sound spiritual -- and just allow the Bible to speak for itself. God's Word doesn't need any assistance.
As a Christian, I appreciate her honesty. Faith without doubt is not faith at all, it is blind orthodoxy. So it is healthy to have a "measured" amount of doubt. Our doubts help us appreciate the faithfulness of God. However, doubt is not a virtue ultimately. When we look solely at a concentration camp or a sick baby, everyone would become an atheist. Too few today are comfortable with tension between two seemingly competing ideologies: a God who is good and human suffering. Most assuredly, they do not compute on this side of heaven. As a pastor, I have doubts how they mesh. I often do not see what God sees when He looks at the world. And yet, I know God is real. I know He is good and more often than not, we are not good (as seen by the Christian comments in this thread). We too often prove God right: we need grace, day after day. We are lost. We are sheep. and God loves us.
Doubt is absolutely a virtue. When there's not sufficient demonstrable evidence for something, doubt is all you should have. And the existence of concentration camps should absolutely make you doubt the idea of a benevolent, omnipotent god.
Concentration camps make me completely doubt people, but not God...not entirely. I have more faith in God than in humanity.
If someone has the ability to effortlessly and instantly stop the holocaust from happening, but chooses not to, what do we call that person?
God was there in their suffering, as He is with us in each of our own trials we face. There is justice here on earth (flawed as it may be); there is also perfect justice after this life. God may not have intervened as we would have wished, but there is absolute judgement for those men who carried out the Holocaust. The question of "Why didn't God stop _____?" could be repeated ad nauseam for a whole host of examples. The question of "Why is everything so bad?" isn't the correct question. The more correct question is, "Why isn't everything WORSE?" Its amazing we can experience beauty, love, grace, or life at all.
God gives free will, without it we would be automatons, but unfortunately in a world where men and women can become saints, they also have the proclivity to become the worst demons of hell.
Where was God in the Holocaust? He was hanging on a cross, suffering along with His people. And just as He is risen from death, so too we also may rise if we so choose.
+Maksie0 We hold our tongue in awestruck respect, and we listen to what he actually has to say.
An intelligent human being, is one who knows when to shut up. I wouldn't start accusing someone who is obviously 1,000,000,000 times more intelligent, and 1,000,000,000 times more powerful than me. I'll shut my mouth and listen, because that's how you get wisdom; by listening to someone smarter than yourself.
She never said those words, “I stopped believing in God after I pastored a mega church.” Once you have heard her testimony you know the title in itself is click bait. I don’t like how Buzz-feed has done this. But they’re creating a buzz and I hope people are touched in the most united way. No same believer believes in the exact same thing. Even our convictions are different. I mean honestly, has anyone seriously sat down and counted the number of denominations the church has??? God has called us to “love thy neighbor as we would love ourselves” that includes loving without judgment or at least attempting to. God bless her for her honesty even though it’s bittersweet. Faith is a work in progress. Complete faith is what we aim to have our whole lives but it’s not something that many can say they have. That’s why life is considered “long-suffering”. It’s hard and it’s beautiful and it has many hard lessons.
Only heard her say the husband said he didn't bliv in God anymore. Clickbait.
This is probably the most truthful statement on this dialogue. PRAISE GOD.
Amen! We are all a work in progress, and God didn't create robots and doesn't expect us to be robots, either! We question people, God, other Christians and even the Bible. God knows we will do this. Christians are all different as all human beings are. Pray, faith, relationship with Jesus and Bible study are very important. A good church is, too.
I agree and I am an agnostic/atheist...and I am happy that way :)
...you'd think an all powerful benevolent being would have made things a bit clearer...?...
I’ve spent the last year plus really delving into my relationship with God deeply. Do you know what I learned? I can pray for what I want until I am blue in the face and never get an ounce of it.
That doesn’t mean I don’t believe in God. I tried. I felt like I was trying to strong arm God into getting what I wanted. But, as my relationship deepened with God I realized who I was in relation to him. I was a child who was trying to tell God I knew what was best for me. My prayers changed when I realized this. God’s not a wish granting genie. He’s the creator of the universe and I am but a child.
The wisest man in the Bible, Solomon, in his prayer referred to himself as a child. If the wisest man called himself but a child to God, that makes me an infant. A newborn. I can pray for what I want, but the only prayer that matters is the prayer of obedient submission to the will of the one who made and loves me and knows what’s best for me. I can trust him no matter what happens to me because he will work it all out for his good, if not in this life the next.
Love this. So true and I'm ministered to by this. Thank you 😊
you do know you can make your own choices, as Jews say, the last time God told them what to do, he was voted out, like your relationship with God doesn't have to be one of submission, like Christians and Muslims don't know that they have a godgiven right to be mad at God, to argue with him, to be friendly with him to have other gods and to be free from god
nromk You completely missed the point
beautiful
Thanks everyone for the nice replies. Honestly, this is something I need to remind myself of a lot even now. I’m glad that God could use my words to minister to you all.
Now make a why I started believing in God video
Mary Pauline Palacio doubt it, they would get to much backlash, even the do called 'diverse' buzzfeed are to scared to make a video about God. They too scared of atheists getting triggered. If they do, God bless them!
Why would they? It’s a video to give emphasis on something taboo that is rarely ever shown or spoken of. People believing in god is super common and not at all taboo so showing a video of someone finding god is not an uncommon and rare thing that will reach people that usually can’t be reached by regular exposure to society. Stop derailing the conversations.
We are talking about atheism and lack of faith. You don’t go onto videos about breast cancer and ask why they haven’t mentioned skin cancer or ovarian cancer, do you? It’s because they’re trying to bring awareness to what people don’t commonly know
Why should they? It's over-saturated with stories like that. Every single religious person could tell you those stories. They even hunt you down the street to try and convince you. Buzzfeed chose to represent those with no support, no mega worldwide religion to back them up. No one is telling their stories of becoming atheist. Buzzfeed wanted to give the perspective of that, because there are tons of "why I believe in god" stories but nothing the other way. Why can't you religious people EVER respect others? Why can you never respect and accept that not everyone wants to be part of your mega corporation/religion? Stop sulking, and stop demanding attention when this video isn't about you. Ugh.
YES PLEASE. do you want to make one, seriously though, i really want to help if that's the case. #pleasecallmeajesusfreak
Mary Pauline Palacio lol they won’t do that. They only want to push their own agenda. Buzzfeed freaking sucks. Haha
This just tells me she never understood the concept of Grace. She was following what other people told her was supposed to be right but never found her true conviction. Being a believer and a Christian has never been about a church system, the church is made of flawed people, the promise of being a Christian is never that you will be ok, it's quite the opposite, you will find joy in a life full of mistakes and even dark places. I do think that mega churches and some of the crap it's being said in some of them just leads people to believe that if you do X, Y and Z you will have everything figured out.... and it's far from the truth. It saddens me but... oh well.
REALationship y'all
YES. I WAS JUST GONNA SAY THIS.
AMEN
YES! Agreed!
She was never given the concept of grace. I hope she meets some old lady or some individual who can approach her about the real concept of grace. People can give you the concept of grace, but it's you who define what grace is.
There's a difference between religious and having a relationship with God.
If you do not have a relationship with God youre not really religious
Haa? You just describe the definition of religious
Yea difference is if you have a one on one relationship with "God" your just delusional by yourself...
Amen!!!
Amen
Your faith should not have been in the church or yourself to begin with. Your faith should be in Christ alone. I hope that it is now.
God is still on his throne 🙌🏾🙌🏾 and the church is NOT his throne!!
Trish Saint Amen !!!
When the church is mentioned in the bible, its not talking about a building it's talking about the people who come together in fellowship to worship God.
@@vonicabuki7377 yes I know but this video is talking about the religious definition of church, not biblical and my comment is in reference to that!
Atheism :)
PolarBear :3 No, but the Church, the real and true Church (hence the capital C) is the Body of Christ, and He is coming back for a perfect Church without spot or blemish.
I am used to way below average content from BuzzFeed... But this is actually good.
This and "Worth it"... Everything else is just pathetic RUclips survival
You're only saying that because it's about someone disowning their faith
Atheist ? No... In fact the personification of god bothers me. I believe in Mother Nature and the science behind her, with a touch of the communicating trees and ancestors from Avatar(James Cameron)
hacklex974 wtf are u saying
@@miguelcanabrava4414 They're explaining how they're not an atheist and their beliefs. Honestly, I found it pretty easy to understand
Honestly i think she just had misrepresented thoughts of what being a Christian actually is
How obtuse are you to tell her what HER thoughts and ideas were??
Kaleb R - What do you mean? Where?
No I’m pretty sure this is an accurate representation of the ridiculousness of church based Christianity.
If you pray to god he will totally let your football team win this Sunday but he won’t do anything about starving children or children experiencing child abuse.
you all know Faylin's comment makes sense and it's something that is blatantly apparent in today's world. Most religious people seem to turn a blind eye on this logic though perhaps reality isn't something that everyone can swallow.
Why do Christians always say this? Like, if Christianity doesn’t work, it’s just that you’re doing it wrong. How do you know they’re doing it wrong?
Imagine if we did that with anything else: “this medicine is amazing! It always works! And if it doesn’t, it’s because you’re doing it wrong.”
This video breaks my heart, and the comments to this video even more so. Too many people making statements about them and their faith that are completely ungrounded.
If you are Christian and truly care about this family, pray for them and let them know that they are loved. What good does it do to make claims like “if they ever believed or not?”
How about we focus on displaying the Gospel in our actions (and comments) and praying that God may work miracles through that?
I am pretty sure most of them are praying for her and her husband. They aren't judging her, they are just speaking the truth of Christianity. They, including me, want to lead her into the right direction. The prosperity gospel is a very manipulating path to go down, and you must have a very twisted up tremendous faith to believe that believing in God would give you a good Earthly life with all the riches you've ever wanted. Jesus doesn't want us to get comfortable with the world, rather to get comfortable in heaven where our permanent "settlements" will be.
I thats why i stopped follow church beliefs but listen to God himself. I had to stop giving pastors and church a place higher than God.
KXNG KXNG he speaks to mike pence too
KXNG KXNG player, you dont know that God speaks? you still behind. u think a phone is the only communication tool? read the bible and found out how the old apostles spoke to God.
Rach Elle tonyevans.org will give you strong spiritual food. I encourage you to listen to the messages.
KXNG KXNG he speak through signs and people it's like talking in codes. If you cant see them or even in touch with his presence then you wouldn't hear him
My friend, whilst partially I agree, do not forget that the church has been established by Christ himself and we are his body. Jesus without Church cannot be. But yeah, Jesus should be the head and not the other way round.
What do megachurches have to do with GOD? You missed his message. You are the temple.
This.
C G god isn’t real sweetie
C G 💯
Yes, believer are the temple of the Holy Spirit....
Don't be discouraged be these comment. You speak the truth not that they hate it But they are in doubt....
Aubrey William "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." - Psalms 14:1
Lost my faith in "the church"...
Faith was in the wrong place...
I heard people saying they purposely left out the fact that she is still a Christian and she just doesn't agree with the MegaChurch, which I don't as well. It's buzzfeed, what do you expect?
Zack Hughes that’s not what she meant. What she’s saying is that she lost her faith in their ability to spread the word effectively
Zack Hughes Oooh THIS is good. 🙌🙌
I admire their honesty and the fact that they faced their doubts and misconceptions about God! Many people just believe something blindly without questioning it. Sad that when you express those doubts or fears, many times you're osrisized or shunned for it!
Christianity is not a transactional deal with God, you were badly taught. Its not " if I do good, God must make my life perfect". No, look at Job, look at the apostles .... All had awful torment or persecution, your faith is not dependent on how blessed your life is, your faith must be in God, irrespective of how your life story goes, good or bad.
Noel Myburgh this comment has impacted me. Thank you for writing this. God bless you.
"not a transactional deal with God"
Is there no longer any covenant?
" look at Job,"
If her story was reversed and blessings had her turn to a God, would she be equally wrong?
@@gusb232 if her outcome was reversed she would erroneously believe she is blessed due to her upholding her part of the "deal". Transactional Christianity is a false teaching of works, it stems from prosperity preachers like Copeland and faith healers like Benny Hinn, the idea is you are healed or prosper if you have sufficient faith and give financially to them. If you remain sick or poor, or have problems its all on you, you dont have enough faith, never gave enough money. It puts milliins of people under condemnation, and they dare not complain because then they are making a negative confession, which they think creates the bad situation. Very bad theology.
"stems from prosperity preachers "
Sure those are examples ,But like snake handling churches doesnt it stem from the bible to some degree? Doesnt the Bible promise an inheritance more than the world if you follow its teachings?
Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time
@@gusb232 finish the scriptural reference
As a Christian, it is okay to doubt, it is fine to experience the full rage of the human emotional spectrum that ranges from fear to peace. Interestingly what matters is your relationship with God, not religion and that my friend MUST be personal. There is no other way to go, it is based on Grace NOT works. #GRACE !! (screaming like only a Nigerian could) so stop trying so hard, Christ died for me (and you) even before I came into existence therefore I can't really do anything to impress Him and He doesn't even want me to. All God wants from us is a personal relationship with Him no Strings attached. None whatsoever.
"Doubt"??
Scripture says "Believe on the Lord, Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Not "Doubt on the Lord, Jesus Christ."
If you don't believe it enough to live it.. need to get your money back 'cause you bought the wrong plan.
Prince Harming ~ Ok, calm down, man.
Doubt is different from having questions...
Nobody says "doubt on the Lord". All that we're saying, doubt is a good thing, that means you're thinking, but it's also crucial, because just a slight misinformation would turn you to the other way.
Actually, it is never okay to doubt. Doubt means you do not trust God when you say you do. Doubt is from Satan. And the book of James says anything less than faith is sin, and without faith we can never please God
I believe in God, but not in organized religion. Religion is a restriction. It tells you what to do, and how to do it, when they're just people making the rules (not everything that happens in the church is holy, anyway). I believe in God, but I don't have to do something if I don't want to do it. God isn't telling me to do all the things the church says or does! God respects my decisions. That being said, I respect what everyone believes in, as long as it does not hurt or put anyone in uncomfortable positions :) Long live freedom of opinion :D
You either have to believe in all of it or none of it. There is no middle ground.
@@Shaw4444 God is not a religion though. I just believe in him. I don't have to go to church to believe in him. He's not forcing anyone to do anything or go anywhere. So I don't have to.
I totally agree. I left organised religion because I knew God wasn’t the way they portrayed Him to be. You should feel nothing but free in your faith, not bound by a community or way of life. And you owe no one an explanation for the way you want to believe in Him. God knows your heart and that’s all that matters!
Equus Lu why would God make us n want us to believe in him without any authority? We need a text which he has sent down to follow so we don’t fall into sin. If we don’t follow anything, we would all be doing whatever we liked, eg stealing
@@resilientum Cue applause 👏👏👏 I agree entirely.
It looks like she fell in love with the church and not Jesus 🤔☹️😔
Pretty sure it's the opposite, but BuzzFeed doesn't want you to know that of course
Wrong Adlin. She did love Jesus Christ which isn't even his authentic name. Letter J did not exist in his language. I dont reject Yeshua as a man. Certainly not but I still dont believe in God. I believe in the goodness if humanity wherever you may find it. God? I thank God every day that he doesnt exist. We are God because we do the action. No evidence God does anything. This is not a new age idea. It is the oldest. I doubt there is anything more than this life. Love you all anyways from Buddhist oriented agnostic Lee.
@@leegleissner9771 right bud.
I think the opposite happened. She fell in love with Jesus, but the religious church made her not to focus on the Jesus she fell in love, but in their religion and their Jesus.
@@leegleissner9771 where does she say she loves Jesus?
Relationship Not Religion. Grow in Christ not the church.
Why do so many Christians try to pretend Christianity isn't a religion?
Maksie0 Maksie0 Who said im pretending! Lol you are right! Christianity is considered a religion but my point is many Christians focus on the religion aspect of their faith and the people that fall within that religion rather than focusing on a relationship with Christ and what it means to follow Christ. This is something I’ve been learning lately myself. Its not about church its about Christ although Christ can be within the church! :)
Why do so many people try to believe that Atheism isn't a religion? (Please do me and yourself a favor and do some research before answering!)
Atheism is a lack of belief in theistic claims. A single position on a single issue. How is that in any way a religion?
Religion means relationship. Christ founded a Church. How can you love the King and not do your part to grow His Kingdom?
I believe in God but not religion its a man-made construct to keep people under a democracy or controlled.
This is the most likes I have ever gotten thanks for all the love and participation in the comment section ❤️
Jacinta Religion is used to control people and a lot of people (not all people) use it to spread hate to people who are different. Like gay people, or pro-choice people, or people who are of a different religion. I believe it can be a beautiful thing, until people use it against each other and as a way to spread hate.
@@lj4969 you seem to be missing his point,grammar police..both religion and so-called "democracy" are and have been controlling factors for the masses for a long time..religon longer than democracy but BOTH are malignant tumors on society,they have both brought pain and suffering to humanity..I believe in a higher power,but I am not religious..religion is man's laws disguised as the laws of the Great Creator,spirituality actually ARE the laws of the Great Creator..and that is not "new age" BS,many ancient cultures knew about these universal laws
Agreed.
Zack M., what you've said is true of any social grouping, not only religious. It is the nature of individuals aggregating and the dynamics of identity and exclusion that define the group. The "hatred" may not be against the people who practice homosexual behaviors. If you listen objectively, not from a prejudiced mind of how you think they are hating, you might hear them say, "Love the sinner, hate the sin." Now, if the sinner holds onto the sin and the Christian hates the behavior and actions, then that judgement appears to be directed at the sinner. However, if that sinner stops sinning, then he or she will be embraced to demonstrate the Christian loved that person all along, but could not condone their actions.
Don't you think you should say good things about Adolf Hitler and not condemn him? After all, he is a person with a different belief than you. Just accept him and love him, even though he wants to destroy every person of the planet who does not fit his mold of what you externals should look like... examining even your DNA? Do you get my point? A homosexual may believe his actions are not immoral, but that does not exclude them from being immoral. Not only that, if the Christian believes they are immoral actions you cannot judge and hate the Christian for hating those actions and refusing to accept the one doing them, until that person stops. The Christian has the freedom to judge and behave and associate with those he or she wishes to. For you to limit the Christian's freedom on this point is to limit his or her Constitutional Rights to Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Association.
Sunshine Hornick, these institutions cannot in and of themselves do anything. People hurt people and that is the Christian message. Since people have sin influencing their decisions, when you aggregate people together who are still operating under that influence to hurt others, then the hurt will be larger and often targeting groups of people identified by some commonality. This behavior is social and is seen in any aggregation of humans operating under the influence of sin, even in many churches that have lost the teachings of distinguishing the influence of the carnal mind versus the leading of the Spirit of cleanness to the point of terrifying (meaning of the Greek word for Holy). John Wesley tried to recover this through his methodical discipleship, St. Ignatius of Loyola tried to teach others through his Spiritual Exercises, and many others have tried to restore this teaching in the Church universal. God continues to raise up those who will guide believers in Christ back to this holiness of separating out the differences between the carnal mind and the mind led by the Holy Spirit.
I am living in the middle East. With all the hardships in living in a Muslim country when I'm Christian, I still have faith in God. Trails are a way to have a stronger relationship with God. please stay strong, and have faith. Have a good day♥
God bless u brother
This makes me so happy
I am from a church called light and life mission please look us up god bless
Tony Yohana You will be in my prayers. As followers of Yeshua (Christ) especially in those types of countries, it can be hard, but know that when He returns that He will crown you. Continue to trust in Him and live by the Spirit, and He will direct your path.
And now lets think about what it must be like for all those muslims living in Christian countries, because believe me or not, they face way more discrimination
That's what happens when we dream in Churches.
Faith comes from hearing ... Hearing the word of God..
@Pivos Pivepic my comment is bit harsh... I'm sorry for that ... People should go directly to God instead of any alternative. In the beginning of my faith I couldn't even understand single verse I was mad at God used to argue him and asked him directly that I'm a fool I can't understand this bible .. please help.. then . Behold.. god made noise Turned into music ...Because faith comes by hearing( understanding) from God.. I mean not literal voice sometimes if necessary he will... God be with you too... See you in heaven
Amen 💓💓
I think there's a difference between losing faith in God and redefining who God is to you. To me, God is a loving being who watches us make mistakes and still loves us when we screw up. God wants to embrace us in our sadness, and guide us when we're lost. But God also won't stop us from making mistakes, but instead use the opportunity to teach and mould us into wiser beings. Christians who use their 'faith' as a justification for persecution, judgement and hate truly sicken me. Identifying that I had a problem with some Christians behaviour and not God was a fundamental point in my faith journey. I want to hang out with the marginalised, love the lonely and house the homeless. That for me is the gospel message, and I don't have time to listen to those who want to segregate humanity according to who they believe to be worthy. I just want to love and help people.
Couldn’t have said it better thank you for this
Amen!
Amen
Amen Sarah!
Thank you!
Believing in God doesn't mean that you won't experience suffering. Suffering is a consequence of sin. She say's that she was constrained, but truly knowing Jesus as my Lord and Savior has left me feeling free. The grace of God is freely given---you aren't forced into believing in Him. When you assume that good works can bring you more blessing, you have the wrong idea of what following Jesus is all about.
April Cobb very true.
Long suffering is one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. . . so I disagree totally. Yah suffered and we have to as well. In our suffering we will reign with Him. All suffering is not because of sin. There is a cost to count up for following Yah( Jesus)
She followed man and things not Yah!!!
So, she found that what others told her wasn’t true....... that means that her belief was never built on the Bible but on what she was told by others. She never had a real relationship. She was only in it for the lights and cameras.
So easy to say that, like you know what's best for her. You have seen a 5 min clip and think you have her all figured out.We just need to accept where people are and pray God's will for them, not our flawed will.
Wow you know her so well from a 7min video. lol
The whole concept of spreading the gospel literally is believing what you are told by others
Except, you know, the Bible was written by man and isn’t the word of “god”. But Christians always ignore that fact.
Joe T you do realize the bible is what others said right?
I was in "ministry" for 25 years. After several terrible experiences of getting steamrolled by this thing we all call "church", I walked away. It's been 11 years since I consistently attended "church", but my faith in the Lord is alive and well. I think for me, leaving helped me to detox from all the toxic religiosity that exists in these systems we have declared to be "the way" to flesh out the life of a Believer. People have chastised me about my need for the body, but honestly, how much of "the body" do we really get to know in deep and meaningful ways at these services? We sit in rows, stand up, sit down (repeat x 10), then we leave smile, shake hands, and in our hearts know who our real tribe members are. I love the Lord Jesus and want to serve and love Him, but I'm not sure "church" is the best way to live out being His child in this broken world.
That's only proves what Stephen warned, in Acts: “But the Most High does not dwell in temples made by the hands of men… ” (Acts 7:48). Paul will repeat the same sound New Testament doctrine: "The God who made the world and all that is in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made by the hands of men" (Acts 17:24). That's why people is disappointed, in great anguish, with organizations because he associates God with organizations, but He is not there. Never been there. This is a biblical statement.
If you love Christ then you will love His church.
My parents were shunned for two years from everyone in their church because my mom confronted the Pastor of stealing from the tithing (which was found to be true). It caused my parents divorce and caused an unequivocal amount of stress on my family and I. My mom struggled with alcoholism due to the fact that she was a single mom with four kids, the fourth being diagnosed with a very rare genetic disorder that left her with endless questions, trials and little help. She hated the people that shunned her for two years then asked for her forgiveness after finding out she was in the right. She hated worshiping on a stage that represented everything opposite than what she believed the Christian faith to be. She hated the Christian church for 20 years and firmly believed that she would never step foot into a church again but.... never did she once believe that Jesus wasn’t her Lord and Savior. And after 20 years of being imprisoned by her own hatred she finally found freedom. She’s currently sober for one year and is involved in a church she is confident in; preaching the good word effectively and has only shown her love and respect even after her questioning. She’s inspired/helped hundreds of both single or married moms of kids with disabilities over the last 13 years and continues to give her praise to her constant provider, Jesus. She could go on and on about the moments of complete darkness of her addiction and how the only reason she’s alive today is because of God.
RELIGION makes us believe that we have to be perfect, be “good”, give everything we have to the church/world because we don’t deserve it, always have humility, can never stray away from our faith or the church, or can never question the Bible or even the staff at the Church. That is and never will be realistic and more importantly that’s not what God expects us to do. KNOWING JESUS is being kind, patient, loving, and forgiving yet knowing we are human and are allowed to be angry at times. It’s realizing that our blessings are gifts to use to bless others. It’s remembering that no matter how long we forget about, hate, resent, or question God, God will ALWAYS accept us with open arms. UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE is what teaches us to question our church staff (pastors, preachers, leaders) so that we don’t trust too much in man and be misguided. It reminds us that we should always find hope in darkness because we know God loves us so deeply that nothing we endure is only for the purpose of turmoil but to find clarity and bring us closer to Him and to others.
There are a lot of churches that I believe have become the downfall of the Christian faith. Though, once coming to truly know Jesus, rather than just knowing a church that claims to know Jesus, there is a part of you that could never revert your ways forever. Because you know in your heart that someone who gave his life solely to set you free from your heavy burdens of sin and guilt, could only love you more than anyone or anything else in the universe and would NEVER want you to feel burdened by the pressures of religion, the western world and it’s corrupted systems.
I hope the girl in this video remembers those moments of warmth that she felt when being near to Jesus. The moments that made God’s sovereignty real because there was no way something so perfect could be a coincidence. Remembering those full body chills when singing your favorite worship song and connecting to those lyrics so deeply you couldn’t help but lose it. When being on your knees one night and asking God why you’re going through this horrible situation and a week later God shows you exactly why. When you see something so perfect and beautiful that you can’t help but believe a perfect and beautiful creator constructed it flawlessly. Remember these moments because there’s nothing else in this world that will continue to give you these fulfilling, deep, vibrant, beautiful, complete moments.
Taylor Andrews Thank you SO MUCH FOR SHARING your TESTIMONY !!! Well Said and WELL Needed. May God continue to Strengthen you and your Family.
The problem is that it comes down to evidence, and there just isnt any. Please name one piece of evidence for the existence of your specific God.
Jared Guidry .... name one evidence of the non-existence of God
@@Jay-L33 Gotcha, cosmological argument, consensus for the resurrection, moral argument, fine tuning, etc.
@@rickc2172 Lol you need to learn what "evidence" is. Secondly, there is no such thing as a "consensus" for the resurrection anywhere outside of the faith based community.
I am very sorry that someone didn’t teach you the Gospel. Jesus’s love is not transactional. Nothing we do changes his love for us. That’s the beauty of it. Jesus loves us regardless. He blesses us regardless of prayer or “good works” The beauty of Christ is grace and grace alone. Love and being loved abundantly.
But if u don't believe you go the hell forever because something u do in the infancy of your existence some God
Antonia Okafor actually Jesus said you have to hate everyone to follow him including yourself. Go look that up since you know what he teaches. And maybe you’re African American so just am FYI your lovely Jesus also tells slave to submit to their earth masters as you would do thy lord your god. If you can’t find it I’ll send your the verses cause i want you to open your book and read it for yourself.
How can you tell someone who they are when you don't know who you are. That's a very "godly " image of you with guns. I guess a scriptures failed to mention a pistol packing Christ and his gun carrying disciples - but wait that would a militia group a band of racial extremist.
Kevin Jencins so I’m a good person
I never hurt anyone never did extreme bad things. I do good around me and to others. I help disabled people as
Well.
But I’m
Atheist. Your all loving god all righteous god
Will send me to hell because i felt like their was no evidence to prove he’s real?
We will be judged.
Seems like she didn't hear about Job.
The man who had his life ruined for a bet? Lovely story.
@@Maksie0 You don't understand it. That's okay most don't.
@@josephb5808
I completely see where you are going with Job..... he had his whole "world" torn apart.... and still cried out to God!
What about Jesus? He suffered more than anyone and paid the ultimate price.
You're all extremely heartless. Just because it's reasonable to expect people to suffer, it doesn't give you the right to drive more nails in.. It must be people like you who drove her out..
A good portion of mega churches today preaches the prosperity gospel.
Very sad indeed, but that's why they attract a big following.
You were fed the prosperity gospel. It's not the truth. The true gospel doesn't say, say it enough, believe it enough and it will happen. The bible speaks of suffering more than anything else. Joyful sorrow. Yet in the sorrow, He is the giver of peace. I am sorry you were hurt by the church. That hurts my heart. I hope that you will continue to read God's word and ask honest questions. Don't be afraid of the answers you'll find. Blessings to your beautiful family.
Yes! I was looking for someone who would say this! Its so sad that many so called Christians buy into this word of faith and prosperity gospel heresy! It just limits our view of God to that of a genie in the bottle! I wish she and her husband at least leaned a bit towards the good preachers or towards a bit of Reformed theology, particularly the concept of the Sovereignty of God! That would have given her a high view of God
Well said👏👏👏👏
The MegaChurch lifestyle and mentality suffocates real Christianity
And you know this how, how many mega churches have yoy attended and really gotten involves with
Clara G religion is a way for people to explain things they don’t understand
Christianity suffocates independent thought
Following Christ is the best thing that ever happened to me. I've been hurt by the church, cast aside, and judged (which doesn't even reflect the truth of the word even). It took me a while but I realized this is not the true church, which should concerns itself with serving others but instead focuses on maintaining/sustaining itself and it's power. But O when I read the WORD it's life and truth that establishes my steps, so I can follow in the footsteps of the One who gave it all to redeem me/us back to HIMSELF! Now this is worth building a life on!
Duane
The non-existence of God has NOTHING to do with the church being wrong and everything to do wit the fact that god doesn't exist, period.
I'm sorry but if you don't believe in God anymore because of a church, people and circumstances, you've never really known, believed or loved God to begin with. I avoided church and church people for years but I finally found an amazing church after I worked on my relationship with God. True Christianity is relationship with God and you've missed it completely. It's not believing 'a certain' thing it's about believing the word of God. Perfect love casts out fear and I pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth and love of God to you. Andrew Wommack - Living In God's Best and Believers Authority will be a good place to start. Many blessings!
Amen I know the holy spirit lives in me too he sustained me even when I messed up when you truly love God and are born again truly from your heart nothing can move you no circumstances in life!! Your filled with so much lights and love and peace religious practice don't give you that..it only leads you astray just like this woman we have to pray
Yes Carin, you know her heart! I thought only God did, but you're pretty special apparently.
You sound heartless. Do you think talking like that gets us off the hook when we lose souls?
Issue is you believed in the church.
And the word of God is Jesus
I was going to share my personal views in hopes of feeling less alone in them but then i looked through the comments and decided against it.
This is why I just express gratitude and journal every morning. That’s as far I get with spirituality
Harshil Patel I always see u in the comments
*You know that one Indian in the comment section*
Aww you always say really nice stuff
Harshil Patel Same here. It feels a lot more gratifying for me.
same
That's the problem with the mega churches, name it claim it preachers, and feel good preachers. They teach that we're in control of what God does by saying it or through works, but that's not the truth. It's grace by faith and we can petition God through prayer, but ultimately his will is done.
So naturally, when people aren't taught the truth they lose faith when it doesn't work for them. It's best to put religious ideology aside and dig into the word yourself.
With all due respect most people who cant believe for answer to prayer love to say Gods will be done. Only one place in the bible does it say this and that was Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane and he said farther take this from me but not my will but your will be done. Jesus already knew what he was going to do. The bible is clear if you believe and ask in Jesus name it will be given unto you.
@@rogerledoux4741 I totally believe God answers our prayers, but not always in the time or fashion we expect. I'm referring to the people that present God as their personal genie that grants their every wish because they commanded it. God is not our slave to be commanded. He answers our prayers because he loves us and wants to, not because he has to.
Best comment on here!
@Scott Johnston it's because they had a false sense of God, and actually their prayers were answered. They have two beautiful girls, but for now they don't see it that way. I hope and pray that they find God truly and can witness to people that are going through the same thing.
Amen!!!
Her "transactional idea of God" is so wrong on every level.
lmao how
Corban Philo It’s because she’s relying on a fake gospel. A transactional gospel to be exact. When you have your foundations rooted in a fake gospel, you can’t go anywhere and ultimately you turn away when bad things happen. Her church is a big at fault on this, and it’s unfortunate she had to experience this.
@@kshksh5033 Oh, so she's just Jesus-ing all wrong, and gosh, it's too bad she didn't consult you to find out how she's Jesus-ing wrong, so you could have set her straight and avoided all her doubt and eventual apostasy? Do you even half understand how absolutely prideful and mean-spirited and hateful you really are?
Kittens for Peace your over exaggerating..mean-spirited & hateful ? Not necessarily it’s simply truth not all truths are rainbows and unicorns, unfortunately for this women in the video she was drawn away by being in a church that didn’t share a bible centered gospel, the Bible talks about these kinds of church’s that are superficial and are only for show, and warms us Christians to stay away from them. It’s no wonder she apparently stopped believing in god when you’ve been in a superficial church. I’m sure she was earnestly searching for god but she had the wrong people guiding her. I’m only 20 years old and it wasn’t until last year that I became free from 4 years of drug addiction through the power of Jesus Christ, I wasn’t pressured by some church or told to recite some bible verses. But of true repentance/ a change of mind from my sinful life style. And in that I found true freedom in Jesus, being a Christian isn’t a happiness trip to be a Christian it takes courage you must be long suffering because as a Christian I suffer sometimes from things I don’t understand but I keep faith and things have always turned out good. Long suffering and patience is part of being a Christian, but when presented with a fake gospel people don’t understand this and thus they turn away from god.
Kittens for Peace Oh no I pissed someone off for telling her she’s incorrect. Why is there no tolerance for being corrected? Would you have be so reactive if I had said “you can’t drink soup with a fork”? You don’t have to be prideful to know if she’s correct or not. You just have to be able to distinguish a fake gospel from the rest. No I did not hate on her, and I especially didn’t tell her to rot in hell either, as many other Christians would have said to her. I’m not being hateful I’m telling her what she is saying is very wrong because the idea of a mutual deal with God is simply-impossible. She simply does not know what the true gospel is. If what she said was true, wow everyone would be happy in this world. Oh did I say she was wrong for doubting? I said her idea was wrong, can you read? It doesn’t matter what circumstances she has, if Lisa starts off the wrong foot, it’s impossible to go on unless she knows how to get back on track. Everyone experiences doubt. Doubt is part of a journey, and honestly I think you’re taking this way too subjectively.
A sad misinterpretation of Christianity.
How do you know Christianity is even the correct religion?
it's Buzz feed, what do you expect?
Isn't misinterpretation common?! God could of done a much better job.
Its a Wrong religion in the first place.
indeed.
I think what happened with this couple was that they were serving their church not serving God, I also think alot of people get wound up in the idea that you have to live a certain way for God to love you. I can totally understand the anxiety and pressures young people in the church feel and maybe to some it feels like freedom to just choose to not believe anymore, Freedom from religion is what I believe strongly but God is my savior Jesus Christ is the answer only him and he doesnt demand money sacrifice or your life because he gave his, all God wants is for humanity to accept him with an honest heart.
Website guy How the hell do you know? Man, there are so many wonderful Christians, but close minded, self righteous people like you give them a bad name.
Sad that people believe bad things won't happen to good people, and that they'll be given a happy, care-free life on Earth if they just do what the Lord wants.
Have they never heard of Job? or John 16:33? or Romans 5:3-5? or even the Bible for that matter. . .
Yes. Jesus said He was the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to The Father but through Him. I would encourage you, if you really want to know if there's a God or not, to read the scriptures and pray for understanding. You will go to hell, as all sinners will who reject the sacrifice Christ made on their behalf.
Good response...but I have an honest question for you. Let's say there was an observant Jew in Egypt the day Christ rose from the grave. This Jew believed a Messiah would come someday and followed the religion the best he could. The day before Christ died, this Jew was on his way to heaven. Was he still going to heaven after Jesus rose? He would never hear the Gospel--it was not even written for 40-70 years later. If that Jew did not go to Hell--how long was the grace period before people started going to Hell for not knowing that God had changed the rules???
Brom Ponie :-) Amen :-) :-)
@@peteanddrake4242 do you realize that is in control of time and space? If it is His will that every person have a chance to choose life or death then EVERY PERSON WILL HAVE A CHANCE! That settles it. We are so limited in our humanity that we forget that God do whatever needs to be done. Aren't we glad that God is not like man.
So in other words ... god is really helpless.
This is what the Mega church and the Prosperity Gospel produce.
It's a pity this couple had no other mentors to help understand their doubts and strengthen their faith to a deeper level.
This video has produced some very insecure Christians. You are very transparent.
@@btdfw Keep following the prosperity gospel and see where it leads you. Hell will be your home for sure. Become a Bible reader, not a Bible browser and you'll understand there are no insecurities and disillusions for those who follow the teachings of Jesus.
+mark *'The' never stated the he is part of the 'prosperity gospel' silliness. Just like he never stated he's part of any of the 'Christian' silliness.*
Why does buzzfeed attack Christianity
I feel for this women. She was taught a "prosperity" gospel also known as "The Law of Attraction", which is unbiblical and then they used it against her. That's why God warns us of false prophets because unfortunately it is prevalent in the church. The Bible doesn't ever teach that we are good either. Actually on the contrary, we are fallen creatures. Additionally, we are to also pray Lord your will not my will. In other words, it's not I want this and that, God isn't a genie in a bottle you just rub and pooof he appears. Lastly, we are encouraged to question as some in The Bible wrestled with God. I understand where she's coming from, from a religious perspective, but we should not throw the baby out with the bath water when it comes to Christ.
"They went out from us, but they were not of us for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us." ♥️😥
Mr. X. Amen.
Please stop using scriptures to judge them, she stated her opinion, The Bible did say to pray for each other. Have you Prayed.
@@steviemcintyre9718 He's not using scripture to judge them. I think he's using scripture to show everyone else that could possibly doubt because of her negative testimony, that the Bible already covers this topic. The same thing happened in the time of apostles.
@@JoshB913 I didn't see him ask us to pray. I'm praying for them. Our prayers can do more. It's not a negative testimony, it's her personal experience and struggle with Faith
@@steviemcintyre9718By negative I mean not the desired response or testimony. I feel very bad for that lady and her husband. There is so much suffering in this world which is one of the reasons we need Jesus.
Her journey is not over yet....Whatever her belief system is now, I don't think it's final.... After all we are constantly evolving and changing, impacted by what we experience in our lives.
Can't you just accept that she doesn't want to be christian? Could you please try to respect that? I'm so sick of religious people always thinking that atheists "just hasn't found god yet". Leave people alone. Stop telling them their belief system isn't final. It's SO disrespectful I can't even understand how you could write such a thing.
@@wolfsbane1991 Lol. Relax honey. I wasn't judging her. I am nowhere near religious. In fact, I am on my own journey. I have strayed away from the church myself, even started dabbling in the new age. But now I am finding myself coming back to God, but I still have issues with religious doctrines because I believe spirituality and religion are two different things. Please, before you make such a comment, don't assume that you know exactly who I am. You haven't even met me or even know my life story! Seriously, get a grip.
Anthea Peter 😂 👍🏽
@@wolfsbane1991 u mad mad?
Anthea Peter u got it
So, I can relate to your story. I was born to a lovely woman, Christian, poor but satisfactory home and a good dad. I schooled in a Catholic school, got baptised and confirmed. At 22, I loosed my dad, later that year, dropped out of uni, that was 2012, searched and got a very low remuneration job in 2013, by 2014, accused of embezzlement of $30000 while I had less than $1000 savings. Got locked up and later tried in court and found not guilty, came back out and tried to fix my life, decided to get a baby from a premarital relationship and after 2 months of my girlfriend being pregnant, I realised I was sick ( I won't tell), 7 months later, got the baby and he passed after some few hours. These difficulties turned my life and I loosed faith in everything. I searched to get a reason for living and all I got made me just feel more depressed.
I'm glad now I realise I can talk to God in my hard times and times of doubt but I'm still learning to believe. I realised I went from the light to darkness in search of the light. God bless your children who in search of the truth!
God bless you for your testimony. You're not alone. We are all one body in Christ and He LOVES US.
E/DERRICK----Keep praying. HE is listening to you and will guide you and keep you. God bless you.
Ebai Derrick Thank you for sharing your testimony i’m so sorry that you went through so much I just want you to know that Jesus loves you and he cares about all that you’ve been through and he meets you where are you are he wants to build your life in a better way he wants you to put your full and complete trust in him repent meaning turn away from your sin and trusting only in him for the forgiveness of sin he’s the only way to heaven he never promised that we would have an easy life but he promised that he would go through each storm with us our perspective should be eternal we’re just passing through this life I’d like to encourage you to find a Bible believing church or even go online and listen to got some godly preaching but especially the church where you can fellowship with other Christians and hear the gospel preached and learn how to grow in the Lord . I also came from a rough background and today I love Jesus and desire to serve him with all my heart I will pray for you God bless you as you seek him with your whole heart.
Ebai you've certainly had it tough. I had a similar Christian upbringing but turned my back on the teachings of the church. Persued girls and drugs and found that lifestyle empty. When I came back to God all my problems didn't go away but I've learnt recently that life is better when you learn to live a life without compromise taking impure thoughts captive and chasing after God every day. God Bless you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.
I love Lisa and Michael and their courage to ask honest questions and stand up to the evangelical-industrial complex when they found it has misrepresented the Gospel.
The vicious comments of the haters say far more about them than about these beloved children of God. In a generation they will be seen as the heroes of the faith instead of the pariahs they have sadly become
so as long as they were living the "mega church" dream they were faithful and believed in God. the moment things weren't going their way they stopped believing. funny how as long as they had the things that money could buy they were great. the bible is full of people praying and not getting what they wanted and still remaining faithful. sounds like they worshipped the mega church and never bothered to actually read the bible.
Sooo trueee brother Kennedy.i think part of the problem would be these mega church pastor's with their megalomaniac minds bigger than the whole world who use these platforms to project themselves , twisting scripture , milk money out the congregation who teach the things of this world rather than god. New age god= success mantra Jesus .give Me.bless Me.and mind your business Jesus...
The other point. God did answer their prayers for babies. But in His timing not theirs. Then then turn their back on God. They were not true to Jesus and their faith as Him for Saviour. Once you are changed, beileve with all your heart, nothing will can make you change your belief in God and your salvation.
I did not get that out of the message at all. She was saying that everything was based on a transaction.. they were "loved if.." they had enough faith, prayed enough, did the right things, etc.. She never said they stopped believing the moment things did not go their way, what she was expressing was the began to wake up to the errors and the contrasts of their tribe and real life. They started having questions and doubts and were deemed heretics. That is the sad part. They willingly left the mega church life for something more authentic for them.
@@DreamsofStardust75 she stated her husband said he no longer believed in god and is now atheist. She to stated there is freedom outside the belief of God and compared it to other religions. I dunno, what her message was trying to explain
God always shows up regardless of the chaos of life to prove that He does exist. If evil and bad exists then so does good and God. Doubting is natural as we live in the flesh but one must never loose the conviction that there is a divine being watching over us all
Sounds like she was kinda using God like a genie..... pray hard enough and your wishes come true
Praying has NEVER helped or harmed anyone.
@Smidlee If you could think for yourself you would see.
@@Gonzo4Ever You follow your mind too much. Learn to let your heart control your mind. Prayers will definitely work. Thank God for everything, every situation bad and good. Cause everything in this world is a test of faith. We get tested through tribulation. Look at life like business, it will never be good all the time, you'll always find a wall that blocks you. We are more blessed than we realize.
@Smidlee why do you think that? You don't even know me or anything that's happened in my life
@@vancouversworstdrivers There are over 2000 different religions. That fact alone should be enough to make you wake up , but apparently it's to late for u. Keep dreaming and remember the church needs money! 😁 sorry to break this to u but you are getting fucked so bad.
Sad story, throughout all her life going to churches the Gospel never reached her. Christianity isn't about doing what you don't want to do in order to get a ticket to heaven. Christianity is about transformation. God gives you a new heart, and enables you to follow Him *willingly*. It is all a gift! What we are called to do is believe in Him, and the rest is God's work. His Word, says: I will take away your stony heart, and I will give you a heart of flesh; it's God's work in your life. You can only keep His Word if you've been given a new heart, and the Gospel calls us to repent and to accept Christ as our Savior in light of our inability. I hope she gets it, no one can live the faith in the flesh, we are Christians if we are born again. If we are born again, we love to follow God and keep His commandments. It's not a forced thing, but transformation.
❤❤
Something certainly did transform them. It is not about religion but relationship. The question than becomes, was it God?
Why would the church world push them out if it was so loving like our God?
I enjoy my relationship with the invisible sky wizard. Sometimes he visits me. He tells me to do things . Naughtythings. I talk to him sometimes while waiting for the bus. Then I take seroquel which I'm prescribed , and it all goes away. Praise the lord!
Preach
They were in a church that could be considered any of the following:
Pentecostal, Charismatic, Full Gospel, Word Of Faith, Prosperity Gospel Preaching, Healing Gospel Preaching.
All of these messages are heresies. I left a small church that preached these things for the same reasons they did, but I didn't stop trusting God. I now go to a non-denominational fundamentalist church where those heresies aren't preached.
My wife and I can relate to her story since we faced the same accusations they did, even as I questioned their theology with reasonable and logical questions, many of which they either couldn't answer or answered incorrectly, all the while indirectly putting the blame on us rather than the church for its wrong theology. The churches that fall under any of the categories I listed above can be considered very dangerous because of the heresies they preach. They also tend to fill the church buildings with false converts (people who "think" they are soundly saved but are not actually saved) because even if they preach born again and hell, they often give their congregations a false sense of salvation since neither justification or sanctification have actually taken place in the supposed believer. False converts never actually repented of sin (because they were never made to tremble at the law of the 10 commandments) nor put their faith in Jesus because sin, repentance, and faith in Jesus were never preached in the first place (OR, they were watered down to no effect). Also, these churches teach people to come to Christ for all the wrong reasons, and they will be rightly judged by God on Judgment Day.
Visit www.needgod.com and/or www.areyouagoodperson.org if you are unsure of your salvation. Lastly, visit www.livingwaters.com and listen to their free messages called "Hell's Best Kept Secret" and "True And False Conversion". God bless you.
This is the definition of getting lost in the sauce.
BMO V0II it’s really not. You must not know the definition yourself.
Trust me, when you get out into the world, you notice how horrible it is out there. And it's normal to have inner spiritual conflicts, because it truly is horrible out there and you can't seem to understand why a good and loving God would allow all of this. Of course it's a huge topic to cover but many people struggle with it when they see how the rest of the world lives, with poverty, hunger, (mass) murders, rapes, you name it.
Carolina Zúñiga I’ve heard it all before I know. I wish I knew why bad things happen to good people in this world or why the world can be so messed up beyond measure, but I just speaking for myself. There are events that have happened in my life that I cannot explain and I can’t help but feel their is a divine presence acting upon it. Also it is a fact that most people who stopped believing in god had a tragic event in which they went “why me” and slowly stopped believing. Everyone has their doubts even me. But I know that faith is the substance of things hoped for and it is the evidence of things not seen.
I never comment on videos but I really need to, promise to keep it short. Always ask questions, so you as an individual can find out for yourself. Don't fear praying to God when there seems like there isn't an answer. Never put your faith in a person or organization because that person or that organization is run by people like you and me who have their own struggles to overcome. Remember that if you seek God you'll find out He's been at your side the whole time. He loves you so much. 💕
I ran away from God and pushed Him away, but I guess He loves me so much, He keep showing up and taking me back. 😁😁😁
💯
What's he look like?
Indeed.
💝
So he's not very handsome then?
The only difference here is.. Believing a God and believing a Church!
A temple and a God has a huge difference!!
I really wanted to sit down and watch the video and just see what I could take away from it no matter what my beliefs are, but the clickbaity title really ruined it for me. She clearly wasn’t a pastor lmao misleading people for a couple more views really destroys any credibility
Manya Zhu she wrote a statement on her Instagram that some of her story was cut out and the title wasn’t what she said. Buzzfeed edited her story to fit their agenda. Check her Instagram .
I think a law should be pass
That If a person uploads lies online they should be fine
And if it's fine too many time there should be incarceration
Because it's not rigth to spread lies
What do you think?
Spread the word
I feel for this couple, because they did not experience the love of the Father God. No one leaves after tasting the amazing experience of His embrace.
@Nikki E. that is the farthest thing from the truth. God didn't "damage their daughter". I am 15 years old and my family adopted a girl from China when she was 7 that has Down's Syndrome. Bryndal is now 12. Every single day I see God all the time in my sibling. She is never hurtful, always loving, helping with everything, and always so joyful. If God damaged her, then wouldn't she damage us? If God didn't "damage" her and loves her, then wouldn't she love us? Everyone that accepts God's love turns right around and gives it to another. Bryndal doesn't even know that she is giving God's love to us everyday, but she does. God doesn't damage ANYONE for that matter. If God did damage people, then his love would be uneven and divided, and that is NOT the case. The Gungor's having a daughter with DS is not damaging. Yes it might be a test, but it is the farthest thing from the truth to say that God "damaged" their daughter
@jitlogs Jitlogs Friend, This is what I was saying God loves them dearly. He is hurting for He want to have them close. Not close to church, close to His loving heart. I tasted His love and an amazing Grace. He doesn't judge them He is waiting with open arms without blame for them to come to Him. His sons and His daughters. That is His Father's heart. He in amazing!!!
How do you taste a hug?
@@Jawa7056 AMEN sir!!
I feel bad for all these Christians and atheists because they did not experience the Father's noodly appendages. No one leaves after tasting the holy sauce of our great Flying Spaghetti Monster. Ramen!
That's the sad thing about Pentecostal churches. They preach that you will be healthy and wealthy, but God never promised those things this side of Heaven. Jesus came to save us from sin and to reconcile us to God. A relationship with God is about living for God, not getting things from God as though He were a genie. I recommend the book "Where Is God When It Hurts?" by Philip Yancey
GoodNews777 yeah I have never heard this at my Pentecostal church, that “You will be healthy and wealthy” if you believe in God...
Why you generalizing Pentecostal churches as if all Pentecostal churches do this. You're definition and perception is so inaccurate. That message is a prosperity message not a Pentecostal message. I actually agree with your point about that message is wrong but then you writing that that's a Pentecostal message threw me off because it's not. The root and overall essence of Pentecostalism is God heals, saves, and baptists. If you had a bad experience with Pentecostal churches I'm truly sorry because they were misrepresenting us. I please ask that your negative experience may not compel you to categorize all of us as connected to that message, because my Pentecostal church would actually agree with you and disagree with the message you claim we would agree with
All religion is BS. Some religion is much worse than simple BS, it's a dangerous mental illness that destroys lives. Stand on your own.
That is not what Pentecostal churches preach. My mother was a minister. I hate that the comment section is every christian who is scared to death that they will be the last one to hold onto their silly beliefs. It's ridiculous that this woman can't be atheist without thousands of christians doubling down on their nonsense. It's a defense mechanism because they feel threatened. Give this lady some love for her courage. She now has the freedom to live and to breath. I couldn't be more happy for her. Welcome to life, LISA!
GoodNews777 I recommend the Book, the Bible, by Holy Ghost. Addendum: look up, “sin” and “salvation.”
aw babe- i don't who tried to show you jesus but they did it all wrong. He still loves you though and so do we
aw babe- I don't who tried to show you Jesus but they were all wrong. There is no reason to believe in this magical sky daddy.
@@darklogic6998 no one showed him to me, found him on my own. but i don't expect you to get that at all. thanks for the input tho.
@@karadanielle7203 My argument was based on lack of reasoning, not if someone actually tried to show your religion.
@@darklogic6998 im aware
Dark Logic Jesus loves you and if u want or not brother every knee will bow and every toung will confess that he is God Hallelujah!!
I heard very little about Jesus in any of this- she was never really saved by the gospel- she was pulled into a prosperity religion.
Selahsmum I agree with you. It doesn’t sound like Jesus was the centre of her faith just “church”
I think so too
Selahsmum = You don't need to here about jesus.
He's no more than a character in a book of myths.
He has never actually existed.
jusfugly You really believe we have no evidence for any historic figure in ancient past?
jusfugly You don’t know New Testament history is taught in Major Universities by secular professors? You really think this is just a topic Christians touch? It really seems you haven’t done your homework before speaking .. or you may been listening to the wrong people like zeigiest or Richard carrier.
Hi There Lisa---(Goodness, this turned out to be a long one! So sorry, in advance!) Thanks so very much for your vulnerability in sharing your experience. I can really resonate with the pain, heartbreak and deep frustration that can come with the "tribe" aspect of the church body. Particularly since you were in such a position of leadership and visibility, that pressure must have been so incredibly heavy to hold. I can't even imagine. I personally can resonate with having pains within the church body, post experiencing a divorce in which I felt misunderstood and, for lack of a better word, ravaged, by some of the members. While still validating that heartbreak, disappointment and anger, the irony is, I always come back to Jesus's story and all the hell on earth he experienced in dealing with the fickleness and flimsiness of human nature, directly. Though it can be flat out rough to be a Christian in the "tribe" sense, I can't share how many times I've been so heartened and downright refreshed by Jesus's modeling when he dealt with similar (though amplified) struggles---Though we through popular culture often create him out to be this two-dimensional, waif-ish, prophet guy floating from place to place, he was just so the opposite (as I'm sure you well know and appreciate.) What I wish people would realize, on a large scale, is how truly remarkable, dimensional and nothing short of badass (the true definition of badass, quite frankly) Jesus was in dealing with the frustrations that came with being relational. Jesus was certainly not devoid of emotional expression, which I'm SO thankful for! I know it sounds funny, but it is so heartening to me when he gets aggravated, annoyed and/or flat out angry with the people he is interfacing with throughout scripture, particularly the religious elite. He never fails to go head to head when it counts and do it with such savvy. He was just so bold and unapologetic, never letting anyone push him around while still being the perfect and flawless example of God in flesh form. AND the truest portrait of love. So, so awe-inspiring. No matter how many times I read certain scriptures, I'm just left so gobsmacked and inspired by his example. He provides the perfect example for holding our own with power, might and poise. I thank you for sharing your story of burnout within the church. It is so incredibly relatable and I can attest to the feeling. (And of course, not to throw all church life under the bus. Certainly not. It's of course more nuanced that just a black or white assessment---with people, comes complexity and church can and is meant to be deeply powerful and transformative.) I wish you and your family joy and vibrancy and most of all, I just hope that despite the church body (and every single one of us being so darn flawed) that your direct relationship with Jesus stay strong. He's so not one of us, his ways are not ours, and I just pray the holy spirit move in a way that reminds you that our flaws are not His. He's so in love with you and has you. I send warmth and respect your way!
Thank you for living out the truth of the word. Your response here is so full of love. I hope Lisa get to read it.
Oodololly - what a beautiful, non Judge-mental response. I echo your sentiment to Lisa.
"All other ground is sinking sand".
SuperBenson Amen!
My feet are on the rock!
💕
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus's blood and righteousness
On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand!
Matthew 13:5-6 "Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root."
Matthew 13: 20-21 "The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away."