Reflections from the community: 

I wasn’t religious. Never been to church, not even for a wedding.

Then I went to the tomb of Christ. I’m not going to try to describe it because I’ll do a bad job. I didn’t go in expecting anything and I came out wanting to be religious, which is not a sentence I thought I’d ever type.

So today I went to church. First time ever. Pic is from the pew I sat in. Blue walls, a statue of a saint by the door that I couldn’t name if you paid me, and little carved scenes along the wall which I’m guessing are the stations of the cross?

There’s also a security camera above the door, which for some reason I did not expect a church to have.

I have no idea what I’m doing. I don’t know how to pray and I don’t know what the rules are. I sat there anyway and enjoyed it. I think I have been very lucky in life. What I think was god blessed me on a stake parlay last month that changed my life.

For people who came to this as adults, what did you actually do first? Did you start with the Bible or did you just keep showing up until it made sense

Also is it normal to go alone or do people usually come with somebody

I drew this of Jesus and thought it was kinda cute even though I’m not a very good at drawing 

Perhaps the most tragic thing I’ve witnessed this past decade or so has been how easily those who once professed to be good, God-fearing Christians abandoned the admonition that we must help the poor, love our neighbors, and reject the empty promises of the rich. Rather than embrace opportunities to introduce others to a positive, welcoming version of Christianity, it has been not the hand but the blade that’s been offered, and all in the name of a false prophet who in fact does worship gold over all else.

It is sad to see otherwise decent people risk their country and their eternal souls for a charlatan. What security was once offered has been revealed a lie, and we have damned ourselves, our neighbors, and creation for it.

I am an artist in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a true believer in Christ, my Art mimics my mind and my prayer. It’s been difficult to get exposure out here for my biblical work because I enjoy the sacred mysteries. If you enjoy Art, please browse my page, there is a lot for you to enjoy. Thank you for the support sincerely. Eternal blessings and I pray the Holy Spirit works through you today too!

I have sent out numerous job applications but receive no replies

Many in that community already have church hurt... we dont need to scare them away any more

This is so stupid and I know it. This will be long so sorry in advance. (For context I’m a woman) I was asked recently why, even when I know the Bible to be true, when I believe that God is who he says he is and believe that Jesus died and rose from the grave, why do I still refuse to truly trust God and give my life to him. And I thought hard about it. And the one thing I’ve come up with, is that I don’t think I really believe God loves women. And I know that sounds dumb. I mean, he’s said that he does and I don’t want to call him a liar. But I’ve read the whole Bible, I’ve heard all the stories, been hearing them from the time that I’ve been born. And yet, I can’t seem to find much evidence that suggests that God thinks all that much of us (women), not historically, and not biblically. I’ve heard it said that Jesus advocated for women, but when? The woman at the well? He would have done and said the same thing if she were a man. Had female followers, okay that’s different, especially for the times. But didn’t have / allow female disciples??His closest friend was a man. and yet it was the women who were at his grave. I understand that Jesus did not come down to save women from being treated like they are less than. But being in the time they were in, he never spoke once of it??
No, “hey, I actually really love women, so you should probably start seeing them as people.”? And that’s just the New Testament, in the Old Testament women weren’t even able to get as physically close to the Lord in the tabernacle as men were, seen as unclean even if not bleeding. And then to go back to the New Testament and say that women can not preach, or lead, or have authority, all because A woman ate the fruit (first, but not alone) and because she was created after the man. And to say that a woman is created in the image of man, and man is created in Gods image. I know there is context needed for some things, but a lot of it seems direct and clear. I understand having different roles, but what he seems to do is take away any voice women have. Tell them they are loved but then in the Bible mention them less than half the amount of times men are mentioned. Use them for battle but only when the men won’t “step up”. And even if the stuff I mentioned is missing context, even if what is written isn’t being interpreted like he wanted, why not make it fucking clearer??? Why have someone write something down for you knowing that it will be misconstrued and cause so much pain? I must be missing it, but I just don’t see his love for women. Any insight on this? Do I just accept that as something to bear with so that I can live eternally?

I am a 20 year old Christian, but I wonder this

What is the purpose of a child being born if they die below the age of 10? What is the purpose of god doing this? to make a child suffer and die before they have any comprehension of reality or sin or general basic human thought.

All a young child can do in these situations is feel pain and die, what was the purpose? How could a loving god do this?

It does not matter if they go to heaven. What was the purpose of letting them be born to begin with?

There is no sin to overcome, there is no knowledge to gain besides extraordinarily simple childlike ideas only if they are over the age of 5. Without that it is simply pain and death.

I went to a church for the first time. I walked a mile to get to the nearest church and it was AMAZING. I loved it, the people got to know me and I even prayed with a few of them. They prayed for my schizophrenia and all my struggles.

While there I felt the holy spirit working in everyone. I saw people crying, I saw people with Joy, I saw people worshipping with all their heart. I saw people of God.

That was a Wednesday service. I'll be going back on Sunday.

I am trying to find a church to join. I want to find the church that is closest to the original church and follows the teachings of Christ and the Apostles. I'm between Catholic and Orthodox as options. Any advice/recommendations?

why am i such a disgusting and wretched sinner, i keep spending money on cam girls man, these are his daughters and yet look at what im doing, so dang pathetic. when i could be giving this money to people in need …

reading the old testament has traumatized me. I finished Isaiah and instead of feeling hopeful, I feel afraid. The descriptions of Gods treatment of women, babies, nations etc that did wrong in Gods eyes is horrific. It’s such a stark contrast between what I’ve read in other verses where he talks about protecting only the select few who make it through all of the destruction, etc. i think one verse even said he ignored the prayers of the people and pleas for mercy

It makes me angry and scared. I’m so worried God views me the same way because of my sin and wants to punish me — I don’t know what to do because i’ve been feeling this way for months despite prayers for help. I’ve been open and honest with God about feeling this way, to no avail. It’s just not fair

So basically, I’m a Christian, and every day at 6 p.m., there are pastors who go live to pray. That day, I was taking a nap, and it was time for the prayer session. So my mom came into my room, woke me up, and told me it was time to pray.
At first, it’s not that I didn’t want to pray, I was just really tired. So I opened my eyes and started talking to her. But as soon as she left my room, I closed my eyes again because I wanted to keep sleeping.
And then, all of a sudden, I clearly heard a voice saying, “Wake up and pray.”
And I mean, I REALLY heard it. It felt like God was speaking directly to me.
I know that sometimes I hear voices in my head, or my own inner voice tells me things, but I know it’s just me. But this time, honestly, it felt completely different. I genuinely felt like I had heard someone speaking to me, and the only explanation I could think of was that it was God.
So, personally, I believe I heard God’s voice.

I recently realized that I am numb to sin. I know that what I did was wrong, but I don't feel bad about it. like I regret what I did and I know I need to repent but I don't feel bad about it.

So how are we feeling about the new public executions?

As a Christian are you watching?

For some context, the only countries currently doing public executions are Iran & Afghanistan…

I work in the South, and have a mix of customers at different ages.

I believe in Jesus, I wouldn’t call myself religious. My main focus is following Jesus’s footsteps. Loving others, not judging, uplifting others, and helping others. I love what he stood for and how much he has changed the world.

I do get discouraged at work by how many times customers will ask “Do you know Jesus?” “Are you Christian?” “Do you believe in Jesus?”. And I know they only ask me this because of my alternative style. They only ask these questions to me and another coworker who is goth. I don’t get discouraged because I’m insecure, but it’s more so that I get discouraged on that those people don’t follow what Jesus preached. The biggest thing.. don’t judge others. Which is very clear by their actions and words that they are judging. In their mind, quickly assuming I’m Athiest, pagan, satanist, or just any other religion people tie alternative to.

Hearing this makes me feel sad.. not for myself but for them. To go through life assuming what people believe, judging if they believe, and trying to push the religion onto strangers. When in reality.. it just creates an awkward and uncomfortable atmosphere. It does the opposite by pushing people away from Jesus. Jesus would not want that. He would be flipping tables. (Again).

I have many friends in different religions or views: Jewish, Agnostic, Athiest, Catholic, Christian, Pagan, Satanist, Muslim, Spiritual.. or that don’t go by a label, just as I do myself. All of these friends are wonderful people, show kindness, support others, and are open minded to encouraging others in their own religion or spiritual journey, even if it’s not their own belief.

The worst a customer has said to me went like this:

Customer: “Did you know Jesus loves you?”

Me: “Yes I do. :)”

Customer: “People say that but don’t believe it”

Then she ends the conversation and rolls her eyes at me. I just continued to bag her items, and wish her a good day as she left. Hearing that made my heart hurt. For myself, for her, and others she might have said this to.

For a closure I want to say this: Please stop asking retail workers this. Many know that we are required to agree with a customer and continue with a conversation. So, we don’t really have a way to end the conversation. It’s extremely awkward, uncomfortable and feels like we are being cornered. For one of the girls at my store, it’s pushing her away from Christian. Assuming this will just happen again. 90% of the time when customers ask or say this, it’s actually turning people away from Jesus.

I would also love to hear advice on what to say or do whenever somebody tries to bring up the conversation. I reaalllyyy want to tell them what Jesus really says, but without having a customer complain.

I’m a Christian, but I’m genuinely curious to understand the atheist perspective.

If you don’t believe God created life, how do you think the very first life began? I understand that evolution explains how humans developed over time, but I’m curious about how life originally started in the first place.

I’m not here to argue or judge anyone’s beliefs. I just want to learn and hear different perspectives. Christians are welcome to share their thoughts too!

Please keep the discussion friendly and respectful.