Well like I said, I was raised Roman Catholic and they....let me put it this way:
"they bind together burdens heavy and grievous to be borne, and lay upon the shoulders of men, but with their finger they will not move them" (Matthew 23:4; YLT).
They had so many rules and days like going to Mass every Sunday (believe me, I regret the time I ever spent), keeping the Holy Days of Obligation, fasting, confessing your sins to a priest to be forgiven, and so many more. They made me believe that they could actually turn bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus. Looking back, all of those were no benefit. So anyway, I looked for relief on the internet and the Protestants unfortunately were no more help because they had rules like being water baptized, tithing, and others. Of course, they had something in common: Both Catholics and Protestants believed that if you failed to "come to Jesus" of your own "free will" (How can you come to someone you have never heard of?) and keep strict commandments, you would be tortured in a literal fire for all eternity. Imagine that, Jesus tells to "turn the other cheek" and God is going to torture his enemies (99% of all of humanity) forever and ever. I can't believe I ever bought that as "the good news of great joy, that shall be to all the people". I then found a couple of Christian Universalism sites who told me that God would reconcile all of mankind through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and then I was brought here.
While Ray's blunt and sarcastic tone in his writings threw me off at first, I came around to discover the real meaning behind his writings and teachings. Ever since coming to terms with these teachings, I have found some comfort and not fearing of being tortured in hell for all eternity or any of the people I care about being tortured for all eternity. Unfortunately, it can be lonely sometimes since I feel like I am the only one in my area (especially of my age group) who have discovered these teachings. I don't think they would if I told them because "because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor understand". Even in my family, I am the only one who knows or even cares about it. Although my family claims to be Roman Catholic, they are more of the Unitarian "it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are a good person" despite the fact Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one doth come unto the Father, if not through me". My only mother said that when we discussed this that only bad people are going to be tormented and I can see I will definitely suffer persecution when the time comes for the truth to come fully out into the light. I have not discussed this much with them for I feel they are way spiritually immature. So while they may never know what discovering this has done for me, I can certainly say it has done a lot and I may still have a long way to go, but it's good to start now.
I know this sounds wordy, but point blank: I am just so grateful to God for leading me to this sight. Now I feel like while the world is in a real state of chaos, God is in control and not man, which I wouldn't want it any other way. Also, I want to say how grateful I am to find those of a like mind and it certainly feels a bit less lonely even though I have never met any of you in person (God willing, hopefully someday that won't be true).
Author
Topic: A Testimony (Read 3949 times)