Ultimately this video is an emotional argument: 'God belief made me feel better, and I subsequently behaved better.' However, false beliefs can make you feel and behave better also. One could believe that they are Sherlock Holmes and subsequently behave in his heroic and honorable manor because of that belief. For those looking for more than mere comfortable beliefs, there needs to be an evidential case supporting their beliefs. This video lacks that evidential foundation.
I don't really take issue with Christians now but I think for at least gay people, there's a sense that no matter how good you are to them there's the smallest fragment of a belief that they think you're going to burn in eternal damnation they still adhere to or are lesser. If you think about someone believing that whom you almost even like, it's very frightening and very threatening particularly if you really don't feel that way about them.
What was difficult for me was that Christians would often say to me "we are all sinners" to preface arguments that were pointedly against homosexuality as a disclaimer. And it hurt because it felt insincere, not that I'm accusing you personally of disingenuous for your usage of the phrase, but it always felt as though for me my "sin" could be punished by legislation and bigotry by other people and their sins were to be coddled and prayed through, justified in some way. That always sucked.
To me man has corrupted what should be a good thing to meet his own ends and desires and called it God's will. Look how many wars are started and at the root of it is conflicting religious ideaology.
@anamoly143 I agree with everything you said. But I'm not so sure I'm ready to "throw the baby out with the bathwater" as the expression goes. I can tell you that presently, I don't have a "home church." I left mine back in Sept. because I just couldn't reconcile many of their decisions and practices. I'm looking for a community that better represents the gospel (and what Jesus would have us do with it), but so far, I'm coming up empty handed. It's out there, I think, and I hope we both find it.
@MelissaJenna There is one pretty big problem with trying to find a community that better represents the gospel (and what Jesus would have us do with it). Nearly all churches don't do certain things that Jesus would like us to do, all because some of the congregation thinks only on tradition. A few weeks ago, my minister had a sermon on how we think church should be. He said that most of the time, our point of view of how a congregation should be is based off of our experiences at around age 12.
Here's the thing. I believe in God and Jesus and heaven and hell but I cannot buy into organized religion. I have seen it corrupted in too many ways to really follow anything a church is trying to cram down my throat. I have had friends that ended up in what I would call a "cult" where they were told that they could not socialize with me unless I became a member of their church. I have had friends that lived in relatively impoverished areas but the pastor of the church was driving a BMW
Thank you so much for opening the dialogue.I love that you were so honest. People are imperfect, If you judge God and Jesus based on people and how they choose to act in church you are focusing on the imperfect and not the true message.I believe the woman you made cry was put there for a reason because she definitely changed your life. It took a while but you always remembered her as well as the fine examples of Christians who lead you by example Have a very Merry Christmas!
I just wanted to say although i am not a christian or a believer of faiths i can relate to you SO much about the attitude thing! I used to be such a selfish, pessimistic and generally just an a-hole :L and wud also argue my points at christinas and other believes of faiths and cultures to a frankly aweful point but now i've come to accept that every one is entitled to their beliefs and i now open my mind to their views instead of locking myself in my opinionated little bubble haha th
@MelissaJenna That's just something "clever" he read on a meme picture that made the frontpage on reddit yesterday. It's got nothing to do with anything you said.
@MelissaJenna Some people just won't get it. They'll never understand what "this" is all about. Hurt needs to be healed regardless of becoming a believer or not. I've known people (believers) that still needed to be healed. However, outsiders of the faith that bonds us, can't know what peace can be. Just like a person watching the war on tv can't know what the battle is all about. Perspective! Thanks for the video.
I actualy am shocked to hear your description of yourseld as you were. I realy cannot imagine a nice person like yourself in that way. Annyway, thanks for sharing this fresh perspective on the issue. I never heard a story like that and your kind of self awareness sounds realy beautiful. merry christmas.
When you started talking about your transformation/when you really allowed God to come into your life, I just had to stop pause the video for a second and just thank Him for showing me this video. This is something that I really needed to see. I'm trying too hard to change when I need to let God come in and take over.
@ckkbleev Yes yes yes! Sometimes it's hard to remember that all we need is to make room for God to do his work, and stop trying to do it ourselves. I get in the way of myself all of the time. :) Thank you very much for sharing!
I wish that people wouldn't judge Christians on their fandom. The past few weeks have really been good for me. I've been struggling with my faith for awhile, but recently it's clicked and I know that God loves me for everything that I am, and He is always there for me. Thank you for sharing this <3
Love this video, I take the same stance. I'm Christian too! :) I'm also 37 weeks pregnant. My husband and I love Christmas...like we go all out, and make it special somehow every year....but recently we've been confronting the idea of not partaking in Christmas celebrations- because they aren't "really about Christ" according to some more ...?conservative?...Christians, I guess you'd say...what do you think about this topic?
@cre8ive2noend First of all-- congratulations on the impending arrival! What a blessing! Is this your first? What an exciting time! And, actually, my husband and I have been talking about the same thing (foregoing "traditional" Christmas stuff in favor of a Christmas focused on Christ). You know what's funny? We're a little hesitant about the reactions of our Christian friends! Like, they'll think we're robbing our daughter of a "normal" Christmas. Verdict is still out on this one. :)
Hey Melissa, I might not be Christian but I really, really wanted to say that I support you for making this video. Christians like you are really a light in the world and give me faith in the world. I'm so glad that you found something that allows you to be the happy, beautiful person and mother that you are. I know you're probably getting A LOT of hate for this video so, I wanted to let you know I think the world of you.
@alliteration1247 Wow, thank you so much for being so supportive! It's funny how "coming out" about my faith causes so much anxiety for me, and so many negative feelings from others. And it reminds me SO MUCH of how I used to treat Christians! What's that saying? "Don't dish it if you can't take it?" Well, I "dished it" for years, and now I'm taking it. :) When it comes down to it, I'm not sure that anyone here will ever "get" that I used to be just like them.
@alliteration1247 When you're SO SURE about what you believe (or don't believe) you've got this impenetrable wall surrounding your thinking, or your capacity of understanding, so it's very very hard for nonbelievers to hear a story about someone that was just like them turning in to something different. In many ways, nonbelievers can be JUST as stubborn and arrogant as believers. (Speaking from personal experience.)
I am very happy to hear that you have changed. But...from someone that is working at a christian church (different denomination than what I am) for many years, your first impression of how "Christians" are is no way out of line. This has been the hardest job I have ever worked at. There are many parishioners that do have a good heart, there are a lot of bad "apples" that are spoiling the tree. So much personal agendas. They preach about being a follower of God but really do not walk the walk.
@Andrew38ful I think you misunderstand me. I completely agree with you, and my experiences have been very similar to your own. Lots of "bad apples," lots of hypocritical behavior. But that's the case with people in general, I think. And God loves us all, equally. Even the "bad apples."
@MelissaJenna, thanks for responding, Wish more people could be like you in that they hear his words and be enlightened. Also I am not telling any of your subscribers to NOT go to church. GO! You are very right that God loves everyone. May you and your family (ifixit family too) and all your dedicated subscribers have a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
This is one of the most sincere, genuine testimonies I have ever heard. Talking about your past the way you did takes courage and couldn't have been easy. You are proof that God does changes people for the better just as He did for me. Merry Christmas :)
considering this endless economic depression, the rapid erosion of our liberties (e.g., NDAA just legalized indefinite detention of US citizens w/o trial), transition to a fascist police state, unchecked pillaging of main street by the usury banksters of wall street, endless wars abroad, etc, and the church's bizarre ambivalence on these matters, what's the point of celebrating any holidays? it's madness and we're doomed.
@sozfan1 it's interesting that the church rarely addresses issues beyond the family and these silly holidays, especially when so much evil and injustice is rising up around us.
Youtube's a horrible place to discuss atheism! One more point: You said God loves us. I have a problem understanding how his love can be pure or wholesome when he threatens to punish me if I don't love him back.
If a man can imagine punching his wife in the face, isn't his love for her is corrupt and negative? If God can imagine damning my soul to hell, isn't his love for me is equally abusive? It's a FLAW to be upset about rejection... how can a perfect God have that flaw?
@YourTaciturnFriend My understanding of "eternal damnation" is different than that of many Christians. It's an unpopular perspective, and one that keeps me from engaging a great deal with my "community." If we're to assume that God IS purely loving, than the idea that he would punish us for eternity is silly. (And actually, unbiblical.) It's a big can of worms, you've got there. :)
I don't hate or look down on theists -- they're not dumb, in fact many very clever people are theists. But I admit to being disappointed when I see clever people believe in what I consider to be delusion and fantasy. I'm very glad that you found something to make you a happier and nicer person -- it's just a shame that what makes you "better" is unprovable and improbable and bizarre.
Question: That biblical point that you argued so hard you made a Christian cry -- can you now answer it?
@YourTaciturnFriend Wow, that's a really good question. The general point is that the entire faith is unprovable, scientifically. There isn't much evidence to go off of, and some biblical stories are just plain...bizarre, to use your word. And no, I can't answer it. I have some ideas, but I'm not sure that any accumulation of evidence will either prove or disprove God. God's not a hypothesis. :)
Have a merry Christmas, MJ. Religious or not, you learn that these things are all relative to whether or not they benefit the person and motivate them to better themselves.
Merry Christmas, Melissa...to you and your family. May this seasons hope, peace, joy and love be yours as we celebrate the Incarnation of Jesus, Son of God, who came to rescue us from sin and teach us to live in love.... for now and for eternity. Hugs. - x0x - Tom
So... you didn't have a father figure and now you're a Christian because God is a father figure? Shocking. Surely that couldn't be common, could it? Surely people over the generations weren't often fatherless due to war and neglect?
Sounds like it's an ideology that's been crafted to be exactly what we're conditioned to desire.
I'll go on basing my beliefs on what can be backed up by evidence.
Christmas to be means a bunch of cool pagan stuff that has nothing to do with Christianity.
@mistaspot1 You know what's funny? Initially, this video was 15 minutes long, but I cut out all of the stuff about psychoanalyzing my "daddy issues," and my complete understanding that Christians co-opted most of their Christmas traditions from other belief systems, because I thought that 15 minutes was waaay too long. I figured people might take me on my word that I know what I'm talking about. :/ How naive and optimistic of me.
@MelissaJenna Considering your "daddy issues" (for lack of a better term) seem to be at the core of why you believe, I think it's very relevant, and I personally wish you would have left that stuff in. But I'm not everybody. I suppose making it appeal to a broader base of people calls for you to be concise. So that's okay. I lost my mom when I was young, so I just wonder what I would feel like if our predominant religion was matriarchal. I'm no better than you. We're all apes here.
@mistaspot1 I don't want you to get that idea that I don't "let that stuff in." The fact is, I've been in countless hours of therapy, so rather than rejecting your concern, I actually have a pretty firm understanding of it. I'm by no means ignorant to the various ways that I might be/might have been compensating for my upbringing, but I also have the perspective to know that my faith is not a panacea for my "daddy issues."
@MelissaJenna this is such a common misconception...that people use faith as a crutch, or something to make them happy by filling in a daddy-gap. I think people who grow up without fathers and eventually become Christian, just tend to be more vocal about how wonderful it is to have a loving Dad- heavenly father, that is. :)
@mistaspot1 And, for the record, I'm approaching the issue with sincerity and a desire for understanding, something that your sarcasm does not lend itself to. If you really want to engage, why not ditch the sarcasm in favor of language that's more...real?
@MelissaJenna I'm approaching the issue with sincerity and desire for understanding, too. But I feel like I kind of do understand. I *like* the psychoanalytical aspect of it. Maybe that's scary, though, because it's easier when people ignore that part.
Anyway, I don't want to appear hostile. I really don't. But I'm a nonbeliever. And I don't feel like I should be responsible for peoples' feelings when they get upset as a result of me explaining my positions.
@mistaspot1 I take zero issue with you positions, just your sarcasm. Using sarcastic language is a sure way to discredit your argument. Sarcasm is often a defense mechanism, employed when one is too emotionally "caught up" to say something sincere. And if we're actually going to understand each other, sincerity and truth should be our foundation.
Ultimately this video is an emotional argument: 'God belief made me feel better, and I subsequently behaved better.' However, false beliefs can make you feel and behave better also. One could believe that they are Sherlock Holmes and subsequently behave in his heroic and honorable manor because of that belief. For those looking for more than mere comfortable beliefs, there needs to be an evidential case supporting their beliefs. This video lacks that evidential foundation.
bizzee1 1 month ago
Interesting to see where you come from, spiritually!
Heraclitean 1 month ago
I don't really take issue with Christians now but I think for at least gay people, there's a sense that no matter how good you are to them there's the smallest fragment of a belief that they think you're going to burn in eternal damnation they still adhere to or are lesser. If you think about someone believing that whom you almost even like, it's very frightening and very threatening particularly if you really don't feel that way about them.
GlanceofGlory 1 month ago
What was difficult for me was that Christians would often say to me "we are all sinners" to preface arguments that were pointedly against homosexuality as a disclaimer. And it hurt because it felt insincere, not that I'm accusing you personally of disingenuous for your usage of the phrase, but it always felt as though for me my "sin" could be punished by legislation and bigotry by other people and their sins were to be coddled and prayed through, justified in some way. That always sucked.
GlanceofGlory 1 month ago
Thank you for responding. I hope I can find somewhere that it a fit for me as well.
anamoly143 1 month ago
To me man has corrupted what should be a good thing to meet his own ends and desires and called it God's will. Look how many wars are started and at the root of it is conflicting religious ideaology.
anamoly143 2 months ago
@anamoly143 I agree with everything you said. But I'm not so sure I'm ready to "throw the baby out with the bathwater" as the expression goes. I can tell you that presently, I don't have a "home church." I left mine back in Sept. because I just couldn't reconcile many of their decisions and practices. I'm looking for a community that better represents the gospel (and what Jesus would have us do with it), but so far, I'm coming up empty handed. It's out there, I think, and I hope we both find it.
MelissaJenna 2 months ago
@MelissaJenna There is one pretty big problem with trying to find a community that better represents the gospel (and what Jesus would have us do with it). Nearly all churches don't do certain things that Jesus would like us to do, all because some of the congregation thinks only on tradition. A few weeks ago, my minister had a sermon on how we think church should be. He said that most of the time, our point of view of how a congregation should be is based off of our experiences at around age 12.
Drumlind11 2 weeks ago in playlist More videos from MelissaJenna
paid for by church donations.
anamoly143 2 months ago
Here's the thing. I believe in God and Jesus and heaven and hell but I cannot buy into organized religion. I have seen it corrupted in too many ways to really follow anything a church is trying to cram down my throat. I have had friends that ended up in what I would call a "cult" where they were told that they could not socialize with me unless I became a member of their church. I have had friends that lived in relatively impoverished areas but the pastor of the church was driving a BMW
anamoly143 2 months ago
Thanks for sharing your story, Jenna! Loved hearing it. I know it took a lot of guts to share it here.
godrox 2 months ago
did you just get historical or.. hysterical?
MaywitherDragon 2 months ago
Thank you so much for opening the dialogue.I love that you were so honest. People are imperfect, If you judge God and Jesus based on people and how they choose to act in church you are focusing on the imperfect and not the true message.I believe the woman you made cry was put there for a reason because she definitely changed your life. It took a while but you always remembered her as well as the fine examples of Christians who lead you by example Have a very Merry Christmas!
TheBalcour 2 months ago
Nice video! Thanks.
RenegadeJuggler 2 months ago
I sent you a message through facebook because my comment was too long and I would like to create a dialog to discuss these issues.
DangerousTalk 2 months ago
@DangerousTalk Don't know if you got it yet, but I replied. :)
MelissaJenna 2 months ago
Thank u so much for u amazing videos, hav a very merry xmas :) xx
MissQuiteFrankly 2 months ago
Thank you for ur wonderful videos, ur such a great person, i wish u a very merry xmas :) xx
MissQuiteFrankly 2 months ago
Hey m.j :)
I just wanted to say although i am not a christian or a believer of faiths i can relate to you SO much about the attitude thing! I used to be such a selfish, pessimistic and generally just an a-hole :L and wud also argue my points at christinas and other believes of faiths and cultures to a frankly aweful point but now i've come to accept that every one is entitled to their beliefs and i now open my mind to their views instead of locking myself in my opinionated little bubble haha th
MissQuiteFrankly 2 months ago
So let me get this right, Jesus loves you, but if you don't love him back he'll torture you in hell forever? WTF?
liiiiiiiilliiiiiiiil 2 months ago
@liiiiiiiilliiiiiiiil No, that's not what I believe at all. (And I'm certain that's not what I implied.)
MelissaJenna 2 months ago
@MelissaJenna That's just something "clever" he read on a meme picture that made the frontpage on reddit yesterday. It's got nothing to do with anything you said.
snottlebocket 2 months ago
@MelissaJenna Some people just won't get it. They'll never understand what "this" is all about. Hurt needs to be healed regardless of becoming a believer or not. I've known people (believers) that still needed to be healed. However, outsiders of the faith that bonds us, can't know what peace can be. Just like a person watching the war on tv can't know what the battle is all about. Perspective! Thanks for the video.
lamontshandy 2 months ago
I actualy am shocked to hear your description of yourseld as you were. I realy cannot imagine a nice person like yourself in that way. Annyway, thanks for sharing this fresh perspective on the issue. I never heard a story like that and your kind of self awareness sounds realy beautiful. merry christmas.
ypey1 2 months ago 4
@ypey1 Yeah...I definitely don't seem like that person at all anymore (thank God!). Merry Christmas!
MelissaJenna 2 months ago
When you started talking about your transformation/when you really allowed God to come into your life, I just had to stop pause the video for a second and just thank Him for showing me this video. This is something that I really needed to see. I'm trying too hard to change when I need to let God come in and take over.
ckkbleev 2 months ago
@ckkbleev Yes yes yes! Sometimes it's hard to remember that all we need is to make room for God to do his work, and stop trying to do it ourselves. I get in the way of myself all of the time. :) Thank you very much for sharing!
MelissaJenna 2 months ago
I wish that people wouldn't judge Christians on their fandom. The past few weeks have really been good for me. I've been struggling with my faith for awhile, but recently it's clicked and I know that God loves me for everything that I am, and He is always there for me. Thank you for sharing this <3
jeszilestrange 2 months ago
@jeszilestrange SO glad to hear this! And it makes me happy that what I had to say resonated with you! <3
MelissaJenna 2 months ago
Love this video, I take the same stance. I'm Christian too! :) I'm also 37 weeks pregnant. My husband and I love Christmas...like we go all out, and make it special somehow every year....but recently we've been confronting the idea of not partaking in Christmas celebrations- because they aren't "really about Christ" according to some more ...?conservative?...Christians, I guess you'd say...what do you think about this topic?
cre8ive2noend 2 months ago
@cre8ive2noend First of all-- congratulations on the impending arrival! What a blessing! Is this your first? What an exciting time! And, actually, my husband and I have been talking about the same thing (foregoing "traditional" Christmas stuff in favor of a Christmas focused on Christ). You know what's funny? We're a little hesitant about the reactions of our Christian friends! Like, they'll think we're robbing our daughter of a "normal" Christmas. Verdict is still out on this one. :)
MelissaJenna 2 months ago
You've always seemed nice.
never3st 2 months ago
Hey Melissa, I might not be Christian but I really, really wanted to say that I support you for making this video. Christians like you are really a light in the world and give me faith in the world. I'm so glad that you found something that allows you to be the happy, beautiful person and mother that you are. I know you're probably getting A LOT of hate for this video so, I wanted to let you know I think the world of you.
alliteration1247 2 months ago
@alliteration1247 Wow, thank you so much for being so supportive! It's funny how "coming out" about my faith causes so much anxiety for me, and so many negative feelings from others. And it reminds me SO MUCH of how I used to treat Christians! What's that saying? "Don't dish it if you can't take it?" Well, I "dished it" for years, and now I'm taking it. :) When it comes down to it, I'm not sure that anyone here will ever "get" that I used to be just like them.
MelissaJenna 2 months ago
@alliteration1247 When you're SO SURE about what you believe (or don't believe) you've got this impenetrable wall surrounding your thinking, or your capacity of understanding, so it's very very hard for nonbelievers to hear a story about someone that was just like them turning in to something different. In many ways, nonbelievers can be JUST as stubborn and arrogant as believers. (Speaking from personal experience.)
MelissaJenna 2 months ago
so where u like a crazy slut in high school who used guys to pay for her drug addiction?
MuseseekerMan 2 months ago
@MuseseekerMan like a crack whore?
MuseseekerMan 2 months ago
@MuseseekerMan if u were then ppl should rly go to church. because it worked miracles for u.
MuseseekerMan 2 months ago
She looks so different to the woman in the iFixit videos - without the make-up ;L
therealpro123 2 months ago
no one is perfect!!! i hope you don't corrupt yourself cause you seem like a very nice person........... with a dark side.
bboychi1 2 months ago
Freddy wants his sweater back..... and if you stole his gloves then give those back to...... yeah I know what you really get up to at night...
bboychi1 2 months ago
I am very happy to hear that you have changed. But...from someone that is working at a christian church (different denomination than what I am) for many years, your first impression of how "Christians" are is no way out of line. This has been the hardest job I have ever worked at. There are many parishioners that do have a good heart, there are a lot of bad "apples" that are spoiling the tree. So much personal agendas. They preach about being a follower of God but really do not walk the walk.
Andrew38ful 2 months ago
@Andrew38ful I think you misunderstand me. I completely agree with you, and my experiences have been very similar to your own. Lots of "bad apples," lots of hypocritical behavior. But that's the case with people in general, I think. And God loves us all, equally. Even the "bad apples."
MelissaJenna 2 months ago
@MelissaJenna, thanks for responding, Wish more people could be like you in that they hear his words and be enlightened. Also I am not telling any of your subscribers to NOT go to church. GO! You are very right that God loves everyone. May you and your family (ifixit family too) and all your dedicated subscribers have a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Andrew38ful 2 months ago
Good question yourtaciturnfriend
ace14502 2 months ago
I agree with mistaspot1
ace14502 2 months ago
I have a similar issue not with Christians, but with organized religion.
Drrck11 2 months ago in playlist Liked videos
although sincere, it was a simple emotional appeal. hardly convincing and i sense some doubts.
sozfan1 2 months ago
This is one of the most sincere, genuine testimonies I have ever heard. Talking about your past the way you did takes courage and couldn't have been easy. You are proof that God does changes people for the better just as He did for me. Merry Christmas :)
envincebal 2 months ago
Did you know your sweater looks just like Linus'? lol
Drrck11 2 months ago
i like the old melissa
sozfan1 2 months ago
considering this endless economic depression, the rapid erosion of our liberties (e.g., NDAA just legalized indefinite detention of US citizens w/o trial), transition to a fascist police state, unchecked pillaging of main street by the usury banksters of wall street, endless wars abroad, etc, and the church's bizarre ambivalence on these matters, what's the point of celebrating any holidays? it's madness and we're doomed.
sozfan1 2 months ago
@sozfan1 it's interesting that the church rarely addresses issues beyond the family and these silly holidays, especially when so much evil and injustice is rising up around us.
sozfan1 2 months ago
@sozfan1 Yup. We completely agree on that.
MelissaJenna 2 months ago
Youtube's a horrible place to discuss atheism! One more point: You said God loves us. I have a problem understanding how his love can be pure or wholesome when he threatens to punish me if I don't love him back.
If a man can imagine punching his wife in the face, isn't his love for her is corrupt and negative? If God can imagine damning my soul to hell, isn't his love for me is equally abusive? It's a FLAW to be upset about rejection... how can a perfect God have that flaw?
YourTaciturnFriend 2 months ago
@YourTaciturnFriend My understanding of "eternal damnation" is different than that of many Christians. It's an unpopular perspective, and one that keeps me from engaging a great deal with my "community." If we're to assume that God IS purely loving, than the idea that he would punish us for eternity is silly. (And actually, unbiblical.) It's a big can of worms, you've got there. :)
MelissaJenna 2 months ago
You're back in your studio! Awesome video. Thanks for sharing, and Merry Christmas.
mattskowronski2 2 months ago
I don't hate or look down on theists -- they're not dumb, in fact many very clever people are theists. But I admit to being disappointed when I see clever people believe in what I consider to be delusion and fantasy. I'm very glad that you found something to make you a happier and nicer person -- it's just a shame that what makes you "better" is unprovable and improbable and bizarre.
Question: That biblical point that you argued so hard you made a Christian cry -- can you now answer it?
YourTaciturnFriend 2 months ago
@YourTaciturnFriend Wow, that's a really good question. The general point is that the entire faith is unprovable, scientifically. There isn't much evidence to go off of, and some biblical stories are just plain...bizarre, to use your word. And no, I can't answer it. I have some ideas, but I'm not sure that any accumulation of evidence will either prove or disprove God. God's not a hypothesis. :)
MelissaJenna 2 months ago
it's interesting then to observe non-believers celebrating Christmas since it damns them to hell. why so merry?
sozfan1 2 months ago
Thanks so much for sharing your story, really interesting to see how your relationship with God has changed. Merry Christmas:)
sssarahxo1 2 months ago
Have a merry Christmas, MJ. Religious or not, you learn that these things are all relative to whether or not they benefit the person and motivate them to better themselves.
thejobloshow 2 months ago
@thejobloshow Absolutely. And I'm supportive of...well...anything, really that motivates people to better themselves. :)
MelissaJenna 2 months ago
Merry Christmas, Melissa...to you and your family. May this seasons hope, peace, joy and love be yours as we celebrate the Incarnation of Jesus, Son of God, who came to rescue us from sin and teach us to live in love.... for now and for eternity. Hugs. - x0x - Tom
tommax26 2 months ago
So... you didn't have a father figure and now you're a Christian because God is a father figure? Shocking. Surely that couldn't be common, could it? Surely people over the generations weren't often fatherless due to war and neglect?
Sounds like it's an ideology that's been crafted to be exactly what we're conditioned to desire.
I'll go on basing my beliefs on what can be backed up by evidence.
Christmas to be means a bunch of cool pagan stuff that has nothing to do with Christianity.
mistaspot1 2 months ago
@mistaspot1 You know what's funny? Initially, this video was 15 minutes long, but I cut out all of the stuff about psychoanalyzing my "daddy issues," and my complete understanding that Christians co-opted most of their Christmas traditions from other belief systems, because I thought that 15 minutes was waaay too long. I figured people might take me on my word that I know what I'm talking about. :/ How naive and optimistic of me.
MelissaJenna 2 months ago 2
@MelissaJenna Considering your "daddy issues" (for lack of a better term) seem to be at the core of why you believe, I think it's very relevant, and I personally wish you would have left that stuff in. But I'm not everybody. I suppose making it appeal to a broader base of people calls for you to be concise. So that's okay. I lost my mom when I was young, so I just wonder what I would feel like if our predominant religion was matriarchal. I'm no better than you. We're all apes here.
mistaspot1 2 months ago
@mistaspot1 I don't want you to get that idea that I don't "let that stuff in." The fact is, I've been in countless hours of therapy, so rather than rejecting your concern, I actually have a pretty firm understanding of it. I'm by no means ignorant to the various ways that I might be/might have been compensating for my upbringing, but I also have the perspective to know that my faith is not a panacea for my "daddy issues."
MelissaJenna 2 months ago
@MelissaJenna this is such a common misconception...that people use faith as a crutch, or something to make them happy by filling in a daddy-gap. I think people who grow up without fathers and eventually become Christian, just tend to be more vocal about how wonderful it is to have a loving Dad- heavenly father, that is. :)
cre8ive2noend 2 months ago
@cre8ive2noend You're probably right about fatherless Christians being more vocal about having a father in God. That totally makes sense.
MelissaJenna 2 months ago
@mistaspot1 And, for the record, I'm approaching the issue with sincerity and a desire for understanding, something that your sarcasm does not lend itself to. If you really want to engage, why not ditch the sarcasm in favor of language that's more...real?
MelissaJenna 2 months ago
@MelissaJenna I'm approaching the issue with sincerity and desire for understanding, too. But I feel like I kind of do understand. I *like* the psychoanalytical aspect of it. Maybe that's scary, though, because it's easier when people ignore that part.
Anyway, I don't want to appear hostile. I really don't. But I'm a nonbeliever. And I don't feel like I should be responsible for peoples' feelings when they get upset as a result of me explaining my positions.
mistaspot1 2 months ago
@mistaspot1 I take zero issue with you positions, just your sarcasm. Using sarcastic language is a sure way to discredit your argument. Sarcasm is often a defense mechanism, employed when one is too emotionally "caught up" to say something sincere. And if we're actually going to understand each other, sincerity and truth should be our foundation.
MelissaJenna 2 months ago