hard to breathe

sent in by MJ

I am new to this site. I posted a testimony. It's in the recent articles.

Sometimes just thinking about what has happened in the past 2 years makes it very hard to breathe. I went for so long with Christianity programmed into me that it's really hard. Do I still believe in God? I can't answer that. Sometimes I don't think I do. Sometimes I think He's there. I can't decide.

I was at a bar recently speaking w/ someone. They asked me what I believe in. (why is it that we are all programmed to have to have something to believe in?) I told them. Well, I do believe God exists. They asked if I thought that all would go to heaven. I replied no. They asked if I thought that I would go to heaven. I said with the way I am living, I would go to hell.

Does that scare me? Yes, I would go to hell.

I am so confused right now. I am sure many of you have gone through this. But it's hard. I know that we all have to find something to believe in; even if it's not to believe in something. I know there is no easy answer, there's no easy fix. I made this huge lifestyle change (not living for god) and it hasn't gotten any easier. Christianity broke my heart.

It's painful to see old friends from church and they don't support my decisions. I don't have a huge support system saying that it's okay to make this change.

HELP.

It's hard to breathe.

I wonder if many got the real gospel

Hello,

just typing in to say that I found this site.

I think it is very sad, many of the experiences people have had. Yet, after reading testimonies, I wonder if many got the real gospel...the real good news...or just got a bunch of man-made tradition and hypocrisy, which is quite easy to reject. And which, I cannot blame them for rejecting.

Email:jrprentice11@yahoo.com

Christmas "battle" is really becoming annoying

sent in by Sarah

Ironically, I feel like the fundamental Christians are trying to take away Christmas/Holiday/Hannaukah (whatever you prefer to celebrate during this time of year) for the rest of us.

Anyone who studies the history of "Christmas" for even five minutes will learn that there are so many roots of the December celebration which go way beyond the birth of Christ (by the way, the actual day of his birth is still an unknown).

For example, have you ever heard of "Saturnalia"? It was a Roman holiday in the middle of December during which the Romans would celebrate by exchanging presents...etc, and it's similar to how Christmas is celebrated today in many ways. This is just one of a number of holidays that contributed to today's version of Christmas, other than the birth of Jesus.

http://www.holidays.net/christmas/story.htm

Take from the above website:

"The Roman's celebrated their god Saturn. Their festival was called Saturnalia which began the middle of December and ended January 1st. With cries of "Jo Saturnalia!" the celebration would include masquerades in the streets, big festive meals, visiting friends, and the exchange of good-luck gifts called Strenae (lucky fruits). The Romans decked their halls with garlands of laurel and green trees lit with candles."

While I haven't extensively studied this topic, I have read similar descriptions of Saturnalia from other sources, for those of you concerned for the accuracy of information.

My purpose for Christmas is to be with family, eat good food, and to reflect on all the postives of life...but not to celebrate the Christian religion. If all the fundamentalists here in the US prefer society to not wish one another "Happy Holidays", then perhaps we should take Christianity out of it altogether and completely turn it into a non-religious holiday. I think that they're shooting themselves in the foot by arrogantly pushing their agendas on everyone else during the holidays. So in that case, Happy Saturnalia!

Looking for volunteers

To whom it may concern,

My name is Simon, I'm researching a documentary film for Touch Productions, based in Bath, UK. We're trying to find stories about families that have been divided or broken due to religious conflict within the home. This might involve a split family, who haven't seen a daughter for ten years, or maybe a devout couple where one has a
dramatic change of faith.

I was hoping that you might be able to help us with our research by answering a few questions. Maybe you or someone you know has been affected in this way or possibly you know of someone who might be able to help us further.

The idea is still in the early stages of development, but we're hoping to have it ready to pitch to channel commissioners by early next week. Any information you might be able to provide us with would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time and kind regards,

Simon Ball
simon@touchproductions.co.uk
www.touchproductions.co.uk

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