Might I also inquire the things you found in the Bible that made you lose faith in Christianity?
Sure thing. I actually have a lot to share, but I'll keep it as condensed as I can. Hopefully.
Evolution vs. Creationism
I don't want to derail this thread into a religious debate, but I'll just keep this short. In Genesis, there is no mention of dinosaurs whatsoever, despite the fact that dinosaurs undoubtedly lived on Earth. Living creatures also can't just appear in a day. It takes
millions of years just to discern notable changes in an evolutionary pattern.
I'll just leave it at that.
Rich and Poor, and Socialism
These three verses I found were very interesting:
"All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need." (Acts 2:44-45)
"Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?" (James 2:5-8)
"Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you." (James 5:1-6)
Sounds like the epitome of socialism right there. Yet virtually every Christian I know is conservative and thinks of socialism as the scourge of the Earth. I am willing to bet that if James were alive today and he made these exact same comments, he would be condemned and ostracized by the right-wing as a communist.
There are also numerous other verses (especially in the Gospels) about how the poor are the ones who should be helped and rewarded, while the rich, mainly those who don't go out of their way to help the poor, are chastised as being wicked and evil. Let's also not forget how Jesus goes out of his way to heal the sick and the poor (Matthew 8 IIRC) while wanting nothing in return.
Why exactly are Christians mainly conservative again, the same conservatives who are against welfare and admonish captialism?
Additionally, I also remember a sermon back in July 2007 all too well. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows had just recently come out, and our pastor condemned Harry Potter that Sunday morning as being evil, demonic, and wicked. He brought up numerous verses about the evils of sorcery and witchcraft, and how the HP books shouldn't be read.
He also took a stab at D&D and MTG during that time as well, lumping it in the same area as HP. And that really hit me, because I am a big MTG player, and there's nothing evil or demonic about the game at all. In fact, I've learned an enormous amount of vocabulary, critical thinking, and mathematics from playing Magic. All that, I'm still a normal person leading a normal life.
I feel like I've ranted a tad too much, but you did ask for the examples in the Bible that made me eventually gravitate away from Chrisitianity, so there you have it. I guess it's a matter of the people being at fault; not Christianity itself. However, when people don't exactly follow the consistencies of whatever they practice, then it makes me question the religion itself that they are representing.
Another thing, about your friends. I personally believe that most Christians are doing it wrong in a lot of ways. Of course, I'm no where close to perfect myself, but something that most don't realize is that they shouldn't be chastising you. Instead they should be trying to reason with you, healthily. At the same time, you shouldn't be upset at their ignorance either, since it's likely not their fault that they're that way, as such is the downfall of following things for traditions' sake.
Anyway, if you're worried about losing your friends, the best thing to do is to try avoiding the discussion. Although you shouldn't be treated as an outcast (should be the opposite) it might still happen, but that's no fault of your own. Perhaps, if they do find out, tell them not to turn their back on YOU.
I'm basically just hoping that my friend gets over it eventually and starts talking with me again. I feel a lot better tonight than I was yesterday, so I'm hoping she just clears her head and understands where I'm coming from in terms of my beliefs. I never really wanted to tell her anyway, but when she kept pestering me, I didn't have much choice in just constantly evading her, and I didn't want to lie to her face.
