I've noticed some confusion in discussions about atheism. Particularly when people claim that atheists actually believe in God, there just rebellion or mad.

You simply cannot be an atheist, and believe in God.

* By literal definition: "An atheist is a person who does not believe in the existence of any god, gods, or supreme beings, or who actively believes that no gods exist"

You cannot genuinely believe that God exists and simultaneously lack belief in His existence. Those are contradictory positions.

Hence what makes an atheist, a atheist by definition.

I think it's important that, as Christians, we represent opposing viewpoints accurately, especially when discussing matters of faith.

Lately I've been thinking about spiritual warfare and trying to let Scripture shape my understanding more than my fears.

When Paul describes spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-18, the focus isn't on finding hidden demons or breaking curses. Instead, Christians are told to put on the armor of God: truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, and the word of God.

James writes, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). Peter tells believers to be sober-minded, watchful, and firm in their faith (1 Peter 5:8-9).

I certainly believe evil is real. But when I read the New Testament letters, I see far more emphasis on prayer, faithfulness, endurance, repentance, and trust in Christ than on fear of demonic activity.

One thing I've come to wonder is whether some Christians spend so much time looking for what may be lurking in the shadows that they lose sight of the One walking with them in the light.

"Perfect love casts out fear." (1 John 4:18)

Hi guys, I am taking this here because, I'm not really sure what to do..

I've been learning about the different Christian traditions (Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Protestantism).

I was ultimately convinced of Catholicism but I realized I was comparing the strongest Catholic arguments to the weakest of Orthodoxy and Protestantism.

After researching strong arguments from all sides, there is genuinely a strong case for each one regarding the Papacy.

Papal infallibility and supremacy weren't clearly articulated in the early Church in the way they were at Vatican I. There was a Roman Primacy for sure, but it doesn't look like Infallibility or Supremacy

Now, I do understand the case for the Papacy, that the Primacy developed into Vatican I, but that's something that we can't really prove, but it also makes sense. The case Protestants and Orthodoxy seems to have is the case that Vatican I's idea of the Papacy wasn't in the early Church therefore the Papacy is false.

I think all cases are strong, and after comparing even the Assumption of Mary for example, the first place the Assumption was ever spoken of was the Book of Mary's Repose. Which was a Gnostic text. Many early church fathers never taught or held to the Assumption up until, the late 4th or 5th centuries. Even Apostolic Succession, there was no third office we call "bishop" in the early church, it was two. It was Bishop/Overseer and Deacons. That was it.

So, it seems the case for Protestantism is strong as well. (I know I haven't listed much evidence for the two claims but the evidence I've seen is compelling. I'm not asking for a refutation or more arguments)

But if the Papacy is true, then it wouldn't be a problem to believe these. There just isn't enough evidence to know if it's true, and there's not enough evidence to show that it's not. It's just endless argumentation.

I'm really stuck in a loop here, all three cases are strong. I prefer Catholicism personally, even though personal preference shouldn't be a deciding factor. I love the idea of Confession, I truly believe the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ.. I love the beauty of the Church, the Rosary. I really do love and prefer the Catholic Church. If I was a Protestant I'd be a Lutheran.

I am quite afraid of choosing incorrectly, I feel something in the back of my mind saying, Orthodoxy is true, but then another thing saying Protestantism is true, and another thing saying Catholicism.

I really don't know what to do. Thank you for reading

Saw this and wanted to know what you guys thought. It's been bothering me...

Bible contradiction

The Bible clearly says children aren’t punished for their parents’ actions and vice versa—everyone is judged by the sins they commit. Examples:

Deuteronomy 24:16

‘Parents are not to be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their parents; each will die for their own sin.’

Ezekiel 18:20

‘The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.’

So why does God do the opposite in 1 Samuel 15:3, where He says:

‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will PUNISH the Amalekites for what THEY DID to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and completely destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, CHILDREN and INFANTS, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’’

When this verse is used in general to argue that God is ‘cruel and evil,’ the typical response is that ‘the Amalekites did horrible things, so God had to punish them.’ But even if that’s true, the children and infants didn’t do anything to Israel or anyone else. Why are they being punished for the sins of their parents, when the Bible explicitly forbids this kind of punishment?

Have you ever been listening to a song you like, then you go to the artist, and they have a satanic song or some blasphemous imagery? Nothing pisses me off more than that as far as music goes. It’s already bad how much I encounter it because I listen to a lot of metal of all different kinds, so you have to tread lightly in death metal genres, annoying but whatever, just check the album covers and song names and some lyrics to make sure they aren’t blasphemous or satanic, and if they are then just drop them. Like I said annoying but you have to expect to come across that stuff every once in a while in those genres. You know what really makes me want to strangle someone though? When I’m listing to a band you wouldn’t even begin to think would do stuff like that based off their genre/vibes, and you scroll through the songs and theres blasphemy or straight up support for satanism. Last time I got really pissed off it was a super niche Neo-folk (I love neofolk when it’s not pagan or blasphemous) that has a sound unlike anyother, I was loving it, and then they have satanic songs all of a sudden. The worst part was that they were niche enough I can only find one or two full individual songs on yt, the rest are entire albums uploaded as one video with song names showing as you reach them. So I’m vibing, enjoying peak music, then the song changes, I check the song name, and the new song was titled something about the archenemy coming back, it really angered me. You wanna know what really did it though? I was listening to cake, (I really liked “the distance“ and “never there“) and I’m going through their stuff on Apple Music. One of their songs is named “pentagram“. That wasn’t even the worst one either. This just pisses me off so much and I hate people who do that. I just wanted to complain around other people who would understand. Originally I just searched up my thoughts but all I could find was idiots asking if they can listen to satanic slop as Christians so that’s why I made this post. Thank you for listen if you read this far, I was just really angry and wanted to complain.

“ Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. ”

Genesis 2:24 ESV

Flesh is what Adam and Eve have in common. Adam is flesh, Eve is flesh, however Adam is not Eve. Yet both are 1 flesh in unity. Yet 2 distinct persons.

You have God. The Father is God, the Son is God, the Spirit is God. God is what all 3 have in common. Just like flesh is what Adam and Eve had in common. And just like how Adam = flesh and Eve = flesh yet Adam is not Eve and Eve is not Adam. The Father is not the Son or Spirit. The Son is not the Spirit or Father. The Spirit is not the Father or the Son. Yet all 3 are God in unity. Yet 3 distinct persons.

Is this a good way to explain it or is this heresy?

Hello my brothers and sisters in Christ I'm a new Christian having given my life to Christ for about one year now and sadly I struggle with lust. but recently as I've learned to grow closer to him I've started breaking the vicious cycle and having him close to me is one of the best feelings but after a few slip ups these past a few days and having not been in my word and praying half hearted I feel like I've grown distant I prayed tonight but I just feel shame I feel terrible like I'm really not praying I feel like I'm just saying something to say and I KNOW he is there I know from what I've learned what I've experienced but sometimes I lose him in my own mind do you have any advice for a fellow Christian stuck in fog?

Please disregard my username. I’d like to tell you guys a little about me and seek your advice.

Long, story short.. I am a 22 year old young adult, who suffered watching pornography, that eventually turned into sexting with men for fun that turned into me selling nudes for money. I am not proud of it. I actually hate it that I did but now I’d like to turn fully away from it. Truly.

I need a support system, I need a friend and I need someone christ-like to help me. When you have so much things going on in your life and drowning financially, it makes it so easy to turn back to what you know helped you even if it meant sinning for it. I don’t want to sin for it.. I want to learn to trust God again, and build that trust in Him because I know he will provide. So please, if any of you are interested in being my brother or sister in Christ, my chats are opened🩷

God told me to leave my job after I was no longer getting scheduled. This was a tough decision and I fasted about it, I hesitated for a week and a half and then I finally put in my 2 weeks notice. I've applied to around 20 jobs in the last 3 weeks and everytime I get an interview I get turned down. I've had 4 interviews so far and I pray everytime that God would either open the door if he wants me there or that he would close it if he doesn't. It's getting bad and I literally asked my neighbor if I could clean out her car and detail it for $100 tomorrow.

I feel like I should wait on God but also at the same time I'm running out of time. Payments are due and I have responsibilities. I know God sees my needs and maybe my neighbor paying me for that is God's way of providing temporarily. I just need consistency, i'm a full-time college student and I don't have time to run a small business of car detailing otherwise id be doing it by now. Any prayer or encouragement would be great. It just sometimes feels like no matter how much I pray for God to give me an opportunity it never happens and it's been hard.

I learned to walk on eggshells,
To measure every word I’d say,
To hide my tears and silence my fears,
And hope for a peaceful day.

I lived with a heart full of worry,
Never knowing what might come,
Trying to keep my baby safe,
While feeling like I had nowhere to run.

I carried burdens no one saw,
And pain I struggled to explain.
I wondered how much more I could take,
While silently enduring the pain.

Until one day, I couldn’t do it.
I had no words, no strength to pray.
Just one small cry that left my lips:
“Help.” And Jesus made a way.

He saw the tears I cried in secret,
He knew the fear I held inside.
He heard the prayer I barely whispered,
And He became my strength to leave behind.

He gave me courage when I felt helpless,
He guided me when I couldn’t see,
He helped me find a way to safety,
And reminded me that I was worthy of being free.

I left to protect my precious baby,
To give him peace and let him grow,
To break the cycle of fear and hurting,
And give him a love he’ll always know.

Jesus was there in every moment,
In every tear, in every prayer.
In every step that led me forward,
In every moment I thought no one cared.

He was there when I was frightened,
He was there when I felt alone.
He was there when I found the courage
To finally make my way back home.

My healing journey has just begun,
And some days will still be hard.
But I no longer walk this road alone;
Jesus is with me, guarding my heart.

All I could pray was “Help,”
Yet that small prayer was enough.
Jesus heard me in my darkest hour
And carried me when life became too tough.

I thought I had no way out,
But God was working where I couldn’t see.
And when I was too broken to save myself,
Jesus reached down and rescued me.

God met me in a very dark place when He saved me. I was just happy to finally be saved. It was like nothing else mattered. I knew instantly what was going on when I received the Holy Spirit. I just knew things. He imparted knowledge to me. I was outside of a church walking back to my car and the Holy Spirit just came upon me and totally enveloped my entire being. It was incredible.

The first year was pretty good overall. I struggled with this and that but then after the 2nd year came around I knew the honeymoon phase was over and it was game on.

Since then I’ve struggled with all kinds of sins. Gone astray in my heart. Felt kinda like God just forgot about me at times.

Fast forward to now. I’ve grown. I really have. This desert/wilderness season has tested me like beyond my limit at times and the pain has brought me to my knees numerous times. My faith has been tested and refined over and over again. Many prayers I’ve had about a variety of different things, people, etc have not been answered as far as I know. And it just makes wanting to pray or read the word quite difficult.

Yesterday and today I’ve been okay but recently I’ve just been feeling kinda lost in my life. And I already know someone is going to say find a church, serve and all that. It’s tough. If you are truly born again you know darn well that is easier said than done. But anyways just wanted to make this post to get my thoughts out a bit and see if anyone else relates.

If any of you made it out of the desert, what was it like when God finally released you and put you in your purpose? Did you finally receive the clarity and direction that you have been longing for? Thanks everyone.

últimamente me puse a pensar, y veo en todos, que tienen un amor muy grande hacia los demás, y quieren depender del otro, estoy rezando últimamente y es raro, todos me preguntan que me pasa y no me pasa nada, estoy en paz, y quiero rezar a Dios todo el tiempo, pero, de alguna forma, me conecto con el corazón de los demás aveces, y siento su lujuria, su odio, y me siento mal después. Quiero estar solo, y aunque eso me cueste amistades se que el amor está en todos pero el amor que tienen no es de Cristo, o cuál es el amor que debería sentir? Siento paz, alivio, y solo en mi cabeza quiero cantar alabanzas, o rezos, no puedo parar, pero, nosé como ayudar a los demás, osea, veo que todos aman con el corazón, pero ese corazón tiene ira, sentimientos desordenados, felicidad y tristeza en subida y bajada, y me pregunto, estoy mal yo? o ellos que siguen por completo a su corazón y solo escuchan a él? no lo entiendo, en la Biblia dice, que no es bueno seguir el corazón, porque sintiendo el corazón me siento sin rumbo como que vivo solo el presente, y me desenfoca

Its only been a couple of weeks into a new (also first) relationship. She has never really been exposed to Christianity and she's very skeptical about everything. She is an amazing woman who is doing great things. I love her a ton and the thought of losing her is heartbreaking. I pray for her constantly and try to be s positive Christian influence in her life. How should I move forward?

Hi. Sorry long post.
I (25F) broke up with my (29M) boyfriend last month.

Context of our relationship: We met last summer, and he confessed to me (He was gay, and wasn’t expecting to fall for a girl).

I felt convicted of his past, and took a step back for a few months. He was hurt and everyone around him noticed.
When I came back, we continued chatting, and began dating. Everything was great. He even told me it felt like God brought us together (He prayed for a girlfriend)

However, in August, when he came down with a mysterious illness.
He started misinterpreting my actions and saying hurtful things (His ex had BPD and treated him horribly). I’d clarify my intent, but I felt like I was dismissed.

I felt the same conviction and ended things. He was hurt and immediately requested space.

I didn't give it because our mutual friend relayed his messages (EX: I want her, yes, but only if she doesn't flip-flop quickly) to me after the breakup.

I assumed he wanted to talk again, but I was met with silence and eventually a removal.
I sought advice from a friend, and they said he could've been punishing me (I should have taken it with a grain of salt). I even said that.
That made him upset more, block me, and tell our friend that he was done and didn't want to hear about me unless it was important. Then, I left all of our servers and didn't mention him for a while.

Last week, I re-joined one of them to see if his illness progressed. I saw that he unblocked me, but blocked me again when he discovered I came back a few days later, and then decided to leave me unblocked.

I'm not sure what this conveys. I know feelings aren’t reliable, but I’m torn because of the mixed signals. I don’t know what God wants me to do.

Through conversations and circumstances over the last few years, God has led me to the realization that I should no longer identify myself with 'reformed' theology. This is quite the paradigm shift for me, because I was raised in, and have attended, reformed churches my entire life.

A brief summary of what I no longer agree with in reformed theology: covenant theology as a whole, the nature of God's sovereignty (control vs authority), the regulative principle of worship, the real presence in the sacraments, sabbath keeping, man's ability to understand Scripture vs being led by the Spirit, the need for confessions and creeds, the need for a strict liturgy, etc.

It also puts me in a sticky spot, as I still hold to the reformed doctrines summarized by the TULIP acronym, and I could never attend a church who didn't also hold to and preach those doctrines.

As far as I'm aware, Christianity as whole is pretty much split on these doctrines. You find TULIP in reformed churches and not anywhere else.

So, given that I'm no longer reformed, I don't know where I fit or what to do. I currently attend a PCA church, but I can no longer in good conscience be a member there. I'm going to meet to discuss this with my pastor, but I hate to drop it in his lap, because I suspect it's not something he's really interested in discussing or is equipped to handle. I should probably just quietly disappear out the back door.

But I don't know where to go, which is a hard thing when I have a wife and children.

Has anyone walked a similar path? Anyone have any advice?

I’m a Christian struggling with OCD, especially when it comes to money and my relationship with God. My OCD makes me afraid that keeping my money or possessions means I don’t love God enough, and I sometimes feel pressured to sacrifice everything to prove my faith.

Recently, I told God, “If God Almighty or Jesus asked me physically to give up all my money and items, I would. But until that day I’m just gonna keep making money.”

Now I’m obsessing over whether I accidentally made a promise to God, whether saying it means that situation will happen, and whether I’d be a liar if I didn’t give everything away. I felt pressured by my OCD when I said it, and now I’m scared of losing everything. Part of me wants to take back what I said, but I’m afraid that would be wrong or sinful.

Has anyone experienced something similar? How do you deal with these fears while maintaining your faith? I want to love God without OCD controlling my decisions and finances. I’d appreciate Christian advice and prayers.

I(27m) have been dating (31f) for about 3 months. I am not sure if she is the woman I should marry.

I recently got serious about my Christian walk and got baptized 5 months ago. I have been a Christian for a few years.

I am concerned because she told me she was Christian, she has been baptized too, but her approach to repenting from sexual immorality was way different from mine. She also attends church (different one from mine).

When I met her I was seriously trying to not engage in fornication and be submitted to God, but since then we have committed some sexual sins and I have been backsliding in my walk.

The thing is I am remembering back to the person I met when we started dating. She said lust is her biggest temptation (as it is mine) but she was frequently engaging in casual sex and homosexual activities. She had a ton of pornography of herself on her phone of people she was not married to and engaging in 3somes and orgies. The group sex stuff was from a long time ago.

She told me she was open to dating someone who wasn’t Christian, and I was concerned about that. If she truly believes in the Bible and God it says not to date an unbeliever.

I know I should not judge her for her level of spirituality and I should be the one to lead her. I am concerned that our approach to sin is different.

I worry that she is pretending to be Christian for me
and telling me what I want to hear for me to be with her.

The thing is I have a sinful past of sexual immorality so I feel like I shouldn’t judge her for her past, but I have completely changed my approach to sex since becoming Christian. She would tell me things she would do and say she wouldn’t feel guilty about casual sex since after becoming Christian. That is concerning to me. I know it’s not up to me to change her heart.

The thing is we do love each other but I just need some support/guidance. I have been praying about it.

Update: thanks for the harsh truths everyone. I have ended the relationship. Time for serious reflection and learning to not make this mistake again. Time to focus on repentance.

"Oh God heal me and I'll tell everyone about you!" Or "Please fix this debt for me and I'll praise you everyday!"

We've heard this many times, we've even said it in our hearts. This is nothing new and it's actually quite disrespectful to Jesus.

When He died and came back, this is what He told Thomas, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" John 20: 27-29

What He said to Thomas means more than just believing. How about this, "because I answered your prayer, you praise me and tell others about me. Blessed are those who praise me and tell others about me when they haven't received anything yet."

So I basically never really developed breasts, I’m talking about AA a tiny handful at most. I have always felt very self conscious and it doesn’t really fit my body/ looks a bit underdeveloped since I’m curvy in other places. seems to be genetic as most of my sisters are flag as well. I’m not a terribly insecure person otherwise but this thing has bothered me for years. I’m married and my husband likes me as I am but I know he likes boobs haha and would prob not want to say anything to upset me, I have the finance and I follow Jesus closely I’m just so afraid of proceeding with this in case I’m sinning or ruining Gods plans for me. or that I’m being vein? I have a Catholic background where my dad talked a lot about sin and I think it made me hyper aware of it when I’m decision making. Help

My family and I recently left our church because of unhealthy tendencies within the community (legalism, gossip, and often by outsiders is often called a cult)—I met with one of my family members and they questioned me for a long time because “how could I ever give up everything god has given me within this community?”. They talked about what matters most in life is our relationships—unfortunately what happens typically when you leave this church is you lose those relationships; not out of malice but everyone is so busy within the church and seeing each other all the time that you kind of get forgotten about. They asked why would I want to risk it when I know everyone within this community and how life would be (typically people don’t leave the church because you’ve known everyone for so long, and the hope is that your kids will go to their school and then also stay in the church, get married in the church, and continue the cycle).

I said that this is not where I want to follow god long term and that God is big and faithful, and cares for my children more than I do, so he will provide another fellowship, but also that I would rather trust God than put my security in this community. They told me that God had led me here, to a biblical and rich community already, so why would I give that up?

I’m feeling very sad because yes, it is an extremely rich and loving community and I have made some friendships that are so wonderful and Godly. But I hate the idea that my children are being set up to believe that they won’t have choices in how to live their lives, I really don’t like that if we stay then I genuinely would know how the rest of my life would go.

God opening my eyes made me see how broken this world is. How lost is everyone - and it makes me so sad

How sin is promoted and is made "normal"

Seeing how wicked my inside is. How wicked everyone is. How sad everyone is. How empty we are. How this world needs Jesus so much.

Sinning everyday makes me feel like killing myself. Trying so hard everyday to fight against my own flesh desires and listen to the holy spirit - and failing. And having to do this every single day. Having to fight with myself and resist the devil every single day.

I'm so tired man. I give all those to God because I'm so weak and I hope he will handle them.

Used to have so many friends that would just drag me deeper into the pit everyday (and I used to be happy because I didn't know that). God cleaned me from all of them like I asked him to do.

I'm so lonely man. I'm so sad. I have family members that I love so much with hardened hearts.

When I get into the world for too long my inside gets so empty - I used to be like that all my life without knowing why till I found Jesus.

My happiness is based on how my relationship with God is going. The Christian community rejects me. I fear my death or the coming of Jesus because I'm still struggling with repentance and my relationship with God got colder. The enemy is trying so hard on me everytime I get closer to God. And it's hard to handle.

have you ever experienced moments when you came across a Bible verse that seemed to address exactly what you were struggling with, or when someone said something that was relevant to your situation without even knowing what you were going through?

do you believe God orchestrates these moments, or do you think we sometimes notice certain things more because of what we’re experiencing at the time?

i believe in God’s sovereignty and omnipresence, but i’d like to understand this better. sometimes i think about how God sees everything, even the things no one else knows about us, and how nothing escapes His control. it’s almost as if He sees every little detail of our lives, even the ones we keep hidden from everyone else.

at the same time, i don’t want to reduce His omnipresence to the idea of a surveillance camera watching us. i’m curious about how other Christians understand God’s providence in these situations.

how do you distinguish between a moment God uses to encourage or teach you and something that simply feels meaningful because of what you’re going through?

I've been single and celibate for seven years now. I don't date, and I'm not actively looking to date, and I take care of myself. As in, my hair is consistently done, I work out, and I take care of my mental health. I'm feeling pressured to date just to have someone so that I'm not accused of wanting to attract guys. I shouldn't have to make myself unattractive to make others feel better about themselves. I'm quiet and a loner. I don't have any friends. It doesn't bother me being alone. I was with my ex-husband for eleven years. I've been divorced for a few years now. I tried dating a couple of times about 7-8 months after my divorce, but it didn't work out, so I decided to focus on my career. The time flew by. I'm not flirty or touchy. I'm really considering dating so that I can say I don't want your man because I have one. Does this sound ridiculous? Has anyone else experienced this?

If We're supposed to be in a relationship with Jesus; How can I do that when I Get nothing but silence when I'm trying to tell him what's on my mind, or how I feel while I'm in Prayer?!

Even when I'm in a Room with No Devices to distract me; I Try to talk to him, but I never hear back from him at all;

How can I have a relationship with Christ; If He never responds to me when I'm praying to him?!

Big question. How does everyone feel about Christian roleplay, more so creating a story while "playing" as a character. I write books and sometimes I do find it a but lonely while writing. I have dabbled into roleplay (non sexual) years ago and I like it when it is focused in the story and just having fun making it into a book.

My problem? I actually dont have anyone to write with... so... what are your thoughts?

Would you be against this or want to participate so long as it doesn't cause anyone to stumble?