Thanks a lot for the contribution @jammin83 . What is the version of the book you are reading ?
I personally also attribute several negative properties to the current state of the Christian population. In central Europe, the Christians turn away from their own religion, they think it suffices to pay their church taxes and that's it. It bothers me, that such a low amount of official Christians is interesting in the mysticism behind it, which defines the identity of a religion (Paganism was mysticism only afaik). Christianity without mysticism is just a random global social institution (with the same dangers of corruption, power abuse).
IMHO jews and muslims (just to name the religions with relations to Christianity) pay much more attention to the mystic aspects of their denomination. Hence their religion is much more useful in everyday life than the washed down version of Christianity most European Christians (more some sort of atheism/nihilism than a religion) got accustomed to.
What you refer to as hell I would just call Karma. No human can exclude themselves from karmic consequences/influences. If you ignore it and continue to hurt living beings, it will only get worse.
Very valid points and I agree on most of it. I don't believe in karma, but I believe that you reap what you sow, which is a similar principal.
A good church thats alive is hard to find these days, most of christianity has been corrupted by means of religion and some is used as a means of control. I don't think true Christianity was ever intended to be a religion. Religion is man made and I am not a religious person and religion makes it seem like one of many that are out there. I reject most aspects of religion that is just meaningless tradition. That said, I think communion holds merit, as does being baptized, a handful of other things that Im failing to recall atm as well. Most of what is done today is pretty meaningless and most likely pointless. I don't think God wants us to participate in something that our hearts aren't in. He know our hearts so its not like were getting one over on him.
I think what you are referring to is what is called 'lukewarm'. God tells Christians that if you are lukewarm he will spit you out (paraphrasing). He wants us to be hot or cold not just going through the motions. I consider catholicism a false religion in most aspects (Islam is def a false religion), but its not my place to judge where other Christians end up, im sure some will still be saved, the (perhaps not THE, a at least) false prophet pope however, I would have strong doubts about. Lots of things that aren't Biblical within Catholicism.. Putin was right to reject Catholicism bc he sees it for what it is and that's primarily a means of control in the west. Catholicism is responsible for intertwining paganism with Christianity which aren't compatible. There are words about this in the book of revelations.
Mysticism is generally a secular type of term, but I get your point nonetheless. To me, Christianity, is based on the relationship that I have with who I consider my Creator. I have a more fantastical and literal view of Christianity, where believers have visions, dream dreams, and miracles are possible. I find it pretty trippy stuff, and I think that things that people reject as fiction, remain possible today same as in the old testament. Its much more to me than a stereotypical go to church on Sunday type thing. I think it has a lot of power and its frustrating to see it reduced to what it is now. I think when one's faith is strong enough, just about anything that's within god's will is possible. Most churches try to bring in new believers so they dumb a lot of things down, don't preach the gospel, and make it easily accesible, which is fine, but everybody deserves to get fed. People like joel osteen (pastor of the biggest church in America, questionable symbology and message, likely an infiltrator, there are many) rarely even mention Jesus, or sin, or repenting.
the version that i read varies, generally, what I bring up on google, but i think i have noticed some differences, ill try and find a link for you. I don't put much stock into the book as its not the Bible, but I do find it pretty fascinating and can't help but feel there is some truth in there about the watchers and things of that nature. food for thought, if nothing else.
Ill try to contribute more in the future, but am strapped for time right now.
