One thing that undoubtedly stood out to me during our debate was how religion is killing Christianity.

from the article

I see myself as a spiritual, faith-based person, but I detest organized religion. I’m a Christian, but I don’t subscribe to some religious group where humans set the rules, not God. Because that’s honestly what religions are — they’re mini cults. God didn’t create the Baptist religion, a human did. A human who took their own personal beliefs and tied them into a religious denomination.

To me, being a Christian is about being a good person. Help the helpless, defend the defenseless. Take care of the poor, the sick, the elderly. Don’t judge others. Live a life of love, hope, forgiveness and compassion. To me, that’s what following the teachings of Jesus Christ and being a Christian means.

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But when you get into organized religion, that’s where you get into judgement, hate, fear and paranoia. That’s where simply being a “Christian” is no longer good enough, you have to follow that religion’s rules to follow “Christianity.” The values which define your faith no longer match with the values of Christ but the values of your religious denomination.

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Read more: My Debate with a Conservative Baptist, and Organized Religion’s Attempt to Destroy Christianity http://www.forwardprogressives.com/my-debate-with-a-conservative-baptist-and-organized-religions-attempt-to-destroy-christianity/