In Reply to: You're not a "bad, wicked, evil sinner" posted by Oldtimer on April 13, 2004 at 20:17:15:
I agree that noone is perfect, totally. But I don't agree with the idea that 'the heart of man is desperately wicked, who can know it', which leads to us being in an everlasting state of wickedness unless we are 'cleansed by the blood of the lamb'.
I can accept Jesus as the Son of God, I can accept Him as a wonderful teacher, person and someone to look up to and admire.
I cannot accept total submission and subjugation to a God, the constant reminding myself that I am a sinner and therefore need to be saved, that without Jesus I am nothing, etc. Perhaps these are still ingrained thought patterns from the group and true Christianity doesn't teach it, but it has been difficult for me to truly delve into the Bible and find out for myself.
I looked into Wicca for awhile out of curiousity to what it was about, and walked away for the same reason, the high priority placed on worship of gods, it didn't appeal to me.