The Christian SIers thread

[svenn]

personally i do not use the label "christian" for my self. if i were to use one it would be "taoist", but i was raised lutheran and read the bible from time to time. i just do not like the doctrine in religion. works for some, just not me.

well anyway, a while i was having a problem with whether it would be ok for me to allow someone else to hurt me for pleasure (if i have to say more the conversation will get too adult). i am a masochist after all. well as i way praying god interrupted me (only time he interrupted me so it must have been important) and told me that my body was a gift and i should respect it. still doing it, but that does not make me a bad person or anything, just something i need to work on.

[Porphy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by *ana's-broken-play-thing*

Do you think cutting is a sin that will have to be confessed (to the preist, bishop, etc, whatever your church believes in) before we can get forgiven for it? And if we confess, and do it again, is that really bad? Like Damnation material? Just curious what people thought. I mean, I feel bad about cutting, burning, etc, and I feel like it is wrong, but . . . I don't know how to stop yet.

I feel exactly the same way. I think that SI probably is a sin, but we both know that God will forgive us and understand our actions. When we SI we harm His creation - when we hate ourselves, in a way we hate Him - He made us, He made us 'good', and He made us in His image. I think we need to remember we're part of Him, something so big and so beautiful that we can't understand it.

I don't necessarily think it's a sin you have to confess, as far as I'm concerned my scars do that for me. He knows what's in your heart, and what's in you soul - He can see the desire to break free, and that's what matters. However, maybe confessing would help you recover?

I think, as with everything in Christianity, it's majorly up to each persons interpretation and their relationship with God. :)

Don't know if that's helpful or not.

[Angel_Girl]

I already posted an answer to it on v2... I'll try and look for it.

[*broken-play-thing*]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angel_Girl

I already posted an answer to it on v2... I'll try and look for it.

I don't know now to access the stuff from V2.

[svenn]

what makes something a sin anyway? if i covet a married woman is that really wrong? what if i do not know she is married when i first see her? my urges are natural and part of how god made me. if i cut myself or drink too much or do other things that hurt myself in any way that is because that is part of who i am and how i deal with life. these are nothing more that obstacles in my life that god has given to me *swears at god* to make me a person that can help others. just my take on things. i guess i do not buy into the whole sin idea.

[Artychik]

BUMP cos some folk were looking for it

In addition to that I'll add some extra info like I said I would

I'm Sarah, 26. I became a Christian when I was 15 and I truly believe God has worked in my life and kept me alive through this whole depression stuff. On the downside been cutting since I was 19. It's not as bad as it has been but... yeah...

end of bump :)

[stumpy davies]

I went to my church tonight, have been a christian 4 years, It was closed just went to sit outside to get some peace to talkto the lord. Haveing a rough time lately so thought I'd really try & reach him tonight !!! yay happier now P.U.S.H = Pray until something happens

[whispers]

Quote:

Originally Posted by svenn

what makes something a sin anyway? if i covet a married woman is that really wrong? what if i do not know she is married when i first see her? my urges are natural and part of how god made me. if i cut myself or drink too much or do other things that hurt myself in any way that is because that is part of who i am and how i deal with life. these are nothing more that obstacles in my life that god has given to me *swears at god* to make me a person that can help others. just my take on things. i guess i do not buy into the whole sin idea.

Sin in general or self-harm being a sin? As for the first part, if you don't know she's married it wouldn't be a sin any more than feeling lust towards a non-married person. Whether you think that's wrong or not is up to you. Everyone has urges to do things that are seen as wrong.. but just because they're 'natural' does that really make them okay? Personally, I think that self-harm is a sin, because yeah, you're harming God's creation and everything. But aside from all that, it isn't really dealing with anything. It's not dealing with life, it's 'coping' in a way that is, essentially, unproductive and unhelpful. I don't think that's what God wants for any of us, He wants us to turn to Him, not alcohol or self-injury or drugs or whatever else, because none of that is ever going to make you happy.

I agree with you about having obstacles that can help you be better, and help others. And yes, self-harm can be one of those things. But that doesn't mean that doing it in the first place is a good thing. Just that good stuff can come out of all the bad stuff. Like, if you have sex with someone outside of marriage and get pregnant, then surely the life of the child is a good thing, because no-one can come into existence without it being the express will of God, but that doesn't mean that what you did was a good thing. (I'm aware that it's not the same thing at all, but it's the best I can do at the moment, I'm tired. And yeah, not all Christians think it would be wrong, but as far as I'm aware it's still not condoned within the Christian community).

*Sigh* I sound like a bitch, and I don't mean to. I do get it, and I think that self-harm is just a very human thing that God can help us through.

And yay for bumps. I like this thread, I don't wants it to die!

[risenfromperdition]

below is an awesome stellar kart vid *whistles* thanks for re-bumping artychik sorry lol.
hi people :)
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32yqFRybP88"]YouTube - Stellar Kart - Me and Jesus[/ame]

annnd casting crowns new song :)
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6zdihmwy1M"]YouTube - East to West by Casting Crowns[/ame]

lol

[xxhappydaysxx]

hey, im really nervous bout posting here.
i got really quite into church and being a christian a couple of years ago. This last few months though, i have totally drifted from God and am doubting whether he exists. i wish i could still feel the way i did the end of last year it was an awesome feeling.
i feel since people said they were praying for me, i felt worse. and ive had a couple of bad church experiences which has put me off and been told things by friends like its the devil making me like this which totally scared me. also been let down by some people who are christians.
i think this thread is good, i liked reading thru. just wish i had some faith still. :(
Sian xxx

[whispers]

Brilliant videos - thank you for sharing :) The first one very nearly made me cry, haha.

Also, Casting Crowns <33

[Ancalagon]

A pastor at my church mentioned in passing that he doesn't think smoking is a sin...I've yet to ask him if he thinks self-injury is. We're having lunch tomorrow so maybe I'll bring it up.

[silentgirl]

My tutor has been a great help with me with my schoolwork but I feel that I don’t know, he has also been I don’t know, a somewhat of a good support. He has been the first person, well adult, that I can have a Christian conversation with, but yeah, he has made me see a lot of different things. What was even weider, was a had a Christian conversation with my counselor last week, it was such a shock. For me and him, I suppose. He said to me that one thing that God is about is love and that he does not judge us. We judge ourselves. I know, touchy, but it’s the truth, I have been guilty with it a lot. I said to my tutor last night, “I know that I did really well in my speech for English, but I feel/know that my essay that goes with my speech, is going to be awful because I rushed it and did it at the last minute (night before it was due) and my tutor replied “isn’t it funny how we put expectations on ourselves when it isn’t necessary?”. I couldn’t answer him because it shocked me that what my tutor was saying, was the truth. I believe in God and all of that, but why cant I stop self harming? Because I know that in someway or another, that it does hurt Jesus deeply. So why cant I stop? I am so confused. I prayed for half an hour last night and read alot of the Bible this morning, but i dont know, does that help things with me or not? Im confused but even more so, because my counsellor told me that being a christian is about having a relationship with Jesus, but i am not sure if he is listening to me half the time.

Just a thought, would i be allowed to post something that i have found that has helped me? Its just a general thing. Ill post it now but if its not alloowed on here, feel free to take it down.

Hannah

[silentgirl]

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?”

The Lord replied,
“The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you.”


Mary Stevenson

[charcoalchild]

I have been self harming for over 13 years in one way or another, and as time has gone on the severity of it has become worse. This, is partly because my mental health problems themselves have got worse. But, five years ago I was born again. Coming to know Jesus has undoubtably saved my life many times - one time in particular when I was very suicidal I had gone to church in my car, planning to give a sealed envelope to my priest on leaving, telling him to open it the next day (a suicide note) and then drive to a secluded area and OD. However, half way through the service I clearly heard Jesus say to me, "do not do it today.. you are needed" and I could not go against the words of God.. so I planned to do it the next day. And sure enough my mother was in need of help that day.. so I was needed. The next day my car wouldnt start. So I couldnt drive anyware.. my next door neighbour, a mechanic.. said he thought it wasnt the battery that had died, and that it was the spark plugs that would need replacing.. so i made a vow not to do it at home the next day.. (Iwanted to be out of the house when I OD'ed) it was my mums birthday a few days after and i was supposed to be driving her somewhere.. and I didnt want to do anything so close to her birthday (stupid excuse I know) and I prayed that if God just gave me my car back so i could take her out as planned i wouldnt attempt sui. The next day my neighbour told me it was the battery and that he had fixed my car. God kept me alive.. I believe he put obsticles in my way to keep me alive.

However.. my faith isnt rock solid.. I get scared that God will not forgive me of my sins.. I did some terrible things when I was younger, even when I was a Christian.. even now I do.. but I trust and believe that God tried all options before he sent His only Son down, to take our sins.. that "whoever believes in him shall not die". I go to confession.. not because I believe you cant be forgiven unless you do, but because I believe that by confessing your sins to 'someone' you are getting them out in the open.. they are not secret anymore.. you cant pretend they didnt happen. Absolution or not.. the second you repent to God.. you are forgiven.. but not only that.. your sin is FORGOTTEN.

Do I believe sh is a sin? Yes.. God says our body is a temple built in the image of Himself.. we should not violate that body.. but God does understand.. when he sent Jesus.. a part of Himself.. he allowed himself to be harmed by the wounds on the cross and the scurging he recieved. (Just my opinion)

Phew! Thats just my ten pence worth.. sorry I wrote so much.

N. B. Could I offer up a prayer request please??....

I found a lump in my breast yesterday.. I have been to the gp who has confirmed it is a mass of some kind.. I am being refered to the specialist for a mammogram and lumpectomy.. where they biopsy the mass to see if it is malignant or benign.. (cancer or not)... Both my grandparents died of cancer, one being breast cancer..

[risenfromperdition]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUSdSmkXY2c"]YouTube - Delirious - Majesty[/ame] ^awesome song

praying :)

and i was just at a conference and one of the speakers was talking about god using our scars to help others. so if you all could pray that i can think about all the stuff i heard and actually let it sink in that'd be great.
and im worried about going off to uni so prayers for that'd be good too :\
god bless!
~heather

[Lluviazul]

Ive talked to our priest about si, but i didnt say i did it. i think he suspects though, im bad at the "i know someone who..." stuff. he said that its the work of demons who are trying to gain souls for satan cos people who kill themselves dont go to heaven. he said that evil tells si'ers " 'go cut, you will feel better... see? youre ok, youre in control, nothing too bad happened to you, youre just dealing with life' until they do serious harm to themselves that could cause permanent damage or death. Evil wont show you the reality of something like that, it finds the most beautiful disguise for it."

What do you think? I think hes right, but its still hard to quit

Hey what do you think of Opus Dei? They harm themselves. Not because theyre trying to "cope with life", but still...
My grandfather was a member for years, but he never talked about it. I wonder if he ever hurt himself.

[FreeDilbert]

Hi people,

I've just noticed this thread and I'm so happy that there are people out there who still gain strength from their faith. I'm technically catholic, but not practising in any form for a long time. I got tired of people with dog collars preaching THEIR view of the bible and on the meaning of everything down to me as if I had no intelligence of my own.

Also I'm a historian, a talent which has always been viewed as the enemy of religion. Also I tended to find members of the clergy offended by philosophical discussion.

I love Christ, I love the principle of sacrifice for your fellow man, to love your neighbour and to forgive the indiscretions other people cause us. It's common sense, it's the same idea of a social utopia, true charity would be bliss.

The preaching of Christ was a fantastic idea. But as soon as it became a chuch and an institution with an almost aggressive obsession with convincing people of its version of the "truth" it caused so much harm and pain.

What was wrong with just applying the principles?

Am I really to believe that a fair and just Lord will cast a good, kind and charitable man straight to hell simply because he reads from the wrong book???

I have followed the principles that are the foundations of "Christian" life, and I believe they have made me into a good person. But I believe self harm is not a sin, I do not believe that people who commit suicide go to hell.

God gives us life and strength, but be wary of the words of men. No matter how learned or faithful they seem, they are still just voicing their view of the bible and their view is tainted with all the failings of man.

[Angel_Girl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxhappydaysxx

This last few months though, i have totally drifted from God and am doubting whether he exists.

"It's not the hate that hurts people the most, it's ignorance."

If you still question yourself of whether God exists or not, that means you still have faith. If you hate him or blame him for all bad things in the world, that means you still have a tiny piece of belief in you. Don't waste it, God is talking to you every second of your life, all you have to do is respond to his call.

[well]

Yeah, I feel kind of stupid going to church and knowing that I'm like the ONLY one there who has stupid problems like this.....it's not like I've been raped or been through terrible foster families or anything like that. An ED and SI is MY fault, nothing I can blame on anyone else.....it's not like I can give a fancy testimony about how I've overcome the odds and prevailed or anything like that.....it would end up being like, " Hi, my name's Erin and I did some things ,completely on purpose, that were really gross, and I loved every second of it. Now I don't. Woot! for me!" .....there are all these kids in my youth group who have done amazing things and lots of people look up to them-----they'll talk and we clap because we're proud of what they're doing.....but it's like.....who would ever want to look up to ME?! No matter what I did, I would still have all this hanging over my head.....like I'm a bad Christian.....it's so awkward sitting there and knowing that al these people have LIVES and purposes and I'm the only one in the room who's just screwed up.....