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My Disappointment With Mainstream Churches

June 9, 2010

525px-Reverend_Lovejoy.jpgby Katherine
(for henrymakow.com)



And I heard another voice from Heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

-Revelations 18:4

I'm a woman, in my early fifties/unmarried and live in New Mexico.

I have never been against churches; just indifferent.  I never felt they were important, at all. But, I now understand that these places are not the way to go because they do all things the exact opposite of what God desires.   

I was awakened with a Spiritual 2X4 in July of 2005, shortly after the brutal torture/murder of Terry Schiavo, and it was none too gentle.  I was aware of incredible evil all around us, but now realized things were much worse than I had ever imagined.

God allowed me to see the entire conspiracy at once; and it was confirmed within 24 hours through research. After much research, I felt I had learned as much as I cared to. I wanted to learn from God and from Him only. I wanted Him to teach me how to maneuver through all of this lunacy.

A few days after I first realized and believed God manifested Himself as a Man, Lord Jesus Christ, people were telling me I had to go find a church. Though I was just as indifferent to churches as it gets, (not hostile), I realized the only reason I really wanted to find a church was to testify to them as to what's really going on with this world and today's church; false wars, false worship etc. etc.  My longing was for all of us to realize this:  it is futile to look to and depend on mankind for anything what-so-ever. Look to God for all of your spiritual teaching.  By the way, we can't even blink an eye without God.

The first church I chose was a Baptist church. At the time, through watching news and listening to those around me, I realized Terri's ordeal didn't register much at all with many Christians locally and nation-wide. I wanted to understand why there was this incredible deficit of understanding and compassion?  I wanted to give them information on what really happened to Terri.

When this particular pastor and I first met, this is what he said to me: "if you have any problems at all, don't come to me. I'm not that kind of pastor." I was not shocked but I was still amazed.

I decided to listen to one of his sermons. He sure sounded good and moved on the stage well. He taught his congregation typical false teachings; pre-trib rapture, going to war in God's Name, etc., etc. and they clung to every word.

Later on, I dropped off Scripture refuting everything he taught to "his" sheep. One of his Bible teachers accepted the verses; the pastor wasn't in.

A few days later, I received a phone call from the pastor. He told me that "if I ever set foot on his property, ("his" church), he would call the police and have me arrested.  That I was going against his doctrine."

These experiences with the 1st church were just a small beginning.

I came across a couple walking down an interstate each pushing a mountain bike with a large 'basket on wheels' filled with possessions. On the back of the second basket was a huge cardboard sigh that read Hope in Jesus. I u-turned for two reasons.

#1 These two people were obviously stranded.

#2 I was curious because of their sign.

I found out after speaking with them that their van's motor had burned out. They were in their mid-sixties, had eight bucks to their name and the wife was ill. They were walking to Ca. I wanted to assist them and I decided to do this exactly as the early Christians in the Book of Acts would have done.

I would go into town to visit various churches and tell each the entire story of this couple not leaving out a detail. I would then ask for donations to give to this couple. I also decided not to tell this couple what I'd be doing but that I would definitely be back to see them. I suggested to them, that in the meantime, they might write on their sign, 'COULD USE A RIDE'. They told me they would do that. I gave to them what I had in my wallet.  I was not working at the time. The only reason I mention this is not because I want to be thought of as "wow" isn't she great! But only to illustrate that I put into practice what I've learned from God. I really cringe to think I'd ever resort to bragging. Matthew 6:3-4.

Here the results of searching for God's Called out people:

The first church, quite a large church, donated out of petty cash. I was happy that they did donate!

At the second church, the secretary asked me if I was a member of their church. I told I was not. She refused my request without consulting with the pastor. I asked her if she would please call the pastor. She stated that he was unavailable. I asked her if she would please donate to help this couple. She refused. She then asked me: "what if you return to these people and they're not there? I simply told her : I'll bring back your money to you. She refused for the final time. I told her as I was leaving that it was people like her and her church that cause many to run away from God. And did she ever hear of or read the Book of Acts?

At the third church, the pastor donated out of his own pocket. Again, I was happy that there was a donation.

At the fourth church, I was told the pastor had gone for a jog. I waited outside. While waiting, I related the story to several coming from and going into the church. One lady was very leery, but did give me two bucks.

As I shook hands with the woman, the pastor came jogging in. There were several people milling about as I approached the pastor. I was grateful that some had pitched in and was excited as I related to this pastor the story of the couple. I told him I was going to various churches to get help from them. I also related to him of the disheartening attitude of some in the church. He listened and then beckoned with his index finger to come inside. I followed him. My excitement only rose as I thought that some still listened to and obeyed God. I believed I was going to get further help for this couple. WRONG! As soon as he got me inside, he started screaming at me. He went on and on, in a derogatory manner, of how so many people off the streets, like me came to him begging for money. "Do you think I'm going to take money from my charities and give them to you?" He ranted on and on.  The more he did, the worse he got. I must say, though I knew through my learning of how it is with today's church, I was still shocked and could not speak for his screaming. He then threatened to call the police. After the third time of threatening to call the police, I told him to go right ahead. We stood looking at each other and he started to usher me to the door. When I got outside, I finally found something substantial to say. I turned around, looked him in the eyes and told him that he had anti-christ spirit in him and he didn't even know it. He didn't say a word. I didn't find this experience enjoyable but I knew that what was shown to me must be confirmed.

A little after 5p I started back to find this couple. It would soon be getting dark. I scoured every nook and cranny along the interstate but couldn't find them. I stopped off at a truck stop that they might have visited. I asked about them and was told that they were there and that they had asked about me. I kept on for 70 miles until I came to the next town. I stopped in at several churches and shelters to see if they were there. I looked around for about an hour. They must have found a ride because I never met up with this couple. The next day, I returned the $35.00 to the donors.

Revelation 17:5
  And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

On denominations: How can we be of 'one mind' and 'one accord' with thousands of denominations all "teaching" their "own brand of doctrine" which has nothing at all to do with God and Heaven.

When one points out the following: BE OF ONE MIND AND ACCORD; Philippians 2:2-5, 1Corinthians 12:25-26, the teachers/preachers/etc. will tell you that it applies to someone else's "church".

Lord Jesus Christ, Himself Desires to Teach you: John 5:39-40

How to arrive at nothing but TRUTH: seek only Him 24/07.

If one understands the Day of Visitation, one will understand you don't have to die and then "go to Heaven"; Heaven is here, now and upon us. God is pouring His Spirit upon ALL FLESH. It's up to each individual to listen and learn; while here on earth. It's that simple! Joel 2:28 Act 2:17

As unbelievable as it sounds, Heaven is here, now, upon us if we loose our own "widom" and traditions.



Scruples - the game of moral dillemas

Comments for "My Disappointment With Mainstream Churches"

Pavlos said (June 10, 2010):

In all fairness you do know that there are scammers who come to churches asking for money.

How could they know to trust you if they did not know you


Catherine said (June 10, 2010):

There used to be a saying "They will know we are Christians by our love." The definition of charity is the love of God and man. The more you love God, the more you will love your fellow man.

Nikita Khruschev said that the Communists would destroy Christianity. The heartlessness and disarray described in this article is an example of that, as is the public and tragic murder of Terri Schiavo.

People are affected by what they see, hear, and read. To see an innocent woman like Terri Schiavo murdered in such a hideous and cruel manner sends a terrible message to the public. Namely, the false idea that the disabled ought to die and/or be murdered because they are an inconvenience to the able-bodied.

That error destroys the concept of Christian charity described in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Namely that we ought to help each other out of love for God and each other.


Patricia said (June 10, 2010):

I consider myself a Christian(or try to be anyhow-LOL!)but no one in my family has attended church in over 30 years! Why? It is basically due to the behavior of those who DO go to church and are so hateful and judgmental.

People no longer look for truth or honesty-it is much more fun to assume the very worst about everyone. One young minister my parents had was the object of much adulterous speculation. He told my parents, “I’m not perfect and don’t claim to be, but if I was really involved with all the women that I am supposedly cavorting with, I would have neither time nor energy to do anything else!”

What he said was absolutely true! If members of the congregation would have stopped and thought a moment, they would have realized that the stories going around about this man were fantasy at best. But gossip was so much more fun and interesting!


Russ said (June 10, 2010):

Sorry you experienced such negative people. However, I have issues with what you wrote. First, you have tarnished all churches with one huge brush, and as you know, such mass generalization is most uncalled for. After all, you pick just 4 churches out of how many worldwide? Second, you illustrations are purely anecdotal, just stories from your life about how nobody appreciates your particular brand of charity. These two points really cause one to question your motivation, especially when combined with selections of scripture that you strategically position around your observations of christian churches.

Heaven is not on this Earth. Jesus made it very clear that his Kingdom is not of this Earth.

I could write thousands of words here of anecdotes and illustrations to counter your composition, but i fear it would be a waste of everyone's time.

I truly hope you find the answers and salvation you are seeking, and even though we are complete strangers, I will pray for you.


Neal said (June 10, 2010):

Brother,
The fact of the matter is, the Churches are licensed (501c3) to the Government. http://hushmoney.org/ I made business cards to hand out in an attempt to educate the flock. Talk about scams... The Church is a hands down winner!


Bill said (June 10, 2010):

Thank you for posting Katherine's story.

It was very refreshing and uplifting. I haven't gone to any "church" for a long time. But I do pray that I will be lead to fellowship.

Katherine, I don't think that the Kingdom Of Heaven is here now, in one sense. But it is here now in so far as the Kingdom Of Heaven is within us. Within true believers.

A kingdom is the place where a king rules. If almighty God and the Lord Jesus Christ rules and reigns in our hearts, then the Kingdom is truly within us.

In Christ, the word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us. As God's word becomes a part of us and is demonstrated by our actions, His word is made flesh again. Active and alive and made known through us while we are -- for now -- in our earthly bodies.

Jesus said, "...when I return, will I find faith on the earth?" Faith is a verb. Born out through action.

Blessings!


David said (June 9, 2010):

Thank you for giving Katherine such a fine boost of encouragement by posting her report. Like Katherine, I shun the mega-churches because most of them are Christian-Zionist, not a very good combination for a peaceful theology! If you or your faithful readers can help, I'd like to know of more churches that are not Christian-Zionist in outlook. Many thanks.

www.mysteryworshipers.wordpress.com


Kevin said (June 9, 2010):

t’s a sad to see the hearts of the pastors like this. Do they not know that the Bible says in 1Timothy 6:10 that the love of money is the root of all evil? Also, in the Day of Judgment, Jesus will say to the wicked “…Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me” (Matthew 25:31-46). If they knew and love Christ, they would obey His teachings, and that is to love others and help them in their time of need.

If you are looking for a church, I would recommend finding one where they do not take formal offerings. I find that in churches like these, the heart of the pastor is more in tune to God since the pastor relies on faith that the Lord will provide for His own work. It's easier for them to recognize that the money is not their own, and to help those in need. I've had great experiences with Calvary Chapel churches in this regard.


Glenn said (June 9, 2010):

Thanks for posting the excellent article today. This is exactly what my websites are all about. I came out of the harlot church in 1993. It was not until 1997 that God really showed me that the church en mass comprises Mystery Babylon of Rev. 17-18. Here are my three site links:

http://zedek.us
http://word-light.com
http://day-of-the-lord.com


Bill said (June 9, 2010):

i agree with soderberg.

dave talbot, wallace thornberg anthony perat and others at thunderbolts.info are recreating the forgotten history of humanity and the solar system using an interdisciplinasry approach-mythology, plasma physics etc. we dont need aliens to explain things anymore. the truth is being discovered!

please check these guys out. watch talbotts amazing movie symbols of an alien sky. there are clips at their website. i also recommend dwardu cardonas books on the saturn theory god star, flare star and primordeal star.


Horst said (June 9, 2010):

Dear Katherine, apparently things are quite different in the USA compared to old Europe and especially Greece.

Here almost everybody is Orthodox and at least in the villages more than half of the people go to church regularly, a good percentage of whom doing it for true spiritual reasons.

Orthodoxy is a living religion, the priests being true servants of God.

We have many monasteries with a lot of young brothers and sisters.

Many people are visiting the monasteries on weekends to relax a bit from their daily struggle, to refill their souls with spiritual energy.

You can feel the presence of the holy spirit there.

Although contrary to what you say i believe that here is Hell, which we ourselves are creating day by day i have seen that the monasteries
are an outpost of paradise on this poor planet. I regularly visit some of those monasteries and when i come back my friends always tell me
how my face radiates with happiness.
God helps if you humbly turn to him!

By the way Orthodoxy considers all other 'Christian' flavors as being heresies, the only exception being Catholicism, with which they have
a more or less uneasy truce, hoping to bring them sooner or later back into the fold.
Having read the new testament for several times i can attest, that Orthodoxy is closer to the teachings of Jesus than any other religion. That's why i finally decided to get
baptised myself (at the age of 54).


Peter said (June 9, 2010):

There is a lot of truth in what Katherine writes BUT much spiritual wisdom and understanding of Holy Scripture, including its practical application in this world ruled by Satan, can be learned from truly enlightened followers of Christ - like Theodore Austin-Sparks (there is a website with most of his writings). There are others, like Oswald Chambers, who can convey greater spiritual understanding to those who already belong to the "Body of Christ".

In the main, I agree with Katherine - stay away from Mega-churches and TV "Evangelists", who are mostly fast-buck artists, interested primarily in self-enrichment and basking in the false limelight of Lucifer. For them, "there will be gnashing of teeth".


Rob said (June 9, 2010):

The tepid response is because more politics and politicians will not solve the problem as politics/Gov. is the problem. It's like using gas to put out a fire. Who else would bailout Bankers with more money, especially when the Banks can print their own?

It takes a special kind of man/woman to believe that they have the ability to make decisions for others, but alas I guess they needed something to do and politics and Government was born. Just like Lawyers need criminals so they create "laws"that make everyone criminal.

People need to realize that we cannot rely on more Government to fix itself. The coming civil war will be those that work for Gov. and benefit from it(the Slaves) against those that don't and don't want it(the Prisoners)! The difference being a Slave can only hope for a better master where a prisoner can get out and be free! Which are you?


Jerry said (June 9, 2010):

Please if you are going to begin with scripture don't use Rev. 18:4 which speaks of an actual city and quite possibly New York but rather with Matthew 24:12 "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold."

We are entering a day and age where it is getting very hard to show and/or give love unconditionally. The sin and wickedness of mankind is reaching some truly deplorable places and wow if we aren't living in a thankless society to boot. Suspicion rules the day! Sin is all but killing the natural feelings of compassion because one cannot look at anyone these days without some measure of suspicion. Forgivenss which at the best of times is difficult for the human race becomes that much more of an issue when man has turned into the most grotesque of creatures.

I personally helped a family only to find out after the fact the father was abusing his daughter!. So love is not what it used to be but rather today comes with far too many conditions. Is this not true? Horrific are the stories we are hearing today and that makes being a Christian and especially one in such a vulnerable position as a Pastor in a very stressful and difficult place. My own pastor use to say 'its open season on pastors.' Love is dying and as I have come to see there is no better way to destroy the church of Christ than for that to happen. Interesting by the way are the words of Daniel "When the power of the holy people has finally been broken, all these things will be completed." 12:7 Doesn't it appear that is well under way these days? So if we aren't living in what has to surely be the beginning of the end for this wicked and cruel generation.

Moreover remember well or better yet memorize the words of St. Peter...

"Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.”{2 Peter 2:1-3}

Wow if that isn't what is currently happening to the Church of Christ!!!!

Peace and salvation to all


Joe said (June 9, 2010):

Henry, Do you know about masonic signs or do you know anyone who does. I had a mason make a sign at me, he thought that I didn't see him making it, and since then I have wondered what it meant. I have searched google, etc. with no clear results. He took his left hand and placed it over his right breast area. He had the middle two fingers folded over, making the horn sign. His thumb was pointing upward. When he made this sign he was agitated about a statement that I had just made. Any help decoding this sign would be appreciated.


Kirk said (June 9, 2010):

I would like to thank and encourage this fine lady, Katherine in her faith. The so called "churches" are all incorporated and exist solely by the power of the state. They are simply extensions of the state. As such, they cannot go against the status quo. Every Christian is wise to avoid them.


Henry Makow received his Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Toronto in 1982. He welcomes your comments at