Repost from 2015. Edited, updated, and corrected.
The answer
The solution to life’s problems
The Way
The Truth
The Life
The one who makes life worth living
Redeemer
Deliverer
Savior
If Jesus is the giver of new life
If Jesus cleanses a person from sin
If Jesus gives a person new desires
If Jesus gives a person a new song
If Jesus fills the empty void in a person’s heart
If Jesus gives a person everything he or she needs pertaining to life and godliness
If Jesus heals
If Jesus sets addicts free
If Jesus cleanses sinners from all unrighteousness
If Jesus really is who and what Christians say he is . . .
Why are their lives no different from mine; no different from most agnostics or atheists I know?
It seems the only difference between me and thee, dear Evangelical, is what each of us do on Sundays between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and noon.
I am moral and ethical, as are most atheists, agnostics, humanists, pagans, and Buddhists.
I try to live morally, ethically, honestly, kindly, and justly.
I desire peace, happiness, and prosperity for all, including Christians.
Yet, I do all of this without Jesus.
If Jesus really is who and what Evangelicals say he is . . .
Why are there so many Christian books written to deal with the messy, dysfunctional lives of the followers of Jesus?
I’m trying really hard to understand what benefit there is for following Jesus.
If I can live morally and ethically without Jesus, then why should I join a club that demands ten percent (and more) of my income to be a member in good standing?
If Jesus is what you need, I say good for you.
I hope you will say the same for people like me who have no need for Jesus.
Jesus may be the answer to your questions, but he is not the answer to mine.
Bruce Gerencser, 67, lives in rural Northwest Ohio with his wife of 46 years. He and his wife have six grown children and sixteen grandchildren. Bruce pastored Evangelical churches for twenty-five years in Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. Bruce left the ministry in 2005, and in 2008 he left Christianity. Bruce is now a humanist and an atheist.
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FUCKING DITTO!!!!!
“Why are there so many Christian books written to deal with the messy, dysfunctional lives of the followers of Jesus?”
Great question! I can hear their answer now:(In a whiny voice) “That’s because we’re not perfect but still a work in Progress”/”People still sin”, etc. etc. etc.
As some witty unknown person said, “Sleep in Sundays, save 10%!” 🙂
I really wish I could find who said that originally.
The prayer warriors are closing in! Circle the wagons and load buckshot blasphemy into the pistols. Wait till they say, “God says” before you fill their ears with unpardonable truths!
Every time I see a Jesus-is-the-answer bumper sticker, my first thought is “But Ma, my question was “what’s for lunch?””
For a Jesus-saves bumper sticker when my husband’s in the car, we end up talking baseball. (For those who aren’t old enough or don’t know baseball, the connection is Jesús Alou.)
I don’t get why people think they need an invisible deity in order to get through life. I personally know people who are terrified of the notion of having to live life with just themselves and other humans to rely on for support. I hope they get out of this situation what they are longing for.
Jesus delivers. For USPS? Fed Ex? UPS? Door Dash? DHL?
Karen—If Jesus Alou had been a relief pitcher, that would have been perfect!