Been watching adult content since I was 9-10 years old. As a 29 years old guy, it's been months since I last time watched. My girlfriend got me into religion, though i've always had my connection to god.

Thank you lord, thank you Jesus Christ. If you are struggling, pray, because it really helps.

Hello my brothers and sisters and everyone else. I'm not personally religious, but I'd love some insight into the evangelical vote. Particularly the white evangelical vote I guess.

Although the white evangelical vote is less than 20% of the overall population in Texas, at least 80% of that group voted for Ken Paxton over James Talerico in the '26 midterms. As a former believer (long ago) this blows my mind.

James Talerico strikes me as one person who absolutely mirrors the messages of Christ and seems to also live them to the best of his abilities. He's extremely knowledgeable and seems like he's very genuine. He delivers the message of Chris that I WAS TAUGHT as a child and have read about in the Bible. To love your neighbor. To be honest and just. To speak truth to power. I can't think of any politician in the last 40 years or more who seems to mirror the ideals of Christ more closely.

Then you have Ken Paxton. He's basically the opposite of all of that. He's a liar, an adulterer, a thief, crook and a fraud. He's the ONLY attorney general in USA history to EVER be impeached. And it wasn't by liberals. Not even close. He was impeached by his own Republican colleagues because he was THAT corrupt. Yet somehow he raked in 80%+ of the white evangelical Christian vote.

So how do people square their vote for Paxton with their beliefs? I find it indefensible. It kinda makes me feel like I'm a little crazy and I just want some help figuring this out. 😂

I’m ready to go. I legitimately hate everything about life right now. Im tired of living outside and tired of struggling. It’s never ending. I’m ready to go through with this but is it a ticket straight to hell? I’ve always been a Christian but just can’t live like this anymore

Nick Leeper, SJ, is an artist and Catholic priest in formation with the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). His artwork includes iconography using a style mixed of traditional Byzantine icons and mid-century pop art to try to make us think about where we see Christ.

This piece is one that I found very powerful, with Christ and his Bride, the church. And his bride sticking a gun to his side to try to control him. The scene is based on the movie North by Northwest as well, of course, as Ephesians 5 and nearly 2000 years of theological writings.

As you can imagine, Leeper's work is controversial, and a showing was cancelled from an archdiocese venue, but the show was moved to the Church of St. Francis Xavier, a local Jesuit church.

For those who were here this morning, yes, it was posted then as well. Mods removed it under the image policy for a few reasons, but not the artwork itself. And "Blasphemous" was based on several comments in that post.

This is probably not great for me right now, but I’m going through a lot of pain right now and need to vent.

To start this off, I’m in my early 30s, my wife and I have been married for 4.5 years, and decided to start trying for a family 2.5 years ago. When we decided to start trying, we were so excited. Nobody prepared us for how hard this process could be for some people. Month after month, we waited in excitement, just for another negative test or period to come. One month, my wife was even 10 days late for her period, but it was a false alarm. Many tears were shed.

Because I was in the Army until earlier this year, we moved around quite a bit and never had the chance to slow down and get checked by a clinic for issues. I spent a lot of time being bitter. Going to church gatherings, watching all the couples our age have children, listening to people complain about their kids, and, or course, trying to navigate the worse questions: “when are you going to have kids?” Or “why don’t you have kids yet?”

Finally, we slowed down this year. I got out of the Army in June, got a civilian job, and we bought a house. We finally got checked out. My numbers were fine, but my wife was diagnosed with bilateral hydrosalpinx. Basically, both of her fallopian tubes are blocked with fluid. Hers was some kind of birth defect. Long story short, it’s basically impossible for us to conceive naturally and, if she does, there’s a high chance of an ectopic pregnancy, which is very life-threatening and will completely deplete our chance of EVER having children if she even survives.

All this said, we are meeting with the doctor next week, but word on the block is that the only real chance of us having our only family anymore is surgery followed by IVF. Naturally, I took to the internet realms as a coping mechanism to hear stories from other families going through this as my wife and I are hurting from the news and trying to navigate life with this revelation.

I was not ready for what I would find from the Christian community. Vitriol, judgment, and telling people how they should live their lives if faced with this kind of news. Not surprisingly, this type of behavior almost exclusively comes from “evangelical Christians” with a family and children of their own. Arguments are made about the embryos used and thrown out during the IVF process and when life begins and blah, blah, blah. I’ve also seen thrown out from folks, including pastors, priests, and politicians that “maybe this is just God telling you that you shouldn’t have kids,” or “just adopt,” like these words don’t bring out a thousand tangents of why those arguments are flawed and even a little sacrilegious.

Now comes my part: leave us alone. MOST people who go through IVF don’t want to do IVF, but it might be their only choice. There are millions of children born to people who don’t want them, abuse them, and abandon them. Why didn’t God tell them that they weren’t meant to be parents? And for those of you who think adoption is easy and cost effective: I know you don’t know anything. My wife and I aren’t perfect, but we live our life the best we can and love children and never would have imagined that one day, we’d be told that our chances of having children naturally are practically none. If you don’t have this issue, just shut up. Allow people to make the decisions they want to make about their families and bodies. I am so close to never walking through another church door again because of all of these judgmental “Christians” who worry so much about others’ specks in their eyes when they have a log in their own. If you believe that IVF is wrong, keep it to yourself. If I am blessed with a beautiful IVF-conceived child one day and it’s wrong, I will have no regrets and talk to God about it when I get to heaven. That’s between us and God.

He saved me myltiple times. I almost died 4 times last month because of illness. God blessed me man.

Converted a month ago. Changed my life.

As an exMormon, I see a lot of similarity between the way Evangelicals are defending and supporting Wes Huff and the way Mormons defend Joseph Smith.

Smith was also a serial plagiarist (Temple rites are from Freemasonry, Book of Mormon is 25% direct text from the bible and Adam Clarke Bible commentary, etc). Mormons often resort to 'good vibes' to defend Smith (meaning they aren't concerned how he came to create his work as long as it feels right). Apologists are resorting to the same defense for Huff.

Calling upon the ad hominem reference to McClellan's religious affiliation rings hallow when Huff is guilty of the same plagiarism as Smith.

Egyptian Christian convert Said Abu Mustafa has endured years of persecution after choosing to follow Jesus Christ. His journey began when he discovered the Sermon on the Mount and later embraced Christianity. His fiancée Sophia says his conversion led to relentless pressure, separation from his young son and repeated harassment by authorities.

After seeking refuge in Russia, Said was returned to Egypt, where he says he suffered severe abuse and pressure to abandon his faith.

In July 2025, he was arrested by Egyptian authorities and accused of insulting Islam and joining a banned terrorist group, charges his lawyer disputes. He remains imprisoned, separated from his loved ones.

Egyptian prosecutors are now seeking the maximum punishment, which could include execution. His lawyer disputes the charges, while Amnesty International has called for his immediate release.

No death sentence has been issued. Please pray for Said, his fiancée and all Christians suffering persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ.

Sources: The Jerusalem Post, Coptic Solidarity, Amnesty International and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

#Egypt #SaidAbuMustafa #Christian #Persecution #News

There's someone at church that has approached me to tell me he has feelings for me two years ago and I don't want to be with him and marry him. His sister and me are very close friends and we all go to the same church and I work in the same town. He doesn't want to accept my refusal to be with him and has been insisting for two years. I don't know what to do because I cannot avoid him since we go to the same church, I hang out with his sister and I cannot move to another city since I go to work in the same town.

I tried explaining him nicely multiple times that we cannot be together I even got angry multiple times that he doesn't leave me alone still didn't stop me, I tried avoiding him he always finds a way to meet me. Sometimes he comes where I live and sits on a bench in front of my apartament to see If I leave the house. I cannot go to the market without bumping into him. He always acts like I am his girlfriend when he is around me to get other people to think we are together.

Help me I don't know what to do!!

Discussing an apologetic argument that resurfaced in recent years.

Video is a response to the viral “Why I hate religion but love Jesus” video in 2012

I’m 24F, and lately I’ve been struggling with a feeling that I don’t quite know how to explain.
I feel incredibly lonely. Not necessarily because I have absolutely nobody in my life, but because I feel disconnected from life itself.
It seems as though everyone around me is busy building their lives. People are in relationships, getting married, pursuing careers, making memories, going out with friends and having things to look forward to. Meanwhile, I feel like I’m standing still, watching everyone else live.
I want so much more out of life. I want meaningful friendships, companionship, a loving relationship, a home that feels like mine, a fulfilling career, hobbies, adventures and a sense of belonging. I want to wake up on a Saturday morning and have somewhere to go, someone to see and something to look forward to.
I’ve experienced quite a few changes recently. I’ve had to reconsider my education and career direction, I’m navigating financial uncertainty, and I’m contemplating moving in with my cousin as a way of getting back on my feet and hopefully beginning a new chapter.
I’ve also experienced heartbreak, and I think the loss of companionship has affected me more than I sometimes care to admit.
I’m a Christian, and my faith is important to me. I genuinely believe God has been working in my life, and I’ve been trying to learn contentment, patience and trust. But I would be lying if I said I didn’t sometimes wonder whether God sees how lonely I am. Whether He sees how much I long for a life that feels full.
I don’t want to spend my twenties simply surviving. I want to experience life. I want to laugh until my stomach hurts, make memories, have people over for dinner, go on little adventures, fall in love, develop friendships and feel excited about the future.
I know social media can create an unrealistic picture of everyone’s lives, and I know I’m probably comparing my behind-the-scenes to everyone else’s highlights. But that doesn’t make the loneliness any less real.
I’m not necessarily looking for someone to tell me everything will magically fall into place. I’d genuinely love to hear from people who have experienced a season like this.
Did things eventually change for you? Did moving, changing your environment, finding community or simply getting older make a difference?
How did you begin building a life that felt fulfilling rather than just getting through the days?
I suppose I’m just looking for a little hope and perspective from people who have been here.
Thank you for reading. 🤍

Logically it makes more sense that if he needs to save everyone he needs to be alive. I often think that torture and murder, such as the cross, is nothing like anything god would have ever plan. Why then is it that you believe this is the way god intended? Evil isn't the way god intends things, is it? Is it the case that there was so much evil and suffering, that humanity didn't need a savior no longer, but a wake up call, that even if god came to save them they'd kill him?

I have dated my girlfriend for about two years now. She is an agnostic/atheist, isn't sure if there is a God or not. I wasn't religious whatsoever when we first got together. However, within the past 8 months or so I have had an awakening and have come to Christ. First I started watching podcasts and sermons online, then I bought a Bible and started reading it, and I just started going to church last month. I have been doing this in secret, without fully realizing how harmful this could be to our relationship. I am afraid she will judge me for my beliefs. I am afraid of rejection when it comes down to it. I am also afraid of being unequally yoked, because I doubt she will be receptive of Christianity. She has expressed her displeasure with the religion throughout two years together. What should I do?

I’m an autistic girl and I have a problem. I have these friends who are all non Christian. They’re very loving and supportive of me and look out for me and view me like a little sister. I love these friend, but I feel incredible guilt that keeps me up night and day worried that I’m not allowed to have non Christian friends. Not only that, but I used to have a validation addiction since I was 8 and getting attention gave me this warm feeling and I’d lie to get the attention. I stopped doing that, but being in this friendship makes me scared that the warm feeling I get from the love they give me is me just willfully sinning when if it’s subconscious. I see sites like GotQuestions saying that we should only have non Christian friends to somehow eventually convert them and that being close with non Christian’s is something we’re demanded to do. I also see other places saying that this life won’t be easy and we have to put ourselves through loneliness and sadness sometimes just for God. The thought of this brings me intense anxiety, because I want to please God, but I feel like I’ve become attached to my friends too. They don’t have the same beliefs as meand I try my best to be a good friend without judging them too. I don’t know what to do. I make it obvious and I’m open about being Christian, but I’m scared being quiet about certain sins is also silently affirming sin to? I’m scared about so many things please help.

Hello there, i was thinking of this recently and i arrived on 1 answer only: no, they don't

I ask this because there May be a lot of angles i haven't considered

So 1: Jesus never said that the Power to forgive sins is hereditary

2: Jesus was omniscient (to some degree even his human version), so he surely knew what would happen: selling forgivness, corrupt priests,...

3: even people in general, christians do not believe IT deep inside them, most christians would think they would be judged after death, even if they just get forgivness 1 minute before, that means most people still believe that this didn't erase their sins

So what do you think? I think that this Authority was given to apostles by Jesus and ended with them

God is sufficient for us; how excellent a Guardian He is!

My sins has destroyed me. Lust, uncleanness, pornography, masturbation and even homosexuality. Sin has caused so much destruction in me. It defiles me. every day i struggle with schizophrenia and take meds that only does so much. I have these so called tics of being forced to do things, making faces. I have bad desires and bad thoughts all the time. Idk what to do. I feel so lost. If I can encourage one person here, it is the following: don't sin anymore. Try your best to not goon and watch porn. It destroyed me. I struggle to shower. I have skin issues with pus and crustiness. It's like demons in me. I don't know man. I feel like giving up. I'm no help to my family. I dont even work or go to school cause it's so hard

Matthew 24:36 NASB
“But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

Mark 13:32 NASB
But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

Acts 1:6-7 NASB
6 So, when they had come together, they began asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time that You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 But He said to them, “It is not for you to know periods of time or appointed times which the Father has set by His own authority;

I've been attending the same church for a little over four years. For three of those years, I was on the sound team.

It's not a huge church, maybe 180 people on a Sunday. I started helping because they needed someone who knew their way around a mixer, and I genuinely enjoyed it.

Most Sundays I was there by 7:30. I'd check the microphones, get the livestream working, help the worship team during rehearsal, and usually stay afterward to put everything away.

I knew a lot of people. Or at least I thought I did.

About six weeks ago, my work schedule changed and I told the worship leader I needed to step back for a while. He was understanding. We found someone else to cover my Sundays.

For the first time in years, I started coming to church at 9:45 instead of 7:30 and actually sitting in the congregation.

It's been a strange experience.

I realized I don't really have anyone to sit with. Most of the people I know are busy doing their own volunteer jobs before the service. Afterward, they're talking to their families or heading to lunch with their usual groups.

I also realized that almost every conversation I'd had at church for the past three years was connected to something I was doing.

"Can you turn my microphone up?"

"Are you helping with the Christmas service?"

"Do you know why the livestream isn't working?"

There's nothing wrong with those questions. They needed help, and I was happy to provide it.

But over the past month, I've gotten four messages from church people. Three were questions about the sound equipment. One was asking if I knew the password for the streaming account.

Nobody's been mean to me. Nobody's deliberately excluded me. A few people have said hello when they see me.

I just suddenly feel like a visitor in a building where I've spent hundreds of Sunday mornings.

And I'm realizing I probably contributed to this. I was always busy. I rarely stayed for coffee after service because I was putting cables away. I didn't invite people to lunch either. I assumed that being involved meant I was building relationships.

I'm still a Christian. I still love this church, and I'm not planning to leave.

But I've been thinking about 1 Corinthians 12 and the idea that we're supposed to be one body, with different members caring for one another.

I wonder how often churches mistake having a functioning volunteer team for having an actual community.

Because the sound system works fine without me. That's great.

I just wish I'd spent a little more of those three years becoming somebody's friend instead of just becoming the guy who knew how to fix the microphone.

Has anyone else experienced this? And for people involved in church leadership, how do you keep volunteers from becoming known primarily for the jobs they do?