What did church teach you in terms of how life works?

As for the good points, trying to see a person underneath (even if Christianity utterly failed at teaching non-judgementalism), honesty, and forgiveness.

As for the rest of it:

  • The need to uphold an image and reputation ("or else they won't listen to your message of the Gospel!!)

    • Reality: Not every interaction is a major event that changes people's opinion of you. People are generally actually more forgiving and understanding than Christianity makes them out to be.
  • Even in my thoughts, I am never alone

  • I am inherently worthless and sinful

  • Everyone is broken and needs a saviour

  • The "flesh" has desires that need to be denied and refused, because it is utterly flawed.

  • We are "called" to be better than our "flesh," and should always strive to be a better person (i.e. you could always do better, so forget about trying to be satisfied)

  • We have an inherent "design" in our human bodies; therefore, there is a "right" way of doing things.

  • Jesus is the only one right way.

  • The world is inherently against you, since you are a Christian.

  • The world cares very much about what Christians do, and our lives are a constant war of Christian VS The World.

Although my church experience also emphasized community, I would've never really noticed it as much as all the comments seem to have made it out to be. Must've been those aspects that just meshed together really well with Chinese culture in a Chinese-Christian church. Interestingly, my Chinese church never had to bring up community, but it was in my white church that did. They must've figured that they didn't need to tell Chinese people lol.

/r/exchristian Thread