TOXIC Faith: Signs of Religious Addiction

[nicola.kirwan]

When does love of the Lord become unbalanced and unhealthy? Respected Christian author Steve Arterburn and co-author came up with the following test:

From TOXIC FAITH by Steve Arterburn and Jack Felton
Answer Yes or No to the following questions:

1. Has your family complained that you are always going to a church meeting rather than spending time with them? ________
2. Do you feel extreme guilt for being out of church just one Sunday? ________
3. Do you sense that God is looking at what you do, and if you don't do enough, he might turn on you or refuse to bless you? ________
4. Do you often tell your children what to do without explaining your reasons, since you know you are right? ________
5. Do you find yourself with little time for the pleasures of earlier years because you are so busy serving on committees and attending other church groups? ________
6. Have people complained that you use so much scripture in your conversation that it is hard to communicate with you? ________
7. Are you giving money to a ministry because you believe God will make you wealthy if you give? ________
8. Have you ever been involved sexually with a minister out of wedlock? ________
9. Is it hard for you to make a decision without consulting your pastor? Even over the small issues? ________
10. Do you see your minister as more powerful than other humans? ________
11. Has your faith led you to lead an isolated life, making it hard for you to relate to your family and friends? ________
12. Have you ever found yourself looking to your minister for quick fix to lifelong problem? ________
13. Do you feel extreme guilt over the slightest mistakes or inadequacies? ________
14. Is your most significant relationship deteriorating over your strong beliefs, compared to those of a "weaker partner"? ________
15. Do you ever have thoughts of God wanting you to destroy yourself or others in order to go and live with him? ________
16. Do you regularly believe that God is communication with you in an audible voice? ________
17. Do you feel that God is angry with you? ________
18. Do you believe you are still being punished for something you did as a child? ________
19. Do you feel if you work a little harder, God will forgive you? ________
20. Has anyone ever told you that a minister was manipulating your thoughts and feelings? ________

"If you answered yes to at least 3 questions you may be a religious addict."

What do you all think of the above? Any that you feel shouldn't be on there? Any missing signs? Know any religious addicts? Are you one?

[Shimmie]

:whyme:

What you callin' me out, Nicola ?

:lachen: :lachen: :lachen:

[hurricane]

This is a good topic. One of my family members have been accused by other family members of reading her Bible too much. There has to be a balance, unless you where called to be a Levite or prophet of God.

[GV-NA-GI-TLV-GE-I]

2. Do you feel extreme guilt for being out of church just one Sunday? ________

"If you answered yes to at least 3 questions you may be a religious addict."

What do you all think of the above? Any that you feel shouldn't be on there? Any missing signs? Know any religious addicts? Are you one?


Definitely NOT an addict...but only one applies by default...it's always a holy obligation :lachen:

[msa]

It seems like most of the things mentions are required by different religions. Maybe everyone has toxic faith.

[nicola.kirwan]

It seems like most of the things mentions are required by different religions. Maybe everyone has toxic faith.

I think it's tricky because a lot of things the Lord truely requires are too radical for those who don't believe. I remember my mother thought I was a "fanatic" when I started listening to Gospel music and getting up in the morning to read the Bible, ordering me to go back to sleep. :spinning: So, folks aren't going to understand.

But still, I think faith becomes toxic when its substance revolves around churches and committees and pastors and groups, etc. It should be about knowing Christ and walking in His ways rather than being committed to a certain group, establishment, etc. "God" is not "church," right?

[GraceV2]

The timing of this post is amazing. Just last night, my father and I got into an argument because he feels that I am getting too "addicted" to Christianity. He cited many signs that are coincidentally on the list. I must admit I answered yes to several of them (for example 1-6). I'm a born again Christian and want the passion I have right now for the Lord to continue to grow along with my relationship with Him. Just like I told my father, I don't think those "signs" are addiction. I just think they're signs of loving your Lord. (not all of them though...case in point #8 :huh:)

[msa]

I think it's tricky because a lot of things the Lord truely requires are too radical for those who don't believe. I remember my mother thought I was a "fanatic" when I started listening to Gospel music and getting up in the morning to read the Bible, ordering me to go back to sleep. :spinning: So, folks aren't going to understand.

But still, I think faith becomes toxic when its substance revolves around churches and committees and pastors and groups, etc. It should be about knowing Christ and walking in His ways rather than being committed to a certain group, establishment, etc. "God" is not "church," right?


I think many times it's too radical even for those who do believe.

Faith should be about knowing Christ and following him, but I think that the expression of faith here on earth does require certain things like being at church all the time because you are involved. As a believer, there's not much else you should be doing aside from working to feed yourself.

Another example would be separating yourself from the world. Well if you are truly doing that then you should be leading "an isolated life, making it hard for you to relate to your family and friends", at least the ones that are unsaved. And #14 speaks to being unequally yoked.

I feel like if I were truly following my beliefs right now, I'd have to answer yest to 13 of the questions. According to them, that would be super toxic.

[Laela]

wow! what timing.. I just saw this book in the clearance section at BooksAMillion... LOL

I think a balanced-life is beneficial for a healthy relationship with God. :yep:

[Laela]

I respectfully disagree... you can live in this world and not be of it, but that doesn't equate with living under a rock; that seems to be the misunderstanding that gets us all caught up in pegging all Christians in the same hole. God gave us all intelligence and spiritual wisdom. Christians who dedicate themselves to living for God CAN also enjoy life. There's a difference between constantly hanging out with a group of unsaved people (movies, the park, events, trips, etc.) and hanging out with group of saved people -- at those same events but for the wrong reasons...



Faith should be about knowing Christ and following him, but I think that the expression of faith here on earth does require certain things like being at church all the time because you are involved. As a believer, there's not much else you should be doing aside from working to feed yourself.

Another example would be separating yourself from the world. Well if you are truly doing that then you should be leading "an isolated life, making it hard for you to relate to your family and friends", at least the ones that are unsaved. And #14 speaks to being unequally yoked.

I feel like if I were truly following my beliefs right now, I'd have to answer yest to 13 of the questions. According to them, that would be super toxic.

[asuperwoman]

I do think that sometimes people can get caught up in religious acts rather than pure worship of God.

I know plenty of people who can quote scriptures at the drop of a hat, in church all the time, don't drink, don't party, don't do anything except talk about the Lord, and that's all it is:talk.

My dad put it best " one can be so heavenly bound that they are no earthly good."

We can't put God into a box and he certainly does not require us to live in one.

[msa]

I respectfully disagree... you can live in this world and not be of it, but that doesn't equate with living under a rock; that seems to be the misunderstanding that gets us all caught up in pegging all Christians in the same hole. God gave us all intelligence and spiritual wisdom. Christians who dedicate themselves to living for God CAN also enjoy life. There's a difference between constantly hanging out with a group of unsaved people (movies, the park, events, trips, etc.) and hanging out with group of saved people -- at those same events but for the wrong reasons...


The bold is what I took it to mean. That you would isolate yourself from unsaved people and influences as much as you can, not that you would live under a rock.

[Laela]

Really?? I don't see how going out and hanging OUT among other people is "isolation" just becuase it's with other saved folks. It might seem cliquish, depending on who perceives it that way, but it's definitely not isolation. LOL
With that concept in mind, I can easily say Boy and Girl Scouts are isolated groups.

Like any group of people, Christians tend to gravitate toward one another -- especially when they share a zeal for God and the desire to live right. Nothing wrong with that... They can go out skating, bowling, hanging out at each other houses, go out witnessing in groups, attend conventions, etc.. you name it, it can all be done, and IN JESUS' name at that... :yep:


The bold is what I took it to mean. That you would isolate yourself from unsaved people and influences as much as you can, not that you would live under a rock.

[msa]

Really?? I don't see how going out and hanging OUT among other people is "isolation" just becuase it's with other saved folks. It might seem cliquish, depending on who perceives it that way, but it's definitely not isolation. LOL
With that concept in mind, I can easily say Boy and Girl Scouts are isolated groups.

Like any group of people, Christians tend to gravitate toward one another -- especially when they share a zeal for God and the desire to live right. Nothing wrong with that... They can go out skating, bowling, hanging out at each other houses, go out witnessing in groups, attend conventions, etc.. you name it, it can all be done, and IN JESUS' name at that... :yep:


LOL I think we're saying the same thing. I'm saying that you isolate yourself from unsaved people. And instead, you surround yourself with people who are saved.

By staying away from the unsaved you are isolating yourself from them.

[topsyturvy86]

I don't think we Christians should isolate ourselves/stay away from unsaved folks, that's a bit selfish. If we do, how're they gonna get saved? My mum always says that Christians are the 67th book of the bible. Through you and the way u live ur life, people can see the light and get to know God, and develop an interest in getting into a relationship with him.

Funny you bring up toxic faith, in Church on Sunday the message was about taking another drink of the Holy Spirit. Being drunk/intoxicated/filled with the Holy spirit. Ephesians 5 "18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God."

I would imaging this is what true toxic faith should be and not focussed on the physical stuff like going for every church single meeting. Of course building the Kingdom comes first but I feel there should be balance that allows us time to enjoy the life God has given us and also hang with people outside the Church leading them to Christ.

[Shimmie]

Number 11 fits me to a T. I definitely 'Isolate' myself from others and have no apologies nor regrets about it. In this life you HAVE to. Jesus did it. He HAD to. There are times when God 'calls' us away to be alone with Him, and to just 'be still' in His presence. To just be 'still.'

I love eating lunch 'alone'. I love it. It's my time during the day to be away from the hectic activities and distractions of others. In the morning on the train enroute to work, I purposely 'isolate' myself from the crowds and from people who want to talk. I prefer to 'be still' and enjoy those moments of 'isolation' , before I enter into the busy 'ness and the noise and distractions of the day.

I love 'Isolation'. I love it. :yep:

Now am I anti-social? Nope! :nono: :nono: :nono:

I have a full life of people and social activities that I love and who love me back. Family, Friends, Dance Teachers, Classes and Class members, Social Events, Home Prayer Gatherings with my closest family and friends, Church 'Family', Church Events and Prayer Shut-ins, frequent travel; and did I mention work? :lol:

Ummm, yeah :yep: I NEED to "Isolate" and I do it without hesitation. For I need this time to 'hear' God and to allow Him to prepare me for what He's called me to do. I 'Isolate' in order to 'flow' with the Holy Spirit, without waver, without doubt, without wrath.

I 'Isolate' myself and love it.

The Peace of God...so worth the Isolation. :love4:

[nicola.kirwan]

LOL I think we're saying the same thing. I'm saying that you isolate yourself from unsaved people. And instead, you surround yourself with people who are saved.

By staying away from the unsaved you are isolating yourself from them.

I'm not sure that this is what the Lord is calling us to. In the Gospels, the Pharisees were always criticizing Jesus for hanging out with the tax collectors and "sinners," but they were wrong for that. And in Corinthians, Paul tells us: "I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world." But it's the immoral believers that we're supposed to isolate ourselves from.

[msa]

I don't think we Christians should isolate ourselves/stay away from unsaved folks, that's a bit selfish. If we do, how're they gonna get saved? My mum always says that Christians are the 67th book of the bible. Through you and the way u live ur life, people can see the light and get to know God, and develop an interest in getting into a relationship with him.


Obviously, you have to interact with unsaved people. But are unsaved people your best friends? does a saved person marry an unsaved person? No. Because saved people isolate themselves from the unsaved, on a personal level.

I'm not sure that this is what the Lord is calling us to. In the Gospels, the Pharisees were always criticizing Jesus for hanging out with the tax collectors and "sinners," but they were wrong for that. And in Corinthians, Paul tells us: "I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world." But it's the immoral believers that we're supposed to isolate ourselves from.

In order to truly isolate yourself from the unsaved, yeah you'd need "to go out of the world" or be in a cult or closed religious community. But I do think saved people isolate themselves from the unsaved.

Of course you can't help who you work with or shop at the grocery store with or who your family is, and obviously you have to witness to the unsaved (in whatever form that takes). But saved people, IMO, do not spend the bulk of their free time with unsaved people.

[Laela]

oh, right... :lachen:

I see.. now. :yep:


LOL I think we're saying the same thing. I'm saying that you isolate yourself from unsaved people. And instead, you surround yourself with people who are saved.

By staying away from the unsaved you are isolating yourself from them.

[Laela]

Good points.. there's a GINORMOUS difference between being alone and being lonely. Matter of fact, there are people who don't live in "isolation" and are around people all the time and they still feel lonely. :nono:

I praise God for you-- that you see where some of us are coming from. People either see the Christian life as one extreme or the other. We need balance in our lives. It's good what works for you is time alone during a certain time of the day to commune with the Father. I don't see that as being anti-social nor selfish...

No matter WHAT we do, if we're living the life God wants us to live...we will draw others, without even trying. No doubt.

"For we are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.."

God bless



I love eating lunch 'alone'. I love it. It's my time during the day to be away from the hectic activities and distractions of others. In the morning on the train enroute to work, I purposely 'isolate' myself from the crowds and from people who want to talk. I prefer to 'be still' and enjoy those moments of 'isolation' , before I enter into the busy 'ness and the noise and distractions of the day.

I love 'Isolation'. I love it. :yep:

Now am I anti-social? Nope! :nono: :nono: :nono:

I have a full life of people and social activities that I love and who love me back. Family, Friends, Dance Teachers, Classes and Class members, Social Events, Home Prayer Gatherings with my closest family and friends, Church 'Family', Church Events and Prayer Shut-ins, frequent travel; and did I mention work? :lol:

Ummm, yeah :yep: I NEED to "Isolate" and I do it without hesitation. For I need this time to 'hear' God and to allow Him to prepare me for what He's called me to do. I 'Isolate' in order to 'flow' with the Holy Spirit, without waver, without doubt, without wrath.

I 'Isolate' myself and love it.

The Peace of God...so worth the Isolation. :love4: