Is Christ my Imaginary Friend?

By Frank Josey

Wavering and former Christians are the target audience - not atheists or members of non-Christian faiths.

The essay has never formed part of any formal education classes. Moreover, it does not claim to be the definitive statement, but raises questions any thinking Christian must address, and suggests some solutions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Frank Josey
• Release date: Sep 20, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465814517

Frank Josey

Apart from "The Forgotten Heroes", which was a special project for a late friend, my e-publications' main theme to November 2011 is the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This powerful mental illness wreaks havoc on our society, a society that rarely understands the impact of this condition.PTSDSadly, the overuse of PTSD diagnosis has increased confusion and cynicism. I only address PTSD where SEVERE TRAUMA was experienced (battle weary soldiers or brutally abused children).Let's stop euphemisms re most returned soldiers - THEY SUFFERED SHELL SHOCK OR BATTLE FATIGUE.My PTSD was not caused by the "Puppy Love" experience, but from a brutal terror suffered by most children of returned soldiers who experienced the horror of combat (but were never treated for its effects). Thus, the baby boomer generation families still harbour many forbidden secrets.Am I cured? In my case, the mental illness is managable, but still affects my day to day choices.Many consider me a failure, I am now living proof that there is hope for PTSD sufferers, besides the alternative - suicide. I must emphasize that a top mental health professional must treat this crippling condition.When the truth is revealed (the buried emotions rise to the surface), you will lose more "friends" than rats deserting a sinking ship. Many arrogant people have laughed at my financial and social demise (what goes around comes around).For many of us, the attempt at a cure is worse than the ailment (reliving the trauma)- but if you persist, you'll be granted a second chance. A successful man goes from failure to failure but never gives up (Winston Churchill).Self compassion, now THAT's a project PTSD sufferers can tackle. Until we forgive ourselves, we're just actors. Once we learn to truly respect and properly care for ourselves, then, and only then, can mature love for others develop.Loneliness is an ever present challenge for PTSD sufferers. Loneliness is Western Society's biggest problem, Mother Teresa once said, responding to an arrogant reporter (who expected abortion to be Mother Teresa's response). Accept the loneliness, embrace it - it'll end in greater character within.OtherI enjoy drumming as a hobby, specializing in Big Band Jazz, Heavy Metal and Parade Drumming (Bagpipe Bands).I am a Management Accountant, having graduated from Simon Fraser University Burnaby BC Canada.I am over the hill but it's better than being under it.My motto: THINGS ARE NEVER AS BAD AS THEY SEEM.

Book preview

Is Christ My Imaginary Friend?

(An Essay for wavering or former Christians)

Published by Frank Josey at Smashwords

Copyright 2011 Frank Josey

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This essay is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This essay may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this essay with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this essay and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Christ’s Influence

Attacks on Christianity (Can the atheists be right?)

The author’s response

Original Sin and Christ’s role

Conclusion

Epilogue – Is Christ the only Way?

References

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Introduction

Preamble

Bill Maher, the American comedian and talk show host, in a 2010 interview with the evangelical atheist Richard Dawkins, suggested, to an enthusiastic concurring Dawkins, that Christ was an imaginary friend. The audience applauded in agreement

Atheists have increased their influence not only due to having more exposure in the media and our schools, but the declining influence of mainstream churches. Several atheistic arguments, such as the reasons why science can replace any need for God, can be quite convincing. Many people have been propelled further away from the concept of God.

The author’s definition of God is that Universal Trinitarian Power of which nothing greater can be conceived (a definition the author believes took form in the early middle ages).

Other arguments against the existence of God, such as the following, are slightly discourteous. Gullibility and credulity are considered undesirable qualities in every department of human life -- except religion said Christopher Hitchens. Insulting or not, many theologians could successfully argue that gullibility and incredulity