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I'm interested in hearing from people who have been the same religion all of their lives as well as those who have switched religions (converted) in their life.
My family is Baptist, and I was active in it as a child and in early adulthood (I was baptized at 20).
I went through a crisis of faith several years later, and realized that while I believed in God I did not believe in the Christian faith. After several years of studying world religions, attending services at all manner of houses of worship, and talking to many people (both clergy and lay leaders), I found that Judaism provided me with the spiritual framework and connection to God that I needed. I completed the formal conversion process close to a decade ago.
The problem with much of this thread is that most American Christians don't choose their religion. They take whatever their family raised them to be within a Christian majority. Oh, they might stray to a slightly different denomination. But they don't really choose their religion. They follow their status quo.
My brother and I were raised by a Christian mother and an agnostic father (non church goer). My mom took us both to church and we were involved in many activities. At about 16 years of age, my brother complained so much about being forced to attend church, my mom gave up and let him decide. On the other hand, I chose to continue. Christianity and the church made sense to me. It was real and genuine. As an adult, I chose to marry a Christian woman and we raised our kids in the church. We all are practicing Christians. My brother is an agnostic.
So yes, family tradition plays a part, but it’s not 100%.
It just developed as my understanding and knowledge increased. Then one day I realized I was not alone and I knew I was an ATHEIST who believes in GOD..
I'll be the first to assert this is an oxymoron. You can't be a theist/deist and atheist.
My experience is similar, except I ended up accepting His call. Was raised in a Jewish/atheist home, but ended up believing in God due to experiences that could not be explained away. In college it seemed like God kept throwing people into my life who were asking me if I knew Jesus. After a time I got sick of it and asked God if Jesus was the way. God “said” yes. Ok and yes said I. It was interesting that no one came up to ask if I knew Jesus after that. We attend an Evangelical Free church and on occasion a Lutheran church when I play there.
I got a deck of religion cards, and picked the seventh one. LOL Of course, I'm joking.
I can't speak for others, but I've never had any desire for religion, and man's creations. I do have spiritual belief and conviction, based on many years of "tuning in" to the other side (call it a 6th sense, whatever). It's based on familiarity of the various schools of belief, and what I've felt to be the voice of God or the Holy Spirit, communicating and advising on direction and path.
I've never depended on, or even sought, other's views/opinions/leading. Spiritual and mental purity is important. Adopting other's beliefs would be as strange as wearing other people's clothes
Last edited by Thoreau424; 12-30-2017 at 05:07 PM..
There is no such thing as Christian Fundamentalism
There are only Christians or "disciples of Christ"
Again, most people who claim to be Christians are not.
Just food for thought....
Just 2 chews and a swallow. It tastes like 'Only Christians Fundamentalists are Christians. Those who don't believe everything as true, cover to cover, are not Christians. Not much of a mouthful, but hard for me to swallow. ForI me, anyone who believes in Jesus is a Christian, even if he doesn't believe in talking snakes and Shekel -swallowing fishes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JB from NC
My family is Baptist, and I was active in it as a child and in early adulthood (I was baptized at 20).
I went through a crisis of faith several years later, and realized that while I believed in God I did not believe in the Christian faith. After several years of studying world religions, attending services at all manner of houses of worship, and talking to many people (both clergy and lay leaders), I found that Judaism provided me with the spiritual framework and connection to God that I needed. I completed the formal conversion process close to a decade ago.
Thanks. I always like to read conversion stories - whichever way they go.
My brother and I were raised by a Christian mother and an agnostic father (non church goer). My mom took us both to church and we were involved in many activities. At about 16 years of age, my brother complained so much about being forced to attend church, my mom gave up and let him decide. On the other hand, I chose to continue. Christianity and the church made sense to me. It was real and genuine. As an adult, I chose to marry a Christian woman and we raised our kids in the church. We all are practicing Christians. My brother is an agnostic.
So yes, family tradition plays a part, but it’s not 100%.
And did your mind ever wander far enough to wonder what you would have been had you been born in Buddhist Thailand or Hindu India or Muslim Pakistan?
And did your mind ever wander far enough to wonder what you would have been had you been born in Buddhist Thailand or Hindu India or Muslim Pakistan?
Sure. I implied that in my post.
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Of course, I'm joking.
. I'm waiting for clarification. Does that mean he is now no longer an atheist or that he is a God -believer who doesn't do a particular religion?
