Or raised in another religion and leaving that faith.
Do you feel any guilt or wonder if you should go back?
2006-10-23 16:42:00 · 30 answers · asked by ? 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I was raised lutheran, and forced to participate in the church until I graduated high school and moved out of the house--I became a pagan shortly thereafter--I have never felt guilt and will die before I ever change back
2006-10-23 16:48:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I grew up Catholic and actually enjoyed church a lot as a kid (though I think it was more about the fact that I've always been fascinated by the "unknown" ... things you can never know). In any case, my family stopped going to church when I was about twelve for ... personal reasons, and I just kind of stopped thinking about religion.
And then I got to college and I took a class on science and religion and how evolution fits into the picture and all that good stuff, and I started thinking about it again. And at first I kinda liked the idea of intelligent design, because I knew evolution had to be true to at least some extent. But since then, the more I read and the more I study and the more I just think about it, the more it seems to me that there doesn't have to be a god. That there's no logical explanation for there being a god, or at least that it's no more logical than the universe just "falling together" as is. So for awhile now I've called myself agnostic -- maybe there is a god, maybe there isn't, and what chance in hell do I ever have of figuring it out? But the more I talk to people who believe in god, theists I suppose I could say, especially Christians, the more I find myself leaning towards Atheism. So many of them just seem so ignorant and backwards, like they can't even listen to simple logic, or understand it in the first place, or perhaps both. And I know it's very un-pc to say that, but it's truly how I feel and I don't think it's fair for me to have to hold that back. I just don't understand how religion is more logical than evolution.
I suppose there are times when I wonder if it is all true -- and that's why I call myself agnostic and not atheist, because I can't *really* know, can I? I mean, I wish I could believe, because if I die as an agnostic and god does exist, I'd be headed straight for hell. And if god doesn't exist, then it won't really matter if I believed or not. But the truth is that it just seems so ... I don't know the right word, not illogical exactly (though in some ways, yes, that). The more I think about religion and learn about religion, it all seems like a mix of people trying to explain things they couldn't understand with a mythical deity and the machinations of dictators who used religions to control the people of the lands they ruled. And it just doesn't seem correct. I can't help that, but it's what I *believe* (as everyone is so fond of saying).
2006-10-23 23:57:52 · answer #2 · answered by maypoledancer 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was raised in the Episcopal and then Methodist churches. I left Christianity behind for several reasons. I do not feel guilt about it, as I think that "guilt" is a main proponent of why I left Christianity in the first place. I have tried to go back several times, but have always had the same negative feelings. I can't subscribe to a faith that is based on fear, etc. I could go on and on, but I'll save it for other answers! :)
2006-10-23 23:48:32 · answer #3 · answered by chrysalislady 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I was raised a Christian, but became a real and true Christ follower as an adult while I was still in the service. Many people are default Christians. What I mean by that, is people assume they are Christians just because they aren't Muslim, Bud hist, Mormon, or any other religion. In addition, God has no grandchildren. Each person must make an individual decision to accept or reject Jesus. Becoming a true Christian as oppose to pretending to fake it every week at church wad the best decision I ever made in my life!
2006-10-23 23:51:42 · answer #4 · answered by Soccertees 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No way!!! I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness and left the faith as a teenager. I researched and found out it was totally bogus. I didn't stop there, I also found out that religion as whole was based on myth and ignorance. I saw the evils it had done and still does do in our world, and the logically impossible God it talked about. I will never go back to being a JW for sure. I also will never become any for of a Christian or Muslim. Now as for Buddhism and Hinduism, I'm unsure of their beliefs but some of what I know could be a possibility. But for now I'm religion free and i love it.
2006-10-23 23:47:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I was raised Christian and left what I was taught for about a year but God had his hand on my life. I was miserable, I knew I was doing wrong and repented and never left again. I didn't feel guilt because I left a certain church or denomination but I felt guilt for leaving the principles of God, it was conviction from the Holy Spirit. I never want to be outside of His will or His presence again.
2006-10-23 23:47:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was raised in a christian home then when I moved out...I was wild. Got on drugs, went to bars, partied all the time. I knew who Jesus was the whole time. After 6 years of wasting my life I went to church. The 3rd Sunday at church I repented of my sins and asked Jesus to come into my heart. I accepted him as my savior and my life will never be the same. It was the most important thing that has ever happened to me. To look at what I was and what I am now, I'm a totally different person. The peace is indescribable. My testimony is so much better than what I'm describing. God loves you he wants you back.
2006-10-23 23:52:51 · answer #7 · answered by Jill With Christ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have always been brought up Christian- Iam 22 years old now and I am very grateful to my parents for being brought up in those ways. Ive had some crazy experiences that caused me to fall, and yes I did feel extremely guilty because I knew better you know. I am back and honestly can say that I'm so much happier believing, than I ever would be, believing in the worlds philosophies. Nothing can feel that emptiness in your life but God and that's for real....Its not even Christianity to me, Its a relationship!
2006-10-23 23:48:11 · answer #8 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I grew up in a Christian home; became agnostic as an adult. After 30 years as an agnostic, I converted to Judaism. Christianity stresses faith over logic, Judaism incorporates logic, science, and knowledge in religion.
.
2006-10-24 00:43:20 · answer #9 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely! I was fed up with being told a shouldn't question my religion and "just believe" the dogma and rules. I was also sick of the so-called Christian PEOPLE that didn't behave like they were Christian or like they were trying to live a life like Jesus!!
So I really questioned "why do I believe what I believe?" That lead to a 10 year journey studying other denominations, other religions (including polytheistic and nature religions, etc). I read every book I get find on the different religions and talked to as many leaders / gurus / rabbis / and a monk that I could get access to and picked their brains. I met many fascinating people. I then decided there had to be some absolute truth out there so I approached things like I had done in university and wrote research papers comparing belief systems and their historical and archaeological proofs/evidence. It consumed most of my time outside of work. In the end I was ticked to find that the most evidence supported the Jewish and Christian systems. Begrudgingly I started meditating to whomever God really was - to show me the truth. Well, he never "showed" me like a burning bush or anything, but I finally felt settled in my heart and mind about things.
I realized that in EVERY religion (or non-religious group) - there are nice people and there are jerks. In the end it didn't change who God was and is - and that God I used to know was just as irritated with the Christian jerks as I was. And of course I was not perfect either.
It's okay to feel guilty for leaving. The Judeo-Christian God DOES want us to question things and is okay with our having doubts (regardless of what man-made religions tell you.)
If a person is sincere in their heart about wanting to find the truth as opposed to finding some belief system that is just "easier" to cope with - then it will be revealed to them.
In the end - the world is full of imperfect and well-intentioned people. Forget the rules of religion and get to know your Creator. That is one perfect Being to follow as an example - not the church dogmas. That is the only God that promises a specific thing called "Heaven" to his followers - regardless of how many times we stumble and struggle and get mad at Him. He'll always welcome us back. That's unconditional love.
There is no one denomination that is 100% correct on all things - but there are certainly ones that are much closer than others. But - any place that doesn't allow you to question things is not the right place (IMHO).
2006-10-24 00:38:44 · answer #10 · answered by Evy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋