From unbelief to belief?

Question

I've noticed that a number of non-believers on this site seem to believe that all Christians have grown up indoctrinated (brainwashed, they say) into the Christian faith. I, for one, was not brought up in the church. It wasn't until I was in my mid-twenties that I began searching. I looked at everything with a critical eye. I made some of the same arguments that I've heard here. Everything I read, pro and con, biblical and historical, led me to one inescapable conclusion - that God is real and He sent his son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. How many people here have made a similar journey from unbelief to belief without having a religious family?

Sorry, my computer was showing the question as unposted, so I reposted it.

Answer 1

My story is somewhat similar. I was raised Catholic, but I just couldn't believe in the Catholic God. I worshipped Mary and had no understanding of who Jesus was. So, when I became old enough to choose what I wanted to believe, I followed the atheism road for a small time. But, I still felt that there was something bigger out there, so I became agnostic. But again, I needed a supernatural god. I began practicing wicca, then eventually satanic witchcraft with hints of hoo doo, shamanism, satanism (Neo-paganism). I used a lot of the same arguments that many of the non-believers use now. I wanted so badly to make Christians doubt their beliefs and thought they were ignorant and brainwashed.

Then, I came to a point where I was at my end. I was severely depressed and suicidal. All the gods and goddesses that I worshipped weren't helping me, and I called out to God. And found the truth there. Since becoming a Christian, my life has turned around and I am a whole new person. It's hard to believe the person that I use to be compared with who I am now.

I often feel like Saul/Paul because my conversion was so drastic

Answer 2

Dear Michelle. I believe many people have made a similar discovery. Just the facts about our environment and the universe alone should tell us that there is a God. I can't believe anyone can go through live not believing in something. Many of the greatest philosophers and scientists (Leonardo De Vinci for example) had great faith in God. Of course the human mind cannot fully fathom the concept of a supreme being. Christians believe in the Blessed Trinity, three persons in one God. I think faith grows with age. The more you experience in life, the more your faith grows, and the more you believe in the soul and a better place when we leave this earth. Have a wonderful Christmas and a joyous and prosperous New Year. Paul. ([e-mail])

Answer 3

And what sin did you commit in your short life which was so heinous that a man 2000 years ago had to die for it .

A man died 2000 years ago because a Roman Governor was too scared to uphold his own law and find an innocent man innocent. Instead he washed his hands of the whole affair as he couldn't find a valid charge for the innocent fellow had this innocent guy whipped and even that wasn't enough, he had him killed...for what..? Being a nice guy....?

He didn't die for you...he died because of stupidity and a lazy Roman who was near the end of his tenure and returning to Rome to retire.

You now follow a church Dogma which was written and edited by the church girl, so your not even getting the whole story....

Have you read the other 'Gospels', Mary Magdelaine's, Judas', no and you won't get to either, they were edited out of the picture...surely you're going to question the reason why....surely....

Answer 4

That would make you the exception. In general, in the United States, anyway, people are raised in the religion of their parents, and only a relatively few of us manage the critical thinking required to leave religion and become atheists.

The claim that "God is real" is not an "inescapable conclusion" - in fact it's simply false.

Answer 5

It's all a question of personal choice. There are those, like the poor children sent to jesus camp, who are simply brainwashed into some fundie religion. Personally, if you are happy being a christian thats good, but I'll stay with being an atheist myself.

Answer 6

Your not supposed to believe in blood sacrifice anyway dont you know that? God can do whatever he wants whenever he wants it so why sent yourself in to be nailed to a 2 by 4. Your probably goin with the flow seeing how christianity affects people and i dont know why you went that way but you should take a look at the Qu'ran before its too late.

Answer 7

Agnostic always... leaning toward atheist if I had to choose (very doubtful there is a single, identifiable intelligent designer... sure as hell it cannot be some biblical angry father figure). I like the idea of karma... it is at least pretty and not hateful or superior. But no, I dont expect to reincarnate as a bug cause I spit my gum on the sidewalk, or as a princess cause I swerved from hitting that squirrel on the road...

Answer 8

Seek and ye shall find -- What a promise for all who seek in earnest. The fact that you are willing to announce your faith bodes well with you.

Matthew 10:32-33 states :
32. Whosoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
33. But whosoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

I pray that your faith will grow stronger as you increase your knowledge of your Heavenly Father through reinforcement from His Word - the Bible.

Answer 9

I grew up in a religious family, but (unfortunately) their perspective really was anti-intellectual. After several years of research, I switched denominations, and joined the one that seemed to be the most rational...

Answer 10

That is called "seeing the light" of a popular religion and getting sucked into its lies and myths. I'm very sorry this happened to you - you left behind common sense.

Oh, and the word's disbelief not unbelief.