Being raised in a religious enviroment has damaged me?

Question

I believe this. I have a very active imagination. At my worst moments I could believe I'm speaking with the devil or God is talking to me or I'm living in that elusive spiritual realm. At my best, I know to be reasonable and it's just after effects of my Christian upbringing. I'm not Christian. I'm agnostic. I think being athiest is too presumptuous...what should I do? I need a firm grasp on reality, but I feel my perspective is damaged by this Christian upbringing.

The Christian upbringing has created my spiritual imagination and paranoia. I feel if I were not raised this way, I would not have these issues with my imagination.

Answer 1

Like you I was raised in a Christian environment. Like you I questioned whether my religious environment damaged me. Like you I also became what I thought was agnostic. Like you I was confused. Now, I feel like I have a perfect handle on what is truth and how to live and actually feel like your life is worthwhile. You did not actually admit to being confused, but to ask such a question, you obviously need answers.

The reality is that God is real, but not all those who call themselves Christians are. There are many pseudo-Christians (that means by name only...but not by lifestyle) can ruin a religious experience for others. Others really are Christians, but they are misguided about how to live their lives. Some use the name of Christianity to justify abusing and/or brainwashing others. The Bible says if you seek you will find. Well, if you seek true Christians, you will see that there are many people out there who really do live the life a Christian should, who teach and share the gospel out of love and compassion as Jesus did.

I realize I am not and never will be a perfect person. I will stumble and I will make mistakes. Instead of letting that depress me or lower my self-esteem, it actually frees me and boosts my self-esteem. You see, as a child of God, I am empowered by the Holy Spirit to live my life. When I choose to live for Him and trust in Him, I will have total peace and joy in my heart, but when I go against Him, I will face heartache and confusion. As long as you're trusting in Him with your faith, you will find what you should do because He will guide you. Please come back to a saving knowledge of Christ.

I am not saying you need to go back to the same type of environment you grew up in. A lot of religion is based on people having to do specific things to feel loved and forgiven by God. True Christianity that comes from the heart, however, is not like that. The only thing you need to do to become a Christian is to accept that Jesus, the Son of God loved you enough to sacrifice Himself so that you might live abundantly and that you might inherit eternal life. Once you truly accept that through faith, you will make choices to live for Him just out of love and gratitude for Him, not because the preacher said you have to or not because your religion says you have to. This needs to be a desire of YOUR heart.

After facing the same questions in my own life, I finally found those I can honestly call TRUE Christians and learned how to really live and how to truly have what the Bible calls a peace that passes all understanding. Unless you come to this realization yourself, you will never know this kind of peace. Find a true Christian and talk with them about your doubts and fears. Tell them how and why you feel that being raised in a religious environment damaged you. They can help you understand the difference between the "religion" you grew up in and true Christianity which is the only was to get a firm grasp on reality. Don't let those of this world (either those who call themselves Christians or those who do not) fool you into not believing in God.

Ultimately, the choice is yours and yours alone, but ultimately, you will find out the real truth as we all will when our lives on earth are through. Then if non-Christians are correct there is no harm done if you lived your life according to God's purpose. If Christians are correct, then which side do you want to be on? By making the wrong choice or by not making a choice, you could be dooming yourself. By choosing God's love, you will have the Holy Spirit to comfort you and help you through whatever challenges life brings.

Answer 2

Maybe you want to see a shrink?

There are psychiatrists who specialize in this sort of thing, it's actually a fairly common problem where strict religious upbringing creates emotional scars and damage - it's no coincidence that the worst serial killers (including Ed Gein) were often brought up in a strict christian background.

Such things are very hard to wrestle with on your own, and it may feel like a hopeless battle. You can try and overcome it yourself (meditation may help with this) but you'd likely be better off getting professional help if you can afford it.

Answer 3

Both Buddha and Jesus had experiences where the "Devil" spoke to them; the purpose was to question things from the inside out, from the opposite extreme, so they would affirm the right answers in their minds, rebuke the negative thinking, and be stronger for it. This was not a bad thing, but used for good.

God and angels have guided people throughout history, both believers and secular thinkers who received inspirations from the divine or the future. Even Einstein's theories can be said to be inspired by God; Buckminster Fuller also had divine revelations that transformed science and architecture. This is not a bad thing, but can and should be used for good.

Please do not "fear" your gifts or your extra sensitive perception. Please focus on wisdom, compassion, love and truth to make sure whatever messages you do receive spiritually are used for good purpose, and you will be okay.

Your Christian upbringing is meant to help you, but may just need to be balanced with practical and secular understanding of spirituality. You can have both and be better off for it, than only having one or the other. I think you are extremely gifted in this way, and encourage you to explore both to the fullest and not be afraid of the answers you will find. The real truth will liberate you and allay any fears that may hold you back. Best wishes and take care.

Answer 4

Religion can be damaging. It can even cause being psychotic, or religious madness. I am not saying it has to, but it may.
Anyway, you feel damaged and want to get your grip back on your reality. Maybe it's a good idea to go to a good counselor or psychologist. It might help you.
There are professionals who are experts in helping people who feel damaged by a religious background. They will not give you new ideas and make you believe in their ideas or truth, they will help you to find your own truth.

On the site of Rick Ross you might find some support. The site is mostly about people who get away from religious cults, but you will find some addresses or information there about counselors who might be able to help you.
http://www.rickross.com/
The site seems to be unavailable now, but mostly it is online. It has also a great forum!

Answer 5

My mother told me that there's a white dog and a black dog .spiritually speaking that always fighting it out,in you, humans have imagination for a reason.there's nothing wrong with having an imagination.there's the influence of the Prince of the power of the air as mentioned in the bible and theres the influence of Gods holy spirit in you. you have to figure out for yourself which one you go with
i have studied most all religions .doing that didn't mess me up at all,its good to have some spiritual background,to give you a start in life,try not to blame all your troubles on what you have learned .Its good to ask questions and even doubt,and learn and grow,.as then you will never grow spiritually just try to learn more so you May come to some sort of understanding about things spiritually.what matters is not so much religion, but having a relationship with the spirit of God.I wish you the best on your life's journey

Answer 6

At least you have the courage and intelligence to question both sides of the story.
Just think if you were raised in an Evangelical Christian home. Wow, talk about brain damage!

My advise is to keep questioning. Read two books, one called the God Delusion, the other called Misquoting Jesus. They will help answer some of your questions.

Answer 7

raised religious enviroment damaged

Answer 8

I feel just the opposite as you do. If my parents were chrisian, I may have not had such a hard time getting saved. But it was very hard trying to learn about God and learning to believe in God, when my mother did all she could do to teach me not to believe. I'm thankful that there is a God, and the bible is true.I don't know what your parents tried to teach you, but the Bible is true. That doesn't mean the religion you were taught is true. It is best to seperate religion from God. Religion is a persons ideas of how to find God. There are many religions, many are false. There is only one true God. You need to seek to find God for yourself, reading the Bible will help to show you what the real truth is.
Also,If you would try to see the fruits of where your life is heading maybe you could see the results of a life without God.
Please turn to God, before it is too late. Try to avoid thinking of the unpleasing things you went through and concentrate on finding God as he is in the Bible.

Answer 9

Were you raised Catholic (or another RELIGION)? The reason that I am asking because many teenagers and adults who were raised Catholic have many similar experiences like yours. They are taught that everything is forbidden, and God hates everything that they do. It is all about rules. If this describes you at all, please take a moment to hear what I say. God is real. Jesus Christ is real. Religion is dead. Those people that said that they were teaching you about God may have been teaching you a lie. Have you ever read the Bible? Do you know what it REALLY teaches about God? Unfortunately, many people use God's name and the Bible for wrong uses. It is very possible that people can take a verse or two of Scripture and give it a twisted meaning. People have used it to approve of slavery by using a few verses of Scripture out of its intended context. This is called spiritual abuse. Unfortunately, it appears that you have been affected this way, so have I in the past. As I said, "religion is dead." It is actually very oppressive. God wants a relationship with you. It is not a matter of being a good person either, because none of us are without sin. Jesus summed up all the law in two commands: Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second one is to love your neighbor as yourself. The truth is that you cannot love God or your neighbor without first knowing perfect love. Jesus Christ died for all of your sins and rosed to life to give you the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. All you need to do is accept what he did for you (not a religion) and turn from your own life of sin and self-sufficiency. You must ask him to save you and be your Lord. If you have doubts to whether there is enough evidence supporting the truth claims of Christianity, I will suggest a book for you (listed in the source list). Again, I feel for you because of the abuse, but we can't continue to blame the past for our future. Your eternal destiny depends on your choice. God is real. Jesus Christ is real. Religion is dead. Read the Bible for your self.

Answer 10

As strange as it seems, you have not really had a Christian upbringing.
It is most likely the case you were brought up influenced by christendom.
There is a huge difference between Christianity and christendom.
Christendom is a counterfeit, hypocritical abomination.
Get out of it!
They are the realization of the Apostle Peter's words at Acts 20:29,30....
"After my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among YOU and will not treat the flock with tenderness, and from among YOU yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves."
Christianity, on the other hand, is reasonable, logical, attractive and inviting.
Where to find it?
Keep in mind Jesus' words at Matthew 7:13,14 .....
"Broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it. Whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it."
Do not expect to find 'truth' in association with the big, established religions. They are on the wrong road.

Answer 11

I'm writing a book on this subject.

Understand that your parents' beliefs are not yours anymore. Do not be agnostic, be a gnostic. Don't NOT know what you believe, know what you don't believe and it will help you to know what you believe.

I went from being a baptist to a mormon, back to a baptist, to a wiccan, to a pagan, to an eclectic. If you know that you do not believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and God, that brings you closer to what you do believe.