Religious differences?

Question

So I was raised a Catholic, but recently I've been soul-searching and I don't consider myself a Christian any longer. I guess you could consider my religious views as atheism. Almost everyone I know is religious in some way and I feel like my choice to not practice religion may affect my future relationships and raising kids. If anyone has had a similar worry, how was it solved/what were your experiences as you grew older?

Answer 1

Been there.

For what it's worth, check out my thought process:

www.enloeapologetics.org

Answer 2

Hi Ashley,

I applaud your attempts to search your soul and make some very important decisions about your beliefs. Too many people don't take the time to search out and research what THEY believe, they let others dictate it! I also went through a very similar situation, although I don't think I ever was an atheist, per say-but there were definitely long periods of my life where I never thought about God or if there even was one. Please be careful on this site, as you will get many answers that are not sincere. I would gladly share my story with you, and suggest that you take the time to research your decisions. If you need help finding unbiased information(which is sometimes very hard to find), I could gladly assist you. Personally, I am a Christian-but as a Christian, I do not judge others, nor do I ram my beliefs down their throat. You must determine them for yourself, hopefully you can find some sincere individuals from all backgrounds who are willing to share their stories, too. Again, please contact me-anytime. I am a mom, and my daughters were the main reason I set off on my spiritual journey to begin with. Regardless of whether it is a spiritual or moral or another kind of belief, what is important is that you take the time to determine YOUR OWN belief system that YOU believe and standfast to. Otherwise, you could live a very confused life, and potentially confuse your children as well. I have my beliefs, but I encourage my daughters to question and research their doubts or concerns so that eventually, as they grow into adults, they have their own set of beliefs. Meanwhile, I try to set an example of my own , and raise them accordingly...but I alway tell them never to let anyone else determine what is in their heart-not even me! Good luck:)

Answer 3

Just be yourself and be honest about it. My mother at 86 is a devout Christian, My daughter and her family are Mormons, my two sons are non religious and I would not label them atheists or anything else either!

You will do your family, friends and anyone else around you if you take up religion or pretend to.

The very best thing you can offer kids is an open and honest acceptance of what they want. Let them hear about religion, science and philosophy and let them make their own minds up. The alternative is indoctrination for it's own sake and for sure - they will not thank you for that!!!

Answer 4

I know how you feel. Atheism has PR problems indeed! - in that, most of our theist friends line us up with the likes of 'child molesters'. Or even 'satanists' at worst! Just be yourself - friendly and approachable with a twist of rationality and non-delusionment and you can be the best you can be.

I myself have friends of varying religious persuasions, and we see no hindrance to our chosen 'mind-sets' with regards to having a good time. We don't let it get on our way with regards to our being human in the first place. Besides, its fun reasoning out (reads: slugging it out) with them why all of us believe what we believe.

So far the only main problem i see in such a situation is with regards to weddings and other traditionally 'church-based' social activities, like christmas and easter. But anyways, that's just what primarily accounts for those types of activities anyway - plain 'socializing', right? There's a broader life outside of those things in the company of 'real' friends... you'll know them anyway sans the pretenses and hypocrisy. In reason. =)

Answer 5

She believes Christmas is on Jan seventh. She has a acceptable to that conception merely as you well known Christmas on Dec. twenty fifth. in case you experience it really is faulty that you may celebrate on January seventh then do not in spite of the indisputable fact that it appears like you've celebrated on both days in the previous so she ought to probable question you sincerity. It would not look an project for you. in spite of the indisputable fact that it type of feels that it will be antagonistic to her faith to celebrate on the twenty fifth. do not assume her to regulate her beliefs, do merely not ignore that you've diverse beliefs and appreciate each and each and every others judgements.

Answer 6

I heard said: Going to church doesn't make you a christian any more then being in a pet shop make you a puppy.
Jesus is the only way:
Romans 10
John 3:15-21
Jude
Job 19
Rev 18-22

Answer 7

When you reject God you will never be satisfyed... If i was you i would study the Bible and then join a church that you feel comfortable with.

Answer 8

Read Swedenborg, Emanuel and learn about the New Jerusalem.

God is one, and there is a conjuction of charity and faith.

Answer 9

that shouldn't be a worry at all ! let it sink in - do not feel guilt and enjoy!

Answer 10

I too was a Catholic until I started to look for the truth. And found it!
This is long and just part of a book, but it can help if you will read and understand. You can get personal help from a kingdom Hall near you. Just call them. Mornings around 9 AM and often dureing the day.

“APATHEISM.” A commentator on religious affairs recently used that word to describe the stance many people maintain toward their faith. He explained: “The greatest development in modern religion is not a religion at all—it’s an attitude best described as ‘apatheism.’” Elaborating, he defined apatheism as “a disinclination to care all that much about one’s own religion.” Many people, he observed, “believe in God . . . ; they just don’t care much about him.”

2 This slide toward apathy is not surprising to students of the Bible. (Luke 18:8) And when it comes to religion in general, such disinterest is to be expected. False religion has misled and disappointed mankind for so long. (Revelation 17:15, 16) For genuine Christians, however, the pervasive spirit of halfheartedness and lack of zeal presents a danger. We cannot afford to become nonchalant about our faith and lose our zeal for serving God and for Bible truth. Jesus warned against such lukewarmness when he cautioned first-century Christians living in Laodicea: “You are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or else hot. . . . You are lukewarm.”—Revelation 3:15-18.

Seeing Who We Are

3 To fight spiritual apathy, Christians need to have a clear view of who they are, and they must take reasonable pride in their distinct identity. As servants of Jehovah and disciples of Christ, we can find in the Bible descriptions of who we are. We are “witnesses” of Jehovah, “God’s fellow workers,” as we actively share the “good news” with others. (Isaiah 43:10; 1 Corinthians 3:9; Matthew 24:14) We are people who “love one another.” (John 13:34) True Christians are individuals who “through use have their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong.” (Hebrews 5:14) We are “illuminators in the world.” (Philippians 2:15) We strive to “maintain [our] conduct fine among the nations.”—1 Peter 2:12; 2 Peter 3:11, 14.

4 True worshipers of Jehovah also know what they are not. “They are no part of the world,” just as their Leader, Jesus Christ, was no part of the world. (John 17:16) They remain separate from “the nations,” which “are in darkness mentally, and alienated from the life that belongs to God.” (Ephesians 4:17, 18) As a result, Jesus’ followers “repudiate ungodliness and worldly desires and . . . live with soundness of mind and righteousness and godly devotion amid this present system of things.”—Titus 2:12.

5 Our clear view of our identity and our relationship with the Sovereign Ruler of the universe motivates us to “boast in Jehovah.” (1 Corinthians 1:31) What kind of boasting is that? As true Christians, we are proud to have Jehovah as our God. We follow the admonition: “Let the one bragging about himself brag about himself because of this very thing, the having of insight and the having of knowledge of me, that I am Jehovah, the One exercising loving-kindness, justice and righteousness in the earth.” (Jeremiah 9:24) We “boast” in the privilege of knowing God and of being used by him to assist others.

The Challenge

6 Admittedly, maintaining a sharp perception of our distinct identity as Christians is not always easy. A young man who was raised as a Christian recalled that he for a while had experienced a state of spiritual weakness: “At times, I felt I didn’t know why I was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I had been around the truth since infancy. Sometimes I felt that this was just another mainstream, accepted religion.” Others may have let their identity be shaped by the entertainment world, mass media, and the current ungodly outlook on life. (Ephesians 2:2, 3) Some Christians may occasionally go through periods of self-doubt and of a reassessment of their values and goals.

7 Is a degree of careful self-examination entirely inappropriate? No. You may recall that the apostle Paul encouraged Christians to keep examining themselves: “Keep testing whether you are in the faith, keep proving what you yourselves are.” (2 Corinthians 13:5) The apostle was here promoting a wholesome endeavor to spot any spiritual weaknesses that may have developed, with the objective of taking the necessary steps to rectify them. A Christian, in testing whether he is in the faith, must determine whether his words and deeds harmonize with his profession of faith. However, if misdirected, self-examination that prompts us to look for our “identity” or to search for answers outside our relationship with Jehovah or the Christian congregation will prove to be pointless and can be spiritually fatal. Never would we want to ‘experience shipwreck concerning our faith’!—1 Timothy 1:19.

We Are Not Immune to Challenges

8 Should Christians who occasionally experience self-doubt feel that they have failed? Of course not! Indeed, they can find comfort in knowing that such feelings are not new. Faithful witnesses of God in times past experienced them. Take, for example, Moses, who displayed extraordinary faith, loyalty, and devotion. When assigned a seemingly overwhelming task, Moses diffidently asked: “Who am I?” (Exodus 3:11) Apparently, the answer he had in mind was, ‘I am a nobody!’ or ‘I am incapable!’ Several aspects of Moses’ background might have caused him to feel inadequate: He belonged to a nation of slaves. He had been rejected by the Israelites. He was not a fluent speaker. (Exodus 1:13, 14; 2:11-14; 4:10) He was a shepherd, an occupation abhorred by the Egyptians. (Genesis 46:34) No wonder he felt unfit to become the liberator of God’s enslaved people!

9 Jehovah reassured Moses by giving him two powerful promises: “I shall prove to be with you, and this is the sign for you that it is I who have sent you: After you have brought the people out of Egypt, you people will serve the true God on this mountain.” (Exodus 3:12) God was telling his hesitant servant that He would constantly be with him. In addition, Jehovah was indicating that he would without fail deliver his people. Down through the centuries, God has provided similar promises of support. For instance, through Moses he said to the nation of Israel as they were about to enter the Promised Land: “Be courageous and strong. . . . Jehovah your God is the one marching with you. He will neither desert you nor leave you entirely.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) Jehovah also assured Joshua: “Nobody will take a firm stand before you all the days of your life. . . . I shall prove to be with you. I shall neither desert you nor leave you entirely.” (Joshua 1:5) And he promises Christians: “I will by no means leave you nor by any means forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) Having such strong support should make us feel proud to be Christians!

10 About five centuries after Moses, a faithful Levite named Asaph wrote candidly regarding his doubts about the value of pursuing an upright course. While he struggled with serving God despite trials and temptations, Asaph saw some who scoffed at God grow more powerful and prosperous. How was Asaph affected? “As for me, my feet had almost turned aside,” he admitted. “My steps had nearly been made to slip. For I became envious of the boasters, when I would see the very peace of wicked people.” He began to doubt the value of being a worshiper of Jehovah. “Surely it is in vain that I have cleansed my heart and that I wash my hands in innocence itself,” Asaph thought. “And I came to be plagued all day long.”—Psalm 73:2, 3, 13, 14.