How can you gain your faith back after...?

Question

Well when I was younger, my family attended Pentacostal (sp) churches. I really disliked and did not believe half the things that the pastor/bishops spoke of. I did not like the goings on in the church especially that of speaking in tongues as I thought it was disruptive and --sometimes fake (sorry to say that). Once the pastor even told one of the church goers "Thats enough" and told her to sit down. The fainting (so called being filled with the holy spirit) really made me want to leave the Church. I am no longer a pentacostal, but I still believe in God. I don't know about the whole Trinity (The Father, Son and Holy Spirit) issue either, It makes me feel like a polytheist. I do believe that Jesus existed, however when I pray (which is often) I pray to God. So am I losing my faith? I just don't want to belong to a church. I think they are all either greedy, false, or just plain wrong... I hate denominations.

This is directed toward all denominations, not just pentacostal ones.

I also think that all these seperate divisions (including the ones in all three religions Islam, Judiasm ,and Christianity) have made people nonbelievers.

As for age, I started going to the church (and I can remember stuff) from about age 4. Then after years of confusion, finally at age 15-ish I decided that denominations weren't for me.

I have never doubted God. I thought that because I don't want to be part of a church it was wrong. But I guess I should have rephrased my question. I just disagree with a lot of whats going in churches latey.

Sorry, but I don't agree with Jehovah's WItnesses either. I'm not even going to touch that one.

Answer 1

Its algud mate I was baptized a Mormon and there are somethings that I dont like too, but yknw as I got older I gained my own belief which is my faith in God and knowing he exists thats all and my standards that I have.See just knowing and believing he exists is awesome mate.To be honest I look at churches to be some sort of a cult not in a bad way but I just feel restricted from things yknw?
To me you can never lose your faith it is always there its only doubts and troubles that cloud our mind yes we may stray, but our faith is always there to greet us and pick us back up. So no I dont think your losing your faith b\c its the only thing that keeps us sane.
To some extent I do agree with what you said. Its just the people there and in the church that make it worse for others in whatever way.

"Its always best to ask for forgiveness then permisson"

P.S = Sorry the last sentence that was totally random I just like that saying ^_^

Answer 2

Well honestly it's up to you how you believe. As far as the fainting, that's not called being filled with the Holy Spirit it's called being slain in the spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is supported by the evidence of speaking on tongues. There are people who speak in what they call tongues that is fake however, the real Holy Ghost there is no mistaking. A lot of people don't "want" to belong to a church but they seem to forget the scripture that says "forget not the assemblying of yourselves together even the more so as you see the days approaching." Jesus even went to church. Not all churches are greedy, false or just plain wrong. Maybe you've just had a bad experience with that particular church. You didn't state how "young" you were maybe you just weren't old enough ot understand what was going on around you. Maybe you should try to go to another church for a couple of services and see how you feel then. I wish I had a better answer but unfortunately that's all I know to tell you besides pray and see where God leads you! I wish you luck with your search for the truth and I wish you peace while you look.

Answer 3

I would say that apart from the Trinity issue, you could be a Baptist. You say that you hate denominations, and if that is the case you should go to a church that is nondenominationalist, but most of those allow people to speak in tongues. You say that you don't want to belong to a church. If you are a Christian you should attend services because that is the method that Jesus gave to his followers. You should take advantage of the fact that in today's world there are so many choices available to you.
I would recommend that you go to a big church and just hang out for a while. Just because you attend doesn't mean that you have to commit to supporting its operation. There are a lot of good things that can be gained by going to church. But it is important to understand that people will be people even if they are trying to follow a higher calling. That is why Jesus is our example and not Bro. So and So or Sis. Whatshername.

Answer 4

It's sad that you've had such a negative experience of Christianity, especially since the baptism of the Holy Spirit is relevant today. It sounds as though the church you attended was OTT and actually didn't bring glory to God. It's just lovely to know that He has His hand on you and He understands your fears. It is biblical to talk of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and Jesus said that when we ask Him for things in prayer, it will be done for us. You need to find a church which is teaching the full gospel but without so much emphasis on the Holy Spirit. There are many Spirit filled Christians in other churches who are not so demonstrative but who love the Lord and are used by Him. Ask God to lead you and keep asking. He will answer.

Answer 5

You are where many people find themselves.

because of the hypocrisy of man you have come to doubt God.

because of the false teachings of many churches you have come to doubt God.

Don't give up. Jehovah loves you, and has sent his Son as a ransom in your behalf.

I would recommend you look up Jehovah's Witnesses, because, if they have the truth, you can eliminate all the others.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus is God's only begotten Son.

That Jesus is the First Born or oldest Son of God, the beginning of the creation by God. (Rev 3:14, 2 Cor 4:4, Col 1:15)

That Jehovah wasn't lying when He said the is my Son.
(On two different occations, His voice was heard.)

That Jesus wasn't lying when he said I am God's Son.

That Paul wasn't lying when he said we should have the same mental attitude of Christ in that we should glorify the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom 15:5,6)

That Peter wasn't lying when he said 'The God and Father of Jesus Christ.'

Answer 6

As a Deist that used to be a Methodist, I can tell you you have nothing to fear.

You are not actually'losing' anything! In fact, you are gaining perspective, which lets you look beyond the social and cultural biases that everyone grows up with. If you had been born in packistan, you probably would have become a muslim. The overwhelming majority of people simply follow the religion thier parents taught them, which is a shame to all of us that believe there can (logically) be only one belief that truly describes reality.

Deism is not an organized religion, yet many of the founding fathers of america were deists. You might want to check it out.

Answer 7

Sounds like you have a big hurdle to overcome...and will likely have it for a very long time.

Nevertheless, I think Pentacostal churches overemphasis the spiritual gifts, rather than the Giver. You might want to try a Baptist church...they are doctrinally sound. If anything, they err on the side of caution.

Remember, the closer you draw to Him; the closer He will draw to you. I suggest reading the Bible daily...start with the New Testament. Pray often -- everyday. Pick a time to pray, and stick with it! Get on your knees and pray...it has quite a humbling effect. And get involved with another believer to talk and encourage one another.

Answer 8

Good for you. Denominations can caused confusion as it has in you; take your bad experiences and chalk them up as something you learned about people and their need to "belong"; some just need that more than others; you apparently do not and for that I applaude you.

For some thought, try: seth-jane roberts in a search and read. I sense you will only stop reading when you fall asleep.

Churches often do wierd things, your was very strange as I have heard of it before; some even use snakes and such nonsense to proove.....something.

You can gain much knowledge of the nature of reality for yourself, absent any church.

What Churches do, is attempt to "teach" others what the true nature of reality is: they will teach about "God", "his plan" and so forth; imagine that, whee does this power come from?

"God"? I would challenge anyone to define "God" without refering to a Dogmatic interpretation; that would require actual thinking...

:)

Your fine, relax, out of the many-many religions in the world, your challenging One...

Answer 9

Did you know that Jesus felt the same way?
Please Note:
This skeptical view of religion is understandable. Many religious organizations are mired in political intrigue and moral hypocrisy and are drenched in innocent blood from countless religious wars. However, while rejecting the religious organizations that are sullied by hypocrisy and deception, some have made the mistake of also rejecting the Bible, which they think condones such practices.

In reality, the Bible condemns hypocrisy and lawlessness. Jesus said to the religious leaders of his day: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you resemble whitewashed graves, which outwardly indeed appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men's bones and of every sort of uncleanness. In that way you also, outwardly indeed, appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."—Matthew 23:27, 28.

Moreover, the Bible encourages Christians to be neutral in all political affairs. Rather than urging believers to kill one another, it directs that they should be willing to die for one another. (John 15:12, 13; 18:36; 1 John 3:10-12) Instead of being "intolerant and divisive," true religion, based on the Bible, is "broadly inclusive." The apostle Peter said: "God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him."—Acts 10:34, 35.

Answer 10

Denominations are fake...you either believe in Christ or you don't. You are a Christian FIRST, and the fancy lables? Leave them to people who pay $5.00 for a cup of coffee not fit for a dog.

Go to a NON-denomination church, and don't lose faith because someone on this earth puts God in a bad light. That's the argument of the devil...