Ex-Christians: What turned you away from the faith?

Question

Was it something someone in the church did? Or said?
What are your reasons for changing your beliefs?

Thanks for the honest answers.

Most of the so-called Christians in the Republican Party only claim to be Christians to get votes. Look at W, and how he claims to be a Christian, but his track record isn't as such.
That is why I am an independant, most politicians use the faith thing only to get more support, not because of any actual faith that they have.

Answer 1

If one is Truely saved, then they would not turn away from the truth. The Truth will set you free!

Answer 2

A combination of current trends in main line Christianity (with an emphasis on fundamentalism), and a deaper understanding of faiths, the world around us and the teachings of Christ. Modern vocal Christianity has become a judgemental sect that attempts to legislate it's beliefs rather than touch people with it's beliefs. This is not Christlike in any way. While the majority of the Christian church may differ in this method they are far, far too silent on this issue.

While I prefer not to be considered a Christian I am still a believer. I take great pains at times to explain that I am an independant believer and not associated with a Christian denomination. I have grown tired of watching one large segment of this faith use the bible and christ's words as a weapon, and the other large segment sit idly by and watch it happen.

Answer 3

I was a Catholic for over 20 years before becoming agnostic. My short list (in no particular order):

1. Church was boring
2. I could never believe the wild fairy tales in the bible, even as a kid. They always seemed so unbelievable.
3. Different denominations of Christians can't agree on what is "truth" and what is not.
4. In college, I learned of changes, omissions & embellishments in the Bible and I figure, if they can't get it straight, how do I know if what I'm reading is REALLY what was intended to be read?
5. I will NOT accept anyone telling me that my gay, Jewish and friends of other religions will be going to hell. Sorry, but no. Being gay is not wrong, you cannot convince me of that.
6. I am tired of the hypocrisy and closed mindedness.
7. Most Christians will NOT listen to any decent arguments that might make them think twice about god & the bible.
8. I am much happier being agnostic. It was literally like a huge weight was lifted off of me.

Answer 4

Bored, Republican Party, hypocrites and the history of. All of those are people. The last religious leaders in charge. Read the history of Christianity not of the Catholic church there is a big difference. The Catholic church persecuted true Christians for so many centuries. Its not about the people its all about the relationship with our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. If you read Daniel and Revelation you will see what is predicted then is happening now. There are so many proofs of God. Come back to Him He is waiting for you. Time is getting shorter everyday. Repent and be baptized.

Answer 5

In a short, the hatred, bigotry, intolerance, and ignorance of Christians turned me off.

Some examples;

Even as a small child, my questions about the bible went either unanswered or I was brushed off as a troublemaker. This happens today. I was accosted by an Evangelist at a post office who considered himself an expert on the bible. He misquoted and when I pointed out to him his mistakes, and offered my interpretations, he stopped talking to me and pointed a finger, indicating I was either wrong or going to hell. Maybe both.

I am Hispanic. When I was a teenager, I was chased off a public park b/c I looked like a Middle Eastern. Was called a "Muslim". This attitude still continues today. Remember 9-11? About a month after that, I was harassed over by cop who wanted to know everything about me. Again, he was a Christian who picked on me b/c I looked Middle Eastern.

When I involved with the BSA, and was a Assistant Scoutmaster, the BSA passed two resolutions. One was a that atheists could not become Eagle Scouts, and the second was that gay or bi men could not become Scoutmasters. Which appalled me. It appalled me even more when so many Christians created, and supported these rules.

When I went to a Baptist church as an attempt to rejoin Christianity, the bible teacher there made numerous mistakes in talking about the bible. Incredible, I thought he would be the expert. My heart sank and I left after a few months.

I've read the bible in its entirety twice in my life. What scares me is all the hate to be found in the OT, and the draconian rules found in Leviticus. When I ask about these rules, I am usually brushed off by Christians who say that parts of the bible are not to be taken literally. Of which I reply, then I can interpret the bible by myself and decide what is to be taken literally and what should not? Of course, this answer does not go over too well.

So I tried to become a Christian. But the hatred, bigotry, intolerance, and ignorance, as well as the commonly known problems with the bible, as well as seeing how much good work, progress, and joy created by non-Christians, compels to reject their religion

I am now a happy secular humanist.

Rob

Answer 6

Christians turned me away from Christianity. Plain and simple. I don't want to be part of a faith that claims to be followers of Christ when all they do is act like sons of the devil.

Christians have no idea what being Christ like means. Christians, by and large, believe their salvation allows them to judge others - and that is totally not biblical. This is just one reason I simply do not want to be part of that movement.

I have a degree in Christian theology and pastoral counseling from an accredited university. I simply got tired of all of the evil that is done in Jesus name.

I come to Yahoo because the Christians here remind me, everyday, that my decission was the right one. As long as there are Christians here spouting hate and judgement, I will be here fighting back.

Don't pray for me and don't try to change my mind - I pray to God on my own - thank you.

Answer 7

I was raised a christian - I guess you would say I am not a praticing christian - I do a great deal of things that are biblically wrong - I know they are wrong but it is just the way I live my life - I just feel that there are some many things in the bible that just dont go with things TODAY. I dont see why I have to be married to some one I live with and have a child with. We are together and we have been together for 5 years we see no difference in what we have now and being married other then signing a piece of paper - but people in church are always insisting that we get married and telling us how wrong we are for living together and having a child out of wedlock -

Answer 8

That's really a tougher question than you think. I believe that the reason most people leave the church is because of the people. I myself love Christ. Christians however, really bother me. It can be very difficult dealing with the legalistic, holier than thou people. Also the Sunday morning christians that show no spiritual fruit. The simple fact is that christians are still human. They are flawed people who live in a fallen world. That's not areason to try to walk awawy from God though.

Answer 9

I had so many questions that were not being answered by the elders of the church. So I turned to history and truthfully investigated what the faith has done, where it came from, and I was left totally unsatisfied. I found a faith that encourages questions, and doesn't expect blind allegiance. I am very happy and content with my life. I do not expect Christians to change their faith, you must choose the path that feels right to you, that was not the path for me.

Answer 10

If you're here because God put you here then God has a great sense of humor. Have you seen ethiopians starving to death? People suffering from AIDS, cancer, illnesses. Some people don't have eyes and ears - because God wanted it?

The truth is you can't keep waiting for salvation and heaven when you suffer her and now. There must be a way to stop suffering and to gain wisdom and to not use blind faith to guide us. You should try to google suffering, life, meaning of life, and lastly look at all the main religions and see which one makes sense to you.

P.S. I'm not coming back here to read all the christian converting posts.

Answer 11

I stopped and thought about everything that I was being taught and realized that I had a different belief system then the church. The truth is that you already know in your heart where you belong before you even make the journey..The Christian faith was not it for me.