I was born and raised in a Christian family. I grew up in church. For the first 19 years of my life I was a true believer. I accepted Jesus as my Lord and saviour. I was baptised. I read and studied the bible from cover to cover. I prayed and I prayed and I prayed, and then I prayed some more.
16 years ago I came to my senses. I am now 35 years old and an atheist. The rest of my family, however, remains diehard believers. My mother, father, brother, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles... they are all still Christians. I am the only one in my entire family who has abandoned those ideas.
You can't tell me I don't know and understand Christianity. I understand it far better than anyone who still believes in it.
2007-08-02 01:49:37 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I agree with you 100%. So many people assume that because we are not card carrying bible thumpers there is no way we can understand Christianity. I am 37, was raised in a strict Greek Orthodox family, was an alter boy for 10 years, and eventually ordained as a reader in the church (one step from deacon). I have studied every modern religion and many ancient ones.
The number of contradicitons in the Christian church are so vast - and people no longer go to church for God, they go to show off their sports car or Tommy Gear, and to make themselves feel a little better about cheating on their spouse. I quit going to church because of this. I have no abandoned christianity, as I still believe there is some form of higher power, but I hold it within myself rather than imposing my beliefs on other people.
It is a contradiction in itself for a christian to pass judgement on you and say you don't understand christianity. This is the best argument for people who say you do not get it.
"Let no man judge another, lest he be judged".
2007-08-02 01:58:22 · answer #1 · answered by Basil M 3 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Since you used to read the Bible, I'm sure you've read Jesus' parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9). Within this parable, Jesus describes three categories of believers: two believe for a time, then fall away; the third believes and does not fall away. Jesus explains at verses 20-22 what happens to those who fall away:
20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
Those who fall away lack "roots," and in the eyes of God were never truly saved to begin with. So what does that have to do with your assertion that you "understand Christianity"?
Paul explains rather aptly at 1 Cor. 1:18-25 that the worldly "wisdom" you applied when you decided you don't believe is foolishness to God. Because of your foolishness, he writes at 1 Cor. 2:14 that you are unable to properly understand the Bible AND Christianity: "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
So I respectfully disagree with you. While you may be able to quote Scripture, you do *NOT* understand Christianity.
2007-08-02 02:12:36 · answer #2 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It is presumptuous of people to say that people don't understand something. How do they know? For all they know you've studied extensively. I'm not just talking Christianity either but anything.
2007-08-02 01:54:52 · answer #3 · answered by Purdey EP 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Isn't it presumptuous of you to say that you understand Christianity better than anyone who still believes in it?
2007-08-02 02:26:49 · answer #4 · answered by kcchaplain 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I came to Christ at the age of 28 before then i would say i was a agnostic . My impression of the established church put me of for a while all the fire and brimstone and scandals . But i know realize that is man not the will or teachings of Christ . I know believe there is a God who gave us freewill and his beloved son Jesus to show us the way he has bountiful grace for us to receive if only we would put pride aside and receive it. So i say to you do you really understand in your heart the grace of God and the light of Christ ? put aside some church practices that can be a hindrance to knowing the true living god i believe God wants you back in his presence because he loves you we are all precious to him . I will pray for you . God Bless
2007-08-02 02:03:20 · answer #5 · answered by jack lewis 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It's like they are so threatened by the fact of people coming to other conclusions that they have to find a way to nullify that.
The way I figure it is that I did the best I could. If it wasn't good enough, that's just the way it is.
I can't do anything more than that.
2007-08-02 02:06:54 · answer #6 · answered by The angels have the phone box. 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like you need to re-read the story of Paul. Saul had the law, and knew the books of law cover to cover. He lacked the heart of the faith, and that is why Saul was knocked off of his a s s and onto the grass, wherein he fell down Saul and came up Paul.
Furthe, CS Lewis, one of the greatest modern Protestant theologians of the 20th, grew up Christian, became and athiest, then re-converted. I would reccomend reading several of his issues as they seem a decent parallel to your own life.
2007-08-02 02:00:04 · answer #7 · answered by lundstroms2004 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Who ever told you that, was wrong dude!
But you never told us why you abandoned religion and and wasted all that time learning it.
But you are lucky you were not a Muslim. They cut the throats of people who leave their gentle religion.
2007-08-02 02:31:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You understand part of it.
That isn't to say you understand all of it.
Your understanding is as limited as is your experience... and indeed your ability to take in what is before you.
I'm not claiming I understand more... nor indeed less than you do. I would make no such assumption....
... But it is important to realise that the number of things in this world of which we are ignorant far outnumbers all the things we will ever know or understand.
Until you accept your own ignorance, you can never make space to learn more.
2007-08-02 01:56:07 · answer #9 · answered by Roger C 2 · 3⤊ 3⤋
I dont get the first person's answer!
You even stated you were a true believer for all those years....
You understand it.
Blessed Be.
2007-08-02 02:04:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋