When my best friend died in January I clung to God like I had never clung to God before. I honestly felt I had that "God-shaped" vacuum in my heart that you speak of. My attitude changed so much that my friends and family immediately noticed, and were rather surprised to hear me talking about God in such a worshipful way.
When I started on R&S, it was to find answers to some of my questions about Christianity so that I might reinforce my belief.
Instead, I found so many contradictions that it is impossible for me to continue to believe.
I really wanted to be a believer.
I am not a believer anymore.
And, to beat it all, I lead a generally happy life.
I really think, looking back, that I felt "God's presence" because I was so distraught over Chelsa dying that I just wanted something, anything to get me through it. Religion worked as a drug for me during that trying time in my life.
Your thoughts?
2007-09-24 05:19:11 · 35 answers · asked by Linz ♥ VT 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Honestly Linz,
BYA-I think your foundation in Jesus wasn't strong.
Its like the parable of the seeds. Do you remember? I can look them up for you if I need to.
The thoughts of the worldly cares caught up with you.
When we are suppose to always no matter what happens look to God. Its hard to grieve and find answers and comfort sometimes and people deal with it differently.
So all I can suggest is to dive back into that Bible and try Him again I have had alot of issues and still found Peace in Him.
E-mail me I can lay out some of my testimony.
I'd been abused rejected by parents I mean I have been through too much and to turn away from God which I have before I just wouldn't do that because of the mercies He has given me. During the time of my back sliding years I was promiscuous, addicted to drugs and I would be a nasty person. Then I had kids I wanted thier lives to be different from mine and my husbands.
I understand being mad at God Trust me He can Take it but don't be mad forever Go to Him- Its your walk not mine.
†EveryDay Prayer Warrior †
2007-09-24 05:38:50 · answer #1 · answered by Bobbie 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
A lot of what you asked about really depends on the kind of christian you're asking. I am a christian but I do not belong to any church or denomination. I think, personally, that organized religion is the downfall of christianity. Dismissing the views of other people as insignificant or misdirected is common and should probably not be taken to heart. Is it really any different to tell a person who doesn't like basketball "you just don't like it because you don't understand it." Or to say "You would like (insert favorite musical group or movie or book or whatever title here) if you just gave it a chance." If it is important to us we wonder why it can't be important to others. But religion, or the lack thereof, is a deeply personal point of view. We tend to take ourselves too seriously and we tend to put our own spin on it. If you are an atheist, that's just fine with me. Don't expect me to try and convert you. Your way in life is yours to choose and, sometimes, I feel sorry for anyone who feels otherwise. Edit: I started this when there was only one answer but had to get back to work. I have to say that for anyone to dismiss christianity as a chemical reaction or a search for something that doesn't exist has entirely missed the point of the topic. If your beliefs are beyond scrutiny then shouldn't everyone else's beliefs be beyond scrutiny as well?
2016-05-17 09:57:05 · answer #2 · answered by briana 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My thoughts... we all generally lead a happy life. My relationship with God isn't about just being happy...it's about me becoming the person He wanted me to be even before He spoke the stars into existance.
As for feeling God's presence...many a strong Christian that helped shape my life, and I still see evidence of...is it is when we are in the darkest moments of our life, that we see His light that much more clearly. It's when I cling to Him like I cling to a board in the middle of the ocean that I feel His arms reaching back, holding me.
Sorta like my little boy...he has fun running around the house..but it's when he's hurt that he runs back to me. I'm always there, but only close to him when he comes to me.
I also believe you when you say you were seeking answers about Chrisianity when you came to R&S. From a lot of the non-sense I see spouted here by non-believers, wouldn't it be fair to say that they had a bias in answering your questions? If a person comes here to learn more about God, what kind of answers will I get from people who either hate God, or go farther and say there is no God. Definitly not answers that will have me learn more about Him.
I won't slam you for your honesty...I just want to say, there is bound to be more than one event in any of our lives that leaves a God-sized hole in our hearts. But I pray that never happens, not to you, my friends, or even people here that I just shake my head at.
All I'm saying...is should you ever come back to a point in your life where you are wondering again...that's better than already deciding God can not give you the same comfort you felt before.
In short...perhaps what you felt last time was not "religion as a drug", but perhaps it was just what you thought it was...God reaching back and holding on to you.
† Traveling Prayer Warrior †
2007-09-26 10:39:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
traumatic events
i.e. death, divorce, loss of job...
Faith has been known to provide comfort to those in mourning of a loved one. Just believing that someone you loved has gone to a place like heaven and not just lived on this earth to be covered in dirt is something that would appeal very much to me if I had no religion. I do hope you reconsider giving up on Christianity. You should not make a big decision, like if you're going to take up religion or not, based on the opinions of random people on a website. If you wanted to reinforce your beliefs, the best place to go is to the church. Many churches offer welcoming groups or Christian education for adults. But, I can't, nor do I believe any Christian should, badger you about adding religion to your life. What's most important is you have to do what you think is right.
2007-09-24 05:23:20 · answer #4 · answered by Salad 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As Chris Rock put it in "Dogma", I don't think that God intended for people to have such a profound addiction to religion. A belief system is hard to dismantle, ideas are easier to think about and to change.
I am not religious at all. I feel that religion has ruined so many lives due to the restrictions and beliefs of the way a person should live their life. God's love is supposed to unify, not divide and that is what Religion has done.
I am a very spiritual person who believes that there is a Creator and that to denounce Christianity or Religion in general isn't bad. But I think that believing that my being here by some slim chance in hell is a slap in the face of the Creator.
At my worst points, religion could do nothing for me, but I later found clarity within myself and in the understanding that my life has purpose.
I hope this helps.
By the way...I am not anti-religion. I feel some people NEED it to define their being and they need a guide to spirituality rather than searching for it themselves.
Peace and Blessings=)
2007-09-24 05:39:21 · answer #5 · answered by mahakala_00 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Hi Linz,
I see that even though you addressed this to Christians you got very few responses from them (though I liked Oregon Flower's response). I don't think R&S is able to help strengthen anyone's beliefs with a few exceptions it is fairly contentious, and what people call contradictions are usually their poor attempts at reasoning.
I wouldn't call what you described a belief in God. I would call it a passing interest in God. I think those that come to faith remain in faith. I don't think Christians really ultimately lose belief--though they may alter their beliefs significantly on a variety of issues.
Don't have an extensive answer for you--belief is a personal thing it's hard to give you an objective answer as to why your views have altered.
I wish you the best in any event.
2007-09-24 07:50:35 · answer #6 · answered by Todd 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Linz,
You want the feeling back that you had...I can tell. It was comforting and brought peace to you. That IS what God does. He says "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and FIND me, when ye shall search for me with ALL YOUR HEART. Jeremiah 29:11-13 That is a promise to YOU that you can claim and pray back to God.
God CANNOT lie. (Titus 1:2)
When Chelsa died you were more vulnerable, more open to God, more needy. When you are not as much in need sometimes it is harder to have faith....because why do you need it? You DO need it but it does not FEEL like it. That is the problem.....we cannot go by our feelings but need to make a CHOICE about who to give our allegience to....the God who created us...or the devil who we will serve if we do not choose God. (Joshua 24:15)
I will pray for you to make the right choice.
† On-call Prayer Warrior †
2007-09-26 11:08:57 · answer #7 · answered by bethy4jesus 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i feel the same way as you. I had many tragedies for years, and clung to god, but i never felt him
2007-09-24 05:34:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
There is no contradictions in the Bible. If you had a relationship with Christ is was very weak to begin with then. The answers that many post on here are just trying to break off your relationship with Him. This new found happy life you have is indeed happy Im sure. For the Bible states Sin is fun for a season. God brought you through the death of your friend and He can if you let Him continue to take you through the rough parts of life. Remember Lucifer is the King of Lies he wants to keep you from the glorious life you can enjoy here on earth and eternity. Repent and turn back to God you know it is the right thing to do. Peace out..................
2007-09-24 05:27:57 · answer #9 · answered by powerliftingrules 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Religion can be used as a crutch to help those who have experienced a loss.
In my case, just the opposite happened, when I experienced a major loss, I looked toward religion and found nothing.
When I did more research on how christianity was created, I realized that all I had been taught in my early life (spent in a private christian school) was wrong.
Now I am also an atheist and a much happier person for it.
2007-09-24 05:25:29 · answer #10 · answered by JerseyRick 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋