what was it that made you 'break' with the church of your youth?

Question

I know that many of us 'went to church' every Sunday with our parents, at their insistence , sometimes..... at some point those of us that don't 'do' organized religion any more had a reason that sent us out the door, never to return..... what did it for you?...
I was a good Methodist until I was in high school.... then the questioning set in and I couldn't get answers, just repetative gibberish from a cranky old pastor.... THEN... we 'became' UNITED METHODISTs and the whole thing turned into a business.....talk about being disillusioned!!.... but I tried to stay close to some kind of church for a good while.... and then, I met my now hubby.... fell in love and wanted to marry him... but HIS church wouldn't marry us, as both of us were divorced....so, according to that, we're both lost.... why bother?

Answer 1

Similar to you, questions were not answered by members of my former church.

Islam answered those questions, alhamdullah.

Answer 2

I grew up in going to first a non-denominational church (which was basically very, very evangelical) and then later to a Brethren in Christ church. I wasn't even allowed to listen to "secular" music until I got into high school, and that was only because my mother couldn't control every minute of my day at that age (so I guess I wasn't really allowed...)

I never bought into it at all -- even as a child. My parents used to read to me a lot when I was very young. Things like "The Three Bears" and fairy tales. Then I went to church on Sunday, and they read to me, too -- great stories about whales, arks, gardens, fishes and loaves. I never understood how one was "just a story" and the other was "the word of God." Even now, I'll give the Bible allegorical, mythical and even literary value for sure, but I just can't accept it as literal. I'm absolutely amazed how many people do.

I wanted to sooo badly as a child, though. As I got older, seeing all those people around me with their hands to the sky in praise left me feeling like I was the only one there who didn't get it -- I felt like a freak, and there was nobody to talk to about it. My life would have been so much easier if I could have just believed like everyone else.

I found a world of gray in paganism, which was, believe it or not, quite refreshing compared to the black and white world in which I'd been raised. I also find solace and hope in the writings of the Dalai Lama. Being vegan has a certain spiritual element for me, too. Imagine how popular I am in my midwestern overwhelmingly republican Christian home town now, lol.

Answer 3

I went to a convent school, was an altar boy from age 7 and went to a christian brothers school for half of primary and high school. Fortunately the middle/high school I went to was more of a sporting/academic academy than your regular church school. We were taught quite early that the bible is simply alegory. This was a good start and made up for a lot of the indoctrination that I recieved in the convent school.

I guess I turned away when I started to understand the negative influence of ALL religion in this world. In particular the role (or lack there of) that Catholocism had to play in the AIDS crisis in Africa. To see such a powerful and wealthy organisation deny the poor and marginal who look to it for guidance the ability to protect themselves disgusted me.

Then looking at the major religions, seeing that none of them really doing anything positive and realising that if there were an all powerful being surely s/he would not condone their actions, that was the end for me.

I think that we all need to be good people, look out for one another but as Dawkins says the moment we loose religion we will be on our way to a perfect society. Religion is all about money, power, and ignorance. Hopefully one day people will see that.

Answer 4

We may want to give up on the church, but we sure don't give up on God. He's what matters anyway. There must be a church somewhere you can enjoy being involved in.

To answer your question, it was United Methodist for me also, went with neighbors, not my family. There was a big emphasis on money, especially since they were planning on building a new place.
They had apparently told my Dad that I hadn't been giving enough in the plate...I think I was like 7 years old...someone must have been watching me to see how much I put in. So, Dad, he had me stop going since he saw what they were about. He let me go, hoping I would learn something. He didn't want me to learn what I learned though.
I had the stick-to-it-ivness inside that wouldn't let me give up forever. So I am Christian now, and have been. Non-denominational though.

Answer 5

I grew up in a baptist church and later became a Seventh Day Adventist, studied with the Jehovah Witness for 4 years and while living in Dallas Mormons came knocking at my door and I finally began to talk to God and said enough! I did not want anyone else telling me they had truth. I told God if He wanted me to know truth, he would have to show me truth not anyone else. While living in Dallas I would listen to endtime ministries. I ended up moving to Garland, Tx and while passing a church that was across the street from my apt. I seen a sign that regarding endtime ministries, so I went in one Tuesday evening where a gentlemen (Bro. Johnny) was playing the videos by endtime ministries and I continued to go. One evening they played a video about being born-again (receiving the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues) and I thought these people are out of their minds, wacko, crazy, you get where I am coming from. So I questioned Bro. Johnny and He assured me this was real and He invited me to attend the Sunday morning service where a visiting pastor would be speaking on receiving the Holy Spirit (speaking in tongues). So that Sunday morning I attended. The pastor invited all those that wanted the Holy Spirit to come down front, so I said Jesus I just want to know truth. The pastor told all those that wanted God's Spirit to say Hallelujah and I did and the second time I said it something amazing was transpiring, I was speaking in tongues. It is REAL & an AWESOME TRUTH!

BORN-AGAIN of the water (baptism in Jesus name) & Spirit (Receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit) with the evidence of tongues just like the day of Pentecost

Obey Acts 2:38!! It HAPPENING EVERYDAY to those that will obey!

Sandra P.

Answer 6

Most of my family is catholic and i went to a catholic church when i was little but i don't agree with many of the rules or things they say. i found a religion that better suited me and became a pagan. i think many of us break witht eh churches of our youth becuz we are trying to find our own path and sometimes the paths our parents put us on arent exactly the right ones for us.

Answer 7

We are in the Last Days (Laodicean Church) where most of the churches are FAKE and all about their money.....not about the business of saving SOULS!!!

Answer 8

The b.s.

edit: In other words, just about everything they taught.