I don't think I'm a Christian any more, am I?

Question

So I've been going to my Church my hole life, I am so into it, I'm on the church counsel and I worked at a Christian summer camp all last summer. I love doing things for the church and what it stands for. I know there are a lot of things that the church does that I hate, and are wrong and hurt a lot of people too, but all and all its and ok thing.

I just don't believe a word of what is being said in the bible, or any of that stuff. So can some one go to church and participate in it, and not believe in god? Its been long and hard and well thought out, there is no god. This is what I've been doing for the past 2 yours and I'm 21.

“I think I’ve found that religion has been the where most of the pain in my life has come from and I want to know why. I’m strange when ever something hurts me I want to know more about it and why it hurts me.” But that’s just about me. And if you want to know why I think that you can just ask.

Answer 1

I think that it depends on who you ask ... the technical meaning of Christian is a follower of Christ, so if you're not a believer or follower of Christ, then I think technically ... according to the definition, some might say you're not a Christian. But really, when you've got this many questions - who cares what other people think about whether you call yourself a Christian or not? Really, it's on you, not on them. What do you think? What does your heart tell you?

I'm in a similar situation. I'm not a "Christian" but I still go to church regularly. I don't believe in the Bible as face value, but have a deep relationship with God. I believe in Jesus, but don't believe that he died for my sins. Other people might not agree with me - but hey, it's not their life.

Some people come from fear, fear of God, fear of Hell, fear of fear. I used to do that too - I believed because I was afraid of the alternative. What I asked myself was do I want to spend my life being afraid? Is that what a loving God would want? And I decided, nope, that's not what a loving God would want. So, I believe because it feels right, not because I'm afraid of going to Hell.

Plus, church is usually a pretty good place to meet other people who have similar interests. Most of the people who attend have good motives and are really interested in trying to live a better life. So, if you feel like you're getting something out of it or giving something back by going to church - then by all means go. You don't have to explain your decision to anyone else. You just have to be able to live with yourself at the end of the day.

Answer 2

I personally believe that we are on this earth to learn and grow. If you are feeling uneasy about the church you belong to, whatever denomination it is, start asking questions. Start reading books on every other religion. Go to another church and see how you feel. DON't go to a Church, just read and learn, and see how you feel., You can choose to do anything you want, as long as IT doesn;t deliberately hurt another.

I don't think you "don't believe in God". I think you are confused at what you hear and you are frustrated in the congregation you belong to.

So - Do something about it.

There is so much to discover in this world, and we have the free will to go after it. Don't stay like this for a long time and then years later wish you hadn't. Go by your gut feeling.
I think it is exciting. You are questioning and learning and you learn a lot from other religions, if you want to. If you do all this and still think that you do not believe in "God", That is O.K. to!

Whatever you do, don't stand still.

Answer 3

Well... Seems like you're trying to be a good semaritan but you're being pulled down by discrepancies within the Church. I'm not necessarily saying that you should ditch church (only because my sister told me to keep a check on myself when discussing faith with people), but that maybe you should stray away for a bit. Take a break and opt for some non-religious charities or camps. Maybe you just need a breather, maybe you'll find a more agreeable way of life.

Answer 4

Maybe not, but maybe you are going to the wrong church. I used to go to a Pentecostal church- most of my life actually, I wised up on a lot of things. The one thing I can say is to read the Jehovah's witness bible. I may not believe some of their doctrines, but that bible is the least unaltered and makes so much more sense. Especially when it comes to the trinity. Being a Christian comes from within, maybe you are waiting to feel something.

Answer 5

I can relate. I certainly don't think you can consider yourself Christian if you don't believe in God. I was raised Catholic, attended Catholic school, etc. Sent my kids to both Catholic and Christian school for a few years but then just couldn't really keep it up anymore. While I appreciate and miss the positives of church involvement and the rituals, I just couldn't continue to attend and feel like such a hypocrite. I also disagree strongly with many of the positions the church and Christians, esp. fundamentalist Christians are taking and its effect on our freedoms and laws. I can't say the church has been a source of hurt for me. I just can't believe most of the theology anymore. Just doesn't make sense the more I analyze it. I know it's supposed to be about faith, but that just doesn't work for me. I have this thing about logic.

Answer 6

It appears to me that you have been doing the "business" of church your whole life, but that you haven't really been in a relationship with Jesus.

There is a big difference. People who go through the motions and busy themselves with doing the work of the church without having the relationship with the Savior often end up feeling the way you do, or feel burned out.

Take some time off. Read the Bible. Pray. Experience the love that Jesus has for you personally, and don't worry about what anyone will think of you for taking this time to explore your relationship with Christ. It is heatlhy.

Ok, since it seems as though you want to talk about this - I'm asking, why do you want to know more about what hurts you and why it hurts you?" I'll check back in a while and see your answer.

Answer 7

It doesn't matter what your participation in the church is, it is whether or not you believe in the life and sacrifice of Jesus. If you do not believe in God, you are not Christen. Staying in the church council will be a selfish endeavourer, worse yet if people look up to you and you are leading them astray by empty gestures. These are people who could be in pain and desperately need to find Christ and to stay in a position of religious authority will only disservice them. You say you believe what it stands for yet you deny the very message of Christendom. Whether or not you continue to go to church I cannot comment on, but to stay in a position of leadership, or to seek favor in a religious community you disagree with is a hypocrisy that must stop.

Answer 8

I appreciate your honesty here, but you MUST share your doubts with your minister!

Pray to God. Is it possible that the Bible is all Godly wisdom, expressed in Parables?

If you feel the Holy Spirit DID inspire the Scriptures, then some Christians would say you do believe (although not me).

This is something for your minister and church to decide. Is your weak faith enough for the positions you hold.

A man in the Bible said to Jesus "I believe, Lord help my unbelief." How honest!

Answer 9

Can someone act the part and not believe the part.
Of course they can, but the problem with Christianity is that God knows your heart.

I do not know your heart, but God does. THis is what God states in the bible about the basics

Faith without works is dead. You have stated that you do not believe in God, so no faith, then you also do not believe in his son whom he sent to save us from ourselves (works is believing not just in God , but in everything that he has done, is doing, and will yet do.)

You need to go forward the next time there is an alter call and you also feel the tug of the holy spirit calling you to submit and leave your fleshly desires and hurts behind.

Answer 10

You need to begin reading the bible. The book of John in the New Testament is a good start.

You said, "I just don't believe a word of what is being said in the bible, or any of that stuff."

Then what on earth have you been doing the past 2 years? Just socializing?

Pray for wisdom while reading, have faith, and God will reveal Himself to you.