If an alcoholic stops drinking, s/he spends the rest of her/his life as a "recovering alcoholic".
Since I was raised as a Christian, but am no longer, does that make me a "Recovering Christian"? Or would that title still make me a Christian?
I'm an atheist, but I am curious as to how everyone else processes this, so all are welcome to answer.
Thanx!
2007-11-20 10:34:32 · 32 answers · asked by ►solo 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Brendon: I'm surprised at your lack of knowledge in this matter, since you are a Top Contributor. Read up on alcoholism and AA and find the error in how you think. (Personally, I agree with you, but we're a minority and you should be aware of how the majority feel about your views regarding this matter.)
2007-11-20 11:18:09 · update #1
The_Cricket: VT!: No, b/c skepticism isn't something you recover from; Christianity is, believe me.
2007-11-20 11:20:36 · update #2
Okay, okay, okay... this is totally my bad. I didn't express myself properly and so you're all missing the point. However, you're all giving me GREAT answers with the posts you're making. Thanx!
2007-11-20 11:25:10 · update #3
I am glad you found your path in life, since the destination is the same for all of us, walking the path which affords us peace is the only important thing... no, you are not recovering christian, discard your past and never look back... there are no chains more powerful than the ones we fashion to bind ourselves...
2007-11-20 10:42:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you don't subscribe to the Christian beliefs then no, I guess you're not a Christian.
It's a good question that you ask.... I'm trying to compare it to Judaism. Generally if someone is born into a Jewish family then they are always Jewish, even if they also describe themselves as an 'athiest' BUT if they adopt another belief system, then that becomes their religion.
But as Christianity is a religion and a faith, and not an ethnic group, I would say if you don't adhere to the Christian account of things, then you are not a Christian.
Sorry if I digressed.
2007-11-20 11:09:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, I'd have to wonder, and I hope you don't take this as my insinuating anything because I'm not trying to, but were you a Christian? Or were you only raised in a Christian home, and to please your parents, you went through the motions of being a Christian?
This is actually very important.
But I don't consider Christianity to be a habit like alcoholism. I could be biased though, being a Christian myself.
Can I reverse the question? Since I spent the first twenty-five years of my life as a skeptic, can I consider myself a "recovering skeptic"?
2007-11-20 10:40:52 · answer #3 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Id just say you were an atheist.
You may be "recovering" but that isnt who you are now.
I think if you leave a religion after many years you will have a shadow of it over you but that doesnt mean its who you are now or how you feel or believe.
I prefer the term POST as it indicates I was but am no longer.
2007-11-20 10:49:49 · answer #4 · answered by ChaosNJoy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say you're an atheist, coz it doesn't work in the same way as alcohol. It's not like a chemical in your body which is still draining out, it's something you believe in. So your religion is based on a belief and you say you are an atheist, so that's what you are.
2007-11-20 10:57:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
well im in the same thing. i used to be mormon and now im pagan. i agree with your disicion ( i think you made a good chocie becoming athiest and leaving christianity behind) but no you are not a recovering christian, you are an athist just like im pagan not a recovering mormon. of course if you want to call yourelf a recovering christian then go right ahead. but i think your athiest not a recovering chrstian.
blessed be
2007-11-20 10:53:38 · answer #6 · answered by wolfs_moon 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Many alcoholics struggle daily with the cravings of their former life. Do you crave to go back to church? If so, I'd say you're a recovering christian. Otherwise, I'd say you're atheist!
2007-11-20 10:41:15 · answer #7 · answered by Armless Joe, Bipedal Foe 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In the eyes of a Christian, you're a sinner....or a recovering saint maybe?
2007-11-20 10:39:02 · answer #8 · answered by XPEH BAM 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you've denounced your faith you're no longer a Christian. If you never embraced the religion then you were never a Christian to begin with.
Josh McDowell, a former atheist, now embraces Christendom, so you wouldn't still consider him an atheist. And, he's not a "recovering atheist," either.
2007-11-20 10:41:18 · answer #9 · answered by DoneWithThisPlace 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Not unless you feel Christianity was an addiction for you, and you might regress. There is, however, an organization for "recovering" fundamentalists. Let me see if I can find the link for you. *Opens another window and checks out favorites.* Ah, yes, here it is:
2007-11-20 14:37:01 · answer #10 · answered by auntb93 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋