Hypocrisy, routine, disenchanted, empty feelings? Who feels like they have reached a dead end on the narrow road? Points go to most touching story. And for all you haters out there, yes I am born again, and I go to a Christian college. I just want to hear the stories of people who feel like they have been hurt by religion. Here is your chance, I am listening with an open mind, and I am not one of those Bible beating thumpers trying to force religion on you. I just want to know why it went sour for you.
2007-12-09 13:26:27 · 9 answers · asked by Essence 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This isn't about me bleeding heart Christians. I want to hear from the people who have been hurt when WE screwed them over. Sorry for the interruption.
2007-12-09 13:49:47 · update #1
Now there are the answers I was looking for.
HEY FELLOW CHRISTIANS!!!!!
take note.
2007-12-09 17:36:23 · update #2
The reason I posted this question was because I witnessed something and it got me thinking. I am no longer bitter about it really, and I KNOW I aint perfect either. Just, how many times have yo been in one spot at one time, and stopped to think about the position you are at with your relationship with Religion and spirituality. The ones I am talking to here are the ones that never did anything to deserve the amount of pain and confusion they got when some other Christian made a mistake, even an honest one. I wanted them to be heard, and if that shows the first step towards them feeling even a little bit better, then.........good. Thank you, everybody that stopped and thought about it.
2007-12-10 15:54:49 · update #3
Werll, I was raised in St. Patricks Parish Roman Catholic in Stoneham Massachusetts.
The infamous Father Shandley got his start there! His friend that ended up up in Billerica Massachusets, Father White, He also started in St. Patricks Parish Stoneham Massachusetts.
Father Ernest Hill. He liked Girls a little too much, He was allowed to run amuck in St. Pats. Stonham..
Most recently, The freak that was stalking CONAN O'BRIAN, Hey guess where that priest came from....?
Yup, Stoneham MASSACHUSETTS, SAINT PATRICKS PARISH, JUST LIKE FATHER SHANDLEY..........
Odd. Hey???????????
I am a girl, No an old woman now 53,
But, when I was a girl, I was abused by Father Ernest Hill. Stoneham Massachusetts....well...my mom and dad....my dad being a police officer.....BOTH chose the Catholic Church over their child!
How could that not hurt?
They never said they were sorry, even after the truth was learned.
They never hugged me and said"Poor Baby" nothing
The religion of my parents, condemed me and so did they! of tempting the HOLY into sin! How sad, I was 11, 12 ,13
Then I broke the F@(krs ribs and ran as fast and as hRD AS i COULD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Years Later, I was working in a local store. 8 years to be exact!
He came to the store I worked in! Told me GOD forgave me ! and wanted me! to put my 2 year old daughter into His custody.
I freaked and beat the poo out of Him in public in a Woolworths store.
That Girl child is now 34, If I see Father Ernest Hill again, if He is still alive! I will Hurt Him! Just as He hurt me and would have hurt my child!
Castraition is NOT life threartening if done properly, I have barn animanls, I know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2007-12-09 14:15:37 · answer #1 · answered by bugsie 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I was really hoping this question would be resolved by the time I got home so that I wouldn't feel compelled to write here....But here it is... here I am.
My entire family was hurt by a church where we really felt like we fit in & belonged. I still hurt too bad to get into it but...
We haven't found a new church (my husband & eldest child were hurt most of all)
Mainly because you have to attend churches to try them out (I know that sounds stupid) but when we have looked I felt acute anxiety (so did several of my kids) It's just too emotional to look & so easy to stay home.
We all still believe. Our faith in God was't shaken just our faith in man. My husband's pain hurts me still. I read some in my Bible almost everyday & I recieve a daily Bible verse in my e-mail.
I know we're supposed to fellowship but Y!A seems to be the extent of my fellowship right now. BTW I want to thank all of you for being so kind & welcoming.I find myself thinking of all of you on my commute.
I really believe that we're not perfect (not till heaven anyway) so how can I condemn the people in the church. Sometimes people lose direction and sometimes those people are the ones running the church.
I worry sometimes about new Christians who don't have strong faith to fall back on. I think things like this do so much harm to Christianity. People proclaiming & not walking the walk. Yet I know we all falter.
I ramble on...My prayers are with you Bugsie I'm so sorry for your pain.
PS. i don't want points today just to share my little blip of history & maybe this wasn't what you were looking for but thanks for "listening"
2007-12-10 19:14:59 · answer #2 · answered by Bronson 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I never did find a church I felt really comofortable in. There was so much politics and popularity contests. Who was the "purest" and sitting around talking about all the sinners in the church and in the world. Raising money for missions in JAMAICA when kids are starving on our own streets. Those who drag thier five year olds to protest on the streets of clubs and drunks. Gods that last one sickens me to no end. Children are CHILDREN! Not pawns.
Was I hurt by the religion? No, it just wasn't for me and no church was going to change that. But I was hurt by a whole lot of Christians who swore they were doing it because they loved me. They did nothing but tear me down and put me the psych ward. When I walked away I felt like a million pounds had lifted off of me. When I found Asatru, I felt like I could finally walk on my own.
No offense but Jesus and his followers brought me nothing but pain and confusion. I'll never go back.
2007-12-09 22:36:40 · answer #3 · answered by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I was going through a period of religious doubt as a teenager I was tossed out of sunday school for asking too many questions. The unChristian behavior of the youth group (more cliquish than high school) certainly didn't encourage me either. I wouldn't say I was hurt by religion or by Christianity. I simply found it empty and the people unwelcoming unless I mindlessly nodded my head at their ideas.
2007-12-09 22:29:18 · answer #4 · answered by Nightwind 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You weren't hurt by God but by selfish and misguided people. just because you are in church it doesn't mean that the whole body of the church is sin-free. Unfortunatly, Christians can be bloody awful to one another and really judgemental just like anyone else. Ignore them and keep your eye on Jesus. Remember in the bible it says that when you are close to Jesus you will be ridiculed, mocked, etc. even by friends and family. God knows this. Keep fighting the good fight!!
2007-12-09 21:33:47 · answer #5 · answered by brown eyed girl 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
hypocrisy happens on the school campus just as much as it is in the church. I've been pushed away from a church i used to attend. it's sad how grown people could still have "clicks". i didn't let their gossip sway my faith away from God nor the church. i just prayed that God lead me to a new church and He did.
2007-12-09 21:29:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not all churches are like that. Like my church everyone loves to talk to eachother and fellowship and we invite new people to come with and open heart.
Pray that God will lead you to a church that is right for you.
I hope this helps.
2007-12-09 21:33:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
People change. Including our pastors and ministers. Just try a new church.
2007-12-10 12:51:14 · answer #8 · answered by Stormy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a four square pancake breakfast, the "leader said please pray for more blacks to come to their church, I spoke up and said excuse me, dont you mean for all people to come to your church? I was escorted out and didnt get my $ back or pancakes
2007-12-09 21:30:50 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋