Those with christian backgrounds (Creator, Earth, Deist, choice, hell)

[Kcnorwood]

I was wondering for those of you who were brought up as christians how long did it take you to stop thinking that you might be going to hell? Well not hell excatly but to....get past what you were taught & move on with something that's a completly different.

[MaddLlama]

Actually, I can't ever remember having that inner conflict. Once I realized that I didn't believe what I was raised to believe, and actually believed something else, the transition was pretty much internally pain-free.

[Guitar's Cry]

I remember being in my grandmother's church listening to the preacher describe a heaven with streets of gold. After, he had a gathering with those that believed they had sinned. Being a youngster, I felt that I was constantly sinning, so I joined it. The preacher had us sign papers that pledged our commitment to following God.

Something about those stuck out to me; I remember questioning the purpose behind a golden heaven and a sheet of paper signed by me.

[Storm]

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

Actually, I can't ever remember having that inner conflict. Once I realized that I didn't believe what I was raised to believe, and actually believed something else, the transition was pretty much internally pain-free.

Same here, though my deist father had a bit to do with it. I was raised nominally Christian, but never taught that nonbelievers go to hell.

[Gentoo]

When I really thought about the dynamics of Hell and discovered that the existence of Hell and a "loving" God that would send someone there made no sense.

[TurtleGirl]

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

Actually, I can't ever remember having that inner conflict. Once I realized that I didn't believe what I was raised to believe, and actually believed something else, the transition was pretty much internally pain-free.

Same here. I was 11 when I finally told my parents that I didn't want to go to church anymore. They respected that even if they were a bit concerned.

Then again, my anger with Creator (then called God) helped put away those potential fears pretty quick.

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by Kcnorwood

I was wondering for those of you who were brought up as christians how long did it take you to stop thinking that you might be going to hell? Well not hell excatly but to....get past what you were taught & move on with something that's a completly different.

In the last year after being a Christian for 30 years, I quit believing in hell...and my belief in the holiness of the bible fell away shortly thereafter. One day the thought came to me crystal clear that God couldn't possibly send a human to hell for eternity for living a measly amount of time on earth, it didn't make sense. And it especially doesn't make sense because we never get to meet God face to face. How could a sentence so severe be dealt from a creator that loves us? With only an ancient book as evidence and a "supposed" Holy Spirit that is probably our own inner voice, how is it fair to be punished eternally for not making the right choice?

Now, I just think much of religion is silly.

[jamaesi]

It didn't take long at all because it goes against what a kind, loving, and just G-d would do.

All religious and spiritual paths lead to the same place in the end. If one helps you, that's wonderful. If you reject all of them and pave your own road, that's wonderful. To be quite frank, I don't even think G-d could care less about what we think of G-d or religion or spirituality or dogma or any other similar topic, just as long as we lead lives that hold true to principals of love and justice and doing no harm.

[PureX]

Originally Posted by Kcnorwood

I was wondering for those of you who were brought up as christians how long did it take you to stop thinking that you might be going to hell? Well not hell excatly but to....get past what you were taught & move on with something that's a completly different.

I was raised Catholic, but I don't recall ever buying into the threat of hell. Even as a kid I recognized the contradiction between a God of love and a God of vengeance. And eventually I chose the God of love, and rejected the God of vengeance being taught to me.