I was a Christian ... once upon a time

[Spectrox War]

I was a christian many years ago. I believed I was saved and I believed that Jesus loved me. I began to question my faith and the more questions I asked, the more my faith fell apart. I felt sure God would answer all my questions eventually. But no answers came. I gradually realised that i was just talking to myself.

In my opinion, Christianity (and every other monotheistic religion I have encountered) fails from several standpoints - moral, scientific and logical. It seems to me that if someone is religious at all, it is overwhelmingly likely that they will have the same religion as their parents. It's a cultural phenomenon.

 

[Pegg]

It seems to me that if someone is religious at all, it is overwhelmingly likely that they will have the same religion as their parents. It's a cultural phenomenon.

hi, welcome to RF

I think you are right in that a lot of people are brought up with a belief system and they will 'generally' stick with it as a cultural thing... but that is really only people who dont reason on their religions (which goes to show how many people dont actually question their religions)
However, my mum was a non practicing CoE, my dad was no religion...yet im a JW by choice

So religion certainly can be a choice and it is for some.

 

[Revoltingest]

Greetings!
You people who question things....troublemakers you are. You'll fit right in.

 

[Nerthus]

It seems to me that if someone is religious at all, it is overwhelmingly likely that they will have the same religion as their parents. It's a cultural phenomenon.

I think this has a great part to play in one's religion.

Welcome

 

[Splarnst]

Welcome, apostate! Just like me.

 

[SageTree]

Welcome to RF. Hope you enjoy the forums and that you find peace and happiness in which ever way you walk.

:namaste
SageTree

 

[smidjit]

I was a christian many years ago. I believed I was saved and I believed that Jesus loved me. I began to question my faith and the more questions I asked, the more my faith fell apart. I felt sure God would answer all my questions eventually. But no answers came. I gradually realised that i was just talking to myself.

In my opinion, Christianity (and every other monotheistic religion I have encountered) fails from several standpoints - moral, scientific and logical. It seems to me that if someone is religious at all, it is overwhelmingly likely that they will have the same religion as their parents. It's a cultural phenomenon.

My hunch is that what you had was a religious experience, and not a born again experience. In fact I would bet my life on it.

 

[Jainarayan]

I was a christian many years ago. I believed I was saved and I believed that Jesus loved me. I began to question my faith and the more questions I asked, the more my faith fell apart. I felt sure God would answer all my questions eventually. But no answers came. I gradually realised that i was just talking to myself.

I can relate. I think a lot of people can. I was raised Christian, Roman Catholic then Eastern Orthodox to be precise. Then I was an agnostic deist, and now Hindu. I have an all-pervading sense of closeness with God (Krishna), like being wrapped in a warm toasty blanket.

My departure from Christianity, I think, came from a rebellion against what I saw as a monolithic, unwelcoming misrepresentation of what Jesus taught. Do I still think he said some wise and beautiful things? Of course.

The sad irony is that my family, Italian-American non-practicing Roman Catholics would have a field day mocking me for my beliefs. So that's why I'll do my best to never let them know.

 

[Awoon]

People should understand the Bible was written to and for Semites not Western Greko/Romans thinkers. When the Semitic thought, culture and language are not explained to westerners, the Bible cannot be understood.

 

[Spectrox War]

hi, welcome to RF

I think you are right in that a lot of people are brought up with a belief system and they will 'generally' stick with it as a cultural thing... but that is really only people who dont reason on their religions (which goes to show how many people dont actually question their religions)
However, my mum was a non practicing CoE, my dad was no religion...yet im a JW by choice

So religion certainly can be a choice and it is for some.

A question: Why are you a Jehovah's Witness from choice?

 

[Spectrox War]

I think this has a great part to play in one's religion.

Welcome

So who has the right religion then?

 

[Spectrox War]

Welcome to RF. Hope you enjoy the forums and that you find peace and happiness in which ever way you walk.

:namaste
SageTree

Cheers matey!

 

[Spectrox War]

My hunch is that what you had was a religious experience, and not a born again experience. In fact I would bet my life on it.

What's the difference? And what's the implication for that difference?

 

[Draka]

I was a christian many years ago. I believed I was saved and I believed that Jesus loved me. I began to question my faith and the more questions I asked, the more my faith fell apart. I felt sure God would answer all my questions eventually. But no answers came. I gradually realised that i was just talking to myself.

In my opinion, Christianity (and every other monotheistic religion I have encountered) fails from several standpoints - moral, scientific and logical. It seems to me that if someone is religious at all, it is overwhelmingly likely that they will have the same religion as their parents. It's a cultural phenomenon.

Welcome to RF. You'll probably find that here that assumption doesn't hold as well. We have a great many people here who are on their own paths. There are many of us who differ from our parents and/or cultural norms when it comes to beliefs.

 

[Spectrox War]

People should understand the Bible was written to and for Semites not Western Greko/Romans thinkers. When the Semitic thought, culture and language are not explained to westerners, the Bible cannot be understood.

Why would God choose to write his book containing a very important message for humanity in the Bronze Age and Iron Age?

 

[Tarheeler]

Welcome th RF, Spectrox.

I can get why your questions led you away from your religion. Most people are going to question their faith and what they think they know at some point in their lives. For some, it strengthens their faith. For some, it drives them away from it. And for some of us, it leads us to a different path.

So who has the right religion then?

Why does there have to a "right" one?

Religion functions much like any other philosophy; we have stoics and utilitarians, socialists and capitalists, republicans and democrats. Each one brings something of value with it and can be seen has containing some truth, even if it isn't necessarily THE truth.

 

[Awoon]

Why would God choose to write his book containing a very important message for humanity in the Bronze Age and Iron Age?

Why do you assume any god wrote any book?

 

[smidjit]

What's the difference? And what's the implication for that difference?

True belief results in spiritual regeneration. Once that happens the bible is clear. You cannot be a true believer, and then unbelieve. It's impossible.

John 10:1 ¶ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

 

[Revoltingest]

True belief results in spiritual regeneration. Once that happens the bible is clear. You cannot be a true believer, and then unbelieve. It's impossible.

Let me be the first to yell...."No true Scotsman!".

I like to think of believers as pre-atheists.
We're all friends & on the same side.
Some just have a different path.

 

[Jainarayan]

So who has the right religion then?

The person whose beliefs brings him or her close to the God(dess) s/he chooses to worship. It's a deeply personal thing. Too much blood has been spilled on account of the issue of the true religion.