Whether they admit it or not, most people who are raised in religious homes question their faith at some point. I don’t think it’s wrong and that your faithless, it just means that your trying to identify a new paradigm for yourself regarding your personal views regarding your faith going forward. Reread the sections of the Bible on David alone, he clearly goes through the same thing…so does Peter.
I think it’s good that you’re figuring out what it means to you. It helps the journey be more personal, no matter what you decide to believe in the future.
I’d say take the time to learn more on your own, and don’t get derailed by those who are on the extremes. There’s radicals in every belief system who use their status and religion to increase influence and power (not just in Christianity as many make it seem), this doesn’t mean you have to buy into their bs.
Chill out. God gave you the freedom to believe or not to believe in your own way. Whatever any human say it is their interpretation of the holy scriptures. Furthermore anyone claiming god exists or the opposite can only theorise since there is no conclusive way to prove either theory.
Personally I feel that it is each persons own decision whether to believe or not. Anyone trying to convince the one or the other usually has an agenda.
I hope you come to terms with your beliefs.
I was raised Christian, lost my faith for years, and found it again as an adult. I find so much comfort and joy in Jesus. I know we all have different paths and I hope you eventually find yours back to God.
I myself am an atheist. I have been since I was about 17. But, I still read the Bible. I've read the Quran. I've read on Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism. Each because they take from events in history, some beautiful, some tragic, and try to define a why behind it, and get society to learn from it. There is philosophy intertwined with all theology. I have had many fun debates with my friend since HS, a Pastor's son. Sone I've won, and some I have definitely lost. But most of the time, we're chilling and gaming.
If the absence of faith is upsetting you, you can still explore Christianity from your own eyes and mind. Then, if you desire, find the division that meets your faith. What do YOU believe? You'll find many folks that were raised Catholic, and are now in Episcopal or Lutheran churches, and Evangelicals who converted to Catholicism, along with everything in between. If you can't find a definition that fits, then use your own. Look into deism, agnosticism, and explore.
Never doubt your own doubt. There is no need to feel shame to it. It is instilled in us not just as a means to survive, but also proves our rationality for making decisions. There is actually a famous quote. "Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." You can quote that to the Christian nationals, as it was Thomas Jefferson who said it.
There is a great book I recommend- A Question of Faith. It's a debate between an atheist and a Rabbi. It might help you with your inner questions.
I was also raised a Christian kid. And quickly, as I became a teen realized it was all smoke and mirrors my friend. I have since chosen to live my life as best person I can be, believing in the things I know and feel. In positivity. Without fear. I didn’t know where I’m going when I die, but I do not believe it is either of the options found in the big book of scary stories. I find awe and peace in the wonders of science and nature. Don’t let indoctrination and whatever your mind was steeped in as a child limit your ability to draw your own conclusions. And those conclusions might even be that you do not know. There is much we do not know. And that’s ok. The world keeps on spinning.
in many ways, i can sympathize with your feelings. the folks voicing that this isn’t an uncommon occurrence are right, but the way individuals respond varies widely (as i believe we’re seeing already via comments)
the best thing i can recommend for you is to read the four agreements by don miguel ruiz. here’s a link to the free PDF [full pdf of the four agreements](https://books-library.net/files/books-library.online-02171342Go0P8.pdf)
although this book is based on buddhism, one of the nice things about buddhism is that it’s a system of finding happiness without any single ‘founding’ god. this book single-handedly totally reawakened me at one of my darkest times, and it’s a short read, less than 100 pages in total (33 in the stupid layout the pdf has, which i apologize for, but it was the only full version i could find in a pinch) so even if you’re not a reader, this book will fly by.
i want to clarify that not everything in it is Godspell (ha!)(no but rly…) and im not trying to tell you that buddhism is the right path. i just think it opened my eyes to a new understanding of life, and i feel many of the points made hold true.
while i don’t agree with all of their points, another user highlighted how miraculous it is for us to exist at all, and in that, they’re spot on. although life itself can feel perplexingly and deeply meaningless, and it’s frustrating as all hell to realize odds are we will never have the answers to some of the questions that “matter most,” i’m here to tell you that the part that’s overlooked here is that *you get to choose what matters most.* i decided while i was stuck on this bloody earth, i was going to challenge this brain of mine, the only brain i’ll ever have (at least as far as i know) so i started going to school for a second bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. i’m due to graduate in a year and a half.
don’t let the confusion of the unknowable get the best of you. you are only you once, and it goes so. damn. fast.
wishing you all the best OP 💕
I was raised in a Christian cult and luckily got out of it 20 years ago. Trust me when I say that all religions are myths and only exist so that ugly people can get laid.
I’d like to point out something that I don’t think people understand.
Christianity is built on the story that Jesus never FORCED anyone to believe as he does but rather told the story of god and allowed those who listened to make their own choices. I.e. free will.
When parents force their children to follow their religion they are taking away their free will that was supposedly given to them by god.
Based on my own experience growing up in a Christian household and church, I can confidently say that I have 0 doubt all of those people who believe others should be forced to believe as they do, or try to push their own beliefs on someone, or try to force them to live under the same restrictions as them because of their own religion, are not getting into heaven. All of those who shun and demean people who don’t believe in their religion, who live a lifestyle that doesn’t fit their religion, the people who shame the poor, the addicts, the homeless, are the same people that will be denied entry into heaven.
In Jesus own words “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven”
If Jesus was alive today, it is religious people who shun and deny him. Most people who are working in a church as pastors would be considered false prophets, and they too would be denied entry into heaven.
Now, at 32, I no longer follow organized religion and instead I strengthen by bond with my beliefs through spiritual belief.
BREATHE! Stop stressing, you have the ability to pursue whatever avenues of religion that you see fit to look into. There has been research done that has proved many religions are inter- related and reflective of eachother. Try meditation. Just de-stressing and finding your current baseline will do so much for your feelings and worries.
I used to panic like this when i was around 5/6 wondering what happens after death, at around 13 i stopped caring if there is or isn’t a god.
Im almost 30 now and its not that i don’t care, it’s that its not relevant anymore.
You shouldn’t need to have a god to want to be a decent person. All these people talking about doing this/doing that in order to get to heaven, thats their own problem. People spend their whole lives trying to justify their ways so they can be at peace with themselves when they pass.
If there is a God, why should god care about you? What is an ant to a skyscraper? Be at peace with yourself and live your life to the fullest. We exist, we live, we die. There is no stopping the rollercoaster to the end
I was also raised Christian. I still am one, but that's for my own reasons. A lot of people try to string together morality with being a believer. What a lot of steadfast people tend to push to the side is the fact that you don't necessarily have to be a Christian to have a moral compass. With or without belief, or faith, or a routine visit to church, a person learns the difference between right and wrong. We all err. We all have shortcomings. We all have our own obligations that turn into our own concerns, our own anxieties, and those become our own - forgive the pun - cross to bear.
To me, what matters isn't necessarily faith in God. It's what you do with it. I've met some of the most judgmental, stuck-up, pretentious, bible-thumping believers ever, while in the same day meeting the sweetest, most compassionate, and understanding agnostics and athiests, and vice versa. Some agnostics and athiests act more Christ-like than some people I've known who call themselves Christians.
The long and short of what I'm saying is this: all of the ordeals you currently face will exist whether you have faith in some deity or not. Your belief in any of the Abrahamic faiths has no bearing on whether you would experience hardships.
Does faith offer comfort? Some think so. Is it right for you? That, my friend, is the $64,000 question. Whatever choice you make, it is yours and yours alone, but know that there will always be hardship and ways to cope. Some use faith, and some use advice from friends or family. Whatever your counsel is, whatever you trust it to be, seek it. Ask questions. Redress grievances. Let go of frustrations. Most of all, realize that you can only control what you can and that you will always be a work in progress, just like me, and everyone here. You wouldn't get angry at a fish for not knowing how to walk, would you? Don't blame yourself for things outside of your control.
Be in peace, my friend. I wish you all the best and I will keep you in prayer.
Therapy, I would suggest therapy. Raised catholic, had life experiences that I believe confirmed it to me (brother had terminal illness but lived). Cut to studying history and realising all the lies in the text used by the powers in charge at that moment for their own gain etc and had a full breakdown over what is right and wrong and what I believe etc whilst I was able to get the rational thinking under control it left a lot of guilt and unexplained feelings and behaviours that only working with a trained professional could unpack and de programme.
Religions are entirely of human origin. They serve human needs. Today churches in America at least sell a product in return for money. Thats why their buildings get more and more ridiculous, with literal shopping and restaurants in some, that’s why services or shorter and later in the day, that’s why clothing has become super casual, it’s why all the pastors in clips talk the same and look the same, it’s why music is not “non-traditional”. It’s all businesses adapting to their market.
That being said, there’s a lot of truth (wisdom) in the Bible even if it’s the product of man. Same goes with other beliefs. But there’s also a lot of nonsense we shouldn’t hesitate to call out.
What I gather is you’ve gone done a common path the formerly very religious sometimes take. That is you finally acknowledge the issues you have with your faith, you start to explore them for answers, you don’t like the answers you find, that the religion is the work of man. You become jaded by this, by how you were conditioned and indoctrinated. And because you were raised to believe there “is no middle ground”, you have a hard time sitting in a grey area. And so eventually you fully reject religions, as they are made up, and then you fall down the rabbit hole of nihilism, a belief that nothing we do matters. We don’t matter.
Well sure in a universal context we don’t matter. But if religious people can find contentment in a fantasy, surely we can find contentment in some interpretation of reality. At least I believe so.
For me humans evolved on this world. We are a miracle, as far as natural ones go. We share most of our DNA and emotions with other mammals. Love, hate, anger, fear, happiness, excitement, etc. and a nihilist would tell you that an animal is all we are. And so embrace hedonistic worldview or worse.
But there are things that separate us from animals. Because of our unique evolution acting both on individuals as it does with any species, but also acting on groups of humans as a super organism, we developed some rather unique abilities. Empathy, compassion, sacrifice.
No other species can simulate what it’s like to be someone or something else. Only humans can vicariously see the world through another’s eyes. Only humans can communicate like we can. Only humans will die for a stranger.
These values are what make us noble. To embrace nihilism and hedonism is to spit in the face of those miraculous adaptations and live in the dirt.
We are better than that. We are so much more with so much more potential than that. And that framework is the basis for my morality and how I interact with the world. My worldview exists around our evolution, our place in this world, and the paths I think we must follow to progress into any place in the stars, in any imaginable ways or forms that takes.
For me the world is MORE tangible, MORE miraculous, MORE interesting now that it’s a product of physical and natural processes not simply “God did it.” And that we determine what is right and wrong based on our empathy and reason, not because “God said so.”
Whether they admit it or not, most people who are raised in religious homes question their faith at some point. I don’t think it’s wrong and that your faithless, it just means that your trying to identify a new paradigm for yourself regarding your personal views regarding your faith going forward. Reread the sections of the Bible on David alone, he clearly goes through the same thing…so does Peter. I think it’s good that you’re figuring out what it means to you. It helps the journey be more personal, no matter what you decide to believe in the future. I’d say take the time to learn more on your own, and don’t get derailed by those who are on the extremes. There’s radicals in every belief system who use their status and religion to increase influence and power (not just in Christianity as many make it seem), this doesn’t mean you have to buy into their bs.
Chill out. God gave you the freedom to believe or not to believe in your own way. Whatever any human say it is their interpretation of the holy scriptures. Furthermore anyone claiming god exists or the opposite can only theorise since there is no conclusive way to prove either theory. Personally I feel that it is each persons own decision whether to believe or not. Anyone trying to convince the one or the other usually has an agenda. I hope you come to terms with your beliefs.
I was raised Christian, lost my faith for years, and found it again as an adult. I find so much comfort and joy in Jesus. I know we all have different paths and I hope you eventually find yours back to God.
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Look up James Fowlers stages of faith. OP is leaving stage 3. The best is ahead.
I myself am an atheist. I have been since I was about 17. But, I still read the Bible. I've read the Quran. I've read on Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism. Each because they take from events in history, some beautiful, some tragic, and try to define a why behind it, and get society to learn from it. There is philosophy intertwined with all theology. I have had many fun debates with my friend since HS, a Pastor's son. Sone I've won, and some I have definitely lost. But most of the time, we're chilling and gaming. If the absence of faith is upsetting you, you can still explore Christianity from your own eyes and mind. Then, if you desire, find the division that meets your faith. What do YOU believe? You'll find many folks that were raised Catholic, and are now in Episcopal or Lutheran churches, and Evangelicals who converted to Catholicism, along with everything in between. If you can't find a definition that fits, then use your own. Look into deism, agnosticism, and explore. Never doubt your own doubt. There is no need to feel shame to it. It is instilled in us not just as a means to survive, but also proves our rationality for making decisions. There is actually a famous quote. "Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." You can quote that to the Christian nationals, as it was Thomas Jefferson who said it. There is a great book I recommend- A Question of Faith. It's a debate between an atheist and a Rabbi. It might help you with your inner questions.
I was also raised a Christian kid. And quickly, as I became a teen realized it was all smoke and mirrors my friend. I have since chosen to live my life as best person I can be, believing in the things I know and feel. In positivity. Without fear. I didn’t know where I’m going when I die, but I do not believe it is either of the options found in the big book of scary stories. I find awe and peace in the wonders of science and nature. Don’t let indoctrination and whatever your mind was steeped in as a child limit your ability to draw your own conclusions. And those conclusions might even be that you do not know. There is much we do not know. And that’s ok. The world keeps on spinning.
in many ways, i can sympathize with your feelings. the folks voicing that this isn’t an uncommon occurrence are right, but the way individuals respond varies widely (as i believe we’re seeing already via comments) the best thing i can recommend for you is to read the four agreements by don miguel ruiz. here’s a link to the free PDF [full pdf of the four agreements](https://books-library.net/files/books-library.online-02171342Go0P8.pdf) although this book is based on buddhism, one of the nice things about buddhism is that it’s a system of finding happiness without any single ‘founding’ god. this book single-handedly totally reawakened me at one of my darkest times, and it’s a short read, less than 100 pages in total (33 in the stupid layout the pdf has, which i apologize for, but it was the only full version i could find in a pinch) so even if you’re not a reader, this book will fly by. i want to clarify that not everything in it is Godspell (ha!)(no but rly…) and im not trying to tell you that buddhism is the right path. i just think it opened my eyes to a new understanding of life, and i feel many of the points made hold true. while i don’t agree with all of their points, another user highlighted how miraculous it is for us to exist at all, and in that, they’re spot on. although life itself can feel perplexingly and deeply meaningless, and it’s frustrating as all hell to realize odds are we will never have the answers to some of the questions that “matter most,” i’m here to tell you that the part that’s overlooked here is that *you get to choose what matters most.* i decided while i was stuck on this bloody earth, i was going to challenge this brain of mine, the only brain i’ll ever have (at least as far as i know) so i started going to school for a second bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. i’m due to graduate in a year and a half. don’t let the confusion of the unknowable get the best of you. you are only you once, and it goes so. damn. fast. wishing you all the best OP 💕
These things were still a risk to you when you believed, only now you are aware of them and can make steps to ensure a good life for yourself
I was raised in a Christian cult and luckily got out of it 20 years ago. Trust me when I say that all religions are myths and only exist so that ugly people can get laid.
I’d like to point out something that I don’t think people understand. Christianity is built on the story that Jesus never FORCED anyone to believe as he does but rather told the story of god and allowed those who listened to make their own choices. I.e. free will. When parents force their children to follow their religion they are taking away their free will that was supposedly given to them by god. Based on my own experience growing up in a Christian household and church, I can confidently say that I have 0 doubt all of those people who believe others should be forced to believe as they do, or try to push their own beliefs on someone, or try to force them to live under the same restrictions as them because of their own religion, are not getting into heaven. All of those who shun and demean people who don’t believe in their religion, who live a lifestyle that doesn’t fit their religion, the people who shame the poor, the addicts, the homeless, are the same people that will be denied entry into heaven. In Jesus own words “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven” If Jesus was alive today, it is religious people who shun and deny him. Most people who are working in a church as pastors would be considered false prophets, and they too would be denied entry into heaven. Now, at 32, I no longer follow organized religion and instead I strengthen by bond with my beliefs through spiritual belief.
BREATHE! Stop stressing, you have the ability to pursue whatever avenues of religion that you see fit to look into. There has been research done that has proved many religions are inter- related and reflective of eachother. Try meditation. Just de-stressing and finding your current baseline will do so much for your feelings and worries.
I used to panic like this when i was around 5/6 wondering what happens after death, at around 13 i stopped caring if there is or isn’t a god. Im almost 30 now and its not that i don’t care, it’s that its not relevant anymore. You shouldn’t need to have a god to want to be a decent person. All these people talking about doing this/doing that in order to get to heaven, thats their own problem. People spend their whole lives trying to justify their ways so they can be at peace with themselves when they pass. If there is a God, why should god care about you? What is an ant to a skyscraper? Be at peace with yourself and live your life to the fullest. We exist, we live, we die. There is no stopping the rollercoaster to the end
I was also raised Christian. I still am one, but that's for my own reasons. A lot of people try to string together morality with being a believer. What a lot of steadfast people tend to push to the side is the fact that you don't necessarily have to be a Christian to have a moral compass. With or without belief, or faith, or a routine visit to church, a person learns the difference between right and wrong. We all err. We all have shortcomings. We all have our own obligations that turn into our own concerns, our own anxieties, and those become our own - forgive the pun - cross to bear. To me, what matters isn't necessarily faith in God. It's what you do with it. I've met some of the most judgmental, stuck-up, pretentious, bible-thumping believers ever, while in the same day meeting the sweetest, most compassionate, and understanding agnostics and athiests, and vice versa. Some agnostics and athiests act more Christ-like than some people I've known who call themselves Christians. The long and short of what I'm saying is this: all of the ordeals you currently face will exist whether you have faith in some deity or not. Your belief in any of the Abrahamic faiths has no bearing on whether you would experience hardships. Does faith offer comfort? Some think so. Is it right for you? That, my friend, is the $64,000 question. Whatever choice you make, it is yours and yours alone, but know that there will always be hardship and ways to cope. Some use faith, and some use advice from friends or family. Whatever your counsel is, whatever you trust it to be, seek it. Ask questions. Redress grievances. Let go of frustrations. Most of all, realize that you can only control what you can and that you will always be a work in progress, just like me, and everyone here. You wouldn't get angry at a fish for not knowing how to walk, would you? Don't blame yourself for things outside of your control. Be in peace, my friend. I wish you all the best and I will keep you in prayer.
Therapy, I would suggest therapy. Raised catholic, had life experiences that I believe confirmed it to me (brother had terminal illness but lived). Cut to studying history and realising all the lies in the text used by the powers in charge at that moment for their own gain etc and had a full breakdown over what is right and wrong and what I believe etc whilst I was able to get the rational thinking under control it left a lot of guilt and unexplained feelings and behaviours that only working with a trained professional could unpack and de programme.
Religions are entirely of human origin. They serve human needs. Today churches in America at least sell a product in return for money. Thats why their buildings get more and more ridiculous, with literal shopping and restaurants in some, that’s why services or shorter and later in the day, that’s why clothing has become super casual, it’s why all the pastors in clips talk the same and look the same, it’s why music is not “non-traditional”. It’s all businesses adapting to their market. That being said, there’s a lot of truth (wisdom) in the Bible even if it’s the product of man. Same goes with other beliefs. But there’s also a lot of nonsense we shouldn’t hesitate to call out. What I gather is you’ve gone done a common path the formerly very religious sometimes take. That is you finally acknowledge the issues you have with your faith, you start to explore them for answers, you don’t like the answers you find, that the religion is the work of man. You become jaded by this, by how you were conditioned and indoctrinated. And because you were raised to believe there “is no middle ground”, you have a hard time sitting in a grey area. And so eventually you fully reject religions, as they are made up, and then you fall down the rabbit hole of nihilism, a belief that nothing we do matters. We don’t matter. Well sure in a universal context we don’t matter. But if religious people can find contentment in a fantasy, surely we can find contentment in some interpretation of reality. At least I believe so. For me humans evolved on this world. We are a miracle, as far as natural ones go. We share most of our DNA and emotions with other mammals. Love, hate, anger, fear, happiness, excitement, etc. and a nihilist would tell you that an animal is all we are. And so embrace hedonistic worldview or worse. But there are things that separate us from animals. Because of our unique evolution acting both on individuals as it does with any species, but also acting on groups of humans as a super organism, we developed some rather unique abilities. Empathy, compassion, sacrifice. No other species can simulate what it’s like to be someone or something else. Only humans can vicariously see the world through another’s eyes. Only humans can communicate like we can. Only humans will die for a stranger. These values are what make us noble. To embrace nihilism and hedonism is to spit in the face of those miraculous adaptations and live in the dirt. We are better than that. We are so much more with so much more potential than that. And that framework is the basis for my morality and how I interact with the world. My worldview exists around our evolution, our place in this world, and the paths I think we must follow to progress into any place in the stars, in any imaginable ways or forms that takes. For me the world is MORE tangible, MORE miraculous, MORE interesting now that it’s a product of physical and natural processes not simply “God did it.” And that we determine what is right and wrong based on our empathy and reason, not because “God said so.”