Losing my religious faith

[StephyMei1112]

This isn't a flame on anyone's choices - merely a reflection of my own feelings and what I am going through right now.

I was raised Christian - and have been relatively solid in my faith most my life. I haven't done the church thing on a regular basis, I've not attended bible classes, bible studies etc at all. But after recent events, some deep consideration, and this year in general - I've really started to question and lose alot of my faith, trust and belief in Christianity.

Those that are the most religious in my family disgust me - on one had they claim to be doing the "lord's work" - on the other they are morally corrupt, self serving, hypocritical, and with no backbone whatsoever. Among alot more things. I do not wish to be part of that communal group nor share a label with them.

Quite apart from that - I've been questioning God's existence, teachings, philosophies, and concepts of Christianity and really trying to work through if it was for me and if this was something I could continue putting trust into and dedicate myself to.

I can't worship a god that condones/mentions nothing of slavery, is against the willful union of two people of the same gender, that would allow terrible, unjust things to happen to good individuals, that would let the evil get off scot free, that would allow so much harm to be done and pain to be caused in this realm, and that would disappoint and let down so many that have put such faith into them/it/him/whatever. Sorry, I can't go on with it.

I'm through with pastors, through with ministers - I don't want to speak to someone about it to convince me otherwise. I think it's done. If you read my other thread you must think I'm sounding quite alot like my friend when she was suicidal. Well, Yes - but what we're wanting to give up is quite different. It was life for her - it's religion for me.

My belief isn't helping me find comfort, feel better, or really making me feel good about being who I am or doing what I do - it's been more of a hindrance in fact. I am moving on from all that...

 

[Dizzy]

Do whatever makes you happy... At the end of the day, you have to be happy in this life regardless of whether there's another one or not.

If you're happy, you tend to be living a good, kind and giving life....

I am not even remotely religious by the way.

 

[Fran101]

Faith is a very very personal thing and it's a question/journey/decision that you've got to make for yourself..there is no right answer here

My parents were catholic (ish.. as in, we went to church on christmas/easter) but they left the choice very up to us.. I went to catholic school my entire life (they were the best schools academically in the area)
and have been an atheist since high school.
Personally, I found no happiness in faith of any kind..even before high school I found myself kind of following along but never really believing it. I was very disappointed in a lot of what they taught and just didn't like the whole follower/believer mentality and the whole fear of punishment and rules thing.
I think in like middle school the school mentioned the catholic church's stance on Harry Potter/gay marriage/quite a few other issues and that was the moment I was just DONE with catholicism.. still considered myself a christian of some sort until high school when I just sat down and decided that no.. I just didn't believe it.

Honestly, once you figure out what you do/don't believe..it feels good. I made the decision that is right for me and have been really happy with atheism

One of my favorite quotes is..
"For me, I am driven by two main philosophies, know more today about the world than I knew yesterday. And lessen the suffering of others. You’d be surprised how far that gets you.”
— Neil deGrasse Tyson
and that has helped me a lot.. because at the end of the day, religion really isn't the most important thing. Your actions/character are honestly more important.

Do your research, look into other religions, really figure out what bothers you/what you want to believe/what you do believe/what you believe to be true.. and the rest will unfold naturally
You could try attending a few services even.. most if not all have an open door policy. There is no harm in learning more and finding out what you feel is right

 

[sparks19]

That is the beauty of free will. You get to decide

I was not brought up in Christianity what so ever. I found God when i was about 21 years old.

 

[Barbara!]

"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
-Gandhi

 

[sparks19]

I try to be Christ like... I fail miserably a lot of the time but practice makes perfect so I keep striving to be better.

 

[Greenmagick]

Fran said it much better, but yes, your faith (or lack thereof) should complement and complete you whatever it is. That's how you know its the right one for you, you feel like you are "home". So if Christianity doesnt do it for you, explore others or release yourself from any.

I think many people do themselves a disservice by continuing to practice whatever they were raised as without really exploring other options and questioning themselves and their real beliefs.

 

[Renee750il]

Everyone has to find their own Path. Otherwise you're on someone else's.

But that's just my belief . . .

 

[Saeleofu]

My parents were both raised super religious, but decided to let us kids choose for ourselves, so we never went to church or anything like that. All three of us are very much children of science, so for us the choice was quite clear - once we matured. As kids, we all questioned everything, but since all the other kids seemed to believe in god, then we supposed we ought to as well. About the time each of us hit high school, we did more thorough questioning and thinking and philosophising. Freshman year in college was pretty much the defining year for each of us, and after that we each decided that we're atheist. That's not so say we're not spiritual or faithless - I find nature incredibly spiritual, and love exploring undeveloped areas - again both my brothers are the same way. I tend to say that if I have faith in anything, it's faith in the universe and time. It's exhilarating to me to think about how thing work, why things are the way they are, and to think that we'll never really be done discovering new things. I look up at the night sky and get chills - I feel so tiny, and the universe is so vast, and there's so much more to explore and discover.

TL;DR - Questioning is how you discover what's right for you. Keep at it, and when you're done, your choice, whatever it may be, will be clear to you. Don't let anyone bully you into one thing or another. Nobody else can decide what's right for you.

 

[ihartgonzo]

I have lost my faith before... Finding it again made me a better and happier person. Whatever you do, do what makes you feel happy and complete. Research different religions and teachings, do yoga, meditate, have discussions with others, etc. Part of finding your spiritual calling is finding your own self, and what is important to you.

I'm a Christian. Do I feel that th Bible is perfect word for word? No... But it's flexible and open to interpretation. That is why it's still such a powerful book thousands of years later. Some people use the word to their advantage, some people skew it to fit their own agenda, and some people take it far too literally without being realistic. That's the flaws of human, not of God. After all it has been altered countless times over the years and much was lost in translation. It's an amazing book of stories, lessons and a basic laws upon which humanity has been based, if nothing else.

Finding a great, supportive church that fits you could really help in finding your path. There are so many progressive, fun churches out there... And their services are anything but boring. Such a church is the reason my mom is a mom and drug-free today.