TempestLyn Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 Looking back, I cannot remember a time outside of Christianity. I grew up in the Midwest in a typical Christian family, I went to Sunday school and church, and I attended a private Christian school from pre-K to my senior year. I was taught that the Bible was the undisputed word of God, that God created the universe and everything in it in 6 days, and that God loved us so much he came to die for our sins. I learned about Christian doctrine: the Trinity, original sin, predestination/free will, etc. I knew it, I believed it, and I thought I truly understood it. Then I went to college, and I realized how truly sheltered I had been. This was the first time I had ever talked to people of different religions (or *gasp* sexual orientations) in a normal conversation. I realized that maybe those differences may not matter as much as I had thought. The final nail in the coffin, was when I had this epiphany: everyone believes that their faith is the 'true religion' just as strongly as I do, why should I consider Christianity as the 'Truth' compared to them? What makes it different? And that's when I stopped being a Christian. It seemed simple enough, but then came the doubts: what if I'm wrong? what am I thinking? this is too big a risk; everyone's going to be so disappointed with me. The fear of dying in my sleep and being sent straight to hell kept me up several nights. I considered falling back on what I had always known just to be safe (Pascals Wager), but I felt like I if I did I would be lying to myself, my family, and God. I wouldn't be doing it out of faith or love; I would be doing it out of fear and self-preservation. And wouldn't that be just as damning as not believing at all? I wanted to be honest with my self and if that meant risking damnation so be it. As of now, I have been an ex-Christian for over two months and at the moment I consider myself an agnostic atheist. Maybe my views will change, maybe they won't. I have nothing to prove and everything to discover. Thanks for reading! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodsy Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 I like that last comment: I have nothing to prove and everything to discover. Exactly, and how wonderful! WELCOME!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator TrueFreedom Posted November 13, 2014 Moderator Share Posted November 13, 2014 Welcome, TempestLyn. Education and inclusiveness really do a number on religious fundamentalism, don't they? Keep expanding your horizons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSerpent Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 Bugger. I wish I'd thought of that title for my intro thread. Welcome tho'! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator TheRedneckProfessor Posted November 14, 2014 Super Moderator Share Posted November 14, 2014 I considered falling back on what I had always known just to be safe (Pascals Wager), but I felt like I if I did I would be lying to myself, my family, and God. I wouldn't be doing it out of faith or love; I would be doing it out of fear and self-preservation. And wouldn't that be just as damning as not believing at all? I wanted to be honest with my self and if that meant risking damnation so be it. An omniscient god would know that you were lying. That's why hell is a false dichotomy for me. If I'm honest, I go to hell; if I lie, I spend eternity with a god who wanted to send me to hell for being honest. I'd rather be honest. Welcome to the forums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RipVanWinkle Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 The point is it just ain't true. Rip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orbit Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 Welcome to the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Furball Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 I too from time to time think about hell, and think i'll just go back into christianity. But like you said, i would just be lying to myself. Thank you for your story. peace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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