What Was Your Experience?

Jaedan

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Hi,

I'm currently abandoning my faith. and honestly, it has felt like a large weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

I'm just curious to hear from Christians who have once abandoned their faith in the past. What was your experience like?
 

Mr. M

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Hi,

I'm currently abandoning my faith. and honestly, it has felt like a large weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

I'm just curious to hear from Christians who have once abandoned their faith in the past. What was your experience like?
Did you abandon your faith or your religion?
Acts 15:
10
Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which
neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the
same manner as they.
 
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I did the same thing when I was sixteen. It was a huge weight off my shoulders. Unfortunately, the weight I gradually replaced it with almost killed me. You're young, and probably won't listen to sound guidance. Oh well.

Perhaps you'll survive and come to regret your youthful foolishness. Just remember, when you decide you might have taken the wrong road, it might not be so easy to get back on track. Some never make it back. Some suffer severely only to barely make it back. I wish you the best.
 
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Pavel Mosko

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I'm just curious to hear from Christians who have once abandoned their faith in the past. What was your experience like?

I benefited from leaving the Faith for a few years. Sometimes our authority figures fail or disappoint us, and it is good to see what else is out there. Not only this, but it good to realize that the Christian World is a big place, just because you were unhappy in faith tradition you were raised in doesn't mean you aren't meant for the Faith in general ; because there are almost as many ways to be a Christian as their are various other types of groups in the World.
 
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2PhiloVoid

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Hi,

I'm currently abandoning my faith. and honestly, it has felt like a large weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

I'm just curious to hear from Christians who have once abandoned their faith in the past. What was your experience like?

I can't say that I've ever formally abandoned my faith, but I have had a few existential moments of crisis here and there over the past 30 years. One of those times came when I was younger and it lasted for about a year. Another one was after my mom died in the late 1990s.

Of course, after the 1990s, I essentially floated into an existential mode of mind in my Christianity...

And that's about it, really.

I'm sorry to hear that you're not 'feeling it' lately.
 
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Gregory Thompson

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Hi,

I'm currently abandoning my faith. and honestly, it has felt like a large weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

I'm just curious to hear from Christians who have once abandoned their faith in the past. What was your experience like?
I abandoned a religious system based on Jesus, but not Jesus, and that lifted a weight some years ago.
 
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xaris

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Hi,

I'm currently abandoning my faith. and honestly, it has felt like a large weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

I'm just curious to hear from Christians who have once abandoned their faith in the past. What was your experience like?
When I abandoned my unbelief in 1974 it felt like a large weight was lifted off my shoulders and in it's place was peace and joy. I've never regretted it since.
 
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Carl Emerson

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Well if you faith is genuine...

"When we are faithless He is faithful for He cannot deny Himself..."

You may leave the house but you will always be part of the family.

We Love you and the door is always open.
 
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Jaedan

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I did the same thing when I was sixteen. It was a huge weight off my shoulders. Unfortunately, the weight I gradually replaced it with almost killed me. You're young, and probably won't listen to sound guidance. Oh well.

Perhaps you'll survive and come to regret your youthful foolishness. Just remember, when you decide you might have taken the wrong road, it might not be so easy to get back on track. Some never make it back. Some suffer severely only to barely make it back. I wish you the best.


It depends on what you consider "sound guidance." Hypothetically speaking, if half the world is telling me that I should keep my faith, and the other half is saying that I should abandon my faith, which side is giving the true "sound guidance?"

Nonetheless, I think following God is unhealthy for me. Being constantly distracted from my important schoolwork, along with being constantly kept up at night because of unbearable worry or some overwhelmingly wacky, ticky-tack, hogwash anxiety that comes to my mind when I try to "live a godly life that's based on a relationship with Christ." Yeah, no. I do not think it is my "youthful foolishness" speaking.
 
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Carl Emerson

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It depends on what you consider "sound guidance." Hypothetically speaking, if half the world is telling me that I should keep my faith, and the other half is saying that I should abandon my faith, which side is giving the true "sound guidance?"

Nonetheless, I think following God is unhealthy for me. Being constantly distracted from my important schoolwork, along with being constantly kept up at night because of unbearable worry or some overwhelmingly wacky, ticky-tack, hogwash anxiety that comes to my mind when I try to "live a godly life that's based on a relationship with Christ." Yeah, no. I do not think it is my "youthful foolishness" speaking.

You are right - it sounds like something much worse...
 
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Sketcher

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Nonetheless, I think following God is unhealthy for me. Being constantly distracted from my important schoolwork, along with being constantly kept up at night because of unbearable worry or some overwhelmingly wacky, ticky-tack, hogwash anxiety that comes to my mind when I try to "live a godly life that's based on a relationship with Christ." Yeah, no. I do not think it is my "youthful foolishness" speaking.
Jesus taught against that kind of worry. So did the Apostle Paul. Therefore, it doesn't really make sense to abandon the faith that teaches against that kind of worry because you have that kind of worry. It would make more sense to lean in and allow yourself to understand that teaching, and put it into practice.
 
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Lg2000

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I abandoned my faith for like 15 years tbh . Not worth it for me , I came back , I see how much life is better on gods side. I didn't talk to God for years . I even thought I was an atheist but nah I just think I was influenced by atheist friends.

I look at it like this. If you had two weeks left to live , would you walk away from the faith ? I had an epiphany like that and realized all the things I thought mattered didn't really matter .

Maybe that's going too far but you can have a life and do school ,work etc and still have a relationship with god. I don't see how that can stop you or god would want it to
 
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Being constantly distracted from my important schoolwork, along with being constantly kept up at night because of unbearable worry or some overwhelmingly wacky, ticky-tack, hogwash anxiety that comes to my mind when I try to "live a godly life that's based on a relationship with Christ."

What has you so distracted and anxious? Can you give specifics?
 
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Jaedan

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What has you so distracted and anxious? Can you give specifics?

Besides the deeply personal, intermingled things, I would say everything. The mere thought of God at the moment. And it's keeping me away from thinking and worrying about the really important things in my life right now, like school. God doesn't give you good grades. Neither does he get you into medical school...

Additionally, it doesn't help when I do have honest questions about God, and then (hypothetically speaking), the only thing I hear from people is to "be quiet," or "repent." I just do not care to question anymore. And I don't think I should be thinking about these questions anymore.

(Moreover, I especially do not need to deal with the painful self-harm and suicidal thoughts that sometimes arise when I'm really frustrated with those thoughts.)

I'm sorry but, I just do not need to be juggling my academics (or anything important in my life for that matter) with trying to maintain what you guys call a "godly" life. I have tried, but living an agnostic life right now seems like the best option
 
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Besides the deeply personal, intermingled things, I would say everything. The mere thought of God at the moment. And it's keeping me away from thinking and worrying about the really important things in my life right now, like school. God doesn't give you good grades. Neither does he get you into medical school...

Additionally, it doesn't help when I do have honest questions about God, and then (hypothetically speaking), the only thing I hear from people is to "be quiet," or "repent." I just do not care to question anymore. And I don't think I should be thinking about these questions anymore.

(Moreover, I especially do not need to deal with the painful self-harm and suicidal thoughts that sometimes arise when I'm really frustrated with those thoughts.)

I'm sorry but, I just do not need to be juggling my academics (or anything important in my life for that matter) with trying to maintain what you guys call a "godly" life. I have tried, but living an agnostic life right now seems like the best option

I apologize if my initial response to you seemed overly harsh. I probably projected too much of my own experience on to you, which isn't fair. That was my experience, but it doesn't have to be yours. And, perhaps, I was speaking more to my younger self than anything else. :)

It sounds like you have already made up your mind. If that's the case then there is not much anyone could say to change it. Nonetheless, maybe you could view this as simply a change in focus, trusting that God loves you and wants you to succeed in school, and not be overly anxious.

I tend to see God as very loving and patient, wanting good things for us. So, focusing on school and not being distracted by anxiety and difficult theological questions could be exactly what is needed at this time.

My only caution would be that you don't throw good sense and good morals out the window while you pursue your studies. That is what I did. God is not going anywhere, and there might come a time when you're ready to seek a deeper Christian life. At any rate, I do wish you the best.
 
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aiki

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Hi,

I'm currently abandoning my faith. and honestly, it has felt like a large weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

I'm just curious to hear from Christians who have once abandoned their faith in the past. What was your experience like?

Whatever "faith" you're abandoning, it was not the real thing, the personal, loving, joyful fellowship with God that is the essence, the heart, of Christianity.

1 John 2:19
19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us.

Given the counterfeit nature of your "faith," it is no surprise that your departure from Christianity causes you a sense of relief. That sense of relief will give way - sooner or later - to the meaninglessness and death that God says in His word are the "rewards" of living in rebellion to Him.

Proverbs 1:28-33
28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29 For they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33 But whoso hearkens unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.


Proverbs 14:12
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 2:5-10
5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
6 He will render to each one according to his works:
7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;
8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,
10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.


The crazy thing is that none of this is necessary. God would much rather you truly knew Him and walked with Him in loving submission, as He created you to do. Because He loves you incredibly, He's bent over backwards to make a way for you to avoid the punishment your sin deserves and enjoy Him eternally instead. He offers us all love, and joy, and peace in Himself - if we'll take it - but will give us what we actually deserve - punishment and death - if we refuse His offer.

1 John 4:9-10
9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.
10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.


John 1:10-12
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them who believe on his name:
 
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Jaedan

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Whatever "faith" you're abandoning, it was not the real thing, the personal, loving, joyful fellowship with God that is the essence, the heart, of Christianity.

1 John 2:19
19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us.


Given the counterfeit nature of your "faith," it is no surprise that your departure from Christianity causes you a sense of relief. That sense of relief will give way - sooner or later - to the meaninglessness and death that God says in His word are the "rewards" of living in rebellion to Him.

Proverbs 1:28-33
28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29 For they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33 But whoso hearkens unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.


Proverbs 14:12
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.


Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.


Romans 2:5-10
5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
6 He will render to each one according to his works:
7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;
8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,
10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.


The crazy thing is that none of this is necessary. God would much rather you truly knew Him and walked with Him in loving submission, as He created you to do. Because He loves you incredibly, He's bent over backwards to make a way for you to avoid the punishment your sin deserves and enjoy Him eternally instead. He offers us all love, and joy, and peace in Himself - if we'll take it - but will give us what we actually deserve - punishment and death - if we refuse His offer.

1 John 4:9-10
9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.
10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.


John 1:10-12
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them who believe on his name:

I can not comprehend what is going on. I can't think straight anymore.

I give up.
 
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aiki

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can not comprehend what is going on. I can't think straight anymore.

I give up.

I think what you mean is, "I want to do what I want to do more than I want to do what God wants me to do." Giving up is just code for doing what you really want to do.
 
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Jaedan

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I think what you mean is, "I want to do what I want to do more than I want to do what God wants me to do." Giving up is just code for doing what you really want to do.

I want to do what I want to do concerning what?
 
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aiki

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I want to do what I want to do concerning what?

Concerning your education, of course. This is what you've been writing in your posts. Your education is more important to you than your Creator. And so, you intend to ditch God and serve yourself through the means of furthering your education. Have I got this wrong?

There's nothing wrong with higher education, of course. But there is something seriously wrong with thinking such education has priority over attending to your Maker.
 
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