All faiths- share your story

[ContraMundum]

I grew up in a Christian household- but like most Christian households, it was only 'culturally' Christian, ie going to church at Christmas and Easter, not discussing God or the Bible much at all.

In my teens, I discovered a local church that espouses a Pentecostal theology. It was unlike any church I'd been to- half the service was singing (and modern, simple songs!), the pastor was so incredibly enthusiastic and knowledgable (even listening to him today raises hairs on the back of my neck), and it was filled with youth- white, black, Chinese, even Indian.

I attended the church frequently and it really brought me to know God properly. It's grown so large now that they have to have two Sunday services to fit in everyone who wants to come.

Thank you too! Those Pentecostals really know how to put all emphasis on God and watch their churches grow!

 

[LoAmmi]

Actually, I have read very similar things from Catholic theologians, old and new, but the Augustianian idea of "Christendom" replacing Israel is very pervasive as well.

One interesting chap to check out on this kind of topic is the late Cardinal Lustiger, a Jewish convert who wrote very beautiful divine theology about the Jewish people and our role in the world and even in the church.

All my discussions with Catholics have shown that the Church considers itself the new Israel. I would be willing to see other points of view of course.

 

[Supreme]

Thank you too! Those Pentecostals really know how to put all emphasis on God and watch their churches grow!

They sure do... it's worth noting that the church itself is non-denominational, it leans closest to Pentecostal theology but isn't Pentecostal as such. Pentecostalism is one of the fastest growing religious movements, ranging from Nigeria to Brazil to China, so those guys sure do know a thing or two on how to grow a church.

 

[Arthra]

Hi Everyone,

I've always been interested in hearing about how people come to believe in the religion that they adhere to, so I'm starting this thread in the hopes of hearing about how others have come to faith in their religion, whether it be Islam, of Baha'i or whatever- and to make it fair, I'm asking people not to criticize the journey of others on this. Let's just hear each other!

For me it was a combination of the causes I was involved with in the mid sixties and the result of my search in various religions that I became a Baha'i.

I was involved in the civil rights movement and later the peace movement..The Baha'i Faith has principles supporting both world peace and race unity.

My search in various religions resulted in my recognition that the major religions have had a Divine Source and that I could not accept one and deny the others so becoming a Baha'i was the only option for me.

 

[Zoness]

They sure do... it's worth noting that the church itself is non-denominational, it leans closest to Pentecostal theology but isn't Pentecostal as such. Pentecostalism is one of the fastest growing religious movements, ranging from Nigeria to Brazil to China, so those guys sure do know a thing or two on how to grow a church.

It is my opinion and experience that "Non-denominational" churches are always overwhelmingly Pentecostal in theology and culture. At least here they are.

 

[ContraMundum]

All my discussions with Catholics have shown that the Church considers itself the new Israel. I would be willing to see other points of view of course.

I hate to say it but those Catholics probably need to read official documents like Nostra Aetate etc. It's really not a simple position they hold- it's developed and complex. Also, if you are interested in other Roman Catholic POVs you might check out the blogs and websites by Hebrew Catholics like Roy Shoeman etc.

Anyway- just trying to help.

 

[Leah71]

.

 

[ContraMundum]

I grew up in a Bible beleiving Christian home. Sola Scriptura, etc. I could never buy into any of that so I left and was dis-owned. I looked about and studied different faiths/world views and went a different way.

Cool...

I NEVER share what faith I am with your kind. And certainly NEVER on these boards.

Wow, what a hostile remark. To use the term "your kind" is quite put down and certainly a sign of prejudice. This thread has had a civil, respectful tone until your post. While you don't want to identify your faith to "our kind" (eg. Jews, Christians, Pagans, Baha'i etc) such a derogatory tone towards civil people makes me just feel bad for you.

This thread is also about sharing how you came to your faith- not just why you rejected your previous affiliation (although I guess you wouldn't lay claim to having been a "Bible believer" anyway). So why did you respond at all, unless you are venting for some past hurt perhaps?

 

[ContraMundum]

For me it was a combination of the causes I was involved with in the mid sixties and the result of my search in various religions that I became a Baha'i.

I was involved in the civil rights movement and later the peace movement..The Baha'i Faith has principles supporting both world peace and race unity.

My search in various religions resulted in my recognition that the major religions have had a Divine Source and that I could not accept one and deny the others so becoming a Baha'i was the only option for me.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Sword of the Lord]

Faith: Christianity

I grew up with the idea of the Christian God being a real God, and with the concept of heaven and hell, but my family never practiced the faith.

In middle school I began to question the idea of God. I didn't know the Christian faith too well - heck, I didn't even know that Jesus Christ was God - and I certainly didn't know my Bible. I never saw any evidence of God. This led to me becoming a very hateful atheist throughtout middle school, high school, and up until I was 21 years old. I thought all religion was stupid and false, and that no gods existed, but I hated Christianity. I don't know why I hate Christianity, but I did; I made fun of Christians and made vulgar remarks about Jesus and the Virgin Mary, and made fun of the idea of God.

In January of 2012 I had a strange dream. It didn't make any sense to me. In my dream a gentle but strong voice said to me, "If you ask for forgiveness you may have it." I saw no face or body or anything. It was just black. I'm not even sure that I was actually sleeping or just in that pre-sleep state. I sat up immediately knowing that Jesus Christ had spoken to me. It made no sense. I was an atheist, I never thought about religion, and I especially hated this Jesus character. Yet, I knew it was him that spoke to me.

I didn't repent that night or any night after for 2 weeks. After about 2 weeks I was struck with a mysterious illness that left me debilitated. The doctors didn't know what was wrong with me; nobody could give me an answer; we just knew that I was very, very sick. I remembered my dream one night during the worst night of my illness. I was in so much agony. For whatever reason I built up the strenght to get myself in the shower. I just wanted to get in the shower. I stood there with water pouring down my body, trembling, not knowing what to do. I began to weep, and I found myself on my knees. I cried out to God, the Lord Jesus Christ, to heal me, to take my illness from me. I told him that I would worship him for all of my days and change my ways; just heal me! Like the blind, the lame, the mute and the deaf, and the lepers, I was healed. I accepted Christ as he had spoken to me several weeks before and my illness left me. I have been a faithful, though rather poor at times, Christian since.

There was no reason for me to have the dream I had that night. There was no answer to my illness that a doctor on earth could provide. Only my cry to Jesus healed me.

 

[Leah71]

.

 

[ContraMundum]

Faith: Christianity

I grew up with the idea of the Christian God being a real God, and with the concept of heaven and hell, but my family never practiced the faith.

In middle school I began to question the idea of God. I didn't know the Christian faith too well - heck, I didn't even know that Jesus Christ was God - and I certainly didn't know my Bible. I never saw any evidence of God. This led to me becoming a very hateful atheist throughtout middle school, high school, and up until I was 21 years old. I thought all religion was stupid and false, and that no gods existed, but I hated Christianity. I don't know why I hate Christianity, but I did; I made fun of Christians and made vulgar remarks about Jesus and the Virgin Mary, and made fun of the idea of God.

In January of 2012 I had a strange dream. It didn't make any sense to me. In my dream a gentle but strong voice said to me, "If you ask for forgiveness you may have it." I saw no face or body or anything. It was just black. I'm not even sure that I was actually sleeping or just in that pre-sleep state. I sat up immediately knowing that Jesus Christ had spoken to me. It made no sense. I was an atheist, I never thought about religion, and I especially hated this Jesus character. Yet, I knew it was him that spoke to me.

I didn't repent that night or any night after for 2 weeks. After about 2 weeks I was struck with a mysterious illness that left me debilitated. The doctors didn't know what was wrong with me; nobody could give me an answer; we just knew that I was very, very sick. I remembered my dream one night during the worst night of my illness. I was in so much agony. For whatever reason I built up the strenght to get myself in the shower. I just wanted to get in the shower. I stood there with water pouring down my body, trembling, not knowing what to do. I began to weep, and I found myself on my knees. I cried out to God, the Lord Jesus Christ, to heal me, to take my illness from me. I told him that I would worship him for all of my days and change my ways; just heal me! Like the blind, the lame, the mute and the deaf, and the lepers, I was healed. I accepted Christ as he had spoken to me several weeks before and my illness left me. I have been a faithful, though rather poor at times, Christian since.

There was no reason for me to have the dream I had that night. There was no answer to my illness that a doctor on earth could provide. Only my cry to Jesus healed me.

That's a very cool, spiritual story. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ContraMundum]

I edited my response to remove what I said.

I use the title "your kind" to NOT offend Christians. You are 'new creations is Christ' so I do not want any Christian to think that I consider myself anything that is related to them.

I merely attempted to respond. I am sorry I made any attempt. I will no longer respond beyond this horrible, evil, vile, disgusting attempt to be civil. I am sorry.

My apologies

Oh dear. Sorry you feel that way. However, I was merely reading what was written. It didn't come off as very friendly, but such is the nature of a forum- the written often doesn't reflect the intention. Be well.

 

[elephunky]

In a nut shell...

I was a christian for the most of 11 years and it never seemed right, I always felt lost, and often led me down the road of spiralling depression.

I started looking into other religious practices when I denounced myself as a christian. Looked at buddhism, zen, hinduism etc and accidentally stumbled across paganism.

It was like a weight was lifted from my shoulders as I read on about it. So much of what I already believed was a part of the various traditions of paganism and it was like coming home.

Happy to answer any questions regarding my journey and/or beliefs.

 

[pure water]

How I came to Islam? Mine would be a 'boring' story.

I was born in a Muslim family. Learn Islamic teachings from local Masjid, my parents, schools etc and still learning. And uh, I guess that's all.

 

[ContraMundum]

In a nut shell...

I was a christian for the most of 11 years and it never seemed right, I always felt lost, and often led me down the road of spiralling depression.

I started looking into other religious practices when I denounced myself as a christian. Looked at buddhism, zen, hinduism etc and accidentally stumbled across paganism.

It was like a weight was lifted from my shoulders as I read on about it. So much of what I already believed was a part of the various traditions of paganism and it was like coming home.

Happy to answer any questions regarding my journey and/or beliefs.

Thanks for sharing. There's seems to be a massive amount of ways people can call themselves pagan- and it's interesting to see the commonalities too.

How I came to Islam? Mine would be a 'boring' story.

I was born in a Muslim family. Learn Islamic teachings from local Masjid, my parents, schools etc and still learning. And uh, I guess that's all.

No, not boring. Tell us about the point where you went from being brought up in Islam to the point where you made it your own.

 

[elephunky]

Thanks for sharing. There's seems to be a massive amount of ways people can call themselves pagan- and it's interesting to see the commonalities too.

Always happy to share

Yup pretty much, I think it is pretty much because it is an umbrella term that incorporates a lot.

 

[lupusFati]

Hi Everyone,

I've always been interested in hearing about how people come to believe in the religion that they adhere to, so I'm starting this thread in the hopes of hearing about how others have come to faith in their religion, whether it be Islam, of Baha'i or whatever- and to make it fair, I'm asking people not to criticize the journey of others on this. Let's just hear each other!

For me to talk about my faith, I would need to break several CF rules already in place. Don't shoot the messenger.

 

[ViaCrucis]

All my discussions with Catholics have shown that the Church considers itself the new Israel. I would be willing to see other points of view of course.

It would probably be more accurate to say that the traditional view (not just Roman Catholic) is that the Church and Israel occupy the same "space", they aren't two things, but one thing, not one replacing another, but a continuous, organic thing.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[ChavaK]

Oops, meant to start a new thread.