De-Conversion from Christian Culture Only?

[Harpuia]

Hey everyone, I hope I posted this in the right forum.

I've heard so much talk about de-converting from Christianity entirely. I'm just wondering is it feasible enough to simply de-convert from the religious culture? What that means is you're still a Christian at heart on the inside, but on the outside, you don't want to have anything to do with the people in your faith. You don't go to church, participate in youth groups, listen to Christian rock, etc.

Anyone have a better name for this? A partial de-conversion maybe? I'm not sure.

 

[Eudaimonist]

That only sounds like distancing to me, unless it also involves denying certain articles of faith, such as the divinity of Jesus.

 

[levi501]

Anyone have a better name for this? A partial de-conversion maybe? I'm not sure.

religion is about belief... it's not about association.

 

[Im_A]

i think it depends on what it means when you say what defines a Christian.

is how a person lives their life dictates them being a Christian, or does theological standpoints without any actions dictate what a Christian is?

 

[Cleany]

Hey everyone, I hope I posted this in the right forum.

I've heard so much talk about de-converting from Christianity entirely. I'm just wondering is it feasible enough to simply de-convert from the religious culture? What that means is you're still a Christian at heart on the inside, but on the outside, you don't want to have anything to do with the people in your faith. You don't go to church, participate in youth groups, listen to Christian rock, etc.

Anyone have a better name for this? A partial de-conversion maybe? I'm not sure.

the christian culture spreads further than those things, even the way that we think about life is affected by the christian worldview (more accurately those elements of the non-christian worldview that the christian culture has swept up in its path).

the religious culture is the natural growth of the association of practicing christians. in some places it has become insular, like a time capsule it has taken elements of world cultures and preserved them because it has isolated itself. it is then that breaking from it is not only possible, but probably a good thing, if only for a while.

religion is about belief... it's not about association.

i disagree. that its your modernist christian worldview speaking.

 

[levi501]

i disagree. that its your modernist christian worldview speaking.

lol, if by "modernist christian worldview" you mean logical then I agree.
You aren't "deconverting" if you still hold the same belief system.

 

[lismore]

Hey everyone, I hope I posted this in the right forum.

I've heard so much talk about de-converting from Christianity entirely. I'm just wondering is it feasible enough to simply de-convert from the religious culture? What that means is you're still a Christian at heart on the inside, but on the outside, you don't want to have anything to do with the people in your faith. You don't go to church, participate in youth groups, listen to Christian rock, etc.

Anyone have a better name for this? A partial de-conversion maybe? I'm not sure.

I think what you are looking for is the home churched and unchurched forum:

http://www.christianforums.com/f473-home-church-unchurched.html

 

[Cleany]

lol, if by "modernist christian worldview" you mean logical then I agree.
You aren't "deconverting" if you still hold the same belief system.

"religion is about belief... it's not about association."

its not just about belief, its also about practice and association. of course you could say that practice and association were a consequence of belief, yet belief is a consequence of practice and association.

it is a fallacy to assume that we are in total control of what we believe.

 

[flicka]

I know many people who do this. In fact, some refuse to call themselves "Christians" because they see it as just another religious label. They try to follow Christ's example despite their unwillingness to be identified with a particular group.

 

[PapaLandShark]

Hey everyone, I hope I posted this in the right forum.

I've heard so much talk about de-converting from Christianity entirely. I'm just wondering is it feasible enough to simply de-convert from the religious culture? What that means is you're still a Christian at heart on the inside, but on the outside, you don't want to have anything to do with the people in your faith. You don't go to church, participate in youth groups, listen to Christian rock, etc.

Anyone have a better name for this? A partial de-conversion maybe? I'm not sure.

Religion for many has a lot of negative connotations...Even for Christians. We are commanded to gather together in fellowship...but that could be 2 or more and fellowship is a very broad term.

If your belief is in Christ and you follow what He commands then you can't go too far wrong ( any more than any of us can ). Just remember that iron sharpens iron my friend.

You might, as suggested, take a look in the "un-churched" section here. The Non-Denom area might also be a good place to chat with folks.

Peace

 

[Vedant]

Hmmm, I don't tell people I am Christian as the first thing when I meet them. Usually, it's because people have preconceptions about certain groups including Christians. I don't like speaking Christianese all the time, going on retreats, going in youth groups, etc, but I do like having Christian friends. That helps me the most.

 

[Harpuia]

Heh. Thanks for the help guys.

Reason why I ask is because some people have labeled me around youth groups and churches here as an "evil" type, and for some reason, Christians haven't been wanting to hang around me for a while. So I have decided to distance myself from them completely.

And yeah, I'll take a look at the unchurched section, thanks.

 

[levi501]

"religion is about belief... it's not about association."

its not just about belief, its also about practice and association.

If belief, once established, is contingent on practice and association then you must ask yourself if it was ever truly a belief or simply blind acceptance.

of course you could say that practice and association were a consequence of belief, yet belief is a consequence of practice and association.

it is a fallacy to assume that we are in total control of what we believe.

My post makes no claim as to what causes belief.
Besides you forgot that belief for some is a consequence of experience and/or personal evidence.

 

[Cleany]

Besides you forgot that belief for some is a consequence of experience and/or personal evidence.

which are closely associated with association and practice.

which is my point - belief alone is meaningless.

 

[vanshan]

The new idea of what the Church is, as defined post-reformation has a number of problems, which can lead someone to feel the way you do about participation in "organized" groups. The core question is, what need do we have for an organized church? If it's just a matter of imparting instruction, receiving fellowship, and worshipping, we can do all of those things independently. We don't need to get up Sunday morning, when we can just read the Bible or pick up a book to learn. So why is it important for Christians to worship together?

In the early Church, it was clear that God provided the holy mystery of communion as a gift to unite us to Him. It was celebrated as the center of Christian worship, and could only be provided within the context of cooperate worship by a bishop or presbyter (priest) who had been ordained with the apostolic authority to celebrate this service for the Body of Christ. This was, and still is, a joyful celebration, which aids our salvation. This is central to what the Church was created to provide along with preserving the apostolic teachings handed down by Christ, providing holy matrimony, baptism, etc. This is what mankind needs.

Basil

 

[levi501]

which are closely associated with association and practice.

not necessarily

which is my point - belief alone is meaningless.

I don't see how "belief alone is meaningless" follows or is supported by anything you've said.

 

[Cleany]

belief is influenced by your surroundings. you might not believe so - but you cant prove it.

 

[Lilly of the Valley]

Hey everyone, I hope I posted this in the right forum.

I've heard so much talk about de-converting from Christianity entirely. I'm just wondering is it feasible enough to simply de-convert from the religious culture? What that means is you're still a Christian at heart on the inside, but on the outside, you don't want to have anything to do with the people in your faith. You don't go to church, participate in youth groups, listen to Christian rock, etc.

Anyone have a better name for this? A partial de-conversion maybe? I'm not sure.

Well, if you claim to serve God and be a christian but you do the things of the world, then that isn't saved. You are either fully for God in both actions and beliefs, or not.

 

[levi501]

belief is influenced by your surroundings. you might not believe so - but you cant prove it.

So now you're shifting from "practice and association" to surroundings?
How very vague... and not at all an argument I've made.
Also, this does nothing to support your claim that "belief alone is meaningless"

 

[Im_A]

Well, if you claim to serve God and be a christian but you do the things of the world, then that isn't saved. You are either fully for God in both actions and beliefs, or not.

the OP is not talking about morality. he's talking about the culture of modern Christian church. dont' put words in his mouth or well...fingers.