Deconversion?

[Pwnzerfaust]

I gradually discarded (or at the very least expanded and/or modified) my childhood beliefs as I grew up. Thus, I never really experienced my deconversion from Christianity as a major, traumatic rift. It was more like realizing that the moon is just reflecting sunlight rather than emitting its own radiance: the realization changed my perceptions quite profoundly, but it was more exciting than frightening - an experience of expanding horizons rather than collapsing towers.

That's a good way of putting it. It wasn't traumatic for me either. More of just realizing, "Huh, this makes no sense."

Though since I wasn't the most deeply religious person to start with, I imagine it would be different/more difficult for someone who is/was.

 

[Criada]

I gradually discarded (or at the very least expanded and/or modified) my childhood beliefs as I grew up. Thus, I never really experienced my deconversion from Christianity as a major, traumatic rift. It was more like realizing that the moon is just reflecting sunlight rather than emitting its own radiance: the realization changed my perceptions quite profoundly, but it was more exciting than frightening - an experience of expanding horizons rather than collapsing towers.

That makes sense. I had no childhood beliefs, really, I came to Christianity at 19, and at the time was convinced it made sense.
Recently, though, a lot of things just don't seem to make sense, and don't seem to fit with a compassionate God.

 

[b&wpac4]

As I've spoke of before, my major rift was the more I seemed to think about the doctrine of Hell. It just seems so evil to me that I gradually moved away from Christianity since it is such a central doctrine.

 

[Pwnzerfaust]

As I've spoke of before, my major rift was the more I seemed to think about the doctrine of Hell. It just seems so evil to me that I gradually moved away from Christianity since it is such a central doctrine.

Kind of ironic, seeing as how the doctrine of hell is probably there to scare people into staying Christian.

 

[Criada]

Yes, that is one of the things I find very hard to accept, particularly since my sexual orientation, which I did not choose, appears to mean I cannot escape it.

 

[Hentenza]

Yes, that is one of the things I find very hard to accept, particularly since my sexual orientation, which I did not choose, appears to mean I cannot escape it.

That's not true.

Beware of the legalists.

 

[Pwnzerfaust]

That's not true.

Beware of the legalists.

Not true according to you and your particular sect. But very true according to another. What makes yours any more correct than the others? I'm just curious. Obviously I think the whole concept of hell is bollocks, but why would one idea about who goes there be any more or less valid than any other?

 

[Catherineanne]

Catherineanne, I read the dark night of the soul last year and found it very helpful... now, it doesn't seem as profound somehow. But, that may be depression talking, rather than faith, or lack thereof.
I just don't feel I can do it any longer....

Do you think you are falling into depression? If so, then struggling with your faith as well might be too much to deal with at once.

Whatever the cause, don't add guilt to whatever else you are trying to cope with. You can only be who you are, and you can only be in the place you are; there is no need to do anything dramatic. The Valley of the Shadow is a horrible place, and it is enough to just be.

 

[Hentenza]

Kind of ironic, seeing as how the doctrine of hell is probably there to scare people into staying Christian.

Unfortunately some have used it for exactly that. The thing is that salvation is God's work not man's.

 

[Hentenza]

Not true according to you and your particular sect. But very true according to another. What makes yours any more correct than the others? I'm just curious. Obviously I think the whole concept of hell is bollocks, but why would one idea about who goes there be any more or less valid than any other?

This is not an apologetics thread. Please don't derail it. You can post your question in Exploring Christianity if you wish. I'll be happy to answer you there.

 

[Catherineanne]

That makes sense. I had no childhood beliefs, really, I came to Christianity at 19, and at the time was convinced it made sense.
Recently, though, a lot of things just don't seem to make sense, and don't seem to fit with a compassionate God.

It is people who are lacking in compassion, not God.

 

[b&wpac4]

Kind of ironic, seeing as how the doctrine of hell is probably there to scare people into staying Christian.

Guess I don't respond to fear as much as others then.

 

[Pwnzerfaust]

This is not an apologetics thread. Please don't derail it. You can post your question in Exploring Christianity if you wish. I'll be happy to answer you there.

Right-o.

 

[ChavaK]

It is people who are lacking in compassion, not God.

 

[Catherineanne]

Yes, that is one of the things I find very hard to accept, particularly since my sexual orientation, which I did not choose, appears to mean I cannot escape it.

Not all denominations believe in a literal hellfire. Mine doesn't, for one. And not all denominations have a problem with different sexual orientations. Rest assured, that there is nothing in Episcopalian theology that says you or anyone else is going to hell for being as God created you.

There is no such place as hell; well, apart from the one you are experiencing right now. Rest assured, that is as bad as it gets. I really hope you start to find your way through all of this before long.

 

[Criada]

You are anglican?
I thought they believed in hell.. certainly used to when I was in the CofE.

 

[Optimax]

Forget religion!

Why?

Because Christianity is not a religion.

Christianity is a relationship with God through Jesus.

 

[Criada]

that's what i have always believed, and thought I experienced... but it doesn't work any longer, the relationship has gone.
and I know all the right answers, I've told them to enough people... but they don't work.

 

[Supreme]

In response to thread question; I never 'deconverted' from Christianity then came back. I think my parents believed in some sort of diety, we'd attend church around every Christmas but then we stopped doing that. The thing that essentially made me (re)discover Christianity was the mentality of 'what have I got to loose?' I'm not going to say accepting the existence of a diety was hard, because although I'd never really believed in God, I'd never disbelieved in Him either (read: I'd never actually thought about it). Occasionally, doubts are cast into my mind about other religions and atheism, but I believe testing is a way God checks His fruit to check they're ripe.

 

[Optimax]

that's what i have always believed, and thought I experienced... but it doesn't work any longer, the relationship has gone.
and I know all the right answers, I've told them to enough people... but they don't work.

What or who is telling you that.

If it is a feeling or emotion understand this.

Emotions have their uses.

But they are not to be our guide.

Emotions/feeling can change from one minute to the next.

Emotions/feelings are designed to lead us away from God.

What may be gone is the fellowship.

The relationship is still intact.