I think it is important for good people such as yourself and Criada to try to remember that our faith is not a destination but a journey.
This journey takes us to lots of different places, and to meet lots of different people. Some of them will agree with us, some of them will disagree, and some will cause us to doubt our own beliefs.
All that matters in the end is whether you want to make this journey with Christ beside you, or without. It is not about believing the same as anyone else on earth, it is not about pure orthodoxy of faith with any denomination, it is not about believing the Scriptures as if they were God himself. It is about Christ.
The Lord will not abandon you, whatever you decide. You can decide to turn away from the Christian journey for 20 or 30 or 40 years, and then one day realise that there he is, just where he has always been. But you can make a choice about knowing he is there, or trying to go it alone.
Whatever you decide, I wish you peace of mind, and may God be with you.
This is an awesome post and I don't think I could say anything that could add to it, but I have read a story that describes our reunion with Jesus after we have wandered (often through the long dark night of the soul) from Him.
I used to come here almost every day. In fact, coming seemed essential then. I was young and so full of life.
He came here, too. Each day we were so glad to see each other. I couldn't wait to tell Him everything about my day. He would listen patiently, then tell me about Himself and His Father. I loved Him like a brother. But somehow He loved me even more.
Suddenly I stopped coming to the quiet place and went away. I didn't tell Him goodbye. I knew He would be disappointed in me, and I couldn't stand to see that in His face. I ran fast and hard, rushing into the night until I reached a faraway place, a strange place. No one there cared about me; they were all running, too.
After a few months, He sent a friend to find me. His message simply said He missed me. If I would return, we could go on as if nothing had happened. I didn't send a reply. I just packed my bags and moved on. I couldn't stand to think about Him still waiting for me.
Months turned into years, and years into tens of years, and I wandered on. But I lost my illusions. All I had left were false promises. Surely, I thought as I traveled, it would not matter if I stopped by to visit the old place where we used to meet.
Silently, I approached the quiet place. With shallow breath, I peered around the entrance. Suddenly I jerked back, my heart pounding in my ears. I saw a shadow and heard the rustling of a garment. Surely not -- it couldn't be! Not after 23 years.
Then I knew. He was still waiting for me. His words of greeting were quiet. In His face there was no blame. Smiling, He invited me to sit down.
Filling a basin with cool water, He knelt before me. I tried to speak, to hide my face--to escape somehow. How could He? Why should He -- after all this time? I had forsaken our friendship. Willingly -- no, eagerly -- I spat upon His will and ran to an idolatrous land. Squandering my good years, I returned a withered shell of what I should have been.
And now -- this. I hadn't known why I journeyed back, but He did. With tears to heal a torn and weary soul, I repented of the past, confessed my guilt, and asked to come another day to visit with Him. He smiled and wiped my tears. As He removed my sandals and washed my feet, He told me that I need not ask.
He washed away my troubled past, not to remember even a day. Now we sit and visit as in days gone by, because that's God's plan.
And that's God's way.
Keeping you in my prayers, Criada! You are loved so very much!