Deconversion?

[gratefulgrace]

Oops double post.

 

[Criada]

I was baptised in the Holy Spirit shortly after I became a Christian, and I've always thought it important... I speak in tongues and have experienced other spiritual gifts.
It's been pretty sudden... I've been questioning some teachings for a while, but not the existence or love of God until very recently.

 

[Zebra1552]

Well, I have the head knowledge.. but I think you can 'know' without believing...
Yes, I have felt what I thought was God's presence in the past, and I have 'heard' from him and seen answered prayer... and yet, now, when I try to think of those things, there are so many ways my mind can explain it away.

There are ways to explain it away, yes. And to tell the truth, I've had many times where I have knowledge, and I act on that knowledge because it's routine for me by now, but I don't really feel it. I don't trust God. In fact, there are times I love on people and don't even go any farther than that because I don't think God's got my back. When my slumps happen, they can take anywhere from a week to as long as 4 months for me to go back to trusting God... but each time that knowledge pulls me through. I admit my faith walk hasn't been the most orthodox, but I don't believe in cookie cutter Christianity. You should be able to do what works for you, and you alone, not conform to some one-size-fits-all thing that the 'dealers' offer.

I'm not going to ask you to rethink this, and I'm not going to tell you that Christianity is the way to go. I'm certainly not going to be arrogant enough to simply say 'I'm praying for you, but you'll come back eventually'. I mean, I'll be praying, but I believe the decision is yours. I didn't grow up into Christianity, I made a choice, and with that choice have come many, many other choices in what parts of Christianity are biblical and what are not, what style of worship and prayer suits me best, and what congregation is most like the body of Christ that God intended.

The only thing that I ask is that you make the right decision for you.

 

[b&wpac4]

I was baptised in the Holy Spirit shortly after I became a Christian, and I've always thought it important... I speak in tongues and have experienced other spiritual gifts.
It's been pretty sudden... I've been questioning some teachings for a while, but not the existence or love of God until very recently.

Just remember not to let anybody convince you that you are a bad person for experiencing doubt. You are not a bad person because of that at all.

 

[Criada]

Just remember not to let anybody convince you that you are a bad person for experiencing doubt. You are not a bad person because of that at all.

Thank you. That means a lot...

 

[gratefulgrace]

No of course not everyone has moments of questioning. Even John the Baptist as mentioned earlier on this thread I believe. It is not uncommon. I believe that it is God's will to answer our questions though. gg

 

[b&wpac4]

Thank you. That means a lot...

I went through it myself. Even now, I have people in my family trying to make me feel bad for deciding to become a Jew.

 

[Thekla]

Well, I have the head knowledge.. but I think you can 'know' without believing...
Yes, I have felt what I thought was God's presence in the past, and I have 'heard' from him and seen answered prayer... and yet, now, when I try to think of those things, there are so many ways my mind can explain it away.

Thekla, it is an inability to believe that he is there in any real sense, not just that he isn't with me, but, that he isn't present in any meaningful way. Part of me still believes there must be a creator, but not one who is involved or interested in his creation.

Thank-you, just because I am thick headed and did not understand what you were describing

In a sense, this is a sort of deism - where there is a God, but not intimately involved with His creation ?

Approaching relationship through the rational can only go so far in any relationship. Or undermine relationship; on bad days, I can explain away the well meaning actions of my husband and children - which becomes a method to break relationship.

 

[Dragons87]

I was baptised in the Holy Spirit shortly after I became a Christian, and I've always thought it important... I speak in tongues and have experienced other spiritual gifts.
It's been pretty sudden... I've been questioning some teachings for a while, but not the existence or love of God until very recently.

A bit of encouragement, and perhaps a bit of a challenge, dear Criada:

"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'" -- John 8:31

Jesus's teaching has to be held to. Then you will know the truth as an unwavering and undeniable fact, and the truth will set you free! So what is the truth?

"Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life." -- John 14:6

Criada, when Jesus came to earth, His mission was not to let us experience spiritual gifts. He said:

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." -- John 10:10

Jesus is here to offer you life! How exciting is that??? A whole new life that nails your past sins and dirtiness to the cross. That is the truth, and that is the way to life! So time to return to the basics, Criada: giving over your life over to Christ, nail it to the cross, and experience His life-saving gift once again. Everything else--and I mean everything--pales in comparison.

"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." -- James 4:8-10

Until you humble yourself before the Lord, His presence, though perhaps believeable, will always be hollow. He will always be around you, but your heart will be full of pride, leaving no space for the Holy Spirit to enter and talk to you. But if you humble yourself, God will do the opposite and lift you up! Ooh! How exciting!

May the Lord lead you peaceful pastures, Criada, and may all glory with be Him.

 

[b.hopeful]

I think if you never question and analyze...perhaps you never take that faith to another level. Maybe you are moving to meat after having milk?

 

[Gwenyfur]

no advice or opinion...just wanted to give you a hug ((((((((((Criada)))))))))))))

 

[Jo1]

(((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))) it will b ok sis. love u. Joxxx

 

[gratefulgrace]

(((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))) it will b ok sis. love u. Joxxx

From your sig and mood it sounds like you need hugs too Jo1 so here are a fewgg

 

[andreha]

Anyone want to share why... or why not?
I'm at a crossroads right now, and feeling very confused.
If anyone has deconverted, or come close to doing so and come back to Christianity, can you give some reasons for your decision?

Hey Criada

I have one reason as to why not...

A long time ago, I was in the pit of despair. I cried out to the Lord to help me. The next moment, I was yanked out of my body, out of this world, and out of this whole creation. I stood before Him, and saw the light of His glory. His light shone right through me. It changed my life completely. I know He lives. And He really is there, watching over you. You will see Him one day, I promise you.

 

[Gwenyfur]

How can you be sure that was the christian Lord and not Skyfather in his lightened form?

 

[andreha]

How can you be sure that was the christian Lord and not Skyfather in his lightened form?

The love that He showed me was a dead giveaway. It was the most wonderful pure love imagineable. And after that, the demonic attacks stopped. I also received the Holy Spirit - who has been teaching and guiding me ever since. A while ago, I told someone at work about this experience - and she received the Holy Spirit and became a Christian right away. There has been so many miracles that the Lord showed me - like once when I would have died in an accident on the freeway, when the Lord spoke to me, and made me stop in time. All the signs and miracles are a wonderful blessing - all thanks to His love and grace.

 

[Gwenyfur]

The Goddess and Guardians, FatherSky...they all do that for me...
perfect love, divination, blessings, healings, I suppose what you'd call miracles...

 

[Eudaimonist]

The Goddess and Guardians, FatherSky...they all do that for me...
perfect love, divination, blessings, healings, I suppose what you'd call miracles...

The pagan Greeks and Romans described similar experiences. Socrates claimed to have a "little spirit" that would tell him "no!" at times when he contemplated what he would do. The Greeks and Romans also believed in spirits that would teach and guide in much the same way, and those probably became the basis for the Catholic Church's concept of the guardian angel.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Chaplain David]

The Goddess and Guardians, FatherSky...they all do that for me...
perfect love, divination, blessings, healings, I suppose what you'd call miracles...

Criada, don't listen to this kind of crap, it's nonsense.

 

[Criada]

At the moment, to be honest, I have as much difficulty believing in pagan deities as in the Christian one... though I am still fairly sure that there must be some kind of creator behind it all. But personal intervention, from any belief system, is the part that I can no longer grasp. I miss that...