Deconversion?

[Gregory Thompson]

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?

I became disillusioned . everything i knew disappeared from my mind . and wasn't sure about anything . i gave it some time away from the hurtful environment and my relationship with God is stronger for it . what's that phrase i picked up along the way? "gratefully disillusioned" yeah that's it, that's me

I guess my relationship with God was the main reason i went from unsure and back (somewhat) to where i was . i made no assumptions on anything and as the blackness cleared . though my reasons were different and my view of how to interpret the bible drastically different . i guess, two years later . it was a good thing . that religion as i knew it was killing me not Jesus .

 

[gratefulgrace]

i guess, two years later . it was a good thing . that religion as i knew it was killing me not Jesus .

That is very profound Michael, I am glad you found your Lord in the midst of despair and confusion. gg
__________________

 

[Gregory Thompson]

thanks GG

((((((((((((((((((( ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

 

[Criada]

Thanks you, Michael..
Do you mind me asking, how long did the darkness last? I know that everyone's experience is different, but... I just wondered.

 

[A New Dawn]

that religion as i knew it was killing me not Jesus .

I think that's the clue. I think people tend to substitute religion for relationship, and when the one doesn't live up to our expectations, it destroys the other.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Thanks you, Michael..
Do you mind me asking, how long did the darkness last? I know that everyone's experience is different, but... I just wondered.

for me the perceived darkness was about a year or two . but from this side of it . i may have been in it and approaching the critical point for much much longer than i thought initially .

i guess i've been in the new life for about 17 years . and only now is it starting to resemble anything even similar to what is advertised of it .

the last two years have been monumental i would suppose . so i guess it has been a long journey . no quick fixes for sure . but i know and have known God has a plan and is working it though us every day .. though we may only be able to see it clearly looking back .

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I think that's the clue. I think people tend to substitute religion for relationship, and when the one doesn't live up to our expectations, it destroys the other.

yeah

 

[Criada]

I think that's the clue. I think people tend to substitute religion for relationship, and when the one doesn't live up to our expectations, it destroys the other.

I think that is true.. as a child I was taught 'religion' and it never really took - possibly because my. father hated it as well. But when I was saved... or thought I was.. that was very much about relationship. And that was the central thing in my life for such a long time, adjusting is proving very hard.
What do you say to people when you can't offer prayer?

 

[A New Dawn]

I think that is true.. as a child I was taught 'religion' and it never really took - possibly because my. father hated it as well. But when I was saved... or thought I was.. that was very much about relationship. And that was the central thing in my life for such a long time, adjusting is proving very hard.
What do you say to people when you can't offer prayer?

I think that God knows our hearts, and so I think saying "You're in my thoughts", even if you don't know if God is listening or not, gives them comfort. We all want to be remembered while we are going through hard times.

 

[Criada]

Yes, been using that.. it seems pretty empty though.
i don't know how to do this... my values, my responses, everything depended so much on God. On my own, I just don't have anything to offer.. and I hate seeing people hurting and not being able to help...
Sorry... irrelevant really. I'll learn.. I know many very loving and compassionate atheists.. it's just that my frame of reference seems to have vanished.