former religions?

[FredVB]

Fred, I would rather see you in the Baptist church with the fire of the Holy Spirit in your heart than see you staying in the Catholic church without believing anything. Do keep in mind that God gives grace from many fountains.
God bless you on your journey

Thank you Gracie for your nice response. It is many years that I am now away from the Catholic church. Though the church seems to have real believers among them, I was not one from being in that church. Some might be in it without any belief. I was a child though, and even with not yet knowing the gospel I had beliefs, including belief in God with whom I wanted to be right. I have matured some in Christ, and have come to more spiritual stability, so it is not like I would slip back to anything of Catholicism. I know indeed there is a process of ongoing growth, it should be ongoing, ahead of all of us that are believers in Christ. And I am moved to share things I have seen from the word of Yahweh God. Surely the Spirit of God leads. God bless you too.

 

[GQ Chris]

I grew up roman catholic, and then dabbled in Buddhism and the New Age.

 

[dogs4thewin]

I have struggled with Christianity on and off for years been a strong Christian stubborn and currently considering myself a Deist with a strong interest in Christian traits and watching them ECT.

 

[explodingboy]

Probably one of them Dawkins sort, secular Christians.

Been in and out of the church, but never had any belief in anything, simply not able to. Alternatively I'm the first in line to slap anyone who thinks you can pick and choose religious beliefs like you would a shirt to wear about town. I'm white middle-class and British, raised somewhat Christian, Buddhism is for those raised Buddhist not for me to demean by treating it like a hobby as its all the rage this year.

 

[Lord Of The Forest]

Nazarene -> Non-Denominational -> Evangelical Friends -> Lapse -> Currently sitting on the banks of the Tiber and admiring the Beautiful City.

 

[Gnarwhal]

Family was involved in the C&MA for over 40 years, left over some practical disagreements when I was 22. Haven't really landed anywhere else, not really sure where I'm at now.

 

[Lydia blue]

I wasn't always a Christian... but if I say too much, you'll know who I am.

I was saved by amazing, amazing grace.

 

[Rhamiel]

Nazarene -> Non-Denominational -> Evangelical Friends -> Lapse -> Currently sitting on the banks of the Tiber and admiring the Beautiful City.

l free to hit me up if you want some swim lessons

(does anyone here get Forests reference or just me?)

 

[GoingByzantine]

Catholic (because my parents forced me to go to CCD) > Catholic (because my grandparents loved when I went to their church) > Holiday Only Catholic > Confused Catholic > Reverent Byzantine Catholic

I might not have left the church, but I have still been on a ride. I credit my grandparents and their parish for where I am now. That and the Lord.

 

[graciesings]

The Lord's behind it all!

 

[Lord Of The Forest]

Reading posts like GoingByzantine's always fill me with a very special kind of happiness.

 

[FredVB]

The Lord's behind it all!

Christ is not the church, although the church of all believers is to be his body in this world. It isn't the visible church that way. All need coming to Christ with doing as he says, to come to Yahweh God being right with him. It is a shame where church is what is keeping some from Christ, and the church is not then what you need. The Lord indeed will lead.

Yes I got the Eternal City reference, most are probably not that obtuse.

 

[graciesings]

Did I make one? I'm not sure I see it...

 

[FredVB]

Did I make one? I'm not sure I see it...

If you were posting this in response to me, of which thing were you asking if you made one? Is it because I had said it would be a shame if church, of any sort, would keep some from Christ? No, I wasn't thinking of you to say it, I see some who make remarks about why they are through with Christianity. Or did you mean about making a reference? That was a response to another's remark about the city along the Tiber. I quoted you, graciesings, though, because I am agreeing that the Lord, who leads us in the right way, is behind it all.

 

[FireDragon76]

I was raised Methodist then became irreligious in my college years. Then I dabbled in meditation, Buddhism, and Alan Watts. Then I started attending a conservative Anglican church for a while, and explored Eastern Orthodoxy. Then I reverted to Buddhism, this time becoming more interested in devotional, rather than meditational, practices. I also got into yoga and read Panjatali's sutra, and I gained a lot of respect for Hinduism, though not really considering myself Hindu at all. Now I attend Episcopal churches and identify as a liberal Protestant, after briefly being in an Independent Catholic congregation.

 

[JayJayS]

Growing up - various flavors of Protestantism, mostly Methodist and Lutheran

Parents tried to make me go through confirmation - I rebelled because I was having doubts so they gave up. Dropped religion for many years - meaning - no bible reading, no church going and no prayer. However, I never stopped believing that there was a Creator.

Reintegration - Pentecostal, then Lutheran. Resumed Christian activities - prayer, church attendance, worship, bible study

After some big trials in life, non church attendance for many years, and distancing myself from Christians, I began to question my faith, Christian traditions and certain parts of the bible without fear.

I currently consider myself a Deist who cannot deny the existence of God, has had personal spiritual experiences - mostly feelings of great peace and great love that I can only attribute to God - but nevertheless does not fit the Christian mold nor common beliefs that many Christians hold.

As a Deist, I value much of the Bible as spiritually relevant, including much in the Psalms and Proverbs and the teachings of Jesus, but doubt many aspects of the bible, including some of the stories in the old testament and new.