Ex Fundemental Religionists

[nailit]

Most people who visit R&S know that Im an ex fundamental Christian. (Im worthy of eternal damnation according to the Bible for been an apostate...)
Just wondered how many people here were once religious but who arnt now??
(I know of a couple of ABers who would fit this bill)

Not really intending argument/debate etc...just a question (out of curiosity) but we all know how these things go in R&S!!
Thanks.

[MallyJ]

Catholic until 14...used to take myself to mass when no one else was able to take me at, at quite a young age ...and then I could not see any sense in it...the final nail in the coffin of my christianity was a visit to Israel...on xmas eve I was in Bethlehem and we were surrounded by soldiers with guns aimed at us from roof tops and on the ground.....Peace and goodwill to ALL men??? Certainly not there.

[Mamyalynne]

From what I read in this topic, it's certainly more than couple I'd say.

My belief hasn't changed a great deal, I've simply got older and lazier.

[Tilly2]

I'm an ex pentecostal Christian. I got tired of the mumbo jumbo, eventually.

[nailit]

//.Peace and goodwill to ALL men??? Certainly not there. //
Indeed Mally...

[nailit]

//it's certainly more than couple I'd say.//
Possibly Mamy.

//I'm an ex pentecostal Christian//
You were one of the couple that I was thinking of Tills ;-)

[Tilly2]

I thought I might be. :-)

[nailit]

You weren't wrong Tills ;-)

[MrsLadyBug]

Throughout my seventy odd years I have seen and experienced a lot of life. Good and bad.
I never had any particular religion thrust on me, usual stuff in the English schools of 50's.
I have read a lot on things and tried various ideas. I suppose I have been searching in my own way for something. From what I have learned all I can say is that most religions have the same basic message of love and peace. But most, if not all, interpret things to suit themselves and to seek power over ordinary people.
I still cant say if there is a superior being or not. I would like to think so, maybe, but it's difficult with all the horrible things happening. So my mantra is just to mind my own business and be kind to others and will see what happens next in the not too distant future.

[Old_Geezer]

Nowhere near as extreme as yourself, but was brought up a churchgoer, switched to agnosticism while still young, then to atheism in early teens, realised I'd no proof of a God's non-existence so went back to agnosticism, then was a spiritualist due to my and other family members' experiences and suppose could argue I still am, but I don't get involved much and I am of the mind that it matters little, we'll all get to know sometime, or not.

[nailit]

//my mantra is just to mind my own business and be kind to others and will see what happens next in the not too distant future//
Not a bad way to live ;-)
Some fundies could learn a thing or two from this!

[nailit]

//then was a spiritualist due to my and other family members' experiences//
Would love to hear what those experiences are O-G?

[Theland]

No problem so far, but you all to often get angry with believers for things you don't yet understand.
I hope you remain peaceful.

[nailit]

//No problem so far//
No there isn't is there?

//but you all to often get angry with believers for things you don't yet understand//
Ah! Now there comes a problem...
Who says that I don't understand things?
Who says that I am angry (I arn't)?
Who is making these things up?

[douglas9401]

As usual the enlightened are desperate to tell us the true path, regardless of self-serving bovine ex.

[Theland]

There are tons of stuff in the bible that I don't understand and never claim to do so.
I do believe however that the bible interprets itself, one part to the the other alongside history and contemporary events.
So, rather than criticising the bible, is it not better to simply say, "I don't understand this."

[jourdain2]

I'm not particularly anxious to tell anyone the truth as I believe and try to live it. You are all grown-ups and know all the fundamentals and have made your own choices. I find trying to adhere to Christian beliefs to be a good way of living and, yes, if anyone asked me I would say that that is the way to go. In youth I accepted Christianity as a part of life; then I had doubts and became agnostic, verging on atheism. It was some years after I had children that I returned to belief (I was washing-up - of all things!) after a moment of blinding clarity. I have had doubts since - particularly when I was isolated in a French farmhouse with a psychotic chap and I had nowhere to turn - but it transpired that the 'footsteps' writing was apposite. I am now very calm and happy in my faith and would like everyone to be as certain - but I'm certainly not going to witter and nag on about it. God will touch them if He wills. So, I've been in-out-and in again. Does that help you with your question, Nailit?

[nailit]

//So, I've been in-out-and in again. Does that help you with your question, Nailit?//
Its a full and honest answer Jourdain thank you.



//So, rather than criticising the bible, is it not better to simply say, "I don't understand this//
Yet when science says the same thing about the origin of the universe ??????

[Theland]

Jourdain - The silence from God can be deafening.
Thirty nine years of believing and no miracles. But I have to look for and realise the numerous blessings I have.
To talk to God I pray, God talks to me through events, circumstances and scripture.
Oh the hiddenness of God is in fact one of His great blessings.

[nailit]

When we talk to God its called prayer.
When God talks to us, its called paranoid schizophrenia!

[Theland]

Nailit - Plese speak with recognised authority, not just your unauthorised opinion. Which is nothing more than personal propaganda. It is not convincing to anybody.