Thinking about walking away

This is my personal feelings and my personal experiences with Christianity and the church. Been thinking about walking away from Christianity, for quite some time. I still believe there is a God, and I’m still a spiritual person. I don’t go to church anymore, for reasons being that I don’t believe in being a part of something that does not accept me, or other people, even when they have “welcome all” signs up. I don’t want to be somewhere that is a constant reminder of when I was molested as a child. Church doesn’t and never have, given me that comfort, that I always wanted. I’ve been to churches where I was judged for being disabled. I’ve been to churches where I’ve experienced racism. I have searched and searched, and thought I found the perfect church, then a guy, kept bothering me and wouldn’t leave me alone, so I left and never looked back. I see church as just a building. A building that doesn’t want me there anyway. I don’t feel bad about walking away. In fact, it’s the opposite. Because I can freely have a personal and spiritual relationship with God, and be at peace with that. I can’t really say that I “dislike” Christianity, I just feel like it’s just not for me.

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Disguised · 56-60, M

Im not a 'religious' person as such BUT i live by Christian principles. I know i 'behave' better than some regular church goers i know. I think living to your own principles, sticking to them is the important thing. If you need a formal time for pray than set aside a time and place that suits you. Can be a park bench.. same place same time every week or day or have a different place every day on a 7 day rota..for quiet reflection away from your normal routine. Making it a small pilgrimage .. somewhere where there is a bit of a effort to get to... you don't need a group to be spiritual... i wouldn't mind placing a bet if you set up a routine after a few months people will stop and chat as their routine overlaps yours... quiet reflection place mine is in the middle of the woods in the village 1 1/2 miles away... i walk there... have chance to think on the journey.. think on the bench and reflect on walk home... hope this helps... i wrotd more than i intended...kinda helped me tbh..

NaturalBeautyQueen · 41-45, F

@Disguised thank you! No problem, write away. I was listening lol. And it all makes senses to me. That is how I’d rather pray anyway. I don’t believe in church as being inside of a building. I have seen others do it that way too, and it sounds so peaceful. I always felt that church was more outside some place peaceful, and not in a building.

Disguised · 56-60, M

@NaturalBeautyQueen inspired this poem

Space

Find your space to reflect.
Take time to show great respect.
Set your principles and live true.
Let kindness open guide way for you.

NaturalBeautyQueen · 41-45, F

@Disguised thank you ❤️

Budwick · 70-79, M

@Disguised [quote] I know i 'behave' better than some regular church goers i know[/quote]

Do you think God grades on the curve?

Disguised · 56-60, M

@Budwick i think until proven nobody knows how God will grade. The important thing is to be true to your own beliefs and accept others beliefs may differ.

Adstar · 56-60, M

@Disguised When it comes to being saved God does not grade on a curve.. Being saved is like being pregnant.. you cannot be half pregnant.. You either are pregnant or not.. Same with salvation a person is saved or they are not.. It's not based on any goodness level.. It's based on believing God and trusting in the Way He has made for us to be saved...

Disguised · 56-60, M

@Adstar i can accept your point of view but you seem to keep telling me im wrong as i dont necessarily believe in your view point. Thats my big bug bear with lots of things... accept peoples differences... stop trying to make people believe your view is the only one. Religion should be about.. love.. caring... sharing... believing in a common good....

Adstar · 56-60, M

@Disguised Well i have no trouble with people who think i am wrong telling me what they think is right.. Especially when it comes to eternity and where i will be in eternity.. If someone gives a damn and they believe i am on the wrong path they will go out of their way to express their belief on the matter... It does not Bug me.. I don't mind having my belief challenged.. That's how i have had many wonky ideas corrected over time..

And when it comes to God and the Way of salvation there is only one correct Way .. The path is not wide to eternity.. It is narrow and few people find it..

Yes religion is about Love,, Loving people enough to risk being hated for telling them the truth.. Caring enough to risk getting denigrated for believing their is only one way to Eternal life.. Sharing what one believes in the hope that others will be saved.. Desiring that all people benefit from the Good of the Gospel...

Disguised · 56-60, M

@Adstar so... after you have told someone they are wrong... and the correct way is the very narrow path you have chosen. They say "Nah.. thanks but no thanks i will carry on with my own wide path" ... what do you do? Do you carry on telling them they are wrong or do you accept their view and finish your beer with them talking about the game on tv last night..?

Oh.. full respect to you im enjoying this exploration..

Adstar · 56-60, M

@Disguised If a person says something like thanks but no thanks then i am released to move on to someone else.. And yeah if we are doing something social i will continue on with that activity.. If that be talking about the game on TV or sharing a meal together then that's cool...

The only time i will add something related to Christianity with that person would be when they say something about Christianity that is not backed up by the Holy Bible.. In that case i am not witnessing to the person, that's finished.. but i am defending Christianity and acting to stop a untrue statement affecting others who may hear it and assume that the misinformation is true because no one is challenging it..

Like a lot of atheists in here make false statements about Christianity quite often.. I respond to them not really for their sake but for the ones who are undecided and still open to hear different Points of View..

Disguised · 56-60, M

@Adstar i have no issue with people correcting an error in understanding just so long as it done in the correct manner but there are always horses that won't even when you put a bucket of water under their nose...

Reading back... i think we are both on the same side here... acceptance, understanding, fairness, correctness. All things i value and try to promote. The difference being the fundamental belief behind it all.... Which leads to the question... whats better... Being this way naturally... or because a religion says you should be... and yes i accept some people will fall into both sides quite naturrally.. but some people wont

Adstar · 56-60, M

@Disguised [quote]Which leads to the question... whats better... Being [c=7700B2]this way[/c] naturally... or because a religion says you should be[/quote]

What is the ''[c=7700B2]this way[/c]" you are talking about here? Naturally... or because a religion says you should be... Be what?? Both sides?? sides of what?

Anyway it is past midnight here and i am off to bed... I will check this topic out tomorrow to see if you respond with a clarification..

Disguised · 56-60, M

@Adstar it about nurture or nature...

Nature... somebody who is naturally kind and lives by ideals not taught but because they just naturally do..

Nurture... somebody who is taught or follows a set of rules defined by others...

Adstar · 56-60, M

@Disguised We start out with nature which is called a God given conscience.. But as we know people grow older they resist the moving of their conscience until their consistence almost dies.. That's when people need to Nurtured by being instructed in morals so that they can have knowledge of the standards of God.. When people believe in God and are given codes of behavior backed by the belief that those codes are the will of God then they will follow those codes either out of admiration and trust in Gods will or they will follow the codes out of fear of the wrath of God...

Disguised · 56-60, M

@Adstar

You offer two ways ...but both rely on God... that would leave me with little room to accept, (accept not believe) other peoples beliefs... which really is my whole point... follow your own beliefs and accept other may differ.

Adstar · 56-60, M

@Disguised Beliefs are either correct or false.. When it comes to God and having eternity with Him there is only One way.. And that is by believing Jesus and trusting in the atonement Jesus secured by His death on the cross...

Disguised · 56-60, M

@Adstar thats your view... can you accept people who don't agree with it

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