Why did you leave church?

[NoDak]

My most spiritual moments are out in nature. I understand you see God's hand at work, but how did you decide it was God (the God as described in the Bible) who was looking out for you versus an uncountable number of other possibilities? Please note I'm not trying to start a conflict.

Anyone could put their own spin on the Power that works in my life. I credit it to God because of faith. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[Minor Axis]

I left church, because

- I don't believe in (any) god (even though I like the idea of gods around us)
- if there was a god, I couldn't admire him due to what is going on on earth and he/she doing nothing about it
- I've attended a catholic girls school for some years and I experienced the nuns there as being false-faced and cold-hearted, and as being intolerant (not sure whether this is the correct word) to certain standpoints (such as being pro euthanasia, pro abortion, not seeing suicide as sin, and so on).
- I abhor church, the pope, and all those priests who abuse children

Last but not least:
I even had left church, if I believed in god. Because in my opinion, one doesn't need church to be religious and faithful.

What should God do about it? If you think there is a possibility of a spiritual life that follows a physical life, then your life could be considered just an opportunity to learn something before the next phase. If there is a god, I don't believe it micro manages out lives. For good or bad, humans make the Earth what it is.

Anyone could put their own spin on the Power that works in my life. I credit it to God because of faith. Nothing more, nothing less.

Each find there own faith for the things they can't substantiate. When good things happen to people if they are going to attribute it to something in particular, it most likely will be God. When bad things are happening to people they tend not to attribute it to God or a minority think God has abandoned them.

I can't pinpoint a cause for the good things that happen to me. It could be luck, fate, or a benevolent deity. My point is I don't know what is behind the good or bad things in this life and the decisions I have made, if my self determination played the only role, if it is pure luck/chance, or an invisible guiding hand. I don't feel the need throw a dart (blind folded ) and latch on to an idea without substance, or one that just feels good. There is no assurance that taking a guess helps one find the truth of our existence or the deity behind the curtain.

 

[Panacea]

For good or bad, humans make the Earth what it is.

It appears that way, eh, which is enough for me to imagine that god as it is commonly defined is a tall tale.

 

[hart]

I didn't leave church I just go infrequently.

 

[Minor Axis]

It appears that way, eh, which is enough for me to imagine that god as it is commonly defined is a tall tale.

Exactly, but that does not preclude the spiritual existence, just don't try to explain it with specifics, it's something just slightly greater than imagined. Of course, Tim would say it's all imagined.

I frequently have these feelings of well being and wonder, a feeling of happiness regarding this life. But then I wonder if I would still have them if I was poor and starving, watching my family turn into skin and bones, on the run for our lives in a war torn country with no prospects? I got it- God picked this life for me because I'm worthy and the starving ones are not (worthy).

I didn't leave church I just go infrequently.

What do you accomplish with these visits?

 

[BornReady]

I frequently have these feelings of well being and wonder, a feeling of happiness regarding this life. But then I wonder if I would still have them if I was poor and starving, watching my family turn into skin and bones, on the run for our lives in a war torn country with no prospects?

A sociologist (can't remember her name) said happiness is not dependent on how much you have. It is dependent on how much you have relative to your friends and neighbors. But I imagine your basic needs such as food and shelter must be met before that applies.

 

[Minor Axis]

A sociologist (can't remember her name) said happiness is not dependent on how much you have. It is dependent on how much you have relative to your friends and neighbors. But I imagine your basic needs such as food and shelter must be met before that applies.

My guess is that a basic level of happiness is achieved when you have enough food and shelter to feel comfortable, above that higher levels of happiness are relative and in flux based on environment and comparison to others.

 

[anathelia]

I quit going for a few reasons, not the least of which is the pick and choose faith that the church seems to put forth. There are some things you have to believe as gospel truth (no pun intended) and apply to current life despite the outdated ideologies while there are other things that are pushed to the wayside because they're not applicable. Plus there's the hypocrisy. One of my favorite quotes is Gandhi saying "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ." because I do believe it to be true. Jesus loved everyone, despite their life choices (Mary Magdalene anyone?) however, a lot of die hard, church going Christians (at least the outspoken ones that seem to abundantly represent the faith) are very judgmental people. The church I was attending refused to marry my mom to her boyfriend because it was her second marriage, and the church doesn't believe in divorce. My mom wants to get married in a church, but is afraid that she won't be granted the opportunity due to a divorce that she technically didn't even want.

My other issue with the church is the fact that I would probably be persecuted for having an open mind and believing that creationism and evolution can coexist. I don't believe that God magically made everything happen, and I also don't believe that we got lucky and random chance threw our universe together. I'm willing to open my mind, hear differing opinions, and make a reasonable and logical decision about what I believe, and the pastor especially at the church I was attending, basically said in not so many words that anyone who believes in evolution is stupid.

Not my cup of tea. I don't do the whole labels thing. I have my faith, I believe what I want, and I'm willing to allow my beliefs to be swayed should a convincing enough argument come about. The church turns it's back on people too quickly, and I don't like that.

I was born in 88, and my brother who was born in 91 says that he pretty much agrees, so that you have two different people's opinion on the situation.

(by the way, it's not just the Christian faith, but the Catholic one that I was turned off to. I believe the Catholic faith has it's own set of flaws, which is for another time.)

 

[NY Tall Guy]

not a fan of the church I was going to. It was a Catholic church run by a mean pastor that drove a Rolls Royce while the nuns lived in shacks. The injustice was that he had a named after him called Father Colbert Way.

My parents, especially my father, pushed me to go to church and I often went to the 1230 mass. I got to be friends with the ushers, who wanted me to join them and help collect the monies/donations and help set up for the mass and help greet people as they came in. Back then, I was very shy and not quite the funny sarcastic smart ass I am today, so I passed on that. I also was asked twice by nuns when I was going to Catholic high school to become an altar boy and asisst the father with the mass. Again, I was in my shy faze and the last thing I wanted to do was do something like that.

It's not so much religion that I stray away from. I believe there is a God and he has blessed my family with great health. However, I am not a fan of feeling like I am "a sinner from birth." Nowadays, I support my friend when he has quarterly liturgy readings as his local Catholic church.

 

[BornReady]

However, I am not a fan of feeling like I am "a sinner from birth." Nowadays, I support my friend when he has quarterly liturgy readings as his local Catholic church.

Yeah, I'm not a fan of that either. I think my brother does readings at his Catholic church. I went to my brother's confirmation to show support (of him not the Catholic church). Normally I attend a UU church.

 

[Minor Axis]

For all those who don't go to church, I'm waiting for reply "But you'll go to hell!!" Come on, I know there are sincere individual(s) out there! :cheerleader:

 

[BornReady]

I don't think sincere is the proper description of those people. Try narcissistic and morally callous.

 

[Rachie]

I'm a Christian, I've been baptized, and I go to church with my parents every Sunday. I strongly believe there is a God, but I don't try to shove my beliefs down anyone's throat; nor do I judge someone else for what they believe. I agree with pretty much all of what NoDak has said. I too have seen situations in my life where I know it was God's hand in charge. Heck - I AM one of those situations. Health problems up the wazoo on my end.

/ End of thoughts.

 

[BornReady]

I'm a Christian, I've been baptized, and I go to church with my parents every Sunday.

Do you still live with your parents? The trend for many young people seems to be to leave the church when they leave home. How about you, do you like church or do you go to please your parents?

I don't try to shove my beliefs down anyone's throat; nor do I judge someone else for what they believe.

:thumbup

 

[Rachie]

Do you still live with your parents? The trend for many young people seems to be to leave the church when they leave home. How about you, do you like church or do you go to please your parents?



:thumbup

Yes, I still live with my parents. And I like going to church - our pastor and his wife are wonderful, ad I just like it there in general.

 

[BornReady]

Yes, I still live with my parents. And I like going to church - our pastor and his wife are wonderful, ad I just like it there in general.

I'm glad. What about your friends, do they like it? Why are so many young people leaving the church? What is your church doing differently than other churches?

My church is having trouble attracting kids. I think it's because we're more geared for adults. I'd like that to change.

 

[Johnfromokc]

I'm glad. What about your friends, do they like it? Why are so many young people leaving the church? What is your church doing differently than other churches?

My church is having trouble attracting kids. I think it's because we're more geared for adults. I'd like that to change.

Why do you feel it is necessary to indoctrinate children into religious mythology?

 

[BornReady]

Why do you feel it is necessary to indoctrinate children into religious mythology?

I go to a UU church. We don't indoctrinate anyone. Although we do teach humanist principles. Nothing wrong with morals and kindness though, is there?

 

[Johnfromokc]

I go to a UU church. We don't indoctrinate anyone. Although we do teach humanist principles. Nothing wrong with morals and kindness though, is there?

OK...I can go with the Secular Humanist philosophy - you could even call me a Secular Humanist - Just can't do the church thing. I think the word "church" has negative connotations for me, hence the question.

 

[BornReady]

I think the word "church" has negative connotations for me, hence the question.

You're not the only one. It seems most young people today feel that way. I think churches add value to a community. People are basically good but disorganized, imo. Churches and other organizations help to focus good intentions into good works. They also meet many of our social needs and provide helpful traditions like weddings, funerals, etc. But churches need to transform. They are losing the young generation. And, as always, the youth are the future.