How did you find Christianity?

[Grondhammar]

It's a very interesting question, and interesting thread to read through.

It sounds like a lot of people here have been exposed to the "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" (Johnathan Edwards) sort of Christianity. And some have found their way around that to more of the core of Christianity.

I think the hateful / judgmental type of Christianity is certainly alive and well. But that's not the only type that exists. More and more, I see Christian churches across all the sub-types being leaders in their communities in the space of tolerance and acceptance.

We have longtime family friends who are devout Catholics, and two of their three children have come out as gay or trans. And they (the kids) feel very comfortable going to church still, because the priests both here and in London (where they ended up) are totally accepting, caring individuals.

Speaking personally, I think autistic masking played a huge role in my early experience with Christianity. My parents brought me to church, I learned all the stuff. I didn't even think about it. I played along, because I was doing that in every other social aspect of my life.

And then I encountered Buddhism through a Japanese tutor, and self-acceptance (which was definitely NOT taught to me in church). And at the same time I was doing loving-kindness compassion meditations, I was reading Jesus' words. And I realised the two were teaching exactly the same thing. It's just that the churches had all decided to centre on the "genocide is fine if we convince ourselves that God commands it" sort of Old Testament brutality, and ignore Christ's actual teachings.

Anyway, very long story as short as possible: I act on Christ's teachings about tolerance, patience, not condemning, caring for all people. I personally throw out anything hateful in the scriptures as something some religious leader added to justify themselves, and I feel sad so many people have encountered that in mainstream Christianity. Because that's so opposite to what Christ was teaching.

And I hope there's some bright future after this life, but I don't know that -- no one's shown me a photo album of whatever comes after. I have SO many unanswered questions. But I keep looking and keep my head open to all possibilities.

 

[vergil96]

I follow witchery if anything. I'm not a fan of organised religions. I don't worship anything or anyone, but I meditate for balance. I practice and experience, but I'm sceptical about it at the same time and I'm concious that it's largely psychological both in terms of perception and influence.

 

[Hazel_1914]

I find aspects of it more and more confusing every day, to be honest.

 

[RemyZee]

I grew up being brought to church, it was important to me because I always had lots of questions, and had a strong sense of connection to spirituality, and liked doing the Bible deep dives that is theology....wound up going to seminary as an adult, which gave me a certain perspective. I didn't have a problem with the same things other students did: even though I went, I'd never had the literalistic view of things.....I went to it to learn about my culture and its complexity, which is completely tied to its religion. I did find during those years that there was a genuine cruelty within the church, that there is self forgiveness for cruelty and impossibly stupid ideas, but at the same time, my culture has a great tradition of activism and pacifism. Just now in my life I am struggling again with Christianity, and believe that part of the faith is that struggle and the questions it assumes. But the institution has done so much wrong, and a couple of years ago I went back to the church I grew up in. When I lived there, the church was packed on Sunday mornings, hardly a seat to be found. When I returned the place was practically empty. I think the church has brought this on itself with its judgment and intolerance.

 

[Rachie]

I grew up being brought to church, it was important to me because I always had lots of questions, and had a strong sense of connection to spirituality, and liked doing the Bible deep dives that is theology....wound up going to seminary as an adult, which gave me a certain perspective. I didn't have a problem with the same things other students did: even though I went, I'd never had the literalistic view of things.....I went to it to learn about my culture and its complexity, which is completely tied to its religion. I did find during those years that there was a genuine cruelty within the church, that there is self forgiveness for cruelty and impossibly stupid ideas, but at the same time, my culture has a great tradition of activism and pacifism. Just now in my life I am struggling again with Christianity, and believe that part of the faith is that struggle and the questions it assumes. But the institution has done so much wrong, and a couple of years ago I went back to the church I grew up in. When I lived there, the church was packed on Sunday mornings, hardly a seat to be found. When I returned the place was practically empty. I think the church has brought this on itself with its judgment and intolerance.

RemyZee, I am sorry to hear that you have been struggling with your faith. First I want to say the church building is not your faith but can be a part of your expression of your faith. Your faith is your true personal relationship with God, the Father Son and if baptised the Holy Spirit.

I wanted to say that I was getting fugees for the first time in my life in 2023. I always came out of after two days though and God was seeing me through it and was there waiting for me when I came to. Thankfully, I am cured of that today. I can tell you also I would go around to places and see God through them like nature and animals. It helps to connect. I also said to myself that I know my Father made me and gave me to my parents Psalm 139 and I didn't make myself.

I want to say something more I am a non demontional-I attend an Anglican church today but am baptised as a Catholic. I went to Catholic schools to 19 and still can attend Catholic church’s in the week. There was a scandal recently in the Church of England in the UK and the Archbishop left but have someone new come in and I am thrilled about that and will see where they will go. Didn’t the Catholic church have Pope Leo to recently seemed like a fresh of breathe air. When the case in the UK Justin Webly came forward and said the church is greater than any scandal and that we should focus solely on Jesus Christ and our dependence as if we are a Christian that will see us through and not an man made minister.

Jesus said in Revelations 2 that we need to keep our first passions for our faith to do well spiritually. I think may be some people may go wrong with this here. I also think that I like he said that whatever the church is going through which he is the head that the plans of Satan will never overcome the true church.
Matthew 16-18
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

If you your not comfortable in a church you could look around for another.