After reading my brief intro, I hope I will not get banned. If I do, I will respect the decision made. Throughout my whole time here (however long that may be) I want to be respectful of your beliefs. I consider myself a guest in your 'home'. Below is a VERY brief testimony:
I was born into a home where Christianity was introduced to me at a relatively young age. I was 8 years old when I accepted Christ as my saviour. As a pre-teen, at about the age of 12, I rededicated my life to the Lord. I guess I would consider this the point in which I was a born-again Christian. For the next two decades, I lived passionately for Jesus. However, in my early 30's, I began having serious doubts which I could no longer push away or ignore. I started critically examining my faith. Slowly, I went from Christian fundamentalist to liberal Christian. Things began falling apart even more. I began doing objective research. The more I learned, the more my eyes were opened to a new truth (or what I call a new truth).
Then finally, in 2008, while I was still struggling to hold on to my faith, I had a holy spirit experience which led to more confusion. It ended up being a dud experience. I had prayed that my two cats would return to my home. My wife and I had given them away for certain reasons we wish we hadn't. After praying, I felt a still soft voice reassure me that my prayer was taken care of. It was such a warm feeling, and I felt a renewal of faith! Within a few days, I learned that one of the cats had ran off and hadn't returned in a week. She was not an outdoor cat and was declawed. We feared the worst. I quickly began evaluating the still soft voice I had experienced. Last Easter, I officially left the faith. I now consider myself atheist. I made the announcement to friends and family last summer.
Today, I still continue to research both sides of the debate. I want to be true to honest and objective research, as well as to myself. Lately, I have been trying to find reasons to return to Christianity, but it's just so difficult, considering all I've leaned in this last year. I've probably done more than 100 hours of research. If anyone wants me to cite my resources, I can do it in a PM, as I feel it would be detrimental to some people if I made it public.
I see so much good in Christians in general, but don't see any reason to follow the doctrines of Christianity. I suppose I'm here for help, but also as an extension to my research. I am not the kind of person to simply ignore any particular message. I want to be wise.
If I have overstepped in joining this site, I am sorry. If I have violated terms of use, I will accept the consequence. However, I am making an appeal for help. Thank you for taking the time to read this! Take care!
I was born into a home where Christianity was introduced to me at a relatively young age. I was 8 years old when I accepted Christ as my saviour. As a pre-teen, at about the age of 12, I rededicated my life to the Lord. I guess I would consider this the point in which I was a born-again Christian. For the next two decades, I lived passionately for Jesus. However, in my early 30's, I began having serious doubts which I could no longer push away or ignore. I started critically examining my faith. Slowly, I went from Christian fundamentalist to liberal Christian. Things began falling apart even more. I began doing objective research. The more I learned, the more my eyes were opened to a new truth (or what I call a new truth).
Then finally, in 2008, while I was still struggling to hold on to my faith, I had a holy spirit experience which led to more confusion. It ended up being a dud experience. I had prayed that my two cats would return to my home. My wife and I had given them away for certain reasons we wish we hadn't. After praying, I felt a still soft voice reassure me that my prayer was taken care of. It was such a warm feeling, and I felt a renewal of faith! Within a few days, I learned that one of the cats had ran off and hadn't returned in a week. She was not an outdoor cat and was declawed. We feared the worst. I quickly began evaluating the still soft voice I had experienced. Last Easter, I officially left the faith. I now consider myself atheist. I made the announcement to friends and family last summer.
Today, I still continue to research both sides of the debate. I want to be true to honest and objective research, as well as to myself. Lately, I have been trying to find reasons to return to Christianity, but it's just so difficult, considering all I've leaned in this last year. I've probably done more than 100 hours of research. If anyone wants me to cite my resources, I can do it in a PM, as I feel it would be detrimental to some people if I made it public.
I see so much good in Christians in general, but don't see any reason to follow the doctrines of Christianity. I suppose I'm here for help, but also as an extension to my research. I am not the kind of person to simply ignore any particular message. I want to be wise.
If I have overstepped in joining this site, I am sorry. If I have violated terms of use, I will accept the consequence. However, I am making an appeal for help. Thank you for taking the time to read this! Take care!
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