Yes. You. And your faith in religion (if you have any!)

I'm aware that there are probably other similar / identical threads, but i don't see any active ones.

Before other posting commences, note:

This thread will not become a "your religion sucks" or bash-a-religion thread. The point of this thread is for interesting reading and discussion. Please keep it formal and civil.

I'm just interested in to the reasons behind why people have faith. Was it your upbringing? Did you find solace in religion? Do you hear voices? I don't know, but I'm sure it's interesting

I haven't had any kind of faith to speak of for about five years.

Post-Evangelical Christian. While I was raised in a "Christian" family. I struggled for years with my faith and nearly abandoned it altogether, but ultimately was called back. Everything around me was pointing me back in that direction, and I came to a point where I couldn't ignore or fight it anymore.

I've been a Christian since Good Friday of this year. Up until that point, I'd been an evolution advocate and an atheist.

My "transformation" if you will came about as a result of my best friend and God himself.

My best friend was the one who got me to actually think about my beliefs and question them. This came about through a 5 hour evolution vs. creation discussion. It was very interesting, and he raised several points that made me begin to question myself.

The day after the discussion, I was in turmoil. I kept thinking about everything we'd discussed. I experienced a very disturbing "pain" (for lack of a better word) in my chest. It throbbed, and seemed to grow in intensity everytime I thought about what he'd said. And I thought about it almost constantly for a week.

He then suggested that I come to his youth group, as I'd lived on one side of the fence for 16 years, and it'd be good to see the other side first hand and make up my own mind. I thought it was a good idea.

The day that I went happened to be Good Friday. It was good. Friendly people, worship and praise songs in punk music style, a good environment, as you'd expect from a church group. I had fun, but it didn't seem enough for me. Everyone stood and took communion, and so did I, but I still wasn't convinced.

Then, the pastor asked us just to open ourselves up. To open our minds. I stood there eyes shut, just listening to the guy. I thought to myself, "if God isn't real, what do I have to lose?" so I started thinking about God and Jesus as if they were real. It was then that the youth pastor asked anyone new if they were ready to let Christ into their lives, and to raise their hand if they were.

I didn't, but just stood there "keeping my mind open" for lack of a better word. The throbbing "pain" was there, but then it changed. It no longer felt bad. It felt good. I felt my knees starting to shake, and grabbed onto the chair in front of me, because I was worried I'd fall over. There seemed to be this immense surging in me of what I can only describe as "goodness". That experience was enough.

I raised my hand then, and I've never looked back since.

I'm Catholic and grew up with a normal Catholic lifestyle, which means church visits and certain church events. I never really questioned my faith. I believe in God, Holy Mary, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I pray to them every night, and it keeps me happy. "Why question it if I'm fine with it," I ask myself.

Well. I'm an Atheist. I go to church occasionally, as my Pop is a devout catholic, and whenever we're at his place at Easter or Christmas or something, we have to go to church.

I'm an Atheist cos thats how I was raised. My dad thinks Christianity is pure idiocy, but he does respect the fact that Pop follows it and stuff.
He always manages to be exempt from going to church though. :P

When I was little I liked going to church cos Pop always bought us an ice-cream on the way home. xD

I believe in God and that's where it ends really. I guess I would be just a simple deist.

Originally Posted by Allorhan Well. I'm an Atheist. I go to church occasionally, as my Pop is a devout catholic, and whenever we're at his place at Easter or Christmas or something, we have to go to church. I'm an Atheist cos thats how I was raised. My dad thinks Christianity is pure idiocy, but he does respect the fact that Pop follows it and stuff. He always manages to be exempt from going to church though. :P When I was little I liked going to church cos Pop always bought us an ice-cream on the way home. xD

"You can save more souls with barbie dolls and mountain bikes than with this two thousand page sleeping pill"

I don't have faith, because I have no soul.

I go to a Catholic school but I don't really practice their beliefs ie go to church but I believe in all their other practices so yeah I'm Catholic :P

Originally Posted by Shakan'Dar There seemed to be this immense surging in me of what I can only describe as "goodness". That experience was enough. I raised my hand then, and I've never looked back since.

did you jizz over everyone at the youth group...

It wasn't that kind of a surging.

I would explain it as, sort of this immense pressure feeling like it was building up around my head, and in my chest. It was amazing.

I'm Catholic but in the last year I've been moving away from it's belifes. Some things I just don't belive in at all in the church. I'm even surprised it's lived for 2000 years.