/christian/ - Christian Discussion and Fellowship

>>841751

my experience is a lot less spiritual than other people. I was raised by a Baptist father and a Catholic mother, but kinda wandered around as an atheist for about 5 or 6 years. I finally came to the realization that everything we know and value here in the western world is a product of the church. Consensual marriage was first introduced by Christians, social programs (like hospitals) were first introduced by Catholics, modern science was first discovered by Catholics who wanted to investigate God's gift, even our favorite classical paintings and music are heavily influenced by Christian beliefs (like Da Vinci's last supper). It quickly became clear to me that Christianity didn't stem from our Western culture, it was that it was the basis of the whole thing. After this realization I came to the conclusion that there may be more to the religion than I had previously thought, and that Christians weren't that bad after all… Now I'm just figuring out which denomination to join. Currently leaning towards Catholicism or Orthodoxy.

>I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:7)

It's time to research Christianity a lot and consolidate your faith. Understand who Christ is and what His role is for the entire world.

> Have you all grown up in a catholic/protestant/orthodox household

My family is Orthodox and I live in an Orthodox country, but my parents barely went to Church when I was a kid. I never been at Church for an entire service when i was a kid and I wasn't taught anything else besides praying Our Father before bed.

Safe to say I was agnostic and an atheist at times while growing up, with the occasional "prayer" here and there when I was in trouble.

While I didn't know anything or cared about religion, a post came up on 9gag or something a few years ago that said something along the lines of:

>Buddhism is the only religion that accepts science

…not knowing at the time that Christianity did not actually contradict science at all.

Thus I began to research stuff about Buddhism, a non-theist religion which is more a philosophy of life than anything else, ultimately accepting the teachings, going to temple, meditating often, etc.

Then I had a talk with my father, which is very passionate about spirituality, and although he tends into gnosticism and weird teachings (heresy), he got me interested in Christianity by talking about Christ. I read the New Testament, I prayed and then I became Christian.

It's been a very very very bumpy journey, but whatever happens I gravitate back to God. This life is not permanent, suffering exists, the only way out is Christ.

>And how did you end up choosing your denomination?

Oh mate I can't begin to describe the struggle. While I was born and raised Orthodox, it took massive effort to decide that Orthodoxy is the true Church. It meant a lot of reading the Bible, trying to prove/disprove apostolic teachings first. I went to many many Churches: Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant (even SDA a few times). After all, I decided that only the Orthodox church could be true. Protestantism is a disease; the Bible was made by the Church, for the Church and the Bible promotes teachings by word of mouth besides the epistles.

Afterwards, for a very long time I leaned towards Catholicism and even now it sometimes charms me, only because it's much easier to be a Catholic. It's much easier and less shameful to confess, it's much easier to get communion, you don't have to fast as much. But the doctrine is bad.

They changed Tradition and split off from the real Church. They like to say that they're the real Church and that we split away, but the reality is that they objectively changed doctrine, which means THEY strayed away from the original Church.

>Have you all grown up in a catholic/protestant/orthodox household?

Yes. Traditional Catholic.

> did your beliefs transform as you got older?

Yes I became a hardcore atheist. Richard Dawking, Hitchens, thunderf00t, the works.

>What changed your mind? What events lead you down this path and how did your faith develop?

Satanism. Unironically the devout faith and devotion of Satanists scared me straight.

These people are devoting their earthly time to Satanism. I just felt this urge to return to The Father. And from there I just started to read the Septuagint, and making my way to NASB NT.

And how did you end up choosing your denomination?

>And how did you end up choosing your denomination?

I don't have a denomination. I'm a Christian. I follow and believe all the teachings of Christ, and only Christ. Not the traditions, cathechisms, creeds, or councils of Men.

Through Christ alone.

Though lately I'm very interested in IFB churches. Doesn't matter, if a person loves and worships Christ, we are brothers and sisters in Christ.

Have you all grown up in a catholic/protestant/orthodox household? Protestant. My mom took me to different churches all the time, so I was never a part of one. She was desperately seeking God, but never realized her kids needed a home church.

Or were you atheist/agnostic and did your beliefs transform as you got older? I had always believed in God, but I quit going to church because I never saw anything and my mom was mean. I had some misconceptions about God because the person I knew to be the most religious was also the angriest person.

What changed your mind? Not having a foundation.

What events lead you down this path and how did your faith develop? I was in school, failing out, and realized I need God desperately. I had severe anxiety and depression. I remembered I was seeking out a church and a friend said look up Lutheran or Presbyterian churches, they'll be good. So, I found a Lutheran one and before I went, I prayed, "Lord, if this is where you want me, give me a sign." I went, the sermon was good, but nothing stuck. It was "eh." So, my schedule had changed at work and I was able to go to another church. I had two weeks. I skipped the first and the following week I couldn't sleep because every time I closed my eyes, I saw hell. So, I went to that church which only met at night. I, again, prayed, "Lord, if this is where you want me, give me a sign." As I approached, a guy came running up to me, shook my hand, and introduced himself. As I entered the church I could feel there was something different in the atmosphere. It was weird. I then sat down in an aisle seat. The worship went up and I loved it, I could feel a change and it was great. The sermon was amazing. It was like God was speaking through him directly to me. Then there was altar call and right in front of me was the guy who had introduced himself. I saw two people head up, one go to the right, the other to the left and I heard the still, small voice say, "If you don't go now, you'll miss your opportunity." So, I rushed up, poured out that I needed God. He prayed for me. Ended up going to a lifegroup for the church, he was there and I was split off into a small group with him and a guy who would later disciple me and lead me through a Discipleship School. Ah man, those were incredible times.

And how did you end up choosing your denomination? I chose it because I was led here, but the truth is, I didn't blindly continue on here. I studied the root of the denominations. Ezekiel and Deuteronomy both show God wants to bless his people so they can show others how to get to Him. Orthodox literally has no blessings. It's stagnant and if you're argument is "it's hard to grow under the muslim's foot," as someone once told me, then you're conceding your god is weaker than Islam. Catholicism doesn't make sense, especially since they killed the guy trying to translate the Bible to English so more can read it. All interpretations flow through the church, but the Bible says the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth. The Catholic Church is not the Holy Spirit, so this is nonsense.

Protestantism, in its purest form, then is the best. Even then, it's easier to say, "I follow Jesus," because that's what it comes down to. What does the Bible say? That's my guide. A lot of people mock it because there's so many denominations and to that I would say: there are some crazy people, yes, just as there are gay-affirming priests, but to those earnestly seeking God, you don't know the journey God has taken them on to get them there. If everything was monolithic, how could Jesus be all things to all people? We have different aspects, natures, and more and God appeals to that, emphasizes that and grows that so we can reach more people. Complaining about this is only stifling the Holy Spirit and the Bible warns strictly against that.

Atheist household to orthodox.

I read a lot on philosophical quietism because of the common existential crisis of entering adulthood, so Hesychasm attracted me.

Is it okay I get to tell about people I met and in their point of a view?

A few of them are ex muslim and athiests.

I really appreciate all the responses so far. I’m praying every day for God to lead me into the right direction, so I’m really grateful for all your feedback.

>>841763

Thank you, I will check this out. I hope this will help me to better articulate and argue for the position that’s developing in my mind.

>>841902

Sure, go ahead. I appreciate all kind of answers and stories in this thread, especially about ex-atheists, as that would be more relatable to where I’m at right now on my conversion.

>>841928

I'm good. I've been on mission trips around the world, will help lead my church's first mission trip and am planning on going to Africa shortly.

The only problem that exists related to it is, people get arrogant and don't keep seeking after God. It's similar in nature to say, "God hasn't blessed us in all our existence, hasn't grown us, but surely God will soon" or, "all we have is an incorrectly interpreted verse and a lot of people saying we must be right, so we're right." You're concern doesn't disprove it at all. And what I states could've just as easily been stated after WWII when the economy exploded.