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Are you an ex Christian?

(424 Posts)
Atqui Sun 17-Jan-16 16:44:53

On Radio 4 Saturday Live recently there have been a couple of people who used to be devout Christians who are now atheists. I was brought up by evangelical Christian parents and in my teens was serious about Christianity myself- to the extent that the 'swinging sixties' passed me by when I was at college .I indulged in the forbidden fruits during my twenties, but continued to be an ' a a carte Christian' . Now , in my sixties , I seriously doubt existence of God, although old habits and beliefs die hard. Has anyone else followed this path?

Anniebach Tue 19-Jan-16 09:58:22

I attend church to take holy communion and for the fellowship , I also think I need to hear views of other Christians and I want to give praise to God

Cath9 Tue 19-Jan-16 09:52:13

I wasn't able not to get away with not being a christian when at school, as the school was a church school,so we had to attend the school chapel every day and at the w/e, being a away at school.
During the holidays, if in the house, I went with my parents.
However, as with many of the sixties gen, it wasn't until I married did I feel left out when my husband took the lads off in the car while I went to church. So now I feel, why does one have to go into the church if they say, God is with us everywhere.

Anniebach Mon 18-Jan-16 17:28:48

Tricia, I may be so wrong , I do have faith and am a member of the Anglican Church but for me how I live as a Christian is between me and God, I only have to answer to him not a bishop , I do what I believe is right , but don't always keep quiet if I truly believe a rule is not in line with the teachings of Christ, this is all we can do and God knows what is in our heart the church doesn't

TriciaF Mon 18-Jan-16 16:48:28

The kind of doubts that I have are to do with dogma - those in authority laying down the rules about what we should believe. Most religions have an élite who do this. Judaism is no exception. And they change over the years.
But I don't think you can force people into believing things, so I just keep quiet and try to do the things that I believe are right (usually wink).

grannyactivist Mon 18-Jan-16 16:10:45

No, I'm an ex-atheist. smile
I became a Christian at the age of 19 and remain the only Christian in my extended family of birth - the majority of whom are committed atheists. I attended various denominational churches for many years (chosen for their closeness to my homes, not for doctrinal reasons) and spent many years in church leadership. For more than ten years now I have been part of a house church and consequently won't ever show up in statistics of 'churchgoers', but my faith is as strong as ever. My experience of faith is wide ranging and allows room for questioning and frequent challenges, but it is the bedrock of my life (and my marriage - as my husband is of like mind).

Anniebach Mon 18-Jan-16 15:51:13

Tricia, if one believes in the virgin birth or believes Christ was chosen by God does it really matter, either way he was chosen , can't recall which book but God said - before you were in your mother's womb I knew you . So it doesn't trouble me if there was no immaculate conception

Jalima Mon 18-Jan-16 15:07:59

The parting of the Red Sea:

www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/12/08/no-really-there-is-a-scientific-explanation-for-the-parting-of-the-red-sea-in-exodus

Anyway, as that was recorded in Exodus, it was way before Jesus was born, way before Christianity, it was over 1,000 years BC.

TriciaF Mon 18-Jan-16 14:43:09

rosesarered wrote (approx.) that to be a Christian you should believe that Jesus was sent by God -
I was brought up C of E but soon began to question Jesus' divinity - is it necessary?
Later in life I converted to Judaism, and although I have a lot of doubts and questions about the religion, now think it's like going back to the roots of Christianity.
And I have an open mind about worship of Nature too - the farmers here treat Nature as almost a religious deity, "Mother Nature" etc. Because their lives are ruled by her.

Anniebach Mon 18-Jan-16 14:35:23

Not my day is it ? Sorry Luckygirl I thought you meant something different ,

But you cannot claim all agnostics are deprived of a peaceful world because of organised religion ? That organised religions are at the centre of some troubles isn't unpalatable for me, I am a Christian but not deaf or blind or very stupid , I get angry and distressed too but the actions of any religion or any single person does not affect my faith, that is between me and my God and no church or person can change this

Anniebach Mon 18-Jan-16 14:24:44

I apologise for my part in it.

rosesarered Mon 18-Jan-16 14:14:08

Ah that's forums anno but I am not staying on the thread anyway, as it confirms all I think of a certain narrow minded Christian thinking, that allows no questions to be asked.

annodomini Mon 18-Jan-16 14:08:17

Isn't it sad that a thread that started with a perfectly serious OP by Atqui had descended into a personal wrangle between two Christians?

Luckygirl Mon 18-Jan-16 14:04:56

Annie - you, as an individual sincere Christian do not stand in the way of a peaceful world.

Organised religions do however sadly play that role. This fact cannot be avoided, however unpalatable it might be to a believer.

The sort of moral code that most agnostics follow is generally about kindness and love to others, and it is not hedged around with historical rules, the supernatural, traditions or interpretations of texts that pervert the centrally important message of caring.

Atqui Mon 18-Jan-16 14:00:40

PS I didn't mean to icite people to riot.

Atqui Mon 18-Jan-16 14:00:05

To get back to my original question...... There don't seem to be many people who used to truly believe but now do not. I think perhaps the more fundemental ones beliefs in youth, the more difficult it is to carry on. I have several friends who were brought up,in C of E church without the strict doctrine of say Methodists or Baptists , who are happy to continue in their beliefs, as their beliefs didn't put any restrictions on their lifestyle (sex alcohol etc) . but perhaps you are right Roses, everyone will be bored with the thread.

rosesarered Mon 18-Jan-16 13:56:17

Thought you were ignoring me anyway?

rosesarered Mon 18-Jan-16 13:55:37

Move on.

rosesarered Mon 18-Jan-16 13:55:17

grin that's you twisting posts again.

Anniebach Mon 18-Jan-16 13:48:16

Rosesarered, thank you for admitting you constantly attack me , I can now forgive you

rosesarered Mon 18-Jan-16 13:05:43

No, you haven't tried at all.But by all means, do ignore.

Anniebach Mon 18-Jan-16 12:59:25

Rosesarered, I have realy tried to put up with your constant attacks , no more, I have no choice but to ignore you

rosesarered Mon 18-Jan-16 12:58:00

This will be another thread like the humanist one where everyone else has had enough and leaves it, all except ab as a lone voice.

rosesarered Mon 18-Jan-16 12:56:06

anniebach why is everything always about YOU?

rosesarered Mon 18-Jan-16 12:55:18

It matters if you don't believe that Jesus was sent by God.Everything else can be in doubt, including all that is written in the bible.

Anniebach Mon 18-Jan-16 12:52:49

Luckygirl, how do I as a Christian stand in your way ?