Losing my Religion

My religious exploration started when I was about 20. I was raised Pentecostal, and am now a sort of eclectic Pagan. However, it took me a long time to admit out loud that I was a Pagan. My grandfather is a preacher, and for the longest time I was afraid that my family would disown me. So to change my ideas was one thing, but to lose your family is another. Fortunately, I found that my family seems to admire my bravery I guess you could say. I'm the first of any in our family to branch out into my own ideas away from the tradition. We don't talk about it, although my grandfather has called me a witch(lovingly) at the thanksgiving table before. Which was odd, and humorous. I saw my father on his deathbed, we haven't spoken in 3 years, I joked that I brought my tarot cards and crystals to help him, and he said nothing for a few moments, then laughed (it was the icebreaker), and he said the first thing he'd said to me in years, "You haven't changed at all." It's not the same thing as being non-religious but it is my path, and the one I feel closest too. I was obsessed with such things, and frequented the paranormal/mythology section of my school library since I could read. I found myself researching the bible for hours during church and was appalled at what it said about witchcraft, and was older before I understood it fully. I'm really surprised that no one wanted to "save my soul." Instead I'm met with smiles and joy, and people have even come to me for wisdom. I feel free. For a time, I was ridden with guilt. You tend to go through this period when going against what you were taught to believe. My family raised me to believe that once you turn away from God, you will have bad things happen to you threefold. Today, I feel closer to my God than ever before. Strange how that happened.

a reply to: misskat1

As far as the spurious addition at the end of Mark, I've known about the for decades, I am sorry you recently just found out about it. But just because it was spurious doesn't mean the scriptures are inaccurate, in fact they have been removed from faithful translations of the Bible.

Paul has been called evil, by men like you since he was alive, and started to serve Jesus. His witness was so powerful Satan and his demons have been angry at him ever since. And since he did accurately understand truth, and was given mighty prophecies, it is in the interest of Satan to paint him as an evil person in your eyes. While he himself suffered so much hardship for Christ as he himself admitted:

(2 Corinthians 11:23-27) 23 Are they ministers of Christ? I reply like a madman, I am more outstandingly one: I have done more work, been imprisoned more often, suffered countless beatings, and experienced many near-deaths. 24 Five times I received 40 strokes less one from the Jews, 25 three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I experienced shipwreck, a night and a day I have spent in the open sea; 26 in journeys often, in dangers from rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from my own people, in dangers from the nations, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers at sea, in dangers among false brothers, 27 in labor and toil, in sleepless nights often, in hunger and thirst, frequently without food, in cold and lacking clothing.

This humble man who was so zealous for the good news, and so humble, and had such love, that he was willing to give up his prize that awaited him in the heavens for his brothers, he is the one you call evil and hate?:

(Romans 9:3) . . .For I could wish that I myself were separated from the Christ as the cursed one for the sake of my brothers, my relatives according to the flesh. . .


And it wasn't Paul, as you claim that understood first that Jesus did away with the law covenant that was handed down by angels to Moses in decrees.

It was actually Peter. When he was sent to the uncircumcised gentile, Cornelius, a Roman army official, to be baptized into the Christian faith. It was to Peter that God said to stop calling unholy what he had sanctified, if you remember.

As far as whether there is proof of the infallibility of the Bible. There is plenty of evidence. Included are archaeology confirms its story, always. Where there is no archaeological evidence for certain events, that does not mean they did not happen.

Once, in the 19th century a great critics of the Bible stated that since King Sennacherib was not confirmed by archaeology the Bible record had been proven false. Then in 1847, Austin Henry Layard discovered his palace at Nineveh. He is now one of the most documented and known kings of Assyria in our day.

There has been a long history, from since its creation of trying to discredit and even destroying the Bible. Many people were put to death during the dark ages, by the Catholic Church for simply owning a page of it. And great efforts were put forth by both the Church, and others to eradicate it from existence.

How is it possible that it survived so much persecution, and has come to us intact, and faithfully preserved, as noted by archaeological records if it is not really God's inspired word?

How can there be so many prophesies in it that have been fulfilled to the letter if that was the case?

There is tremendous evidence of the faithfulness of God's word, and its infallibility, even when others decry it as false, and try to erod your faith in it. They have either never seen, or looked for the evidence, or ignore it, and try to hide it.

a reply to: misskat1

One more thing. As far as your losing hope and faith in the Bible by reading critics of it who hate it and have an agenda against it reminds me of this scripture:

(1 John 2:19) . . .They went out from us, but they were not of our sort; for if they had been of our sort, they would have remained with us. But they went out so that it might be shown that not all are of our sort.


(2 Thessalonians 3:2) . . .for faith is not a possession of all people.


(Colossians 2:8) . . .Look out that no one takes you captive by means of the philosophy and empty deception according to human tradition, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ;

a reply to: misskat1

What has helped you get through this process?

first thing i did was give the ancient texts credit for actually imparting truth but not just the bible, the other ancient texts too. then i took things that didn't make sense and looked for reasons for why they didn't, such as, was it:

- mistranslated?
- mistransliterated?
- taught incorrectly?
- wrote about incorrectly?
- criticized incorrectly?
- assumptions based on one interpretation?
- does it have multiple translations for any specific word and if so, can we chalk up the choice of which meaning a word was given based on the timeframe in which the translation occurs (generational bias)?
- is it confused due to generational layering (similar to the telephone game/chinese whispers)?
- do ancient texts in surrounding nations corroborate or disprove ? and if so, does either case lend enough credence to use as a tool for rightly dividing the language and/or meaning of the text?

originally posted by: whooknows
a reply to: misskat1

One more thing. As far as your losing hope and faith in the Bible by reading critics of it who hate it and have an agenda against it reminds me of this scripture:

That's your mistake.

Thinking "losing your religion" came from outside the bible.

a reply to: Annee

Ah, but reading God's word does not make one lose faith. It is possible one never had faith to begin with. But scripture does not make one lose faith. It is alive and exerts power...

(Hebrews 4:12) For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints from the marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Reading God's word is as if looking into a mirror, it shows you who you really are. People who don't want to know won't find what they are looking for. Perhaps bitterness and anger, even hatred, and obstinate hard-hardheadedness toward God's word, but that only means, if you read it and it made you that way, that is who you were all along. And there is no doubt it showed you that.

God is like a potter while we are the clay. When you read scripture, if your heart is moldable he can turn you into something of beauty. If it is hard, you will resist and thus will break in his hands.

(Romans 9:21) . . .What? Does not the potter have authority over the clay to make from the same lump one vessel for an honorable use, another for a dishonorable use?

(Jeremiah 18:6) . . .Look! As the clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand. . .


(James 1:23-25) . . .For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this one is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, and he goes away and immediately forgets what sort of person he is. 25 But the one who peers into the perfect law that belongs to freedom and continues in it has become, not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work; and he will be happy in what he does.

a reply to: Annee

Ah, but reading God's word does not make one lose faith. It is possible one never had faith to begin with. But scripture does not make one lose faith. It is alive and exerts power...

(Hebrews 4:12) For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints from the marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Reading God's word is as if looking into a mirror, it shows you who you really are. People who don't want to know won't find what they are looking for. Perhaps bitterness and anger, even hatred, and obstinate hard-hardheadedness toward God's word, but that only means, if you read it and it made you that way, that is who you were all along. And there is no doubt it showed you that.

God is like a potter while we are the clay. When you read scripture, if your heart is moldable he can turn you into something of beauty. If it is hard, you will resist and thus will break in his hands.

(Romans 9:21) . . .What? Does not the potter have authority over the clay to make from the same lump one vessel for an honorable use, another for a dishonorable use?

(Jeremiah 18:6) . . .Look! As the clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand. . .


(James 1:23-25) . . .For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this one is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, and he goes away and immediately forgets what sort of person he is. 25 But the one who peers into the perfect law that belongs to freedom and continues in it has become, not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work; and he will be happy in what he does.

a reply to: Annee

Ah, but reading God's word does not make one lose faith. It is possible one never had faith to begin with. But scripture does not make one lose faith. It is alive and exerts power...

(Hebrews 4:12) For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints from the marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Reading God's word is as if looking into a mirror, it shows you who you really are. People who don't want to know won't find what they are looking for. Perhaps bitterness and anger, even hatred, and obstinate hard-hardheadedness toward God's word, but that only means, if you read it and it made you that way, that is who you were all along. And there is no doubt it showed you that.

God is like a potter while we are the clay. When you read scripture, if your heart is moldable he can turn you into something of beauty. If it is hard, you will resist and thus will break in his hands.

(Romans 9:21) . . .What? Does not the potter have authority over the clay to make from the same lump one vessel for an honorable use, another for a dishonorable use?

(Jeremiah 18:6) . . .Look! As the clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand. . .


(James 1:23-25) . . .For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this one is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, and he goes away and immediately forgets what sort of person he is. 25 But the one who peers into the perfect law that belongs to freedom and continues in it has become, not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work; and he will be happy in what he does.

a reply to: misskat1

In regard to links between Christ and Mithras, although Mithraic legend pre-dates Jesus, the more "Christ like" parts of the Mithral mythos are actually post Christian.

So instead of Christian gospels being a re-write of the stories of Mithras, the reverse is actually true.

Please read this Wikipedia article with reference to commentary by Ronald Nash and Edwin Yamauchi about the timings.

a reply to: chr0naut

I would also like to add this video uploaded a little while ago to YouTube on the origins of a lot of Christian traditions not found in the Bible. And why they are in almost all other religions as well...

a reply to: whooknows

Trust me the last thing anyone wants to read is scripture.
Fine you may need a crutch in your life but many do not.
Stop preaching.

virgin birth = some kind of artificial insemination

a reply to: chr0naut

In regard to links between Christ and Mithras, although Mithraic legend pre-dates Jesus, the more "Christ like" parts of the Mithral mythos are actually post Christian.

That's odd, because Justin Martyr, 100-163 AD, in his First Apology blamed the similarities on Satan imitating the Jews!

And when those who record the mysteries of Mithras say that he was begotten of a rock, and call the place where those who believe in him are initiated a cave, do I not perceive here that the utterance of Daniel, that a stone without hands was cut out of a great mountain, has been imitated by them, and that they have attempted likewise to imitate the whole of Isaiah's words?
......

Which the wicked devils have imitated in the mysteries of Mithras, commanding the same thing to be done. For, that bread and a cup of water are placed with certain incantations in the mystic rites of one who is being initiated, you either know or can learn....And this very solemnity, too, the evil spirits have introduced into the "Mysteries of Mithra"; for you do or may know that when anyone is initiated into this religion, bread and a cup of water, with a certain form of words, are made use of in the sacrifice

Tertullian, 160-225 AD, also notices the similarities and blames Satan.

The question will arise, By whom is to be interpreted the sense of the passages which make for heresies? By the devil, of course, to whom pertain those wiles which pervert the truth, and who, by the mystic rites of his idols, vies even with the essential portions of the sacraments of God. He, too, baptizes somethat is, his own believers and faithful followers; he promises the putting away of sins by a layer (of his own); and if my memory still serves me, Mithra there, (in the kingdom of Satan) sets his marks on the foreheads of his soldiers; celebrates also the oblation of bread, and introduces an image of a resurrection, and before a sword wreathes a crown. What also must we say to (Satan's) limiting his chief priest to a single marriage? He, too, has his virgins; he, too, has his proficients in continence.

Suppose now we revolve in our minds the superstitions of Numa Pompilius......

Roman king Numa Pompilius (753-673 BCE), supposedly lived nearly eight centuries before Jesus.

Source

originally posted by: carewemust
a reply to: Ghost147

I'm not just talking about the good/bad morals as they relate to whether a person has a religious foundation. I'm also taking into account the additional aid and assistance that goes to people in need here in America, and in impoverished nations from religious organizations/donors.

I don't think that's possible considering religious charities make it incredibly apparent that they are religious charities; where as there are charities that don't ascribe to a religion, yet that doesn't make them secular, they are simply a charity for charity's sake.

You're coming off as though you already "know" the answer for this, when in fact there is no answer. Religious entities tend to be "loud" in order to push their personal agendas. Religious foundations, like the ones I believe you're referring to, exist not only to help others, but to mass-convert the people they are helping. In fact, one may even suggest that they are mass-converting as a focus, and the helping is just on-the-side. Which really does not apply to this whole morality thing.

originally posted by: whooknows
a reply to: chr0naut

I would also like to add this video uploaded a little while ago to YouTube on the origins of a lot of Christian traditions not found in the Bible. And why they are in almost all other religions as well...

now why would a god who doesn't exist according to the video, destroy believers all over the world, for believing in something they were taught to believe? where's the disconnect ?

Maybe, ultimately all written things are written by people, or at least mortals. But this does not mean that none of it has any value.

Lets take for example the story of Jesus, who rebelled against the greed and corruption of the temple. Who taught that hate was bad, and compassion and forgiveness was good, and that we should treat each other respectfully and try to be good to each other, and things like that. You think those are bad teachings? I think there are many good ideas in Christianity as well as other religions. But maybe there are also many notions that are not true, speculative, or even dangerous and detrimental.

a reply to: Ghost147

What is up with that creepy avatar?

originally posted by: donktheclown

I still believe in a Higher Power

a reply to: misskat1

That's good news. I went through one heck of a time as well. Here's the thing, you are GOD expressing ITSELF as misscat1. There will never be any judgement for you for you are the judge and jury. BTW, your life was certainly well spent. Every one of us are here to love, learn, experience and then send all back to our CREATOR. You're doing a great job !!

Well if you are God...... that is great. Can you raise my dead father from the grave or stop all war and bring peace unto the whole world? Thank you.

Because if can't you are not God.

a reply to: misskat1


Hey OP I understand your pain. I've flip flopped with my faith in Christ more times then I could number, and I feel very torn just like you. To be brutally honest, it's almost as if my minds does not accept nor believe the statements of the faith, but my soul? that's a different story... It feels like a war raging inside. You're not alone my friend...
And as I read so many other's stories here ( KrazySh0t) (I've wrestled with the concept of hell all my life as well and it's turned me off bigtime from religion.) you can only get the impression that we're all fighting this together.

Even If the church and the religion have failed you, Jesus Christ never will my friend. Just know this is part of the design, the bible talks about how in the end times the deception will be SO great against the faith that if it were at all possible even the very elect would be deceived. It talks about the great "falling away"
Take peace in knowing, you're struggling and you're at exactly where you are at for a reason. The Lord is about to move in a serious way though, and we will be called back home one day in the very near future if we are truly one of his children.. Hang tight and truly cry out to Jesus expressing the raging doubt that is taking place. He will respond in his time.. He loves us all..

originally posted by: windword
a reply to: chr0naut

In regard to links between Christ and Mithras, although Mithraic legend pre-dates Jesus, the more "Christ like" parts of the Mithral mythos are actually post Christian.

That's odd, because Justin Martyr, 100-163 AD, in his First Apology blamed the similarities on Satan imitating the Jews!

And when those who record the mysteries of Mithras say that he was begotten of a rock, and call the place where those who believe in him are initiated a cave, do I not perceive here that the utterance of Daniel, that a stone without hands was cut out of a great mountain, has been imitated by them, and that they have attempted likewise to imitate the whole of Isaiah's words?
......

Which the wicked devils have imitated in the mysteries of Mithras, commanding the same thing to be done. For, that bread and a cup of water are placed with certain incantations in the mystic rites of one who is being initiated, you either know or can learn....And this very solemnity, too, the evil spirits have introduced into the "Mysteries of Mithra"; for you do or may know that when anyone is initiated into this religion, bread and a cup of water, with a certain form of words, are made use of in the sacrifice

Tertullian, 160-225 AD, also notices the similarities and blames Satan.

The question will arise, By whom is to be interpreted the sense of the passages which make for heresies? By the devil, of course, to whom pertain those wiles which pervert the truth, and who, by the mystic rites of his idols, vies even with the essential portions of the sacraments of God. He, too, baptizes somethat is, his own believers and faithful followers; he promises the putting away of sins by a layer (of his own); and if my memory still serves me, Mithra there, (in the kingdom of Satan) sets his marks on the foreheads of his soldiers; celebrates also the oblation of bread, and introduces an image of a resurrection, and before a sword wreathes a crown. What also must we say to (Satan's) limiting his chief priest to a single marriage? He, too, has his virgins; he, too, has his proficients in continence.

Suppose now we revolve in our minds the superstitions of Numa Pompilius......

Roman king Numa Pompilius (753-673 BCE), supposedly lived nearly eight centuries before Jesus.

Source

Yes, Justin Martyr was commenting that the Mithraists had copied the Christian Communion. Tertullian points out that it goes beyond one Christian rite and copies several.