No longer a Christian

[faroutinmt]

I must honestly confess that I was a passionately devoted Christian for 18 years and have recently become agnostic. I might even be included in the atheist category by some.

This has all come about through education. During the last year I have taken several science courses. As a Christian, I was very ignorant regarding science, limiting myself to reading only science books written by Christian authors. I have come to realize that most Christians are very misguided concerning true evolutionary theory. This is obvious when one listens to debates between creationists and evolutionists.

Steven Hawking's book, A Brief History of Time, was one of the more influential books that caused me to abandon my creationist beliefs. This, in turn, inspired me to become more critical in my thinking and actually and honestly face all the questions I had in the back of my mind about all the contradictions in the bible, as well as the bible's contrasting depictions of the morality of God.

I can honestly say that most Christians will not be open to reading any literature that explains viewpoints contrary to Christianity. This is really too bad. There is a fear factor involved: namely, people are afraid of being turned away from their beliefs. Many Christians are afraid God may be displeased with them if they fill their heads with "worldly" science and philosophy.

I have not read all of your posts on this thread, but the ones that I have read plainly spell out the very reasons I have rationally and logically decided to abandon my Christian beliefs.

One last thing: an important point to mention is something I was not prepared for when I deconverted. I am most happily surprised to find that there are wonderful, kind, generous, loving and caring people who are non-Christians. My Christian beliefs always taught me that Christians were morally superior to non-Christians. My own experience has shown me otherwise.

[BrckBrln]

I would like to make the point, which I've think I've already made, that just because 'most Christians' don't believe in evolution or modern science does not mean that you must accept one or the other. I think it would be a terrible thing to abandon Christianity based on the findings of modern science since there are many Christians who do accept modern science. I obviously don't know the minds of atheists and agnostics, but I have a hard time believing that science is what drives someone away from Christianity.

[faroutinmt]

I would like to make the point, which I've think I've already made, that just because 'most Christians' don't believe in evolution or modern science does not mean that you must accept one or the other. I think it would be a terrible thing to abandon Christianity based on the findings of modern science since there are many Christians who do accept modern science. I obviously don't know the minds of atheists and agnostics, but I have a hard time believing that science is what drives someone away from Christianity.

Science was not what really changed my views. Science helped me to think critically. Critical thinking helped me to re-examine all those questions I had kept pushed to the back of my mind for so long. Such questions, I have discovered, are such that many, many Christians inwardly wrestle with right now. Honestly examining these things and finding no real, rational answers helped me make my decisions.

[Athanasius]

Sounds like you were - and are still - full of misconceptions.

[daughter]

You say you were a devoted Christian for eighteen years... yet you can't be much older than eighteen yourself, since you've only just started properly studying science? Do you mean that you were raised Christian, but never explored or studied it for yourself? Do you mean you ingested what was fed to you by your family and social circle? That's not "being a Christian."

Personally, I know the following people: an Oxford educated quantum physicist, three astronomers, several biologists, and many doctors, who are Christians, and don't find that their high level of scientific understanding gets in the way of faith in Jesus Christ. My interest in science is only amateur, since I never got up to tertiary levels in my personal research, but I would say that I have a far greater scientific understanding than the average man on the street. The more I know of bio chemistry in particular, the more certain I am that there is a God.

Being Christian does not mean believing a certain dogma about how God made the world. Christianity really does mean knowing, loving and following Jesus Christ.

I suggest you keep on reading, and don't exchange your "churchian" background (which you mistook for Christianity) with a new dogma that someone else dictates to you. Your "Christian" upbringing obviously taught you to be a bigot... Christianity does not teach that Christians are "better" or "more moral" than other people. It seems that you're bringing this same bigotry into your attitude to Christians now... Christians are "scared to think for themselves", or deliberately self deluded, or not scientific or intelligent...

My advice to you is, grow out of that early conditioning. The world is not all "us and them." Keep thinking, don't just accept what you're told, don't exchange one tired old set of rags for another.

[tango]

I must honestly confess that I was a passionately devoted Christian for 18 years and have recently become agnostic. I might even be included in the atheist category by some.

This has all come about through education. During the last year I have taken several science courses. As a Christian, I was very ignorant regarding science, limiting myself to reading only science books written by Christian authors. I have come to realize that most Christians are very misguided concerning true evolutionary theory. This is obvious when one listens to debates between creationists and evolutionists.

Steven Hawking's book, A Brief History of Time, was one of the more influential books that caused me to abandon my creationist beliefs. This, in turn, inspired me to become more critical in my thinking and actually and honestly face all the questions I had in the back of my mind about all the contradictions in the bible, as well as the bible's contrasting depictions of the morality of God.

I can honestly say that most Christians will not be open to reading any literature that explains viewpoints contrary to Christianity. This is really too bad. There is a fear factor involved: namely, people are afraid of being turned away from their beliefs. Many Christians are afraid God may be displeased with them if they fill their heads with "worldly" science and philosophy.

I have not read all of your posts on this thread, but the ones that I have read plainly spell out the very reasons I have rationally and logically decided to abandon my Christian beliefs.

One last thing: an important point to mention is something I was not prepared for when I deconverted. I am most happily surprised to find that there are wonderful, kind, generous, loving and caring people who are non-Christians. My Christian beliefs always taught me that Christians were morally superior to non-Christians. My own experience has shown me otherwise.

It's great that you've realised that people can be good, kind, generous etc without being Christian. Looking down on the people "on the outside" isn't something Jesus commanded us to do - if you look at the people Jesus hung out with while he walked this earth it seems more than likely that in this day and age he'd be hanging out with the single mothers, the street drunks etc. It's very easy to walk by on the other side, turn our noses and thank God that we aren't like the street drunks or the young mothers with 4 kids by 3 fathers, but that's not what it's about. If you were taught that Christians are superior to non-Christians I'd say the problem was whoever taught you that rather than God.

Honestly though, I don't think God would be displeased with me for wanting to understand more. Let's face it, if God is out there and is who we claim he is then everything will point back to him sooner or later, and if he isn't out there (and every person of any faith is totally misguided) then there's nobody out there to upset.


1Co 3:18-20 NKJV Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. (19) For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "HE CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR OWN CRAFTINESS"; (20) and again, "THE LORD KNOWS THE THOUGHTS OF THE WISE, THAT THEY ARE FUTILE."

[moonglow]

I must honestly confess that I was a passionately devoted Christian for 18 years and have recently become agnostic. I might even be included in the atheist category by some.

This has all come about through education. During the last year I have taken several science courses. As a Christian, I was very ignorant regarding science, limiting myself to reading only science books written by Christian authors. I have come to realize that most Christians are very misguided concerning true evolutionary theory. This is obvious when one listens to debates between creationists and evolutionists.

Steven Hawking's book, A Brief History of Time, was one of the more influential books that caused me to abandon my creationist beliefs. This, in turn, inspired me to become more critical in my thinking and actually and honestly face all the questions I had in the back of my mind about all the contradictions in the bible, as well as the bible's contrasting depictions of the morality of God.

I can honestly say that most Christians will not be open to reading any literature that explains viewpoints contrary to Christianity. This is really too bad. There is a fear factor involved: namely, people are afraid of being turned away from their beliefs. Many Christians are afraid God may be displeased with them if they fill their heads with "worldly" science and philosophy.

I have not read all of your posts on this thread, but the ones that I have read plainly spell out the very reasons I have rationally and logically decided to abandon my Christian beliefs.

One last thing: an important point to mention is something I was not prepared for when I deconverted. I am most happily surprised to find that there are wonderful, kind, generous, loving and caring people who are non-Christians. My Christian beliefs always taught me that Christians were morally superior to non-Christians. My own experience has shown me otherwise.

There is a big difference in following the faith and knowing Christ..its impossible to deny someone you know. That would be like me deciding my neighbor isn't 'really there' even though I see her everyday. This is the difference between those going through the motions and those knowing God. I have read (as have many other Christians) science books that were done by nonChristians..why that would threaten our beliefs I don't know especially since science is just now catching up with the bible. To take my faith from God and place it in science only seems insane actually since science is forever changing and finding errors in it. For instance at one time science said the stars could be counted ..so then saying the bible was wrong in saying they were countless. Then they got a bigger telescope...lol...and saw indeed the stars are countless...

Its your choice of course to not believe anymore...

Oh and yes..any Christians that think they are better then nonbelievers, needs to think again...

[AngelAuthor]

The attitude of your testimony calls itself into question. The idea that you "were a devoted Christian" for eighteen years then got into science and totally turned Christianity off as a result because you act as if the two are completely incompatible. Your testimony tries to indirectly paint all Christians as ignorant of science and scientific fact, burying their heads in the sand and wanting notihng to do with it. Then you close by suggesting that non believers are wonderful people, despite what you've been told as a Christian.

All very wrong assumptions, on your part, which makes me wonder if you've not some hidden agenda to all of this.

Nevertheless, we must take your premise at face value, and in doing such, I will start by asking you to elaborate on what part of "science" you believe is incompatible with Christianity or made you abandon your belief in God? Especially since many of us here can name or point out Christians...DOCTORS, with degrees in any scientific field you want and as Daughter pointed out, the study of science only ENHANCES the beleif in God for those who understand it...not destroys it.

[Jeanne D]

I must honestly confess that I was a passionately devoted Christian for 18 years and have recently become agnostic. I might even be included in the atheist category by some.

This has all come about through education. During the last year I have taken several science courses. As a Christian, I was very ignorant regarding science, limiting myself to reading only science books written by Christian authors. I have come to realize that most Christians are very misguided concerning true evolutionary theory. This is obvious when one listens to debates between creationists and evolutionists.

Steven Hawking's book, A Brief History of Time, was one of the more influential books that caused me to abandon my creationist beliefs. This, in turn, inspired me to become more critical in my thinking and actually and honestly face all the questions I had in the back of my mind about all the contradictions in the bible, as well as the bible's contrasting depictions of the morality of God.

I can honestly say that most Christians will not be open to reading any literature that explains viewpoints contrary to Christianity. This is really too bad. There is a fear factor involved: namely, people are afraid of being turned away from their beliefs. Many Christians are afraid God may be displeased with them if they fill their heads with "worldly" science and philosophy.

I have not read all of your posts on this thread, but the ones that I have read plainly spell out the very reasons I have rationally and logically decided to abandon my Christian beliefs.

One last thing: an important point to mention is something I was not prepared for when I deconverted. I am most happily surprised to find that there are wonderful, kind, generous, loving and caring people who are non-Christians. My Christian beliefs always taught me that Christians were morally superior to non-Christians. My own experience has shown me otherwise.

I'm haviing a hard time comprehending this. If you truly knew God for 18 years how can you question His very existence based on some book written by a mere imperfect man?

Who is the Author and Creator of science to begin with???

I hope and pray you truly come to know the Lord. After all, one day you will be standing before the Almighty, not Steven Hawking.

Jeanne

[one_lost_coin]

Steven Hawking's book, A Brief History of Time, was one of the more influential books that caused me to abandon my creationist beliefs. This, in turn, inspired me to become more critical in my thinking and actually and honestly face all the questions I had in the back of my mind about all the contradictions in the bible, as well as the bible's contrasting depictions of the morality of God.

This is odd because Steven Hawking believes the universe had a creator and his wife is a Christian. At worst this book could only disprove fundamentalism is an erroneous means of interpreting sacred scripture but not that Jesus Christ is God.

I can honestly say that most Christians will not be open to reading any literature that explains viewpoints contrary to Christianity. This is really too bad. There is a fear factor involved: namely, people are afraid of being turned away from their beliefs. Many Christians are afraid God may be displeased with them if they fill their heads with "worldly" science and philosophy.

You havent presented any literature of this sort. There is no conflict between faith and science all truth comes from the same source. This is a basic Christian belief.

In the very same way you had your views challenged by this book you may be very surprised to find Christianity is much larger and has far more depth than any of us can ever imagine. Would you like me to run down a list of the famous scientist who are Christian. Did you know it was the Church is the oldest institution on earth outlasting empires and skeptics of all varieties who said this or that only to pass away with their erroneous beliefs, that she invented the university system, explored the heavens, the laws of physics, excelled at math, pioneered much of medicine, built and run the largest health care system in the whole world and offers praise to God inspired by the intricat beauty they have come to see of His creation.

Its more than probable that you still have not discovered all there is to know and there are many surprises in store for you as there is for us all. That God has given us a world full of wonders.

[Brother Mark]

I must honestly confess that I was a passionately devoted Christian for 18 years and have recently become agnostic. I might even be included in the atheist category by some.

You know, I met a coach of the Georgia Bulldogs one time. His name was Coach Vince Dooley. I am sure many people hate him for the success he had would love to tear down his legacy. Perhaps some would love to say he no longer exists and would like to convince me that he never existed. But the single biggest problem with that would be, I met him and experienced him.

Once you meet someone, it is next to impossible to convince you that they do not exists. When God gives a man a new heart, and changes him on the inside, that man knows he is different. As the old song says "And he walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own." Perhaps, in your devotion, you were devoted to a system of rules, or to a religion, or to a philosophy, but not to the Living God.

[RUN2GOD]

Do you honestly deny the forgiveness given to you by our precious Lord and Savior the moment you became a Christian? It is one thing to deny Christ having never known Him, but it is blasphemy to deny the Holy Spirit when you have known Him in your heart. Science can't explain God, and it can't explain burdens of sin that are lifted when someone is saved by grace. I think it is cowards who hide behind science because they would rather live in their sins. For whatever reasons you have for denying Christ now, that is between you and God, but how dare you come here infecting good faithful Christians with your "science" defense. On the day of your judgment, do you really think science is going to save you? God created science, and when He wants something to be revealed, He reveals it! You may want to rethink this, maybe it's not too late. There is a big difference between backsliding and blasphemy. Peace be with you.

[Twin2]

I, too, question how a person can be a devoted Christian for 18 years and then one day turn around and say they no longer believe. What, were you wrong for 18 years? I doubt it. That sounds more like a either person who went through the motions of Christianity, or someone who backslid and refuses to accept the truth or the truth is now hid from them.

[notuptome]

Please define what you believe a Christian to be and how a person becomes a Christian in your terms.

Science is the search for truth. Take a true attitude toward the bible and you may find there is more truth in it than some would have you to believe. Theology was at one time the queen of the sciences. Most of the ivy league schools were founded by and presided over by great men of God. Yeah preachers, imagine that.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

[tt1106]

I am always confused when people say that they were devoted Christians for years and years.Then I became agnostic or atheist. I find that many of these people study science more than God's Holy word.

In the Words of Voddie Bachman,
We sends our kids to Caesar and then act surprised when they come out Romans.

Not to be contentious, but by definition, a Christian is a follower of Christ's teaching, of which, seeking to disprove and then turning away from is not one of them. So technically you could not have been a Christian as you were doing things that Christ did not command you to do.

Do you read any Christian Apologetics, or did you devote your study as a Christian to "Atheist" Apologists?

One last thing, who were you hanging around with that taught you that Christians are morally superior? and that others aren't kind and loving.
Man, that is so sad.

As a former Atheist, I see it as my duty to tell other Atheists how morally corrupt we all are and that there is healing to be had, in Christ.