From "Born again Christian" to Atheist!

FrmrChristian · Aug 20, 2015

I was raised in a Christian family, with fantastic parents and great siblings. Went to a bible believing church my entire life. When I was 19 years old, I became a "born-again Christian". I lived as a devout Christian and made a big effort to make sure that I "wtnessed" to others as much as possible.
When I was 24, I started to think seriously about getting into the ministry in a professional sense. I was considering aquiring a second bachelor's degree by applying for seminary. However, before taking that big step I started to delve deeper into the bible. I wanted to really "know my stuff", when it came to the bible.
This is the point at which I started questioning things in the bible. This was the first time that I seriously studied the bible in depth. I read verses periodically throughout my life and watched a lot of sermons and read what other preachers and evangelists had written for several years. But, now I was reading the actual text myself, directly from the King James version. I used bible study companions to make sure that what I was reading was accurate, and even using translation guide books that corroborated the bible I was reading all the way back to the Greek translations.
For the first time, I started to see the bible for what it really was. Certain parts that were never taught in Sunday school or from the pulpit when I was growing up in church, were shocking to me. I had relied on what others had taught from the bible instead of reading the actual text myself.
This is what finally "put the nails in the coffin" for me concerning my "faith" and belief in the bible.
I would encourage anyone to actually read the bible, because this will allow you to see it for what it is. It's a bronze-age collection of manuscripts that went through translation after translation, after going through centuries of oral interpretations, generation after generation...
Please feel free to respond for an adult civilized conversation on these topics. (ツ)

Galahad · Aug 20, 2015

FrmrChristian said:

I was raised in a Christian family, with fantastic parents and great siblings. Went to a bible believing church my entire life. When I was 19 years old, I became a "born-again Christian". I lived as a devout Christian and made a big effort to make sure that I "wtnessed" to others as much as possible.
When I was 24, I started to think seriously about getting into the ministry in a professional sense. I was considering aquiring a second bachelor's degree by applying for seminary. However, before taking that big step I started to delve deeper into the bible. I wanted to really "know my stuff", when it came to the bible.
This is the point at which I started questioning things in the bible. This was the first time that I seriously studied the bible in depth. I read verses periodically throughout my life and watched a lot of sermons and read what other preachers and evangelists had written for several years. But, now I was reading the actual text myself, directly from the King James version. I used bible study companions to make sure that what I was reading was accurate, and even using translation guide books that corroborated the bible I was reading all the way back to the Greek translations.
For the first time, I started to see the bible for what it really was. Certain parts that were never taught in Sunday school or from the pulpit when I was growing up in church, were shocking to me. I had relied on what others had taught from the bible instead of reading the actual text myself.
This is what finally "put the nails in the coffin" for me concerning my "faith" and belief in the bible.
I would encourage anyone to actually read the bible, because this will allow you to see it for what it is. It's a bronze-age collection of manuscripts that went through translation after translation, after going through centuries of oral interpretations, generation after generation...
Please feel free to respond for an adult civilized conversation on these topics. (ツ)

Welcome. You are unaware of the great amount of evidence showing that the bible is unique and all that it claims to be: The Inspired Word of God.

"All the way back to the Greek translation." That's deceptive. Or misguided. The Greek text is extant. No going all the way back.

The empty tomb, the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, the fulfilled prophecies, the existence of Jesus, the existence of Jerusalem, the absence of the Temple, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Cyrus Cylinder, on and on and on. Just some examples related to the credibility of the bible.

Tintin · Aug 20, 2015

FrmrChristian said:

I was raised in a Christian family, with fantastic parents and great siblings. Went to a bible believing church my entire life. When I was 19 years old, I became a "born-again Christian". I lived as a devout Christian and made a big effort to make sure that I "wtnessed" to others as much as possible.
When I was 24, I started to think seriously about getting into the ministry in a professional sense. I was considering aquiring a second bachelor's degree by applying for seminary. However, before taking that big step I started to delve deeper into the bible. I wanted to really "know my stuff", when it came to the bible.
This is the point at which I started questioning things in the bible. This was the first time that I seriously studied the bible in depth. I read verses periodically throughout my life and watched a lot of sermons and read what other preachers and evangelists had written for several years. But, now I was reading the actual text myself, directly from the King James version. I used bible study companions to make sure that what I was reading was accurate, and even using translation guide books that corroborated the bible I was reading all the way back to the Greek translations.
For the first time, I started to see the bible for what it really was. Certain parts that were never taught in Sunday school or from the pulpit when I was growing up in church, were shocking to me. I had relied on what others had taught from the bible instead of reading the actual text myself.
This is what finally "put the nails in the coffin" for me concerning my "faith" and belief in the bible.
I would encourage anyone to actually read the bible, because this will allow you to see it for what it is. It's a bronze-age collection of manuscripts that went through translation after translation, after going through centuries of oral interpretations, generation after generation...
Please feel free to respond for an adult civilized conversation on these topics. (ツ)

And that's your problem, isn't it? You should have read the Bible for yourself from the very beginning. By the way, I've read the Bible and I find your conclusion yawn-worthy and unoriginal. Also, only a little of the Bible was written during the Bronze Age. Anyone can find reasons to disbelieve. You should look for reasons to believe.

Galahad · Aug 20, 2015

Have you read Galatians? Did you know Paul did not know the writer of Genesis? How was Paul able to produce such a fitting analogy in Galatians from Genesis? That is not a one time incident. So many links of the Old Testament writings with those of the New Testament.
Who would have ever thought that a Jew in the first century had the ability to conjure up a story concerning the Messiah, mainly, his birth from his virgin mother!

Have you seen the spread of Christianity in Acts? The details listed by the writer are numerous and precise. Specific. More of a challenge to produce a fictitious story with details than one with fewer details.

So you bash the bible, then ask for adult civilized conversation. What is that? Are you saying you will follow up on the responses?

Jenizona · Aug 20, 2015

Your post is a little too vague, in my opinion...I kept reading to see what problems you had with scriptures, but you never said lol! Are there any specific verses or passages you'd like to discuss? How about just throwing out one of the biggies, something that really led to your crisis of faith?

Jenizona · Aug 20, 2015

Great, Tintin said "yawn worthy" and now I'm tired lol. Will check this thread in the morning and see what's been added, if anything! Goodnight!

Galahad · Aug 20, 2015

Jenizona said:

That's true, Jenizona. It is true. It is.
Frmr, it's true. She's right. What do you think?

She's being civilized in her conversation. So do you think you will answer her?

posthuman · Aug 20, 2015

_____________________________

posthuman · Aug 20, 2015

FrmrChristian said:

hear, hear!

Tintin · Aug 20, 2015

FrmrChristian said:

I was raised in a Christian family, with fantastic parents and great siblings. Went to a bible believing church my entire life. When I was 19 years old, I became a "born-again Christian". I lived as a devout Christian and made a big effort to make sure that I "wtnessed" to others as much as possible.
When I was 24, I started to think seriously about getting into the ministry in a professional sense. I was considering aquiring a second bachelor's degree by applying for seminary. However, before taking that big step I started to delve deeper into the bible. I wanted to really "know my stuff", when it came to the bible.
This is the point at which I started questioning things in the bible. This was the first time that I seriously studied the bible in depth. I read verses periodically throughout my life and watched a lot of sermons and read what other preachers and evangelists had written for several years. But, now I was reading the actual text myself, directly from the King James version. I used bible study companions to make sure that what I was reading was accurate, and even using translation guide books that corroborated the bible I was reading all the way back to the Greek translations.
For the first time, I started to see the bible for what it really was. Certain parts that were never taught in Sunday school or from the pulpit when I was growing up in church, were shocking to me. I had relied on what others had taught from the bible instead of reading the actual text myself.
This is what finally "put the nails in the coffin" for me concerning my "faith" and belief in the bible.
I would encourage anyone to actually read the bible, because this will allow you to see it for what it is. It's a bronze-age collection of manuscripts that went through translation after translation, after going through centuries of oral interpretations, generation after generation...
Please feel free to respond for an adult civilized conversation on these topics. (ツ)

The way I see it, you were looking for something to justify your unbelief. You had already made up your mind. It's not uncommon, but it's not good.

vic1980 · Aug 20, 2015

You have read alot of opinions from men perspective , and have put forth your own logical evidence of the scripture as the only truth, but you miss the one thing you need, in order to have a clear answer on this subject.

You trully in meekness need to ask God in prayer as Daniel the prophet ask to have better understanding of the scripture to get wisdom. there no such thing as being born again and then turn into a athiest.

Being born again is not a work of man but of God.

Shalom

posthuman · Aug 20, 2015

it sounds to me like you were never "born again" -- i think you joined, as it were, a club or a company, and went about 'climbing a corporate ladder'

FrmrChristian said:

o yes, & welcome to our forums!
sometimes we're pretty blunt

FrmrChristian · Aug 20, 2015

Hey, thanks for replying Jenizona!
I guess some of the bigger problems would be the bible's endorsement of slavery (and no it does NOT MEAN indentured servants).
Lot offering his daughters to the "sex-crazed" town folk, and then later getting both daughters pregnant (actually, somehow they each got pegnant while he was passed out drunk).
The fact that God is omniscient and created Lucifer knowing he would rebel.
The fact that God is omniscient and created man knowing he was going to disobey Him. So he knows that some of the people that He creates, will wind up in hell. Since he already knows the outcome, that means for many, God creates them knowing that their demise is inevitable.
I could go on, but must sleep.
Please refer to the: Skeptics Annotated Bible.
It's very enlightening...

posthuman · Aug 20, 2015

FrmrChristian said:

so.. you read Genesis 19:36

So both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father.

but you did not read Genesis 19:30-35 ?

30 Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains, for he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He and his two daughters lived in a cave.
31 One day the older daughter said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man around here to give us children—as is the custom all over the earth.
32 Let’s get our father to drink wine and then sleep with him and preserve our family line through our father.”
33 That night they got their father to drink wine, and the older daughter went in and slept with him. He was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up.
34 The next day the older daughter said to the younger, “Last night I slept with my father. Let’s get him to drink wine again tonight, and you go in and sleep with him so we can preserve our family line through our father.”
35 So they got their father to drink wine that night also, and the younger daughter went in and slept with him. Again he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up.

it is probably a very good thing that you did not end up going into ministry

Lot was essentially raped by both of his daughters, but you think to blame him? perhaps Lot should not have worn such an attractive cloak, huh?
and because you do not understand what you read, you think you're in a good position to criticize God?

maybe you would think God should be crucified for all this?
i have news for you!
He was!
and He lives

FrmrChristian · Aug 20, 2015

That always amazes me when I hear that response from a Christian. I can tell you sir/maam, that I, at age 19 sincerely and humbly started a "personal relationship with Jesus". It was the most serious and sincere thing I can imagine, and I gave 100% of my devotion.
No, I never climbed any corporate ladders. I was actually in college at the time. I started asking myself why was I "lucky enough to have been born into the correct religion?" I asked, "is the other 2/3rds of the planet wrong?"
So that was the beginning of the questioning of my faith. It then took years of reading, watching debates on the existence of a creator vs. no creator, creation vs. evolution, etc. I really took a big step back and looked at my world view from a different angle.
But, back to your statement expressing your belief that my conversion was somehow not 100% genuine. Are you the authority on who is sincere or not?
Do you go to your church and make a list of the saved and saved-nots? Come on now.
Don't pretend to know someone's level of sincerity.
Thanks for your response!
(ツ)

FrmrChristian · Aug 20, 2015

That was the long version of exactly what I described! Haha!
No, I'm not blaming Lot for, somehow unknowingly being in an erect state to be able to be raped, twice.
I was saying, why in the world would a man (the most righteous in the entire town) offer up his two daughters to be raped by the angry mob outside, so his angel guests (that are supernatural angels, that should be able to fly on out of there to safety, anyway) wouldn't be raped by the angry mob.
Also, posthuman, I have to summarize to some extent!
I can't cite the entire book of Genesis, to get my point across...
Thank you very much for your response, I've enjoyed the discussion!

gb9 · Aug 20, 2015

FrmrChristian said:

I had a very similar experience growing up. raised in church, but when I got into the mid-teens, I walked away from church. I never really read the Bible, as you said. but in my mid-twenties, encouraged by my mom, I began to seriously read it. my faith and love for God exploded!!! wish you had the same experience. hopefully one day you will.

blue_ladybug · Aug 20, 2015

To the OP, the bible forum is a more appropriate place for your subject matter. The new members forum is only for introducing yourself, not starting debates and discussions..

JustAnotherUser · Aug 20, 2015

You're entitled to your own opinion and belief. And I would agree that nobody has the right to tell someone as to whether their belief was valid or not, whether if they do believe in Christianity or not. This is also why I don't share too much of my perspectives, experiences and beliefs since I know that people will tell me where I stand on it. I'm currently in the mist of it all and trying to make up my own mind by reading the full doctrine itself instead of taking other people's word, since for one nobody is perfect to memorize everything let alone have different takes on how to practice and have different sections of Christianity for it.

You would actually be surprised as to how much someone claims that they believe in a faith that they were born with and yet not know too much of its doctrine in order to fully stand on what they say that they believe. No accusations or personal attacks on anyone made, but unfortunately it is something that is more so common than people care to admit. It's a sense of conformity that is held as part of a person's identity until they really start to question their foundations of their beliefs and what they surrounded themselves in. Some parts of the world still prohibit a person to freely think based on the religion dominated in that society or else it can cost the person's life, but that's a whole different discussion. Thank God we do have the freedom to think here in the west.

With that said, I will advise that by sharing and debating too much could give some form of consequences that may make the moderators decide to ban a person, whether justified from a person stirring up an argument or if it's a common occurrence for a person to do so. We are on a Christian site and it's mainly used for people who share common core beliefs on Christianity. It's okay to question if there is concerns made but you still have to be careful as to how you question, especially on certain parts of the site like the Bible Discussion Forum (BDF).

Anyhow, welcome.

posthuman · Aug 20, 2015

FrmrChristian said:

i don't have to pretend, and it's not about your "level of sincerity"

it was written about you --

They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us.
For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us;
but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.
(1 John 2:19)

have you read?
so why would you suspect i might 'go to my church and list the saved and saved-not' ?
i'm speaking from an authority that is not myself, but you're speaking for yourself.

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