I think we all have had detours. After my parents split I went with my mother, who didn't really go to church anymore. I didn't start going back to church until I moved back down to west TN. God was still waiting for me where I left Him though. And even in the years when I didn't go to church, while I was riding a bike to work God redirected the rain around my work schedule for FOUR YEARS. I wasn't even going to church, wasn't doing anything even remotely in God's interest, but I knew enough to ask God to take care of me. In east TN biking to work for four years without getting rained out is not even possibly a coincidence.
Did your parent's teach you about God?
- Thread starter Fenner
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My parents really didn't go to church that I remember, but they put me in a church school and my Aunt Lois, mom's sister took me to church with her three kids. So I have been in church as long as I can remember as a child, but as an adult have been in and out of church cause I never felt good enough. Guess I got the legalistic part down really good, but then at 56 God explained salvation to me and I have not looked back....
I think it is confusing for a child when you don't see Christianity practiced at home, thank God for my Aunt Lois she certainly did her best to make sure I was introduced to God and thank God my parents put me in church school as early foundational Bible has certainly returned in full force as an adult.
I don't know the outcome of my parents....my mom for a while had been an SDA but they dis-fellowshipped her for going to a movie and other than if I was in a school program at church I don't really ever remember my mom going to church again....not that that saves you....My dad must have had some Methodist training as his sister was a Methodist so I am just assuming since I never really saw him go to church either.....
I do find it interesting that I got trained in so much Bible reading from a child with having parents that were not into church going....God must have had a plan for me as I certainly got a lot of Bible reading/training under my belt.
I think it is confusing for a child when you don't see Christianity practiced at home, thank God for my Aunt Lois she certainly did her best to make sure I was introduced to God and thank God my parents put me in church school as early foundational Bible has certainly returned in full force as an adult.
I don't know the outcome of my parents....my mom for a while had been an SDA but they dis-fellowshipped her for going to a movie and other than if I was in a school program at church I don't really ever remember my mom going to church again....not that that saves you....My dad must have had some Methodist training as his sister was a Methodist so I am just assuming since I never really saw him go to church either.....
I do find it interesting that I got trained in so much Bible reading from a child with having parents that were not into church going....God must have had a plan for me as I certainly got a lot of Bible reading/training under my belt.
If I am being too nosy, please just tell me, but Sue and I both immediately had the same question arise.
How old were you when this happened to your mother, and did it affect your thinking at all? (And I won't ask the obvious question, since you already know that all the legalism is one of the things that drove us from the CoC.)
My wife's brother and one of her sisters want nothing, whatsoever, to do with any church because of experiencing all that stuff in the CoC, and a young boy at one of the CoC's we attended sailed his little boat out into a hurricane because he was being ostracized by the church due to an indiscretion with a girl, and was never seen again.
My wife hung in there with her parent's religion, even in college, where she attended a VERY legalistic and controlling congregation that later evolved into the infamous ICoC. But God rescued her (and me) from that when we found ourselves in the carnival business for 12 years. There are more Christians in that industry than you would ever believe, but most of them would never be allowed to set foot inside most churches.... nor would they even want to go.
Where we go now, The Vineyard, is filled with refugees from probably any denomination you can name. All with pretty much the same story. The legalistic abuse by man's religion almost drove them from God........ "almost".... thank God.
How old were you when this happened to your mother, and did it affect your thinking at all? (And I won't ask the obvious question, since you already know that all the legalism is one of the things that drove us from the CoC.)
My wife's brother and one of her sisters want nothing, whatsoever, to do with any church because of experiencing all that stuff in the CoC, and a young boy at one of the CoC's we attended sailed his little boat out into a hurricane because he was being ostracized by the church due to an indiscretion with a girl, and was never seen again.
My wife hung in there with her parent's religion, even in college, where she attended a VERY legalistic and controlling congregation that later evolved into the infamous ICoC. But God rescued her (and me) from that when we found ourselves in the carnival business for 12 years. There are more Christians in that industry than you would ever believe, but most of them would never be allowed to set foot inside most churches.... nor would they even want to go.
Where we go now, The Vineyard, is filled with refugees from probably any denomination you can name. All with pretty much the same story. The legalistic abuse by man's religion almost drove them from God........ "almost".... thank God.
I am always very drawn to people who did NOT come up in church backgrounds because I find them to be amazing.
I mean, God literally had to place me in as situation where I was marinated in the Word 24/7, and that's the only thing that "kept me good", so people who had no church background but dedicate their lives to God are incredible to me, and have a much stronger faith (in my opinion, compared to myself--I'm talking only about me, no one else.)
I have also found that I'm often (not always, but a lot) drawn to Christians from tough periods of walking away from Christ, whether they grew up in a Christian household or not, because they tend to be (not always, but often, to me at least) much more open-minded and full of grace and understanding. Some of the most unloving, judgmental, and critical people I've ever known have been die-hard lifelong, born-and-raised-in-the-church Christians.
I have often felt much safer with Christians I've known who are open about their "colorful" backgrounds, because it's like, "Ok, nothing I tell you is going to shock you or make you think less of me... I feel like I can be completely real with you!!!" And I am very appreciative of that.
I mean, God literally had to place me in as situation where I was marinated in the Word 24/7, and that's the only thing that "kept me good", so people who had no church background but dedicate their lives to God are incredible to me, and have a much stronger faith (in my opinion, compared to myself--I'm talking only about me, no one else.)
I have also found that I'm often (not always, but a lot) drawn to Christians from tough periods of walking away from Christ, whether they grew up in a Christian household or not, because they tend to be (not always, but often, to me at least) much more open-minded and full of grace and understanding. Some of the most unloving, judgmental, and critical people I've ever known have been die-hard lifelong, born-and-raised-in-the-church Christians.
I have often felt much safer with Christians I've known who are open about their "colorful" backgrounds, because it's like, "Ok, nothing I tell you is going to shock you or make you think less of me... I feel like I can be completely real with you!!!" And I am very appreciative of that.
seoulsearch: I suggest you might find them more secure to talk to because their faith has been tested more. Kind of like climbing a ladder you know is secure because you have jiggled it a little and tried its footing, versus a ladder that someone else put up against the wall that you never tested.
(Not an exact analogy but... well, you get the idea.)
(Not an exact analogy but... well, you get the idea.)
Lynx: I like talking to them because as I said, they don't judge other people or cut them down for failing.
For instance, I've known Christians before who have accepted and/or paid money to have sex, worked as strippers, been seriously into the thug'n'drug scene, etc.
Many times, someone who's been through that and then saved, in my opinion... doesn't sit there and nitpick the spiritual condition other people or make comments about if someone else is truly saved or how heinous anyone else's sin is.
They see the what's real from a mile away, and nothing you tell them is going to shock them or turn them away.
And that's why I feel comfortable with them.
For instance, I've known Christians before who have accepted and/or paid money to have sex, worked as strippers, been seriously into the thug'n'drug scene, etc.
Many times, someone who's been through that and then saved, in my opinion... doesn't sit there and nitpick the spiritual condition other people or make comments about if someone else is truly saved or how heinous anyone else's sin is.
They see the what's real from a mile away, and nothing you tell them is going to shock them or turn them away.
And that's why I feel comfortable with them.
Willie-T: Thank you, that's much closer to what I was trying to say. 
seoulsearch: Yes, there is that too. They've already walked a mile in whatever shoes the other person probably is wearing. They have the perspective that someone raised in church probably doesn't have.
This is also why some christians are probably a better choice for witnessing to... um, certain people... than I would be. I've never been there. To me people with addictions are just weak. I know that's not the way it really is, but I don't KNOW how it is, and I pray I will never know it personally. Someone who has overcome an addiction, or come from another sin, he knows what it's like and he would be much better at sympathizing with and witnessing to someone else who is in the same condition.
Kinda like how Paul could witness to some people God never told Peter to go preach to. Hmm...
Does this mean it's in God's perfect will for some christians to sin so they will have a better perspective to witness to others? Um... probably not. But the past has been made, and it would be a shame to not use it for God's work. This is actually a great encouragement for those who have had bad pasts. Whatever you have come from, God CAN use you. You're not worthless.
seoulsearch: Yes, there is that too. They've already walked a mile in whatever shoes the other person probably is wearing. They have the perspective that someone raised in church probably doesn't have.
This is also why some christians are probably a better choice for witnessing to... um, certain people... than I would be. I've never been there. To me people with addictions are just weak. I know that's not the way it really is, but I don't KNOW how it is, and I pray I will never know it personally. Someone who has overcome an addiction, or come from another sin, he knows what it's like and he would be much better at sympathizing with and witnessing to someone else who is in the same condition.
Kinda like how Paul could witness to some people God never told Peter to go preach to. Hmm...
Does this mean it's in God's perfect will for some christians to sin so they will have a better perspective to witness to others? Um... probably not. But the past has been made, and it would be a shame to not use it for God's work. This is actually a great encouragement for those who have had bad pasts. Whatever you have come from, God CAN use you. You're not worthless.
I know what you mean. When I was part of a MOPS group, which is a Christian group for Mom's of young children I sometimes felt uncomfortable around some of the women. At a meeting once a woman whom I'm now friends with just let it all out about the stress she was under, some bad things going on in her immediate family. After I talked to her and she said she felt that maybe she said to much. I told her that honestly that was the first time I ever felt like I was talking to someone real. She had problems, we all do and as Christian women we should be allowed to speak about them even if it's not pretty.
B
My grandmother went to a catholic church regularly. She was polish. She made her daughters attend often. My mom has had a strong faith her entire life. She keeps the tradition of jesus alive for her family. She has her two sons of which I'm one attend on the big holiday masses ever year without fail. My brother says hes agnostic but i don't believe that hes a believer.
My father grew up on the farm and he doesn't have a regular faith. He goes to church maybe once a year when the feelings inside bring him to go. I can remember visiting my grandmothers and she would have me say my prayers before bed time. I still do that now. I read the bible when i was 15 and sixteen. I love the new testament. I have faith but wow the church is undergoing change now. I can't believe there are about 20000 denominations in America. I like this new pope pope francis still I feel the church is undergoing more change. I used to attend a christian fellowship youth group for around a year but this was right around the time of my graduation from highschool. Time flies its been 10 or more years. I have an undercover faith. I believe strongly but culture and society have developed in the manner they have. I have researched many faiths and history so my faith has evolved from that. I have kept what works and left what doesn't.
My father grew up on the farm and he doesn't have a regular faith. He goes to church maybe once a year when the feelings inside bring him to go. I can remember visiting my grandmothers and she would have me say my prayers before bed time. I still do that now. I read the bible when i was 15 and sixteen. I love the new testament. I have faith but wow the church is undergoing change now. I can't believe there are about 20000 denominations in America. I like this new pope pope francis still I feel the church is undergoing more change. I used to attend a christian fellowship youth group for around a year but this was right around the time of my graduation from highschool. Time flies its been 10 or more years. I have an undercover faith. I believe strongly but culture and society have developed in the manner they have. I have researched many faiths and history so my faith has evolved from that. I have kept what works and left what doesn't.
I went to church as a little kid, but "big church" was above my head and the Sunday school classes/"children's church" didn't have much to it, so when my mother, then my brother stopped going, so did I. I was probably a kindergartener at the time. I think my dad still went, off and on.
I didn't ask my dad much about spiritual things, as he was "nice" but often distant, too. In discussing things with my mom, my head was filled with all sorts of garbage about reincarnation, psychic phenomena, Edgar Cayce stuff, pyramid power, transcendental meditation, tarot cards, etc.
Once I became saved, it took several years to unlearn all that other stuff.
I didn't ask my dad much about spiritual things, as he was "nice" but often distant, too. In discussing things with my mom, my head was filled with all sorts of garbage about reincarnation, psychic phenomena, Edgar Cayce stuff, pyramid power, transcendental meditation, tarot cards, etc.
Once I became saved, it took several years to unlearn all that other stuff.
Wise, Cat, and everyone else who was not raised in a specifically Christian home--I think you're all truly amazing.
One of the reasons all this "I don't think so-and-so is truly saved" business gets me so upset is because some people seem to be ignorant of the fact that we all come from different backgrounds. If you grew up with parents who practiced no religion at all or with a mom who called psychic hotlines and read tarot cards, you can't be expected to know everything about Christianity, as some of the diehards here seem to think.
When we have people here who have questions or even ideas that may seem a little off-the-wall to us, it might very well be because they're coming from these kinds of backgrounds and you never know what they've been through. I've met several people who were sexually abused by those who called themselves Christians, and many of their abusers were in the ministry. Several people here may have been through terrible things at the hands of Christianity and might be asking very sincere questions in order to try to sort things out.
I'm always astounded that somehow God prevailed in the hearts of people such as this and they persisted in pursuing the Christian faith, which is amazing to me. I know I would have been like, "To HELL with all this Christianity garbage," and would have walked away, never to return. Shoot, I was RAISED in church, practically in a pew, and I STILL feel that way when I start seeing Christians blasting away at each other with holy canons--LITERALLY (play on words, if anyone else gets my corny jokes.) Yup, I'm talking to you, Bible Discussion Forum...
While I know we have to draw a line somewhere, I do think it's very important to be sensitive to others' spiritual backgrounds. We had a regular attender at my church once who would perform Buddhist chants right along with praying, because, as Cat stated, he had an eclectic background that had not been completely sorted through yet.
It also tells me I need to step up my game as far as actively letting God lead me in being a light to other people. This really hits home the old saying that we may be the only representation of Jesus that some people ever see.
One of the reasons all this "I don't think so-and-so is truly saved" business gets me so upset is because some people seem to be ignorant of the fact that we all come from different backgrounds. If you grew up with parents who practiced no religion at all or with a mom who called psychic hotlines and read tarot cards, you can't be expected to know everything about Christianity, as some of the diehards here seem to think.
When we have people here who have questions or even ideas that may seem a little off-the-wall to us, it might very well be because they're coming from these kinds of backgrounds and you never know what they've been through. I've met several people who were sexually abused by those who called themselves Christians, and many of their abusers were in the ministry. Several people here may have been through terrible things at the hands of Christianity and might be asking very sincere questions in order to try to sort things out.
I'm always astounded that somehow God prevailed in the hearts of people such as this and they persisted in pursuing the Christian faith, which is amazing to me. I know I would have been like, "To HELL with all this Christianity garbage," and would have walked away, never to return. Shoot, I was RAISED in church, practically in a pew, and I STILL feel that way when I start seeing Christians blasting away at each other with holy canons--LITERALLY (play on words, if anyone else gets my corny jokes.
) Yup, I'm talking to you, Bible Discussion Forum... While I know we have to draw a line somewhere, I do think it's very important to be sensitive to others' spiritual backgrounds. We had a regular attender at my church once who would perform Buddhist chants right along with praying, because, as Cat stated, he had an eclectic background that had not been completely sorted through yet.
It also tells me I need to step up my game as far as actively letting God lead me in being a light to other people. This really hits home the old saying that we may be the only representation of Jesus that some people ever see.