I grew up with a vague idea of there being some kind of god. The intransigent/arrogant Christianity of the Boy Scouts (or perhaps just of my scoutmaster) pushed me into a childish atheism. This softened, and in uni I made a profession of faith and got dunked. I wandered Protestantism for ~20 years, then was an Orthodox for ~20 more, and then one morning I woke up and realized I just didn't believe it, and didn't particularly want to. (This was in November 2022).
I would describe myself as an agnostic atheist, meaning I don't believe in God or gods (or in my case, anything supernatural), but I am not dogmatic about it. I've been trying to figure out my path ever since.
I'm still a member of many Christian groups on Facebook because that's what my whole life has been centered around for 44 years; it's what I know best. And I can keep naughty Christians in line if they say something unbiblical, because my knowledge of the Scriptures is (if I may say so) (and I may) pretty strong.
Also all my closest friends are Christians, God bless 'em.
I have to say I am very sorry to hear that sir. Something must have happened no?
Nothing that stands out, honestly. Just the growing nagging sense that it just doesn't make sense internally, and doesn't fit the world we see.
I grew up with a vague idea of there being some kind of god. The intransigent/arrogant Christianity of the Boy Scouts (or perhaps just of my scoutmaster) pushed me into a childish atheism. This softened, and in uni I made a profession of faith and got dunked. I wandered Protestantism for ~20 years, then was an Orthodox for ~20 more, and then one morning I woke up and realized I just didn't believe it, and didn't particularly want to. (This was in November 2022).
I would describe myself as an agnostic atheist, meaning I don't believe in God or gods (or in my case, anything supernatural), but I am not dogmatic about it. I've been trying to figure out my path ever since.
I'm still a member of many Christian groups on Facebook because that's what my whole life has been centered around for 44 years; it's what I know best. And I can keep naughty Christians in line if they say something unbiblical, because my knowledge of the Scriptures is (if I may say so) (and I may) pretty strong.
Also all my closest friends are Christians, God bless 'em.
I have to say I am very sorry to hear that sir. Something must have happened no?
Nothing that stands out, honestly. Just the growing nagging sense that it just doesn't make sense internally, and doesn't fit the world we see.
Much the same happened to me a few years ago.
Increasing age and disability gave me a good reason (excuse?) for gently shedding all the Stuff I was doing at church.
The discussion of atonement has actually triggered in my mind my response to this thread, insofar as I have one. I am a Christian in that I seek to follow Christ, to live the life which he calls us to, to follow him in my search for God. This is where I think that atonement theory, other possibly than Christus Victor, is far off the mark. The gospel narrative proves that even death cannot totally end this process, and that union with God's love is the true end.
I think my creed is pretty minimalist. It is "God", not an "is" nor a "I believe" in it, those are both to complex linguistic problems for me to use them.
I do not really do 'belief' anymore. I do worship, prayer, charitable acts, loyalty to the actor I perceive as God. I am quite willing to spout a creed fairly regularly or even willing to discuss whether this model from theology is improved by this or that adjustment. However, flag wave for one lot of theological statements as sole arbiter of truth, no, no thanks. All theological systems are flawed, and as someone who practices Christianity, my duty is try and speak the faith as close to the God-actor reality as experienced by the community of faith as I can. That is where loyalty comes in.
I grew up in the United Methodist Church, being baptized, attending Sunday School regularly, and being confirmed, and going to the MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship). But my father wasn't Christian in the slightest, he was an agnostic who identified as culturally Jewish, and to be honest my mother did church mainly because it's how she was raised, and the Right Thing To Do, so as a result I really got no theological indoctrination at home, and grew up pretty much a free thinker. I used to identify as a sort of heretical Christian, but somewhere along the line I stopped identifying as Christian at all. I do believe in a God, however, I belong to a 12-step program (Al-anon, for friends and family of alcoholics) that relies heavily on a Higher Power, and I do believe in and pray regularly to my Higher Power, which is, however, not Jesus. Truthfully, my beliefs lean more towards Judaism, and I have strongly considered conversion, but not actually taken any steps towards it. I joined the Ship during the time I identified as a Christian, and stay because I enjoy the people here, and the discussions, though I can't identify with the specific theological ones.
Wanting to be All Saintly, all I can, should, say, is, I'll miss you all when I'm gone. I'll add you all to the list : ) God already being on there.
It is difficult to know exactly what you mean by this, but please, if you are in urgent need of support in offline life - do get that help. NHS support is available 24/7 by calling 111 and choosing option 2.
Wanting to be All Saintly, all I can, should, say, is, I'll miss you all when I'm gone. I'll add you all to the list : ) God already being on there.
It is difficult to know exactly what you mean by this, but please, if you are in urgent need of support in offline life - do get that help. NHS support is available 24/7 by calling 111 and choosing option 2.
Dear me @Doublethink. When I'm gone all the way, I won't be missing anyone! Please don't worry.
Choice?! Cuh! Fuh! (Had to invert the order there!).
Is you immediately ignoring the instruction; writing the comment and then posting it is you - @Martin54 - making a choice.
This. Is. Absolutely. Completely. The. Last. Time. I Am. Explaining. This. To. You.
Comments
Nothing that stands out, honestly. Just the growing nagging sense that it just doesn't make sense internally, and doesn't fit the world we see.
Much the same happened to me a few years ago.
Increasing age and disability gave me a good reason (excuse?) for gently shedding all the Stuff I was doing at church.
I do not really do 'belief' anymore. I do worship, prayer, charitable acts, loyalty to the actor I perceive as God. I am quite willing to spout a creed fairly regularly or even willing to discuss whether this model from theology is improved by this or that adjustment. However, flag wave for one lot of theological statements as sole arbiter of truth, no, no thanks. All theological systems are flawed, and as someone who practices Christianity, my duty is try and speak the faith as close to the God-actor reality as experienced by the community of faith as I can. That is where loyalty comes in.
It is difficult to know exactly what you mean by this, but please, if you are in urgent need of support in offline life - do get that help. NHS support is available 24/7 by calling 111 and choosing option 2.
He is!
Doublethink, Admin
This:
Is a really clear instruction.
This:
Is you immediately ignoring the instruction; writing the comment and then posting it is you - @Martin54 - making a choice.
This. Is. Absolutely. Completely. The. Last. Time. I Am. Explaining. This. To. You.
Doublethink, Admin
Hope this isn't the little list of Ko-Ko in the Mikado?
G&S, Buxton, next August. Meet up there for any Shippie G&S fans? I'll be there.