I was raised southern baptist by my grandmother but in all honestly I have never believed in god or any other form of supreme being.
My earliest thoughts on religion were that it did not make any sense.
Heya David,
That is quite common. Many people raised in the church or synagogue never find God. It’s a personal encounter between one and God. It’s a choice no pastor, priest or rabbi can make for you.
As for me, I was raised in the Lutheran Church, but did not fully understand the foundations of my faith until I was older. I was always a philosopher type searching for the meaning of life and I took a lot of twists and turns especially through Eastern religions, which I discovered through the martial arts. I know that’s a funny way for a Lutheran kid to find Jesus, but that’s how it worked out for me. I was even a Southern Baptist for a while, but now identify with nondenominational thinking.
As many here know I am (and always have been) the quintessential, obstinate skeptic. Though I studied many religions and philosophies it was the grace of God that enabled me to hear his voice above the others.
Now, I completely understand why a sinless being (Christ) had to experience and conquer death so that I might have eternal life. I guess I am a so-called born again Christian, though I hate labels because they only foster stereotypes. To the chagrin of my conservative suit-and-tie brethren, I don’t fit well in that sort of box.
I’m far from my Lutheran upbringing, as I have a Hebrew/early Church perspective, strongly rooted in the Old Testament. I’m completely independent and would have a relationship with God if there were no churches, as we know them today.
Keep in mind early Christianity was a sect of Judaism. Mary, Jesus, Paul, Peter and many early church fathers were Jewish. (Heh, I’m sure I just put out a few burning crosses of our resident KKK members… sorry to burst your bubble, but the children of Abraham are our brothers and sisters, and we believe in the same God.)
Of course there are many religions, but that’s a poor reason to dismiss all of them. False teachers and counterfeits are a part of life. We have to find our way. As confusing as it can seem from a Religion-101 perspective, it’s really very simple. There are many religions and traditions, but only one creator… The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob … the God of the bible who sent his son on a mission to vanquish death, which is the one thing we could not do on our own.
This all sounds like crazy talk to the nonreligious I know, but there are none crazier and more out of touch with reality than those that put their faith in this world. Your life is passing… the whole earth is passing. To look beyond it is the only reasonable perspective, even if you’re not yet sure what that next place (if there is one) will be, or how to get there.
This life is a door to eternity. IMO, what we do here and what we discover here have everything to do with the next phase of life beyond physical death.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hV0Qm-eOGg