Introduction

[TravisW]

Hello, I am Travis. I am an undergraduate Economics student from Texas.

I grew up in a fundamentalist, evangelical church and thay shaped much of my theology as child. While growing up, there were many emerging doubts that I had, and my worldview changed from a conservative to progressive one based off of how I viewed the Gospel, how I viewed science, and how I became aware of injustices that it seemed like conservatism tolerated.

For a long time I dealt with constricting shame about my doubt and feeling like my worldview wasn’t the correct one people I had grown up around desired me to have. I won’t go to far into those details right now, but it led me to a place of being conflicted about the fundamentalist church. Ultimately, I still believed in God, but there was so much strictness I couldn’t get past (which in turn created more shame). I loved many of the people within the local church, yet at the same time could often feel suppressed about certain views I was supposed to have.

It wasn’t until recently that I chose to fully embrace the building doubt I had. If faith was a Pillar, I had often noticed cracks within mine, cracks I tried to pretend I didn’t notice or I tried to patch. So I finally decided to let it crumble, see what was left standing, and rebuild from there.

I’d still consider myself Christian, although definitely more of the progressive, emergent, post-evangelical type when it comes to my beliefs. I look forward to being able to discuss aspects about faith, religion and the Divine with others here, and seeing how I can grow in my understanding of God.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

Welcome to RF. someone will be along shortly with beer sausage and fondue.

 

[Deeje]

Hello, I am Travis. I am an undergraduate Economics student from Texas.

I grew up in a fundamentalist, evangelical church and thay shaped much of my theology as child. While growing up, there were many emerging doubts that I had, and my worldview changed from a conservative to progressive one based off of how I viewed the Gospel, how I viewed science, and how I became aware of injustices that it seemed like conservatism tolerated.

For a long time I dealt with constricting shame about my doubt and feeling like my worldview wasn’t the correct one people I had grown up around desired me to have. I won’t go to far into those details right now, but it led me to a place of being conflicted about the fundamentalist church. Ultimately, I still believed in God, but there was so much strictness I couldn’t get past (which in turn created more shame). I loved many of the people within the local church, yet at the same time could often feel suppressed about certain views I was supposed to have.

It wasn’t until recently that I chose to fully embrace the building doubt I had. If faith was a Pillar, I had often noticed cracks within mine, cracks I tried to pretend I didn’t notice or I tried to patch. So I finally decided to let it crumble, see what was left standing, and rebuild from there.

I’d still consider myself Christian, although definitely more of the progressive, emergent, post-evangelical type when it comes to my beliefs. I look forward to being able to discuss aspects about faith, religion and the Divine with others here, and seeing how I can grow in my understanding of God.

What a great introduction! Welcome....make yourself at home. Lots of tools for restructuring here.

 

[danieldemol]

Hello, I am Travis. I am an undergraduate Economics student from Texas.

I grew up in a fundamentalist, evangelical church and thay shaped much of my theology as child. While growing up, there were many emerging doubts that I had, and my worldview changed from a conservative to progressive one based off of how I viewed the Gospel, how I viewed science, and how I became aware of injustices that it seemed like conservatism tolerated.

For a long time I dealt with constricting shame about my doubt and feeling like my worldview wasn’t the correct one people I had grown up around desired me to have. I won’t go to far into those details right now, but it led me to a place of being conflicted about the fundamentalist church. Ultimately, I still believed in God, but there was so much strictness I couldn’t get past (which in turn created more shame). I loved many of the people within the local church, yet at the same time could often feel suppressed about certain views I was supposed to have.

It wasn’t until recently that I chose to fully embrace the building doubt I had. If faith was a Pillar, I had often noticed cracks within mine, cracks I tried to pretend I didn’t notice or I tried to patch. So I finally decided to let it crumble, see what was left standing, and rebuild from there.

I’d still consider myself Christian, although definitely more of the progressive, emergent, post-evangelical type when it comes to my beliefs. I look forward to being able to discuss aspects about faith, religion and the Divine with others here, and seeing how I can grow in my understanding of God.

Welcome to RF I left fundamentalism within my own faith too

 

[Draka]

Welcome! Pub is down the hall to your left and the library is straight ahead. Be wary of men in kilts and bears. They are not to be trusted. Have fun posting!

 

[sun rise]

Welcome to RF.

 

[Hockeycowboy]

Welcome!

 

[Sunstone]

Fascinating journey! Welcome to the Forum.

 

[England my lionheart]

Welcome to the RF

 

[PureX]

Hello, I am Travis. I am an undergraduate Economics student from Texas.

I grew up in a fundamentalist, evangelical church and thay shaped much of my theology as child. While growing up, there were many emerging doubts that I had, and my worldview changed from a conservative to progressive one based off of how I viewed the Gospel, how I viewed science, and how I became aware of injustices that it seemed like conservatism tolerated.

For a long time I dealt with constricting shame about my doubt and feeling like my worldview wasn’t the correct one people I had grown up around desired me to have. I won’t go to far into those details right now, but it led me to a place of being conflicted about the fundamentalist church. Ultimately, I still believed in God, but there was so much strictness I couldn’t get past (which in turn created more shame). I loved many of the people within the local church, yet at the same time could often feel suppressed about certain views I was supposed to have.

It wasn’t until recently that I chose to fully embrace the building doubt I had. If faith was a Pillar, I had often noticed cracks within mine, cracks I tried to pretend I didn’t notice or I tried to patch. So I finally decided to let it crumble, see what was left standing, and rebuild from there.

I’d still consider myself Christian, although definitely more of the progressive, emergent, post-evangelical type when it comes to my beliefs. I look forward to being able to discuss aspects about faith, religion and the Divine with others here, and seeing how I can grow in my understanding of God.

Hi Travis,
... Blind obedience is not faith, it's blind obedience. When religions demand unquestioned adherence to their dogmas, calling it "faith", they are lying to you. And they are not religions so much as they're cults. Cults of control through obedience, not of faith.

The difference between faith and blind obedience or adherence to dogma is that WITH FAITH, COMES DOUBT. In fact, faith is our choosing to hope in an ideal when we are not able to ascertain any certainty of it's truth or reality. So we must be able to experience our uncertainty to before we can even need to employ such faith. The point being that faith is something we do with our eyes (and minds) open. Not closed. Faith is choosing to act on our hope in spite of our not knowing that what we are hoping in will be forthcoming. As opposed to just blindly pretending that we "know" what we hope to be true, is true, regardless of any and all ignorance and evidence to the contrary.

So welcome to the world of faith, and to the great gifts such faith can bring you in life. And bless you for having the wisdom and courage to stand with honesty and humility against this popular cult of obedience that masquerades as "faith in God". I'm honored to make your acquaintance.

 

[Dawnofhope]

Hello, I am Travis. I am an undergraduate Economics student from Texas.

I grew up in a fundamentalist, evangelical church and thay shaped much of my theology as child. While growing up, there were many emerging doubts that I had, and my worldview changed from a conservative to progressive one based off of how I viewed the Gospel, how I viewed science, and how I became aware of injustices that it seemed like conservatism tolerated.

For a long time I dealt with constricting shame about my doubt and feeling like my worldview wasn’t the correct one people I had grown up around desired me to have. I won’t go to far into those details right now, but it led me to a place of being conflicted about the fundamentalist church. Ultimately, I still believed in God, but there was so much strictness I couldn’t get past (which in turn created more shame). I loved many of the people within the local church, yet at the same time could often feel suppressed about certain views I was supposed to have.

It wasn’t until recently that I chose to fully embrace the building doubt I had. If faith was a Pillar, I had often noticed cracks within mine, cracks I tried to pretend I didn’t notice or I tried to patch. So I finally decided to let it crumble, see what was left standing, and rebuild from there.

I’d still consider myself Christian, although definitely more of the progressive, emergent, post-evangelical type when it comes to my beliefs. I look forward to being able to discuss aspects about faith, religion and the Divine with others here, and seeing how I can grow in my understanding of God.

Welcome to RF. Plenty of us who have left fundamntalism for greener pastures. I did nearly 30 years ago. No regrets.