'Real' ex-(religion) adherents. [actual belief]

[Desert Snake]

I selected "don't believe, still identify as (religion)", but please realize that "don't believe" doesn't mean or imply there cannot be a God or Gods.

Yes, that wasn't my intention behind the poll options

 

[Twilight Hue]

Christianity is one religion that designates an ex- Imc.

It's really lost all it's luster and believability to the point it's truly alien in my eyes. It's still astonishing the radical change in views that took place when reflecting back in time.

 

[Gehennaite]

My journey as a theist began when I was 14.

Ex-Jehovah's Witness (15-19)
Ex-Unitarian Universalist (19-24)

I am still a universalist, I just no longer subscribe to any religion. Also, my attitude toward God has fundamentally changed. While once a staunch lover whose wellbeing was heavily contingent upon God, I have completely decentralized and have little desire to experience a relationship, and certainly no desire to live eternally or ethereally.

 

[s2a]

I'm curious as to how many people here are REALLY an ex-(religion), as in, you completely believed in the Doctrines before, but have since changed your mind.

p.s. also other options

Oops, was never a "believer". My bad.

 

[Desert Snake]

Oops, was never a "believer". My bad.

Right, I've never been an 'actual' Christian.

 

[Desert Snake]

I argue Christian concepts on the forums.

/or, should say, did. that's not really of interest to me anymore.

 

[nash8]

It could, I guess. Since I believe in certain aspects of Christianity, I might be a Christian in that sense. By what standard is the bar set at "adherence" might be the question. There are very liberal forms of Christianity, so I don't think it's dishonest for me to use that label.

This is a great post. While I was raised in a "Christian" environment, brought up early as a Catholic, but it was more for social reasons than anything else, although I did almost become an acolyte.

 

[nash8]

It could, I guess. Since I believe in certain aspects of Christianity, I might be a Christian in that sense. By what standard is the bar set at "adherence" might be the question. There are very liberal forms of Christianity, so I don't think it's dishonest for me to use that label.

This is a great insight. What constitutes someone being an adherent to a particular religion. Is there "ONE" particular tenant of a religion that clearly defines you as that. I can say that I believe in a few of the core tenants of almost every religion that I have came into contact with, but whether or not that makes me a member of that religion I dunno. Who gets to decide who is a member of a particular religion and who is not anyway.

While I was raised in a "Christian" environment, brought up early as a Catholic, but it was more for social reasons than anything else, although I did almost become an acolyte.

Then I switched to a Methodist church around age 12, and I got pretty heavily into that and was fairly into it up until I was around 16-17. Active in Youth group, became a acolyte in the church, got "saved" and all that good stuff.

Then once I started college I was exposed to an amazing professor that changed my views on religions altogether. During this, I went to a VERY liberal universal Unitarian church, and I enjoyed that very much, and it is probably the formal religious group that I most identify with. I experienced sermons on Buddhism, the Nicene council, Hinduism, Judaism, Wicca, and about everything in between. Very spiritual organization that accepted everyone without regard for their religious background.

Now I consider myself a member of every religious group, and no religious groups at the same time. I am familiar with most religions at a level where I could pass for a casual member, but would probably not be accepted by the more hardcore tenants. I personally have come to an affinity for Christianity later in my life, but my personal flavor of Christianity would probably not pass for Christianity in 99% of Christian circles, and in all honesty it incorporates core tenets from almost every major religion, as I personally believe the majority of the religions are the same at their core.

 

[1137]

My beliefs have changed many times, but for anyone to claim they don't believe in something would be absurd.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

This is one of those polls that need an 'other' option.

I actually believed in (insert religions beforehand) but more syncretic every time. I don't follow a straight path - I cross through others and move on, taking with me attractive elements of the ones I crossed.

 

[samosasauce]

Well I live in a Christian household, so I used to believe in Jesus and God, but not in all of the Bible's messages or Christian's beliefs

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I was a hardcore Bible-thumping Baptist until 16, and then I followed Neo-Paganism for several years, until I found myself LHP/Agnostic/really not caring anymore.

 

[s2a]

I argue Christian concepts on the forums.

/or, should say, did. that's not really of interest to me anymore.

Only a bit regrettable, as the prophet of "Christians" (followers of "Christ" and His teachings) has some merit and lessons to share with all, even today.

Unfortunately, most "Christian" concepts today retain virtually NO relations with "Christ", as least not as evidenced by "fundamentalist" adherents of the same.

Oh well...

 

[Sirona]

From Catholicism to Hare Krishna. Found praying the rosary un-biblical, but couldn't do without prayer beads. Moreover, wanted to pray to God directly and not just to his mother.