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What are your earliest memories of Religion?
- Thread starter libre
- Start date
I remember being young, and 'wanting' to be religious. I'd try to pay attention in Sunday school... and my eyes would gloss over. I'd try to remember the stories and names in the Old Testament... and I'd forget. I'd pray, but felt nothing. I read my Bible... and I'd put it down and pick up something else. (I loved to read.) I now joke that their God must not have wanted me, because the urge was there!
I met a Wiccan when I was 16. I read all her books, but pretended I wasn't interested, personally; I was trying to be a good friend. I'd read about different deities, and draw pictures of them... because it was fun, of course. I did a bit of candle magic(and near soiled myself when it worked). Then I came "out of the broomcloset"(as its sometimes called), and my friend laughed at me and said she'd been waiting awhile for me to come clean.
My path has gone down many avenues since, but I think that was about the time I first felt the 'stirrings of the Gods' in a real and personal way. The impulse was there as long as I can remember, but I needed to find a proper path before I could begin to explore.
I met a Wiccan when I was 16. I read all her books, but pretended I wasn't interested, personally; I was trying to be a good friend. I'd read about different deities, and draw pictures of them... because it was fun, of course. I did a bit of candle magic(and near soiled myself when it worked). Then I came "out of the broomcloset"(as its sometimes called), and my friend laughed at me and said she'd been waiting awhile for me to come clean.
My path has gone down many avenues since, but I think that was about the time I first felt the 'stirrings of the Gods' in a real and personal way. The impulse was there as long as I can remember, but I needed to find a proper path before I could begin to explore.
I don't really remember those all that well. At some point when I was around three to seven I became aware that there was a vague expectation that I should show reverence to certain keywords and rituals.
Never quite knew why until I was fourteen or so and learned something about religion and beliefs on my own.
Never quite knew why until I was fourteen or so and learned something about religion and beliefs on my own.
Going to my uncle's Methodist church for a bit when I was a kid and getting my first Bible. I was about 8, I guess. It was a NIV Bible with a red cover. I had it for many years since. I've probably lost it now but who knows. Maybe it's in a box somewhere.
I had to go to a Sunday school sort of program there and didn't like being separated from the adults. I don't remember anything from the Sunday school.
I had to go to a Sunday school sort of program there and didn't like being separated from the adults. I don't remember anything from the Sunday school.
Secret Chief
Degrow!
Relating, rather than simply being aware...
Whilst wandering round an outdoor market, I saw an A-board advertising a short course on Buddhism. It piqued my interest, I have absolutely no idea why. Anyhoo I went. Apart from the odd funny word (sangha? duh?) I was impressively underwhelmed, because in essence the exposition aligned with my understanding of the world already. It seemed I was already a Buddhist but didn't know it. (There was chanting at the end and I really enjoyed that too).
Sorry, what do you mean?
Isabella Lecour
amor aeternus est
I was three when my uncle got baptized. I remember the emotions and the confusion of the scene. It also caused me to be confused for many years because I thought I had been baptized too. I remember reciting "A Child's Prayer" nightly and how much it bothered me.
I still remember how hard it was to sit still on the wooden pews and listen to the sermon. I remember how the books smelled and how rough the carpet was on my knees. I remember how much my parents fussed over me to go. All of this is before school age.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my Soul to keep;
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my Soul to take.
I still remember how hard it was to sit still on the wooden pews and listen to the sermon. I remember how the books smelled and how rough the carpet was on my knees. I remember how much my parents fussed over me to go. All of this is before school age.
At age 5 I remember visiting Hindu and Buddhist temple's and attending Sunday school in Malaysia on Penang Island. Also attended many Hindu festivals.
The smell of Insences has been with me ever since.
Regards Tony
The smell of Insences has been with me ever since.
Regards Tony
My earliest memory was attending CCD on Saturday mornings at St Bede's Catholic Church in Ingleside, IL. I was probably around 6 at the time.
I remember trying to pray and fast when I was about five years old. I would sometimes sneak in candy because I got too impatient while waiting for sunset before eating.
I also went to Friday prayers with my family around that age, and the speeches and Qur'anic recitations taught me more about Islam.
I also went to Friday prayers with my family around that age, and the speeches and Qur'anic recitations taught me more about Islam.
Actually, this isn't my earliest memory. The earliest memory has to be when I discovered that I was an internet prodigy at three years old. I immediately took to chat rooms and demolished all other worldviews using my logic and reason. I was a bit small at the time, so I jumped on different keyboard keys to type my posts.
Strangely, I found no shortage of other three-year-olds arguing online, so I was never lonely.
Cute
Grew up in Catholic school.
I can't remember my first times going to Church, but I can remember that by the time I understood who Jesus was I had Matthew 26:26-29 unknowingly memorized by how dull and repetitive the sermon was to me.
flowerpower
Member
A lot of angry old people harshly disciplining me for being hyperactive in Catholic masses when I was a toddler.
Sand Dancer
Currently catless
I went to an Episcopal Kindergarten, only because it was down the street from me. We had to sit through service each week and we always got in trouble for talking.
Haha - you're not alone.
Viker
Your beloved eccentric Auntie Cristal
I remember going from a little Baptist (40 maybe 50) to a big Baptist church (hundreds like a stadium or circus). I remember being interested more in any little crafts at Sunday school and any singing. I just don't remember fitting in well. I thought the revivals we went to were crazy and a little scary. This was around 4-6 years old. Around 8 I went to a Catholic school, it was the only private Christian school around, and briefly being interested in Catholicism.
Long before kindergarten, my mother told
me that people believe in this God, who
created everything, & watches everything
& everyone. I found it utterly absurd.
She tried to take me to church.
It did not go well for God.
me that people believe in this God, who
created everything, & watches everything
& everyone. I found it utterly absurd.
She tried to take me to church.
It did not go well for God.
Soandso
ᛋᛏᚨᚾᛞ ᛋᚢᚱᛖ
Earliest? Jeez... I think those memories are from when I was 4-6
I remember church service in the local elementary school gymnasium. I remember being in Sparkies (think of boy scouts for Christians, only for the super young kids). I remember doing a nativity play where I was one of the wise men. I remember my mom leading worship and my dad doing the sound mixing in the back. I also vaguely remember people arguing before we switched churches
Apparently the youth group leader was having inappropriate relations with the kids and the church found out. Rather than getting the police involved, they kicked the guy out of the church. The parents were mad, though, and this caused the church to split apart and dissolve
The church I went to after that also had problems, but at least it wasn't as bad as that. The guy never did get in legal trouble for the things he did
I remember church service in the local elementary school gymnasium. I remember being in Sparkies (think of boy scouts for Christians, only for the super young kids). I remember doing a nativity play where I was one of the wise men. I remember my mom leading worship and my dad doing the sound mixing in the back. I also vaguely remember people arguing before we switched churches
Apparently the youth group leader was having inappropriate relations with the kids and the church found out. Rather than getting the police involved, they kicked the guy out of the church. The parents were mad, though, and this caused the church to split apart and dissolve
The church I went to after that also had problems, but at least it wasn't as bad as that. The guy never did get in legal trouble for the things he did