Changing One's Religion/Faith: From Christianity to...?

Cyndane · 12-29-2006, 09:53 PM

Hi everyone

I'm at a point in life where my wonderings in the "spiritual" desert has led me to realise I don't believe in the faith I was raised in (Christianity). Of course that is not to say I don't believe in G_d because I do. I just find that the teachings/beliefs of another religion seem to resonate better with me (or is it my soul?).

As I'm sure there are many who have experienced this, it would be great if you could share your story with me! Did you eventually convert to the religion? How did your family and friends react? How have you handled living with a new faith? Has there been people who now view you differently because of it?

Luke Skywalker · 12-29-2006, 11:46 PM

But perhaps all you know is religion anyway, and have not connected with the truth behind Christianity. That is Jesus has risen from the dead and is alive. The Tomb is empty. Too many churches preach a dead religion - but it's not alive and I can understand why some people brought up in the wrong church would want to change religions. Just consider that your actions may be a bit extreme, and perhaps you could try other sects of Christianity that would believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues (other than your native language), and that believe fully in the death and ressurection of Christ and are IMPASSIONED about it.

If I was brought up in dead religion, I too would likely be seeking elsewhere, so I feel for your position.

turqoise · 12-30-2006, 12:15 AM

For me I wasn`t really raised in one religion, though I wouldn`t say I was ever athieist. I read picture books of a couple of different religions when I was still young, then pondered the big questions in life in my early teens. I`m sure my parents were a bit worried but they just kind of sat back, answered any questions they could and let me choose. In reading around a bit I eventually found a set of ideas that made sense to me. I always stayed open and flexible and when I stumbled onto something else that also made sense, I would learn about that too. On the other hand, if a certain idea or practice didn`t feel right after taking a look into it, I would let it go. Sort of like adjusting a diet i guess.

There are lots of wise ways of thinking and living, but at the core, most major religions and life philosophies tend to try to help you realise the same basic thing. Love and happiness and how to do it harmoniously. It`s just a matter of how they choose to formalise it, or ritualise it, or symbolise it, detailise (?) it, or teach it, or get you to conceptualise it or learn it. So what ends up on the surface can seem quite different, and this is where you might find that one body of ideas clicks better with you than another.

In terms of family and friends, I live in quite an areligious society, so people tend to be pretty accepting of what you practice. Now that I think about it, it`s not really something that I`ve really wanted to talk about with other people, so I don`t know what my friends and family believe. I guess I hope that people can see where my heart is from my actions.
Good luck

Follow your heart/spirit/soul.

Juliana · 12-31-2006, 06:01 PM

All religions have the same purpose, so I don't think I'd bother changing. Finding faith, however, is well-worthwhile. There is only one God, after all. It's not like you get a different one when you switch religions, only a clearer picture of who S/He is.

I often hear people talk about switching religions; the thing is, God isn't a religion.

easyguy · 12-31-2006, 06:19 PM

Go with what feels natural for you. Perhaps you could look into Buddhism, which is based more on doctrinal roots that emphasize good deeds and awareness of your thoughts and actions as an influence on others. I am a Buddhist (fairly new), and could help you out a little if you need to know anything about it (well, anything to my knowledge, as I am always learning something new).

I do not believe in G_d and/or supernatural forces that dictate our lives, but I do believe that if we have the motivation and natural inspiration to change, great things can happen on many levels.

All religions are very similar you will find.

kevin_18 · 12-31-2006, 07:34 PM

Juliana's spot on. When easyguy says all religons are similar, this is also very true. My advice, don't define yourself with a religon or set of rigid, stale concepts. You can only know for certain that you're alive and so have a life to live. Whether there's a past life, a heaven or hell, these are things you may or may not find out and whether you do or not doesn't really matter that much.

Cyndane · 12-31-2006, 10:42 PM

Juliana, I agree with you - that all religion have the same purpose. However, each faith/religion has a different way of relating to G_d and people through its ideology and obligations. Should I then continue to go to church and utter words which conceptualise G_d in a way I don't believe in? Even if I have faith in the same G_d as Judaism or Islam? For example, some Christian sects believe that unless you're a Christian, you cannot be "saved" and are condemned to a life in hell. I surely don't believe that but should I continue to call myself "Christian" if I don't?

veneratio · 12-31-2006, 11:12 PM

You should only call yourself a christian if you feel like it. Personally, I disagree with a few beliefs of christianity, so I don't consider myself christian anymore. Do what you feel is right for you.

herjazz · 01-01-2007, 03:06 AM

I've had this issue in the last 2-3 years and yet, every religion (which I love researching religions, btw, it is my hobby) that I've bothered to really try to get into...I'll all of a sudden run into their weaknesses and inconsistencies...

I'm not saying that this discredits religion...but a lot of religions are very very old (not to mention having been filtered through books and word of mouth) and many people do things without thinking about them first...or some things I believe have been taken a bit out of context and/or applied too much importance to.

I still believe in God as I was raised, but, I am always open minded about new ways to look at it all...I believe that there is a power that made everything, and I believe in certain ways of living (without judging others)...I try to build on that.

Just my two cents.

BTW, hi, I'm new.

herjazz · 01-01-2007, 03:25 AM

By the way, if you are interested in something "new" or "different", I recently read an article about eckankar...(I was going to give you a link but it says I'm not allowed, but I'm sure it's easy to look up)

It's seems to be a variation on Christianity that also takes wisdom from different religions as well.

I don't know a whole lot about it yet, but seems interesting.

12-29-2006, 09:53 PM	#1
Cyndane Offline Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 75	Changing One's Religion/Faith: From Christianity to...? Hi everyone I'm at a point in life where my wonderings in the "spiritual" desert has led me to realise I don't believe in the faith I was raised in (Christianity). Of course that is not to say I don't believe in G_d because I do. I just find that the teachings/beliefs of another religion seem to resonate better with me (or is it my soul?). As I'm sure there are many who have experienced this, it would be great if you could share your story with me! Did you eventually convert to the religion? How did your family and friends react? How have you handled living with a new faith? Has there been people who now view you differently because of it?

12-30-2006, 12:15 AM	#3
turqoise Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Gender: Female Age: 30 Posts: 216	For me I wasn`t really raised in one religion, though I wouldn`t say I was ever athieist. I read picture books of a couple of different religions when I was still young, then pondered the big questions in life in my early teens. I`m sure my parents were a bit worried but they just kind of sat back, answered any questions they could and let me choose. In reading around a bit I eventually found a set of ideas that made sense to me. I always stayed open and flexible and when I stumbled onto something else that also made sense, I would learn about that too. On the other hand, if a certain idea or practice didn`t feel right after taking a look into it, I would let it go. Sort of like adjusting a diet i guess. There are lots of wise ways of thinking and living, but at the core, most major religions and life philosophies tend to try to help you realise the same basic thing. Love and happiness and how to do it harmoniously. It`s just a matter of how they choose to formalise it, or ritualise it, or symbolise it, detailise (?) it, or teach it, or get you to conceptualise it or learn it. So what ends up on the surface can seem quite different, and this is where you might find that one body of ideas clicks better with you than another. In terms of family and friends, I live in quite an areligious society, so people tend to be pretty accepting of what you practice. Now that I think about it, it`s not really something that I`ve really wanted to talk about with other people, so I don`t know what my friends and family believe. I guess I hope that people can see where my heart is from my actions. Good luck Follow your heart/spirit/soul. Last edited by turqoise; 12-30-2006 at 12:39 AM.

12-31-2006, 06:01 PM	#4
Juliana Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 984	All religions have the same purpose, so I don't think I'd bother changing. Finding faith, however, is well-worthwhile. There is only one God, after all. It's not like you get a different one when you switch religions, only a clearer picture of who S/He is. I often hear people talk about switching religions; the thing is, God isn't a religion. __________________ "I cannot rest from travel, I will drink life to the lees." -- Tennyson

12-31-2006, 06:19 PM	#5
easyguy Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Gender: Male Age: 23 Posts: 1,882	Go with what feels natural for you. Perhaps you could look into Buddhism, which is based more on doctrinal roots that emphasize good deeds and awareness of your thoughts and actions as an influence on others. I am a Buddhist (fairly new), and could help you out a little if you need to know anything about it (well, anything to my knowledge, as I am always learning something new). I do not believe in G_d and/or supernatural forces that dictate our lives, but I do believe that if we have the motivation and natural inspiration to change, great things can happen on many levels. All religions are very similar you will find. __________________ "You can only give away what you already have inside yourself." -Anonymous

12-31-2006, 11:12 PM	#8
veneratio Online Gold Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 768	You should only call yourself a christian if you feel like it. Personally, I disagree with a few beliefs of christianity, so I don't consider myself christian anymore. Do what you feel is right for you. __________________ The hardest victory is over self. The answer to being lost in a vast sea of blackness is not to find the light, but to create it.

12-29-2006, 11:46 PM	#2
Luke Skywalker Offline Gold Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 3,471	But perhaps all you know is religion anyway, and have not connected with the truth behind Christianity. That is Jesus has risen from the dead and is alive. The Tomb is empty. Too many churches preach a dead religion - but it's not alive and I can understand why some people brought up in the wrong church would want to change religions. Just consider that your actions may be a bit extreme, and perhaps you could try other sects of Christianity that would believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues (other than your native language), and that believe fully in the death and ressurection of Christ and are IMPASSIONED about it. If I was brought up in dead religion, I too would likely be seeking elsewhere, so I feel for your position.

12-31-2006, 07:34 PM	#6
kevin_18 Offline Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 35	Juliana's spot on. When easyguy says all religons are similar, this is also very true. My advice, don't define yourself with a religon or set of rigid, stale concepts. You can only know for certain that you're alive and so have a life to live. Whether there's a past life, a heaven or hell, these are things you may or may not find out and whether you do or not doesn't really matter that much.

12-31-2006, 10:42 PM	#7
Cyndane Offline Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 75	Juliana, I agree with you - that all religion have the same purpose. However, each faith/religion has a different way of relating to G_d and people through its ideology and obligations. Should I then continue to go to church and utter words which conceptualise G_d in a way I don't believe in? Even if I have faith in the same G_d as Judaism or Islam? For example, some Christian sects believe that unless you're a Christian, you cannot be "saved" and are condemned to a life in hell. I surely don't believe that but should I continue to call myself "Christian" if I don't?

01-01-2007, 03:06 AM	#9
herjazz Offline Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NC Gender: Female Posts: 5	I've had this issue in the last 2-3 years and yet, every religion (which I love researching religions, btw, it is my hobby) that I've bothered to really try to get into...I'll all of a sudden run into their weaknesses and inconsistencies... I'm not saying that this discredits religion...but a lot of religions are very very old (not to mention having been filtered through books and word of mouth) and many people do things without thinking about them first...or some things I believe have been taken a bit out of context and/or applied too much importance to. I still believe in God as I was raised, but, I am always open minded about new ways to look at it all...I believe that there is a power that made everything, and I believe in certain ways of living (without judging others)...I try to build on that. Just my two cents. BTW, hi, I'm new.

01-01-2007, 03:25 AM	#10
herjazz Offline Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NC Gender: Female Posts: 5	By the way, if you are interested in something "new" or "different", I recently read an article about eckankar...(I was going to give you a link but it says I'm not allowed, but I'm sure it's easy to look up) It's seems to be a variation on Christianity that also takes wisdom from different religions as well. I don't know a whole lot about it yet, but seems interesting.