Did you “lose your faith” or stop being religious?

[Anonymous]

Losing one’s faith sounds negative – like a real loss, when in truth it can be positive or neutral. Also, whatever turmoil is involved in changing beliefs, can be societally induced, e.g., being ostracized for changing religions or becoming atheist.

People who were once religious, but no longer are, how do you view this change?

People who know someone who has changed their beliefs, how do you think of this person?

[Anonymous]

I know someone who changed his belief.
Now he trolls religion discussions full time.
I think something is missing in his life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know someone who changed his belief.
Now he trolls religion discussions full time.
I think something is missing in his life.

Could be curiosity instead of trolling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know someone who changed his belief.
Now he trolls religion discussions full time.
I think something is missing in his life.

Haiku time! I'm in.

I know someone who trolls full time.
He thinks people who opine are one full time.
But every accusation is an admission!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know someone who changed his belief.
Now he trolls religion discussions full time.
I think something is missing in his life.

Could be curiosity instead of trolling.

Not for religious folks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know someone who changed his belief.
Now he trolls religion discussions full time.
I think something is missing in his life.

Could be curiosity instead of trolling.

Not for religious folks.

Religious folks have faith.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know someone who changed his belief.
Now he trolls religion discussions full time.
I think something is missing in his life.

Could be curiosity instead of trolling.

Not for religious folks.

Not all religious folks think that people who don't believe in their God are trolls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know someone who changed his belief.
Now he trolls religion discussions full time.
I think something is missing in his life.

Could be curiosity instead of trolling.

Not for religious folks.

Because religious folks don't like to be questioned or to answer logical questions.

[Anonymous]

I was raised Catholic, altar server and all that. Around 16 I was definitely questioning my faith, so much felt hypocritical. By 18 was no longer a Catholic believer. I'm 39 and I'd say I'm more agnostic than anything else. I have my certain beliefs that are kind of a mishmash of things from various religions and cultures.

There was no turmoil for me or guilt. A lot of the Catholic beliefs just did not align with my own beliefs and values. And like I said, a lot of it felt hypocritical to me. Love thy neighbor....unless they are gay.

The change in my beliefs pretty much had zero impact on my life. My parents were understanding. I didn't have friends tied to the church. I view it as a completely neutral part of my life. It wasn't bad, it wasn't good, it just happened.

[Anonymous]

I always had doubts and questions, but believed because that's what you're supposed to do.

Then I took a "Religion 101" class in college (taught by a practicing minister), and it clicked - ALL of it is so obviously made by up by humans. It's let myself accept the doubts and it was crystal clear. That was 25 years ago, and it's still crystal clear to me today that religion and gods are completely made up.

[Anonymous]

The two examples above are of people who changed their belief in religion during adolescence with little or no guilt and without non-belief becoming a major part of their lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The two examples above are of people who changed their belief in religion during adolescence with little or no guilt and without non-belief becoming a major part of their lives.

PP who was in college - I wasn't in adolescence, but my early 20s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always had doubts and questions, but believed because that's what you're supposed to do.

Then I took a "Religion 101" class in college (taught by a practicing minister), and it clicked - ALL of it is so obviously made by up by humans. It's let myself accept the doubts and it was crystal clear. That was 25 years ago, and it's still crystal clear to me today that religion and gods are completely made up.

THanks -- I wonder how much effect you think your non-belief has had on your life. For instance, under what circumstances do you talk about your lack of religious belief? Do you talk about it much ? Did it affect your choice of partner? If you have kids, how are you raising them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The two examples above are of people who changed their belief in religion during adolescence with little or no guilt and without non-belief becoming a major part of their lives.

PP who was in college - I wasn't in adolescence, but my early 20s.

Some people would consider that late adolescence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know someone who changed his belief.
Now he trolls religion discussions full time.
I think something is missing in his life.

Could be curiosity instead of trolling.

+1
And it's VERY Christian to question and investigate one's belief. They just need time space and support (as in non judgment) to do that.