Any agnostics here find "God"?

[laurabelle]

So has anyone who lost their faith find it again, particularly if you were never really religious to begin with? Was there some divine moment that changed it all? Did having children kick start anything?

Any comments appreciated.

I wasn't raised in a church, though my parents had us baptized as infants to "cover us just in case"... I supposed you could call it more of an agnostic upbringing. Occasionally I would go to guitar mass at Catholic church when I was teenager with friends, but I was put off because I didn't fit in (didn't know all the "rules", wasn't allowed to take communion, ect...)
As a young adult, I didn't go to church at all, but I believed there was a God and there was something inside me that wanted to know more...I married an atheist and when we were expecting our first child, and I asked him if it would be ok if we could go to church, just like you and your hubby. We started going to a "cute" Methodist church, because that was the denomination I was baptized in. God really drew me to himself, starting in that place. That was 11 years ago, and I now attend a non-denominational church I was "re-baptised" (because I wanted to be) and I'm really happy there. As far as my faith goes, Christ has seen me "...through the valley of the shadow of death..." and I walked through it peacefully! BTW-my hubby is still not a believer (and I still love him!) hth

 

[Miss Jasmine]

See, now this is what I *do* like about Catholicism, and one of the reasons I was brought back to the church, after exploring some Protestant churches. I like that one is expected to live a good life, that God is watching, that simply saying "Jesus Christ is my savior" is NOT enough. The "grace through faith alone" concept is lost on me.

That's why I like Catholicism's focus on good works and faith, not just faith. If I'm shaky in my faith (which I frequently am), I focus on the good works. Was it Aristotle who said that we become what we do? I go to mass when I can, I try to do good things for other people, and I try to have faith; although I'm not always successful. The thing is, I believe that those actions, those good works, will in turn help me to have faith.

Does that make sense?

Snoopy, from that faith comes good works. They really work hand-in-hand. There a many quotes in the Bible about good deeds, bearing fruit, etc. And many other faiths do emphasize good works, but ulimately it is you accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior and asking for forgivness of your sins that grants you eternal life. We will be judged one day on what we did on this earth.

 

[snoopy]

I guess I'm backward, Miss Jasmine. I think what you have described, good works as a result of faith, is common in the Protestant religions. It just didn't wash with me. I feel that if I live my life being the best person I can be, faith will come naturally. Catholics seem to put more of an emphasis on this concept, which is really what drove me back.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I don't think you are backward. I think it's basically the which came first, the chicken or the egg. They work hand-in-hand. Not sure the order matters.

 

[snoopy]

Thanks Miss J. I sure hope order doesn't matter, because I've been doing things half-*** backward for as long as I can remember.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Thanks Miss J. I sure hope order doesn't matter, because I've been doing things half-*** backward for as long as I can remember.

LOL

 

[penguinande]

I was also raised Catholic and am now agnostic (and lean towards athiesm). I consider myself a good person, and don't need a religion to help me solve moral dilemmas. I'm still young but I haven't experienced any of the conflict or the longing for religion that so many people say they feel, and I don't anticipate feeling that way in the future. I am perfectly happy to enjoy life without having to wonder about whether I'm missing out by not having a religion. I enjoy the company and closeness of other people and could not fathom building a relationship with any "god". Mind you, I have nothing against religion and feel that all religions should be valued and accepted equally. I certainly am not criticizing those who do find happiness in their beliefs.

P.S. This is my 75th post, so I should be a Mousketeer now!

 

[Queenie]

I was raised in a totally agnostic family but found God when I was about 12/13. I've looked at many different religions since then and researched their beliefs. After a few years I found one that matched my beliefs to a tee and I've stuck with it and am very happy that I did. I live with a total and utter athiest which can be very trying. He has a tendency to say things like "all religion is a load of *unrepeatable words*" which can be very upsetting but I think he's starting to get the message. Feel free to disbelieve but don't be abusive about it in front of me!

 

[totalia]

No. I've never refound my faith again. I lost faith in Christianity many years ago. I was agnostic for a while, then I turned Atheist. I found Wicca and am happy with my religion.

 

[MosMom]

Nope, children did not kick start anything. Still agnostic.

 

[DemonLlama]

C.S. Lewis was so helpful to me in those dark moments when I could not see the light. An avowed atheist in his earl adulthood, he became a Christian after carefully considering all the options. Many of his books discuss his reasoning, but the one that I cherish is called Mere Christianity.

 

[robinb]

I said I was game - so here I am wondering what shoes go with this skirt and if an agnostic can be converted back to religion after having so many unanswered questions.

Well ... I went from "Agnostic" to "Atheist" many years ago. I knew that sitting on the fence was being false to myself. Having children did not change the way I feel about "God". I do feel that children should be raised in a religion (so they can reject it later in life ) and my DH is Jewish, so we're raising my DD Jewish. I will not go to Temple, that's all my DH's job and so far he doesn't seem too interested in it either. He is taking her to a Purim Festival on Sunday with some friends, so I guess that's a start.

I think if you're on the "God" side of the fence, then you can easily be reabsorbed back into the religious fold. However, if you're like me you'll roll your eyes and fidget the entire time. For me, the whole "Jesus" thing .. the "Son of God", the dying for our sins, the resurrection is what started my questioning. Easter service would be torture for me.