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I was happier when I was religious. That's the main reason I've considered going back to it. Couldn't do it :(

steve_g 11y ago
I’ll tell you how “I” did it. I was raised as a Christian, but when I was 18 I gave it up. It was a matter of conscience. I didn’t believe. As you said, I thought it was irrational. But as it turned out, my rationality and extraordinary intelligence just gave me the ability to screw up my life that much more. I was miserable and empty, not because of my circumstances, but because of me. I sucked. That changed when I turned my life over to Christ at age 29. I still sucked, but it wasn’t about me. I still suck even today at age 53. But it is absolutely OK, because I’m not trusting in myself. I’m trusting in Christ. God’s grace did it. I didn’t do it. It was “easy” because I didn’t have anywhere else to go. I hope you can get back to that place, littletimmy. I’m rooting for you. Let me know if you want to talk more.
- littletimmy 11y ago
  Many thanks for your kind words. It's cool to see that even though our religions are (were) very different (mine was Islam), we nonetheless have a very similar view. :)
- onetwotree 11y ago
  > turned my life over to Christ I think a lot of people miss that this is the essential part of religion: I suck at being happy, despite all of my rationality and intelligence, so let God do the driving. It's very comforting. I'll also add that for me faith didn't come from a single "burning bush" moment, it came from long, painstaking, often failing, effort.
reitanqild 11y ago
I see. I feel for you. I think there is more to it than you and most people have seen, in particular I don't just feel better but I know that it has already transformed me to some degree. That said I'd almost say recommend to wait until one "gets" it, and then hold onto it. That doesn't mean don't try, but don't force it. Ask whatever-it-is to help, read the parts that are accessible (I found Proverbs are partially good business advice.) And whoever else reads this - don't let anyone scam you, - you should be looking for a personal connection to whatever-it-is that will help you, not someone to fleece you. If this helps, keep it, if not leave it. (I'll be offline for a few hours now.)
mercer 11y ago
I'm in the same boat. The one thing that so far has been promising - after about 10 years of 'nothing' since I left my faith - has been zen buddhism. It tickles my 'theological' side by providing an incredibly rich history of thoughts and thinkers that is almost entirely unknown to me (in contrast to Christian theology). More importantly, at least in the form at which I'm exposed to it here, it explicitly promotes not spending too much time on the thinking part of things, has less cultural/religious baggage, and as a result is much more palatable and practical than Christianity has ever been for me. The only thing that it doesn't offer me (yet), and it's a big one, is the sense of community and 'rhythm' that the church offered (Sunday service, youth and small-group meetings, usually at least one other type of activity a week).
- tripzilch 11y ago
  Check out wkup.org and see if there's one near you. I don't know your age, it's aimed mostly at young people, but not too young either (I'm 35) and the groups are diverse and each have their own take (they're not always quite zen Buddhism in a strict sense, though).

I’ll tell you how “I” did it. I was raised as a Christian, but when I was 18 I gave it up. It was a matter of conscience. I didn’t believe. As you said, I thought it was irrational. But as it turned out, my rationality and extraordinary intelligence just gave me the ability to screw up my life that much more. I was miserable and empty, not because of my circumstances, but because of me. I sucked. That changed when I turned my life over to Christ at age 29. I still sucked, but it wasn’t about me. I still suck even today at age 53. But it is absolutely OK, because I’m not trusting in myself. I’m trusting in Christ. God’s grace did it. I didn’t do it. It was “easy” because I didn’t have anywhere else to go. I hope you can get back to that place, littletimmy. I’m rooting for you. Let me know if you want to talk more.

littletimmy 11y ago
Many thanks for your kind words. It's cool to see that even though our religions are (were) very different (mine was Islam), we nonetheless have a very similar view. :)
onetwotree 11y ago
> turned my life over to Christ I think a lot of people miss that this is the essential part of religion: I suck at being happy, despite all of my rationality and intelligence, so let God do the driving. It's very comforting. I'll also add that for me faith didn't come from a single "burning bush" moment, it came from long, painstaking, often failing, effort.

reitanqild 11y ago

I see. I feel for you. I think there is more to it than you and most people have seen, in particular I don't just feel better but I know that it has already transformed me to some degree. That said I'd almost say recommend to wait until one "gets" it, and then hold onto it. That doesn't mean don't try, but don't force it. Ask whatever-it-is to help, read the parts that are accessible (I found Proverbs are partially good business advice.) And whoever else reads this - don't let anyone scam you, - you should be looking for a personal connection to whatever-it-is that will help you, not someone to fleece you. If this helps, keep it, if not leave it. (I'll be offline for a few hours now.)

mercer 11y ago

I'm in the same boat. The one thing that so far has been promising - after about 10 years of 'nothing' since I left my faith - has been zen buddhism. It tickles my 'theological' side by providing an incredibly rich history of thoughts and thinkers that is almost entirely unknown to me (in contrast to Christian theology). More importantly, at least in the form at which I'm exposed to it here, it explicitly promotes not spending too much time on the thinking part of things, has less cultural/religious baggage, and as a result is much more palatable and practical than Christianity has ever been for me. The only thing that it doesn't offer me (yet), and it's a big one, is the sense of community and 'rhythm' that the church offered (Sunday service, youth and small-group meetings, usually at least one other type of activity a week).

tripzilch 11y ago
Check out wkup.org and see if there's one near you. I don't know your age, it's aimed mostly at young people, but not too young either (I'm 35) and the groups are diverse and each have their own take (they're not always quite zen Buddhism in a strict sense, though).