Seeking Faith, Not Church
Those of you who know me personally know that I come from a pretty strong church background – pastor’s kid married to a pastor’s daughter, formerly involved heavily in the whole “church” thing, yada, yada yada.
Those of you who know me also know that the past year has been one of searching — wandering if you want to use the terminology assigned to me by those in the church. I abruptly left the church I had attended for four years back in August and have only tentativley attended another one since because…it’s in my nature to do so.
But regardless of what my Sunday mornings consist of, mine has been a journey of seeking answers to tough questions – questions about what the meaning of life, the universe and everything (Answer: 42) (Google says so) :) But seriously, it has been a time of back to basics for me.
What is Christianity? What is faith? What does it mean to be a disciple? Do you have to have the “Christian Aura” – I call it plasticity – to be “holy”? What about society? Do you really have to pretend it doesn’t exist in order to be close to God? In other words, when did hypocrisy become one of the sacraments? What does God want from me? Does he want anything from me?
These are the questions on the journey I am taking. I don’t claim to have gotten very far on this journey? I think I have more questions today then yesterday and even fewer answers.
I really related to Etanisla who tells his own story of his journey and negative experiences within the church. The thing that jumped off the page at me was this quote:
And now, I don’t know what to believe. I’m wary of all churches now. But at the same time, I still believe in a God that set this whole universe in motion. I don’t want to get back into a church, I want to get back into my faith. I don’t want to be in that position again, where I’m dependent on someone to tell me what thoughts I should have and what kind of personality is proper.
But I don’t know which way to go. I don’t even know if I’m even at the starting line.
And now, knowing God seems to be another unattainable goal for me. If my mind was/is truly that fucked up, what chance in hell do I have?
Right on, mate! I’m with you at the starting line. Or maybe the midpoint line”?
Pick up your copy of the WordPress Bible, a wildly popular resource for beginners and experts alike.
Written by Aaron Brazell on January 5, 2005
Popularity: 1% [?]
Aaron Brazell
Steven Fisher
Ray Capece
Carlos Granier-Phelps
Andrew Feinberg
Mike Dougherty
Chris Bachmann
Leslie Poston
Jerald Sheets
Scott Goldblatt
Mykel Nahorniak
Peter Corbett
Jonathan Dingman
Geoff Livingston
Jeremy Toeman
Rachel James
Chris Parandian
Warren Sukernek
Joseph Hauckes
Shana Glickfield
Vinnie Garcia
David Nick
Duncan Riley
Carol Ott
Darren McLaughlin
Mike Oliver
Rico Masterson
Lou P. Nuts
I was expecting it to define : The Ranting Area for Aaron Brazell. :p
I was expecting it to define : The Ranting Area for Aaron Brazell. :p
The proposal has the book title set as You Can Blog. I have not yet expressed my distaste for this title as I’m still not quite certain how set in stone it it.
The proposal has the book title set as You Can Blog. I have not yet expressed my distaste for this title as I’m still not quite certain how set in stone it it.
Didn’t Robertson also call for the death of some of the more liberal supreme court justices to get a bigger proportion of conservatives in there? And doesn’t he also use his tax-exempt status in creative ways, such as using his show to market a health shake he sells at GNC?
My point is, Robertson’s a huckster and nobody should be taking him seriously. He does a disservice to organized religion and I don’t think he really believes it himself.
I’m not a big fan of the actions of many churches (and haven’t since the church told my mom they needed a “bigger contribution” to allow me to receive first communion when I was 13; yeah, perfect thing to tell a single mom of 4 kids who teaches kindergarten for a living), but I don’t fault anyone for pursuing higher beliefs than what’s on this planet. In the end though, religious extremism and corruption will do much more harm for any issues relating to religion than any atheist could.
Didn’t Robertson also call for the death of some of the more liberal supreme court justices to get a bigger proportion of conservatives in there? And doesn’t he also use his tax-exempt status in creative ways, such as using his show to market a health shake he sells at GNC?
My point is, Robertson’s a huckster and nobody should be taking him seriously. He does a disservice to organized religion and I don’t think he really believes it himself.
I’m not a big fan of the actions of many churches (and haven’t since the church told my mom they needed a “bigger contribution” to allow me to receive first communion when I was 13; yeah, perfect thing to tell a single mom of 4 kids who teaches kindergarten for a living), but I don’t fault anyone for pursuing higher beliefs than what’s on this planet. In the end though, religious extremism and corruption will do much more harm for any issues relating to religion than any atheist could.
Well, that, of course, depends upon who you are. If you’re an axe-murdering drug-user, than hopefully a church will not allow you to continue those ways.
I’ve heard and read several stories about people who grew up in solid Protestant backgrounds and then turned to searching for something more. A lot of them ended up with me, in the Catholic Church.
Ignore the stereotypes. Ignore the news reports. Ignore the miserable failures that the Church, like all denominations, has.
Just look at what she teaches and what she IS. Despite the ugliness of history and the errors of her children, she remains the bride of Christ.
Well, that, of course, depends upon who you are. If you’re an axe-murdering drug-user, than hopefully a church will not allow you to continue those ways.
I’ve heard and read several stories about people who grew up in solid Protestant backgrounds and then turned to searching for something more. A lot of them ended up with me, in the Catholic Church.
Ignore the stereotypes. Ignore the news reports. Ignore the miserable failures that the Church, like all denominations, has.
Just look at what she teaches and what she IS. Despite the ugliness of history and the errors of her children, she remains the bride of Christ.
I likewise have been a journeyman. I left my church upbringing over tens years ago and started a quest for knowledge. Why should I be fed answers to questions that I don’t even understand? After tens years of searching I still have never left that starting line.
Through my short (but they don’t feel that way) 26 years on this planet I have been trying to find peace and understanding for this life I have been given. I have tried to see with the understanding as a person can only see after an experience. What I observe is that the further I have gotten from God’s word the further I have gotten from myself (my true self) because I only lived for this world and not for God.
My questions only guided me to doubt my faith and that doubt consumed me. Don’t get me wrong, questions are good… but they should validate our faith, not tear it down. Ask the questions that bring you closer to the Son, so that He may show you the Father and they may bless you with the Holy Spirit.
I remember a time before this journey that I burned for a closer walk with God. But it has been a slow and painful road to redemption and I must rediscover my faith everyday to get my soul back in harmony with God’s will. One piece of advice….in harmony with the Will of God is the only place where you will find something built to last my friends. Peace be with you.
I likewise have been a journeyman. I left my church upbringing over tens years ago and started a quest for knowledge. Why should I be fed answers to questions that I don’t even understand? After tens years of searching I still have never left that starting line.
Through my short (but they don’t feel that way) 26 years on this planet I have been trying to find peace and understanding for this life I have been given. I have tried to see with the understanding as a person can only see after an experience. What I observe is that the further I have gotten from God’s word the further I have gotten from myself (my true self) because I only lived for this world and not for God.
My questions only guided me to doubt my faith and that doubt consumed me. Don’t get me wrong, questions are good… but they should validate our faith, not tear it down. Ask the questions that bring you closer to the Son, so that He may show you the Father and they may bless you with the Holy Spirit.
I remember a time before this journey that I burned for a closer walk with God. But it has been a slow and painful road to redemption and I must rediscover my faith everyday to get my soul back in harmony with God’s will. One piece of advice….in harmony with the Will of God is the only place where you will find something built to last my friends. Peace be with you.
Dude. Shocker. Best wishes. Matt.
Dude. Shocker. Best wishes. Matt.
One thing many forget is the animals. Dogs were tied up and cats left in the houses. There are very few pictures, but the ones you see are heartbreaking – the guy pulling his dog out of a doghouse that was flooded got me the most. Why didn’t he bring the dog inside. I plan on giving to the Humane Society and doing what I can to help the animal rescue effort.
One thing many forget is the animals. Dogs were tied up and cats left in the houses. There are very few pictures, but the ones you see are heartbreaking – the guy pulling his dog out of a doghouse that was flooded got me the most. Why didn’t he bring the dog inside. I plan on giving to the Humane Society and doing what I can to help the animal rescue effort.