Looking For People With The Same Mindset!

[Cinnamon]

So glad to have found this forum. Call me Cinna!

 

A little about me: I'm a 22 year old living in Austin, Texas. I grew up in a religious home. My mother switched from Catholicism to Christianity after moving to the US from Mexico and found that it spoke to her much more than Catholicism. She took me to a baptist church since I was young and the core of Christianity has always rung true to my heart. My father was not really a practicing Christian but he prayed sometimes and I knew he had the faith in him. I was a very curious child, always questioning everything that my youth teacher taught and strange things that the bible said that I didn't want to believe. It stuck with me as I grew up and while I still believe in the core concepts of Christianity, there are other things that I find difficult to reconcile with my faith. For example: I do not believe that gay people are sinning for being themselves. It's so difficult for me to talk with other non-progressive Christians who think that gay people can "pray the gay away." I love reading books about scientific findings that support Christianity such as Lee Strobel. I truly believe that both Science and Christianity are true. It's been a long time since I've been to church but I've been researching progressive churches here in Austin and hope to attend one soon.

 

It's very difficult for me to share my faith with others because I'm painfully aware of the fact that most of them don't care to be preached to and it will in fact draw them away from Christianity rather than toward it. I also get very emotional when I talk about my faith and tend to tear up if someone doesn't feel the same way. I don't have much of a "conversion story" since I grew up a Christian. I'm more of a fan of treating people well and living my life as best I can and hoping that others will see how happy God has made me and perhaps ask if they are curious.

 

I'm hoping to find some friends to talk to since the only prominent Christian person in my life is my mother and she's a little more old-fashioned than I am.

 

Glad to be here!

--Cinna

[PaulS]

Welcome Cinna,

 

I'm glad you have found this forum and I hope it serves you well (I'm sure it will)

 

Many people here have experienced challenges in belief proposed by conservative/fundamental Christianity and I'm sure you'll find plenty of spirited discussion here around many of the 'sticking points' of conservative Christianity.

 

I'm not all that familiar with the Christian apologist, Lee Strobel, other than having read a few articles debunking his 'evidence' for much of what he says. There may be some truth in his words for all I know, but I think it's awesome that you are a fan of treating people well and living your life as best you can - if only religion was left to be so simple!

All the best

Paul

[AnnieG]

Hi Cinna

 

Glad you could join us.

 

 

You said

It's very difficult for me to share my faith with others because I'm painfully aware of the fact that most of them don't care to be preached to and it will in fact draw them away from Christianity rather than toward it. I also get very emotional when I talk about my faith and tend to tear up if someone doesn't feel the same way.

 

I know what you mean about the difficulty in sharing our faith when we predict a strongly negative response. And I also share your habit of getting teary. While it could be comforting to have more control over which emotions I choose to share with others, perhaps the tears are simply a sign that I have something important to communicate??

 

Hope to hear more from you.

 

 

Annie

[soma]

Cinna I am your fan, I salute and respect people who have faith that sooner or later the soul or Divinity within will be recognized and the person will listen and expand his consciousness to an authentic reality. I agree we don't have to badger, preach and do things that turn people away from the soul. We have enough advertisements that don't mean a thing. Be a Christian and you don't have to say a word. I think many times people preach to convince themselves more than the person they are badgering. I am happy you joined us.