Quote:
Originally Posted by Loss Tee
Started life with absolutely zero religious experience what so ever. Was invited to a summer (week long) camp with one of my friends sophomore year of high school - I was 16 or so (I know I was driving). Got to the camp and realized it was a christian camp.
Felt totally and completely out of place - I knew absolutely nothing about the bible. Had no clue who Jesus was (other than he had something to do with christmas) - no clue about any other people mentioned in the bible -had never even seen 'the 10 commandments' or other movies that might give some basis.
Had a great time at that camp - lots of extremely fun stuff - and only a small % of activities centered around christianity.
Came home from that camp; learned more on my own - and later decided to dedicate my life to Christ (ie become a christian). Spent the next few years (5-6) pretty devoted to learning more and more - bible studies - fellowship - etc etc - and was the happiest I had ever been in my life. And liked myself more than I ever had in my life - was more comfortable than I had been - closer friendships - etc - etc - etc.
Moved away to college - and let my faith slip significantly on my priority list. Focused more and more on other things - thought about it less and less; prayed less and less - end eventually hit a span of ~15 years where I hardly thought about religion at all - never prayed - and pretty much sought fulfillment in other areas.
During that period - I dabbled in drug use - tried most things at least a few times - drank - had a few girlfriends - but all in all - a pretty unhappy period for me (not like suicidal or anything - but that time felt 'wasted') - even though I did have some major successes (major life goals met and things like that) - they were hollow; meaningless victories to me - again - life was just hollow.
Those years passed. I eventually got married - and started fighting my way back into a christian centered life (it's a work in progress) - I'm getting better - and I feel much, much happier when my life is built on that foundation - I like myself better; more confidence; more happiness; better coping with stress/worry; all in all a better person in my opinion.
I've now got 2 kids; happily married - and very, very little I would change about my life.
I'm almost 40 - my own case study spans both sides of the coin - and I believe that my experience shows me that it is crystal clear where I should be - and what I should believe.
I enjoy stories like this. Congrats to you on your happiness. Even though I consider myself agnostic I was raised Christian and have seen the influence that religion has on people in a very positive way. My dad is pretty much the epitome of this. Although I do not consider myself "Christian" anymore, I very much resent it when people like Dawkins say things like religion is child abuse. I can see how he would think that, but I have seen religion be an extremely positive force in people's lives.
