Religion has thrown me under an abyss of everlasting depression

[Strawberry Banana Sundae]

I was raised in a Christian home and my parents were strongly religious. There are just some things I couldn’t stand that religious people do, but every time I question them, they always act like their beliefs are right and mine are wrong. First of all, they will throw fits over little things, like if you say a curse word or say god’s name in vain, they will go on a tirade and yell at you on how I’m being disobedient. Second, they justify their homophobic/transphobic behaviors as godly and use the Bible to slam down my personal beliefs on equality, that one really pisses me off nowadays. Third, they see themselves as perfect but when a “sinner” makes a mistake, a tiny little mistake, they will deliberately shame the living crap out of this person and make his/her/their life miserable. I can go on over more issues I have with religion, but it’ll take forever, so I’m stopping there.

I have provided evidence for all these arguments in other forums, and I got a lot of negative feedback. People, mostly Christians, told me that I’m being too stubborn and “worldly” to accept the “right way of life”, and told to “get right” (ugh how I cringe). Some even called me degrading names and told me to shove my “freedom of speech” up my ass. Others said I’m only throwing a hissy fit and how it won’t change anything. Then they will manipulate me into believing their way is the right way, and so-called evidence that god exists, and they shove all these scriptures down my throat so hard I wish I could’ve been dead by now. They see ME as dogmatic, yet I’m only telling my experiences on religious abuse. But no, they only think I’m the problem and refuse to accept the fact that they have flaws. So who’s the dogmatist now?

Eventually, I got banned from the forum (thank god). Thanks to religion and my differences in beliefs, I’m now feeling more and more sorry for myself and I’ve had so many countless fights with my family, it ends up as a norm. Anyway, I just had to get this off my chest. I just hope that this forum is more accepting of my secular beliefs. Who knows? I’ll probably get more reprimanded here knowing my bad luck.

 

[MATD]

Here’s how I see it. Christians aren’t perfect. Sometimes they make mistakes just the same as anyone else. Sometimes they get too caught up in being a Christian instead of following God’s instructions. Judge not lest you also be judged comes to mind. The reason they act like this? They care about you but have gotten carried away with being a Christian. The more you know, the more you can understand. And perhaps then you are more apt to be forgiving. I’m a Christian myself, so I understand both sides a little. God loves all of His children, regardless if they believe in Him or not. He just doesn’t like some things we do and it keeps us separated from Him. He gave you free will, to believe or not. It’s not Him pushing you, it’s your parents in their own ignorance of His teaching. Call them obsessive if you will, that pretty much fits the bill.

 

[Strawberry Banana Sundae]

Here’s how I see it. Christians aren’t perfect. Sometimes they make mistakes just the same as anyone else. Sometimes they get too caught up in being a Christian instead of following God’s instructions. Judge not lest you also be judged comes to mind. The reason they act like this? They care about you but have gotten carried away with being a Christian. The more you know, the more you can understand. And perhaps then you are more apt to be forgiving. I’m a Christian myself, so I understand both sides a little. God loves all of His children, regardless if they believe in Him or not. He just doesn’t like some things we do and it keeps us separated from Him. He gave you free will, to believe or not. It’s not Him pushing you, it’s your parents in their own ignorance of His teaching. Call them obsessive if you will, that pretty much fits the bill.

The thing is, I tried understanding about Christianity, but it’s way too damn difficult when there was so much conflicts going on in my life. The problem is, things didn’t bother me as a child because I thought it was the norm, but as I got older and learned more about people living in secular society, I felt more and more trapped than free. I paid attention to church services all my life and whenever read the Bible, I cannot help but cringe. It wouldn’t matter anyway if someone told me god is not enforcing me, they don’t have a clue what I’ve been through. I’ve been beaten and bruised by my parents as a so-called form of discipline when I was in my childhood/adolescent years, and these moments have scarred me for life.

I just cannot seem to get into religion without thinking about my own traumas. This is basically the main reason why I turned secular. I feel like I have more freedom to express my emotions without any guilt or shame. The truth is, you can never convince a secular person to go religious. That is for themselves to decide. And therefore I decide to not go back. I’ve learned too much and I’m desperately trying to UNlearn it. I hope I haven’t offended you. But again, this is still my personal experience, and no one else can rewrite it.

 

[MATD]

I am not offended. Rest assured. I would like to challenge you however. People are not perfect nor can they ever be. Not you, not me, not your parents. The challenge for you is think about this a little deeper, getting the bigger picture. Your experience has no doubt blinded you to the bigger picture, which is typical, if you will. You aren’t alone as far as suffering from “well meaning parents.” My own issues stemmed from the way I was raised. It wasn’t until years later I learned the way I was raised was not “ normal.” It has taken a lot of therapy, self examination, and, yes, my belief in God to fully realize and see the bigger picture. This world is by far not perfect, the people are not perfect. Having learned this opened my eyes to a much different reality than the one I lived in before. Once you gain that realization, it can free you from being bogged down by negative emotions and can also help cleanse the hurt you have experienced, IF you are willing to face yourself, your past life, and look at it from a different perspective. I’m not preaching to you, but sharing my own experience so you can start the healing process. I sense you are young but are able to reason things out using logic and accepting truth when it presents itself.

 

[Jonathan123]

Hi. SBS. It's called 'hubris', a kind of spiritual superiority. There is no need for that kind of behaviour because it can hurt so many as it has you. I too am a Christian because that is the religion I was brought up in, although my parents never pushed it. I also believe that all religions have something to offer. The teaching of Christ are all that's needed. His sermons and parables, if understood, can lead to a peaceful life where we respect each other and love one another with no strings attached. You have been brought up to believe that you 'must' do this and that in religious terms. That is wrong. There is no must about anything, and you will do what is good for you.
I have friends who are atheists and I would never dream of discussing their beliefs with them because, like politics, it can cause so much emotion. When Christ walked this earth he lived in a country occupied by an enemy. He could have been angry and tried to alter the situation, That's what the Jews expected, a saviour, but he still preached love and understanding. They wanted a man with a sword who would vanquish the Roman army, but what they got was a man of peace who said, 'Love thine enemy'. Love, compassion, empathy and kindness are all Christian beliefs. Nothing else is needed. I am not religious in the accepted sense of the word, but I do believe in Christian virtues. I don't go to church because I live in a Christian community. But other religions have those virtues to offer too. Please don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Christ never laid down any rituals or forced his beliefs on anyone. We humans have done that, and have distorted his teachings until they become meaningless. Religion can be used as a means of power, control. Christ walked the shores of Galilee in a seamless robe and relied on the goodwill of his fellow countrymen to live. No power, no attempt to control, just plain love for his fellow man. If we did the same what a different world it would be! I suggest you may need to unlearn all you have been told about religion and look at the teachings of all the masters in a different light, free from Prejudice.

 

[Cheyworship]

I was raised in a Christian home and my parents were strongly religious. There are just some things I couldn’t stand that religious people do, but every time I question them, they always act like their beliefs are right and mine are wrong. First of all, they will throw fits over little things, like if you say a curse word or say god’s name in vain, they will go on a tirade and yell at you on how I’m being disobedient. Second, they justify their homophobic/transphobic behaviors as godly and use the Bible to slam down my personal beliefs on equality, that one really pisses me off nowadays. Third, they see themselves as perfect but when a “sinner” makes a mistake, a tiny little mistake, they will deliberately shame the living crap out of this person and make his/her/their life miserable. I can go on over more issues I have with religion, but it’ll take forever, so I’m stopping there.

I have provided evidence for all these arguments in other forums, and I got a lot of negative feedback. People, mostly Christians, told me that I’m being too stubborn and “worldly” to accept the “right way of life”, and told to “get right” (ugh how I cringe). Some even called me degrading names and told me to shove my “freedom of speech” up my ass. Others said I’m only throwing a hissy fit and how it won’t change anything. Then they will manipulate me into believing their way is the right way, and so-called evidence that god exists, and they shove all these scriptures down my throat so hard I wish I could’ve been dead by now. They see ME as dogmatic, yet I’m only telling my experiences on religious abuse. But no, they only think I’m the problem and refuse to accept the fact that they have flaws. So who’s the dogmatist now?

Eventually, I got banned from the forum (thank god). Thanks to religion and my differences in beliefs, I’m now feeling more and more sorry for myself and I’ve had so many countless fights with my family, it ends up as a norm. Anyway, I just had to get this off my chest. I just hope that this forum is more accepting of my secular beliefs. Who knows? I’ll probably get more reprimanded here knowing my bad luck.

If you want my personal opinion, Let’s look at what you just wrote, you are clearly very critical of Christianity. I don’t really care about that personally, but what you’re saying about peoples Christian beliefs parallel what they say about your secular beliefs.
They have their personal issues and experiences with atheism and you have your personal issues and experiences with theism. That’s exactly why I’m Christian at least, my atheist, liberal mother berated me and refused to show up to my baptism when I converted.

I don’t think your problem is with Christianity as much as it is normal human entitlement. Everyone thinks their beliefs are right and tout them around as the “right” path. I can guarantee you do it too. What forums were you banned from? Because if you are going onto forums for Christianity and proclaiming your disbelief in God then I can’t feel bad that you got banned.

 

[Matticus1983]

I was raised in a Christian home and my parents were strongly religious. There are just some things I couldn’t stand that religious people do, but every time I question them, they always act like their beliefs are right and mine are wrong. First of all, they will throw fits over little things, like if you say a curse word or say god’s name in vain, they will go on a tirade and yell at you on how I’m being disobedient. Second, they justify their homophobic/transphobic behaviors as godly and use the Bible to slam down my personal beliefs on equality, that one really pisses me off nowadays. Third, they see themselves as perfect but when a “sinner” makes a mistake, a tiny little mistake, they will deliberately shame the living crap out of this person and make his/her/their life miserable. I can go on over more issues I have with religion, but it’ll take forever, so I’m stopping there.

I have provided evidence for all these arguments in other forums, and I got a lot of negative feedback. People, mostly Christians, told me that I’m being too stubborn and “worldly” to accept the “right way of life”, and told to “get right” (ugh how I cringe). Some even called me degrading names and told me to shove my “freedom of speech” up my ass. Others said I’m only throwing a hissy fit and how it won’t change anything. Then they will manipulate me into believing their way is the right way, and so-called evidence that god exists, and they shove all these scriptures down my throat so hard I wish I could’ve been dead by now. They see ME as dogmatic, yet I’m only telling my experiences on religious abuse. But no, they only think I’m the problem and refuse to accept the fact that they have flaws. So who’s the dogmatist now?

Eventually, I got banned from the forum (thank god). Thanks to religion and my differences in beliefs, I’m now feeling more and more sorry for myself and I’ve had so many countless fights with my family, it ends up as a norm. Anyway, I just had to get this off my chest. I just hope that this forum is more accepting of my secular beliefs. Who knows? I’ll probably get more reprimanded here knowing my bad luck.

Try and read this before you roll your eyes. haha.The only thing I try and remember throughout my day is did I do what Jesus would have done to the people I come in contact with. Some days are 20%, some are 60%. You can't come close to that perfection. The paradox is His love and it is the key here. Ive taken college classes on the old testament and new testament, and one thing is for sure.. From what Ive seen, the majority of the Bible is useful only if pertained to the world/sociology OF THAT time! The Professors won't come out and say it, they more or less call it genres. What does lasts lies in the New Testament (Jesus). Now if a man/God with perfect love and perfect humility can charge any man with transgression he would have. But Jesus never did.. Instead he helped the people who needed help whether sinner or confused; alcoholic? I'm sure gay and trans fit in their somewhere... Depressed etc. Ya gotta understand there was an old covenant and the new covenant. The latter being what you should really pay attention to and really guide your life by. Some people rely on Old Testament standards of living by a wrathful God as a way of scaring the sin out of people. My mom used to do the same thing as me. It's really just a way to get rid of self guilt. Hang in there, take an inventory every day, and pray when your minds clear. It won't always be that clear! You got this. Anger won't change a thing.
I myself have issues with religion to, I've been estranged from church from years now...I can't really take all the social happiness so I understand what your going through. Your right self pity will get you nowhere but when you've been through the gallows like we have the last thing you want is a crowd of people smiling because they feel elated. I don't think you can really blame a depressed person for that. One last thought.........Does God/Jesus judge a schizophrenic man who doesn't know reality? Well If He does, I'm out...We are sick people but atleast we have frame of thought, right? I think God knows that...