I just wanted to introduce myself and get to know you guys! My name is Krystle, I'm 30, living in Cali with my hubby and daughter, and I consider myself an atheist, (even though I don't think that label is really necessary to describe something you have no belief in.)
There was an extremely pivotal moment in my early teens that pretty much changed my views forever. I joined a youth group with my best friend at the time, looking to solidify my belief in Jesus, no longer wanting to feed the doubts I had considered for a few years. Everyone around me always seemed so sure about their beliefs, I didn't (and still don't) understand where such an unwavering sense of truth comes from. They all talked about how they could just feel Jesus around them, that they could talk to him and just know he was listening. At the end of each service, they'd invite people up to be saved. I'd watch person after person go through the "saving" process...all of them saying how absolutely wonderful they felt afterwards, brought to tears, talking about how they can feel so much love now. Even my friend saying it was an amazing experience, that I'd feel closer to Jesus afterwards. I kept thinking, "Okay, this is probably why I'm struggling with my belief in Christ. I haven't actually been saved yet. I NEED to do this."
One night I decided to walk up to the stage to get saved. There was a band playing, people were clapping, the pastor was using a microphone going on and on about Jesus wanting us to come to him. I closed my eyes and the pastor had his hand on my forehead. He recited a scripture and some other things, asked me if I accepted Jesus as my personal savior...and that was it. No warm feelings of love or happiness, no sense of something greater welcoming me; everything was exactly the same. I was so underwhelmed and disappointed that I started to cry. Of course, everyone thought it was this great expression of the salvation I just accepted. Not even close. After that, I slowly stopped going to youth group. My friend asked me why, but I honestly started to feel like the whole concept was a sham. Of course, it took some research and many discussions to get where I am now in my lack of beliefs in any god or religion, but that was the turning point.
Looking forward to more discussions and posts on here!
There was an extremely pivotal moment in my early teens that pretty much changed my views forever. I joined a youth group with my best friend at the time, looking to solidify my belief in Jesus, no longer wanting to feed the doubts I had considered for a few years. Everyone around me always seemed so sure about their beliefs, I didn't (and still don't) understand where such an unwavering sense of truth comes from. They all talked about how they could just feel Jesus around them, that they could talk to him and just know he was listening. At the end of each service, they'd invite people up to be saved. I'd watch person after person go through the "saving" process...all of them saying how absolutely wonderful they felt afterwards, brought to tears, talking about how they can feel so much love now. Even my friend saying it was an amazing experience, that I'd feel closer to Jesus afterwards. I kept thinking, "Okay, this is probably why I'm struggling with my belief in Christ. I haven't actually been saved yet. I NEED to do this."
One night I decided to walk up to the stage to get saved. There was a band playing, people were clapping, the pastor was using a microphone going on and on about Jesus wanting us to come to him. I closed my eyes and the pastor had his hand on my forehead. He recited a scripture and some other things, asked me if I accepted Jesus as my personal savior...and that was it. No warm feelings of love or happiness, no sense of something greater welcoming me; everything was exactly the same. I was so underwhelmed and disappointed that I started to cry. Of course, everyone thought it was this great expression of the salvation I just accepted. Not even close. After that, I slowly stopped going to youth group. My friend asked me why, but I honestly started to feel like the whole concept was a sham. Of course, it took some research and many discussions to get where I am now in my lack of beliefs in any god or religion, but that was the turning point.
Looking forward to more discussions and posts on here!
again, from Tennessee!
Thanks for sharing you story.
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