An Experience I Thought of as Impossible

[Andrew Is Not Funny]

Please don't talk down to me for this or get offended but...
I was an Atheist for 7 years but in the past few days I think I suddenly became Christian. No denomination, just the essence of Christianity. Christianity in the most literal sense for me.
It came after a long hyperfocused conversation with my mother about spirituality. That unfortunately happens often because of how her views influence what she says.
I tried listening, expecting it to be another case of her talking down to me on this topic. But then it all made sense, it clicked, one logical piece after the other. I couldn't unsee it.
I feel as if the words and actions of Jesus are the most honest version of what I would have said and done if I lived during his time and circumstances. I also think all of what he did can be perfectly explained metaphysically. It all fits together in a relatable but rational way.
It is strange. What I thought of as Christianity was always Catholicism and other churches. Not this pure experience where it all fits together seemlessly.
How can I deal with this? Am I just "deceived" because I am "dysfunctional"? I am just searching for the truth and a framework for it as always, ever since I was born.

 

[Aspychata]

I believe it's possible to be a good person without subscribing to a particular religious doctrine, but if this makes you feel truly happy, then just go with it, and if it doesn't suit your needs at some point, you can decide to move on.

 

[Hypnalis]

Spirituality seems to be innate in humans. So finding it, or reframing what you had, can't be bad.

Religions vary a lot of course, but in general their good parts are useful guidance for life, and for how to think about and interact with the world.

A now common phrase which I quite like is: "Traditions are the answers to problems whose nature we have forgotten".

FWIW I think the "bad parts" of religions are generally a side effect of the administrative hierarchy that develops when they become well organized and very large. They don't necessarily (or generally) corrupt the spiritual core (i.e. the "good part"), and they can be a mixture of good and bad.

The point of that: don't be scared off by the presence of "human failings" in Christianity as a whole. That's not the part that matters most.

BTW. I'm a nearly life-long pro-spirituality atheist. But that doesn't make me opposed to Theist religions. If you've found something that works for you in Christianity, i think you should run with it.

 

[Wolfnox]

Please don't talk down to me for this or get offended but...
I was an Atheist for 7 years but in the past few days I think I suddenly became Christian. No denomination, just the essence of Christianity. Christianity in the most literal sense for me.
It came after a long hyperfocused conversation with my mother about spirituality. That unfortunately happens often because of how her views influence what she says.
I tried listening, expecting it to be another case of her talking down to me on this topic. But then it all made sense, it clicked, one logical piece after the other. I couldn't unsee it.
I feel as if the words and actions of Jesus are the most honest version of what I would have said and done if I lived during his time and circumstances. I also think all of what he did can be perfectly explained metaphysically. It all fits together in a relatable but rational way.
It is strange. What I thought of as Christianity was always Catholicism and other churches. Not this pure experience where it all fits together seemlessly.
How can I deal with this? Am I just "deceived" because I am "dysfunctional"? I am just searching for the truth and a framework for it as always, ever since I was born.

Why not study it? I always read the Bible and compared its teachings and testimony to different aspects of life and understanding people, events, history, theories, and science. I found a lot of truth in it.

 

[Andrew Is Not Funny]

I believe it's possible to be a good person without subscribing to a particular religious doctrine,

Same with me, don't worry. I even know it from experience.

 

[Andrew Is Not Funny]

A now common phrase which I quite like is: "Traditions are the answers to problems whose nature we have forgotten".

I do completely agree, although in a progressive sense.

FWIW I think the "bad parts" of religions are generally a side effect of the administrative hierarchy that develops when they become well organized and very large. They don't necessarily (or generally) corrupt the spiritual core (i.e. the "good part"), and they can be a mixture of good and bad.

The point of that: don't be scared off by the presence of "human failings" in Christianity as a whole. That's not the part that matters most.

I do care about the "human failings" exactly because they are inevitable. I wish to get closer to the spiritual core, the thing that sets spirituality apart from just being a power game. I have other types of answers for other aspects of the world.

 

[Tom]

I was raised Catholic and then in my teens became an Agnostic but finally around age 27 embraced Christianity again but also in a general sense not so much tied to a specific denomination. I would describe myself as:

Christian, 1ea.

A way of thinking certainly influenced by a career in the military and it's laconic supply system.

Almost 40 years later I am still embraced and look forward to, not fear, what comes next.

,

 

[jsilver256]

Hey Andrew, as a Christian myself who had been a hardcore atheist for 20 years and converted 4 years ago, I'd love to say "yes, you did have a profound experience from the Holy Spirit!"

But as you know, we are all ASD, we all have these tendencies of black and white thinking. 100% atheist, 100% religious, can flip back and forth between both.

I'd encourage you to take a deep breath, kind of put a distance between your mind and your emotions, and ask the Holy Spirit to actually speak to you and not to your ASD, and give you more clarity and confidence in your fledging faith.

When I became a Christian, John 1 was one of the chapters that suddenly started making sense to me. Take a look at John 1 and see what you think - but remember as far as John 1:1, when it says Jesus is the Word, the Word is the Greek word for Logos - Logic, Reason, Language. It doesn't just mean word as in "scriptures."

Being Christian is going to be the hardest journey you'll ever take. It isn't going to give you prosperity, it's not going to give you happiness, It's not going to cure you of your mental struggles (despite what other Christians say), it's not going to give you any of the other things that other religions promise. It promises that God will humble you and reduce you to nothing so that you can be rebuilt. Hebrews 12 explains it better.

What it does promise is that you will become a new creation in Jesus free from the bondage of sin - whatever that may look like for you - for me it was alcoholism, broken marriage, pride.

GotQuestions is very helpful in explaining unclear Scriptures.

 

[Andrew Is Not Funny]

But as you know, we are all ASD, we all have these tendencies of black and white thinking. 100% atheist, 100% religious, can flip back and forth between both.

I'd encourage you to take a deep breath, kind of put a distance between your mind and your emotions, and ask the Holy Spirit to actually speak to you and not to your ASD, and give you more clarity and confidence in your fledging faith.

Yes, I am Autistic. But what I see you asking me now is to treat it as a disease or obstacle instead of a gift or gateway. I am confident in who I am.

What it does promise is that you will become a new creation in Jesus free from the bondage of sin - whatever that may look like for you - for me it was alcoholism, broken marriage, pride.

What if I am already a creation of Him? Pride is not a sin in itself. Self-love is the first step towards loving others.

 

[jsilver256]

Yes, I am Autistic. But what I see you asking me now is to treat it as a disease or obstacle instead of a gift or gateway. I am confident in who I am.

My apologies for unclear communication. I do not see autism as a disease or obstacle, but as an attribute which God endows us with.

What I'm saying is, autism can make our emotions flip back and forth, so it may be helpful to take the time to examine your faith intellectually, integrate it as part of yourself.

What if I am already a creation of Him? Pride is not a sin in itself. Self-love is the first step towards loving others.

Again, apologies for unclear communication. There are different kinds of pride. In my case, my pride was misplaced - career and wealth, instead of in family.

 

[Andrew Is Not Funny]

My apologies for unclear communication. I do not see autism as a disease or obstacle, but as an attribute which God endows us with.

What I'm saying is, autism can make our emotions flip back and forth, so it may be helpful to take the time to examine your faith intellectually, integrate it as part of yourself.

Again, apologies for unclear communication. There are different kinds of pride. In my case, my pride was misplaced - career and wealth, instead of in family.

Thank you. I understand.
My sin was hating myself, giving power to my own demons. I needed to realize that I am indeed fundamentally different from most people but not inherently worse.
In fact, I can and need to contribute a lot to this world.

 

[jsilver256]

You are way ahead of me when I became a Christian. It took me a long time to change my thinking from "what can God do for me?" to "what can I do for God and the world?"

 

[Andrew Is Not Funny]

You are way ahead of me when I became a Christian. It took me a long time to change my thinking from "what can God do for me?" to "what can I do for God and the world?"

Interesting.
I do strongly suspect now that I have a significantly higher IQ than what they recorded when I was under heavy medication.
I feel old mentally. But I'm not exhausted from it anymore, not even tired. I feel actively inspired.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

You might be interested in Quakerism, which is Christian religion. Many seekers are drawn to it. There is no hierarchy, no dogma as such. Quakers' practices focus on the questions this life poses. It focusses on the here and now, and listening to God's message. You do not have to change who you are. Although through the practice of listening, it is likely you will experience transformation. It i

(I've been a practicing Quaker for some 25 years. It has made an enormous difference in my life. Quakers do not proselytize, so this is my truth in labeling statement. Just passing on information because your post sounded like you might be looking for some of these things.)

 

[mw2530]

There is a lot of logic with Christianity and the puzzle pieces all fit together well. For example, in the old testament of the bible, the Israelites sacrifice animals to atone for their sins and to stay connected with God. Sin is what separates people from God. Jesus was sent to forgive sins and sacrificed his life, the lamb of God, to atone for the sins of all mankind. As a result anyone can know God through Jesus and no animal sacrifices have been needed since. The sacrifice of Jesus mirrors the animal sacrifices.

I grew up going Christian, and consider myself a Christian today. I must be honest though, a do struggle with my faith as I often times think it is all too good to be true. But I also feel like it is more unlikely that the world and us humans exist just due to happenstance. I have also been angry with God because I feel like my life has been full of suffering, much more suffering than most people experience. I do find it difficult to talk about God with others or be outspoken about Christianity when day to day life is so difficult as someone who is on the spectrum. Perhaps my purpose is to show impress on people that despite many struggles, some success can still be achieved.

 

[NB79]

Hi, when i was a teen, i believed there was a God, but thought he was a judge far away in the sky or something, that he didn't interact with people, one day i received some money and i decided to give tithe to a church in my city, then i got a good job that i liked, i thought it happened because i gave to church, so i went to one reunion to give thanks, for my surprise, God was not a distant thing, the Holy spirit touched me in an undeniable way, a way as real as anything else, and some other experiences followed, Jesus exists, and can have a relationship with us.

 

[All-Rounder]

"one logical piece after the other. I couldn't unsee it.
I feel as if the words and actions of Jesus are the most honest version of what I would have said and done if I lived during his time and circumstances. I also think all of what he did can be perfectly explained metaphysically"

It's difficult to believe in 7 years you have not been exposed to other perspectives particularly atheistic on these takes. If you would allow some common atheist questions for processing and learning this information you have:

A person who lives in medieval times writes a book. The main character is made up by using common human sense by the author on behavior according to medieval standards. Is it common for humans of human thinking processes to put main characters in books on a pedestal? Can you identify negative aspects of the main character and behaviors you deem unnecessary and wrong, and behaviors that in our times are no longer acceptable? If you were in his time, can you identify things you would have done differently in his place, using your own moral compass and empathy?

Are you aware of fallacious reasoning? Have you studied it and can you give examples in your life where your thinking has failed you, and in multiple areas of your philosophies?

I could not only metaphysically explain the dragons but physically, and yet is this a quality that brings us closer to the truth? How do humans identify truth from myth, and further hypothesis from real activity?

Is Jesus God to you? Is Jesus more moral than God by known standards of morality? Should your morality change if you become a leader or are you not alright to be emotionally compromised when dealing with live beings?

Just some food for thought.

 

[All-Rounder]

If I might suggest some atheist sources since the religious ones we usually got covered:

The Atheist Experience particularly love Matt Dillahunty's explanations
https://m.youtube.com/user/TheAtheistExperience

darkmatter2525 on YouTube with his explanatory and funny cartoons
https://m.youtube.com/c/DarkMatter2525

 

[All-Rounder]

 

[Neri]

How can Atheists, who appear to worship their own intellect, understand "a peace that surpasses all understanding"? They are delving into areas they have no experience of, thus they can have no understanding of. This is not to say that dogmatic relgious people do, but those who have one or more inner experiences are not going to be able to "prove" that that experience happened. It seems that Athiests often use a scientific lens in an arena that most of "science" hasn't caught up to yet.