|
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
|
I'm not someone who posts on forums much, but I'm can't think of anywhere else to turn to at the moment. I'm in my mid twenties, and have been a member of the Church of Christ all my life, though I don't know if I could make that claim these days. My dad was a preacher for 26 or so years, and went through some of the worst church related struggles I've ever heard of. Elders turning against the preacher and his family, power struggles within the churches, friends siding against us, I've seen just about everything. I don't think I can claim that all of it was undeserved, more like an original mistake was made that snowballed into something horrendous. Dad made his mistake, repented of it, asked for forgiveness from the church, then was continued to be hassled and hounded for nearly a decade later. We even left the state trying to find refuge from it, only to have their phone calls and letters follow us. It was only after threat of litigation for harassment that it all stopped. Now, it seems like the dark side of church is all I see. These events have tainted my growth spiritually, and I'm sure on some level emotionally. Cynicism seems to be at my core these days.
I've never lost my faith in God, but I can feel myself drifting from Him. I don't attend church anywhere. Looking at the congregations in my area, all I can see is the flaws in them. I see infighting, I see condemnation, I see people using the church as an method of control, I see people with broken hearts being tossed out on the street because they are "tainted", and I all the while I see people do it with smiles on their faces, claiming God's love and grace. I'm at the point where I wonder if there is any real good to churches at all. It seems to be just another system of complacency, ignorance, and elitism. It's like I'm using lenses that only lets me see the negative side of churches. I work at a non-profit organization that meets out of a church building, and there's this group in the church that doesn't like us being in there. We work with un-churched, under-privileged kids, and basically this group doesn't like the idea of these kids "messing up" their building. They've been hassling us lately, and it was kinda like the final nail in my coffin. I don't know what to do. I don't feel my faith is in any trouble at the moment, but looking down the road I can see how it would be worn down. I can't seem to find God's love. The concept of religion has been soured in me almost completely, and as such I get no joy from it. The concept of God (entirely different from religion) seems so distant to me. I believe He is watching me. I believe that He loves me. I believe that He wants what is best for me. I feel none of it. It's like all the heart, all the fire and zeal of God has been draining away for the past decade, and I'm running out. It's like this dreary cloud is taking over my faith. Now, just in case anyone was wondering, no, I am not a suicide risk. I'm not about to run out and do anything rash. I'm not entirely sure what I'm asking for here, other than general advice. I've read the bible. I've read it cover to cover several times, once recently. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated. Thank you for your time. |
| Thread Tools | |
| Display Modes | |
|
|