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Who here is also someone who is Born Again but was not raised in a Godly manner?

Posted on 11/16/2013 3:16:42 PM PST by freedom462

What I mean by this is, who else here was from a background and upbringing that did not center around God and did not center around Biblical morals at all and was raised in an environment where God was not a part of the lives of their relatives and closest friends?

I wonder because it often seems like overwhelmingly posters around here were raised in a Biblical and Godly manner from birth and had parents who taught them these values and about turning to God from the time they could walk.

So I was wondering if there are posters here who were not in that situation and had to turn to God later in life. And if so, what was the difference in before and after turning to God? Did you find it had a profound effect on your ability to empathize with others and see things from their perspective? Did it make you less selfish and less antagonistic and did it make you more independent, productive and self sufficient? What were other changes that happened?


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Religion; Society
KEYWORDS: awakening; bornagain; godcanfixall; godliness
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To: Col Freeper

Yep..... probably just you.


21 posted on 11/16/2013 3:54:53 PM PST by sueQ
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To: freedom462

I was raised with a lifeless, religious Methodist Church as the place of church for our family. I went thru a rejection of this misrepresentation of who God is, got into some wild things as a teenager, then at 18 became a Christian at a non-denominational church where church services and church was a celebration of who God really is.

In talking to people about God, I have found that I have to make it known that these lifeless religious services and churches (yes, including some Baptist churches) are not representative of the great adventure and calling that God has called us to live.


22 posted on 11/16/2013 3:58:46 PM PST by RushingWater
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To: Col Freeper; freedom462

Quote all they like, somebody could learn something and see the light.
But your warning does hold water.


23 posted on 11/16/2013 3:58:56 PM PST by moose07 (the truth will out ,one day. This is not the post you are looking for ....move along now....)
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To: freedom462

Probably many of us, me included.


24 posted on 11/16/2013 4:02:29 PM PST by Joann37
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To: freedom462
I grew up going to church infrequently on Sundays (depending on whether mom and dad made us go). I became a Christian at 19, and a lot of the "God words" that long-time Christians used were new to me.

I've been a follower for over 30 years now, so I guess I use some of those "Holy words" now.

25 posted on 11/16/2013 4:04:13 PM PST by MuttTheHoople (Nothing is more savage and brutal than justifiably angry Americans. DonÂ’t believe me? Ask the Germa)
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To: Col Freeper

That is why I was extra special cautious in making this purely a religious and God/spirituality topic without any political connotations. I figured that would make it less likely for anything said here to be taken out of context.


26 posted on 11/16/2013 4:07:14 PM PST by freedom462
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To: freedom462

Me.

I’m not quite sure what you’re getting at with your questions, i.e. in the bible we are encouraged not to be self-sufficient because Christ’s blood is sufficient for us. Self sufficiency is a form of worldliness. I was a very worldly atheist, and have become less attached to the world as a christian. But that means less self sufficient.

My pastor recently gave a sermon on the difference between faith and mores. People raised in christian or supposedly christian homes are more likely to turn out christian just like people raised in moslem homes are more likely to be moslem. That’s the mores aspect. I have met quite a few “christians” with the mores aspect tied down but they’re more worldly than I was as an atheist.


27 posted on 11/16/2013 4:08:43 PM PST by Kevmo ("A person's a person, no matter how small" ~Horton Hears a Who)
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To: freedom462
I was raised very secular, but with strict morals if that makes any sense. We didn't go to Church. My father was a non-practicing Catholic and my mom didn't have any beliefs, but boy were they strict! LOL

My belief wasn't something that happened suddenly. It grew and developed over time. I recall wondering about God and having a sense of the "numinous" when I was young, but didn't fully understand what that was until much later in life. After studying everything from existentialism to Buddhism, I became a Catholic in my 30's.

Looking back, I was always searching for meaning and I would have to give C.S. Lewis the biggest kudos for shaping my thinking and ultimately, the gift of faith which comes from God.

Do I think my experiences have made me more "understanding" of others? I really don't know. I suppose I may find it easier to see things from their perspective even if I completely disagree.

28 posted on 11/16/2013 4:09:09 PM PST by grimalkin (We are a nation under God. If we ever forget this, we are a nation gone under. -Ronald Reagan)
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To: freedom462

I was seven when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, I met Him at my mother’s knee.
We always went to church, after she died even the foster families I were in went to church, fortunately myself and siblings end up in the same foster family just before I turned 18. They were Spirit filled Bible believing.
Have I lived a Godly life, no, I am a sinner and always will be, I am only saved.
My spirit is willing my flesh is weak.


29 posted on 11/16/2013 4:09:50 PM PST by svcw (Not 'hope and change' but 'dopes in chains')
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To: Fzob

I love your signature phrase...

(Jesus + anything = nothing, Jesus + nothing = everything) Beautiful!


30 posted on 11/16/2013 4:17:03 PM PST by sueQ
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To: freedom462

Me. Not to quibble but everyone has to be born again regardless of their upbringing.


31 posted on 11/16/2013 4:17:53 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: freedom462
Me.

Though I gave my life to Christ at a Baptist VBS at age 9, my home life was anything but godly.

I began going to a local Presbyterian church because my school choir director also directed the church choir. I did get my mother to attend with me, from time to time.

Still, though, home life was very disfunctional with inappropriate behavior from step-father throughout.

Many years later, I learned my mother and my birth father were married in a Baptist church that, even, then I think required couples to be believers, though only God knows the difference and that doesn't prevent one's lifestyle from being decadent.

After finally hearing another call at an outreach dinner at a friend's home, I recommitted my life to Christ, have spent the succeeding years in bible study, reading my bible and sharing the love of Jesus and how He looked after me even when I was far from Him in difficult circumstances, through no fault of my own but also my own behavior..

He doesn't promise us a life free from difficulty, in fact, just the opposite but we are to persevere, grow strong, love others and learn the precious gift of forgiveness!

Bless you for giving me the opportunity to share my story with others.

32 posted on 11/16/2013 4:19:01 PM PST by zerosix (Native Sunflower)
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To: freedom462

I was talking to a mitch5501 about this the other night. I think we all come to Christ with some baggage. Mine was religious, his non religious.


33 posted on 11/16/2013 4:21:27 PM PST by melsec (Once a Jolly Swagman camped by a Billabong.)
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To: freedom462

Raised in a Catholic family that included priests and a nun but aside from going to church every Sunday with mom, God didn’t play any kind of role in our day to day living.

I quit going to church at about 16 and started up again after I met Jesus at 22.

I had to hit rock bottom to turn to Jesus, and I told God that if He could straighten out this mess of a life of mine, He could have it. I’d do anything He wanted, even become a missionary and go to Africa, cause I’d rather be happy doing what He wanted than continue the way I was going.

He took me up on it and I’ve had no regrets since. It hasn’t always been easy, but He’s there and that’s all I need.


34 posted on 11/16/2013 4:21:58 PM PST by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith....)
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To: freedom462

I was raised Mormon and believed that I must earn my salvation through covenants and ordinances....and that I could only partake of those covenants and ordinances if I attended enough meetings, paid 10%, abstained from alcohol, tobacco and coffee or tea. I also had to remain morally ‘pure’ by never having any sexual gratification, masturbation or watching ‘R’ rated movies, as well as all the other commandments. Only when you are ‘worthy’ can you attend the Temple and partake of the ordinances and covenants.

Long story short, I finally realized that I was a failure - I could never be perfect enough, so I quit that god. Of course I didn’t really know God. For over 20 years I wanted nothing at all to do with that polygamous man in the sky....

Finally the almighty God brought me to my knees and taught me about His grace and love. I accepted Him in 2002. I am His!


35 posted on 11/16/2013 4:22:25 PM PST by colorcountry (The gospel will transform our politics, not vice versa (Romans 12:1,2))
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To: freedom462

Grandparents on the side I almost never saw were very religious, but otherwise my upbringing was pretty anti-religion and in a dysfunctional home with addiction problems all around

I came to God myself in my early 20s after He forcefully sought me out with what I can only describe as a string of mini-miracles clearly indicating I was on the wrong track


36 posted on 11/16/2013 4:25:49 PM PST by Nahhh I Dont Think So
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To: freedom462; Alex Murphy; bkaycee; blue-duncan; boatbums; caww; count-your-change; CynicalBear; ...

ping


37 posted on 11/16/2013 4:30:19 PM PST by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith....)
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To: freedom462
Forgot to comment to your last few sentences: am I less selfish, I pray so but you'd need to ask others close to me. I know I pray continuously to serve others, to forgive others without waiting until I feel like it. I have a joy in my life that circumstances don't change.

Most of all, if you don't feel you are a different person in Christ, if others in your family, close friends, co-workers, don't notice a difference in you, you probably need to open your bible, read the Book of John, get by yourself and search your heart to see if you truly feel repentant about your thoughts and actions, ask Christ to forgive you, thank Him for taking the place you deserve on that cross, ask Him or forgiveness and to come into your life and be with you forever!

The fact that you are reaching out, shows that you desire Him to be with you.

38 posted on 11/16/2013 4:32:21 PM PST by zerosix (Native Sunflower)
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To: freedom462
And if so, what was the difference in before and after turning to God?

Night and day. I became a new creature in Christ with the focus of my life now being Jesus and living for Him.

Did you find it had a profound effect on your ability to empathize with others and see things from their perspective?

Eventually. It began right away but is still a work in progress. Old habits die hard and it took time but it did happen.

Did it make you less selfish and less antagonistic and did it make you more independent, productive and self sufficient?

Yes.

What were other changes that happened?

What happened almost immediately was that I realized I needed to get a Bible and start reading it and start attending church again. I read the Bible voraciously, just couldn't get enough of it.

Previously, the thought of attending church and reading the Bible would have bored me to tears. Not any more. Now I realize it's how I get to know my Savior better.

39 posted on 11/16/2013 4:35:10 PM PST by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith....)
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To: freedom462

I met Christ at age 35 through the Catholic Church, almost 35 years ago. My whole life changed. Every aspect you can think of changed. Before, there was no meaning to anything. Now, there was meaning in everything. Above all, God was the center of my life and though I struggled and was led kicking and screaming into His light, I believe He let me glimpse His glory.


40 posted on 11/16/2013 4:36:07 PM PST by Technical Editor
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