Hi everyone, I am new here and it's a pleasure to meet you all.
I joined this forum because I felt a deep need to connect with other Christians. I'm in my early 30's and just moved to a new city. It's been incredibly difficult to find friends and tap into community.
Here are some points on my background with a general focus on my religious life:
I look forward to reading and making posts.
I joined this forum because I felt a deep need to connect with other Christians. I'm in my early 30's and just moved to a new city. It's been incredibly difficult to find friends and tap into community.
Here are some points on my background with a general focus on my religious life:
- I was born in Australia into family of Asian heritage. I definitely went through that identity-crisis that so many migrant children face.
- My family attended an evangelical / Pentecostal church. My parents weren't super on-fire Christians but we were part of the community. We never discussed religion at home. Sunday school provided most of my Christian education.
- I have always struggled with faith. I fell away from in my 20s because it just didn't feel real to me. Despite growing up in Pentecostal circles, I never had an intense spiritual experience like speaking on tongues, or tangibly 'felt' the love of God.
- I increasingly view Pentecostal churches as shallow, shout-y motivational speaking with bad music. I became an atheist/agnostic for a few years in my 20s.
- To cut a long story short, I've now been a Roman Catholic for a few years. It seemed to make more sense to me intellectually and historically.
- I appreciate the calm and ordered structure of the services (the Mass), not to mention the smells and the bells. I interpreted the grandeur of the Church and solemnity of the Mass as the presence of God. I can't help but feel some pride at being Catholic because of its illustrious history and grand traditions.
- I still feel disconnected from God. My Christianity has always been so head-strong. I don't really see or hear God with certainty in my life. My prayers are never answered and so many questions remain. I'm now beginning to question Catholicism and Christianity (all over again).
- I have serious mental health struggles: anxiety, clinical depression, loneliness and alcohol abuse. A major reason for this is my struggles an unhappy childhood and my sexuality: I am same-sex attracted / gay.
- I have always supported the Church's and Bible's teaching on marriage. Yet, I deal with crippling loneliness because I haven't really told anyone for fear of shame and rejection. As I get older and people my age start getting married and having children, the fear of being alone forever gets me down more and more.
I look forward to reading and making posts.
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welcome to cfnet. I enjoyed your introduction…thoughtful open and honest.
more strongly reinforced by the culture than in many other parts of the country. I could be mistaken.
