help

i-digress

Hey,

I grew up in a non-religious family, but like many Irish people got christened, made communion and confirmation. Recently I lost someone close to me and it made me question a lot of things. I was an atheist before. Since the funeral though I feel a sense of belief that I never had before.

The problem is I feel very alone in this. Part of my family is actively hostile to religion, and I don't want to get a lot of hassle about this until I've worked out whethter this is a short term effect of losing someone or something more important.

Does anybody here know of any Catholic or general Christian courses or groups through which I could explore this? I know I'm too late for the Alpha Course. I've started praying and am reading the Bible. I'd just like to have someone to talk to.

Thanks

Fanny Cradock

I'm very sorry to hear that.

However, the good news is that there are courses specifically designed for people who want to question matters of God.

I'm currently going to one such course called the Life Course. (It's 2 weeks into it, but you can head along no problem.) Or you could try the Alpha Course.

They are pretty much cross denominational. As I said they are designed for people who are exploring Christianity. No special knowledge or faith is required. It's all very easy going and non-threatening.

It basically involves sitting down having a meal, then watching a short dvd and/or listening to somebody give a talk and then having a chat in a small group. And from my 2 week experience at the Life Course, I have met a number of people who are in exactly the same boat as yourself. It can be really rewarding to have these informal chats.

Aside from this, I would recommend reading a book called Mere Christianity by C.S.Lewis (he's the guy who wrote the Narnia books). It's practically as cheap as chips. Also, if you don't feel up to heading along to an Alpha curse or the Life Course (but you would be very welcome), I could probably get hold of a dvd and post it to you.

evil-monkey

i-digress wrote: »

Hey,

I grew up in a non-religious family, but like many Irish people got christened, made communion and confirmation. Recently I lost someone close to me and it made me question a lot of things. I was an atheist before. Since the funeral though I feel a sense of belief that I never had before.

The problem is I feel very alone in this. Part of my family is actively hostile to religion, and I don't want to get a lot of hassle about this until I've worked out whethter this is a short term effect of losing someone or something more important.

Does anybody here know of any Catholic or general Christian courses or groups through which I could explore this? I know I'm too late for the Alpha Course. I've started praying and am reading the Bible. I'd just like to have someone to talk to.

Thanks

i don't know what to say to you man other than stick to your guns if the going gets tough. I was in the same situation, but the other way around. i come from a very religious family, when i lost my faith, it didn't go down well at all at all...

people will bombard you from all sides. the non-religious folk will bash this, the religious folk will bash that...there's no end to the pulling and hauling. good to see you're reading the Bible. finish that anyway and then make up your own mind. if you want to then, take a course. i'd stick with your own thinking for a will though, because taking a course is going to be a little bit bias, and might not help you decide clearly what you believe in. if you've decided you definetely believe and want more, well then sure, take a course. unfortunately i can't recommend one to you bud, but best of luck with it all. i know it can be rough.

philologos

I can't see it much problem reading the Bible for yourself, but I would encourage you to discuss with your local Christian pastor if you want to discuss passages with him / her etc, they are generally very well trained in terms of theology and the understanding of the Bible as a text.

i-digress

Thanks everyone. I've emailed someone about the Life Course so fingers crossed.

I can't really discuss it with a Christian pastor because I don't have one. I've been an atheist up to now. Even a group of people who meet up informally to discuss faith would help, just something to make me feel less lonely.

Puck

I was in a similar situation to yourself a few years ago. An atheist but all of a sudden I wanted to grab a Christian and make them lay out the basics for me. A non-denominational, informal course like Christianity Explored or Alpha would be an excellent place to start. Also Mere Christianity, by CS Lewis or even better The Reason for God, by Tim Keller are excellent books to read.

Where abouts are you? We might be able to find something nearby for you.

Húrin

I would recommend reading the Bible not just straight through. It is a library of books, and it would be good to read both the old and new testaments simultaneously.

kelly1

i-digress wrote: »

Hey,

I grew up in a non-religious family, but like many Irish people got christened, made communion and confirmation. Recently I lost someone close to me and it made me question a lot of things. I was an atheist before. Since the funeral though I feel a sense of belief that I never had before.

Hello i-digress, sorry to hear about the loss of someone close. I'm also happy to hear that God has touched you with His grace!

i-digress wrote: »

The problem is I feel very alone in this. Part of my family is actively hostile to religion, and I don't want to get a lot of hassle about this until I've worked out whethter this is a short term effect of losing someone or something more important.

I think you will face a battle ahead but keep faithful to what your heart is telling you. So many people are either indifferent or hostile towards God. It's very easy to understand why you'd feel alone! I find myself in the same boat because I don't have any close friends who are religious.

i-digress wrote: »

Does anybody here know of any Catholic or general Christian courses or groups through which I could explore this? I know I'm too late for the Alpha Course. I've started praying and am reading the Bible. I'd just like to have someone to talk to.

Great to hear you've started praying! God has indeed been good to you! I don't really know that much about courses but I am a member of the Lay Dominicans and I find that very good. My advice to you, since you were raised Catholic (as I was) would be to:

- Read the Gospel of Luke which is all about God's mercy (e.g. the Prodigal Son).

- Read the catechism which will give you a structured understanding of Christianity and the Church. It's online at
http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm

- Go to your local priest or any priest you trust/know and make a general confession. Believe me this is a great grace!
See http://youth.stbrons.com/Prayers/guide_to_confession.htm

God bless you.
Noel.

CerebralCortex

kelly1 wrote: »

I think you will face a battle ahead but keep faithful to what your heart is telling you. So many people are either indifferent or hostile towards God...

And some of us are neither we simply don't believe in any gods which is a strange and incomprehensible certain people. OP just because religion may be comforting to you doesn't mean its true, just something to keep in mind. Sorry for your loss.

kelly1

Like I said OP, there's a battle ahead!

CerebralCortex

roflkopterz :pac: There should be need for any conflict especially from a christian.

Dades

kelly1 wrote: »

Like I said OP, there's a battle ahead!

i-digress, the Christians can have your soul... we just want your braaaain. Nyum nyum.

--amadeus--

lol @ Dades

OP - like everyone else I am sorry for your loss.

Be aware though that grief is a very powerful emotion. It messes with your head and there is a clear series of stages that people move through when they are grieving. The feelings you have are perfectly normal and irrespective of any comments made on here they are real feelings.

What I would say is to follow your own thoughts on this for a while. Classes, priests or whoever will have an agenda. They will seem to have all of teh answers and it can be very comforting to slide into teh welcoming arms of teh church.

And if that is the route you choose then good luck. However large and serious - potentially life changing - decisions need to be made with some clarity of thought and serious consideration. I am sure that none of teh committed christians on here would encourage you to blindly leap into a faith while still grieving. Instead I am sure they would all want you to engage in a period of reflection. Draw the stength from religion to cope with your grief for now if you feel the need and when you are feeling stronger then the time will come to reflect, read, learn and decide if - or what - religion is right for you.

While the great bulk of teh religious you meet in this country are honest and will only want the best for you there are cults and sects out there who prey on the weak (scientology being an example) and I think the route you are following at the moment - solo thought and reading - is teh right one. When you have moved further through the grieving process if you still feel a draw towards religion then you can go with an open mind and some bible reading done so that you can find a religion that suits. It may be useful to look beyond the christian as well - meditation and the eastern philosophies have spirituality that may fit better with you. The key (I feel) is to find solace and something that resonates with you, not to simply allow yourself to be led by the nose into a commitment while you are still in a deeply emotional state.

Fanny Cradock

i-digress wrote: »

Thanks everyone. I've emailed someone about the Life Course so fingers crossed.

I can't really discuss it with a Christian pastor because I don't have one. I've been an atheist up to now. Even a group of people who meet up informally to discuss faith would help, just something to make me feel less lonely.

Hi I-digress, what part of the country are you in? I'm sure somebody would be able to recommend something somewhere. If you are in Dublin head along to the life course.

i-digress

Thanks for all the replies.

I should clarify, while I did lose someone important to me, I didn't lose a best friend or family member. I am very sad too have lost them, but the stress in my life right now is coming from helping someone else through their grief rather than my own grief. I'm not blind right now, and I'm not as vulnerable as many of you seem to think I am. This is entirely my fault, I should have been clearer in my post.

I have tried eastern spiritualism and many belief systems before, but when I was in church recently I felt as if I'd been trying to light a fire and finally the flame had taken hold.

I am being cautious also. My fiance's family are extremely religious and could probably guide me, but while I am exploring this I don't want any pressure or expectations put on me. If a few months down the line I still feel the same I will tell people. Right now, I just would like some information from people who will not fuss me or rush me.

I think its important to combine some instruction with my own reading, and as I'm in Dublin I'll be taking Fanny Cradock's suggestion.

Thank you for the replies, you've all been really helpful

Fanny Cradock

Well that fantastic to hear. Hopefully you will get something out of it other than a free meal.

i-digress

Yeah I'm hoping so too!

Fanny Cradock

You all right for directions? It's just down from Vicar St (heading out of town) on the same side. It might be worth trying to get your hands on a copy of the first two dvd talks (< 30 mins each). I found them brilliant (more enjoyable than the 5 I wasted on Iron Man) and it would probably help with the continuity of things in your own head.

studiorat

Did someone say free meal???

Fanny Cradock

Yes, but the ask for the deeds to your house and credit card details as a sign of good faith. Standard biblical practice.

dr ro

i loved iron man

Fanny Cradock

Last chance dr ro. I'm asking you very nicely to stop trolling.

Thanks

studiorat

Fanny Cradock wrote: »

Yes, but the ask for the deeds to your house and credit card details as a sign of good faith. Standard biblical practice.

You'd be more than welcome to my credit card. Hotter than the fires of damnation!