Have you ever left a church and why did you leave?
918594
I've never walked out on a service but I did "leave" the Catholic church at age 17.  I realized that gods don't exist.  I couldn't remain a Catholic when I knew it was based on delusion.
955190
I am an ex-ex-christian. I realized that I was wrong to leave, and went back.
973291
Ahhh, I had to make this choice many years ago. I was a member of the church for most of my life, went to Sunday school for years and NEVER missed a Sunday in church.\n\nMy preacher/minister also had to do basic counselling and Pyschology 1/2 at uni, so I felt pretty safe in going to him. Well, he followed the church official position, and TREATED me for homosexuality.\n\nAfter years of pain, depression etc. I eventually went to a psychologist. Though the psychologist was also a committed christian, he could tell me that I can not be CURED.\n\nB very carefull not to ask your preacher to do what he is not qualified to do.
468679
i dont go to church often (i havent been in a while) but for the past few times i did go the preacher always seemed like he was speaking to me...\n\ni love the music and a couple of times i have even cried for no reason (not like boo hoo crying just like a couple of tears streamed down my face)...and no it wasnt because i felt guilty about anything (because i also believe that God is everywhere you seek him...not just in church)...my fiancee says that it was the holy spirit...
97383
I think it's great to go to several churches. It's also great to find one that you consider your home church. You can do this without turning your back on other denominations. The church needs more people like you who are not only willing, but excited to cross the denominational lines. Afterall, unity is so important!
604641
well, it kinda depends on what your issues with that church were.  Is it a church where you feel that you are being spiritually led and where you feel the leaders of the church including the pastor are looking for God's will in the church?  Those are the most important things...if you feel God's sincere presence there and that they are doing God's work.  Then you can overlook or work with them to solve other petty problems.  Good luck and God bless.
1074306
Two years ago I was in a church where there was a lot of bitter bickering. The pastor became a jerk and I never felt the Spirit move through.\n\nWe changed church and we feel alive! It is definitely worth the search!\n\nWhen we got there, they did not have a lot of children, so children and youth programs were limited. We now have 5 different youth/kids ministries (that I can think of off the top of my head). Our kids are great at missions and are VERY knowledgable in the Word of God.
848177
I have been with My Husband since we have been 15.I am 36.yes there has been time when I wanted to leave and same for him we got married for better or for worse.We have God in our life and that has helped us out ALOT.we have 3 kids 21,14 and 10 and a Half.
346862
It was a process for me, over time. I stopped going to church, after my mother died, and *they* {the christians} told me she no longer had time for me, and I shouldn't 'try talking to her...so followed no path, or religion for many years after that.  Was pretty PO'd at God...didn't matter which one..\n   After I got married, and was pregnant with my son, my husband and I started going to a little baptist church. I can't really say I had any problems with that church, the people were nice, good to us. But it just didn't ..DO anything for me..\n  I started reading up on other religions...and realized, they were all saying, pretty much the same thing. Just said or called it by a different name. And came, again to the relization, that I'd had as a child, that I really don't think any ONE religion...is Right, or Wrong.  They all have the same message...underneath..it's just how the 'People' interpret it..and they allll interpret everything, in about 20 different ways or more..LOL \n  So then they add 'rules' 'regulations' 'laws'...until the real message, get's lost in a jumble of un-related context, which confuses the heck out of everyone, until their numb in the mind and just follow blindly along, out of fear.\n  The Power's that be, gave us..FREE WILL for a reason..So that we can think for ourselves, and seek out the truth on our own. I think everyone's Truth, is their own...I think everyone's journey, is their own personal walk through this life, and every life. It's what you do with it.
1155684
That is your decision. I'm sorry to hear you felt brainwashed at your church - I've been to some of those. I'm Catholic, and for a time I wandered to other churches, 'bible-believing' churches with charismatic ministers who, after a service, would order me to leave "the romish lies" or some bigoted thoughts like that. I like Catholic Mass, there's the connection to Christ, there's the connection to the community, there's the worship and the Word. \n\nGo wherever you are fed. If you find yourself hungry, come to the table.
744187
I left Christianity (i.e. Roman Catholicism - RC) because my RC grandparents were murdered in 2002 by their own RC sons and daughters.  Those animals were never arrested because they held influence with the RC church and the town officials where I lived in.\n\nI embraced Islam in 2004 and never regretted my decision.  I'm definitely happier now as a Muslim.\n\nPeace.
1179913
down your local church
322066
For me it was odd. I use to be a simple Christian man. I went to church and I loved the Lord.  I knew the bible somewhat.\nOne day i was at a christian meeting and I was called by God. At first I thought I was hearing things or going crazy. But when I got called I started to get a deep yearning to preach and I was answering complex biblical questions for others around me. \nI went home and the feelings I had at the meeting never went away. Next thing I know I am studying to be a Reverend.\n\nSome people think they are called but they don't really do the job well. They don't really get the bible and they use it for profit. They can't counsel people very well and they never have the answers.  Most likely these people got tricked by the devil into preaching.
908439
For most people its both- a good serman will get you thinking though- even if you disagree- right? I don't go anymore due to the commercializtion of the huge churches where I live. My spirit needs the quiet and growth I get by myself and my daily prayers abd thank yous- not someone reinterptrting what Jesus taught or whatt the Bible says and telling me what truth it is- UGH! I do miss the warm sociality of my childhood church experiences though and that is the basis of the idea- a gathering of "like minds"
768271
Non religious to Christianity: A friend took me to church with her and I liked it for a time.\n\nChristianity to Agnostic: People of the church were disappointing.  They judged a lot more than "enlightened".  I was considered a trouble maker for asking questions.  I found that any place that tries to hide answers has a reason to do so, and that's never really a good thing when they're taking your money.\n\nAgnostic to Atheism:  Over time, I just felt that the concept of God was not logical and not for me.  I prayed so hard for many weeks for him to allow me to believe in him.  I was miserable for a time after realize he didn't exist, but I began living for myself and being truthful to myself and I just became happier than I ever have been.\n\nThis entire process was over the course of ten years.
598707
this question has brought out the degree of dogmatic pig headedness that if have come to expect here!!!!\n\nto answer your question, i once new a catholic priest who left the church to marry a buddhist lady. although he remained catholic, they respected each other and were secure enough in their beliefs to accept the differences. I don't thinkk that many who answeed this question are mature enough to manage this.
779071
I most regret not raising my children in church.  Being raised in church gives children a foundation that can't be replaced with anything else.  It gives them reason for staying on the right track, and if they get off track it gives them a foundation to come back to.