Did anyone convert into a different religion before?

Question

If so, what were you first and then what do you follow now?

Why?

Are you happy?

Thanks in advance.

More info would be appreciated.

I'm doing a survey.

Answer 1

answer: Yes - Christian to agnostic, agnostic to pagan, pagan to Heathen (a form of pagan).  Very happy! When I found paganism I found a path towards sanity.

I was raised Christian but never seemed to fit in or understand (or believe.)  I prayed, I asked, I begged, I tried for 15 years to get some kind of answer in Christianity, to make it fit. I only felt lonely and out of place. The doubts and questions weren't answered logically and I never felt "saved".  I never reached the level of belief.  I became an adult and kept trying with no success.  

I reread the Bible, listened to preachers condemning me and saying AIDS was God’s punishment on homosexuals and studied the bible. Studying the bible did it finally.  I decided that wasn’t for me.  I couldn’t worship the deity in Christianity.  I never found the “loving” god so I stopped trying and looked elsewhere. Alcohol didn’t work and only messed up my life so that ended quick.  

I was Wiccan for 10 years and that was MUCH closer to what I was looking for but not quite it.  Having gods and goddesses made perfect sense to me.  Eclectic paganism had been close but not exactly what I was looking for.

I began exploring my ethnic roots (going through Native American traditions, Celtic paganism and then I found heathenism.  It took 10 years before I found the deities and religion waiting for me.  From the moment that I picked up a book on heathenism I knew what I had been missing.  I continued reading what little was available (two good ones, a couple of miserable ones) and it was like a lightbulb going on in my head and life.  Now I have that challenge, love, acceptance, and encouragement I was looking for in Christianity without the threats of h**l or requiring me to change my orientation.  

Heathenism sings to my very nature.  

As part of a Reconstruction religion, it's exciting because we question everything and that's welcomed. New information is found every year that lends insight into the religion of our ancestors. Personal insight and experience also is welcome in the religion but is taken with "a grain of salt".

Everything is questioned until verified or it remains in a nebulous state in the religion.

My deities don't want me to grovel to them or turn the other cheek to an enemy. They want me to live honorably and always question, seeking knowledge and honor them, my family, my friends, my ancestors and my self.

Freedom, Tolerance, Boldness/Courage, Self Rule, Moderation, Steadfastness, Generosity/Hospitality, Truth, Equality/Justice, Family Responsibility/ Community, Honor, Strength, Troth/ Loyalty, Self Reliance, Wisdom

Answer 2

Christian from age 7-14

Wiccan from 14 - 19

Norse Heathen 20 - present

I changed from Wiccan to Norse Heathenism because Wicca didn't make as much sense to me as I thought a religion should.  In my opinion, If one believes in something in ones inner most core, but ones religion dictates one should believe differently, then one is at conflict with ones self.  My goal is to have as little of conflict with myself as possible.  I want to know myself and know what I believe.

I wish I could give the same answer for my switch from Christianity to Wicca.  In high school I was exposed to the ideas and thoughts of different religions and philosophies and I decided to research as many as I could.  My main question wasn't a real question of my belief but of my reality; I wanted to know if my perception of God was correct.  I eventually stumbled across Wicca and found my home for a while.  However, the more I researched Wicca the more I found out that it didn't fit me as well as I thought it should.

Yes, I am happy, content, and snug as a bug in a rug.  ^_^

Good luck with your survey.  

Answer 3

I grew up in a Christian family, but became atheist and then agnostic as a young adult.  I remained agnostic and raised our children without religion.

If I had been introduced to Judaism as a young adult, I would have become a Jew many years ago.  Unfortunately, I didn't know until much later in life that I could become a part of the Jewish community.  I love everything I'm learning about it and anticipate each new day.  My only regret is that I didn't find it soon enough to raise our children as Jews!

My *beliefs* seem to correspond to Frau Asher Cat's:

New information is found every year that lends insight into the religion of our ancestors.

Everything is questioned.

God doesn't expect us to grovel to Him or turn the other cheek to an enemy. He wants me to live honorably and always question, seeking knowledge and to honor Him, my family, my friends, my ancestors and myself.

Freedom, Tolerance, Boldness/Courage, Self Rule, Moderation, Steadfastness, Generosity/Hospitality, Truth, Equality/Justice, Family Responsibility/ Community, Honor, Strength, Loyalty, Self Reliance, Wisdom

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Answer 4

I was born into a Protestant Christian family but I lost my faith as a young adult. Then I lived like an atheist for some years, and then I started to study the Bible with some friends and that helped me to get back to the arms of Jesus, my God and Savior

Answer 5

Well, I've always been a Christian, but I switched denominations from Nazarene to Baptist and yes, I am happier now as I know the truth and have a better understanding of God and His Word and am closer in my walk w/the Lord.  I'm sure this isn't what you meant by religions, but I hope thats ok.

Answer 6

I was raised Catholic, but lost faith gradually through my teen years because I came to disagree strongly with certain parts of Church doctrine (e.g. the Church's stance on homosexuality and abortion). Though I stopped considering myself Catholic at that time, I continued having faith in God until a series of family tragedies pushed me to lose my faith in the Christian God entirely. I spent the next several years being agnostic or atheist. Within the past year I became drawn to Paganism in general and then felt a calling to follow the God I follow now (one of the Norse Gods, for the curious). One of the things I liked best about this particular God and His call was that I never once felt like I had to agree to follow Him or suffer terrible consequences -- He seems very much into the idea of following your own heart and intuition, and I have always felt that I could have said, "thanks, but no" to Him and there wouldn't have been any problem. Even now, He doesn't care if I eventually wind up honoring other deities, He just doesn't want to be ignored.

I'm very happy these days, and I think it's because I've found the path that's right for me instead of doing something just because others told me it was right or good. I've found that religion isn't a one-size-fits-all thing and I'm happy I've found something that fits me.

Feel free to email if you need more details or anything, I'm always happy to help.