I was raised in the Presbyterian church, which is known for being fairly tolerant and open. (In some people's opinion's, too much so.) I was confirmed in 4th grade, which I admit was a bit young, but my minister knew I was mentally and spiritually old enough to go through with it. My minister was a really cool guy and I felt his sermons were some of the best I've ever heard. He showed how the bible applied to a normal everyday life, and he avoided the hell fire and guilt trips that I've heard in many other churches. But gradually I came to question a lot of things, especially in high school when I started seriously studying the bible. I wondered why it was ok to not do something when the bible said that you had to, or vice versa. And the concept of the trinity confused me. I wasn't a big fan of the "Divine Mysteries" and people saying "It just is, don't question." So I went thru a period where I was a moral but definitely arreligious person, though I still believed in God. I studied every religion I possibly could and came to find Islam. Even for someone who doesn't believe in it, it's such a fascinating religion. And it's one of the three Abrahamic faiths (Judaism and Christianity being the other 2), so I still could follow God. It was a really long process because I wasn't sure if changing my affiliation was for me. Also, being non-Baptist in Alabama isn't what you'd call easy.
Threaded Mode