I am new to Christianity, and I struggle in my faith. A good portion of my trials have been at the hands of well-meaning (I think) Christians who wanted me to become something I didn't even understand overnight.
I've been on more than one Christian site/forum and there is a very different tone between some of them and this one. In other places I have felt as if I wasn't wanted in the company of the people there. It seemed like the only way I would be accepted there was if I were already living exactly the life the people there thought I should and if I understood everything the way they do. Usually by the time they got done telling me everything that was bad or wrong with my life, I had no inspiration left to explore if they were right (according to God's law).
I joined this site some time ago, and I've been quietly reading without posting anything. I decided after the first of the year that it was time to actually *say* something and see what happened.
I've gotten multiple PMs from various people who want to talk and to help (I would answer you folks but the system says I can't do that yet??), and everyone has been welcoming and accepting. No one has even *asked* me what kind of live I am living, let alone told me how horrible I am for anything that still needs to be reformed.
I feel comfortable asking questions here, and I also don't feel like I will get my head bitten off if I disagree or don't understand (assuming a respectful stance is maintained of course).
I thank God for this forum and Chad's work to make it into a loving ministry.
I've been on more than one Christian site/forum and there is a very different tone between some of them and this one. In other places I have felt as if I wasn't wanted in the company of the people there. It seemed like the only way I would be accepted there was if I were already living exactly the life the people there thought I should and if I understood everything the way they do. Usually by the time they got done telling me everything that was bad or wrong with my life, I had no inspiration left to explore if they were right (according to God's law).
I joined this site some time ago, and I've been quietly reading without posting anything. I decided after the first of the year that it was time to actually *say* something and see what happened.
I've gotten multiple PMs from various people who want to talk and to help (I would answer you folks but the system says I can't do that yet??), and everyone has been welcoming and accepting. No one has even *asked* me what kind of live I am living, let alone told me how horrible I am for anything that still needs to be reformed.
I feel comfortable asking questions here, and I also don't feel like I will get my head bitten off if I disagree or don't understand (assuming a respectful stance is maintained of course).
I thank God for this forum and Chad's work to make it into a loving ministry.