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I want to ask this sincerely, because this is one of the biggest obstacles between me and Christianity as it is commonly practiced.

Many Christians now acknowledge that gay people generally do not choose their sexual orientation, just as straight people do not choose theirs. I appreciate that acknowledgment, especially because deliberately choosing an orientation that may bring rejection, danger, or exclusion is difficult to understand.

But that raises a question: if neither orientation is chosen, how do Christians understand the fact that a straight person may pursue romantic love, companionship, marriage, intimacy, and a shared life, while a gay person is often taught that pursuing an equivalent relationship is sinful?

A straight Christian may be encouraged to control lust, remain faithful, avoid adultery, and follow Christian ethics in relationships. They are also generally understood to have the possibility of marriage. A gay Christian, by contrast, may be taught that the only acceptable expression of their orientation is no expression at all: lifelong celibacy or sin.

When Christians speak of being “born again,” denying oneself, or carrying one’s cross specifically in response to homosexuality, the message sounds as extremely unfair like this:

“You did not choose your orientation, but yours is the one from which you must permanently deny yourself. I may marry the person I love, build a home with them, have all the sex we want, grow old beside them, and receive the support and companionship of marriage. You must accept that none of this may be available to you, and refusing that burden may place your salvation in danger.”

I understand that Christians who hold this view may not intend to communicate it so starkly. Still, that is often how the teaching sounds from the receiving end, and the receiving end.

Gay people are not incapable of romantic love. Same-sex attraction is not simply endless sexual appetite. A gay person can want commitment rather than promiscuity, loyalty rather than casual sex, and a home, companionship, and someone beside them when they are sick, frightened, or old.

Lust is not uniquely gay, and love is not uniquely heterosexual.

So when Christians say that gay people must remain celibate, they may not see themselves as asking someone merely to refrain from a sexual act. From the perspective of many gay people, they are asking an entire group to give up a category of human companionship that heterosexual Christians are permitted, and very often encouraged, to pursue. That is why “just be celibate :D” can sound much less simple from the other side.

Traditionally, Christianity has often treated celibacy as a particular vocation. Some people genuinely feel called to it. Requiring lifelong celibacy from an entire class of people because of an orientation they did not choose seems very different from freely choosing celibacy as a vocation. I would be grateful for thoughtful Christian perspectives on that distinction.

I also hope Christians will consider the effects of how these teachings are communicated and enforced. Many LGBT people associate Christianity not primarily with Christ, grace, mercy, or redemption, but with rejection, shame, family conflict, fear, condemnation, and the feeling that their capacity for love is fundamentally corrupted. Some eventually leave churches entirely.

I believe in God, but experiences like these are part of why I find organized Christianity difficult to approach. When people describe the pain these teachings have caused, the response is sometimes another Bible verse or explanation of why the doctrine is correct, without much attempt to understand what living under that doctrine actually means.

So I am not asking Christians merely to repeat the traditional position. I already know what it is. I am asking:

If homosexuality is not chosen, how do Christians understand the expectation that a gay person surrender romantic partnership for life while a straight person is not generally asked to do the same?

How do you reconcile that unequal burden with Christian understandings of justice, mercy, love, and the value of companionship?

And if applying a doctrine repeatedly produces alienation, despair, damaged families, and people becoming terrified of Christianity itself, how should Christians discern whether they have understood or applied that doctrine correctly?

I am especially interested in answers that engage with, and understand this disparity rather than simply saying that “everyone has a cross to bear,” because people may experience very different kinds of burdens.

I hope this can be a sincere conversation.

Edit:Everyone, I want to thank you for yor responses. I'm quite a mess right now and, like I've said to another user, more than a conversation, actually I needed to vent and share an issue that I personally never seen talked about. Not here, not from pastors, not from internet... I dont have anyone close irl that is a christian, in fact many of them are pretty rabid atheists, so thank you again, I need to think about what you all have said. By the way, today I just got my first physical bible!

The responses were actually far nicer than what I've expected! From what I've read from other places, one would assume getting insults at the very least, but actually theres been responses showing that they understand that this is a very difficult path for someone in my situation. And thats what i needed the most. Thanks.

It's awful that too often the advice given in this sub when someone has an issue or a problem at their church is just "leave your church".

No church is perfect and you will never find one. The saying goes "if you find a church you think is perfect, don't join it, cause YOU will mess it up."

If someone is unkind to you: "You should leave"

If an off-hand comment is made: "Leave!"

If there's a scandal of some sort: "Run!"

Brothers and sisters, over and over Jesus tells us to forgive, and what's more, LOVE eachother so that TOGETHER we may grow to be more like Christ. If you've caught your brother or sister in sin the WORST thing you can do is abandon them and leave them to suffer and struggle alone. Jesus said it is the sick that need healing. Do not leave when you can help them. Church is a place where we gather to worship God and fellowship with one another. That means we share and go through our lives with eachother. Our times of joy, our times of sorrow, AND our times of struggle.

Even Paul told Christians not to leave their unbelieving spouses because you, being a Christian, can be the example that person needs to make them seek the Lord. We are family in Christ. Do not abandon your brothers and sisters for your own comforts. Do not abandon the flock because of one "wolf" or black sheep. Forgive as Jesus forgives. Love as Jesus loves. And disciple one another so that TOGETHER we may grow ever more into His image.

A few months ago, I (22M) choosed to repent and become christian but I am considering leaving now because of my lack of proof that God exists. I prayed, read the bible, talked to other christians, I even more tried to change my life by trying to become a better person but none of my prayers got answer. I didn't necessarily come to God for asking things, but why can't I just have a proof that I was being accepted?

If I tell you without any evidence/proof that 500 years ago, someone was borned and he was the savior, a God who is all-knowing, will you believe me? Of course no.

This is the same thing with God, no proof that He exists, no revelation, no presence, nothing... Why would I continue to move forward if what I am worshipping is not real? I am leaving the train here.

I'm a Lutheran (putting that beforehand to make it clear that the "no contraceptives" side doesn't affect me because I don't care)

To put it simply. I have a lot of different reasons from practical to philosophical to why I believe it's wrong for me to have offspring.

Like there are the usual reasons. There are a lot of people already. Why don't I just adopt or have foster children. Etc

There are also the personal reasons. I have ADHD and OCD, both of them are INHERITED (they go to the children if seeded by me). There isn't a day that goes by where I don't consider ending it all. To pass this onto another human being just because "muh genetics" would be the most greedy selfish thing imaginable.

If hell does indeed exist. Why would I bring life to this earth, if there's even a 1% chance of them ending up in eternal torment. How could I justify possibly adding fuel to hellfire, just because "I want babby"

I've been frightened about the possibility of condoms not working to the point where I think it's reasonable for me to just get a vasectomy. No more accidents!

I'm curious to know what you guys think.

I noticed this. I can read psalm 91 all I want, hear gospel music, be at Mass, go to confession... but deep inside? I don't care.

I wanted to get rid of lust but then I noticed I love lust, I don't hate any sins I have at all, I love them. Failed confession two times. Reading the bible for me is like having blindness, I will forget everything.

I want a prayer answered? To be honest I would far prefer to talk to a person. Literally I don’t care about God, Jesus at all. I don’t mind. I feel no fear of Hell, condemnation... if I didn't have my brain thinking of God due to patterns, I would forget He exists at all.

Instead of crying about He does nothing, I noticed all of my crying was about of myself. I literally don't care. I don’t care about Satan, I don't care.

I feel absolutely nothing after texting this, not guilty nor relief.

Damn. Anybody else?

Hey sorry if this isn’t allowed but me and a friend were talking and it came up and since neither of us were christians we didn’t know what would happen. I couldn’t find an “askchristians” subreddit so this is the first place I went.

What would happen if you sold your soul to someone but they wanted you to go to heaven? Like if they went to church for you and prayed on your behalf? Would that count or is there some reason it wouldn’t work?

Disclaimer : I know there are some people who can't stand modern Charismatic movements. And, there might be those who think mysticism is a bit boring. I understand both of you. But, I do really request all of you to be kindly respectful in discussion.

I was a Buddhist. Then, I encountered with Jesus and became born again. I was baptised in a Charismatic Church. I really liked (and still like) the worship songs; the expressive nature of charismatic faith ; and the idea that we use our God given gifts to serve God and our community. But, I didn't (and still don't) like too much shouting, or overdependance of emotions.

Then, I had to go through the time when I weren't able to go to church, due to difficult circumstances. That time, as the only Christian person in the family, I pray quietly for hours, read and study the Bible and do fasting. And I found out I like that ,too.

Now, I am going to church again, still singing contemporary worship songs, and serving the community with gifts is my way of life. But as for building my personal relationship with God, I prefer quite, alone time. And ,God also speak me through that time.

Therefore, please kindly provide your opinions whether a Christian can be both charismatic and mystic .

Thank you. God bless you.🤍

A video in r/ BlackPeopleTwitter came across my feed randomly called "Christian hypocrisy", where a TikTok video asks live-streaming Christians to read hard to explain Bible passages. Unfortunately, I couldn't reply because I guess you have to be a verified member or whatever. So I thought I would post here.

Firstly, the video host references a study how certain Christians react defensively when specific controversial or difficult verses from the Bible are brought up to them - sending them into a fight or flight mode.

I would venture to guess that this phenomena happens not just to Christians, but to anyone who's world view or core belief is shaken when brought into question.

The video references challenging scriptures things like:
- Numbers 31: 17-18
- 1 Corinthians 11: 5-6

The comments were pretty disheartening as usual with something like this. But I thought it might actually be a unique strategy to get Christians around me to read their Bible.

Note: Church teaching has explanations for these scriptures and it is just a Google search away if anyone really wants to know.

It is sad to see how some of the Christians in the video react negatively - while not every Christian would react that way. I don't think it is reasonable to expect that every single story in the entirety of the Bible will be immediately explainable on the spot when ambushing the average Christian in this way.

That being said, every Christian absolutely should read the Bible, work to understand it, and be able to defend their faith. While there are a LOT who really do practice Christianity well, I think we would have less of the current political/social chaos if more Christians practiced what Jesus actually taught and lead by example.

Unfortunately, in videos like noted above, not everyone has a Doctorate in Theology - so they won't have all of the answers on the spot given the context of a few thousand years of complicated history and culture any more than if you asked the average person how a transmission works even though they rely on one every single day of their lives, and then suggesting they should stop driving until they have learned every nuance, maintenance, repair, etc (let alone the rest of the car in all of its complexity).

The core teaching of Jesus was simple - You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself.

Everything starts with this principle and seems simple on the surface, and even this brief statement is ripe for misinterpretation. Read the Bible yourself. Get to know Jesus yourself. If only as an interesting or wise philosopher at first as one would read about anyone or anything, and see how His word grows on you.

His way is surprisingly simple, and surprisingly challenging because it goes straight to the heart.

He is arguably the 3rd most important person in Christianity, but at least top 5. His wisdom and authority was recognized by Peter and the other apostles, so why do people regret Paul? Peter literally warned us that people would try to discredit him and distort his words, but what he has to say is still important.

“Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.”

2 Peter 3:15-16 NIV

I keep seeing people online denying Paul's credibility, but by denying Paul's authority you deny Peter's authority and by denying Peter's authority you deny the authority of Jesus

If God doesn't hear the prayers of a sinner and you committed a terrible sin and....

He still answered your prayer after you had remorse in your heart, that means He forgave you which means you should praise Him for 1. Talking to you. 2. Having mercy in you. Alot just don't think anything of it or forgot they said the prayer and moved in with 0 praise, thanks, and relationship with Him.

You will never be bored if you're waiting for something, or someone, don't take out your phone but think about all the times He helped you because He heard your call and had mercy on you. Doing this will actually change your life, it because you want anything back but because you're truly grateful and when He's pleased, He will give you a blessing.

I was a christian all my life, and then about 10 years ago something happened that I can't explain, but it broke me completely and I lost my faith. I screamed in suffering every day during that time because I had nothing and no one to help me. Then on August 19th of this year God saved me again, I believe in him again, but the pain is still here and has increased. I'm breaking, I can't live life like this. Yes I have a psychiatrist and a therapist but they can't help. Only God can help me but for some reason he is not. Why? I want God back but I'm too broken, and he isn't healing me no matter what I do or try. This is just a venting thread, I'm not expecting any breakthroughs here.

I’ve been a believer since childhood and was recently baptized. But I don’t think I’ve been baptized in the Holy Spirit.
I’ve attended many conferences, prayer meetings, and so on.
There were some emotional moments with God. However, there wasn’t a specific day when I was baptized in the Holy Spirit (many Christians even ask for a specific date).
And I’m starting to wonder—maybe I’m just not meant for this? I’ve lost hope, and I think that no amount of worship evenings or prayers will help me.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? Do you have any advice?

Hallo liebe Christen. Gottes Segen an alle ❤️ Und zwar ging ich durch eine schwierige Zeit die ungefähr 10 Jahre ging. Ich hatte mein ganzes Leben lang Drogen konsumiert, mich und meine Eltern gehasst, mich selbst zerstört, keine Selbstbewusstsein gehabt. Ich merke das es einen Wandel gab, ich bin glücklicher, gelassener und fühle mich so zu Jesus hingezogen und mit ihm verbunden. Ich liebe das Leben einfach. Allerdings kiffe ich noch und ich weiß das ist eine Sünde. Aber es interessiert mich einfach nicht. Also ich weis ich Sollte aufhören und bitte Gott um Verzeihung das ich so schwach bin und es trotzdem noch mache. Aber was schlimmer ist, ist das es mich irgendwie nicht so juckt ob ich kiffe oder nicht. Also ich bereu es nicht. Als es mir schlecht ging früher da hab ich es immer bereut wollte unbedingt aufhören aber jetzt wo es mir gut geht, da bin ich gleichgültig geworden was das angeht. Ich fühl mich wie ein Heuchler der gottes frieden und liebe empfangenen hat aber trz noch weiter kifft. Hmm

I’ve reached 2 kings in my reading of the Old Testament and this is the verse people jump to without fail to insult God. I’ve seen a dozen explanations but no one can seem to agreed

23 From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!” 24 He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.

Hola comunidad! Soy relativamente nueva en la fe, en realidad nueva acercándome a las escrituras. Aclarar antes que nada, que no busco ofender a alguno de ustedes con las preguntas que realizaré a lo largo de este post. Soy bastante curiosa y abierta a escuchar todo tipo de debates sobre la biblia y Jesús, por eso me gustaría charlar con ustedes, comunidad, para generar un lindo intercambio de ideas y para que yo pueda seguir construyendo mi camino con papá Dios.

Bueno gente, por dónde comenzar… reorganizando pensamientos e ideas, mientras me encontraba leyendo Apocalipsis 13 y particularmente el que me quedó resonando (el más conocido, considero) es específicamente el versículo 18. ”El número es el de un hombre, y su número es 666”

Visto y considerando que, a lo largo de la historia cristiana, se buscó que las personas rindiesen culto a cualquier cosa con tal de evitar que se reconocieran los errores que se habían transferido del paganismo al cristianismo según la época; me surgió una pregunta.

Lean Apocalipsis 13 y respondan según su opinión, pero por favor, dejá de lado los prejuicios. Traten de analizar con razonamiento y orando al espíritu santo que los ilumine siempre buscando sinceramente conocer la verdad.

Ahora si continuo:

¿Conoces un pueblo además de ser religioso, tenga una poderosa influencia política y cuya autoridad se sienta en cada tribu, pueblo, lengua y nación? Además de esto, en algún momento a lo largo de la historia, ¿perdió su fuerza política y recuperó gradualmente su prominencia global?

A día de hoy, año 2026, qué poder religioso es respetado y admirado por reyes, príncipes, presidentes y ministros de Estado? ¿Ha perseguido este poder religioso a personas en algún momento de la historia, por preferir obedecer a la Biblia antes que sus dogmas?

¿existe algún poder político y económico que utiliza la fe cristiana para lograr fines cuestionables?

¿Qué poder del mundo es capaz de cautivar a las naciones con sus maravillas?¿Existe algún poder militar y económico que imponga su voluntad?

Con esto voy cerrando. Me gustaría que se forme un lindo debate de todo esto, SIEMPRE RESPETANDO LA OPINIÓN DE TODOS.

¡Bendiciones y éxitos!

I feel like screaming at this point. I don’t know how to lean on God because my mind is jumbled up. I look back over this year and I see that I was sick. I want to love people and not sin. I think I do a good job but everything else falling apart. My room is a mess. I struggle to do everything else but I know God loves me but I feel like I failed him with my symptoms. Everyday I knew what scriptures to go to or what to tell other people or be optimistic. I wish I never think about what other people say about mental illness and me being sick because it make things fall apart, I was standing tall and nothing could get to me because I had my eyes on God but even writing this makes me feel like I failed. I wanted him to be so proud of me. But I got scared and I talk about how scared I am. I wanted to have faith and I was going to bring so many people to God. It’s not that I don’t believe God can help me. He is refining me through this but I don’t want to break his heart anymore I’m so sad. He’s right there and I’m so sad. I wish I didn’t have this so I could do more for him I’m so sad.

About a year ago when I was homeless, me and a group of people were standing outside in the freezing cold waiting to get checked into a shelter. They weren't letting anybody in because someone had broken a window and they wanted to figure out who did it first.

While we were all standing outside, there was a man folded over on the ground clearly expressing discomfort and pain. It was freezing and I felt genuinely bad for him, so I went up to the person running the shelter that night and asked if they could just let him inside so he wouldn't have to suffer out there.

They told me they couldn't.

After about 30 minutes of people arguing about who broke the window, I got genuinely furious. I couldn't understand how we were all standing outside in freezing temperatures while this man was on the ground suffering.

Eventually I snapped and shouted along the lines of this wasn't right and that I rebuke this place in Jesus' name.

I ended up getting banned from the shelter for one night because of it.

I've thought about this a lot over the past year and I'm still trying to understand what happened that night from a Christian perspective. I believe in Jesus and the power of His name, and in that moment I was genuinely furious about what was happening. Part of me wonders if the Holy Spirit was moving me to stand up for someone who couldn't really stand up for himself.

At the same time, I don't want to assume that just because I felt so strongly about something, it automatically means the Holy Spirit was involved. I know I was angry, and maybe I could've handled the situation differently.

Was I justified in rebuking that place in Jesus' name? Is there a biblical basis for doing something like that when you believe you're witnessing injustice, or was I speaking out of anger rather than the Holy Spirit?

I'm curious what other Christians think about this. Do you think there's a possibility the Holy Spirit was moving me to speak up, or was it more likely my own anger and frustration? Was I right to stand up for that man even though I lost my temper?

I'm not trying to act like I know exactly what God was doing that night. This has just stayed on my mind for a long time, and I'd genuinely appreciate hearing other people's thoughts and what the Bible says about situations like this.

I've been a Jehovah's Witnesses bible study for almost 10years, I didn't get baptized though. But my best friend and my parent's long time family friend (an old married couple) were the ones that did a bible study to me. Long story short, I found Jesus just this year and started reading the bible since last year.

My hesitation before why I didn't got baptized started about their views of rapture (which they said that had already happened by 1914) and the anointed ones are the only people that eats the unleavened bread and wine every memorial (144,000 chosen ones) and I've never saw one though, especially that they said that Jesus was Michael Archangel.

And now my best friend has been giving me bible verses

(Deuteronomy 5:9, Deutronomy 6:15, Matthew 3:17)

Although I don't really believe their views anymore, but one thing that still creeps into mind is the trinity. Especially when Yahweh said that he's a jealous God. I'm definitely afraid of God's wrath. But I will never ever abandon Jesus, of all the things I've encountered. I'm a new believer. And I know this has been an attack with my faith, I would never ever look back. But please strengthen me. I've been literally taught that Jesus was a son (created by Father), and have treated Jesus just like a tool to get closer to Father (Jehovah) and just to be a sacrificial lamb, not that he was the Lord because they only believe that Jehovah is the only God. And I believed that for 15yrs. And I definitely regretted that. My starting point of finding God messed up my mind. And now I feel like an Israelite wandering in the wilderness after being delivered from the Egyptians, unlearning the things I used to believe. Please strengthen me.

I was taking my sister back home from one of her drs appts one day and she told me "I know we shouldn't question God, but why is He letting me go through so much?" She fought cancer on and off for 15 years, had multiple surgeries, hundreds of tests, countless treatments and medications. She got shingles in her sinuses on one side of her face which caused her eyes to water permanently. She also got covid once and was in the hospital for 2 weeks. She had breast cancer that went into her lung, and eventually her brain. She had an appendectomy cause there was cancer on it also. She also had endometriosis and fibromyalgia. She was a christian and absolutely loved Jesus. Even as sick as she was she still tried to help others. It was a few months before she passed away when she asked me that question and all I could tell her was I didn't know. We talked for awhile about it in the car but ever since that memory comes back to me once in awhile and I even wonder it sometimes. God sees us suffering so much like she did and it does make me wonder why doesn't He take us home instead.

I have a deep desire for God to use me in some way. I have a six figure job, but I honestly want to leave it to be used in God in some way. I constantly seek the scriptures, seek theology, I mean this is a non arrogant way but I am constantly consumed by something relating to Christianity. I absolutely love it. I find no greater joy than talking to someone about Christ or talking to other believers about the mysteries of the Bible or hard doctrines of the church. I used to be so happy in my walk with God but ever since I have had a desire to be used by God I am honestly depressed. I have watched God work in and use others around me and I’m just supposed to act all happy for them? I’ve seen God have men gain somewhat of a ministry around me, and just them “walking into” it basically. Having no desire for it but they find their way into one. I have prayed countless prayers, worked tirelessly to gain knowledge about God as I feel we are called to do. I even started a blog on theology thinking maybe that was what God wanted me to do… and God just refuses to use me. It’s made me not want to pickup my Bible lately, not listen to sermons or theology podcasts, not read any books because what’s the point? I know God uses people that aren’t equipped and I should be happy for those he has used. But honestly it’s so depressing. “A man reaps what he sows” I watch people who barely read their Bible get used by God and I tirelessly seek him and nothing happens. It makes me want to leave the faith, because if God won’t use me what is the point?

What are some ways God can help me overcome body dysmorphia?

I have gynecomastia and it is on my mind everyday.

I look at other mens chests and i am extremely envious of how they have a normal chest.

Why did God make me have Gyno?

I understand I can still appreciate his creation with my body because other than the gyno i have perfect vision, all my limbs, no major health complications, etc and i am very grateful for that.

It just makes me so angry when i see men that dont have any imperfections. Im a very insecure individual and its draining living my life being so hateful towards myself and constant comparison to other men.

Let me give you context:

I met my husband in 2014, after church. We were all hanging out after church and he approached me...

We have been through tough times, really tough. God has carried us through and one of them was trying for a baby. After 9 years of marriage, we've been blessed with twins and considering going for another round of IVF for another baby.

About 6 years ago, however, he started to shift and told me he's not interested in attending church, it was during the pandemic and in a way, I understood that it became comfortable to sleep extra rather than wake up on a Sunday to go to church. We moved in 2022 and I insisted we find a nearby church so we don't have to waste hours on a bus going to and coming back from church. He agreed and we joined a lovely community. For the first time, we started to attend more community meetings (half through the week where we have deeper conversations, we pray together....) and meanwhile he's become more absorbed by the social media.... The pregnancy time was great, church was very hands on and helping especially the first few months after the arrival of the twins (they will turn 2 next month). Since last year, he's very much on the "awakening" path.

No more church, no praying since I don't remember last time, no more communion, no more worship music... He's following different people online that feed him with information such as: Jesus is not the real name, we are gods, we don't need to pray, breathing is praying, Paul's gospel is fake, Paul is a fake apostle, the book of Proverbs is plagiarism.... I could go on and on...

I'm crying a lot, I don't know what to do, I'm praying and I have periods of time where I can't even pray anymore, talking to him about it is just going to get him more into this nonsense... I feel I failed marrying him but at the same time I don't know how could I have predicted this? I wanted a husband that is a strong Christian, a pillar for me and for the kids to come. Now he's making comments when I tell the girls to pray before we eat, saying I indoctrinate them... I don't feel free to pray around him, let alone with him (I don't remember the last time we prayed)....

What would you do?

Hello everyone, how are you all doing?

I was baptized into the Mormon faith at age 16, but I’ve been away for about 6 or 7 years—I’m 26 now. Over the last few weeks, I’ve drawn closer to God again through prayer, music, and reading the Bible; it has been a wonderful experience.

However, I’m very conflicted about continuing as a Mormon. I’m feeling quite confused, yet I have a desire to return to the church because I want to feel even closer to God than I already do.

My family is Protestant, so I was raised with a Protestant background. I often felt uncomfortable, though, because during prayers they would practice the "gift of tongues"—uttering words that were incomprehensible—while their bodies would become very agitated. That was one of the reasons I ended up joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormon church). Since reconnecting with God, I’ve been researching the faith a lot, but I’m not sure if I would feel truly welcomed; I’m just very confused and lost.

Even though I spent many years of my life away from God, I’m now incredibly happy and moved by this whole process—it’s been truly amazing.

I’ve considered looking into the Catholic Church, but given my Protestant upbringing, I feel a bit uneasy about the saints (specifically the use of images). Also, seeing Jesus on the cross—even though it’s a symbol of His sacrifice—makes me feel very sad and weighed down. (I should note that this is based on the only time I ever attended a Catholic service, back when I was 12.)

Please forgive my ignorance; I’m simply sharing experiences I’ve had throughout my life. I feel very lost right now. I don’t know if I should give the Catholic Church a chance—and since much of my family is Protestant, I fear I might face a lot of judgment from them. Ultimately, I just want to find a place that brings me closer to God; I want Him to be more present in my life. This is an account from a sinner who has been away for a long time and now only wishes to draw closer to the Savior, but who is currently struggling with conflicting thoughts.

I am grateful to everyone who might offer some advice—thank you so much, truly!

Im not inherently new to my walk with Christ but I realized I don't really listen to people preach the gospel... Usually I'm the one that's just reading the Bible and listening to worship/praise songs. I wanted to mix it up a little and listen to someone God has spoken through, does anyone have any recommendations who I could listen to? Another question, while I'm listening to Bible study could I draw? Or do I need to have my undivided attention on the Bible study?

I mean beside the bible, is the book good? I have found his book for sale in marketplace. I downloaded his book to see the contents inside and one of the interesting thing that pick me is the contemplative part. Someone like me who delves in Buddhism, is his book good way to enter Christianity again?

I want to have a loving relationship with God yet the mindfulness and meditation I learn from Buddhism kept me. Is this book good?