the church is the worst place to ever have come out of. I cannot believe that the church has alienated so many people. they're all so hypocritical. a lot of the church members i have met were less than welcoming. they weren't even religious. it seemed more like a social gathering than a church at all. they're all really hypocritical. what's worse they're all so chatty and judgmental. they made me feel like a loner my whole time there. now that i am out of it, i am so happy that i am but still i have not found any relief. religious people need to realize that they fall short of something too you know. i hate the church. i'll never forgive the church for what it's done to me. it was a baptist and asian one as well. most of the kids my age, white or hispanic, have never had that kind of experience in their life. They don't mention things like not being welcomed or anything. I have. One of the sunday school teachers, a hell-fire maniac, loves to toss hell every time i was there. he said some really nasty things about me and he ought to be ashamed. these christians don't deserve to be on the face of the earth. no religious group in the world has ever been this disrespectful towards me than this one. now i have the desire to return but it's best if i don't. these people have made me feel unwelcome, lonely, and i'll bet that throughout my time they've been gossiping about me. i hate them. i'm glad i'm out of there.

[IowaFarmGal]

Hello heyitsme! Welcome to Psych Central! I'm so sorry to hear this and sorry that you have been hurt. Churches are made up of imperfect people who can be self righteous and unloving. Hugs! I hope the sting of this fades in time. I also have bad memories of some churches I've attended. I hope you find acceptance and support here.

[Atypical_Disaster]

I'm sorry you've been so hurt by the church. I hope being here can help you heal. Welcome.

[jelly-bean]

Hi and Welcome to PC! I'm sorry that the church has hurt you so badly but it has been my experience that organized religion is not for everybody. I left the church that I was raised in many years ago for the same reasons that you left yours. I have found another way to worship that makes me feel good. You said that you are feeling the need to go to church but you don't want to. It isn't necessary for you to subject yourself to something that does not make you feel loved and wanted. I might be able to help you. PM me if you want to talk.

[NoCake]

I left my church but I never stopped believing in God.

A church is just a bunch of bricks pilled on top of each other with a cross tied to it. It might be made of wood. It's a holy place sure but there are really no guarantees on the type of people you'll find in it. It's not like going in there is going to make you an enlightened being. The word is there but no one is forced to live by it and indeed you will find hypocrites and people that simply are unsure.

I read the word and found truth on my own. I had help but I never found it in a church. I'm not saying that all churches are bad. Maybe you just ran into a hole. Regardless I do believe in Christianity and it has never failed me.

I am also open to PMs if you would like to talk. Take care.

[Travelinglady]

Welcome! I know what you mean about some churches being full of folks who are critical and sometimes mean. (When the devil works through people, he especially tries to work through church people. You can see yourself how that can make folks turn off from church attendance.) That said, it sounds like you might have attended a more fundamentalist church. While no church is perfect, since it's made of people, I hope when you feel less angry and have some healing, you will try another one.

You can PM, me, too, since the rules here forbid us from getting too chatty about church in any forums except the specifically religious ones. We do have a Christian support group. Some of those folks have been hurt by churches, too, so I honestly don't think you'll need to worry about being judged. If you are by someone by some chance, then the rest of us will pounce in.

I am sad that you had that experience. I don't know what you do that they think is so bad, but it sounds like they could have been much more loving and helpful.

Again, welcome to Psych Central! We also have many fun forums and other activities, if you'd like to get involved where you can have some enjoyment and just chit-chat with us folks.

yeah, basically this one guy i had for sunday school, right? well almost every week he would tell us about how our salvation is important and that if we lose our salvation, we would be descending into hell. that sent chills down my spine. i mean, he can be pretty persuasive. that one doctrine is what drove a wedge between me and my parents. I am done with that. If any guy or woman dares to preach salvation to me and pretends to live a christian life, then I am just not buying their teachings. Why should I?
This is why it is so much easier to get along with other religious groups than protestants, especially protestants. they are very critical and very like oh i dont want to hang out with you.. even if you come from teh same religion. I rather accept everyone for who they are than exclude them. this is how i felt before i ever stepped into church. so, i do regret attending church because they told me that i had to be different from teh world and that i might lose friends. look at my other christian friends, they hang out with a bunch of people who are good influences to them and they're not christians. they're just as moral as these people who constantly claim that they have the exclusive right to heaven. sorry if that's offending some of you guys, but it's true. I have christian friends who hangs out with everybody. some type of bs the church wants to drill into my head.