I'm sure I fit in here somewhere...

[Miss Gnomer]

Well, let me see. I was brought up in a Southern Baptist church. I attended church there from the time I was 3 years old until I left for college. And by attending, I mean I was there whenever the doors were open. My mom grew up in an Assembly of God church, but I don't know that she was ever a "church goer" then. My dad was occasionally taken to a church (no idea what denomination) while growing up, but he was very far from being a church goer. I was actually the first of my immediate family to attend church regularly--and that was only because we had a neighbor who took me with her every Sunday.

Apparently, I loved it. When I would come home on Sundays, I'd ask my dad if he would come with me. I honestly have no idea if that was my idea or if it was something that was commonly asked in Sunday School ("So, where is your daddy today?"), but according to him, I was relentless. So he started going to make me happy (read: to shut me up!). He became a Christian, my mom reaffirmed her faith, and when I was 6 years old, I walked the aisle to ask if I could become a Christian.

As I have said, I grew up in this church. Most of the members still belong there, so when I go to visit my parents (I now live 8+ hours away), I feel a certain homecoming going to their church. They are very special to me. I also attended a private Christian school that was sponsored by my home church. I was there from 4th grade to graduation. So basically, I was in church 6 days a week--sometimes 7 if there was something happening on Saturday.

When I was 18, I "went away" to college...a whole 40 miles...but I lived in a dorm. This was my first time out of my parents' house. I had already had some questions, doubts, and confusion about Christianity, but going to college increased them. I took a World Religions class to satisfy one of my humanity requirements the fall of my sophomore year. I remember intentionally not listening to the professor when he talked about certain religions. Perhaps I thought I was going to be "poisoned"? I don't really remember. I barely made it out of that class with a "C." I kick myself every time I think about that wonderful opportunity I had and pretty much blew it.

I received a BA in English & an equivalent in interior design. Among my interior design requirements were two terms of art history. THAT was eye-opening. I still remember sitting in the darkened room of my 1st class with the slide projector on. The professor was telling us a story of a virgin birth, a boy who grew up among the religious, was seen a rebel by the righteous, and many other things along those lines. He asked, "Who am I talking about?" I, on the front row, said, "Jesus." There was no question in my mind. Well, it was Buddha. He continued to tell us other similar stories from long, long ago with art in caves and such to back it all up--from all over the world. He told us about similar "flood" stories.

I was baffled. Then I went to my English classes. The one that impacted me the most was my American lit I class. We studied Native American writings. I was amazed at this culture that hadn't known Jesus, but they had all these codes for living and had stories that nearly mirrored the ones I'd been told at church. That's when I started really questioning what I'd been told all my life.

In my every day life, I encountered all these people who had NO religion in their lives--and guess what? They were happy. That defied all that I'd been taught because everybody knows that to be happy is to know Jesus, right?

And so it continues...here I am, many years post-college, married to a cradle Catholic who is questioning just as many things as I am (but savors the traditions of Catholicism), with a 16 1/2 month old son, and I have no idea where I fit in. Surely I can figure that out...someday.......

[McCulloch]

Welcome. I'm quite sure you'll fit here rather well.

[Goat]

Welcome Miss Gnomer. This place might let you firm up your beliefs, or you might just keep on questioning. Either way, I hope you enjoy being here.

[Miss Gnomer]

Hi, McCulloch ~ Thanks for the welcome!

You're actually the reason I'm here! I saved the link from a time you posted it on SCS. I've just recently had the time to really look the site over & determine that I may be able to contribute.