Top 15 Reasons Why People Leave Christianity
73
 | Amazon Price: $11.98 List Price: $15.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $3.25 List Price: $18.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $9.99 |
A recent study conducted by the Pew Forum showed that more than one quarter of American adults are leaving the faith of their childhood. Though Christianity is the world's largest religion, each year many people choose to leave the faith and go their own way. Some continue to believe in God, some turn to other religions or Eastern philosophies such as Buddhism, some turn to agnosticism or atheism. But why to people leave Christianity? Here are the top 15 reasons that former Christians state as the cause of their apostasy.
- God just never shows up. They can see no proof of God's existence, not evidence of any intervention, especially in times of natural disaster and major economic adversity, such as hunger and AIDS epidemics in Africa.
- Their prayers are not answered. Once again, they see no evidence of any intervention from God, whether they are praying for themselves or others.
- They see no difference in attitude and behavior between Christians and Non-Christians. Non-Christians are equally capable of living a moral life as Christians.
- They have had several bad experiences in churches. (i.e. corruption, abuse, coercion, greed, gossip)
- The Bible contradicts itself, as well as with morality and reality. The Bible makes several claims that to a rational human being, just don't make any sense.
- They do not understand why a God that loves everyone would send anyone to hell. For example, people of other religions (we're talking millions of people here), according to the Bible, would end up in Hell because they have not accepted Christ. If God truly loves everyone, why would he doom all of those people to torture in hell for eternity?
- The Bible contradicts science and nature. According to the Bible, the world is only 6,000 years old, while science has proven that the world is, in fact, much older. This is only one instance in which science trumps the Bible.
- They realize that all religions claim to be the only true religion, and only one can be right. This causes them to doubt that out of all of the religions in the world, Christianity would be the only way.
- They see no evidence of anything supernatural, including God. Throughout history, supernatural beings have been used as a way to explain things that humanity did not understand.
- They realized that Christianity is a faith that borrowed several of its stories and teachings from older traditions, such as Paganism.
- They realize that, contrary to Biblical teaching, that people are inherently good. They cannot grasp the concept of original sin.
- They see more harm than good being done in the name of Jesus. (i.e. The Crusades)
- Christianity is too oppressive. Practically any natural human behavior can be labeled as a sin in at least one denomination.
- Christianity suppresses knowledge and creativity. Because science and nature contradict the Bible, Christians steer people away from discovering the scientific truth.
- Christianity suppresses human sexuality. (i.e. premarital sex, contraception, homosexuality)
Whatever the reason behind thier decision to leave Christianity, the fact remains that Christianity seems to be losing its hold on the American people. After a few more generations, it may cease to exist all together.
- T. M. Apsey
T. M. Apsey's author page. The best place to find all the latest published articles and blog posts by T. M. Apsey on HubPages and The Skeptic Religion Scholar. - The Skeptic Religion Scholar
vote upvote downshareprintflag
- Useful (3)
- Funny
- Awesome (4)
- Beautiful
- Interesting (10)
CommentsLoading...
Your courage is inspiring and your right! Great Hub!
Awesome hub. My reasons for leaving Christianity and following my own path appear here. No more Christianity? That's something to think about.
Hit a nerve! To me is a matter of being incongruent of words and actions. I still pray and believe in God because when I look at the sky, an animal or kid I can see all the wonders and gifts we have, but it is hard to belong to a religion when expectations are so high that they know you are going to fail. Great hub and up!
I believe in God. Religions are many and divided. God is one..All people are one in his eyes...
I have had some doubts lately as to my beliefs. This really sums up why I am questioning everything that I grew up knowing and believing. We don't stop believing cause we are bad people, we just start questioning and wondering. Once that happens it breaks the barrier in any relationship.
Personally, I believe in God, but in my opinion, some things that were said here are true, while some are just generalizations of our faith. I will not force my beliefs onto anyone. If a person thinks that leaving Christianity will help them be a better person, who am I to stop them?
I have had every experience you mentioned. You are talking Christianity. That covers a broad spectrum of religions.
The bible says that God has a name that only he knows. That is what I want to call "him" by.
Many may leave their religion for many reasons. There is only one reason why anyone will walk away from their creator. Their faith is not real.
Great, thought provoking hub by the way.
I can neither speak for against any religion. I believe people worship the same God in different ways, and there really isn't any point arguing over semantics. Live a moral life to the best of your beliefs.
I personally, grew up as a christian my whole life until I was 14. After I learned about other religions and that they existed, I instantly knew there was something wrong bout religion itself. I'm 21 now and an atheist since that day. I just can't grasp the fact that if I would've grown up a buddhist I would've BEEN a buddhist, and going to hell for not believing in Jesus, which is not MY fault. I think I'll remain atheist for a while.
Cease to exist? lol, kindly, that is bold and not original.
I've heard and read the notion countless times, never seen the possiblity, including in light of the list here, and can't say I agree with the logic or reasoning. God also says the opposite, that he would NOT have us to be ignorant, which is to be diligent intelligent and intellectual. Science is a constant ever correcting method, and I am a Christian and I invent things and find no joy in anything but creativity and give all the credit to yes, you guessed it, lol, God above.
Anywho, no pun intended, just alternate perspective - but I like your enthusiasm.
=)
Very good reasons! This is so sad but true! People are leaving church because God is not in the churches. The churches have compromised with the world over so many years and now as I heard an old time preacher say once, that it is dangerous to go to church, because they are not teaching the Word and God is not in them anymore. So it is dangerous for a persons soul to be lost by believing the lies of the churches. Good article.
Very informative, and very true. I am a Christian, and will remain so, but I have to agree with what you said. Thank you for an excellent hub. It certainly gives the reader something to think about. Blessings, Sparklea :)
Such a great hub. I've never heard things explained this way. I wasn't raised a Christian and in North America have always felt likean outsider looking in but I have had many friends questioning these things, not only in Christianity but in other faiths as well.
I'm sure that Christianity will not cease to exist. Those who stick with Christianity are people who choose to exercise faith in Christ--not in others and the fact the present. However, this is a good article and Christians can learn from the research findings. Thanks for sharing.
I have heard many people refer to reasons 3 and 4 in defense of leaving Christianity. Their experiences in the church are met with disappointment. I don't argue with reasons. My purpose is simply to live my life as an example and answer questions as they arise in regards to my faith. Thank you for writing this hub which challenges us to think about how we live our faith before others.
My problem is church. People play church; the longer they play church the harder it is to maintain the roll. Real Christianity is relational.
Hmmmm. Some good reasons, TMApsey. After exploring several religions myself and even being married to a man that practices Buddhism (Taoism and Zen), I have decided that I am a Christian because I relate to Christ; not to the church that was built on controlling those that believe. His message and lessons were about love, compassion and being present in the spirit. I do believe that at the end of the day, matters of the heart, mind, spirit and soul all create one goal... to be brilliant human beings.
Besides, I think Christ makes a very good Buddhist.
Interesting list. For me it is 1, 2 and 9 that have caused me to seriously question my faith in God. I'm kind of bumping along the bottom of a very deep trough now, and rarely pray anymore. It's just that when I look back over life and at the present, I just don't see how prayer has made significant difference to my life or familly situations. I look at the situations my wife's family are in and for all the full on dedication to Christanity, I simply do not see how being a Christian has benefited their lives in terms of happiness, health, well being, or material needs.
The biblical God just doesn't make any sense, and neither do the stories in the bible(s)
Why would there need to be two bibles only a few hundred years apart, although it took over 1400 years to collect the individual documents written by different people at different times and different places. The decision of what went into them was made by man alone.
my opinion
I may make myself a bit unpopular, but I am willing to take the risk. Here goes: There are many sophisticated men and women, including scientists who believe in God and Christianity. I am inclined to favor the views of Sir Francis Bacon, who said: "It is true that a little philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion. It is much too easy to disregard Christianity on a superficial level and I, for one, choose not to take the easy route where the life of Jesus is concerned...He certainly didn't. I am currently reading "The Rage against God", a story about an atheist turned Christian. Perhaps it may be useful for others.
When my child was 10 years old, he asked me, "Mom, how do you know there is a God?" A response popped right out of my mouth, and I didn't even think about it. It was as if I was being told the answer as well as my child.
I said, simply because you were born. Scientists can put cells together. They can make them divide. But a soul is only given by God. I told him his dad and I made his body with our bodies, but his personality, conscience, feelings and intuition were given to him by God. His soul was given to him by God.
It is very easy to opt out of Christianity. Its simply a lack of faith, with a little selfishness and laziness thrown in to the mix (and that is the popular way of thinking these days).
It is actually very difficult to be a true Christian. I use the word "true" because the religion as a whole does not represent what it really is...a relationship. Personally, I don't agree with everything about the religion. But I believe that Jesus was the Son of God. He was crucified and died to pay for my sins. I believe he rose from the grave and will return to rescue his followers. I believe in the Holy Trinity. I believe that God wishes us to live our lives as righteously as we can, but forgives us when we ask.
If you open your heart, and accept the fact that true Christians don't belong in this evil world, you will realize that you are supposed to feel out of place here. Its supposed to be difficult. Otherwise, why would we need faith?
My faith teaches me not to judge others. I live and let live. My faith teaches me to have fellowship with other believers because we were made to be a social species. That being said, I also accept and love those who have different beliefs than mine. Church? Church is a building. Fellowship is what we Christians need.
Not my opinion...my belief
I fully respect those who are able to hold onto that belief. As for myself, the more I study religion, the more absurd Christianity seems to me. It doesn't mean that I'm selfish or lazy, I have spent many years studying religion and am currently pursuing my BA in religion. The decision I made to leave Christianity was based on extensive research and sound reason.
Mmargie1966. You said it better than I did, and I thank you for that.
You made incredible points in this excellent hub. Also, I've experienced many of what is on your list. Yes, I HAVE found Christianity to be very oppressive...not because of God, but because of people. Personally, I do not like the word, "religion," nor do I like to be referred to as a "religious" person. However I do most definitely believe I was created by God, and I believe every word in the Bible to be true. I believe in the birth, death and resurrection of Christ. I once heard a speech where the speaker said, "no one knows for sure, it is an eternal mystery." I agree. If there is NOT a heaven or a hell, I'll find out when I die. In the meantime I stand on my beliefs. That being said, I also totally respect all other religions and their beliefs. I have no right to judge how a person believes or feels. I do not judge how people choose to live. I just know that I have had numerous prayers answered, as well as experienced multiple coincidences which I believe are from God. I voted UP on this excellent, thought provoking hub. Blessings, Sparklea
You made incredible points in this excellent hub. Also, I've experienced many of what is on your list. Yes, I HAVE found Christianity to be very oppressive...not because of God, but because of people. Personally I do not like the word, "religion," nor do I like being referred to as a "religious" person. However I do most definitely believe I was created by God, and I believe every word in the Bible to be true. I believe in the birth, death and resurrection of Christ. I once heard a speech where the speaker said, "no one knows for sure, it is an eternal mystery." I agree. If there is not a heaven or a hell, I'll find out when I die. In the meantime I stand on my beliefs. That being said, I also totally respect all other religions and their beliefs. I have no right to judge how a person believes or feels. I do not judge how people choose to live nor their personal choices. I just know that I have had numerous prayers answered, as well as experienced multiple coincidences which I believe are from God. I voted UP on this honest, thought provoking hub. Blessings, Sparklea
A interesting hub which will cause us, Christian's to look at self. Thank you for sharing!
Your 15 reasons are fairly true, I won’t question them.
Because organised religion is a man made product; blind belief is the basis of religion.
You may turn your back to God, but when your back is against the wall, and there is no way out. Then, you will call on your God.
Great Hub, will vote up.
stellavoce 3 months ago
Love it! Thank you for writing this.