Tell me your conversion, reversion, or other -ersion stories!

[SalomeBintullah]

I was raised in a Catholic home, and my parents are good Christians but unfortunately not very devout. I received a good Catholic education through my freshman year of high school but after that went to public school. I’d stopped going to confession at age 12, and stopped going to church when I turned 18. I had a lot of difficulty trying to figure out what I believed in, and had particular difficulty with the concept of the Trinity. At 18 I left home to attend an American university in the Middle East, intending to stay there for the full four years, and during that (very difficult) time I was exposed to Islam. I transferred to a school in the US after just one semester, since I was in no way mature enough to handle living in the Middle East for my entire undergrad career. (I have since come to greatly regret this missed opportunity, but I’m intending to go back for grad studies, so all’s well that ends well, I guess). I was very depressed when I got back for a number of reasons, and started researching other religions, but especially Islam. I was almost certain that I wanted to convert, and frequently walked around campus dazed by the gravity of my potential conversion, but I still had issues. One of them in particular was the prohibition forbidding Muslim women to marry non-Muslim men, despite the fact that Muslim men were allowed to marry non-Muslim women. At the time, I though I was in love with a man who was not Muslim. Eventually what I can only describe as the grace of God prompted me to reinvestigate my Catholicism, and I was amazed to discover that I’d almost thrown away the Truth. I’ve now been a happily practicing, faithful Catholic for one full year - I returned to church on Pentecost of last year. I’m also now very interested in mission to Muslims (see the link in my signature).

 

[cheese_sdc]

Here’s a conversion story with a twist.

I was raised catholic, in an Italian household. My mother was a leader in the local Catholic Charismatic prayer group and we never missed Sunday mass. Ever. I can count on one hand the number of Sunday masses I’ve missed (up 'til about 2 years ago, anyway) on one hand.

At the urging of my mother, I received the “Baptism in the Spirit” while in Middle School (can’t remember if it was 7th grade or 8th grade) along with all the phenomenon that went with it (praying in tongues, resting in the spirit, visions, prophecy, etc). We went to Medjugoria (sp?) as a family. My father has gone at least 4 times.

In high school, my mother supposedly was told by God that we needed to move across the state so she could start a “house of prayer”. That house of prayer had a teen ministry team attached, of which I, of course became a part of.

When I later tried to quit, I was told that God didn’t want me to. When I questioned the leaders, I was told that God didn’t want me to. When I did something deemed “wrong” (like appearing in a secular, high school play) I was told that God wasn’t pleased with me.

Nevertheless, I decided that God was calling me to be a priest, and after graduation from High School I entered the seminary. That was an experience. I spent 4 years in the seminary, left and married.

It was at this time that I really started to question the Church on things. Women’s Ordination, refusal to administer sacraments, the treatment of homosexuals, celibacy, papal authority, and substitionary atonement.

After years of soul searching, research, and studying, I just about had enough. I could only honestly say the first line of the Creed “I believe in God” and I was consoling myself with the thought that the sacraments of the Church will still valid. I was receiving communion infrequently, as I just didn’t care anymore. I sat or stood in the back of Church and left early.

Finally, I just thought, I’ll give it one more chance - went to mass, received communion and was like eating ashes. That was the last time I received. I’ve been to a couple of masses after that - but I’m out. And you know what? It has been a great decision. I’m working my way free of all the **** from my parents and the charismatic renewal, of the seminary, and of a to this point ****** marriage.

So that’s my story. I converted from Catholic to Cheesian, or as I sometimes say “Nonpagan Pagan”.

 

[Byzantine_Wolf]

Part One:

I think I posted much of my conversion story in another thread, so if some of this sounds familiar to people who know me I apologize. To begin, we need to discuss my somewhat hectic religious upbringing…

I was born to a Roman Catholic father and an Episcopal mother. As you might imagine from this, I didn’t have a very firm spiritual upbringing, though I was interested in religion. I used to pray when I was a little boy, and I read children’s bibles (many of the images within still fresh in my memory), and at one point in middle school wanted to be a priest. In high school I took an amateur interest in theology and began studying comparative religion. From all this I came to the naive conclusion that all religions believe basically the same thing, and therefore none of them were really right or wrong. From this I became an agnostic…then I eventually downgraded in college to a full-blown atheist. I didn’t believe anything, I blasphemed God, and I thought all religion to be silly.

After I graduated, got a job, and settled down, something different happen. To this day I can’t explain it, but something compelled me towards spirituality. Calvinists call it Irresistible Grace, but in any case I suddenly began to think in my mind that there had to be something out there, even if I didn’t know what. I began searching, and eventually took a liking to Islam. I don’t know if it was because Lawrence of Arabia was my favorite movie as a kid, or if I always enjoyed Middle Eastern history, but I bought the Koran and started reading it earnestly, and began to enjoy it. I studied Islamic history and theology, then finally began attending a local mosque just to observe. I felt a kind of religious renewal that I had never known since I was a kid, and I felt this was what I needed. I eventually took the shahadah and began my journey.

It was by no means a minor fad of mine. I wore my kufi at times, I studied the Koran in earnest (researching various topics), attending the mosque every Friday (I even went to help out for Ramadan), I fasted when I had to, and I did my five daily prayers. I even had a blog where I responded to critics of Islam, and was constantly trying to eat up whatever I could about the faith. I was even growing a beard some months later, buying copies of the Koran and giving them to family members for Christmas.

Now about this time, two significant events happened in my life.

One day I met a Baptist fellow who had come to the mosque to talk to Muslims. He began to talk to me, which after sometime diverted into the topic of who Christ was. I of course believed that Christ was just a prophet like all other Muslims did, and he responded with scripture. I said the scripture was corrupted, and tried to give examples of contradictions to prove it. To my surprise, he easily destroyed them, and I realized then that I did not know as much about the gospels as I thought I did. Thereafter I bought a study Bible (which I still own) and began to research the New Testament as passionately as I did the Koran.

Around the same time, I casually visited a nearby Orthodox Church. I was curious since I knew nothing about Orthodoxy (outside of what they show in Dr. Zhivago) and was always interested in seeing how other people worshiped. My first visit was an unsuccessful one - I came in at the end of the service, so when I sat down everyone stood up and left. I went to the bookstore and spoke to some of the people who worked there, talking casually about Orthodoxy and explaining Islam. I bought a few books about the history of Orthodoxy - the couple who owned the store gave me an icon of Christ as a gift - and later attended a full service just to see what it was like. After that I didn’t go back and didn’t think much of it.

 

[Byzantine_Wolf]

Part Two:

These events shaped me for several reasons:

First, as I researched the gospels, I realized that many of those contradictions which I believed were there were more complimenting than contradicting, or, in the very least, were forgivable. I was also dealing with the intellectual dishonesty I often found in Muslim apologetics: a common tactic employed is to use the Bible as a source and then declare the Bible to be corrupt. I could believe one or the other, but I couldn’t use both without feeling dishonest. If a religion forces you to lie, what does that say about your religion?

At the same time, Orthodoxy presented an interesting reality to me. It must be remembered that Islam teaches the early church was tarnished and fell away from the true teachings of Christ. In fact, the writings of the early Church Fathers and the reality of apostolic succession and tradition shows that the tradition was upheld well up to the time of Islam.

Keep in mind that while I was researching Christianity I was still researching Muslim history and theology, and all to glorify Islam - this proved counterproductive for me. I found myself coming at odds with certain elements of Muslim believes and theology. The story of Mohammad’s marriage and sexual acts with Aisha disgusted me, and the all too convenient revelations he had whenever he had to seemed more and more questionable. Strange passages in the Koran, such as the statement that Jews worship Ezra as the Son of God (S. 9:30) were so bizarre that I couldn’t believe they came from God.

Amazingly enough, the one thing I could not get over was the crucifixion. Islam, as many know, denies the crucifixion, stating that Christ did not die, with many more stating the whole thing is a fabrication. This I could not believe. To me, this would be the greatest conspiracy in the history of mankind. How could the crucifixion have been falsified, and to such a large degree that the tradition of it could be preserved so well from the time of the apostles well up to today? To me the crucifixion was a reality, and if it was a reality…what did that mean about the rest of Christ’s life?

Finally there came a day where I felt spiritually dead. I woke up with an empty feeling that was all too scary for me. I went to the mosque and prayed with everyone else, but it all meant nothing to me. I went to work and then went home, and still nothing. I realized then that I had encountered Divine Truth - and when a person encounters such Truth, they are held responsible for how they respond. I went to my prayer rug and prostrated, praying simply, “God, guide me to the truth.” On Saturday I meditated long and hard on what I was going to do. To tell the truth, the greatest thing holding me back was pride: after wearing a kufi, growing a beard, praying five times a day, fasting, talking about the Koran, hadith, and history to everyone I knew…I would then have to turn around and admit that I had been wrong. Yet as I said, I had encountered Divine Truth, and I had to respond. It was then that I decided to return to Christ.

The next day I went to the Orthodox church I had visited months ago and sat through the service. Afterwards I met with one of the workers at the bookstore, and asked, “Did you pray for me?” When she said yes, I stated, “It worked.” This was in January of 2008; I was chrismated in September of that year. I have never felt more fulfilled in my life, and I don’t regret the change. I feel as close to God as I do to a good friend, and I embrace Him.

People often ask me, “How did you come to the church?” I like to respond, “I did not come to the church - God led me to the church.”

 

[jakasaki]

B. Wolf - love your conversion story - love it!

Although I read your blog regarding your conversion, I still love it. Thanks for sharing…

 

[ZAKI]

do u REALLY want to hear my conversion from christianity to islam???

wasalam

 

[Eucharisted]

do u REALLY want to hear my conversion from christianity to islam???

wasalam

Only if you wish to share it.

 

[O.S.Luke]

I really don’t have a -ersion story - I am a cradle Methodist. But as one who is ordained, I am always fascinated and thankful to hear the conversion stories of others, as it is a great privilege and testimony to hear how God works in the lives of others in ways subtle and mighty.

My story to become ordained is a bit more exciting. But that’s another thread.

 

[seeker_of_God]

Eucharisted,

I just wanted to say that your conversion story really moved me beyond words. You are very blessed to have had such an experience.

 

[ejb21]

I’m a Re-Vert. Born and raised Catholic I left around 1970. There was much confusion about Vatican II, and those who claimed the spirit of Vatican II. I drifted for a few years, then recieved my first Bible from an, ex-Catholic, Protestant co-worker. I read Hal Lindsay’s books. I drifted somemore. Twenty years went by.

In 1990, on a Saturday afternoon, I heard a voice say ‘why don’t you go to Mass tomorrow’. It came from nowhere; out of the blue. I hadn’t been to Mass in about 20 years, and I couldn’t wait for the hours to pass. Got there early on Sunday to get reacquainted with the Church. I followed the readings during Mass which was something I had never done. The homily was excellent as it touched on the readings.

I kept going back. I loved it. But I knew something was missing as I was not able to receive Communion. Six months went by and I asked myself - how can I possibly go to confession after more than 20 years. I would be in Church and it was as if I was sitting between 2 people, with one saying ‘go to confession’ and the other saying ‘you can’t go to confession’. This went on for another six months, listening to these voices in each ear.

My parish has a penance service with confession before Christmas and Easter. They bring in about 15 priests to hear confessions. So there I am with all these people in the Church and I’m listening to these 2 voices. I waited til almost everyone had gone, and then I got in line. I expected the priest to yell and scream when I told him it had been over 20 years since my last confession. Long story short: I started with the first commandment and just kept going through the tenth. The priest counseled me a bit and gave me my penance. As I was about to leave something strange happened : the priest asked me if I would do him a favor. I said “sure”. He said “after you say your penance could you say a prayer for me”. I was stunned. I asked him, “what was that?”. He said “God has waited 20 years for you to come back to Him, so you are very close to God. Please say a prayer for me”. I think I floated out of church that day.

 

[Eucharisted]

I’m a Re-Vert. Born and raised Catholic I left around 1970. There was much confusion about Vatican II, and those who claimed the spirit of Vatican II. I drifted for a few years, then recieved my first Bible from an, ex-Catholic, Protestant co-worker. I read Hal Lindsay’s books. I drifted somemore. Twenty years went by.

In 1990, on a Saturday afternoon, I heard a voice say ‘why don’t you go to Mass tomorrow’. It came from nowhere; out of the blue. I hadn’t been to Mass in about 20 years, and I couldn’t wait for the hours to pass. Got there early on Sunday to get reacquainted with the Church. I followed the readings during Mass which was something I had never done. The homily was excellent as it touched on the readings.

I kept going back. I loved it. But I knew something was missing as I was not able to receive Communion. Six months went by and I asked myself - how can I possibly go to confession after more than 20 years. I would be in Church and it was as if I was sitting between 2 people, with one saying ‘go to confession’ and the other saying ‘you can’t go to confession’. This went on for another six months, listening to these voices in each ear.

My parish has a penance service with confession before Christmas and Easter. They bring in about 15 priests to hear confessions. So there I am with all these people in the Church and I’m listening to these 2 voices. I waited til almost everyone had gone, and then I got in line. I expected the priest to yell and scream when I told him it had been over 20 years since my last confession. Long story short: I started with the first commandment and just kept going through the tenth. The priest counseled me a bit and gave me my penance. As I was about to leave something strange happened : the priest asked me if I would do him a favor. I said “sure”. He said “after you say your penance could you say a prayer for me”. I was stunned. I asked him, “what was that?”. He said “God has waited 20 years for you to come back to Him, so you are very close to God. Please say a prayer for me”. I think I floated out of church that day.

Truly God is merciful to you! Maybe your guardian angel was telling you to go to Mass.

 

[bly]

At this time, I knew the relationship was over, and I knew I would not abort. I kept the baby, even though it meant putting my career on hold, enduring humiliation from family and friends, and near poverty for several years. It was the best decision I ever made. I came to know myself so much better and found out what truely makes one happy - love.

Very nice story!

 

[NoWings]

I have no fancy conversion (or otherwise) stories. I’m an agnostic, was raised in Christmas-and-Easter Christian house that was lax, even for that type.

Went full atheist in my teens… flirted with some Left-Hand Path belief systems but grew out of them.

Decided to become Catholic around mid-20s since the birth of my son had made me decide to re-approach religion and I had read the Catechism front to back. They ended up telling me I wasn’t ready, became bitter and never went back.

Flirted with Islam for a little bit. Read the Qur’an front to back. Went to a mosque a few times. They were nice folks.

I go through phases where I get really interested in finding religion, then become dismayed, then get interested, then become dismayed over and over.

Got married, decided to explore Orthodoxy. Attended both a Greek and a Coptic church. Couldn’t figure out where The Church ™ is. Had a very bad meltdown. Contributed to my wife and I divorcing. Lost my father. Was declined a job I was shooting for. Very much on me at that time. Went further into dismay and approached nihilism.

So, now I sit at agnostic. I read religion forums because they interest me and I just like to learn about them and watch the debates fly.

Sometimes I’d like to explore Catholicism again, especially the Eastern/Oriental branches, but there are some teachings and some answers on this very forum that pretty guarantee that I’ll never do so. I’d rather not join at all than to join and pretend some of the teachings are mutable.

 

[Eucharisted]

I have no fancy conversion (or otherwise) stories. I’m an agnostic, was raised in Christmas-and-Easter Christian house that was lax, even for that type.

Went full atheist in my teens… flirted with some Left-Hand Path belief systems but grew out of them.

Decided to become Catholic around mid-20s since the birth of my son had made me decide to re-approach religion and I had read the Catechism front to back. They ended up telling me I wasn’t ready, became bitter and never went back.

Flirted with Islam for a little bit. Read the Qur’an front to back. Went to a mosque a few times. They were nice folks.

I go through phases where I get really interested in finding religion, then become dismayed, then get interested, then become dismayed over and over.

Got married, decided to explore Orthodoxy. Attended both a Greek and a Coptic church. Couldn’t figure out where The Church ™ is. Had a very bad meltdown. Contributed to my wife and I divorcing. Lost my father. Was declined a job I was shooting for. Very much on me at that time. Went further into dismay and approached nihilism.

So, now I sit at agnostic. I read religion forums because they interest me and I just like to learn about them and watch the debates fly.

Sometimes I’d like to explore Catholicism again, especially the Eastern/Oriental branches, but there are some teachings and some answers on this very forum that pretty guarantee that I’ll never do so. I’d rather not join at all than to join and pretend some of the teachings are mutable.

There are no fancy conversions. There are only fancy people. And to be fancy, you just got to be good, whether it’s giving alms or seeking the truth or obeying your employee.

One of the great things about Christianity is that it is absolutely against blind faith. You cannot be both Christian and accept any teaching blindly. The Church demands that her children seek out the truth. You do not have to accept a teaching if you do not kno why it is taught. This is why heresy isn’t defined as rejection of a belief but rather as denial of a belief after correction. It is not heresy to deny the Immaculate Conception because you don’t understand Mary’s sinless, but it is heresy to deny the Immaculate Conception after you have been thoughly taught and corrected about Mary’s sinless. Heresy is a mortal sin, and mortal sin requres full knowledge and consent (and grave matter, of course), so, if you have full knowledge of the Immaculate Conception and consent to deny it even after repeated corrections, than you commit heresy. But if you do not fully know or understand the Immaculate Conception, than it is not heresy. Every year, the Church calls on us Catholics to get to the roots of Christianity, to find out why the Church teaches what it dose, to get into philosophy, to seek out all truths, to not be afraid of science, and to not be a blind follower.

 

[josie_L]

I have no fancy conversion (or otherwise) stories. I’m an agnostic, was raised in Christmas-and-Easter Christian house that was lax, even for that type.

Went full atheist in my teens… flirted with some Left-Hand Path belief systems but grew out of them.

Decided to become Catholic around mid-20s since the birth of my son had made me decide to re-approach religion and I had read the Catechism front to back. They ended up telling me I wasn’t ready, became bitter and never went back.

Flirted with Islam for a little bit. Read the Qur’an front to back. Went to a mosque a few times. They were nice folks.

I go through phases where I get really interested in finding religion, then become dismayed, then get interested, then become dismayed over and over.

Got married, decided to explore Orthodoxy. Attended both a Greek and a Coptic church. Couldn’t figure out where The Church ™ is. Had a very bad meltdown. Contributed to my wife and I divorcing. Lost my father. Was declined a job I was shooting for. Very much on me at that time. Went further into dismay and approached nihilism.

So, now I sit at agnostic. I read religion forums because they interest me and I just like to learn about them and watch the debates fly.

Sometimes I’d like to explore Catholicism again, especially the Eastern/Oriental branches, but there are some teachings and some answers on this very forum that pretty guarantee that I’ll never do so. I’d rather not join at all than to join and pretend some of the teachings are mutable.

I will pray for you and by the way your join date (with the exception of the year ) is my birthday.

 

[josie_L]

I have no fancy conversion (or otherwise) stories. I’m an agnostic, was raised in Christmas-and-Easter Christian house that was lax, even for that type.

Went full atheist in my teens… flirted with some Left-Hand Path belief systems but grew out of them.

Decided to become Catholic around mid-20s since the birth of my son had made me decide to re-approach religion and I had read the Catechism front to back. They ended up telling me I wasn’t ready, became bitter and never went back.

Flirted with Islam for a little bit. Read the Qur’an front to back. Went to a mosque a few times. They were nice folks.

I go through phases where I get really interested in finding religion, then become dismayed, then get interested, then become dismayed over and over.

Got married, decided to explore Orthodoxy. Attended both a Greek and a Coptic church. Couldn’t figure out where The Church ™ is. Had a very bad meltdown. Contributed to my wife and I divorcing. Lost my father. Was declined a job I was shooting for. Very much on me at that time. Went further into dismay and approached nihilism.

So, now I sit at agnostic. I read religion forums because they interest me and I just like to learn about them and watch the debates fly.

Sometimes I’d like to explore Catholicism again, especially the Eastern/Oriental branches, but there are some teachings and some answers on this very forum that pretty guarantee that I’ll never do so. I’d rather not join at all than to join and pretend some of the teachings are mutable.

Gabriel, I read your link, and do not fear you will get your wings (faith and reason).

 

[NoWings]

One of the great things about Christianity is that it is absolutely against blind faith. You cannot be both Christian and accept any teaching blindly. The Church demands that her children seek out the truth. You do not have to accept a teaching if you do not kno why it is taught. This is why heresy isn’t defined as rejection of a belief but rather as denial of a belief after correction. It is not heresy to deny the Immaculate Conception because you don’t understand Mary’s sinless, but it is heresy to deny the Immaculate Conception after you have been thoughly taught and corrected about Mary’s sinless. Heresy is a mortal sin, and mortal sin requres full knowledge and consent (and grave matter, of course), so, if you have full knowledge of the Immaculate Conception and consent to deny it even after repeated corrections, than you commit heresy. But if you do not fully know or understand the Immaculate Conception, than it is not heresy. Every year, the Church calls on us Catholics to get to the roots of Christianity, to find out why the Church teaches what it dose, to get into philosophy, to seek out all truths, to not be afraid of science, and to not be a blind follower.

Very well said, but then one could argue that it would be better for everyone to remain invincibly ignorant to better their chances for Heaven.

Regardless, I don’t agree with it and will not join a church that endorses such a view.

Good for all of you who can.

 

[ZAKI]

I have no fancy conversion (or otherwise) stories. I’m an agnostic, was raised in Christmas-and-Easter Christian house that was lax, even for that type.

Went full atheist in my teens… flirted with some Left-Hand Path belief systems but grew out of them.

Decided to become Catholic around mid-20s since the birth of my son had made me decide to re-approach religion and I had read the Catechism front to back. They ended up telling me I wasn’t ready, became bitter and never went back.

Flirted with Islam for a little bit. Read the Qur’an front to back. Went to a mosque a few times. They were nice folks.

I go through phases where I get really interested in finding religion, then become dismayed, then get interested, then become dismayed over and over.

Got married, decided to explore Orthodoxy. Attended both a Greek and a Coptic church. Couldn’t figure out where The Church ™ is. Had a very bad meltdown. Contributed to my wife and I divorcing. Lost my father. Was declined a job I was shooting for. Very much on me at that time. Went further into dismay and approached nihilism.

So, now I sit at agnostic. I read religion forums because they interest me and I just like to learn about them and watch the debates fly.

Sometimes I’d like to explore Catholicism again, especially the Eastern/Oriental branches, but there are some teachings and some answers on this very forum that pretty guarantee that I’ll never do so. I’d rather not join at all than to join and pretend some of the teachings are mutable.

whatever you decide to become, inshallah (god-willing) you find some peace in your life and inshallah you choose the path which betters you.

wasalam

 

[Eucharisted]

Very well said, but then one could argue that it would be better for everyone to remain invincibly ignorant to better their chances for Heaven.

Regardless, I don’t agree with it and will not join a church that endorses such a view.

Good for all of you who can.

The truth sets man free. Ignorance dose not.

Keep seeking the truth, and you will find it.

 

[system]

Since it’s only fair, I’ll start off with my own conversion story.

Suddenly, there was a flash of light, like lightning, and a man appeared above the table. He wore a white garment and had his right hand raised in a strange gesture, which years later I would learn was a sign of blessing. He was a very beautiful man, dazzling bright, and he spoke to me in a strong yet gentle voice.

“Nicholas, do you wish to console me?” he asked.

“Who are you, sir?” I replied.

“I am Jesus.”

“Sir, why did you have to suffer and die like that?”

“Nicholas, do you wish to console me?”

Suddenly I saw myself sharing in Jesus’ suffering: being condemned to death, dragging a cross to a little hill, and there being crucified.

“Yes, Sir.”

“Than enter my Church and suffer for me.”

At those last three words, I understood that I would not only be suffering for Jesus but also with Jesus. The man vanished: first his feet, than his body, and finally, his face. I looked to the left and saw another man, also dazzling bright, but he was not like Jesus - this man looked like someone wrapped up in a sheet. He had a golden arrow on a golden bow, and pointed the arrow at me and shot it. The arrow went right through my heart, and in an instant three things happened at once: I fell in love with God, I was filled with a peace I had never experienced before, and I was overwhelmed with a joy I had never experienced before. The man vanished, and than a female voice, motherly and gracious, spoke.

“Do not be afraid. I and my Son will be with you always, even to the end.”

Are you serious???!!!
I have just one question, what were you smoking at the time?
Ok, Ok, so you were only 10. Ten year olds can be imaginative… but surely you’re old enough by now to realize that kind of thing is more suited to the kind of mass hysteria that afflicts crowds of delusional fanatics, regardless of location, belief systems, or cult affiliations.