Hello. I just wanted to share a few things about who I am and why I am here.
I'm not really new to the site, just to the forum. I've been coming to this site for a long time. My father (he is a deacon) introduced it to me by explaining some of his thoughts on "hell" and eternity. I grew up in a family of re-thinkers so of course it caught my attention. Nevertheless, it was refreshing to finally have answers to the questions I've asked for so long.
I hate to say this but institutionalized Christians always annoyed me, so I shunned the church buildings, the church folk, the church hats, the pimp shoes, and the collection baskets. I always felt guilty for that or like I was rejecting God, but really I was rejecting confusion and deceit and this site is helping me to understand that. I still can't stand my "Christian" school I was forced to go to. Please don't get me started on those people.
Lately, I've been desiring to know God's Word better. I find myself on this site more than ever reading about some of the most popular Bible stories (Noah and the flood, David & Goliath, Job, etc). Needless to say, if I had my own Bible it would be easier, but I plan on getting one soon enough. LOL
I'm nowhere near the perfect Christian but I'm finally in a place where my Spirit wants to know who God is and I'm desiring to have a relationship with Him. Just last year I was a new wife and a new mother so this may have brought out some changes. Hopefully, through studying and learning, I'll continue to shed my old ways and activities (Lord knows the Real Housewives are quite the distraction).
I joined because I wanted to be among others who seek the truth. I get discouraged sometimes when I try to open up about my beliefs and that I don't believe in an eternal hell. They're lucky I don't have a Bible because I would probably slap them in the head with it.
This is why I seek the truth. There is a lot of confusion, anger, and misguidance that I have in me and I'm tired of it. I hope you all will welcome me even though I'm not quite "there" yet.