Anyone else grow up super Evangelical, turned atheist as an adult, but trying/struggling to believe again?
Disclaimer: I am not challenging anyone’s beliefs; I’m just sharing my own thoughts.
I know I’m not the only one, but I haven’t met anyone in real life with my experience. I grew up extremely conservative (both politically and religiously), but in my 20s slowly started believing less and less. I saw no proof of God and experienced how terrible Evangelicals treat people different than them. My political views now lean very liberal, which has surprisingly turned me back to thinking about Jesus and His teachings for the first time in a decade (who would have thought LOL). I started attending a progressive Lutheran church a few months ago, led by two pastors whom I have much respect for, but I just flat out do not believe anymore, no matter how hard I try.
My question is: how do you come back around into believing again? There is no tangible proof of God, and the concept of Him letting people suffer has been (by far) the biggest hurdle in my journey. I have been very depressed, lost, and lonely ever since I stopped believing. And I’m still terrified of Hell even though I don’t believe in it (thank you Southern Baptist Church for the trauma).
I’m open to any thoughts, experiences, anecdotes, stories, verses, suggestions, or whatever. Thanks!