I'm torn inside.....

[+RubiesFire+]

Hi Everyone-

This is my first time posting in this forum, well maybe because it took some courage to venture into here.
Here's the thing-

I was born and raised Roman Catholic-Deep inside as a child I guess I was never really into it-even though my Family was/and still is. When I was in my early 20's I left and I converted over to Evangelical. It was good for a short time, but it feels empty.

For about a year I've been slowly taking interest in Eastern Orthodox. I feel something deep inside. When I see the Church I see the word-"Holier"-sounds odd, yes, but that is what I get from it. I feel a connection, but I am afraid to seek it out.

I guess it's the entire Saints, Mary, the Eucharist that sets me back. I once believed all these beautiful things-but a few "Christians" told me when I was in my early 20's that all these things were unbiblical and it scared me then. I'm older now and realize the lies they feed me, however I am having trouble snapping out of this thinking. I know they were wrong, and I was foolish to listen to Satan's lies.

I guess I want to be taught about the Eastern Orthodox church, I'm feeling Jesus pulling me there. Does anyone have any conversion stories that can help me out?? Right now I am torn inside with these feelings.

God Bless,

Rubies.

[Greg the byzantine]

Here is a thread of conversion stories:

http://www.christianforums.com/t3005537-conversions-to-orthodoxy.html

Welcome to TAW. We are here to help :hug:

[NyssaTheHobbit]

Sure. I just posted my own conversion story in the past couple of weeks: http://www.christianforums.com/t3005537&page=53

Hmm....feeling a pull...feeling torn because of Evangelical teachings....scared....Sounds very familiar!

Also check out this story from one of our TAW members: http://fromprotestanttoorthodox.blogspot.com/

[Rowan]

I'm a Protestant looking into Orthodoxy as well :wave:

I would suggest reading Thirsting for God in a Land of Shallow Wells by Matthew Gallatin. It's about the author's own conversion from Protestant to Eastern Orthodoxy. It's great for Protestants looking into Orthodoxy because it addresses the usual concerns (saints, Mary, etc.).

[ClementofRome]

Welcome To Taw Ruby!

[+RubiesFire+]

Thank's Everyone!!

I'll check out the Conversion stories, and I'll check out the book as well. I feel so much better this is off my chest. :)

[eoe]

Welcome to TAW.

I was a fundamentalist before converting. I went through all of that as well. Some of the issues have really simple explanations, some you have to kinda grind through.

Pick your top 3 issues and post a thread on them.

[Orthosdoxa]

Hey Rubes,

I was a hardcore born again Baptist for over 20 years, before finding Orthodoxy. Definitely post a thread with your questions, and if you like, take a gander at my website. http://stienekel.tripod.com/ It has some Orthodoxy 101 stuff on it that you may find useful.

LK

[+RubiesFire+]

Welcome to TAW.

I was a fundamentalist before converting. I went through all of that as well. Some of the issues have really simple explanations, some you have to kinda grind through.

Pick your top 3 issues and post a thread on them.

I will create a thread in probably a few days. I will get my self settled a little bit with EO-before I start asking away. :)

[+RubiesFire+]

Thank You. :)

Welcome to TAW.

I was a fundamentalist before converting. I went through all of that as well. Some of the issues have really simple explanations, some you have to kinda grind through.

Pick your top 3 issues and post a thread on them.

Hey Rubes,

I was a hardcore born again Baptist for over 20 years, before finding Orthodoxy. Definitely post a thread with your questions, and if you like, take a gander at my website. http://stienekel.tripod.com/ It has some Orthodoxy 101 stuff on it that you may find useful.

LK

[Tsarina]

We have a lot of converts here on Taw who will be willing to share their personal stories. I myself am i convert.... Welcome to Taw. :wave:

[Asinner]

Welcome to Taw, Rubies. :wave:

I too, was baptized Catholic, and became a protestant in my early 20's. I was coC (church of Christ) for 13 years until God showed my His Ancient Church. You are correct, His Church is Holy and will take your breath away. Afterall, isn't that what the scriptures attest to.

Love,
Christina :)

[The Prokeimenon!]

You'll like it here, Rubies- it's much less violent than General Theology :D

Welcome http://www.soulcysters.net/images/smilies/tiphat.gif

Reader Moses

[MichaelArchangelos]

Hi Rubies,

Welcome to the forum! I am a catechumen in the Orthodox Church, having come out of Roman Catholicism. While there are many similarities between the two Churches, you'll find that there are many more differences, especially in the theology.

Here's a good introduction to Orthodox Christianity for complete beginners. http://orthodoxchristianity.orgfree.com/

I hope that God will lead you to His Holy Church.

[rusmeister]

Welcome!

As an ex-Baptist, I would say that most Protestants are sincere - it's doubtful any were deliberately feeding you lies - just passing on serious misinformation that was more likely than not passed on to them from a source that they trusted.

That certainly shoots their faith in the foot in the long run when the convert finds out he's been given wrong info. I would take the lesson, and make sure our info on the various faiths is accurate. Wouldn't want anyone leaving Orthodoxy because we misinformed them on the Baptists (or whoever)!

Truth will conquer!

[Ioan cel Nou]

Hi Rubies and welcome. I hope that we can help you out with your enquiries. I, myself, am an ex-Protestant (never Roman Catholic myself though much of my family is) and converted after finding Orthodoxy whilst doing Protestant missionary work in Romania. Would you believe it? My big hang up was iconography but even if you don't share the same problem, I'll happily try to help however I can.

James

[kamikat]

Hi, Rubies! My story is somewhat similar to yours, but I only spent a year in a Protestant church. I was raised Catholic, left Christianity for many years. When I came back, it was in a church of Christ. I had bad memories of certain Catholic practices. All I can tell you is that it's different in Orthodoxy, more comfortable, more natural. When I tried to go back to Catholicism, I fought everything. In Orthodoxy, it just felt right.
kamikat

[Xpycoctomos]

Welcome to TAW, RubiesFire!

John

[Dust and Ashes]

Welcome to TAW! Former Protestant here. Started Baptist became charismatic/pentecostal before I discovered Orthodoxy right here on CF.

[eoe]

Hey.. just noticed your .sig:

She is more precious than
rubies;
nothing you desire can
compare with her.
I read this last night at Vespers:)

That is a wonderful chapter.

[+RubiesFire+]

Thank's Everyone!

Since I am off to work here in about 15 minutes-I will respond better with upcoming questions later this afternoon. :)

God Bless,

Rubies.

[Eusebios]

Just another former Protestant dropping in to say hello :wave:
My path to Holy Orthodoxy was a long and strange one, but I am glad to be home. I hope that you will also find your hearts desire in God's One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
In Xp,
Eusebios
:bow:

[DonVA]

Welcome Rubies! We love new faces at TAW~! Relax. We hope you enjoy your visits with us.

[Paisley]

Welcome to TAW! I, too, am a convert to Orthodoxy. It was a long, long road... Church of God, Evangelical Covenant, Lutheran... and now home to the Orthodox Church! :)

[Breaking Babylon]

Just to add my name to the list, I'm a convert, too. Technically, I'm a catechumen at Saint Mary's, and I've only been around for a few months.

I went from being raised in a Baptist church, to having a big falling away in my earlier teen years. Had a huge urge to return to church at a specific time in my life, so I found myself with the Pentecostals, then left them for the church of Christ(there are so many converts here from Baptist, coC and Pentecostal churches). Through the grace of God I found myself inquiring Orthodoxy. After coming to this forum for awhile things began to make more and more sense, from that experience I decided to call Father Mark and talk to him a couple of times, and, once I witnessed my first Divine Liturgy it was all over. I was received as a catechumen on the feast day of Saint John Chrysostom.

May God bless you abundantly during your stay with us here at TAW.

[+RubiesFire+]

Thank's Everyone!

I feel very Welcomed and I am eager to learn about Eastern Orthodox. :)

[Komnenos]

May God grant you all of the answers that you seek. I may be new but I think I can say you are welcomed here.