I’m realizing that maybe my OCD gave me all the doubts about God and that’s what helped me be able to leave my religion (Christian Baptist Fundamentalist). Everyone around me never doubted as much as me or had as much skepticism (at least not out loud) and I never understood why I was so different from them. What is your experience with OCD and religion? Did it make you decide to leave? To stay? How do you feel about religion and OCD now?
I think I understand you. Fundamentalism of any kind allows OCD to fester and grow. And Fundamentalism does not allow space for doubts.
My OCD made me doubt everything about the faith, but I still found good reasons to continue believing. Please don’t let your OCD make major decisions in your life. It’s thought patterns are never rational.
@jj5788 It wasn’t OCD that made the decision, it was me. I definitely wanted to leave and I’d never go back. But, I realized that maybe OCD is why I thought deeper into the logic of the religion even as a child. And maybe that’s why I felt so different from the people around me that were so willing to give themselves fully to faith
@🍁dawnofdefeat🍁 Oh wow, for me OCD made me question religion sure, but I also realized that it’s not all illogical. There are good arguments for and against God. Here is how I think about it: If God wanted to make Himself known without any doubt, he would have made it impossible for us to resist Him. God wants us to freely choose Him and have faith. He can’t force us to believe in him by making his existence too obvious.
@jj5788 I didn’t see all of it as illogical, but much of the foundation is shaky and doesn’t make sense. It would only make sense for God to make their existence obvious. We would still have a choice in that case, just like we are totally aware of the existence of our political leaders and their proposed beliefs. We still have choice in whether to follow them or not. They can’t force us without becoming horrible and unethical leaders. They also can’t threaten eternal damnation if we decide not to believe, the way that the Christian God does. A God that loves me would make their existence known and leave me feeling safe, not uncertain.
@jj5788 Hey, im sorry if i triggered you with my replies to this post. I hadn’t realized you struggled with religious OCD. I hope you’re doing okay and if I can I’d be happy to help you <3 I don’t believe in God anymore, but I know how stressful I felt feeling uncertain when I did believe in God.
I think ocd used my religion against me when ever it could. I was so afraid to sin that anytime id think something sin ful id pray for forgiveness. I used to think God was telling me to do those compulsions. Now i know it was my ocd. Are u postive u wanted to leave your religion. How do u know it wasn't your ocd and u made a mistake. Did u truly understand God or were u on the outside and didn't know it?
@Thor 22 I’m positive I wanted to leave my religion, I just realized that maybe OCD is part of the reason why I was so aware even from a young age of the reasons that it didn’t make sense even though other people seemed to completely give in to faith
Can anyone share their experiences with Religious OCD and how you came to realize it was OCD thoughts and not a true spiritual experience. Thank you
I used to have religious OCD. Still kinda do. Accidentally thought something bad about God once, panicked thought something bad about the Holy Spirit. Fell into doom. This was recently after recomitting myself to Christ. Since then I pretty much gave up. Unfortunately, it also led to me compromising my morals many times because I figured I was going to hell anyway. I wish I knew what OCD was then. I think it would have saved me a lot of pain. I no longer have a relationship with God, and fear I never will again.
So I grew up Christian and walked away from my faith as a teen for 12 years I recently came back to my faith for about 3 weeks and then I started scratching my scalp raw with bleeding scabs from my anxiety due to this worry of condemnation and am I sinning am I not sinning am I going to go to heaven or hell. I have officially left my faith again and feel kind of guilty about it. I believe that the world is about love and am spiritual but not religious but my OCD has been so bad about it that I can't believe in Christianity anymore. I can't even hear the name Jesus or heaven or sin or bible without feeling like I'm gonna throw up. I can't believe that a loving God sends people to hell. I can't live my life in fear. Has anyone else had to leave their faith for something more peaceful and less judgemental because of their OCD? Please no judgement or anything about how the Christian God is the only way.
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond
