Six Paths to God

2) The path of independence

Deciding to leave the church but still believing in God.

• Benefits: You might see things in a fresh way. You speak freely and honestly.
• Pitfalls: Perfectionism; you may search for a perfect church, which is impossible.

3) The path of disbelief

Choosing not to believe in God’s existence (atheism).

• Benefits: You don’t tend to take explanations about God for granted. You may have thought about God and life in different ways. You may care for others for different reasons. You may have a “religious-baloney detector” (sensing hypocrisy or lazy answers).
• Pitfalls: You may experience God but expect proof solely in an intellectual way.

4) The path of return

Beginning life in a religious family, drifting away, and coming back.

• Benefits: You may see things differently and may be more committed. You may have more of a desire to learn and grow out of your childhood faith.
• Pitfalls: You may need to reeducate yourself to understand your faith in a mature way.

5) The path of exploration

Being born in a religious family, who allow children to choose.

• Benefits: You may know other religions well and be enriched in your own faith as a result. You may appreciate your our own faith more because of your exploration.
• Pitfalls: You may have a tendency towards perfectionism (like the path of independence) in searching for a perfect religion, which is impossible. You might be putting God in your own “box.” You may waver in your commitment.

6) The path of confusion

Being hot/cold with childhood faith; finding God is a mystery or problem.

• Benefits: You might be fine-tuning your approach to your childhood faith. You may be refining your ideas about religious commitment.
• Pitfalls: Your confusion can lapse into laziness. You may feel it takes too much work to build community, too much time to pray, or too much money to share.