"My Faith Journey: Why I Left my childhood Church"

Early Years: A Silent Faith

I was born into a regular Catholic family, where going to Mass was a part of our weekly routine. Even though I was baptized into the faith as a one-year-old, I can't say I knew much about what it all meant. My early days in the Catholic Church were peaceful but uneventful. My mother was devout, making sure we attended Mass, but my understanding of the faith remained superficial.

A Divergent Path: Boarding School and Disconnection

Things started to change when I was around 7 to 9 years old. I met some kids who attended an evangelical church, and they invited me to join them. They asked me which church I went to, and when I said "Roma" (a common term for the Catholic Church in Zimbabwe), one of the kids blurted out, "They pray to Mary!" I admitted it, not understanding why that was a problem, but I felt embarrassed.

While other kids went to catechism classes to learn more about the faith, I didn't. My only fond memory of church during that time was when our priest gave me some sweets after Mass.

A Disconnected Adulthood: Boredom and Discontent

Things changed again when I went to boarding school at 13. Although it wasn't a mission school, church attendance was mandatory, with different pastors visiting each Sunday. When I came home during holidays, I skipped Mass. My connection to the Church was slowly unravelling.

As a teenager, I drifted further from the Catholic Church and, honestly, from any church. I found Mass boring and too long. My mother kept encouraging me to go, but I had no interest. Once, I even told her that I didn't like her church because they didn't preach. She asked if I ever listened, and it hit me—I hadn't.

Questions and the Quest for Truth: The Turning Point

In boarding school, one Sunday, the visiting pastor said the service wouldn't end until everyone spoke in tongues. So, I joined in, mimicking the sounds I heard others make. It felt empty, but I did it because it was expected.

As I grew older, I moved away from the Catholic Church, and organized religion, in general, held little appeal. I couldn't ignore the fact that there were so many different churches, each claiming to have the truth. I began questioning everything: Why should I trust the Bible when I don't know who wrote it or why? Why do we unquestioningly believe the person at the pulpit? If I were to go to church, how would I choose one when they all seemed so different? Why would a loving God condemn people of other religions or those who never heard about Christianity to hell?

The Quest Begins: Seeking Answers to Deep Questions

In my late twenties, I felt a deep longing for God. I still believed, but I needed answers. I had questions:

1. Choosing a Faith: How do I choose a religion?
2. Denominational Dilemma: Which Christian denomination is right?
3. Theology of Confusion: Why is Christianity so divided?
4. Interpreting Scripture: Who interprets the Bible correctly?
5. Canon of the Bible: How was the Bible put together?
6. Church Practices: Who decides church practices and norms?

I decided to apply my research skills to find answers. My journey to uncover truth will be the subject of the next article in this series as the questions I asked shaped my evolving faith. It showed me that faith isn't just about rituals and routines—it's a personal journey of deep reflection, seeking, and finding answers that resonate with the heart.