We went to church because we were supposed to and in mid teens, we'd skip church and spend the time at a Friendly's, eating ice cream and hanging out with our friends just like after school.
There was never a spiritual consciousness other than the hippie stuff of the hippie era ... which I utilized to ball the girls.
In 1981, I met Jesus with no build up to a spiritual experience except ... I had reached the end of "my" rope and Eddie Klein witnessed to me ... and I met Jesus.
I think I was about 12, but I went through the motions, so I could keep doing the only thing I really wanted to do, play hockey. Go Blackhawks. Go Sioux, 2016 NCAA champions. 🏒👍
Yup!
Why ELSE would one need Jesus?!
Oh please....you knew Jesus long before that but like many of little faith, you didn't RECOGNIZE Him....He was there, you weren't.
I know what you mean bro. I was a very rebellious Catholic, and I had given up on the church when I was about 12, for two reasons. I knew I couldn't live up to it, and I enjoyed committing mortal sins.
Enjoying the pleasures of sin, however, leads to inner frustration and turmoil. I reached the end of my rope too. I was also shipping out for Vietnam, and I didn't know if I was going to come home, so I was looking for a get out of hell free card. I FOUND it, not in some false religion, but in a relationship with Jesus.
I survived my year in Nam. It seemed hotter there, than where I am now, even though this place is just as far south. Come on over, the ocean water is fine, and yes, I am a foreigner. 🇵🇭😆😄😄