This is post is part of a series of replies. If you landed here first, please see the intro post here.
It’s interesting, you and I are a lot alike in wanting to understand the opposing opinion. In my own quest, I have read apologetics that claim to disprove evolution by setting up strawman arguments, but have yet to find a refutation that is based on the actual theories. I have also read the Catholic perspective of the first Council of Nicaea, which I have not yet reconciled with the secular accounts of it. Also, I have read many ex-Christian “testimonies” of how they became a Christian and why they stopped believing, and it’s easy to understand the entire progression, based on my understanding of psychology. That said, I have no doubt that your “connection” with a perceived higher power is very real to you. But my experience and understanding tells me that this sense of strength and awe that you have comes from within, not from some external force, except to the extent that you are basing the “reasons” for your feelings on something which other humans who share your religion have defined.
While personal experience should not be totally dismissed, it’s not the end all to be all. Many people and religions base their reality on personal experience. Even some well intended Christians. Their must be some outside source of truth. Otherwise a man might here a voice that tells him it’s okay to rob banks, or he might just like the feeling he gets from robbing banks. That’s an extreme example, but it happens (not with bank robbers) but with serial killers and cult leaders all the time. The Bible when properly followed is a excellent external source of truth. The world would be a much better place if we followed the words and teachings of Christ. But beyond that: The good news of all the scriptures is that God is Holy, has created a people (who fell), yet provided a way for them to be restored and made righteous through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. All who will repent of their sins and put their faith and trust in Him will be saved.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
(Romans 10:9-11)