I've come to realize that we are all on our own journeys, LT. I believe a lot depends on an ex jw's background, whether they were raised in a church or in the Kingdom Hall. It can matter if one was raised in an agnostic or atheistic home. Jane Fonda was raised to be atheist and Ted Turner is an atheist. Now Jane Fonda is attending seminary in Atlanta, finally having decided there is indeed a god.
I believe that just as God made us to long for our earthly parents and their love and protection, he also made us to long for a spiritual parent or parents. I also believe that no matter how a person attempts to reach out to God, that he appreciates and recognizes that attempt. I believe his love and grace is not bound by human limitations and prejudices. I have come a long way to get back to the very healthy and balanced views of God I enjoyed as a child and preteen.
LT, I do not agree with this. My vitriol towards all religion has been of my own making over the past 20 years or so. I have checked out many religions and have decided that ALL of them, especially the Abrahamic religions, are crap. I think that the world would be a better place if we just got rid of them. Especially the fudies. Most all religions are intolerant towards the others. Everybody thinks that they are right and God loves them the best. Their egos are amazing. I also have very little use for scripture as far as it being inspired or written by God. Every once in a while I'll glean a nugget of what I think is helpful to me. But only if I read it from a symbolic angle.
Robyn, sometime if you're in an adventurous mood, try attending one of the more forward thinking Episcopal churches. I was raised in the church and returned this year. We attended the confirmation classes to learn of the church I was raised in. We found that they welcome all, no matter what they believe. The church recognizes that all are on their own unique spiritual journeys. They believe that God welcomes all attempts to worship and love him, provided it doesn't involve evil towards fellow human beings.
The Episcopal church believes that you can't approach scripture without using reason and science. They recognize human error and prejudices have affected translations and preservation of scripture. They also recognize that scripture applied at the time it was written, but doesn't necessarily fit our times. Example: polygamy.
One good discovery is that they respect your free will and do not use fear to control your behavior. They don't ban books or movies, etc. They respect that you can come to good decisions and policies on your own.
The church we attend has a gay woman priest. Andy was raised Catholic which has a similar liturgy to the Anglican/Episcopal one. Ours is actually practiced in a higher way as regards to high mass and low mass. So it's prettier and more reverant. We both went to the church expecting comfort in familiar roots with the liturgy. We expected to find a vague sense of God. We didn't expect to find very real spirituality, sensibility, tolerance and intelligent people that sincerely care about all people. We chose this particular Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids because of this statement on their website:
We are delighted to welcome newcomers to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church!
Many of our parishioners came to St. Mark's as young people or adults. Some were already Episcopalians; some were even new to Christianity. From wherever you have come, we welcome you on your spiritual journey.
Our parish includes young and old; wealthy and those of modest means; black, brown, and white; gay and straight; married and single; and those with children or not. Our parishioners come from the city, the suburbs, and more rural areas of West Michigan.
We celebrate and embrace the diversity of St. Mark's parish. Everyone is welcome!
