Who, on this board, go to church now??? (page 3)

ozziepost

The fact that I can discuss and disagree with other opinions is just the icing on the cake, for me

Yet, strangely it may seem to a dub, it doesn't mean disunity.

Pubsinger

I go with the family.

Ozzie and Little Toe's comments sum me up really (except the bit about the virgins - we still have them). And whoever it was who said that their children don't dread going to church.

I left JWs because the evidence showed that they couldn't be God's EXCLUSIVE organisation, not because their errors changed my belief in God.

Dansk

Jag:

I dont go to church. Ive done a lot of research and I dont believe anybody has any answers to the deep meaningful questions of life.

You should read The Buddha's Way by H. Saddhatissa, What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Sri Rahula, Ramana Maharshi and the Path of Self-Knowledge by Arthur Osborne and The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche. You'll find all the answers you need - and a lot more besides! Claire and I don't feel the need to go to a church and we don't believe the Bible is inspired of God. I felt sorry for Claire for a long time after we exited Watchtower because she gave up on everything spiritual. I read the above books (two of them I'd read 30 years ago, but found great meaning in reading them again) and, for example, on hospital forms I put my religion down as being a Buddhist. I detest labels, but Buddhism is my favoured "religion/philosophy". Ramana, a Hindu, was especially good reading when I came close to death, as was the Tibetan book. Both are incredibly upbuilding and inspiring. I believe in evolution, which doesn't conflict with Buddhism. I belong to no particular school of Buddhist thought and am all the better for it. I have Christian friends, such as Ross who has stayed here and will be doing so again. We have great discussions and respect each other. Happily, Claire is finding herself interested in spiritualism. Not enough to join a church or group, but on watching the likes of Colin Fry: http://www.colinfry.co.uk/ We both went to see him last week at the Royal Opera House in Manchester. He's an incredible guy, that's for sure. Church? Sorry, but I can't believe what archaeology and science have debunked. Christianity is very much a western religion and western Christians, especially, seem to put it above all other religions. There's too much dogma and self-righteousness for me - but I still love everyone! Ian

eddie c

My wife and i go to a small Independant Evangelical Church,and have done so since we left the Watchtower some 20 odd years ago. I lost my faith in the Watchtower,but not in God.I remember the first time i went to a church,i was scared to go in,i thought all the demons would jump on me.

For me the important thing is my faith in Jesus,then being with fellow christians who have a heart for God and for others. As ozziepost said above,we are all sinners,so we should not look for perfection in people.We have met some wonderful christians and being part of a local community church that has a real intrest in the locality keeps us focused on Jesus.

Ian,our church is a couple of miles from where you live,feel free to drop in.

Eddie

lovelylil

I sometimes fellowship with some "free bible students" and sometimes attend an evangelical church in my area. I go for the association with other Christians and I enjoy the bible study. I don't think I have to join any particular group or be on the "roll call" of any church. But I don't want to isolate myself either.

I had absolutely no problems attending a church the first time. I drove an elderly blind lady I know to her church service (baptist) and decided instead of going home and then going back - I would stay with her. Love it! The people were so kind and friendly. The service was great and biblical!

I always tell those who just leave the WT to take their time. I almost rushed into another group that was exactly like the WT and had common roots in Russell and found it was a mistake. They also study books and not the bible and I had enough of studying books. I took a year to read the bible and decide for myself what I accepted as true and once I had a foundation of what my basic beliefs were, I then started checking out churches. I am actually trying a new one this Sunday.

Personally, I like being part of a group and I have always loved bible teaching, volunteer work, and helping those in need in the church so attending a church gives me a good outlet. Lilly

MegaDude

I felt like a rudderless ship when I left the JWs and decided to just go visiting and see how the other half lived as it were. In that respect I was a tourist visiting different denominations and experiencing firsthand what the people and community were like: non-denom churches, Baptists, Church of Christ, charismatic, the Unity Church, et cetera. I read a lot: history of Christianity, about Islam, about Buddhism, about Scientology, Catholicism, atheism, positivity, Satanism, the New Age and agnosticism and atheism. Talked to everyone and anyone that was willing to talk about their views.

People are generally easily led and have a strong desire to be told what to do and believe. Combine that with the sad fact there are people who wish to exert influence for personal gain, be it for financial reasons, egoistic or to reinforce their own culture, and it's no wonder that "truth" can be an elusive search. You have to do your own thinking, your own reasoning. And after being conditioned for decades like a JW Marine it was a challenge.

One thing that helped is I paid attention to people I would generally rate as happy or had that sense about them. I was forward in asking them questions about their views and their life.

It finally seemed logical to me that if there is a creator, an intelligence that made this reality we call life, that no matter who we are, where we are, that we should be able to connect to it by just simply asking to reveal itself in our life. Then paying attention to what shows up. I have found that to be true in my own experience. That's why I believe.

lovelylil

I disagree that Archaeology and Science have debunked church? Do you mean only the Christian idea of church?

If so, there have been Archaeological discoveries that show that things mentioned in the bible were real such as names of kings, places, etc. So we know there is at least some historical fact to the Christian bible. But the same can be said for the Jewish and Muslim bibles and others also.

Also there are many scientists who do believe in a creator or intelligence behind the earth - have you heard of intelligent design? Some people choose to call this nature and some God.

But I agree that in many religions there is a self - righteous attitude, a we are right and you are wrong and other attitudes that turn people off. But we can find that in all the major religions including Christian, Judaism, Muslim, Buddhist - all of them differ in varying degrees on teachings, customs, and dogmas. Some are more balanced in how they treat others and some are extremist. Lilly

troubled mind

Sorry I didn't see this thread when I posted a similiar one a few minutes ago . This one pretty much answered my question .

troubled mind

I have attended a local church the past two weekends . I find I really enjoy the feeling of community . Their songs are so uplifting . The preacher there is very out going and gets real excited when he preaches . I was a bit embarrased with myself though ...His sermon made me burst into tears . I never felt anything emotional at a Kingdom Hall meeting ,But this really got to me . The prayers are so heartfelt not ritualistic at all . His explaination of Christ power in the life of Paul in the book of Romans was very moving to me .

lovelylil

troubledmind,

(((hugs))) - I am glad you had a good experience. Its funny because I had a similiar experience as you the first time I went into a church. The song was "Our God is an Awesome God" and I nearly burst into tears for some reason. My hubby is the opposite - he hates displays of emotion. Some ex-jws would probably be turned off by seeing how happy and upbeat the service is. We were conditioned not to get too emotional over worship services. And there was no problem in the kh because everything is so sterile and devoid of emotion. Anyway, glad you enjoyed it. Lilly

Who, on this board, go to church now???

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