Being Agnostic is depressing me.... (page 6)

FlyingHighNow

It's also nice to know that we don't have to expect any religion to be perfect in belief or doctrine, or to expect members to be perfect, to gain a lot of good and quality experiences from them. In the Anglican church, I see an imperfect church that recognizes the imperfection, but meanwhile doesn't let it stop the immense good and outreach.

EntirelyPossible

Very true of a lot of churches.

FlyingHighNow

Cherry Pick is pat phrase that doesn't mean a lot unless you have personal experience of a church. I don't go for the beliefs. I go for the comfort of the rituals and experiences I grew up with. I go for the beautiful buildings and music. I go for the respect given to me, or you or anyone for our own personal consciences and feelings, convictions or beliefs. I don't have to believe everything they believe to enjoy the beauty of experience. I go for the celebrations and outreach/volunteer opportunities which are focused and truly helpful to the communities. You can be an atheist, pagan, agnostic, etc. and be Episcopalian.

FlyingHighNow

And a lot of churches are good places. Not saying that all of them are, but a lot are. JWs are one example of modern religion run amok.

FlyingHighNow

It's also nice to know that we don't have to expect any religion to be perfect in belief or doctrine, or to expect members to be perfect, to gain a lot of good and quality experiences from them. In the Anglican church, I see an imperfect church that recognizes the imperfection, but meanwhile doesn't let it stop the immense good and outreach.

We meaning those of who have left the WTBTS behind.

EntirelyPossible

I can use the phrase "cherry pick" without having been to church like you because it's a very valid point about Christian religion in general. Trying to dismiss what I say becuase I don't have the same background as your church experience doesn't make sense.

FlyingHighNow

I can use the phrase "cherry pick" without having been to church like you because it's a very valid point about Christian religion in general. Trying to dismiss what I say becuase I don't have the same background as your church experience doesn't make sense.

I'm saying that people over use this pat term in an generalizing way. It doesn't apply in a lot of cases. If it truly applies, and then someone uses the term, it will be taken more seriously.

Some church: We don't take the Bible to be written by God and infalliable." "Cherry picker!" Or even individual clergy or laity, "We don't see the Bible as God's word." "Cherry pickers!" I have a friend who is an Episcopal priest. He said never was his faith more challenged than when he attended seminary.

OUTLAW

Sunday Service at the..

Kentuckey Fried Church..

............................ ... OUTLAW

Pams girl

I remember that heart stopping moment a few weeks after I left completely..........out of everything I had learnt/been taught/brainwashed to believe.....it dawned on me that I would never see my mother again (she had recently died)......and my knees practically buckled right under me, I gave way to gutteral sobbing and a litre bottle of vokda and took to my bed for 3 days.

Now, a few years down the line...I remember my mum with love and carry her in my heart. I widened my social circle, (I still only have a few good friends, but they are real and unconditional), I invested time and energy into my children, I threw away all my WT and Awake, I researched and read science, history, and even other bibles....and I knew in time I would settle and find the me that suited "me". And I did. And so it will be for you. I really understand those confusing, depressing feelings when you get out and you seem to be all at sea..................

Give yourself time, be kind to yourself, put yourself first. Set yourself some challenges or small goals, plan days out with family, treat yourself, learn to let go and give up the control you are used to (I felt like a Stepford Wife at times)....make mistakes.....try again,........laugh. The real you is in there, give yourself time. Those feelings you describe eventually become less intense and are replaced by something wonderful.....self-esteem, positivity, creativity, the power to make informed chioces in your life, and most of all......freedom.

Love and Light

Paula xxxxx

EntirelyPossible

I'm saying that people over use this pat term in an generalizing way. It doesn't apply in a lot of cases. If it truly applies, and then someone uses the term, it will be taken more seriously.

All of those examples are cherry picking.

Being Agnostic is depressing me....

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