by Seraphim23 136 Replies latest jw friends
Now THAT would take faith, since the universe is only 13.8 BILLION years old
That is the time since the big bang. There are cyclic theories that the universe continously expands and contracts. Going from big bang to big crunch. I know there are other theories also but that was not my point. Forgive me as I don't remember much of high school and science class, I was part of a cult that told me education didn't matter.
Hey, JeffJ. I was educated by this site how the universe can't be going through an endless collapse and expansion cycle. I thought this was possible too, but observation is conclusive. The universe is expanding and accelerating.
I went through a "To hell with God" stage after my fade. I've backed off from that, but religion of any type now just turns my stomache
Most people here engaged in their own spiritual journey. I know that the words "faith" and "spiritual" mean something related to God to believers, nevertheless such a journey was taken and many realized that the Bible is a work of men and the God of the gaps is getting less and less gap to fill.
I have a spirituality in the sense that I believe in the yin and Yang of Man and the universe, bur not in some mystical way. I have a strong belief ("faith" by atheist terms) that it will never end, but love and compassion will mostly win the battles.
I have no faith in God, especially the horrendous God of the Bible. I have no faith in psychic abilities either. I have more confidence in alien visitors to earth and in Bigfoot than in anyone's psychic powers. Go take the Amazing Randi's test if someone is sure they have them.
I don't believe in religion anymore, any religion I look at it's all the same as the JW's. It's a cult and trying to come between you and God.
Do I still believe in God? I have to or else I'd go kill myself to end it all. I don't knock other people for their beliefs I just ask no one tell me I'm stupid for still believing in a God. Which has happened every single time I have said I still believe in God on this forum. There are still times that I question things, but I always go back to believing and having hope. Call me stupid if you will, but I will never call anyone on here stupid because of your beliefs. I still have respect for people.
If you would like to question me more, please feel free to send me a PM. I don't comment to much on here anymore because of the above mentioned reason.
Gojira
Rejecting the wt god "jehovah" is, I think, the beginning of the end for those who didn't experience faith in God before the cult. The wt teaches heavily on that OT vengeful, punishing, terror of a deity. They're wrong. So in too many cases the wt is directly responsible for preparing minds to reject God --- the unfortunate legacy of the wt.
I've always believed. Atheists have told me that's because subconciously I was trained. That could be true, but our family went to church maybe 4 times during my entire childhood, mostly for weddings. I don't remember any training about God except by example - it just wasn't talked about. Maybe because one 'right' way wasn't pushed down my throat I was curious. By the time I chose to become(man, that's still hard for my pride) a jw, I'd already rejected all other religious sects. I was a push-over actually. It wasn't an informed choice for any of us that chose it, though.
It wasn't as hard for me to toss off wt doctrines after I found ttatt as it is for those who're born into it. They know nothing else and to reject the religion is to reject the only God they ever knew --- as much as one can know the constant threat of that god's wrath, shunning, isolation, depression and, eventually, death at Big A.
That god is not the true God shown to us by Yeshua. Some people have the experience of being 'born from above', which jws would mistake for "being anointed", but I think its just the common experience of all believers. Why some don't experience it and others do is beyond me. But if it happens you don't "get" faith, your faith is "assured". It has nothing to do with some mysterious/instantaneous enlightenment into all the 'truth' in the universe, it's about being convinced that God exists. period. At least it was for me.
I bordered on fundamentalism before, now I think the OT is mostly stories, and the victors wrote their own history. Maybe the reason evolutionists and believers don't find common-ground is because the fundamental view of Genesis is at odds with the evidence. Always follow the evidence, so I don't think the Genesis account is any more than a story of "God did it". To think that it's a literal minute-by-minute retelling is ridiculous. I get where atheists are coming from now and realize I have more thoughts in common with them than with most Christians, to whom I'm 'not a real Christian' because I don't believe what they do. But then I'm still percieved by (some)atheists to be mentally disadvantaged for the mere fact that I do believe. Maybe I'm an odd case, squeezed in the middle.
I believe what I believe and that's just how it is, like it or lump it, lol. I don't look for differences to argue about and I'm much more at peace. There's so much I don't know, or won't ever know. But I know God is real and I know Yeshua is real. That's all I need. I don't feel the need to prove it to anyone else, unless they ask, and then it's just what it is --- inexplicable and individual. I hardly expect my experience to be exactly the same as another's.
Doctrines and differences don't matter. Titles don't matter. We should just do whatever we can do to help each other. I don't blame God for famine and injustice on this planet - I blame people.
I know atheists who undoubtedly do more 'Christian works' than so-called Christians do! I'm with Ghandi on that one. God is real --- but (some)people still suck!
Hope you find peace, seraphim. watkins
There are two factors involved:
First - the simple burnout that occurs because we were in a high-control religious cult. I know that I was just plain sick of all religion when I had finally gotten totally free and clear.
Second - when you do enough research (and most witnesses who leave do a lot of research) - most exiting witnesses have discovered that the other religions also have cracks in their foundations.
I would estimate that about 75% (or very possibly more) of people that leave the witnesses never join another religion. I would say that at least 50% give up conventional faith in unseen gods.
Seraphim
I must add your very brave for doing this. I often wonder at the hatred of some of the posters here towards others who choose to maintain some form of belief system.
I was thinking about it last night. There a small number here who seem to act like a pack of dogs, whenever a believer mentions their faith/belief or even tries to discuss such here.
I think of the negative effect that will have on lurkers, and potentially preventt them from having the courage to make that all important step of coming forward and reaching out for help. It is a frightening enough experience to go through as it is, without the worry of being attacked and stomped on by people who act like school yard bullies. Puffing themselves up with their superior intelligence and education and knowledge, when most jw's don't have great academic qualifications.
It's almost as though it is sport for them, is that how they get their kicks.
The one thing I can say with utmost certainty is that what I have lost faith in, and have no faith in ... is man.
Gorjira
It is sad that some of us have to suffer the loss of meaningful conversation, debates and sharing of knowledge.
A big thumbs up to the sincere, kind, genuine, warm caring people here, who provide a safe haven and system of support for victims of abuse. (yes, you all know who you are )
A big thumbs down to the cretins that like to mock, bully, push shove and piss take on their fellow humans. THAT is the reason they are 'apostates' in jw eyes. Unfortunately everyone gets tarred with the same brush on account of a few rotten ones.
Wow that video! ..... reminds me of jw's running to
grab the 'good' seats at the summer assemblies! lol
Bob ..good first post. I have to say amen err... my thoughts exactly!
Welcome , hope you enjoy this great place.
>
Many ex jw's seem to jump into "born again",
for about 2 weeks! Then they get the real picture
and end up often, atheist.
clarity
@Lost
U 2, , have obviously received your "baptism of fire" from the atheist "super intel", keep up the good work !
