by Jon Preston 29 Replies latest jw experiences
Of you can choose the path of no religion and just concentrate on living life and doing what you can to improve it. For myself, I went throught a phase where I visited many churches of different stripes, but eventually decided that while many of them were easier to believe, they were equally untrue. Whatever the path you choose, let it be your decision and do not bow to the pressure of others.
Donny Ray
Donny - there is a good chance that's where Jon Preston will end up (like most of us here on JWN) but at least he needs to go and test the water with other faiths and let him draw his own conclusions. Greetings in non-belief Fraz
Yes frazz...like i said...for the wife and kids
All I would say is watch out for cults, many exJWs are practising Christians and are very happy, I know of other exJWs that would never join another religion again. I too am contemplating joining a local Church. Kate xx
I think it would be a mistake to rush into joining another church right away. You need to focus on you and your family right now, you just left a destructive cult, it takes time to get over that. In a year or two, you will be ready to think about the idea of another religion.
If your friend is talking about United Church of Christ (sometimes called Congregational), then yes, it's a great church, I almost joined myself, and I don't even believe in God. They were fine with that, but I like my Sunday mornings in bed with the newspaper. The other Church of Christ, no, very fundamental, it's not much of an improvement from the dubs.
Yea im not going torush. Oh i forgot
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-for sparrow
Why not look at some local churches website, find a few that you think might be a good fit for your family & your beliefs, and take turns checking them out? do you want a contemporary worship service, or traditional? Perhaps a blend? Obviously you want a church with younger families.Do you want the option of a Saturday evening service? It might take a few tries, but make sure you and your wife check out a few in order to make sure that your entire family is comfortable there.
I'm still looking for a new spiritual home, but haven't looked too hard. I'm checking out a new one in the next couple weeks, it's one that has Saturday evening services, and they do a lot of good in the community, such as offering free dinner and showers to those that need them on Sundays. I personally believe that is following Christ's example.
Find a good non denominational church, one where you can tell the preacher to his face he is wrong on a subject and they don't burn you at the stake. there out there.
I am Anglican. Since I started life with the Witnesses, I had to read many books on Anglican history and polity. Every church claims it is early Christian. The Anglican Church is the church that King Henry VIII established in England after the break with Rome. It has a bloody history. Modern Angligan thought is to view it is a big tent that encompasses as many believers as possible. There are different styles of worship. It is impossible to separate Anglican theology from English civil wars. It is a warm and accepting church today. We hear a lot about the early Church Fathers.
The Creeds and documents are written to encompass as many beliefs as possible. It is the antiWitness religion. Priests don't order. Lay people have power. I have never heard anyone say this is the only Chrisitan church. My church has guest sermons from other denominations. Jesuits preach and consecrate communion.
There is emphasis on church ministries, such as homeless shelters, food pantries,etc.
Lay people openly disagree with some sermons.
People often mistake bein' nagged as " encouragement " jus' because that Nag come's wit a smile and " concern "
From what I read, the Bible states " not to forsake the gathering of yourselfs "
And " where there is two in his name God is there "
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How and where you choose to worship should be your choice
Whether it's in a church or If it's a day in the park out in the sunshine
surrounded by family you love, God is supposed to be there
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I pity your co-workers if thier God is restricted to a structure
However, let the choice be yours
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Bein' part of a religion does not gaurantee that you will become spiritual
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