For AmazingProgeny - Other Religions

by Quester 2 Replies latest jw friends

  • Quester
    Quester

    AP,

    I decided to break out of the original thread, since we've changed
    the subject to discussing other religions.

    (Was - Re: The posts about exJWs turning atheist)

    You wrote: "It was a good experience b/c it taught me that other
    Christians have just as much faith and spend just as much time
    involved in church activities as the JWs. "

    By attending the different Sunday church services, I am
    realizing that too. Maybe checking out the different religions
    is helping me get rid of any left over jw prejudice toward them.
    I remember a time when just walking into a church building gave
    me the creeps because, according to the jw's, it was part of the God
    condemned Babylon the Great.

    I've noticed I'm very "gun shy" too, like no way am I signing any
    guest book and don't ask me too many questions. I have to
    laugh at myself. I think this is leftover baggage from being
    so controlled in the jw religion. Did you go thru anything
    like that?

    AP wrote: "I then began to really examine my own beliefs
    and to change some of them."

    May I ask which beliefs changed? I have changed a LOT
    and am still changing. I see xjw's still searching for
    "THE TRUTH"--that one absolute truth. I've let go of that.
    Believing the "right" doctrines is just not important to me.
    I'm more interested in whatever will help me spiritually and
    draw me closer to God and his family.

    Have you tried any Bible study meetings thru your church?
    I tried one and I think I like it better than the Sunday worship
    service. Or I should say that it fills a different need. I like
    discussions and listening to different viewpoints.

    AP wrote: "I then decided I wanted to find a different church
    with more liberal views. I didn't really know where to start.
    I knew of a few that I didn't want to attend. I saw some newspaper
    ads for the local United Methodist Churches (UMC)..." snip
    "...I checked out their website..."

    What I did was go to the religioustolerance.org website and get a list
    of Christian religions ranging from more conservative to most
    liberal and I am checking out the liberal ones. United Methodist
    is one of those and I've visited there and plan to return.

    Hey, I unintentionally ended up at a charismatic church one
    time. Boy, they really pump ya up emotionally--a little
    too much. But I enjoyed it more than I thought I would,
    so I am trying to be more open-minded.

    Checking out the church website is a good idea too.
    I really like the United Church of Christ website. (www.ucc.org)
    They are one of the most liberal religions on my list. Not to be
    confused with others of similar names like Church of God,
    Church of Christ, etc. The local congregation is a little too
    "reserved" for my tastes, although I liked what was said there,
    ie. sermon, liturgy, prayers, etc.

    AP wrote: "...this church is that it fit the requirements I had.
    It is small and very welcoming towards new people. My kids
    love it and are loved in return. They are active in the community.
    The pastor is not full of herself. They don't care if my views on
    things are a bit different. I don't have to agree with everything
    they believe in order to be a member."

    Sounds like a healthy spiritual environment. That is similar
    to what I am looking for. The freedom to think for myself
    and not have things forced on me. Female pastor sounds
    great--what a change from the males-only-in-authority
    discrimination , huh.

    I am glad you joined in here and look forward to reading
    more of your thoughts. Quester

  • AmazingProgeny
    AmazingProgeny

    Let's see if I can answer your questions without getting interrupted too much from the kids or my husband. Hopefully, I'll be able to make sense.

    When I went to a church for the first time I felt so weird. It was so different from the JWs and from what they said it would be like. Then they started to sing and I about fell off my chair. People were singing with their hearts, clapping, dancing, raising their hands, and were having fun. I could barely get my voice to come out in a whisper to join in.

    I think what helped me to feel comfortable is that I could really see and feel how much love for God the people had. I could even feel His presence stronger than in any KH. Talking to the congregation helped me relax. It has taken time, but I have adjusted enough that I feel quite comfortable and can sing above a whisper.

    My changing beliefs are kind of all over the place. I've quit worrying about whether or not God is part of a trinity. I just don't think that it matters. I haven't made up my mind about it and I don't know if I ever will. I think women make great pastors and should be put into leadership positions. I don't think that gay and lesbian people should be excluded in any way. I don't think that being homosexual is the huge sin that JWs and others think it is. I don't believe any more that there is one true religion. I think finding God is far more important that How you find Him. I also don't believe that every single word in the bible is the absolute truth. I'm beginning to think that many of the stories were told to teach lessons, not tell history. I think God is the creating force behind evolution. How it happened, I don't know. I think how we live is more important that what we believe. I believe that Chistians have a respnsibility to go out in the community to care for everyone that needs help.

    I think that covers most of the changes. There are probably others floating around in my head that I'm working on. My faith and beliefs are changing and growing as I change and grow.

    I have yet to try any small group things. My time is limited right now b/c of the children's needs and my husband's schedule.

    I think our spiritual lives are a journey that can take us many places. I am learning to really enjoy my journey and the questions that come to me as I learn more. I am sure that I will learn alot here and I can't wait.

    I hope I answered your questions. Let me know if you have more.

    AmazingProgeny

  • Quester
    Quester

    Hi again AP,

    You and I have very similar beliefs.
    I too am learning, changing, growing.
    Ask me in a few months and I might have
    different views on things.
    But as you say, lets enjoy the journey!

    Thanks for the reply.
    I will look for your posts here and chat
    with you more I'm sure.
    Quester

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