Hi Believer!
I came here as the walking wounded. I went through a traumatic event in my congregation involving some corruption that went higher up than I first realized. While still active I knew I had to find some balance to my thoughts that I simply was not getting in the religion itself. They created a need and couldnt fill it, so I went looking and ended up here.
If I had to categorize myself between only the two categories of believer/atheist, then I would be forced to default to believer at this point.
I say forced because I try to avoid categories and definitions like that because I find them limiting to the discovery process.
Finding out the JWs do not have the market cornered on any "truth" whatsoever was the worst moment for me. Having survived that, if I find out there is no God, that wont be near as difficult as what has already happened and I am completely open to where the road takes me.
There are some of the nicest (and wisest) posters here who are atheists. They are very kind and gentle and even if some are not as tactful as one might wish, they are fair minded if you are respectful in how you treat them.
That said, I do find it extremely difficult to carry on conversations on the topic of atheism or theism on this board. I did start to notice most of the negativity (as to conversing) is carried out by the few not the many.
Keep reading and you will be able to see for yourself who is sincere in what they believe (athteism, agnostic or anything else for that matter) and who has a "platform" or agenda they are pushing.
I dont click on their threads and when they insert themselves in to a thread I stop reading it and go elsewhere.
My reason for handling it this way is I think about the saying someone here coined "their JW is showing". My apologies to whoever said that - I cant remember.
But basically what it means to me is IF someone is dogmatic, rude or insists their way is the only possible right way, then they have a personality thing going on not a belief thing. I have no time for that - I am searching for truth and accuracy, not looking to be someones disciple!
There is a well known song with a line that says, "take what you need and leave the rest..."
That is a way to benefit from a forum without getting bruised by it if you are new and until you find your footing and your place in the community,
I hope you stick around and keep posting Believer, its really nice to have you here.
