nuthouse escapee

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Posts by nuthouse escapee

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  69

  Not Sure What I Believe In Anymore

  by nuthouse escapee in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  inside my head is a tangled ball of wool when it comes to what i believe.

  i have days where i believe in a creator and other days when i don't.

  then there are times when i refer to this as believing in 'something' but what exactly this something is, i have no idea.

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  nuthouse escapee

  Flipper: Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement. As my wonderful hubby always says to me, "Hon, tomorrow is another day".

  Rip: I also love other points of view and having the freedom to exchange ideas. Certainly something that was frowned upon in the JW circus world. (send in the clowns)

  Vanderhoven 7: Thank you for your well-balanced response. I will check out that site. My duty now is to examine all things carefully to make an informed decision.

  Still Thinking: I find for me, a wall goes up the minute anyone starts pushing their beliefs on me, no matter what side of the debate they're on. (now I know how the people at the door felt, considering we were pushy at times , they were very civil)

  New Chapter: Thanks for weighing in re: the misconceptions surrounding what atheists do or do not believe and what has motivated individuals to come to their decision. I think this is common in regard to many things and not just matters of belief or lack there-of. Assuming. As it is said...Assuming makes an Ass of U & me! I have appreciated all the suggestions I have received for suggested reading. As a child I had no say as to what my belief system would be. As an adult I owe it to myself to make an informed decision based on facts and not emotion. Blind faith in anything, whether evolution, creation, or something else is no longer acceptable.

  (((NO LAW)))

  Tec: I am happy that your faith in Christ has worked out for you, and has brought you spiritual contentment. I appreciate all points of view but try not to push too hard. lol. I automatically put up a wall when this happens, probably because the JW approach to belief was so dogmatic. I appreciate the info re: the Christian site and as I mentioned to Vanderhoven 7, I will check it out. I feel I owe it to myself to make an informed decision no matter where it leads.

  LouBelle: LOL @ ALIENS. OMG I have actually had the alien conversation with my best friend and the accompanying speculation that goes with it. I agree that one must keep an open mind.
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  69

  Not Sure What I Believe In Anymore

  by nuthouse escapee in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  inside my head is a tangled ball of wool when it comes to what i believe.

  i have days where i believe in a creator and other days when i don't.

  then there are times when i refer to this as believing in 'something' but what exactly this something is, i have no idea.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  nuthouse escapee

  MC Rubber Mallet: So true. Learning is part of living, just not the only part. To trade one all-consuming lifestyle (JW) for another would indeed be a waste of life.

  MUST DO SOME WORK NOW, BUT WILL REPLY TO NEW POSTS TOMORROW. THX AGAIN -LESLIE-
• 
  69

  Not Sure What I Believe In Anymore

  by nuthouse escapee in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  inside my head is a tangled ball of wool when it comes to what i believe.

  i have days where i believe in a creator and other days when i don't.

  then there are times when i refer to this as believing in 'something' but what exactly this something is, i have no idea.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  nuthouse escapee

  Scotoma: I have the same problem re: the Bible being from God. If the message is so important for our survival, then why is it so confusing and open to so many interpretations.

  Nomad Soul: Now that my life doesn't revolve around the WT. I have taken time to do other more productive things. I have several hobbies that I have time to enjoy.

  Rip: thx

  Konceptual 99:

  King Solomon: Just knowing I'm not alone in belief limbo has been very reassuring. I wasn't looking for a replacement belief system but more or less a starting point for research. There are so many books out there that it helps to have the list honed down, and an idea where to begin.

  Kurtbethel: That would just be too easy. I'm curious by nature and have a desire to try and know some of it. I only have so many years left and I can't bear the thought of just going through the motions of living. I may never find the answer but I'm sure I will learn many things along the way.
• 
  69

  Not Sure What I Believe In Anymore

  by nuthouse escapee in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  inside my head is a tangled ball of wool when it comes to what i believe.

  i have days where i believe in a creator and other days when i don't.

  then there are times when i refer to this as believing in 'something' but what exactly this something is, i have no idea.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  nuthouse escapee

  I am who I am: Good questions. Not really sure what I feel at those moments, except that I think it's a combination of emotions and thoughts. Frustration, insecurity, fear...My solution is to keep looking and try to find out information from all points of view.

  Brain Cleaned: The god of the O.T. does not make me feel warm & fuzzy. This is why I feel that the people alive at the time of the writing created a god in their own image, not the other way around. If there is a god, then I don't think the Biblical portrayal is accurate.

  DoC: You pretty much summed up my feelings exactly. Please don't give up in your search for answers. It is never too late until we've breathed our last breath. It has been encouraging coming on the forum and seeing how many of us are into and past middle age but still have the power to think for ourselves and are using that power. We were all victims of a cult. I finally stopped beating myself up over having allowed myself to be so totally naive about the religion and the world around us. It does suck! They took so much of my life but I won't allow them to take any more of it. The turmoil is real, I feel it too and from the numerous responses so far, we are not alone. The only solution I can see is to keep on researching. (((DoC)))

  Cobalt Cupcake: thankyou

  THANKS TO ALL SO FAR. TO THOSE I HAVEN'T REPLIED TO YET, I WILL GET TO YOU, I PROMISE. IT HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL & REASSURING TO KNOW SO MANY OF US ARE IN THIS MENTAL STRUGGLE TOGETHER.Leslie
• 
  69

  Not Sure What I Believe In Anymore

  by nuthouse escapee in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  inside my head is a tangled ball of wool when it comes to what i believe.

  i have days where i believe in a creator and other days when i don't.

  then there are times when i refer to this as believing in 'something' but what exactly this something is, i have no idea.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  nuthouse escapee

  The Gladiator: I also have been exploring the idea of other dimensions. My husband & I have experienced some strange things. I have mental health issues, he does not. If it was just me I would figure it may be some form of psychological problem. I was reading an interesting article on Planetary Ascension occuring this year due to the Grand Procession of the Universe and planetary positions.

  Phizzy: I'm more worried about my brain exploding than falling out. lol. The WT. idea of education is a joke. It wasn't until I got out of there that I realized just how much I didn't know! Talk about feeling like a dolt. I am grateful for the opportunity to freely contemplate the possibilities.

  Yadda Yadda 2: Thanks for your response. That makes sense.

  Never a JW: Thanks for your response.

  Found Sheep: It was so much easier to believe in the fantasy than face reality. As I mentioned to another poster, I find it hard to believe in God for the same reasons.

  New Chapter: Didn't mean to offend our Atheist friends. I also shared RIP's view. The response from the atheists have been an eye-opener and not at all what the WT. programmed us to think. Please accept my sincere apology.

  I have been looking into other belief systems and find it interesting. The god's of the period reflected the culture and morals of the people who created them. I have 2 good friends who are pagan. They are very spiritual, have good morals, and an appreciation for all living things.

  I've been working on honing my critical thinking skills, or as some call it, getting out my BS detector. My brain must have started working while still in the WT. organization or I wouldn't be here and asking questions. I will no longer blindly accept anything without doing the research. The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know. lol
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  69

  Not Sure What I Believe In Anymore

  by nuthouse escapee in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  inside my head is a tangled ball of wool when it comes to what i believe.

  i have days where i believe in a creator and other days when i don't.

  then there are times when i refer to this as believing in 'something' but what exactly this something is, i have no idea.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  nuthouse escapee

  Still Thinking: I will check that website out and also Carl Sagan's book.

  RIP: oops. I guess the JW assumption about atheists is still in our head. We are just babes in our journey so I think/hope they will forgive us and not "tear us a new one". lol

  CoC: thankyou for your response

  J. Hofer: I guess it is a matter of accepting that we don't know what happened and probably never will.

  Black Sheep: LOL, thanks

  Smiddy: It certainly was a shock to realize that everything was based on lies. I now believe that the Bible has pearls of wisdom (as you stated), but is just a collection of writings thrown together that try to explain the culture of its time and perhaps also an excuse for engaging in horrific acts in the name of a god.

  Xanthippe: Wait for me. lol. I'm now on that same road. JW > Christian > ? (current point in journey)
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  69

  Not Sure What I Believe In Anymore

  by nuthouse escapee in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  inside my head is a tangled ball of wool when it comes to what i believe.

  i have days where i believe in a creator and other days when i don't.

  then there are times when i refer to this as believing in 'something' but what exactly this something is, i have no idea.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  nuthouse escapee

  WOW. Never expected this many responses, I am over-whelmed, and grateful. I will reply but it is going to take a while.

  Panhandlegirl: Thanks for the book recommendation, I will check that out. Fear of being zapped is part of the problem for me as well. I know the JW's are wrong but...

  Empty Inside: It was so much easier being told what to believe. I do enjoy thinking for myself though.

  Aware: I also thank the 'unknown entity'. I have actually prayed for him/her/it/them to forgive my ignorance.

  Inbetween: (good handle BTW) It just doesn't make sense that a loving creator would allow all the suffering. Boy were we arrogant as JW's thinking we knew it all.

  King Solomon: apt description "idling in neutral". Also liked your description of a "Frankenstein" system of belief. Pretty much describes my current belief system.

  What Happened: That's the rub isn't it. If he/she is there why doesn't he/she fix it. The JW answer to why God allows suffering just doesn't cut it.
• 
  69

  Not Sure What I Believe In Anymore

  by nuthouse escapee in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  inside my head is a tangled ball of wool when it comes to what i believe.

  i have days where i believe in a creator and other days when i don't.

  then there are times when i refer to this as believing in 'something' but what exactly this something is, i have no idea.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  nuthouse escapee

  Thank you UMADEVI &OTWO for responding. It helps knowing it's not just me.

  Tal: I live about 30 km from a major university town and will see if I can get that Philosophy Textbook.

  To all who reply over the next while, your comments are sincerely appreciated. It is getting late and I must get some sleep but will reply to your responses tomorrow. Leslie
• 
  69

  Not Sure What I Believe In Anymore

  by nuthouse escapee in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  inside my head is a tangled ball of wool when it comes to what i believe.

  i have days where i believe in a creator and other days when i don't.

  then there are times when i refer to this as believing in 'something' but what exactly this something is, i have no idea.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  nuthouse escapee

  Thanks Tammy: I am so turned off religion because of having been a JW for so long(48 yrs as a born in). I no longer believe the Bible is God's word. I feel this way because if it were that important for us, why is it so confusing and how can it be spun to have so many contradictory interpretations. Perhaps my having an under-lying mental illness just adds to the confusion. -Leslie-
• 
  69

  Not Sure What I Believe In Anymore

  by nuthouse escapee in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  inside my head is a tangled ball of wool when it comes to what i believe.

  i have days where i believe in a creator and other days when i don't.

  then there are times when i refer to this as believing in 'something' but what exactly this something is, i have no idea.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  nuthouse escapee

  Thank you for the recommendations Tal. I will definitely give those authors a try. I LOVE reading. I guess I need to not obsess over this. I have (bi-polar & OCD) so it is hard sometimes to wait for answers but I am not as bad as I was. Thanks for the reminder that I don't need to decide RIGHT NOW. Leslie (I've been really messed up since the encounter with the snake, it really threw me)