Author Topic: A Link about Abusive/Controlling Churches  (Read 1708 times)

reallyME

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whoami

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Re: A Link about Abusive/Controlling Churches
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2006, 11:23:15 AM »
good link!  thanks!

WRITE

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Re: A Link about Abusive/Controlling Churches
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2006, 12:47:41 PM »
I go around to lots of different churches and a lot of them here are cult-shaped; maybe they were in England too & I didn't notice...but somehow it was easier to be a freethinker there, didn't shock or surprise anyone.

I never remember people being excluded or shunned in churches I was involved with there either.

I don't think I can join a church and be a full member any more- it doesn't feel healthy to hand myself over that way. I'm happier on the sidelines and drifting in and out of the music events and helping the seniors.

Are you coming to see your church as unhealthy RM? There is a website I think it's still going about recovery from religious experiences http://www.factnet.org/

reallyME

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Re: A Link about Abusive/Controlling Churches
« Reply #3 on: December 29, 2006, 02:51:28 PM »
No, actually, WRITE, the church I attend is a healthy one.  The pastor is very down-to-earth, nothing is lorded over anyone that I can see.  It is a mega church and the music is really "rocky" which I like...contemporary style stuff.  The teaching is very practical too, which appeals to my husband and a little bit to me.  I'm the sort of person who thrived in the more charismatic circles, whereas hubby enjoys the traditional form of worship.  To each his own, as long as Jesus is the center, is my view on it.

~RM

WRITE

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Re: A Link about Abusive/Controlling Churches
« Reply #4 on: December 30, 2006, 05:56:02 PM »
I think there's something about attending a good church which adds so much to life, I'm glad you found one.

My religious views just don't quite fit with traditional Christian churches yet, though I think they will in time as religion becomes more inter-faith and more G_d- centred.

I don't worship Jesus, I follow Jesus, and there is a significant difference in how the creeds and prayers fit for me; I also don't like anything anti-scientific or trying to explain the things which are mystery to us, and I absolutely hate the discussion of money from the pulpit or anything hateful said in Jesus' name.

But the Methodist Church I am attending is so loving; I don't accept the Apostles Creed and I've never been fond of repetition of prayers, in fact I prefer to pray silently rather than out loud, so I just take a back seat when these things are going on, or stuff like communion which I also don't take.

Some people might wonder why I go, but when I went to the Unitarian CHurches around Houston I found many people were irritated by references to G_d or Jesus, and I found myself longing to be in a Christian place.

But G_d is everywhere, I pray before I go into work, when I am driving, in bed; prayer is really important to me, I can't explain it, it's such a powerful force, it's helped me live with bipolar and keep everything together.

I like to go to different faith settings and try to understand that everyone's understanding, experiences and take even on the same religion is going to be different.

But if I thought people were upset or offended by my presence like with the UUs I would limit my involvement- my faith is really strong and I don't ever want to damage anyone else.

I've had a strong strong feeling lately that I need to be kinder, to love more, to stop worrying about myself, to hand my life over not to others but to G_d....for all the things that have happened to me here I am still alive and well and growing. I felt strongly G_d is telling me 'all will be well'.

In church I started to say the Apostle's Creed one day, and the sun came out and lit up all the stained glass, and I felt like I should not say it but pray silently instead, so I did.

Better go, here's my son home!

Take care,

~W

moonlight52

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Re: A Link about Abusive/Controlling Churches
« Reply #5 on: December 30, 2006, 06:08:26 PM »
I am making this idea number one with me in 2007 well I think starting right now would be better  :D


I've had a strong strong feeling lately that I need to be kinder, to love more, to stop worrying about myself, to hand my life over not to others but to G_d....for all the things that have happened to me here I am still alive and well and growing. I felt strongly G_d is telling me 'all will be well'.

I also believe all will be well I intend on doing everything I can to make life  better with love in my heart not fear........

Big Big Thanks Write

moon