tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219781724285312648.post7288693386149423159..comments2024-01-25T05:05:26.688-08:00Comments on Stuff Apostolics Like: #255 - Not "The World" - Part 2Joel Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15449770157998900843noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219781724285312648.post-4211832223732358112012-08-30T16:17:06.839-07:002012-08-30T16:17:06.839-07:00Anonymous,
I really appreciate your account. Defi...Anonymous,<br /><br />I really appreciate your account. Definitely made me happy hearing that people like you are out there. Thank you.<br /><br />Sincerely, <br /><br />Joel Joel Rileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15449770157998900843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219781724285312648.post-31924369223997693032012-08-29T16:36:21.384-07:002012-08-29T16:36:21.384-07:00Writing this as anonymous for obvious reasons...
...Writing this as anonymous for obvious reasons...<br /><br />Glen, I recently left the fold after years of being borderline. Thankfully, I was somehow able to escape the mentality of the "leaving equals complete degradation". I had just gradually come to the realization that I didn't believe the majority of what was being taught, but that I did love God. How I managed to arrive at that point is really a mystery, because you are absolutely correct, the "Village" mentality is really, REALLY, real. For years I thought that I could just go along for the most part if the spirit behind what was being taught was right, but recent events have changed my view of that spirit.<br /><br />I love my family dearly, but they are (mostly) completely unable to comprehend any other way of thinking as being valid. I had a conversation with my mother about exactly why I was leaving, and exactly what I believed and did not believe, in the kindest possible way. I did NOT have the conversation with my dad, because honestly, even as an adult, I have a fear of crossing him (he is not a mean man). <br /><br />After the conversation with my mom, my sister lets me know that, according to my mom I am leaving the church because I "am mad"... SMH A few weeks pass and I get a message from my dad that goes like this "your mom says you have some questions about the Bible, and I am here to answer them if you want me to. I realize I haven't been a perfect pastor"... Double SMH. #1, he was a great pastor, I just disagree, and #2, I never indicated that I had ANY questions. Followed up by a Saturday night phone call from my mom last week, saying "isn't it time you came back around?" So, apparently the consensus is that I am: confused, mad, and this is just a phase. <br /><br />It's just inconciviable that I actually know what I believe, and that I am not mad and bitter, because those are the only reason that anyone could ever really have for leaving. I don't have the heart to tell them I actually have been attending a large non-denom, that would be even worse than me not going to their church. People who have never lived in this kind of (for lack of a better word) cult like culture, have no concept how hard it is to leave and retain/regain sanity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219781724285312648.post-78701413171557882072012-08-08T16:39:27.819-07:002012-08-08T16:39:27.819-07:00No this is called Joel telling me I'm not allo...No this is called Joel telling me I'm not allowed to use bigger fonts because I, quoting here, "Don't understand the psychological ramifications for the reader."Glenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00765389996081848929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219781724285312648.post-31846720496101640552012-08-08T16:36:16.733-07:002012-08-08T16:36:16.733-07:00This is called Glen trying to make it seem like th...This is called Glen trying to make it seem like the blog was not as long as it really is.Joel Rileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15449770157998900843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219781724285312648.post-90134439032010290522012-08-07T13:55:18.629-07:002012-08-07T13:55:18.629-07:00The font is way too small.The font is way too small.Jonathan Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16853964424371677822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8219781724285312648.post-85851899897133858922012-08-06T19:25:01.524-07:002012-08-06T19:25:01.524-07:00Thank you, once again for a well-written, thought-...Thank you, once again for a well-written, thought-provoking post. Although, I generally approve when the author quotes “Mere Christianity”.Kelseynoreply@blogger.com