Brief Introduction- I Started Leaving the Local Church 5 Years Ago

[Anon-San]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Mental and physiological pain is one of the hardest things to overcome. Although it’s maybe not as pronounced and not as mind numbing as physical pain in it’s ferocity and degrees, nevertheless the constant of the concealed burden that’s basically never visible or opened to an outside world is dramatic and can become unbearable.

As someone who has been through the experience of the local church with all of its rituals, shunnings & cutting off of all normal, natural human needs which causes extreme damage and pain to all involved and I also went through immense pain of sexual abuse. I will take the physical pain seven days a week and twice on Sunday over the mental & psychological issues that come from the Local church association. Being violated physically can be overcome by just a mere understanding of a fallen, wicked & unregenerate man, but overcoming mental and psychological issues and pain done to you under the structure and the name of God, can become overwhelming.

I am very sorry to hear about your experience, though your abuse should have NEVER happened from the beginning had it not been the neglectful and passive nature of the saints that harmed you and enabled your perpetrator(s).

Being out the church for some time, I do not get how any sane person can fully sit and listen through a meeting for 2-3 hours straight- let alone for those with short(er) attention spans. I remember one retreat I attended has one of leading brother the gall to tell us to try not use the restroom until the actual 15-minute break time (scheduled after a 2.5hr long meeting). The leading brothers, more likely than not, will blame you for being bored because you are not getting into the word enough. I'd rather be productive in my own hobbies than to hear from the elders reiterating how the world is fallen and that your own personal interests, desires, secular friends, and livelihood are distracting you from being one with the Lord.

[Ohio]

You lost me when you started quoting Aleister Crowley.

Originally Posted by Ohio

You lost me when you started quoting Aleister Crowley.

11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

— 2 Corinthians 5:11-15

[Anon-San]

Originally Posted by Ohio

You lost me when you started quoting Aleister Crowley.

To be clear, I am not a follower of Crowley and his practices. I am only quoting him to help illustrate whatever thoughts (from others) resonate with me now.

[Ohio]

"One would go mad if one took the Bible seriously; but to take it seriously one must be already mad." -Aleister Crowley

Originally Posted by Anon-San

To be clear, I am not a follower of Crowley and his practices. I am only quoting him to help illustrate whatever thoughts (from others) resonate with me now.

Then shall I assume that this quote from Crowley "resonates" with you now?

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Anon-San

I'd rather be productive in my own hobbies than to hear from the elders reiterating how the world is fallen and that your own personal interests, desires, secular friends, and livelihood are distracting you from being one with the Lord.

I know the brothers put on a mask trying to show how spiritual they are. For a time I bought into it until I no longer did. Elders, deacons, responsible ones are no different than anyone else. They have personal interests and a life they want to live outside the meeting life. Some may be sports fans and enjoy watching football, baseball, and basketball games. Others may love being in nature through hiking or camping activities. Others may may be more financially driven in acquiring and selling real estate. Others may be more occupied with their children and grandchildren.
For the brothers to say they have no other interests except the Lord's interests I think is being hypocritical.