It amazes me how my former church organization was able to justify reading the scriptures to support their doctrines and ignoring the ones that do not.
An example is "Man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart" They interpret this to mean that God expects you to wear and not wear certain things, especially if you are a woman --say what???!!!
Another is "take no thought for what you should wear . . . 'something about how he clothes the birds,etc" They interpret this as think very hard about what you wear and make sure it is approved by the church and pastor . . oh, and be sure to take hours on that hairdo and shopping is of course one of our only approved activities.
Then there are all the scriptures about love, including God is Love. They interpret these to mean love your brother and sister IF they are in 'the truth' and following all the rules very closely but remember God is an angry God and you better be careful what you do, see, hear, say because you are one small step from eternal damnation! Oh, and remember all that gossip and meanness you pass around when a brother or sister slip up is really done in 'love' Yeah right!
Of course the scriptures about gluttony are completely ignored. They create an entire doctrine around one obscure scripture about hair while they walk around in their tonnage proclaiming their scriptural superiority.
Don't even consider the scripture about the good Samaritan, if you see a poor soul in need, only pay attention if he/she can in some way promote the message of the church.
There is a scripture about humility, something about taking the low seat and perhaps being asked to move up being better than the other way around --well, that one they totally demolished. They create a whole table of high seats, usually related and God forbid anyone would have the nerve to question their right to be there.
There are more anomolies but you get the picture and isn't it just sad ????

Nancy

When my grandmother was the age I am now, I thought she was ancient! At times I looked forward to the time when I was old --and wise :) I actually yearned for the day when I would no longer be so uncertain I was right about anything but would have that assurance that I just 'knew' what was right and what I was doing! So now I am pretty much there and what the heck!?? were all the old people just faking it or am I an anomaly???
Sure at rare times, I actually do feel pretty certain I have a bit of wisdom about something and even sense that I am giving my friends and family good advice occasionally (well at least on 'rare' occasions) but that overall feeling of 'having arrived' and being comfortable in my wisdom is still eluding me. I still too often have the feeling of "say what??!!" I know that too is a part of old age but you are supposed to enjoy the wise one period before reaching the confused dotty period I sure hope I am not skipping the first and going straight to the second!
Of course, (brag) I don't yet have many gray hairs --maybe my wisdom will arrive with the change in hair color (that is if I continue to resist the urging of my hairdresser to assure that never happens)
Oh well, getting old may not be all its cracked up to be but as a wise one once told me " it sure beats the alternative!"

Nancy

Someone knocked my door last weekend. I didn't want to open the door after hearing the knock because I was napping in lounge clothes, so I yelled through my thin door "Who is it?" No response. I yelled again, louder: "Who is it??" A man said, "It'S Dave and [some guy]; we just want to leave you an invitation."

I live on vacation rental property and thought it was a couple of vacationers in the guest house down the way inviting me over to socialize--it's happened before. Feeling groggy and not in the mood to have a conversation through the door, I simply asked them to leave the invitation on the small table outside. Later on I went out to retrieve their invitation. To my surprise, it was a flyer from a local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.

I don't think religious proselytes often try to empathize with others who are unlike them. The flyer they left me advertised a bible study and seminar and showed a bloody hanging Jesus. These JWs might have considered that image sacred, but it doesn't mean everyone who looks at the image thinks the same and wants it left at their door.

It was poor and misleading representation on their part that they were not up front about who they are. They probably knew from experience that people who don't like their proselytizing would shoo them away before they had a chance to leave a flyer. These JWs took advantage of omission to avoid stating explicitly that they were leaving me a religious invitation. (I was too groggy from having woken up from a nap at a sudden knock and didn't have the clarity to engage in conversation or ask other questions.)

After many years of the JWs existing worldwide, I think most people have heard of them and know where to find them if they're interested in learning more about their doctrines. Finding a nearby Kingdom Hall is only a click away online or in the phone book. They really don't need to knock people's doors anymore or leave bloody pictures hoping to tug at people's emotions to prime them for proselytization.


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On a happier note: Pious little me...I toured a basilica Sunday evening and heard they were going to have mass about a half hour after I arrived. I was so moved by the beauty of the architecture and interior art that I decided to stay. It was my first mass ever. I loved the singing, music, and incense. I appreciated that the priest stayed up front and didn't scream into a microphone and point at 'sinners' in the congregation. :)

Some parts of the liturgy were beautiful, but the guilt-trip wording sucked. It was nice to see families gather together, children asleep on pews, and a huge circular waifer held high by the priest. I hadn't seen that since childhood--my minister in the Air Force chapel when I was young would hold up the waifer in a similar way.

I left in awe...

jema

Individuals who suffer abuse sometimes escape, heal, and move on to live productive lives, but there is a part of them that can never forget and sometimes that causes problems. Growing up in a legalistic, spiritually abusive denomination also creates memories hard to forget and makes it difficult to trust ANY church group or leadership. Just as an abused child never really trust ANY parent again without extensive therapy and perhaps just never, an abused Christian doesn't trust ANY church and unfortunately therapy for this is not as widely understood, sought, or offered.
Some may not even trust God, believing he is either like the abusive doctrine taught or that He should have saved them from going through that. Many abused children do not trust God for the same reasons.
Good parents who try to help an abused child do the best they can, realizing they may not be successful and have little hope that the relationship will ever be totally without problems but also hope the child will grow to be a happy, productive adult. Many times these good parents pay the price for the bad parents they replace. The child targets the anger toward the parent that is available, proving if possible that they will also reject them or at the least become angry and not understand.
As the ultimate good parent, God must weep over these abused children and spiritually abused christians, desiring for them to just trust Him to show them a path to peace and hope.
Whatsoever things are good, lovely, . . . . .think on these things and just perhaps the other thoughts can be pushed out of our heads.

Nancy

this is my first blog ever so it might be more like a ramble..but.FREEDOM it doesn't always come easy..sometimes it takes a long long time..but i will say this..its well worth the journey..JESUS walks by our side all the way threw..i am x 3rd generation apostolic/upc..i have seen it all..i have seen churches rise and fall..for money..for women..for pride..who can stand above GOD? no man that is for sure..so why do men raise themselves up?..i will never know.but i have seen my own pride in my life and i don't like it..i have had my share of upc/AA brokenness as well ..i spent many years far away from THE LORD for it..what a waist of time..the real GOSPEL is not about running people out..its about bring people back in...into Restoration,healing and Grace,and forgiveness..half the time the enemy doesnt have to lift a finger..we can do all that crap to each other well enough with out his stinking help..ugh..we all have wounds that need healing..and ONLY JESUS CHRIST CAN HEAL THEM..AND THE GOOD NEWS..HE REALLY REALLY REALLY WANTS TO..

bajajohnny