I've never felt shunned per se, but I have noticed that when I attend a conservative church that knows me and my family, they tend to gather around me and my wife when we go up front to pray with everyone else at the end of the service. That's OK with me.
This just tells me that they are good folks who genuinely believe that all I need is a good praying through and everything would go back to the way it used to be. I'm all for a good "praying through", but I have moved on in my beliefs on some things.
I know how they feel because I felt the same way about those who had left before me. It sure feels different when you change paradigms or perspectives.
__________________ Words: For when an emoticon just isn't enough.
Ferd, being the "backslider" and privately agreeing with your detractors that you aren't where you should be is one thing. It isn't the same as feeling you are doing the right thing for you and your family and still having pretty much the same measure of angst, criticism and even hostility pointed your direction as a backslider. That can be immeasurably painful, and feel rather hopeless--when no one can be convinced that you're okay with God, and you know you're right in His hand.
Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; Romans 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Trials work patience, and being patient eventually becomes an experience, and through that experience--which we survive--we learn that there is hope. Share that hope with other people.
It can be surprising when people who you thought would be your friends no matter what turn their backs over trivial issues. Yes, you've seen it happen to others, so you should have known--but you really didn't think they'd do it to YOU. That's where the shock and dismay comes in--finding out they didn't really love you better than the person they disfellowshipped a year before, and the other one that they stopped speaking to the year before that.
Thanks Miss Bratt - - that's what I was trying to say, but can NEVER articulate like you can.
__________________
Master of Science in Applied Disgruntled Religious Theorist Wrangling
PhD in Petulant Tantrum Quelling
Dean of the School of Hard Knocks
I know how they feel because I felt the same way about those who had left before me. It sure feels different when you change paradigms or perspectives.
This is true.
That's why I know what to expect, I know how they'll feel..... because I used to feel the same way.
Whew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This thread has exhausted me! But I have learned so much about many of you. It's back to the wilderness for me for some peace and quiet.
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.
Ferd, being the "backslider" and privately agreeing with your detractors that you aren't where you should be is one thing. It isn't the same as feeling you are doing the right thing for you and your family and still having pretty much the same measure of angst, criticism and even hostility pointed your direction as a backslider. That can be immeasurably painful, and feel rather hopeless--when no one can be convinced that you're okay with God, and you know you're right in His hand.
Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; Romans 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Trials work patience, and being patient eventually becomes an experience, and through that experience--which we survive--we learn that there is hope. Share that hope with other people.
It can be surprising when people who you thought would be your friends no matter what turn their backs over trivial issues. Yes, you've seen it happen to others, so you should have known--but you really didn't think they'd do it to YOU. That's where the shock and dismay comes in--finding out they didn't really love you better than the person they disfellowshipped a year before, and the other one that they stopped speaking to the year before that.
I don't think that I could really walk away from a group of people and, logically, not expect them to turn against me if our views of scripture were so opposite in belief and understanding. Especially, if they held them strongly.
The only person/people that would surprise me would be the person/people that I had verbally engaged in conversation and knew we were on the same page as to our opinions, understanding and belief. I would then deem them as a hypocrite. Now, that would disappoint and possibly shock me, but I have never seen that happen. I've only seen the "shunning" happen from the people that believe what they believe and could never see it or live any other way. And I have seen it from the ones that fear you could be right.
I'm not sure what you are referring to as "trivial". Taking a stand against the "core" of a church's foundational beliefs, whether right or wrong, doesn't seem to fall solidly into the area of "trivial", IMO. Perhaps I've misunderstood you.
I don't think that I could really walk away from a group of people and, logically, not expect them to turn against me if our views of scripture were so opposite in belief and understanding. Especially, if they held them strongly.
The only person/people that would surprise me would be the person/people that I had verbally engaged in conversation and knew we were on the same page as to our opinions, understanding and belief. I would then deem them as a hypocrite. Now, that would disappoint and possibly shock me, but I have never seen that happen. I've only seen the "shunning" happen from the people that believe what they believe and could never see it or live any other way. And I have seen it from the ones that fear you could be right.
I'm not sure what you are referring to as "trivial". Taking a stand against the "core" of a church's foundational beliefs, whether right or wrong, doesn't seem to fall solidly into the area of "trivial", IMO. Perhaps I've misunderstood you.
Is that how we treat other's whom we disagree, even if we see them as a lost, delusional prodigal? We hate them, despise them, guilt them back to the cross?
Chewing each other up and spitting them out is not the Jesus Way. If they are attacking your home or family, then maybe it's time to ask them to leave and relationships change. Otherwise, if you think you're right, love them back to Jesus -- either way, put it in his hands. I'm not sure why some think if you've come to different conclusions you now must be hated.
No matter, Jesus promised a great blessing to those who are hated of men for his sake. I'd rather error on the side of Truth, without fear or worry about what Sis. Sally will be gossiping around.
Ferd, being the "backslider" and privately agreeing with your detractors that you aren't where you should be is one thing. It isn't the same as feeling you are doing the right thing for you and your family and still having pretty much the same measure of angst, criticism and even hostility pointed your direction as a backslider. That can be immeasurably painful, and feel rather hopeless--when no one can be convinced that you're okay with God, and you know you're right in His hand.
Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; Romans 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Trials work patience, and being patient eventually becomes an experience, and through that experience--which we survive--we learn that there is hope. Share that hope with other people.
It can be surprising when people who you thought would be your friends no matter what turn their backs over trivial issues. Yes, you've seen it happen to others, so you should have known--but you really didn't think they'd do it to YOU. That's where the shock and dismay comes in--finding out they didn't really love you better than the person they disfellowshipped a year before, and the other one that they stopped speaking to the year before that.
MrsBratt, by "backslider" I mean the same thing that is the context given here.
that is why I put it in "". Oh the stories I could tell... You dont need to explain to me what happens trust me...
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
MrsBratt, by "backslider" I mean the same thing that is the context given here.
that is why I put it in "". Oh the stories I could tell... You dont need to explain to me what happens trust me...
What would you have thought if someone had written a post similar to the one you wrote yesterday when you were called "backslider"?
__________________
His banner over me is LOVE.... My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
To be a servant of God, it will cost us our total commitment to God, and God alone. His burden must be our burden... Sis Alvear
Ferd, and many of us could tell similar stories. I guess that's what gives us patience with others, because we remember being there and know what it felt like.
Rejection, forced guilt, loneliness, life-long relationships, gossip, name-calling, lies, isolation, cold-shoulders, misunderstandings, trying to keep the emotions of a family together while keeping your own, etc.
My hope over time was in the Word.... Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you[c] and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
Mt 10:34-35 Don't think I've come to make life cozy. I've come to cut—make a sharp knife-cut between son and father, daughter and mother, bride and mother-in-law—cut through these cozy domestic arrangements and free you for God. Well-meaning family members can be your worst enemies. If you prefer father or mother over me, you don't deserve me. If you prefer son or daughter over me, you don't deserve me.
My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. 
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