Posted by Helena on March 26, 2008 at 08:47:23
In Reply to: Re: Leaving religious groups - your experinces posted by C-T Dummy on March 09, 2008 at 22:58:53:
That's a powerful story C-T Dummy.
looking back on the time you spent in the group, do you regret it, or do you think you benefited in anyway from being a member?
You've talked about having to make someting out of yourself for your children. It sounds as if you were in the group during a very formative time in your life (late teens, early twenties) when people make decisions about their career, education, family, that affect them in later years.
When you were a member of the group did you make those sorts of decisions,sacrifices, based on your belief systems at the time, which are still affecting your life now? - what are your feelings about this. Have these decisions helped /hindered you in your new life?
For example some people talk about selling their home because they were taught the end of the world was coming and they should use the money from the sale to continue preaching and converting people, others gave up places at university or collage or work officers because they were told they should devote their time to God and these pursuits were a distraction. However once they leave the group, these decisions have a huge impact on their "new life". For others the sacrifices they make when they join have positive effects on their lives, i.e. giving up drink, drugs, crime etc.
h