maggie
Elder
Posts: 645
Member is Online
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Post by maggie on Jul 31, 2018 16:15:58 GMT
I have heard sermons where the minister named "close" denominations, and stated that "ALL their preachers MUST be deposed because of the 'grievous error' they teach." It wasn't until I ventured outside the prc that I first heard the need to have a personal relationship with Christ. It seems to me that in their overzealous effort to not use the language that these "false or departing" churches use, they instead have removed key tenets of what it is to really believe Christ. "you can't tell people to come to Christ, that's what the Arminians do" "God's grace and mercy aren't for those outside the church so I can't show it to them either, 'cause what if one of them wants to become a Christian when he's not one of the 'elect'" The pride behind the whole idea of being "distinctive" and "the Truest" has driven them to the point where they know who Christ is; but will not, indeed, can not lead anyone to HIM. Hi btrlatethnnver, Thanks for posting! The Admin Team My personal feeling is that it started with HH and HH
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Post by psalterscribbles on Jun 4, 2022 18:20:44 GMT
Thank you so much for putting this together.
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Post by psalterscribbles on Jun 4, 2022 19:41:38 GMT
He wold be looked at very funny cause he can't "controle" his wife, they may feel sorry for him that his wife is so "crazy". Exactly. Women are beat in this church to keep them in line. If a woman leaves, it is an amazing feat. This goes for daughters and fathers as well.
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Post by healing on Jul 9, 2022 17:25:21 GMT
Oh goodness, that gave me a good laugh. Can you imagine the looks on their faces? Haha. Or answering some nosy woman's question with that answer... oh man, that is good stuff right there. The reasons that we gave them, they just pretty much blew off and justified why it is okay. For instance the whole PR pride thing and looking down on others, they said that they see what we mean, but that this is why it happens... because they are the ones with the truth. The other thing was when we tried to say that the church has become kind of an idol because the PR church trusts in the fact that they have the truth, then he just blew that off too. And I did actually quote an untruth of one of the professors and they recognized that it wasn't truth (it was funny to see them squirm), but they just responded by saying that is an extreme. Yes it would have been better to just say the pews are uncomfortable lol. I think that they will never see it from a different viewpoint. Its futile. On the positive side though, they were really nice and they said that we have to make the decision about where the truth is for us and they can't make that decision for us. They weren't pressuring in any way. Anyways woohoo were free! P.s. The sex is way better after you leave too haha just kidding...but seriously.
When we left, we brought up the spiritual pride thing and the reverend basically grinned and in so many words said “well, it’s because we just can’t help it because we’re so right” 🙄 Their version of the truth is 100% an idol.
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Post by Sophia M. on Dec 6, 2022 11:29:35 GMT
Finding a counselor is a great first step if you are considering making steps to leave a particular religious environment or community. A secure relationship is not one that hands out answers and directs your choices, but one that reassures you that you are safe, loved and valuable as a human. Like all humans, you are not expected, ever, to have all the right answers about personal choices or doctrinal mysteries, even on your best most clarified days. Being fully human is about vulnerability, honesty, wholeness and relational intimacy, not about the achievement (or appearance) of the condition of being right, or perfect, or even morally pure. My experience is that you need a significant connection to a trusted counselor and two or three very good friends who will be safe, supportive people you can call and talk through things whenever you feel panicky about making steps to freedom from a restrictive family or religious community. They can speak louder than the words in your head when you get stuck playing the tape in your head of all the reasons why you could be a traitor, or spiritually weak, or not an authentic child of God. The first few years will have a lot of episodes of self-doubt and questions about whether you will fit in any where at all, or ever be part of a "group who knows you" again. Over time, you will be amazed at how you survived all that you did. You will arrive at a more open place, discovering yourself to be more at ease with life, and you will learn to have compassion on yourself as well as on the ones who remain trapped in a tight place. I am 17 years in recovery from PR membership, and so thankful for all the people who have supported my efforts to work out my own identity and beliefs, and sort out the mixed of bag curses and blessings of my religious heritage. The life-breath of Jesus will always be an advocate for those who pursue the difficult work of uncovering hidden or denied truths. This is the true meaning of "apocalypse" b/c it dramatically or slowly blows the lid off of the hidden, buried, isolated, covered-up existence that can also be called "hell". Knowing and recognizing truth about the losses that you have sustained in your experience in an oppressive religious culture is a painful grief process, but joy and freedom is on the other end of that worthwhile labor. The part of me that can write this with confidence to offer comfort to my companions here is able to comfort the sad and hyper vigilant parts of me today. My wise and calm self is able to care for different parts of me that still are so afraid that the future will not get better. The Holy Spirit in me is able to comfort and overcome the Fear spirit in me. "/The LifeBreath/ comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."
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Post by Feminist on Dec 6, 2022 12:25:16 GMT
The reasons that we gave them, they just pretty much blew off and justified why it is okay. For instance the whole PR pride thing and looking down on others, they said that they see what we mean, but that this is why it happens... because they are the ones with the truth. The other thing was when we tried to say that the church has become kind of an idol because the PR church trusts in the fact that they have the truth, then he just blew that off too. And I did actually quote an untruth of one of the professors and they recognized that it wasn't truth (it was funny to see them squirm), but they just responded by saying that is an extreme. Yes it would have been better to just say the pews are uncomfortable lol. I think that they will never see it from a different viewpoint. Its futile. On the positive side though, they were really nice and they said that we have to make the decision about where the truth is for us and they can't make that decision for us. They weren't pressuring in any way. Anyways woohoo were free! P.s. The sex is way better after you leave too haha just kidding...but seriously.
When we left, we brought up the spiritual pride thing and the reverend basically grinned and in so many words said “well, it’s because we just can’t help it because we’re so right” 🙄 Their version of the truth is 100% an idol. He can’t even show fake humility. I don’t know what’s worse. 😌
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Post by freefromdumbnation on Dec 17, 2022 1:05:49 GMT
Would like to hear about your progress...? Having been on here since this statement. Too funny! Progress?...No regrets....at all.
It is great to see my husbands faith blooming. And now we can be in a place where we can both be fed. It is so peaceful. I am slowly working through the wounds that the PRCA has left on me. I wondered who God really was (maybe partially from my childhood too so I cant blame it all on the PRCA) when I was there because of what I was being told, I felt guilty all the time, no mercy. I am learning again about God's love. I want to go to church now instead of dreading it, that's probably the best benefit.
So thankful for your story and that you are free! I have been free for 5 years now, too. No regrets!
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