Quote
deellymg
Yes, I was a jehovah's witness... I was born and raised in it til I was 16. I was lucky enough to get out early. My family has shunned me since. I've had the best conversation about the weather with my mother for the last 15 years when she bothers to contact me (every 2 to 3 years or 5) to find out whether I'm breathing or not. I was kicked out of my home at 18 and ended up homeless for a coupla days... (til my friend let me stay at her house). Been on my own ever since. No support from family or friends simply because I decided not to belief in "the truth" anymore.
Oh, wow, deellymg, sounds like your parents are 'real' Christian folk. Where the hell is their compassion, tolerance and forgiveness? I think that question kind of answers itself. Sorry, I don't mean any offense towards your kin.
It's bloody sad, though. But bloody good for you to stand on your own. It's tough, I know, and you may occasionally feel bitter and helpless that they judged you so harshly. I want to laugh, but I fear I might just cry. People! Aaaah, stupid, god-fearing people!
Yeah, what a spark of 'intuitive' brilliance that this thread, like some magic trick, revealed your 'spiritual' past. Coincidence. Just coincidence, I guess, until I have further information. Purr. What's that Sabrina? Oh, yes, I can see that too in your bowl of milk. William Blake might have said the whole universe is contained there. Purr. I know, I know.
Regarding the definition of cults, one of the fundamental requirements is that there is a guru or idol that the 'drones' follow blindly (see Elron Hubbard of Scientology fame or Jack Rosenberg of EST and Landmark fame ... or any string of shoddy eastern gurus with dozens of Mercedes and concubines).
Do the JW's have someone like this? Jesus doesn't count because, IMO, he is more or less imaginary. But, more importantly, Jesus doesn't have any one particular church that he runs, even though many claim him as their own.