In Reply to: Re: Bryon, a suggestion posted by Bryon on January 06, 2003 at 13:32:22:
Thank you for your graciousness and understanding. As far as advising as to the "wisdom" of what reader is proposing - well, I prefer to use my God-given common sense, or reasoning capabilities - much of which were suspended during our many years under the influence of Berg and his croonies, thinking we were following God. So, when people say or ask, what is wisdom, or try to relate to God's wisdom, it brings back a a mentality I for one want nothing to do with anymore. On that note, what Reader is suggesting I think to be a good idea. Our idea is to have a place where exmembers who were spiritually abused and basically spiritually raped can feel safe to "come out of the water" so to speak. In other words, maybe we can simplify all this to say, no bible-bashing, no Hell, Fire and Damnation sermons, heck, no sermons whatsoever, we can go to church for that. But a discussion of spiritual issues, picking apart the things Berg promoted and seeing just how he twisted and used them for his own lusts is more what we are interested in.
Take me for example, I have a real hard time praying or even reading the bible, it's very hard for me to even attempt at a relationship with God, after how dedicated and convinced I was that I was following God, I was so duped and taken advantage of, I have very little presence of mind to try and carry on yet another attempt at following God. It helps me, however, when I can have a sane discussion without any traces of fanaticism or feeling that someone else is trying to steer me one way or another. I have to find my own way and develop my own thoughts, I can’t bear to hear anyone tell me what God is saying for me or what God is like or about, it just makes me want to run and scream. I hope you can understand. I am thankful that you found this board to be helpful to you, that is a positive note. I do appreciate your willingness to pull back some and let other conversations develop which were the intentions of the website builders in the first place.