I find your essays fascinating. You explain so well what happened to me, not necessarily to others when I left organized religion. It was such a confusing time. To have grown up in such a deep faith and community where everyone “spoke the same language” especially as a teen where there are so many changes happening anyway including my definition of “faith” was…daunting (is that a good word for all the confusion?” I tried other ‘communities” for a while and that was comforting. Buddhism brought the most alignment in belief. Then life changed and I moved on. By practicing it I was able to find what really aligned with me, but it didn't “complete” me. Now I am wandering in my own desert and aligned with that. Almost. I still miss the camaraderie and that feeling of inclusion, but I don't feel like I'm performing for something I no longer believe. My relationship is with whatever power that is nameless and while not perfect that's where I am now.
So much of this rings true to me. There’s is a blurred line between doctrine and control that many of us find unnerving. I grew up in a fire and brimstone church where I began to see the difference. As an adult I began to see the entertainment bent begin to creep into the Protestant churches. Then the growing politicalization of churches particularly in the area into which I had moved. Leaving organized religion has left me somewhat ostracized in my community but at least it has left me in peace to identify my own beliefs.
I find your essays fascinating. You explain so well what happened to me, not necessarily to others when I left organized religion. It was such a confusing time. To have grown up in such a deep faith and community where everyone “spoke the same language” especially as a teen where there are so many changes happening anyway including my definition of “faith” was…daunting (is that a good word for all the confusion?” I tried other ‘communities” for a while and that was comforting. Buddhism brought the most alignment in belief. Then life changed and I moved on. By practicing it I was able to find what really aligned with me, but it didn't “complete” me. Now I am wandering in my own desert and aligned with that. Almost. I still miss the camaraderie and that feeling of inclusion, but I don't feel like I'm performing for something I no longer believe. My relationship is with whatever power that is nameless and while not perfect that's where I am now.
So much of this rings true to me. There’s is a blurred line between doctrine and control that many of us find unnerving. I grew up in a fire and brimstone church where I began to see the difference. As an adult I began to see the entertainment bent begin to creep into the Protestant churches. Then the growing politicalization of churches particularly in the area into which I had moved. Leaving organized religion has left me somewhat ostracized in my community but at least it has left me in peace to identify my own beliefs.