| Author | Message | ||
     krwg New member Username: krwg Post Number: 10 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 76.100.145.120 |
I am curious if others have the same issue I have now... I was only at the CofJ for 7 years. Prior to that my family was always active in a normal church very active. we were involved with youth. we went every Sunday. etc. Now that i have experiened what I did while at the CofJ with religion...I find I hate any organized religion. I have stopped trying to find a churhc- which sometimes makes me sad. but for a while when i first lef t- i would try lots of churches. All different types - Baptist, Presbyterian, Community Church, Catholic, Episcopal etc. And any time I felt pressure or any type of control - I ran for the hills. I feel all churches have some type of control on their members and involvement in the members lives - but it just makes me panic. I am just curious if anyone else has had a similar experience. I miss church - i miss the comraderie of church. I pray now pretty often and talk to God a lot - my husbands prays with me too. I still feel close to God - sometimes closer than I have ever in my life. | ||
| cryfreedom New member Username: cryfreedom Post Number: 2 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 24.226.27.60 |
krwg----I know that myself and many others can TOTALLY relate to what you are saying about the religion issue. My sons go to Catholic school(even though we are not Catholic) so the odd time we have to go to Church for certain things(Grad, ect...). Anyways, the last time I was there(last June) I couldn't wait to get out. I felt trapped and not at all comfortable. I think these are normal feelings for what we went through as children. When my boys were toddlers we tried going to Church as I felt it was the "right" thing to do for their sake. But after awhile we realized we were getting more out of family time by using those hours to go on a family hike, or something to that nature. The fact that you and your husband have your own personal relationship with God and have been able to continue with praying says alot. There are many of us who can't even do that. So DON'T feel like you have to be in a Church to be close to God!! I would think the opposite sometimes. You do what is going to make you comfortable!! Thanks for all of your sharing on the other threads. I was raised at GCC since I was a toddler but left in 1985 so you we would not have been there at the same time. But I'm sure I know your family at the CofJ as I did the "novice tour of duty" at the Cape and in Bermuda.  Was reading in one of you threads about how your close friends treated you when you went back to visit. Well, it is their LOSS that they can't see you as one of God's children also and treat you as an equal. They are no better just because they live there. Such BS!!! So all the power to you for moving on and don't waste you time worrying about what they think of you!!! Take care---- | ||
| gayatgcc New member Username: gayatgcc Post Number: 13 Registered: 7-2007 Posted From: 67.70.70.92 |
By problems, do you mean an inherent distrust for organized religion of any kind? Absolutely! God & I had a falling-out nearly 10 years ago and I haven’t looked back since. The kind of hatred shown to me by FF and my family forced me into the realization that God was vengeful, hurtful, and filled with hatred. And although I know that the true teachings of the bible do not promote this type of behaviour, it seemed to me at the time (and still to this day) that the majority of Christians have a “better-than-thou” attitude and are free from all judgement and sin themselves. I am naturally very distrusting of any organized religion and consider myself to be agnostic (I am very much governed by my own thoughts & mind and I am only accountable to myself). My family is Ultra(uber)-Religious and it is difficult for us to communicate on many levels. In fact, when I finally decided to be honest and truthful about the “real me” (gay me) with my family, they were disappointed and disgraced ... and all in the name of Christ. My mom continually mentions how she prays for my soul and my purity. My partner (of 10 years) and I were married in 2005 and we have been unable to be honest to any family members as we would surely be ridiculed for our choice! Once bitten, twice shy! | ||
| usedtobethere New member Username: usedtobethere Post Number: 3 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 209.47.31.4 |
gayatgcc: Again, so sorry to hear your account. Many have the same view of God as you stated (for me it was God with the big axe in hand ready to wield it at the slightest question against what was being 'dished' out on any particular day/week and that changed like the wind for us depending on 'you know who's' mood swings, in other words you were damned if you did and damned if you didn't - no win situation with him). How else could anyone who had gone through the 'behind closed door sessions' have perceive God with the ever present sadistic example of authority at GCC and the damnation that would follow if you were 'out of FF's (oops I mean God's) will'. I have said even before GCC (way back in time) that many Christains are God's worst enemies. They do more damn damage than good, leaving others to clean up their mess (or attempt to). It takes a lot of readjustment to try to understand that God is God and that neither GCC, community and definitely NOT FF are God. I'm still working on this one and it certainly leaves one not wanting to trust or open up to any congregation or church, as you say 'once bitten, twice shy'. I am happy for you that you are not alone and trust that someday your family will accept and understand your marriage. Take care. | ||
| fearlessjdp New member Username: fearlessjdp Post Number: 1 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 192.155.59.254 |
Hiya all, I went to GCC from 96-98, all in all it was an inbetween expierence for me, wasn't awsome wasn't terrible just in the middle. That isn't to say i didn't have some great times (i did) or have some really bad times (a few of those too). but mostly i just tried to keep under the radar and get through the days. one of the things which in retrospect i'm greatful for is GCC's religious shall we say cultishness. Why am i greatful for this you ask? Well because it helped me form my *own* ideas about faith. I remember talking to FF(see my first post i still pick up the lingo) and others and because i like to think things through, have answers and be able to think about things, but the Grenville line was almost always unquestioning belief. That didn't (and still doesn't) work for me. So through my time there and for years afterward i thought about it, and analyzed and dissected ideas and faiths and finally arrived where i am today. I have a healthy relationship with God, or as AA puts it my 'Higher Power' and i have a faith and relationship with God that i'm happy with and comfortable with, now i try not to get within ten city blocks of organized faith/religion because to me it sucks the indivduality out of faith and as GCC as it may sound our personal relationship with God (i hate that word, gonna swithc to HP[higher power] from now on) can be one of the most important of our lives. But i also see how it could be for others, for myself i'm incerdibly stubborn, and my family, when i was growing up while nominally christian were not the curch going bible thumping types. So for me it was not all that difficult to find my own way. Others however i'm sure had a harder time with it and i do feel bad for them. anywys just my rambling 2 cents. | ||
| himalayan New member Username: himalayan Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 68.52.59.60 |
I attended Grenville from 1985-1987, rough times. Other than that met some wonderful friends who I speak with to this day. About church...........I come from a family with different denominations( very silly) and also coming from an Irish background that is way worse .I am no longer religious, however; spiritual.Having faith with God should only be personal and not corrupted by so many different denominations which of course formed by man and NOT God.Some denominations think they are "the ones" and the others to be left behind . That is so bullshit!! As for churches go.....all it is ; is about money and social gathering. We as people are NOT suppose to judge, tell people what to pray and how to pray . I started practicing yoga three years ago and let me tell you....I felt all the negativity come out of my body that I could not even describe. And became more closer to God. | ||
| westcedar1 New member Username: westcedar1 Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 12.45.228.13 |
after having "church" preached to me for many years I took a break in college. It was after college that I met a great priest that was, as they say in Godfather III, a true priest. While my mother was Catholic we always went to various denominations and also went to GCC and the CofJ. This priest opened my eyes to the true God and I made a conversion to be a Catholic. I am active in my church and have a good relationship with God (as far as I know) | ||
| rozpriceenglish New member Username: rozpriceenglish Post Number: 11 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 172.135.53.61 |
So funny, I thought it was just me... Both my husband and I are what I term 'fey' creatures. We are very close to the land, and feel more of a connection with God when we are out in nature. While we have a church we attend, neither of us are ready to fall into the 'have to be there every week' routine. I do a lot of music with the pastor's wife, but it's the first church I've wanted to get into music with - one thing I find after GCC, I have NO patience for people who aren't willing to work on making GOOD sound. (Call me a choir snob...)  I have absolutely NO patience for insincere or cliche phrases either. I have a gift of discernment, which can often be a curse - I see past the surface, and often am disgusted at what I see. Those are the pastors I run from (or confront - FF!). When we lost my brother a few years ago, we all (in my family) were so disappointed at the church's response - so many pat answers... | ||
| jc19801983 New member Username: jc19801983 Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 67.71.22.64 |
There are so many people that go to church for the wrong reasons. I had gone to church on and off over the years, but not since 1999 i think. However I am very spiritual. "God" gets a bad rap a lot of the time because of the idiots in certain churches or other institutions that abuse power. I have sort of been thinking a lot about this lately. Still not into going to church and am ok with that for now. I think it is important to gravitate towards people that help you feel accepted, and loved and let the rest go. Also in my name here i put 1983 oops i was there till 82. ( math isnt my thing ok?)  j | ||
| gayatgcc Junior Member Username: gayatgcc Post Number: 46 Registered: 7-2007 Posted From: 65.94.113.25 |
Christians are probably the worst thing that ever happened to Christianity. Show me 1 Christian that acts Christ-like. Again, Amen. GayAtGcc | ||
| gayatgcc Member Username: gayatgcc Post Number: 66 Registered: 7-2007 Posted From: 76.66.37.28 |
Sad discovery ... through a friend of the family, I discovered that my parents (keep in mind, I am almost 30) have recently entered my name into their church's "prayer chain" for salvation for my soul. Why do Christians always believe they're right? I know buddhists who believe "all religions are sacred" ... hindus who believe "all rightous souls are worthy of eternity" ... But not one Christian who believes that non-christians are "worth God's time". F**k! (F**k seems to be my new catch phrase). | ||
| tinkerbell84 New member Username: tinkerbell84 Post Number: 6 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 88.134.236.112 |
I certainly agree with most of what has been said. I was at another religious school for many years before I came to Grenville and although it was the same denomination they preached a completely different way. God was love, god was forgiveness. Ok, they weren't perfect either and told me as an 8 year old that I couldn't be part of God's family unless I was baptised - that hurt. This haunted me so long that I later got baptised at GCC when I was 18! At Grenville they preached the opposite, you were a sinner, you had to repent and you would go to hell if you didn't cleanse your thoughts or ways (as FF required). By the time I left I was so confused. If God was love and forgiveness, how come he uses fear to influence us? In the end this also helped me find my own spirituality. I believe what I believe and no church or person can tell me what to believe. I can pray at home on the couch, walking through the woods or wherever I please. I can simply look at my children and just be grateful for the wonder of life. There are people out there that have never been exposed to any religion but they still have an instinct as to what is right and wrong , good or kind. Any God out there has to love them for what's in their hearts and not condemn them because they aren't affiliated with a church or certain religion or perhaps made some mistakes in their lives. Yes, I still have a problem going to church after all these years but do allow my children to go to the Kindergarten Sunday school and make up their own opinions about God and religion. I've made it very clear to them that they don't have to go if they don't want to and we talk about what they did or learned that day - just to make sure that they aren't being frightened into believing. I don't want them to have to go through the conflicts I did. | ||
| postgccwife New member Username: postgccwife Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 24.226.103.12 |
My husband (former GCC staff kid, student, and former staff) is still very leery of organized religion. He attends church with me when my daughter (who attends Catholic school) has an event - that's it. Interestingly enough - many of you mentioned a connection with nature wrt your relationship with God. He definitely has that connection too. I wonder if that is because the GCC grounds are so lovely and nature is so abundant in the region - and the many outdoor activities undertaken by staff and students at the school. PostGCCwife..... | ||
| gcc_1981_grad New member Username: gcc_1981_grad Post Number: 21 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 70.51.146.194 |
postgccwife - I think it may be because the human mind or human intention is not involved with the changing of season. | ||
| postgccwife New member Username: postgccwife Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 24.226.103.12 |
And you may be right. All I know is that when things get tough, he hits the hiking trail. As do I, for different reasons. If my math does me any justice, you are a member of his graduating class. Contact me if you want - mau0414@yahoo.ca. |
