Does anyone else feel brain washed after attending church?
356832
Brainwashing is just one of the tools used to include you into the flock. It's all to do with power, control, manipulation, wealth and empire building.
406097
When I was younger it always seemed so much easier to be close to God. After school I use to sneak into my church and lay under the pews in the sanctuary, leaving poems in the hymnals for people to find during the Sunday service. It was my little bit of quiet time with God. I felt that by being there, in his presence, he was listening to my every word. But now, I am disheartened by the whole "Christian" scene. \n\nI am a good person, I volunteer my time twice a week to causes that I believe in. I work with people with disabilities to help them gain independance. I love my family, friends, and all the people around me.  But people find out that I am a lesbian and all of a sudden I am this horrible awful person who is out to ruin their way of life, molest their children, and kill people. I had bible phrases thrown at me left and right, people telling me that I was going to Hell, that I would never be allowed in their life again. All of these things made me spiral into this horrible depression. I felt like throwing myself in front of a moving train.\n\nBut one day I went to church. I crawled under the pew like I use to when I was younger, and I wrote some poetry. And then, the next day I did it again. And after that first day, I reconnected with some old friends that I had forgotten about, and I left the negative people in my life behind. And I kept doing the things in my life that gave me joy. I stayed up late to count the stars, and I got up early to watch the early morning sun rise above the horizon. And then I remembered that God was there waiting to listen, that all I had to do was talk to him.
876186
Yes and it`s quite special,it`s good to say sorry to God for our sins, true repentance is just that, but sometimes you feel awful for what you have done and just can`t shake the guilt, and it`s such a relief to hear that it`s okay from the Priests mouth.\nI always feel like i am walking on air after a good confession, and that the weight of my sins has been taken off me and I am clean again,it`s like a sauna for the soul.
704001
I felt steady animosity toward the idea of a woman in the pulpit from other students and teachers.  I shifted to Religious Education, but never really wanted that.  Then I got pregnant, very sick, and didn't finish seminary.  My Old Testament, History of Doctrine, and Church History got accepted as History for teaching certification, and my New Testament was accepted as literature.
676822
ask yourself:\nwhy do i want this now?\nWhat changed you?\nYou asked forgiveness for your sins, but do you really repent, or is it just an act, something you did without feeling it?\nIf you really feel sorry for specific things, and you understand why they were bad, and why you don't want to do them again, you will feel a difference. You'll feel insight.\n\nYou are probably at a very important point in your live.\n\nthink a lot.\n\nread inspirational books, like the bible, a book that inspired billions of people. If you need guidance  with this, go to a local church. The local priest will be very happy to help you. He will introduce you to people who will help you on your journey to God.\n\nBut always keep on thinking. This will give whatever you choose to belief a very profound foundation.\n\nAnd don't forget: don't loose the big picture\nGod is everywhere, always, and for everybody, not just for you when you need him. He is not responsible for everything you or anybody else does. He made man free to do what they want to do. Bad things happen to everybody; He will guide you to see the good things everywhere, and that will enable you to cope with the bad things.\n\nAnd always, always keep on thinking.
799069
I'm sorry for what happened to you as a child. I feel that many, many, many organized religions hide behind the word of God. They all preach the word but do not care to live by it. God is real sweetheart, and you seem to be a very strong person. Keep your faith in HIM and he will carry you through. It may not seem like it to you because of all the evil in the world today, but hold true to HIM. In the end Jesus will call out your name. Good Luck and don't give up on God, for God has not given up on people yet.
245566
unfortunately these kind of things happen, In your place I would be offended also, I feel for you, and am sorry for the loss, it is hard to get over things like this. The only thing I can say is try not to dwell, I know it is easy to say and another to do, but If it will make you feel better you can go infront of the church. And again I am sorry for your loss!
413741
I was in a cult, awhile back. It was considered a church, and from all appearances, it seemed to be. They followed the Bible, they were very social, and at first, it was fun and I learned alot about the Bible. After several years, things got tougher, as the church "discovered new truth" and the atmosphere changed from seeking the truth in God's word to complete "CONTROL! We were watched, members reported to the ministry about what other members were doing, ( tattletaleing) There was alot going on, and it was not a feeling of God's love, and family, anymore. They disfellowshipped people because they asked questions, or were considered troublemakers. Then other members were not allowed to talk to them, and if they did, someone reported them to the ministers and they were disfellowshipped. \nThey then instituted a "biblical" no makeup for women rule, which made some of us want "proof" from the Bible, and it just wasn't there. At that point, this and having more and more control put on me, and questioning it, I was disfellowshipped..It was a Blessing in disguise! \nI kept in touch with many other former members of this church, and we helped each other in de-programming ourselves from this cult. We met for many years, privately, where we proved all things according to the Bible, and got out from a controlling situation. \nWhen I first got into this church, it was wonderful, but then when things changed, lots of members left, and lots got kicked out, but it was very traumatic for all of us, because we had been brainwashed into believing that we were losing our Salvation, and that made us fearful to leave. Of course, when a person is brainwashed, they don't know they are brainwashed! We all believed, at the time, that we were in the one and only "God's true church!"\nThe membership of this church, which still exists, has droppped over 75%. \nThis was a long time ago, and I won't ever forget it or the fear I had. I've grown Spiritually since that time, and I've not joined another church, as the lessons I've learned have been very valuable...and one of them is that I can worship Christ as a personal relationship, and that the "true Church of God" is made up of many people from all over the world, those who follow God. We don't have to go to a building, as the church is not a building.\nI too, have come back to life, and have never felt freer!
24348
I know without any doubt that God Loves us..ask yourself this question? Do you ever feel like something is missing in your life? Can marrying the right person fill that gap? Can having enough money fill it? Can having good health fill the emptiness? For everyone that has asked themselves that question and they have found out that the answer is no..The emptiness that we feel is the separation from God, when we accept His son Jesus into our lives, then the Holy Spirit will come into our hearts, then a veil is lifted from your eyes, and the Truth shall be revealed, and the pit in your stomach shall be made whole..For God is Love..and satan is death..Amen!!\n\nIn answer to your question, I was not brought up in any church, God was NEVER mentioned in our home, my mom abused me as a child, my dad molested me also..I was going to commit suicide when my brother asked me to go to church, so I went to make him happy, I hated being in church, I called everyone there Jesus freaks..the next Sunday, I could not stand the emptiness any longer, so I said well I tried everything else, I will try God..Praise the Lord..I am glad I did..Amen!!
995440
I try, but sometimes I just don't feel like it.  I get so tired of church politics.
451039
I performed a wedding one saturday evening and then got invited to the reception. At the reception i tried not to drink to much but i lost count of how many jello shots i had.  to make a long story short i past out at some point in my friends car.  When I woke up the next morning i was being poked  and yelled at by the ushers of my church. I had only 1 hour till I was to give a sermon and i was hungover with the smell of alcohol in clothes. \nThey took me in by the backdoor and down stairs to the kitchen. I had a bird bath in the sick while they sprayed my clothes down with room spray.  i even drank down 2 pots of coffee.\nWhen I got to the sancutary the sounds of the organ about killed me. It felt like it was right in my skull pounding away at my brain. I stumbled around a bit and made it to the pulpit. I held on to the it with dear life and looked up to see my congragation glaring at me.  they was not happy with me!\nI did my best to lead the service but every little noise and every little light seemed to just stab at my brain. When I gave my sermon i did  it in a record 5 minutes and then ended the service. \nAfter the service i proped my self up against the doors to the church and shook hands with the people as they left. Noone really talked to me! \nWhen I got home I spent the day in the bathtub with all the lights out! The next sunday I gave a sermon on drunkeness!
400011
As a Pastor I have experienced the same thing and even thought that perhaps God was just cleaning house for some new arrivals. In all honesty after I got my pride and bull headiness out of the way I realized that I had made mistakes in the way I treated people. I was to busy judging them instead of sharing God's Word with them and letting the Holy Spirit do HIS JOB. I naturally don't know if this is the problem at your church or not, however I would suggest some deep soul searching and prayer to find out what GOD wants for your church.  May God Bless.
933946
Glad to see you're a Christian....\n\nPlease try not to feel this way.  I remember feeling like that at one time, too.  I used to wonder about what God wanted me to do in my life, then I realized He has written it right there what He wants us to do...its all in His word!!\n\nAs for the recreation, pray about it.  Ask the Lord for His will to be done.  Keep letting your light shine, hon...and heads up!!  You've already made the wisest decision you could ever make...the decision to serve the Lord!!  Trust in Him, and He will guide you.\n\nGod Bless
873016
I've dealt with similar issues. I was raised Protestant and left the church for a while. I missed the fellowship, a lot. There's so much to be said for the comfort you can find within a good church. The problem was that I could never reconcile my beliefs about evolution, my scientific paradigm about the origins of the universe, homosexuality, and feminism with the Bible's opposing views. To me, I couldn't just choose to re-interpret the Bible for my convenience. It means what it says, not what I want it to mean. I was unable to return to the church because I was unable to believe in the god described by the Bible. \n\nAfter that, I looked at religion itself pretty seriously and from an academic standpoint, rather than a religious one. I found a few textbooks describing religion as objectively and sensitively as possible with humans doing the work and managed to get into a college course regarding religion.\n\nI suppose when it comes to deities, I'm best described as "spiritual". I believe it's possible that there is a god of some sort out there, but I don't believe that anything written by man can describe it, let alone explain what any god wants. Religions are man-made. Still, I needed religion. I found Zen Buddhism to be to my preference. It suits me. I don't believe in re-incarnation or immutable souls. I think we're always changing, always learning. It's the nature of living. It took a long time, years, for me to get where I am because I had a lot of residual fear of going to hell. Sunday School is effective indoctrination. In the end, that was the final nail in my Christian coffin. I could not respect a religion that promised love and held on with fear.\n\nI think it's different for you in ways, but it's also the same. The Church's ideas don't fit yours, but you're still drawn to the comfort of fellowship. Perhaps even the comfort of god. I don't know any books that would necessarily help you, because I don't think that's your issue. Do you miss the sense of belonging or do you miss god? If you miss god, then your problem lies in understanding that any beliefs that you have that are against what the church says are sin. If you miss the fellowship, but not god, then perhaps you can find another way with values you agree with to fellowship. There are Protestant churches that agree with you on abortion and homosexuality. If religion isn't to your taste, you can also find fellowship by finding groups that meet for secular reasons. I belonged to a reading club for a while. We'd gather in the library every Wednesday night and discuss the book we'd read that week. It felt wonderful. Then I moved.\n\nI'd suggest you talk to a priest, but it's their duty to return you to the fold so you won't get the help you actually need. I wouldn't suggest you talk to anyone else's minister/rabbi/whathaveyou for the same reason. It's usually their duty to convert you. You can speak to someone, such as a therapist, a mentor, a teacher, an advisor about it as well. \n\nMy crisis of faith was the hardest thing I've gone through, even harder than boot camp and childbirth. I'm feeling a lot more rewarded and confident about my choices once I'd gotten through it. I hope that you'll find peace with your choices as well.
445473
Yes, and I'm so glad I did! I just started attending again recently, and I knew I missed it, but I didn't know just how much until I started going back. It felt so good to be back in God's house worshiping and fellowshiping with all my brothers and sisters.\n\nIt's no wonder that studies have shown that church going people are much more happy than those who do not attend church on a regular basis.
426659
You need to find a church that makes you feel comfortable and welcome.  You might need to try many.  I think that it is very important to find a church with a pastor that teaches from scripture.  There are so few out there anymore.  So many churches water down the teachings from Christ and put their own spin on the Bible.  How can you learn from God if you are not getting the teachings that he provided for us?  Don't let people bring you down, remember that just because someone believes in God it doesn't make them perfect, we are all sinners and fall short.  It is in our nature to fall short, that is why we need God.  Please don't let your disapointment in a person affect the way you see Christianity.  Pray about it and soon you will find a church home that is right for you, God Bless.
317286
No, I did not, but I do want to go to Church.  The problem I have is that I have a disabled child and two other children.  We did go once and it was awful because we spent the whole time trying to keep our child quiet.  The other two boys were OK and could go off to special groups for the children.  It was quite a stressful experience, so now I try to pray at home.  A pity really, because I wanted my children to grow up knowing all about Church and the meaning of Christmas and Easter.