Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

**Perry** · 02-14-2011, 04:56 PM

(02-11-2011 06:01 PM)Jenn Wrote: YES. And the problem was, I was never happy. So I questioned why were all the other saved people supposedly so happy, but I wasn't.

I envied people who went to liberal churches, who had prayed the sinner's prayer, so they were safe from hell, but got to be happy in this lifetime. (even though they were wrong).

I was reminded of how happy I am supposed to be every time someone got up and gave a glorious testimony of how they used to be before getting saved. My desire to witness to people was a sincere desire that they could find the joy that those other Christians somehow have.

I didn't realize that so many people were in the same boat as me until I found this blog.

Wow, this describes me 100%! I would tell others that it was the best life, but in my heart I felt so unhappy. I even thought suicidal thoughts. And it really caused me to doubt my salvation. I was very anti-social and didn't talk to anyone. But since finding this site two months ago, I no longer feel guilty about questioning what is presented to me as the infallable truth. It is important to believe something because you actually believe it, not because you were made to believe it. I have a lot more self confidence than I used to, also, even though I still am far from what would be perceived as "normal".

Jenn · 02-14-2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:I was very anti-social and didn't talk to anyone.

This is the way I was at work. A lot of the time anyway. It was dreadful meeting new people because then I knew that I had to witness to them. If I had never met them then they would not be my responsibility.

**Perry** · 02-14-2011, 06:03 PM

(02-14-2011 05:06 PM)Jenn Wrote: This is the way I was at work. A lot of the time anyway. It was dreadful meeting new people because then I knew that I had to witness to them. If I had never met them then they would not be my responsibility.

For the longest time I wouldn't even go through a restaurant drive thru because I would have to give out a tract.

Away-From-The-Umbrella · 02-15-2011, 11:27 PM

My fundy pastor said, from the pulpit, that former members' kids went to the devil. He also said they lied about how well they were doing. "But they won't tell you the truth about their kids!"

Just another scare tactic designed to keep us in the fold.

Elijah Craig · (This post was last modified: 02-15-2011 11:40 PM by Elijah Craig.)

The irony is that there's little Biblical support for the idea that unbelievers are unhappy. The minor prophets are full of men wondering why the wicked prosper and enjoy happy lives. I remember having this conversation at Fundy U and being told that the unsaved are miserable. I said that I'd probably really enjoy a materialistic, hedonistic lifestyle if I didn't have a religious conscience.

Of course, the afterlife is a different discussion...

**diachenko** · 02-15-2011, 11:58 PM

(02-11-2011 06:10 PM)Faith Wrote: I know this is being said of me, that I'm not really happy. Sorry to disappoint, but I'm actually happy. And I do know the difference because I used to be really miserable.

Some people just can't wrap their worldview around happy "outsiders."

**JordanMaria** · 02-16-2011, 08:31 AM

No one but IFBs are happy? Since when are IFBs happy people???????

One of my childhood friends is an exIFB and she married a Catholic. Her mother and step-father didn't go to her wedding and didn't allow any of the children to go, even her half sister she wanted in the wedding party. Her husband is a good man and they're due to have a boy in May. My mom is constantly telling me that "She really isn't happy." and "They're probably going to get divorced in a few years." My friend's mother doesn't even want to have a grandchild. She thinks her daughter is living in sin. It makes me so sad.

**LMcC** · 02-16-2011, 12:17 PM

(02-16-2011 08:31 AM)JordanMaria Wrote: No one but IFBs are happy? Since when are IFBs happy people???????

One of my childhood friends is an exIFB and she married a Catholic. Her mother and step-father didn't go to her wedding and didn't allow any of the children to go, even her half sister she wanted in the wedding party. Her husband is a good man and they're due to have a boy in May. My mom is constantly telling me that "She really isn't happy." and "They're probably going to get divorced in a few years." My friend's mother doesn't even want to have a grandchild. She thinks her daughter is living in sin. It makes me so sad.

Wow, that's mean.

What's really nuts about what was said is that Catholics have lower divorce rates than IFBs. Even though they're still not egalitarian enough for my tastes, they have much more respect for women in marriage according to official teachings. Even Christians for Biblical Equality (a Protestant organization) praised Pope John Paul II's teaching on marriage. Where there is mutual love, submission, and respect, the divorce rate will fall.

pblawman · 02-16-2011, 12:56 PM

(02-15-2011 11:27 PM)Away-From-The-Umbrella Wrote: My fundy pastor said, from the pulpit, that former members' kids went to the devil. He also said they lied about how well they were doing. "But they won't tell you the truth about their kids!"

One of the reasons I'm glad to be out of that type of fundyism is that I think I have improved the chances that my kids, and grandkids, will be believers.

HazelEyed · 02-16-2011, 01:34 PM

(02-14-2011 06:03 PM)Perry Wrote:
(02-14-2011 05:06 PM)Jenn Wrote: This is the way I was at work. A lot of the time anyway. It was dreadful meeting new people because then I knew that I had to witness to them. If I had never met them then they would not be my responsibility.
For the longest time I wouldn't even go through a restaurant drive thru because I would have to give out a tract.

WHOA you guys were Just. Like. Me. Crazy!