Negative Experiences and Criticisms

@MeaningfulSilence

Fantastic idea on creating this space for people to share about their negative experiences, thank youu, Silenceee, you've been doing awesome in managing support within the community! 💗

Kindness first, always! 🤗

@MeaningfulSilence I've shared a negative experience😥 I was owned and a slave to a Christian cult I was born into. It was more of a satanic cult. And I was lucky law stepped in and rescued some of the slaves.

but positive, because I understand now those people were not real christians. And although I don't have a specific rligion. I do believe in God and angels ❤

@MeaningfulSilence My relationship with God is complicated. I was born a monster and a bad soul - punishment was needed so I got right with God. He could see my soul and knew I would go to *** otherwise. I used to pray though to be saved. Then there was the youth minister - he went to jail for awhile

I am old enough to remember 9-11, for one. For those of us who were around on that day of infamy, it affected us all. I was on pins & needles for the next 48 hours after that...lived in San Francisco at the time & I figured the next attack would be on the TransAmerica pyramid downtown. It is a famous landmark & a symbol of American wealth & power, no less than the Twin Towers were. Thus it would be a suitable target.

I could go into my experience for over two years prior to 9-11, as my alma mater (a false term in this case) was & is one of the most antizionist & antisemitic universities in the US. I could go into certain attacks at synagogues in the 2010's, one mass shooting at an army base, as well as assaults on black-hatters in Brooklyn--until recently, it was considered our American stronghold. I could sum up my research into the doctrines, scriptures, & history of a certain religion that connects so many of these outrages together, & how it makes so many of its believers our implacable enemies--as I experienced firsthand, both in reality & on (anti)social media, multiple times.

I could tell you all of the above. But I won't because I can't do it without violating the rules of this subcommunity. I know because I read the thread for mods a few minutes ago.

So what can I say? Just this: it is one of the ironies of my life that I get along better with Christians, as they are people of a faith that, while it is somewhat related to the one I come from, it's also very different indeed. How the world turns! 😏

@MeaningfulSilence

May I suggest we change the title to Insightful Experiences and Analytical Thoughts so the focus is a bit more on the Quality of Thought to transform the relative value some may be experiencing into a more positive learning experience which can often be gained by changing ones Mental Inclination.

I also like to share one of my insights into how we can all gain a great advantage over our mental faculties by thinking a bit more seriously how to make our own Thought Processes more flexible so we can actually understand a bit more clearly our potential to do better Mind Development work ourselves by removing some of our unrealistic thoughts: "... anything is possible contrary to the limitations imposed on the real world by nature!"

Removing irrational thinking has helped me to feel better and make me more confident to have a better grasp on reality by applying a bit more critical and analytical self-discory into my daily thought formation process.

I'm sure it can possibly help many others to convert negative feelings into positive, constructive ideas which may turn into a better understanding of how you can keep working on expanding your mental faculties in a progressive direction for yourself and others to gain better mental health by better applying your own intellectual resources.

Best wishes to all ...

On a somewhat more personal note (9-11 was personal & a significant factor in forming my position re Islam): I was told that I was destined for H.e.ll after I discard my mortal coil because I hadn't accepted Jesus as my personal savior. This happened indirectly the first time, when I tagged along with my then-girlfriend to a local "Bible study"* group. The second time was when a fanatical acquaintance at the time warned me about it over the phone...I dropped him like a hot brick not long after that. The third time was a few weeks ago & quite indirectly in a personal convo. The guy I was talking with is not a judgmental person & didn't mean it that way, but I read the subtext easily enough. (Have read the gospels & some of Paul's letters so I'm familiar with the basic creed, though I still can't make sense of it)

I must add that I do not have a bad opinion of Christianity overall. The above experiences aren't the only dealings I've had with members of Jesus's fan club. Have met quite a few in my life so far; with few exceptions, they were decent folk. A few of them were wonderful human beings. I've seen how living a Christian life has helped a great many people & given them meaning & joy. It certainly looks nice when I see it in action that way... If I could make that "leap of faith" & didn't have philosophical issues with faith itself, I would consider joining a suitable church.

*note the quotes. Having attended three Bible study groups in two states so far, I can say with a fair degree of confidence that what happens in such groups is not "study". It certainly isn't scholarship by any standard with which I'm familiar. Admittedly I am biased as I've always had a reading habit, earned a bachelor's & am familiar with basic research techniques for the writing of essays, as well as the more common logical fallacies.

A high-ranking leader in Hamas issued a call for war. This statement was released at the same time as the attack on southern Israel. Meanwhile, protests have been staged in several American cities where the marchers clearly picked the side of Hamas. Speakers blamed Israel as the sole cause of the whole conflict. 

Does anyone remember when "globalize the intifada!" was a trendy catchphrase? It wasn't that long ago, folks...

This is not the first bad experience I've had with Islam, not by a long shot.

The whole Israel-vs-Hamas situation has my back hair up now. It dredges up quite a few things in my memory, particularly the experience of my people in the various caliphates from the initial invasions in the 7th century up to WW1, when the Ottoman empire fell apart. The conflict also brings to mind one protest in NYC where the protestors chanted about a town in Arabia where people lost their lives. 

I'm trying to be fair-minded here, I swear. However, I must admit that I sometimes feel uneasy when I see someone wearing a hijab, and I may have concerns when I see a mosque in the West. If an incident occurs in which a Jewish person is subjected to violence or harm, and it is determined that someone with extremist views is responsible due to the current situation, I would find it deeply concerning but sadly not unexpected. It certainly wouldn't be the first attack of its kind within CONUS--or outside it.

Are these thoughts bad? Unfair, maybe? Perhaps. But I can only judge from the experiences I've had & the knowledge I've gained so far. If someone can show me a more benevolent side of Islam or a place under Muslim rule where I can go about my business without being a 2nd-class citizen, then I'm all ears/eyes.

Interesting how my last post--which was written as honestly as my other ones here--mysteriously disappeared... As I said before about this forum, some ideas & feelings are more equal than others. 😒

I was first introduced to Christianity back in 2007, from a family doctor. Back then, my depression was at its peak moments, and was told to go to church. That there were testimonies where people with depression go better after they put their faith in God. The other reason was to meet more people, expand my social circle. As someone who didn't attend University, I had no friends around my age. As people from work, were either much older than I or younger.

But the church I attended with my parents, none of the age groups were aligned with me. There are those of the same age, but were in University, none of them were drop-outs and went to work instead. So, I couldn't find a group that were in the same situation as I. Although I tried to join their fellowship group, not once did they made me feel welcome. Those people had known each other since they were young, and here I am, the outsider trying to fit in.

My parents ended up being baptized in the first church we attended, and I had never felt I was welcomed or was I able to fit in. Then, I ended up trying another church, where I was told there were more members who are working and that I might fit in more easily there. I somehow ended up in a fellowship group, met a couple of good people. Where we'd meet up outside of church for meals and chat for hours. But, I didn't get the guidance or support that I hoped for, in order for me put my trust in the faith itself. At one of the peak moments of my depression, where I was hospitalized, no one came to visit, and no one talked about it to me afterwards. No one came to do any preaching, it's like they didn't care what happens to me, nor do they wish I'd get better but putting my faith in Him. 

After this incident, we moved. My parents attended the sister church of the city we moved from. Although I tried attending their church here, joined a Bible Study group of people who are near my age (around 5-10 years older), but I still had unanswered questions, and I couldn't find anyone where I trusted enough to share my questions with. So, it's been at least a few years since I've attended church.

But, I'm glad my parents continued with it. In the current church, they met a group of friends, all retirees. So, my parents always have social events with them when they are in town (at the moment, most of them are out of town, gone back home to visit family who are sick). 

Now, I'm not sure if I'll ever attend church anymore. Sometimes, I feel that the lessons in the scriptures are all based on common sense. So, what's the point in learning about the faith? I tried attending yet another church, but I was like invisible to others. No one greeted me, no one welcomed me, so after going like 5 times. I stopped.