Do you know anyone personally that their religion ruined their life and alienated them from good people?

Question

Personally?

Answer 1

Yes, my grandmother. She was a good woman who had saved her money for her entire life and toward the end, she was taken in by a church who sent someone to her home, turned away all of her friends and family and forced her to change her will so they were the beneficiaries of her money, then 6-digits. She died of a stroke before her family could fix it. She died alone... once she'd re-done her will and signed the money over, the church left her alone.

Some might say, "Then they weren't truly Christians." My question to you, then, is how would one differentiate between those Christians who aren't true Christians and those who are out to rip us off if they all seem so genuine? These people seemed to truly care for my grandmother... they sent someone over every day to help her, they read the bible with her, they sent a minister over to do communion. Then they manipulated her faith to get money into their coffers. They didn't contact her family or even see if she HAD any family who would be her rightful heirs. They saw an opportunity to show a little "Christian kindness" and get a bunch of cash in return. From what I understand, that's not how Christians are supposed to operate, yet that's what they did.

So tell me... how do we tell the genuine, true Christians from those who use religion to fleece people?

Answer 2

Yes, his name was Vinny and he was a college suite mate. He was quite intelligent (a mathematician) and a pleasant fellow. He became extremely religious and separated himself from his brother who was attending the same college; his parents, who were very nice; the other five men in the suite; and, anyone who was not of the same religion *and* religiosity.

His grades suffered and he alienated himself from everyone. We didn't see him after freshman year and when I saw his brother again as a junior and inquired about Vinny, he just shook his head and wouldn't tell me anything else. I can't say it ultimately ruined his life, but while he was searching during that time, he certainly alienated himself from decent people "unnecessarily." I place "unnecessarily" in quotes because who knows what is necessary for someone's personal process or journey.

Good luck with your personal search.

Answer 3

I knew a woman who joined a commune. Rather sad, she bankrupted her husband when she wiped out their bank account and maxed out all of their credit cards to pay for her "position" in the commune. A little over a yr later, she left the commune because the leader had tried to make her become his 14th (or some such) wife. Her hub had divorced her, granted by a judge due to the fact no one could contact her in the commune and her father had died. She maintained the mindset of the commune, but was basically lost in the world because of it.

And a few people in my family would say I have done that. Though, they are actually the one's who disowned me because I am Pagan. They are devout Southern Baptist. *wink*

Answer 4

Yes...there was a couple that decided before they got married they were going to join this particular church and religion. They went way overboard. They were partiers...young....just rebellion teen stuff...nothing too awful. They quit smoking, stopped drinking, isolated themselves from people not in that religion, She wore nothing but dresses no makeup....they got married...a year later they divorced. The both went wild....they both started sleeping around...she looked like a hooker...and now he looks like Marilyn Manson.

I think when anyone tries to be who they are not....they are only asking for trouble. To me if you believe in a religion...you do not have to jump overboard and do everything they tell you. You dont' have to believe everything the church does...you just have to believe.

Answer 5

If you are talking about the limitations of home and community, the answer would have to be, "no." But I do personally know someone who was definitely in harm's way. A Canadian Pagan soldier who was in Afghanistan. He kept his religious beliefs secret and thankfully returned home safe and sound. Consequently, I would have to ask you, have you put your religious beliefs to the test by deliberately making them known to a community of people who would view them harshly?

Answer 6

yes my mother, she believes in "summer land" and always says "blessed be" at the end of her emails...

I am a christian and do not hate my mother at all, I just will not stand for her or anyone else talking bad about christianity, even though some christians do judge others, I do not.. God says to Honor your Father and mother, but he also says that light can not be friends with darkness. He also says that if you tell a person the truth ( about God and Jesus) if you tell them more than once and they do not listen ( no exceptions to parents), then treat that person as a pagan...non-believer.

Answer 7

Yes! My mother-in-law. She was a Pentacostal and believed in demons and devils. She wouldn't allow deviled ham or Proctor & Gamble products in the house because she believed that their symbol was a sign of witchcraft. She ended up losing her mind over it and she tried to kill her son. Religion made her totally irrational. She has been away from it now for over 20 years, and since she got away from religion, she is a different, and happy person.

Answer 8

Yes, I know a girl who didn't drink till she became "born again" and from pressure from her church friends, she started drinking with them. She's been drunk on and off ever since. Her life is a mess now. She has alienated herself from all her real friends.

Answer 9

nope, that wouldn't be a religion your talking about , that would be a cult.
everybody i know goes to church, gives to the poor, pays their ties and are very good ppl, i know a few that aren't so i should say most

Answer 10

Yah. what was my best friend. got caught up hardcore into this religious kick. hes fanatic big time now. he's basically burned his bridges with all of his friends. no one can stand him cause he tells us all how evil we are, and how much we sin and need god. we've all pretty much stopped hanging out with him. he never calls any of us unless hes trying to convert us. but "its one of gods trials" according to him.