how gain your spiritual stability after a bad one true church experience?

Question

I have been member of two churches in my life, the catholic church in which I was born and baptized and also the adventist church I joined 24 years later. But, the second choice was a cult, and I regreted all my life I have joined this church, full of spiritual abuse and false teaching ..I left this church ..but, now because of the former teaching of this church I cannot go further in spirituality and have problem accepting other spirituality as good too ..I can't even come back to my former faith yet, because, I'm very troubled and suffer spiritual traumas..I cannot be neither protestant nor catholic, nor join any sect in christianity , I am afraid of them ...they seem to provide a teaching of enslavement which I cannot accept ..I prefer a religion who teaches to love God, and the religion itself, as it were God himself...
I amd now out of spirituality now, ..I don't believe in the church, at once, I believe in the core teaching ..

but, now I have requestion my faith to be more open minded and start to be more open on seeing christianity as not the only faith that leads to God ... But, I really dunno what to believe now ...!! what should I do ..?

Answer 1

Best to read the bible. Study with prayer and commitment. God will lead you if you want to follow Him.

Answer 2

It may be time for you to examine yourself. Maybe I would just encourage you to believe that there is really God showing you the right way. All of the churches you mentioned believe in the same God but differ in their practices. Can you afford to be an independent one without a church but just live your life in God as a person who does what is right as a righteous man should do? As long as you walk in the path of righteousness, I do not think you will have a problem with that. I have a website which I may want you look into. It is not a religion but it is based on what all religions have based their faith and practices from. God did not form those religions and He did not even say which one is good or not. All He had decreed is to follow His command and you will be blessed. If one lives a wicked life all He does is just turn His back on Him and put him out of His grace and yet would be willing to give back that grace or blessing once he says sorry and go back to follow His commands. I will not be forcing you to believe what I say but as long as you are looking for a place of comfort as far as your choice of faith is concern, maybe you should try this one. It is not a cult, it is not a religion it is just to make you know that everything you do to yourself is what your fate should be.......www.thename.ph

Answer 3

I know where you're coming from only too well. You seem to have a keen awareness of what's happened in your life.Abuse by various churches and by the clergy is rampant. It can literally kill you or send you to the hospital; this I know. I suggest that you stay well away from any church and get some non church related counseling. Of course you know that when you've been bitten by a snake, you don't stick your hand back in its hole! I really feel for you, but because of my experience believe that with help and time you will heal. Whoever or whatever "God" is, is really within us--its not out there in a church ir a minister. Best of luck in finding an understanding counselor.

Answer 4

You must have heard to be aware of false churches and practices. Some people believe playing with snakes in church is what the Son wanted. You ran into a dead end, but your spirituality remains intact, as it always will. Seek and you will find. Maybe you haven’t come across a Christian church that meets your needs now, but it is out there. Do not be discouraged or give up.

Answer 5

Please forgive me if I err in advising. you The best thing to do in your state is to totally abandon an exact religion right now and begin your search and independent investigation of truth (as you perceive it). First, your concept of God. If you believe in one God that definately narrows it down alot to Christianity (many sects of that too), Judaism, Islam and Bahaism. Do you believe that God is supernatural, unhuman, unphysical (i.e. you don't believe Jesus is God/son of god). If so that eliminates Christianity; now there is Judaism, Islam and Bahaism. Judaism focuses a lot on making a difference in this life; Muslims aim for the nxt through righteousness in this life; and Bahais believe that all truths are interlocked and can be found in all religions.

Personally I believe Islam is the most logical, practical, peaceful, just religion there is. It encompasses such a large range of interpretation that you don't feel your life is totally dictated by it. There are of course people (who stubbornly think their way is the right way) that try to convince you there way of Islam is the best. In Islam there is the Holy Quran, the word of God revealed to the Prophet Muhamad through the angel Gabriel. This is the framework of Islam (and all Muslims agree on its authenticity). The problems arise when Hadiths (written accounts of the prophet's lifestyles and sayings) are used. I think that every person can follow there own hadiths at their discretion (and in accordance with the Quran).

Lastly, I know there are so many lies out there about Islam that it is hard to know what the truth really is. But then again there is that same thing in Christianity where women must remain silent in church and subserviant to their husband, where Jesus says he came with a sword not peace. There are so many disputes about every religion. The most important things in Islam are three (if you believe in these you are eligible for heaven): 1. Belief in one unique God (VERY important) 2. Belief in an afterlife 3. doing good deeds and righteous acts (charity for example).

I'm sorry this is so long and you may be skeptical but I do urge you to independently seek the truth and find a set of beliefs you are comfortable with. At the least; establish some beliefs and guidelines for YOURSELF. I hope everything goes well and I will pray.
Peace. Good luck.

Answer 6

I understand how you feel, because I have reached similar conclusions.

People do not have a religion. Religions have people. That is, religions have their hooks in people.

Have you not noticed that Religious Empires are ruled from the top down. (No democracy there)

Have you ever noticed that God does not work that way. The original Bible Texts were pretty descriptive of God, his message was pretty clear.

What is God's unadulterated message?

Harmony is harmony.

Disharmony is the only sin against God.

In fact, one place in the Bible God said, "I am sick of the smell of your stinking sacrifices." ... What I really want is for you people to be fair with each other and for you to get along with each other"
(No selfish religious leader would ever give a sermon on that verse of scripture.)

However, religious empires have twisted the original text to read; Worship God, worship the Church leaders. Now, a few churches say to worship Jesus. Jesus insisted that he should not be worshipped, and he never told us to worship God. (He said to love God, not to worship God.)

Oh, well, I too have given up on religions, but I have not given up on God, or Jesus' message, or the Holy spirit which witnesses to all of us when we ask.

Witnesses what? Witnesses that if we choose harmony, we will go to Heaven and live forever. (Oh! that's another subject)

Answer 7

It is very sad when the error of men causes another to stumble in their faith. At least you had the spiritual discernment to get out of those churches. Do not confuse what man says with what Jesus says. Put your hope in Christ not man. Mankind will always let us down, Christ won't fail you. Try to find a church where you feel at home, and where you like the pastor.

Answer 8

Perhaps if you would state what "spiritual abuse" and "false teaching" you were subject to in the Adventist church was, we would have some idea of where you are spiritually. Without knowing where you are, it is difficult to know where you are going, or how to get there.

Answer 9

The purpose of religion is to keep people in line. Some of us are beyond that. Check out the teachings of Black Elk & Eagle Man (Ed Mc Gaw??) Lakota Spirituality. One does not need religion to be spiritually balanced. In fact, most are more stable w/o it!
Educate yourself. There are many paths that lead to the Great Spirit. You have to find the one that makes sense to you!
Blessed Be.... ; )

Answer 10

i also went through an experience that you are describing. Pray to God and ask Him to direct you where He wants you to go. In the meantime, talk/pray to Him as much as you can. don't beat yourself up about getting in the cult-like church. God knows everything and He knows what is best for you. He will also find a church for you to attend.

Answer 11

Pray, and specifically ask God to heal you. Ask Him to guide you to the right people whom you will be able to worship with, and feel safe with. I can't recommend a specific denomination or sect, because it truly depends on the attitude of the people in each particular place. Look for worshipers who put love first, and who don't major on the minors.