This post was my breaking point:
Hello! I brought cookies :D lol
Not even the Rapture Ready forums broke me this quickly, mainly because back then, I was afraid of being alone and rejected. So I basically joined a Right Winged cult that focused almost solely on a very specific view of end times theology. That, and many other websites also ran by the American Religious Right. Because of my ignorance of Scripture and the concept of fact-checking, I nearly ruined my life following their teachings. My physical, mental, financial, and even spiritual health were deteriorating and I was holding on to their narrow view of the Pre-Tribulation rapture. I learned the hard way to NEVER underestimate the power of an echo-chamber, one where only ONE idea and ONE IDEA ALONE reigned supreme, even to the point of twisting God's Holy Word.
How did this happen? Let's just say life was NOT kind to me growing up. I was desperate for an escape, whether through death or by the Pre-Tribulation rapture I was holding onto with an iron grip. These websites along with numerous Bible Prophecy teachers like John Haller, Charlie Garrette, Amir Tsafarti, J.D. Farag, and many others kept promising Christ's Second Coming was near. Year after year, Christ never came back and my overall health continued to deteriorate.
It was not until I joined an actual church with many wonderful people, a couple known wolves in sheep's clothing, actually READING the Bible, and participated in many discussions related to Christianity, with many diverse views. In fact, the first thing that was told to me that started this whole path back to God was my pastor telling me, "You have an unrealistic view of God." I did NOT want to hear that at the time, but I am VERY GLAD I DID!!!
I know I have developed a rather controversial reputation on this website. I have been accused of being a troll and/or being part of a liberal conspiracy, I am not. I have voted only twice in my life, both for the Conservative Party. I do not identify as a liberal or a conservative. I MUCH rather be following God's teachings rather than man's. After reading the Bible, I found it goes across the political spectrum. Some Biblical values were clearly conservative, some clearly liberal, and some even take middle ground. The best part is, there is so much more I haven't even discovered yet. This is why I encourage actual thoughtful analysis, even if we don't want to hear the opposing viewpoint. Otherwise, that is NOT seeking truth, that is seeking VALIDATION!
My life is my testimony.
Hello! I brought cookies :D lol
Not even the Rapture Ready forums broke me this quickly, mainly because back then, I was afraid of being alone and rejected. So I basically joined a Right Winged cult that focused almost solely on a very specific view of end times theology. That, and many other websites also ran by the American Religious Right. Because of my ignorance of Scripture and the concept of fact-checking, I nearly ruined my life following their teachings. My physical, mental, financial, and even spiritual health were deteriorating and I was holding on to their narrow view of the Pre-Tribulation rapture. I learned the hard way to NEVER underestimate the power of an echo-chamber, one where only ONE idea and ONE IDEA ALONE reigned supreme, even to the point of twisting God's Holy Word.
How did this happen? Let's just say life was NOT kind to me growing up. I was desperate for an escape, whether through death or by the Pre-Tribulation rapture I was holding onto with an iron grip. These websites along with numerous Bible Prophecy teachers like John Haller, Charlie Garrette, Amir Tsafarti, J.D. Farag, and many others kept promising Christ's Second Coming was near. Year after year, Christ never came back and my overall health continued to deteriorate.
It was not until I joined an actual church with many wonderful people, a couple known wolves in sheep's clothing, actually READING the Bible, and participated in many discussions related to Christianity, with many diverse views. In fact, the first thing that was told to me that started this whole path back to God was my pastor telling me, "You have an unrealistic view of God." I did NOT want to hear that at the time, but I am VERY GLAD I DID!!!
I know I have developed a rather controversial reputation on this website. I have been accused of being a troll and/or being part of a liberal conspiracy, I am not. I have voted only twice in my life, both for the Conservative Party. I do not identify as a liberal or a conservative. I MUCH rather be following God's teachings rather than man's. After reading the Bible, I found it goes across the political spectrum. Some Biblical values were clearly conservative, some clearly liberal, and some even take middle ground. The best part is, there is so much more I haven't even discovered yet. This is why I encourage actual thoughtful analysis, even if we don't want to hear the opposing viewpoint. Otherwise, that is NOT seeking truth, that is seeking VALIDATION!
My life is my testimony.
