The walk away point

[godschild583]

I noticed this is the only Christian group that has a "former" type classification. I just want to know at one point did you start to question what you had been taught? Do you feel misled, upset, relieved now? Do you feel different in your Christian life?

 

[Avonia]

I noticed this is the only Christian group that has a "former" type classification. I just want to know at one point did you start to question what you had been taught? Do you feel misled, upset, relieved now? Do you feel different in your Christian life?

I view it more as a lifelong journey into a more whole understanding. This is a journey of inquiry - at every point.

The most important questions about Christianity apply to almost all denominations and belief systems. From a perspective this large, one Christian group is not much different than another.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

I noticed this is the only Christian group that has a "former" type classification. I just want to know at one point did you start to question what you had been taught? Do you feel misled, upset, relieved now? Do you feel different in your Christian life?

SDAism certainly has no corner on the market when it comes to theological error. In fact, I believe that there is none who understands, at least not fully (especially not me!). None, that is, other than God.

There are, of course, SDAs who view negatively those who decide to leave SDAism. That is their prerogative and it's hardly a unique case. I've heard that those who leave Catholicism receive a similar response.

Once I determined in my own mind that SDAism was not the denomination that taught the unique doctrines of God's remnant people (whatever that means), I realized that I had the freedom to explore other churches and groups to make an informed decision regarding the place where my family would worship and fellowship. Because we live in an area of the country where historic SDAism is the rule and not the exception, because we have small children and because we wanted our family to be rooted in group that understands the gospel of salvation by grace through faith, we made the decision to attend a non-SDA church. We do not believe that the church that we now attend is the remnant church, the only true church or even the right church for every Christian. Rather, it is the church that best the needs of our family right now.

I have many SDA friends and family members. I love them deeply and respect their decision to remain SDA. It is not belief that SDAs must leave SDAism in order to maintain salvation or that SDAs must cease to set aside the seventh day as a day of rest. I recognize that there are persons who find value and belonging in the culture and teachings of the SDA denomination. I would never wish to rob them of that.

Having left a local SDA church where legalism was quite rampant, we are energized to worship and fellowship in a group where the gospel of salvation by grace through faith is taught without qualification or addendum. It is refreshing to see others live real lives that include failure and victory, without pretense. I would imagine that there may be some who have been able to find that within SDAism. I did not.

If I had any desire for SDAism, it would be the same desire that I have for all Christian groups. I wish that all Christians (myself included) could better understand that which Jesus Christ has done and that which the Holy Spirit is doing.

I hope that answers your question. If not, just let me know and I'd be happy to expound further.

BFA

 

[ricker]

I noticed this is the only Christian group that has a "former" type classification. I just want to know at one point did you start to question what you had been taught? Do you feel misled, upset, relieved now? Do you feel different in your Christian life?

The turning point for me when I read Mrs. White's book the great controversy and it's end times scenario in about 1978. I had always kinda thought some of her writings were "out there", especially about coffee and meat and such. (even though I didn't partake). When I read the prediction of all the people of earth trying to kill us poor Adventists because we worshipped on Saturday, it just seemed insane, cultish even.

Unfortunately since all other Christian religions were harlots and Babylon and such I chose to live as an unbeliever for a few years until God again reached me through Christian aquaintences and fellow workers. (non-Adventists)

I think SDAism has some really nice things going for it, and some kinda wacko fringe elements to it also. I don't feel intentionally decieved, as my parents and others truly believe what I was taught. I can't say my spiritual life is always fantastic now, I still sin (though I hate it). I feel more comfortable knowing I don't have to have a prophetess interpreting the Bible for me. The Holy Spirit works through study and other ways for that. I feel comfortable where I am now, but I don't know for sure where God will lead me next, if anywhere else.
Hope that anwers your questions.

 

[SoldierOfTheKing]

It's not so much that my beliefs changed, it's what I realized about the church after I had joined it. I had managed to convince myself the SDA church didn't really mean what it said when it called Mrs. White a prophet. I came to the conclusion that it would not be honest for me to stay in the church and just "pick and chose" what I would accept and what I wouldn't.
I can't really justify being resentful toward the church, because they really didn't mislead me; I mislead myself. I failed to make sure of what I was getting into before I joined. It's a weight off my shoulders now that I've left, to be sure, but I'm very wary of committing myself to membership in another church now, because I don't want to go through the same thing again.

 

[godschild583]

wow thanks for the responses. i'm sure its not easy to break away especially if thats all you've known from the beginning.

 

[JonMiller]

I am not a former adventist.

I started really questioning things shortly after I was baptized, and went through a whole rethinking of things in highschool. I ended up staying Christian but held some non-standard positions for a while (10+ person marriages, communism, etc.), and had considered other religions. They just didn't have one of the things I considered important about Christianity, that is looking to God to change us rather then being about changing ourselves.

However, pretty much any thinking person will not completely agree with any other. People are these separate entities, this is well and good and a correct division caused by us each being a separate intelligence.

As such, while I have thought about leaving a few times, I haven't due to feeling comfortable in (some) SDA services and being in agreement (still) with some SDA semi-unique doctrines. But sometimes when I hear or see evidence for some particularly objectionable position I think about leaving again.

I got baptized when I was 11 or so. While I did study the fundamental beleifs (and agreed with them, at the time) I didn't then nor have since considered my baptism to be dependent on agreeing with those beleifs or that I was baptized into the SDA church. I have always considered that I was baptized into the Christian chuch, and all those members and pastors who think otherwise bother me. As does this practice of re-baptism.

JM

 

[Byfaithalone1]

I am not a former adventist.

I started really questioning things shortly after I was baptized, and went through a whole rethinking of things in highschool. I ended up staying Christian but held some non-standard positions for a while (10+ person marriages, communism, etc.), and had considered other religions. They just didn't have one of the things I considered important about Christianity, that is looking to God to change us rather then being about changing ourselves.

However, pretty much any thinking person will not completely agree with any other. People are these separate entities, this is well and good and a correct division caused by us each being a separate intelligence.

As such, while I have thought about leaving a few times, I haven't due to feeling comfortable in (some) SDA services and being in agreement (still) with some SDA semi-unique doctrines. But sometimes when I hear or see evidence for some particularly objectionable position I think about leaving again.

I got baptized when I was 11 or so. While I did study the fundamental beleifs (and agreed with them, at the time) I didn't then nor have since considered my baptism to be dependent on agreeing with those beleifs or that I was baptized into the SDA church. I have always considered that I was baptized into the Christian chuch, and all those members and pastors who think otherwise bother me. As does this practice of re-baptism.

JM

Why do you suppose the list of beliefs are called fundamental? How do we define fundamental?

BFA