Oh boy, I wish this resource was available to me 27 years ago....better late than never. I broke free of the Restoration movement when I was 19. Fortunately I went to a small chapel that just let me "be", but....I had to save myself back then. One thing I have vowed is to protect my kids and raise them as happy, fulfilled free-thinking human beings...and human doings.
At first when leaving my religion i had so much anxiety. Before whenever i did something i believed to be sinful i would suddenly feel as if i couldn't breathe and i always thought it was a sign from God. After leaving whenever i thought about or heard about my religion i would feel that same breathless feeling which i finally identified as being anxiety triggered by my religion. I've been getting better though, im able to make this comment without having that anxiety. It's still there but im healing. Now i feel more at peace and im so happy that i can finally ask the questions I've always wanted to ask and i can finally explore other religions and philosophy. I feel more caring and empathetic now that i don't feel obligated to judge people. I no longer fear for the souls of the people i care about and can accept them for who they are and i have peace that those who have passed are at peace regardless of what they believed. I don't quite know what i believe about what happens after death, if anything. But i know i am much more concerned with doing something with my life now than before because this may just be the only life I'll ever live. That fear I've been indoctrinated with still sometimes comes back, and i get anxious that im making a mistake. But then i think, does anything i believed before even make logical sense? Does the very concept of hell even make sense? No it doesn't, so i push those fears away when they come. I know this is long i just wanted to share my thoughts and feelings on my journey so far. Maybe someone will relate to it and know they're not alone.
Rebuilding one's identity and determining the meaning of one's life--meaning that doesn't relate to the will of God--is probably one of the hardest obstacles for someone born and raised in an ultra orthodox religious family.
It's brilliant to see this work being done in the community. Much needed! One major problem out there is MINISTERS who are themselves suffering RTS in private and need a hotline they can call.
In wish with all my heart you could have spoken to me when I was being abused. Oh well, you are here now. Thank you. My recovery is going well. I have discovered Hinduism which welcomes questions, and has no central authority telling how and what to believe.
Marlene i can hug you if i could. Its not about the scriptures itself, its about where these scriptures comes from and how they were canonized into these today's bible. Is the bible the inspiring word of God/ It depends on how it is being used. Words don't have inheritance meaning they have USAGES.
I'm still a follower of Jesus but I don't by the official story. One way I worship God is through science and discovery. I believe God is in the progress of mankind.
it's much more complicated than this..... i left islam, and islamic scripts ( islamic law ) teaches that a "murtad" ( a person who apostated ), is to be killed. ...... now how do you deal with this ???...i am going to have to keep this a secret forever... i've told some people in places where i feel no one knows too much about me, but in general i cannot openly tell people that i left islam.
Are there any moves to have RTS recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or is the designation motivated by atheistic bias on the part of Dr Wendell? I do find the concept of RTS plausible but would like to know if there is any independent corroboration of this diagnostic designation or peer reviewed literature about it.
I'm 44 I'm still as suicidal over this as I was at age 22 I won't make it till 66. Just someone please excise this from my brain. I'd take a lobotomy over this. I can't have the Old Testament God judging me! Compared to his rap sheet I look like a saint. Anyone who murders his son so he can forgive someone else needs their head checked. What is it with God and his enduring love of bloodshed? How is this allowed in this day & age it's barbaric. I was 6 years old when I was told how unworthy of God's love I was. I hated humanity for it's sin. Now is see the beauty in humanity OK so there's still alot of ugly stuff but we are all a work in progress. Thank You
Oh boy, I wish this resource was available to me 27 years ago....better late than never. I broke free of the Restoration movement when I was 19. Fortunately I went to a small chapel that just let me "be", but....I had to save myself back then. One thing I have vowed is to protect my kids and raise them as happy, fulfilled free-thinking human beings...and human doings.
You are doing wonderful work. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
At first when leaving my religion i had so much anxiety. Before whenever i did something i believed to be sinful i would suddenly feel as if i couldn't breathe and i always thought it was a sign from God. After leaving whenever i thought about or heard about my religion i would feel that same breathless feeling which i finally identified as being anxiety triggered by my religion. I've been getting better though, im able to make this comment without having that anxiety. It's still there but im healing. Now i feel more at peace and im so happy that i can finally ask the questions I've always wanted to ask and i can finally explore other religions and philosophy. I feel more caring and empathetic now that i don't feel obligated to judge people. I no longer fear for the souls of the people i care about and can accept them for who they are and i have peace that those who have passed are at peace regardless of what they believed. I don't quite know what i believe about what happens after death, if anything. But i know i am much more concerned with doing something with my life now than before because this may just be the only life I'll ever live. That fear I've been indoctrinated with still sometimes comes back, and i get anxious that im making a mistake. But then i think, does anything i believed before even make logical sense? Does the very concept of hell even make sense? No it doesn't, so i push those fears away when they come.
I know this is long i just wanted to share my thoughts and feelings on my journey so far. Maybe someone will relate to it and know they're not alone.
Glad you're getting better, recovery is a journey and it's good to know that we're not alone.
Thank you Dr. Winell. I've been back to Earth for 4.5 years now.
Rebuilding one's identity and determining the meaning of one's life--meaning that doesn't relate to the will of God--is probably one of the hardest obstacles for someone born and raised in an ultra orthodox religious family.
Thank you so much! I am going through this on my own but these kind of resources help immensely!
I love what this woman is doing!
It's brilliant to see this work being done in the community. Much needed! One major problem out there is MINISTERS who are themselves suffering RTS in private and need a hotline they can call.
I'm just realizing how much I'm suffering from it. Thank you!
I just needed to hear that at 2:20.....thank you so much.
In wish with all my heart you could have spoken to me when I was being abused. Oh well, you are here now. Thank you. My recovery is going well. I have discovered Hinduism which welcomes questions, and has no central authority telling how and what to believe.
Hinduism also has a lot of "laws", things that you should do or are not allowed to do, and tells you what and how to believe.
Marlene and Dr. Michael W. Jones are the two doing a good damn job trying to bring people back to reality.
I love what your doing keep up the good work. More JW's need to see you.
Hell yeah I used to be one
congratulations, keep it up!
I feel so much better now.
i would love to see billboards across this nation with these words, " It's got a name, It's called Religious Trauma Syndrome, look it up!"
thankyou
I need help
Marlene i can hug you if i could. Its not about the scriptures itself, its about where these scriptures comes from and how they were canonized into these today's bible. Is the bible the inspiring word of God/ It depends on how it is being used. Words don't have inheritance meaning they have USAGES.
enjoy life now. I have been sating that ever.
I have this i feel so helpless
So, this is what Dr. Winell has been doing instead answering my e-mail.
Atheist InFundyLand Can you imagine how many emails this poor woman must receive every day?
I created a closed Facebook group for people with RTS. Message me if you want to join.
I would like to know more about it, yes. Can you contact me please? Marlene Winell
I would like to know as well.
facebook.com/groups/439721396163884/members/
Since it's a secret group I'll have to add you to it.
Doesn't work ._.
facebook.com/brad.eledge
you may have to add/message me on FB so I can add you to the group
I'm still a follower of Jesus but I don't by the official story. One way I worship God is through science and discovery. I believe God is in the progress of mankind.
I'm not sure if you've already realized but that kind of sounds like humanism! You should look into it :)
There is no God God's Devil Devil's no heaven and hell and no afterlife, get to grips with REALITY.
But i still believe in God
it's much more complicated than this..... i left islam, and islamic scripts ( islamic law ) teaches that a "murtad" ( a person who apostated ), is to be killed. ...... now how do you deal with this ???...i am going to have to keep this a secret forever... i've told some people in places where i feel no one knows too much about me, but in general i cannot openly tell people that i left islam.
It depends on the country you live in. If possible, move to a country where you have the right to be an unbeliever.
Are there any moves to have RTS recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or is the designation motivated by atheistic bias on the part of Dr Wendell?
I do find the concept of RTS plausible but would like to know if there is any independent corroboration of this diagnostic designation or peer reviewed literature about it.
I'm 44 I'm still as suicidal over this as I was at age 22 I won't make it till 66.
Just someone please excise this from my brain. I'd take a lobotomy over this.
I can't have the Old Testament God judging me! Compared to his rap sheet I look like a saint. Anyone who murders his son so he can forgive someone else needs their head checked. What is it with God and his enduring love of bloodshed? How is this allowed in this day & age it's barbaric.
I was 6 years old when I was told how unworthy of God's love I was. I hated humanity for it's sin. Now is see the beauty in humanity OK so there's still alot of ugly stuff but we are all a work in progress.
Thank You