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I wanted to make a new observation about two ex-members of the Westboro Baptist Church who have gone public in denouncing the church.
1. She left and has become an Atheist. You have to applaud her courage in doing this. In the first video below she is doing a Ted Talk explaining her experience.
2. Another young woman who left the church after first living a more rebellious and "wild" life. But she has remained a Christian and has moved to a different church which is more liberal. Second video below.
MY OBSERVATION: The second one seems to have found herself and seems to be in a more spiritually centered place while not leaving her Christian faith. The first one took a more extreme step into Atheism, but she does not appear to be as comfortable in the new role. Even though I applaud her more courageous step, the other one who has remained a Christian seems to be in a more positive place spiritually. By the way, I've watched multiple clips and interviews with both of the ex-members.
I'll keep that for later I'm always glad to hear of anyone who escapes an authoritative group, whether they go atheist or just less controlling Christian. Glad for the escape from control rather than "Yay! Another deconvert to wave about!".
But also the story exposes from the inside what those outside can be told they know nothing about.
As an atheist I was often told "You aren't there; you don't know what it's like". And I could say.
I'll keep that for later I'm always glad to hear of anyone who escapes an authoritative group, whether they go atheist or just less controlling Christian. Glad for the escape from control rather than "Yay! Another deconvert to wave about!".
But also the story exposes from the inside what those outside can be told they know nothing about.
As an atheist I was often told "You aren't there; you don't know what it's like". And I could say.
" I don't know, but I know a man who does."
Don't dismiss it so quickly. If a person is neither a liar nor a lunatic, then the last option must be the true one.
Not to speak for Ozzy, but according to the article the WBC's beliefs include AIDS being a curse sent by God; homosexuality and the acceptance of homosexuality being wrong; wars, natural disasters & mass shootings being warnings from God; and their duty being to spread the news of his righteous judgement.
That's really not far off from mainstream Baptist and evangelical teachings. What's totally missing from WBC, however, is any concept of 'hate the sin, love the sinner', nor do they emphasize the Christian concepts of forgiveness and redemption.
There is a huge big difference between that wacko Baptist church and most Baptists, HUGE.
I am no Baptist but most of the Christians I know are Baptist, and they cannot be compared to the wackjobs that place produces, it's just not a fair comparison.
I read this after posting it. It's very long, but not that interesting (in case anyone is wondering what I thought). Just kind of surprising, and yet, not really that surprising. She actually began to reject the God of the Bible as not being the true "God of creation". She no longer believes the Bible is the word of God.
And her father (WBC leader) began to start questioning their beliefs before he died.
The beliefs of the WBC are actually no different than many other Christians of the Baptist or evangelical sort. I will hear many Christians with similar beliefs say, oh those WBC people are not real Christians. However, I don't really see how their beliefs are any different from yours, I could imagine saying.
Sadly, many people actually believe that. WBC preaches a message that is completely foreign to Christianity. Seriously. THey are way out there.
But I do find it sad if she's gone from a cult to complete unbelief. Neither is good. But at least she's not preaching hate.
He feels absolutely terrible for the godless because his god is gonna torture them forever. It's a thing with his god. It can't help it. It's the rules. Swear fealty or you're setting off smoke alarms until the universe collapses into itself.
Times forever!!
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I'm always glad to hear of anyone who escapes an authoritative group, whether they go atheist or just less controlling Christian. Glad for the escape from control rather than "Yay! Another deconvert to wave about!".
