Ex-Church of Christ Support Board

I was on this board several years ago. I am at peace in my life now and just remembered how this site helped me. I didn't post a lot, but I sure did read a lot. I came here today because I had run across an online sermon by the cofC about hand clapping and how sinful it is. I don't know why, but I listened to the entire thing. Just steaming. After all these years of not hearing that kind of thing, it brought back so many memories of why I am glad I am not in that place anymore. Anyway, it reminded me of this group, and I thought I would pay some visits. Love out to all.

Welcome back! The no clapping thing is crazy! I am glad I go to a church now where you can express your feelings and show joy. The services I grew up with were the pits!

It is so insane. There is no reasoning to it at all. The guy was saying that it sounds like an instrument, so it is sin. I know I grew up in this, but when you are out for a while, it still blows you away to hear this nonsense. I get so furious. But.....then I get really sad for all these people, many who are silently hating it, but not knowing what to do. The brainwashing is so hard to overcome. Even when one comes to a point where they don't believe, there is still that tiny voice saying, but what if they are right. It takes time for that to go away, but when it does FREEDOM, and joy to really live a life with love.

Sheba wrote:It is so insane. There is no reasoning to it at all. The guy was saying that it sounds like an instrument, so it is sin. I know I grew up in this, but when you are out for a while, it still blows you away to hear this nonsense. I get so furious. But.....then I get really sad for all these people, many who are silently hating it, but not knowing what to do. The brainwashing is so hard to overcome. Even when one comes to a point where they don't believe, there is still that tiny voice saying, but what if they are right. It takes time for that to go away, but when it does FREEDOM, and joy to really live a life with love.

What you’re experiencing actually has a name. It’s call Religious Traumatic Syndrome. It often takes years for people, who have left a legalistic form of Christianity, to recover and get the teachings and beliefs they were exposed too out of their mind.

And there are some folks that never fully recover from those experiences and environment. It’s probability good that you have come back to this site. It’s good for you to be around folks that understand what you’ve experienced.

Hi, welcome back.

Hi Sheba!! Welcome back!!

Hi Sheba!

Isn't it funny how you think you are just fine, and then - YEARS later - some random reminder pops up, and there you are again....?

I have found, though, that as time goes by, those reminders are fewer and fewer, and you get over them a LOT faster (thank God).

Thanks to all for the warm welcomes!

Hello Sheba. Clap clap clap.