Posted on 05/14/2015 1:07:28 PM PDT by aimhigh
New author Reba Riley's debut memoir "Post-Traumatic Church Syndrome" wrestles with spiritual injuries and the power of name.
After abandoning the conservative evangelical faith of her childhood, Riley felt anger toward all religion. But it was giving faith a second chance -- trying 30 religions in a year, to be exact -- that opened the door to healing.
The Cincinnati writer will be in Portland May 17 sharing her story alongside the bestselling author of "The Shack" at the "Where's God When..." event in Southeast Portland.
(Excerpt) Read more at oregonlive.com ...
This is one of two such articles in the Oregonian. The other is asking for reader stories on the subject. The comments are pure anti-religious bigotry.
Seems like it’s “all about me” spiritualism.
The article leaves a lot “unsaid”. After reading it, I still don’t quite understand what her big problem was with her faith. She mentions the “believing it all or nothing” thing, but what does that mean, exactly?
I read several of the comments below the article and most were harshly critical of religion and religious people. Then someone criticized the woman who had lost her faith (the subject of the interview), at which point the newspaper columnist interjected herself with a comment and said, “Now, let’s be nice.” This was a classic example of how liberal civility is always a one-way street.
Maybe she never quite managed to connect with God.
Misunderestimating God’s intentions (to use a Bushism) is a common problem in such an environment. A lot of churches, sadly, ARE about people’s control over other people. They are not about teaching you how to let God speak to you and how to answer and how to let God be a blessing in and through your life. Some churches are busy being a wall and not a door or a window.
God knows about these issues (He’s God, duh) and has perfect answers on the large scale. But the small scale problems illustrate the follies of humanity.
Yeah, I looked, they were catty.
That is a human problem.
I “like” her idea of serious search:
“But it was giving faith a second chance — trying 30 religions in a year, to be exact....”
The interview leave me wondering about “the definition of God” she was taught growing up. Her reaction during a time of serious illness and what she was expecting from God and/or Jesus may be the source of her dispair.
Wow - a self absorbed narcissistic apostate. I would add feminist, but that would be redundant.
HiTech,
You have raised a very good point. Perhaps she was taught only about a “gimme God?”
G-F
Or what God is capable of, or what God’s character is like, or what kind of pickle all humanity is in with respect to God.
I don't think she would be able to explain it to you. The article was mostly gibberish.
Well, I think I can see some clues. I think she expected a church that had all the answers, right there, pat.
Ain’t no such thing. Nor does God need it. The richest people in spirit know how broke their spirit is. That being self contained is literally impossible. And so they gladly make room for God to serve up what He inimitably does.
Preach the Gospel without wavering, then let her either accept it (hopefully) or continue in her ways..
I’m pretty sure I have Post-traumatic Progressive
Syndrome after 7 years of Obama.
Sounds uncannily similar to the way today's modern, up-to-date young women try to find themselves: underneath a variety of men.
“Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy .God and him only shalt thou serve.” The narcissistic Me Generation has no understanding of their utter inability to impress God. He does not need anything, because all the universe belongs to Him.
It is sheer unexplainable grace that is given to us through faith in His Son, Jesus, that allows us to come before God to worship him. God is not auditioning an act for our approval. As St. Paul so aptly wrote, “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.”
Well, Christians need to understand that and trust that Jesus can overcome “the media” if Christians step up and reach out. Christians have to “out” the socialist ideology and all it’s anti-God lies.
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