Hi Freedom I read your post last night, and thought about it.
Your second option is to find a specific support group that meets for a similar purpose. I know a few that operate here. Weight Watchers, Alcoholics Anonymous, etc. There do exist groups like this for general purpose support, maybe this would be something you could benefit from.
I hope one of these options offers a solution to your present situation, let us know how you go!
(March 30, 2013 at 6:41 am)Freedom Wrote: I have heard religion described as poisoned mother's milk. In other words, if you are raised in a religion, and your social capital is derived from that religion, it is even more difficult to separate yourself from it.Your first option is to approach your previous church and ask if there are any social groups that you can be a part of. Maybe there are groups that meet for a shared interest outside of religious activity (sport, movies, gym, hunting, etc). A real Christian isn't going to exclude you from participating in such groups based on your religion.
This is my problem.
I am in a situation in which I have no family I can trust, not because they are religious, but because they are dysfunctional and have major issues that prevent them from being a supportive network. I am often tempted to return to religion and join a church, not because I believe the teachings, but because I need a close-knit community to belong to, especially when life gets rough.
Any ideas?
Your second option is to find a specific support group that meets for a similar purpose. I know a few that operate here. Weight Watchers, Alcoholics Anonymous, etc. There do exist groups like this for general purpose support, maybe this would be something you could benefit from.
I hope one of these options offers a solution to your present situation, let us know how you go!
For Religion & Health see:[/b][/size] Williams & Sternthal. (2007). Spirituality, religion and health: Evidence and research directions. Med. J. Aust., 186(10), S47-S50. -LINK
The WIN/Gallup End of Year Survey 2013 found the US was perceived to be the greatest threat to world peace by a huge margin, with 24% of respondents fearful of the US followed by: 8% for Pakistan, and 6% for China. This was followed by 5% each for: Afghanistan, Iran, Israel, North Korea. -LINK
"That's disgusting. There were clean athletes out there that have had their whole careers ruined by people like Lance Armstrong who just bended thoughts to fit their circumstances. He didn't look up cheating because he wanted to stop, he wanted to justify what he was doing and to keep that continuing on." - Nicole Cooke
The WIN/Gallup End of Year Survey 2013 found the US was perceived to be the greatest threat to world peace by a huge margin, with 24% of respondents fearful of the US followed by: 8% for Pakistan, and 6% for China. This was followed by 5% each for: Afghanistan, Iran, Israel, North Korea. -LINK
"That's disgusting. There were clean athletes out there that have had their whole careers ruined by people like Lance Armstrong who just bended thoughts to fit their circumstances. He didn't look up cheating because he wanted to stop, he wanted to justify what he was doing and to keep that continuing on." - Nicole Cooke