Were You Trapped Inside Pentecostalism?

I personally stayed inside Pentecostalism for so long because I had no idea how to get out. I was in that mess from 7 years old until I was 28-29 years old. I ceased to believe when I was around 23-24, but I was stuck (so I thought) because I had no idea how to make the break. Thanks to the Ex-Pentecostal Yahoo group back a few years ago, I eventually found the courage to escape after hearing stories of others make the break. Making the break has been the most important decision in my entire life.

As I grew up as a teenager in Oneness Pentecostalism, I was isolated. I never learned the common social skills that others learn during the teen years – this has a big effect upon adult Pentecostals not being able to connect with people. Being isolated, I was somewhat paranoid about outsiders and their “evil” desires and lives.

A good friend of mine in Engineering School blasted my eyes open once in a conversation. I told her that in my church, if people disagreed with the pastor, they could get kicked out of the church. Her answer shocked me; she said “Why would a church kick ANYBODY out???” That question opened my eyes somewhat to the underlying evil of the movement I was in. I had never asked myself the question. (If Kathy is anywhere out there, I hope to thank her one day.)

Lutherius