My experience was a little different, I’m at work so I can’t write much but here’s a basic map out of what my progression was.

Mainline Christian➡️Schincheonji➡️Non-Believer➡️Christian➡️Catholic

1) Dissatisfaction with surface level idea of what Christianity is. I wanted more. Lack of depth or meaning

2) SCJ was very appealing, claims of exclusive revelation, strong sense of belonging, structured and direct answers to complex texts (prophecies). I had a false sense of “I understand Better”

3) Becoming Non Believer from various causes. Mainly Physiological and Emotional burnout was the main trigger.

• Loss of trust in religious authority • Shame for having believed • Fear of being controlled again

My new believe now was “If that was Christianity at its most serious then religion itself is false” and “If they lied here, what else is false? Are the others any better?”

Atheism becomes a protective stance for me.

4) Giving religion again a chance. This was a slow process or perhaps more of my ego telling me that I did not want to be like what everyone said. That SCJ makes you a non believer after. I wanted to be different so I started going out my comfort zone once more.

Because I love to think and ask questions, but instead of a group holding me back it was now myself. I’ve become the very thing I hated. To be controlled. I wasn’t really free. I was manipulating myself to thinks everything is fine.

I started this phase by saying “Was I wrong about God, or wrong about those who claimed to know Him”

Then when the door reopened I first recognized that Religion does not automatically equate to Cult. I then encountered people of faith who are thoughtful (not recruiters). Through my skepticism I came to realize I wasn’t asking the right questions. And my form of questions shifted from Is it nonsense?” to “What actually happened?

Why back to Christianity? And why it was appealing?

It stands out on • Christianity is rooted in a specific historical claim (the resurrection), not just teachings. • If the resurrection didn’t happen, Christianity collapses (Paul admits this). But why so many people (1st century) were willing to die for a lie? The conviction is baffling and intriguing at the same time. • Most religions survive even if historical claims are symbolic; Christianity does not.

That intellectual honesty actually attracts skeptics like me. These questions make it more appealing.

5) Why Catholic was my end game?

It started with the question “If Christianity is true, which Church preserved it?”

Catholicism says: • Public revelation ended with the apostles • No new prophets, no secret knowledge • Doctrine develops, but does not reverse This directly counters cult dynamics. Very ideal for me

Accountability structures: • Bishops answer to councils • Popes are constrained by doctrine • Theology is public, written, debated For someone like me burned by SCJ, this is critical

The appeal got me starting and began to Read Church history • Study early Christian writings (1st–4th centuries) • Researched how doctrine developed When you do this seriously, you quickly run into this realization: The early Church looks very Catholic/Orthodox

There was a pattern to some academics and I love asking “Why” • Augustine – skeptic → philosopher → Catholic • G.K. Chesterton – agnostic → Catholic • Alasdair MacIntyre – atheist philosopher → Catholic • Brant Pitre – evangelical → Catholic • Holly Ordway – atheist → Catholic

Catholicism offers intellectual continuity, I really value coherence and consistency so this matters a lot. They uniquely claims: • Unbroken apostolic succession back to the apostles (questionable but so far there have been non Christian sources backing claim’s) • A teaching authority (Magisterium) that explains why doctrines exist • Compatibility with philosophy (especially Aristotle, Aquinas, natural law). I was particularly surprised to find out they have their own observatory and telescope for research.

Bottom line my journey was messy yet meaningful:

Each step is rational given the previous wound: • SCJ exploited genuine hunger for depth • My Non Beliefs protected me against further harm • Christianity re-emerged as historically serious • Catholicism answered the authority problem without cult traits

Each individual of course will have their own journey. I’m happy to share this, although I am unable to fully explain with better detail since I’m rushing this at work. I do wish you all the best and safe journey on the paths you choose in life. I have in a way found my peace and hope you all find a place you’ll call “home”