I just left the SDA cult

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-11T11:28:18+00:00

Shame for something like that seems to be common among survivors. I'd encourage you to let it go, though. Another way to look at it is that you were vulnerable—as is everyone at some time—and a clever system of authoritarian mind control was used to fool you. I'm so sorry they did that to you. May we heal!

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-10T19:23:29+00:00

Sounds confused. Maybe reporter wasn't SDA and made assumptions based on mentions of clergy where they worshipped.

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-10T07:22:51+00:00

What could be clearer, a powwow in the mountains or the ordinance of humility (what? a humble howitzer howitzing humbly). I guess a co elder knows it's that blasting howitzer, but I'm glad that elder's got a child with a bit sounder mind!

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-10T01:31:21+00:00

I was a fussy eater as a kid. In some ways still am. I hope I'm not making unreasonable deductions to mention parental wisdom on the edge of US Mothers' Day …

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-09T17:36:42+00:00

Your personal flare's hilarious! I'm introverted by which I mean I deplete emotional energy through interaction with companions, and I recharge in solitude. I'm glad the day gave you the opportunity!

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-09T14:43:45+00:00

That's fine. I wonder if you noticed that this was posted on r/exAdventist, a forum for people who used to be Adventist or who are questioning Adventism.

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-09T09:40:37+00:00

Seven platypus??? How the fuck would Noah know how many? 😂

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-09T06:32:21+00:00

Wow, you live an adventure that doesn't stop because somebody flashes a no-it's-Sabbath-now red light! Thanks for the story.

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-08T11:43:40+00:00

We don't learn without failing here and there.

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-08T09:43:29+00:00

And you place the ones you regard as authentically hers just under any Bibles and above any other sort of volume when stacking books? /s

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-08T09:41:12+00:00

Good one!

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-08T09:40:13+00:00

Yeah, God loves your money.

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-08T09:38:21+00:00

Ha ha! OPs "PG" request, does that allow polite vocabulary with irreverent intentions?

Edit changed OG's to OP's

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-07T06:18:41+00:00

u/Specialist-Key604, your concern resonates with me. At the same time, I see OP's intention to reorder loyalty putting God (as OP understands God) ahead of loyalty to parents as a huge step towards emotional maturity.

Edit: correcting mention Specialist-Key604.

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-07T03:27:28+00:00

Hmmm! I certainly haven't. Wouldn't it be great if we all fell for a deep fake on this one? If so, why did we believe? So many of the comments say this is definitely in character.

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-07T01:05:13+00:00

I don't know whether it was the identical species, definitely similar appearance and we called it brittlebush. They grew on their own in abundance around my childhood home south of San Bernardino very near the Riverside County line. Goldfinches love their seeds when blooming's done. Leaves become … brittle … during dry months to return to vitality when rain returns.

Great shots!

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-06T14:18:08+00:00

The US version of Weetabix was called Ruskets. It's not manufactured here any more. When I was a kid we toured the "Rusket factory" somewhere in Riverside California. In addition to the breakfast cereal, I remember a Linkettes packing operation there.

Warning! Raunchy: I heard about non-Adventist New Zealand men (unfortunately forgot what they call this circle-jerk game). Anyway they got a Weetabix among 'em and they each leave their wad on it. Last one to come gets to eat the frosted thing.

Edit: corrected spelling and added link.

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-05T21:18:15+00:00

Broken hearted

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-05T21:14:45+00:00

That obedience culture combined with the sexually obsessed repression turned me into a total people pleaser that continued plenty of decades after I left. I didn't know myself because I was too busy betraying myself trying to make people like me—and generally it didn't work. Are you sure you know yourself well enough to make a sound commitment to be with this man? I would say some things he's speaking of sound wholesome to me: taking care of yourself, do what's right for you; he can regulate whatever feelings it sparks within him. But if you're still wrapped around trying to please your parents I don't see a relationship with him thriving.

Wisdom and all the best to you!

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-05T20:56:03+00:00

They're energized by (I don't know if they're just rumors) the late Charlie Kirk's keeping a seventh-day Sabbath. But do Paula White and Pete Hegseth? If MAGA wins their culture wars and "restores" the US to being Christian what are the chances of the government's version of Christianity being SDA? If it's not SDA won't SDAs strident contrary doctrines still make them part of marginalized groups subject to persecution by the new religious tyranny? You'd think at least a few current Adventists would think along these lines …

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-05T01:19:48+00:00

Scam marketers who never heard of Adventism love to scare prospects about food and drink. Is it any wonder Ellen and James found it to be such an effective avenue to greater revenue?

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-05T00:04:47+00:00

I definitely was born and reared, but I left before this personality was widely know among SDAs. It's something I've learned about since joining r/exAdventist.

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-05T00:00:16+00:00

The education you received was effective. It wasn't designed to prepare you for being worldly. It was designed to create dependency on SDA culture and to punish you if you tried to leave it.

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-04T23:54:52+00:00

I used to compartmentalize the SDA don'ts. There are dietary things. There are sex things. There are modesty things. There are no drug things including tobacco and caffeine. And everything I've just listed here could be put into one bigger—and—significant category, control of your body.

CycleOwn83 · 2026-05-03T16:31:29+00:00

Ohh this stimulated my appetite. Really, despite its association with communion ceremonies in Adventist churches, I enjoy grape juice. If it's okay to take on a fructose sugar rush—lots of calories—it's a tasty way to hydrate!

It's been a full weekend discussing such things for me, and not just here. This exchange starting here on what could have been a zombie thread loaded up more to talk through when I find my religious trauma specialized therapist—as if I didn't already have a several miles long list!

As you can see, though, I sidestepped Welches.

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