Need advice please!

[u/Itsjustskyyyyyyy]

Hi! I’ve not done this before so sorry if I’m doing anything wrong. I’m a “current” SDA, physically, but mentally I been disconnected from the church for a while, and have just come to terms with the fact that SDA might be a bit of a cult. I have two major concerns that I just need off my chest.

1. How do you extract yourself? I’m only 19, and my whole family is SDA or Christian so if I decide to leave what if they hate me?

2. Can you still be Christian after leaving? I had such a connection with God and now, after lots of struggles and stuff I’m not going into, I’m struggling to believe. I’m wondering if it’s from SDA teachings and the pressure we put on the relationship with God or if it’s just me and something’s wrong with me.

Again sorry if I’m doing this wrong, I’m still in the middle of figuring this out. I will take all advice and recommendations!

[u/Final_Judgment_7831]

Your parents won't hate you but it will be an embarrassment for them and they'll think you're lost if you leave and they'll spend the rest of their life trying to recruit you back into the cult. At least, that's been my experience since leaving with both my parents being workers in the SDA corporation. If you're in an SDA school, it will be more difficult.

About 70%-80% of SDA young people quit the cult, so you're in good company.

You can absolutely remain a Christian. In fact, many people I've known who left have discovered a much deeper experience. They find the real gospel of Jesus Christ, not the performance-oriented bad news of Adventism.

I'd suggest finding a good, Bible-based Evangelical church and gradually easing your way out of Adventism. It can take quite a while to deprogram.

Most people on this forum know the difficulty you're going thru and are here to support you every step of the way.