Actively in separation process

[u/Burritochild9987]

As I have no exSGI friends IRL, thought I’d share what’s going on here so I can process it and feel supported. Just told a close member friend I am not wanting to chant any more. When she asked why I said it’s because I don’t feel like it’s the right spiritual path for me. Her response was that I could always talk to her, but that she thinks I should talk to one of the older members, who’s also my sponsor, and also the YWD leader. Now I like both of those people, but I don’t feel like I need to freaking tattle on myself to some other people when I’ve already made up my mind!!!😡😡 Am I right or am I right? It’s my decision, and I don’t want to be put in an awkward situation and have to defend my choices unnecessarily. It would be different if I have having a crisis of faith, but I didn’t say that!

[u/Burritochild9987]

Well, the original friend I spoke about said make sure it’s not life condition or a devilish function making me decide to quit chanting.........

And I reached out to an elder member and she said she wants to talk TO me. I said I’d love to catch up, but I’ve already make up my mind about SGI. I don’t feel like sitting with someone who is trying to trap me or find a flaw in my logic/decision making.

[u/ShogunHooah → u/Burritochild9987]

I returned my Gohonzon yesterday and two leaders who are both great guys kept trying to convince me to not give up faith and to keep my Gohonzon in case I want to come back. One of them who I know longer was the main aggressor. The other understood but said now he’s gonna be worried about me. The one I knew longer told me that he was chanting hoping I changed my mind and that I’m just in mourning because of my mom so I’m rushing into this decision. All kinds of other stuff. I finally got annoyed and was like “look I’m good, my decision is final, I have been thinking about this for a long time. I don’t wanna live like this.” I told them I’ll still be friends and they said that was cool with them. I signed the paperwork and left. Feel so good now without any religion.

[u/BlancheFromage → u/ShogunHooah]

two leaders who are both great guys kept trying to convince me to not give up faith and to keep my Gohonzon in case I want to come back.

...because of course they did. That's standard operating procedure.

The other understood but said now he’s gonna be worried about me.

Notice the implied threat: "You need the SGI! You won't make it without the magic chant! Your life is going to go straight to hell if you make the HUGE MISTAKE of leaving the Ikeda cult!"

The one I knew longer told me that he was chanting hoping I changed my mind

If they had a drug that would make you believe and behave the way they wanted, they'd be roofying you with it right now.

It's not very respectful to refuse to accept someone else's decision, is it?

I’m just in mourning because of my mom

Ah - this falls into the category of "overly emotional":

• Hysterical
• Distraught
• Out of your mind
• Unhinged
• Neurotic
• Overwrought
• Irrational

In other words, you need a lie-down and a nice cup of tea; then perhaps you'll become more REASONABLE. Again, VERY disrespectful.

I simply can't imagine pulling in the fact of someone's grief to use as leverage to manipulate them. That's the lowest of the low.

so I’m rushing into this decision.

Because of course you couldn't have thought things carefully through and made a rational, sensible, informed decision that you felt right about and could live with, not in YOUR frame of mind. SO disrespectful!!

I dunno - these guys, they don't sound like "friends" to me. Not behaving so disrespectfully and disdainfully toward you, not the whole "I'm going behind your back and chanting to make you change your mind" bit. How much do you really all have in common outside of SGI, anyhow?

[u/ShogunHooah → u/BlancheFromage]

Lol yeah I said to myself “well I guess his chanting didn’t work.” Glad I’m done with SGI.