Here are some of my reasons:

I now know that these days were used by the group to control me.

I now know that these days were to further program my mind by the group leaders.

I now understand the feast days were given by God to the nation Israel under the old covenant, and as a part of Christ's body, the New Testament Church, I am not under that old covenant.

I am free to take a vacation at any time of the year, not when some man tells me "God" wants me to.

I don't have to worry if I will have enough second tithe (a tithe which is unscriptural), or if I don't save it at all.

I don't have to plan a large offering to drop in twice.

I don't have to be concerned about taking off from work, or stopping whatever project I'm in the middle of doing, in order to make the deadline for the feast.

I don't have to plan weeks in advance for eight days.

I don't have to watch the calendar.

I no longer experience fear if I don't "keep the feast."

Some, since leaving the WCG, or a splinter group, will say that they choose to still keep the feast because they feel it is "commanded by God." What do they do during this time of year if they aren't in any group anymore and are not obligated to meet at a location designated by the leader? They may tell you that they go off to a scenic place (with their family if they have one), read the Bible, pray, meditate on the Kingdom, take in the sights, and stay there until the sun goes down on the "Last Great Day." (Some even stay put in their own location, visiting a few places of interest in the surrounding area and "resting.") These same people will also say that they believe they are being "disobedient to God" if they don't keep the Feast. They are, in so many words, admitting that God does not love them unconditionally, but that He has rules and stipulations for them to follow in order to remain in His good graces.

Whether one chooses to keep the Feast of Tabernacles, or not, is not the main issue. As people who have been deceived, exploited and controlled in every way, we all should take time to ask ourselves "why" we feel we must still "keep the feast" and what we feel will happen if we don't.

By D. W.
Exit & Support Network™
September 2, 2007

Related articles:

The Big Build Up of the Holy Days

When We Attended the Feast (what did they do to our minds?)

But I Had Such a Wonderful Time at the Feast of Tabernacles!

Letter from a child survivor who still longs for a "get-away similar to the old FOT" (includes lengthy reply)

The Myth and the Abuse of the Feast of Tabernacles (by former member of Philadelphia Church of God)

How Mind Manipulation is Used For Influence and Control

How Mystical Manipulation is Used in Armstrong Groups (shows how the Feast of Tabernacles is used to control members in the Armstrong groups)

Let Go of Days, Take Hold of Christ (is it necessary to observe holy days and rituals in order to gain eternal life?) 

Is it necessary to keep the O.T. Holy Days? (Q&A)

Index for Personal Writings About the WCG Experience