Freethought & Rationalism Archive

01-14-2002, 06:52 PM

I am 53 years old and was raised in a Baptist church but never went back after turning 18. In my late thirties I again gave god a try but left after six years. About five years ago I again went back for two years but finally gave up about three years ago. I just couldn't bring myself to accept the teaching of christianity. I never really questioned the existence of god all those years. Of course, I knew what atheism and agnosticism was but never gave it much validity. A couple of years ago I decided to do some internet research on beliefs in god and alternative religions. I came across the Sea of Faith network and read their message. The point that really hit home with me was that religion is a product of mankind's imagination and feeds a basic human purpose much like music, poetry and art. But the Sea of Faith network made it quite clear that it took religion strictly for what it is, a product of mankind's imagination. It is difficult to explain, but for me that was as if someone had turned on a light. Never once had I seriousle questioned or deeply doubted the teachings of christianity and gave some credence to its teachings and the existence of god. Thought is a powerful thing and at that point that is what I began to do. I suddenly saw through the purpose of religion, which I consider to be to provide answers to the mystery of life and death and to provide comfort for the fear of the unknown. Now, I have been able to accept life and death for what they are and no longer fear what lies beyond this life. I don't claim to have answers to the mystery of life and death and don't believe that there is a god. I don't rule it out, but I just don't see any validity in putting the mental effort into believing something that exists inside your mind and survives on faith. I am so very glad to see websites such as this out on the internet and think that they will slowly contribute to a new era of enlightenment. Had it not been for the Sea of Faith network, I would still be holding tenuously to a mindset of self deceit that pointed to christian beliefs that both confused me and pushed me away, never to fully let go. Thanks for being here.

Toto · 01-14-2002, 07:55 PM

<a href="http://www.sofn.org/" target="_blank">Sea of Faith Network</a> seems to be centered in the UK.

Quote:

Sea of Faith Network

The Sea of Faith Network (SOFN) is a worldwide organization of people investigating the consequences of believing that religions are not supernatural but human creations. The writings of Don Cupitt (UK) and Lloyd Geering (NZ) help examine this idea.

The Network is, among other things, a support group for people with many religious concerns. One key area is the issue of God. Western Christian theologians have defined God as the omnipresent being and creator. This ultimatum that God must exist has driven many people away from the churches. To them the existence of God as a being does not encompass the essence of religion.

The Sea of Faith Network examines these limiting notions of God. It re-examines religious history, often learning from other philosophical and religious traditions that have largely avoided such pitfalls.

Apart from the general points mentioned above it's fair to say that most Sea of Faith people are trying to work-out a better understanding of religion for themselves. Some are busy re-interpreting their own religious faith to find something more acceptable than that which their church currently offers. Some want a more universal understanding of religion that includes or draws upon other faiths. Some want to be more spiritually aware humanists or scientists. Few are happy to accept the current status quo in the churches whereby intelligent, rational thought is discouraged or seen as the preserve of specialists. Todays religious participants demand religious democracy if they are to feel engaged with the churches.

Welcome to this, the international Sea of Faith Network web site. It's the place to start if you want to know more about what's going on in the Sea of Faith Network worldwide.

01-14-2002, 06:52 PM	#1
Guest Posts: n/a	It finally sunk in I am 53 years old and was raised in a Baptist church but never went back after turning 18. In my late thirties I again gave god a try but left after six years. About five years ago I again went back for two years but finally gave up about three years ago. I just couldn't bring myself to accept the teaching of christianity. I never really questioned the existence of god all those years. Of course, I knew what atheism and agnosticism was but never gave it much validity. A couple of years ago I decided to do some internet research on beliefs in god and alternative religions. I came across the Sea of Faith network and read their message. The point that really hit home with me was that religion is a product of mankind's imagination and feeds a basic human purpose much like music, poetry and art. But the Sea of Faith network made it quite clear that it took religion strictly for what it is, a product of mankind's imagination. It is difficult to explain, but for me that was as if someone had turned on a light. Never once had I seriousle questioned or deeply doubted the teachings of christianity and gave some credence to its teachings and the existence of god. Thought is a powerful thing and at that point that is what I began to do. I suddenly saw through the purpose of religion, which I consider to be to provide answers to the mystery of life and death and to provide comfort for the fear of the unknown. Now, I have been able to accept life and death for what they are and no longer fear what lies beyond this life. I don't claim to have answers to the mystery of life and death and don't believe that there is a god. I don't rule it out, but I just don't see any validity in putting the mental effort into believing something that exists inside your mind and survives on faith. I am so very glad to see websites such as this out on the internet and think that they will slowly contribute to a new era of enlightenment. Had it not been for the Sea of Faith network, I would still be holding tenuously to a mindset of self deceit that pointed to christian beliefs that both confused me and pushed me away, never to fully let go. Thanks for being here.

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