Freethought & Rationalism Archive

copernicus · 01-12-2003, 05:34 PM

Blondegoddess, I gave up religion (originally Episcopalianism) so long ago, I can't really be of much help to you. As a child, I was strongly influenced by Bertrand Russell, especially his old classic Why I am Not a Christian.

In truth, though, that was over 4 decades ago. I am not really sure how to counsel you on filling a "void" that I don't feel is there. About the only thing that strikes me as a "void" is the knowledge that most people are religious. The void I feel is mainly social. Internet Infidels is something to replace that void. It is good to know people who admit their ignorance and aren't afraid to confront it. It seems to me that you qualify as such a person. Welcome to II.

admice · 01-12-2003, 05:43 PM

Welcome Blondegodess! I think you will find some support here for what you are going thru. Many people here seem very supportive, tho I've only been on the boards a few days.

Also, check out the earlier thread that others have provided a link for that tells many peoples stories.

I, like Bill, am a Humanist and attend meetings Sunday mornings here and am finding a great sense of community. I also recommend checking out the Unitarian/Universalist church for their open-mindedness and support.

Anyway, welcome again and feel free to ask for help or support (intellectual or emotional) here. I'm sure they can provide.

Take care

pescifish · 01-12-2003, 09:18 PM

Nick provided the first link in his post, but here are several threads in Secular Lifestyle & Support forum which deal with similar questions:

Atheist's Testimony

Question for the atheists

What brought you to where you are?

beyelzu · 01-12-2003, 11:41 PM

sometimes amos you really astound me.

[Namecalling deleted - BJM]

scumble · 01-13-2003, 12:36 AM

Surely you know by definition God is always right, and we are always wrong

Hi blondegoddess - whatever happens, make sure you make your own mind up. Still, there are wise people here who can help you a lot

Debbie T · 01-13-2003, 12:59 AM

Hi blonde goddess, Your nick doesn't sound too Christian but that 's all right by me.

It definately isn't easy to shake off the programming, and at times it can make you feel like you are going down a frightening path. But once you get through it and out the other side, the freedom and liberation you feel is great. Most people find there is nothing to fear and realize their belief was based on fear and control. When that goes away nothing a Christian can say to you has the same affect as it did before. What you wind up with is seeing the truth about these religions. Hard to see it when you are inside it.

Someone else reccommended Leaving the Fold and I second it. It is one of the best books to read while going through the transition.

One of my favorite passages:

"Healthy Skepticism

The world is full of authoritarianism and dogmatic systems. These may be religious, political, philosophical, or whatever. having been "burned" by your former indoctrination, you are now likely to be on guard against rigid belief systems generally. You are now more aware of the dangers when you hear some pronouncement of "truth' that implies omniscience, restricts perception and eliminates alternatives. You probably realize now that beliefs are curious things -- very powerful and often serving unacknowledged functions such as imposting power over others or ensuring personal security. The cost of dogmatic thinking is to severely limit your own range of thought and experience.

With healthy skeptcism, you can now be more open, flexible and fair. These qualities are greatly needed in a world full of bigotry and arrogance. "

I won't say it will be easy, but there are many people here who will help you get through it.

southernhybrid · 01-13-2003, 05:50 AM

Hi BG and welcome.

I found it helped me to study and explore the possibility of other religions as truth when I first had serious doubts about Xianity. I was raised in a very conservative Xian home and had to endure a childhood that was filled with indoctrination, so there was a lot for me to overcome.

I found some of the Eastern religious views comforted me for several years before I reached the point that I realized I was an atheist. I've been a much happier person as an atheist and most of the time I tolerate Xians very well. I think most are sincere and they just don't have the motivation or courage to seriously question the traditions they have learned in childhood.

Deconverting gradually tends ot be much less traumatic.

I'm glad to see that you consider yourself a diety. I've never made it past the blonde princess level.

beth · 01-13-2003, 05:52 AM

to Amos:

No, it wouldn't. That isn't quite the issue I have with God. I actually have no issue with God. I have felt my heart move in such a direction for quite sometime. I have prayed to God to stop this. To fill me with faith, but I never received an answer. What I find most humiliating is the fact that, many times, I have stated that I have 'unshakable faith'.

beth · 01-13-2003, 05:55 AM

*

beth · 01-13-2003, 06:02 AM

Okay, I will go off the track for a moment to respond to the remarks about my screen name. It is actually a nickname from many of my Christian friends. When they greet me they say tongue in cheeck, 'Oh, Hail, Beth, the Blonde Goddess of Wisdom!'. So that is a name given to me by my Christian friends.

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01-12-2003, 05:34 PM	#11
copernicus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,531	Blondegoddess, I gave up religion (originally Episcopalianism) so long ago, I can't really be of much help to you. As a child, I was strongly influenced by Bertrand Russell, especially his old classic Why I am Not a Christian. In truth, though, that was over 4 decades ago. I am not really sure how to counsel you on filling a "void" that I don't feel is there. About the only thing that strikes me as a "void" is the knowledge that most people are religious. The void I feel is mainly social. Internet Infidels is something to replace that void. It is good to know people who admit their ignorance and aren't afraid to confront it. It seems to me that you qualify as such a person. Welcome to II.

01-12-2003, 05:43 PM	#12
admice Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: S Cal Posts: 327	Welcome Blondegodess! I think you will find some support here for what you are going thru. Many people here seem very supportive, tho I've only been on the boards a few days. Also, check out the earlier thread that others have provided a link for that tells many peoples stories. I, like Bill, am a Humanist and attend meetings Sunday mornings here and am finding a great sense of community. I also recommend checking out the Unitarian/Universalist church for their open-mindedness and support. Anyway, welcome again and feel free to ask for help or support (intellectual or emotional) here. I'm sure they can provide. Take care

01-12-2003, 09:18 PM	#13
pescifish Beloved Deceased Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: rural part of los angeles, CA Posts: 4,516	Nick provided the first link in his post, but here are several threads in Secular Lifestyle & Support forum which deal with similar questions: Atheist's Testimony Question for the atheists What brought you to where you are?

01-12-2003, 11:41 PM	#14
beyelzu Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: the peach state ga I am a metaphysical naturalist Posts: 2,869	sometimes amos you really astound me. [Namecalling deleted - BJM]

01-13-2003, 12:36 AM	#15
scumble Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: UK Posts: 279	Surely you know by definition God is always right, and we are always wrong Hi blondegoddess - whatever happens, make sure you make your own mind up. Still, there are wise people here who can help you a lot

01-13-2003, 12:59 AM	#16
Debbie T Regular Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Washington the state Posts: 406	Hi blonde goddess, Your nick doesn't sound too Christian but that 's all right by me. It definately isn't easy to shake off the programming, and at times it can make you feel like you are going down a frightening path. But once you get through it and out the other side, the freedom and liberation you feel is great. Most people find there is nothing to fear and realize their belief was based on fear and control. When that goes away nothing a Christian can say to you has the same affect as it did before. What you wind up with is seeing the truth about these religions. Hard to see it when you are inside it. Someone else reccommended Leaving the Fold and I second it. It is one of the best books to read while going through the transition. One of my favorite passages: "Healthy Skepticism The world is full of authoritarianism and dogmatic systems. These may be religious, political, philosophical, or whatever. having been "burned" by your former indoctrination, you are now likely to be on guard against rigid belief systems generally. You are now more aware of the dangers when you hear some pronouncement of "truth' that implies omniscience, restricts perception and eliminates alternatives. You probably realize now that beliefs are curious things -- very powerful and often serving unacknowledged functions such as imposting power over others or ensuring personal security. The cost of dogmatic thinking is to severely limit your own range of thought and experience. With healthy skeptcism, you can now be more open, flexible and fair. These qualities are greatly needed in a world full of bigotry and arrogance. " I won't say it will be easy, but there are many people here who will help you get through it.

01-13-2003, 05:50 AM	#17
southernhybrid Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: heavenly Georgia Posts: 3,862	Hi BG and welcome. I found it helped me to study and explore the possibility of other religions as truth when I first had serious doubts about Xianity. I was raised in a very conservative Xian home and had to endure a childhood that was filled with indoctrination, so there was a lot for me to overcome. I found some of the Eastern religious views comforted me for several years before I reached the point that I realized I was an atheist. I've been a much happier person as an atheist and most of the time I tolerate Xians very well. I think most are sincere and they just don't have the motivation or courage to seriously question the traditions they have learned in childhood. Deconverting gradually tends ot be much less traumatic. I'm glad to see that you consider yourself a diety. I've never made it past the blonde princess level.

01-13-2003, 05:52 AM	#18
beth Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: where orange blossoms bloom... Posts: 1,802	to Amos: No, it wouldn't. That isn't quite the issue I have with God. I actually have no issue with God. I have felt my heart move in such a direction for quite sometime. I have prayed to God to stop this. To fill me with faith, but I never received an answer. What I find most humiliating is the fact that, many times, I have stated that I have 'unshakable faith'.

01-13-2003, 05:55 AM	#19
beth Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: where orange blossoms bloom... Posts: 1,802	*

01-13-2003, 06:02 AM	#20
beth Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: where orange blossoms bloom... Posts: 1,802	Okay, I will go off the track for a moment to respond to the remarks about my screen name. It is actually a nickname from many of my Christian friends. When they greet me they say tongue in cheeck, 'Oh, Hail, Beth, the Blonde Goddess of Wisdom!'. So that is a name given to me by my Christian friends.

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