Leaving religion behind...

[TimWolf]

By definition, vandwellers are non-conformists and independent thinkers. I'm curious if others here, like myself, reached a point in their lives where they cast off religion as with other societal norms? If you are religious, this thread is by no means directed toward you. Most of my friends are somewhat religious, and many of them very much so. I am not here to challenge the religious beliefs of anyone.  But I do enjoy meeting (online and off) other people who decided at some point in their lives that religion no longer had meaning for them.  To state it more plainly, I have identified as an atheist for several years now.  I'm just curious if others on this site have put religion behind them along with other trappings of "normal" society?

 

[Chancebond]

I shall never leave my christian beliefs, but I do respect what you believe!

 

[TimWolf]

I shall never leave my christian beliefs, but I do respect what you believe!

I appreciate that Chance. I think if a Christian is living in a predominantly Muslim country, it would be normal to seek out other Christians with no intention of offending Muslims. The same way I am an atheist in a predominantly Christian country. So I do enjoy finding other like-minded people to share ideas with.  One thing I'm looking forward to living on the road is to get to attend freethinker conferences around the country that now are too expensive for me.  Because I'm currently staying with friends in a traditional home, I would have to pay for airfare, hotel, boarding for my dog, etc. to attend a conference in another part of the country. Once I'm able to live on the road, I can travel where I want with very little expense. I'm really looking forward to that.

 

[cdiggy]

I am not religious (the Catholic Church fixed that for me ) and really have a dislike for organized religions in general. Seems most are only in it for the money and their own agenda. I am a spiritual person though and can't help but believe there is a higher power of some sort and my mind is too puny to even know what exactly it is, only that I believe it exists. The age old quote "god created man in his own image" is likely backwards (in my mind) and that man created god in his image. Again, I believe in god (whatever god actually is) just not the organized religion part of it that man has created.

 

[minimotos95]

I believe religion is a valuable tool for society when used properly it encourages people to act morally and creates community. On the other end of the spectrum religion has gotten out of hand many times and caused a lot of senseless war and violence over the years.
My personal belief is that everyone is their own higher power, somewhere between atheism and modern satanism. But I'm never opposed to listening to a preacher of any relihion speak.

 

[jimindenver]

Long ago I saw religion for what it was, a way to govern people. The teaching of basic morals and expectations are good but when the line gets blurred to the point that the morals represent only the religions leaders benefit, it becomes abusive. You see it in all religions across the board as well as the harm that has been done. The leaders stay in power and get the money while telling the followers that sacrificing to the point of living in dirt and not eating or even dieing for anothers cause makes them "good" followers.

 

[mockturtle]

If memory serves, this particular topic is verboten on this forum.  While I would love to share my beliefs here, such discussions often lead to ill will and controversy.  'Like-minded' in this forum means, to me, independence from the rat race and freedom to roam.  I respect your opinions, though.

 

[LeeRevell]

I do have my personal beliefs in a Supreme Being, but am opposed to major organized religion. It has become too corrupted by the whims of Man. My relationship with God doesn't require another telling me how to live.

 

[TimWolf]

If memory serves, this particular topic is verboten on this forum.  While I would love to share my beliefs here, such discussions often lead to ill will and controversy.  'Like-minded' in this forum means, to me, independence from the rat race and freedom to roam.  I respect your opinions, though.

My apologies if this is not allowed. I would not have posted this in any other area other than the off-topic, catch-all area.  On most forums, this off-topic thread is wide open for any discussion. But if it's not allowed, my apologies.

 

[mockturtle]

My bad, Tim! In reading the rules from Feb. 2014, it appears that only political discussions are not allowed. 

 

[HarmonicaBruce]

After many years, I finally proved god exists in about 1998.  Not one of those hokey personal experiences, but a sound mathematical proof.  No one likes it, but that's not my problem.  The important thing is that people believe in free will.  If you don't believe in free will, there's no reason to air up your tires or change your oil.  Because we have free will, we can affect our circumstances.  

The fact that you're all going to hell is not my concern!

 

[One Awesome Inch]

I am an atheist with a very strong penchant for Buddhism. I love everything about Buddhism except the supernatural aspects some branches claim are valid. When I was a very young man I was a Christian for 5 years and was very serious about it. I actually was going to be a pastor until I went to a Christian university. I realized then that religion is socialized. I did extensive reading and came to the conclusion that the "evidence" was all based on faith. Over the period of a year after that, with much thought and reflection, I rejected that evidence, and left Christianity. Now many years later I am atheist. I have no problem with people believing as they wish, but I do get very annoyed when they try to push it on me personally or in society at large.

 

[Wabbit]

After many years, I finally proved god exists in about 1998.  Not one of those hokey personal experiences, but a sound mathematical proof.  No one likes it, but that's not my problem.  The important thing is that people believe in free will.  If you don't believe in free will, there's no reason to air up your tires or change your oil.  Because we have free will, we can affect our circumstances.  

The fact that you're all going to hell is not my concern!

Hi HarmonicaBruce, really would love to hear more! Don't want to hijack this thread, can you P.M me or maybe link me to articles or discussions you have taken part in with your ideas and the math part? Much appreciated if you find the time for it!

As to the religion aspect of the original post. Religion is a mans thought/creation, so it's bound to be flawed. Dogma and all that, yuck! However, even though I say yuck, I still find it fascinating to discuss and to hear what others believe and why they believe it. It's way more enjoyable of a discussion when it stays civil though...lol.

 

[VanDwellerMod]

Be careful here folks.  Although discussing religion is not against the rules, "judging other member's posts or opinions" is not permitted.  We "don't ever attack, belittle or denigrate anyone," nor "be a know-it-all or dismissive of others."  On to teaching, inspiring, and creating community!  (The Rules of the Forum: February, 2014)

 

[LeeRevell]

Politics, religion and sports - always hot topics.

 

[HarmonicaBruce]

Religion is a mans thought/creation, so it's bound to be flawed.

Those who believe and follow a religion believe that their religion is god's creation, not man's.  So they would disagree.

I really need to write up my proof and put it somewhere.  I need a blog or something, and I could put it there.

But, I've found it difficult to discuss religion with believers.

For example, if you believe the bible, then God clearly lied to Adam.  He told Adam that if he ate the fruit, he would die that day.  I've read this in about 30 translations, and about 25 of them have God saying that Adam would die that day.  After eating the fruit, Adam lived another 800 years.  Not, believers will say "yes, but how long was a day"?  The bible had, at that point, already said how long a day was 6 different times, "there was morning, and evening, one day", etc.  Then they'll say "yes, Adam wasn't exactly dead, but he was spiritually dead.  So God didn't lie."  So if you hire me to kill a squirrel in your attic, and I curse the squirrel and tell you that I did kill the squirrel, the squirrel was spiritually dead, would you pay my fee?  

God bless.

 

[Patrick46]

I was raised in an extremely devout Catholic home.

(I knew this was definately NOT for me...even as a small kid)

Later in my adult years, I went to Christianity, several times...nope, not for me either.


I now live my life completely based on the belief that something is out there, and that a spark of it exists inside each and every one of us. No need to look any further.

however, I do find this interesting, and something I'd definitely love to attend. (I live in a small coastal town, and we have no such thing available here.)
I've heard that these services are popping up all over the country...and the world...

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[SternWake]

Thinking about my youth, and how different people tried to force their religious beliefs down my throat, infuriates me to this day.

Nothing to leave behind for me. I never saw beauty nor comfort in it.

I deleted the rest as it might offend those who do have faith, and practice it.

I only quote the late great George Carlin
"keep thy religion, to thyself"

 

[akrvbob]

This will be my only warning:

Positive affirmations of your own beliefs are fine.


Any statements denigrating, denying or casting doubt on another persons beliefs will be deleted.

"I positively believe that belief is wrong and here's why..." will be deleted

I think that's more than fair. 

Moderators are the only judges.
Bob

 

[LeeRevell]

The French philosopher Voltaire was himself an atheist, though he championed Freedom of Religious Belief. He said, "I only made one prayer to God, that He make my enemies ridiculous. And he granted it."