At the time I remembered how odd I thought it was since MOST people leave Christianity because they have determined that they are nonbelievers, but Rice determined that the Christianity of today did not have enough Jesus in it.
Here is a portion of an interview she gave in August of that year:
Q) You were raised Catholic, became an atheist, then returned to Catholicism in 1998. Why are you quitting now? It's not as if the church has suddenly changed.
A) Well, I've been living with this now for 12 years, and I've come to the conclusion from my experience with organized religion that I have to leave, that I have to, in the name of Christ, step away from this. It's a matter of rejecting what I've discovered about the persecution of gays, the persecution and oppression of women and the actions of the churches on many different levels. I've also found that I can't find a basis in Scripture for a lot of the positions that churches and denominations take today, and I can't find any basis at all for an anointed, hierarchical priesthood. So all of this finally created a pressure in me, a kind of confusion, a toxic anger at times, and I felt I had to step aside. And that's what I've done.
Now today, having thought about it for just about two years, it seems to me that Anne Rice has made a decision that, frankly I would not be at all surprised to see many more Christians making in the years to come. Essentially leaving the Christian religion, not due to a crisis of faith, but due to the feeling that their religion no longer has ANYTHING significant to do with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Of course as you know I am an Atheist, so I am interested in how my Christian visitors feel about Ms. Rice's statement and decision. Feel free to chime in.
Love that poster.
ReplyDeleteApparently, this is becoming a trend.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/16/gay-librarian-rejects-christian-lifestyle-statement_n_1521275.html
Only twelve percent of contracted personnel are staying at this college after they started adding a lifestyle clause to the employment contracts.
Many of the former professors are characterizing Shorter University as being led by the American Taliban.
Considering the difficulty everyone has encountered in finding employment, their rejection of continued employment at Shorter demonstrates integrity to true followers of Christ. I say that as a non-believer because the true teachings of Christ are precepts that anyone could follow to live a better life.
I respect Rice and the faculty and staff of Shorter for saying "enough is enough, hate is not a Christian value."
Andrew Sullivan has a term for these so-called Christians -- Christianists who are as close-minded and scared of anyone different -- the Other -- as the Islamists (Taliban). A plague on both their houses. They are living in a dark ages and think they can hold back time. The more they flail and lash out, the more we know they are doomed.
DeleteAnd will eventually fail. BUT...
get out the VOTE in November!!! We CAN NOT go back only Forward.
It is winning back the House of Reps & keeping the Senate that is Priority Two, after voting in Obama. Or it will be 4 MORE years of stagnation.
We liberals have to be just as passionate about campaigning as the Republicans who WILL vote in droves to get rid of the Uppity N---gger in "their" White House.
If mean religion and failed politics get into power in November, American is in deep shit. As if the rest of the world. Know fear.
She said it better than I ever could have - but her journey and decision sound much like mine. Over the years there have been so many things happening in churches of every denomination that I could no longer tolerate. As a former Catholic, I am ashamed at the pomp, the pedophiles, the bigotry, etc. So pious and yet so shameful.
ReplyDeletePat Padrnos
4:36 I agree!
DeleteThe Catholic church has behaved wickedly throughout history. Today they are embolden by the power & authority they believe they hold.
Jesus had a very common sense approach to life & how to treat yourself & others and a bunch of grifters took this story and ran with it to make a very successful & prosperous business that has lasted until now. We'll see how much longer they get away with their fraud.
love this blog!
I left the Catholic church last year after 56 years.
ReplyDeleteAnne Rice could not have said it better.
Except. When I looked at the Bishop's role in the sex abuse crisis, I decided that I could no longer accept Catholic moral authority from them.
Those who allow the abuse of children, cover it up, should NEVER, EVER be position of authority.
They abused that position. When nothing happened to those people, I decided to leave. I can be a better manager of MY morals then they ever could.
There's a website bishopsaccountability.com I believe, or google it.
DeleteIt has all the updates from around the world on the church scandal. Some countries like Ireland are fighting the church & it's good to see.
I was raised catholic & went to parochial school with the nuns for 12 years and even considered going into the convent.
Now it hurts to hear people of all denominations use Jesus & the church influence to discriminate against LGBT & any minority or race. The war on women by the misogynists is real & "christians" are a big part of it.
Women are so important to everything and for a bunch of old men in dresses to tell women what to do in any area is ridiculous and won't be tolerated.
Add that to the fact that "Whites Account for Under Half of Births in U.S."
ReplyDeleteBy SABRINA TAVERNISE
Non-Hispanic white births are no longer a majority in the United States, a tipping point that has implications for politics, the economy and a nation's identity.
That is not to say that only White's are Christian, or that they are the only demographic that dismisses Christ's teachings. Black Southern Baptists, Korean Christians, etc., are also blatantly abusive and summarily bigoted.
That boxer turned Congressman, Manny Pacquiao came out in God's voice (like Sarah Palin) damning gay love, only to dial it back with the public backlash, and say he's only for DOMA, but not against gays.
It's a dwindling viewpoint, to be so hateful, close-minded and fundamentally stupid. And people like the non-churched Palin's are going to cling to their guns and their interpretations of the Bible (or at least the good parts highlighted for them) with their lobster claw-like hands.
There is no problem with anyone deciding that THEY are going to follow a moral code, no matter how restrictive it might seem to others. The problem is when they try to enforce that moral code on others outside of their faith. THAT is not faith at all: that is dictatorship, a form of fascism. And it stinks to high heaven, pun intended.
DeleteI was raised in the church (I'm 55) and still have a strong faith in God. But, I left 'organized' religion in college. I've made a couple of attempts to go to church over my adult years, but what I found was what Ms. Rice found. The teachings I grew up with have fallen away. And especially since President Obama was elected, politics has invaded the pulpit. It's disgusting. I don't need a church to believe in something bigger than myself. I find more support for my spiritual beliefs being out in nature and sitting in a pew.
ReplyDeleteI, too, no longer find "the church" to be following what I have always felt are the teachings of Christ. I am 69 and I was talking with my 22 year, very devout, granddaughter the other day and she says that she and many of her friends and other young people are finding "the church" to be lacking in true Christian love for all people and they are no longer attending "church services". It's not Christ and his love they are rejecting - it's the phoniness and hyprocrisy that now exists in established religion that they find offensive. They accept people as they are, gay, straight, white, black, hispanic, whatever. Christ does not tell us to, nor did he, reject anyone. He did not associate with the "high and mighty, hotsy, totsy wealthy class. He spent his time with the ordinary, every day, poor and uneducated people. It really makes my blood boil when I see and hear those who proclaim to be such great "Christians" yet show no compassion for those who are in need; however I must also love them with the love of Crist - but I don't have to like them or what they are doing in the name of Christainity.
DeleteMy granddaughter is 20. She and her friends feel the same way. I have much hope in this upcoming generation.
DeleteI left the Catholic church when I was 18 because I was pregnant with a child that was conceived out of wedlock with a boy who was Southern Baptist. I knew the church's stance on premarital sex so I didn't want to belong to a church that didn't see the conception of my child as being pure, in a sense. My boyfriend at the time (now my husband, still married and expecting our 4th child) and I decided that we didn't want to belong to any church because we both had issues with each of the religions we were raised/forced to belong to and saw the hypocrisy of our parents and church elders. It was something we thought our children would be better off without, than with. I had always, even as a child, been against many of the church's modern day beliefs (contraception, abortion, gay discrimination, premarital sex) because what did they have to do with Jesus or the Bible? So today we raise our children to be good people, not really putting an emphasis on religion but more on spirituality. I will quote scripture if I get in an argument with some super religious relative, but I think more people should. Gryphen, your blog tagline says it all for me, that in spite of having religion or not, we can choose morality. Religion and morality are not mutually exclusive as many, many people would like to believe it is.
ReplyDeleteMay I use a recent personal as an example? My husband's siblings are basically crappy parents, a la Palin style, and we will not associate with them because of it. One of his Methodist aunts will always say it is not our place to judge, it's the Lords place. Well, what do you do when a child is involved? Is that really the time to turn the other cheek and mind your own business? Anyway. This was my response to her, conveyed to her by my husband who did give me credit (so now I'm the devil ;)):
Is it not judging when someone says that someone else should not judge? Are you not passing judgement on that person for being judgmental? My interpretation of Matthew 7:1 is that as long as I judge myself by the same standards I judged others, it is okay to judge. I only judge people by the same standards I would except to be judged by. I would never judge someone unfairly. It is okay to judge people by standards set by society norms. If people aren't operating under those norms set collectively by society, then they should be held accountable for not conforming to those standards. There is nothing wrong with exhibiting judgement, everybody does it. Otherwise why even have laws and a justice system? Yes, there are actions/behaviors that we will all be judged for when we leave this world, but as long as you've followed God's law here on earth you should be fine. God gave us the ability to judge so that we can weed out those who are evil and those who are not. I know my house is in order, so I have no problem judging others by how I've interpreted how God expects us to live. So, if the worse thing I've done is being judgmental, I think my forgiving God will overlook that one in favor of the good things I've done in my life.
Oh, and like the great Martin Luther King Jr., I feel it's important to judge others by the content of their character, not by the traits supposedly God-given that cannot be changed, like gender, race, disabilities, etc. And I happen to believe sexual orientation is one of those things that can't be changed because it is determined at conception. Just my two cents, just in case anyone had a problem with judging others :)
DeleteJudging is a very difficult subject. Bonhoeffer held to a very, very high standard, but ultimately decided to join an attempt to assassinate Hitler. I, personally, used the "Fruits of the Spirit" (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Gal:5:22-23) If I see some of these I decide its right, otherwise...
DeleteI know many people who are spiritual, believe in god---but do not participate in any organized religion, as they believe that it has been corrupted. All of these people truly live the life of REAL christians--more so than "churchians" .
ReplyDeleteI wonder if this is what Ms. Rice means?
I left organized religion-- still a spiritual person. After a few years I was just a very thoughtful person who was an atheist.
I’m a lapsed Lutheran and my husband is a lapsed Catholic and we would both agree with her. A few years ago, during a discussion about the disastrous policies of GW Bush, and strident young man said he liked Bush because he “was a Christian,” and we wouldn’t understand, of course, because we weren’t Christians.
ReplyDeleteI nailed the little feller. I spent the first eighteen years of my life in church at least two hours every week, and I know Christianity better than a lot of preachers. Jesus was very supportive of women, and he said nothing about homosexuality; it didn’t even seem to register with him. That’s an Old Testament prohibition. Christianity is based on the New Testament, for all the newly invented Christians out there.
Get a copy of the Jefferson bible; he did the heavy lifting.
You are so right...many so called Christians based their intolerance/discrimination on the OT, failing to realize that Jesus basically brought on a new age in the NT, it's called Christianity, the new law, not Mosiac law like had been practiced by the Jews. Jesus was all inclusive, he didn't think it was necessary to abide by circumcision laws, food laws, Sabbath laws, because those were like the superficial dogma of that era that we deal with today(contraception, abortion...) He basically said you didn't have to do those absurd things to be worthy of God's love. He said...It was written (in the OT), but I say to you...Basically he was overwriting the laws of the OT, bringing on a new era. At least that's my interpretation.
DeleteWell, I am an atheist now but those are some of the same reasons I had it. Didn't help when my son came out. I was already heading that way & that just did it.
ReplyDeleteIn order to be considered a Christian today you have to be a Republican, anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-woman, anti-science, think capitalism is the end all, be anti-government, believe the world is only 3000 yrs old, believe that we should kill all Muslims and just plain be a hater. You personally can be an adulterer, a murderer, an alcoholic, cheater, drug addict, wife beater, child abuser, liar, etc., but somehow just as long as you say you are all the anti things I mentioned then by golly you are good to go.
Many people here will say that their God & religion don't encompass those aspects to be a Christian but you are deluding yourselves. The people who are the majority at the moment consider you "little c" Christians which is just an insult. Only they have the way. Until you all start to come out against these fundamental nuts then don't tell me how wonderful your God or religion is. I don't mean to sound mean but as much as you dislike these people you need to stand up & say enough is enough.
I totally agree with everything you say, especially your definition of who is and isn't an "accepted Christian." However -- and maybe I am wrong, but -- I don't think that these horrid crazy Christians are yet the majority. They may be the loudest and command the most attention, but I think (or, is it only a hope?) they are still in the minority. The problem is, that the "good Christians" are letting them get away with it. Personally, I have come to hate anyone who proudly wears their Christianity on their sleeve. No other religion does that! Every time I see a commercial for "Christian Singles" on TV I yell at the TV. Has there ever been such a commercial for Muslim singles? Jewish singles, etc? Not that I have seen. These people are ruining our country. The great melting pot that is America is all at risk from these crazy, narrow-minded, intolerant people. To me they are ALL the anti-Christ. If only the media would stop giving them air time and print space, or would at least challenge them and their beliefs.
Deletehudson, I don't know they really do seem to be the majority anymore. I wish I was wrong but I don't know. The fact that they LOVED a Catholic (Santorum) is shocking. I've been in that arena & believe me they don't think Catholics are "true" Christians.
DeleteIn fact I am shocked that they would vote for Romney. If they really don't think Catholics are "true" Christians let me tell you they REALLY don't think Mormons are even Christian.
agree, agree have been involved with these people and have heard the discussions relating to mormonism. every one who ever said a word about this faith, was one that they were a cult. Now however, because he (Romney) has the lead in the Republican party, the party is as one, bending their knee to him. Not aword of him being a part of a cult. Isn't it strange when a republican changes his or her stance on a subject, it becomes the rule.
DeleteShe stated my thoughts exactly. I was a good Irish Catholic girl; church on Sundays, sisters worked in the Rectory, brothers were altar boys. Went to Catholic School from 3rd through 12th. The mother of one of my closest grade school friends was the secretary for the Rectory. I wasn't big on Sunday mass because I liked to sleep in but spent a lot of Saturday afternoons in church, with a side of confession every two weeks or so. Always thought my church was okay. Then my mom got sick. It always p*ssed me off that no one from the church stopped in to see her (even though her children all attended the parish schools and also worked in the church). Oh, it's not like we didn't hear from them - got letters asking for money for church maintenance or reminding us that our weekly offerings were due - but nothing asking her how she was or did she need anything. That, along with a few other issues (that were always solved with $$ offerings - imagine that!) made me realize that, though I believe in the teachings, I don't believe in the corporation. And that is just what organized religions are: corporations. When church tenets can be put aside for the right amount of money than the church is no longer a viable option for me.
ReplyDeleteLong story short (too late!), I don't belong to any organized church and I find that I don't miss it much. I do, however, try to treat everyone with kindness and respect, help out people who need it and keep my fingers crossed about that afterlife thing ;)
Sorry, but not a fan of Anne Rice, but I am interested in why it took her so long to reject religious authoritarianism.
ReplyDeleteNo one influenced my decision over 50 yrs ago to leave the Catholic church--it was the church itself with its authoritarian stance. Becoming an atheist took only a few more years, but it was pretty seamless since I had already been exposed to other religions as well. People being "anti-gay" had nothing to do with it, either, because it wasn't even talked about then, but my political development and concern for the rights of others developed along with my atheism and embrace of reason over emotional reaction, the same attitude that led to real activism, including the anti-Vietnam War movement, civil rights, and the women's movement. I learned to be far less subjective (all about "me" and my rights) and far more objective (all about everyone's rights). It's the only way you can truly understand the oppression of others and cast off the preconceived notions about them you are taught.
Well, as much as I like her current feelings on religion, we locals believed firmly that she never went back to the church to begin with. It was a publicity stunt for her book a few years ago. Sorry to sound jaded but really Anne?? You have to keep announcing to the world your personal beliefs?
ReplyDeleteI am a Presbyterian and active in my church; we accept and welcome all who wish share our community in Christ. Yes, we have lost members because of this view- and gained others who want to follow Jesus' teachings.
ReplyDeleteThere are few sermons that push a particular position; most are food for thought. And we're active in our community- we chose not to become a mega-church in the 'burbs.
CO almost Native
This is part of why we stopped going to church. We're officially still members of the United Methodist Church, and the hierarchy of the church is fairly progressive, but that doesn't always trickle down to the ministers and the congregations. When the hard right evangelicals become the face of Christianity, those of us on the left don't want to be associated with them.
ReplyDeleteFor us as well, there is also a bit of a crisis of faith. We're not willing to declare ourselves atheist, as we do believe in some form of a higher power, but we've reached a point where we're unwilling to accept the Bible as a literal account. We left religion out of Easter completely this year for our young children, as did several other "Christian" families we know, in large part because the story of the resurrection doesn't make logical sense to a child who takes everything literally... and I refuse to try to explain to my kids why God can apparently raise Jesus from the dead but not bring their beloved grandfather back to them.
Ten years ago, I finally admitted to myself that I did not believe in Christianity (or any other established religion. I felt FREE. I hadn't been a believer in 25 years, but I was afraid to actually admit to myself that I didn't believe in the idea of god and Jesus ruling the heavens and casting people into hell if they said they didn't. I was afraid I'd be struck down by lighting - dumb I know, but that's what I was taught as a child. In the past, I have been baptized in a couple different churches, went to 2 years of Judaism conversion, and followed Wicca for several years. Now I don't really believe in anything. I like the idea of a higher power, but at this time, I just can't make that leap of faith and become a believer. Christianity has nothing that attracts me. My son is gay, and I would never follow the teachings of an organization that persecuted gays. My husband is Jewish (but an atheist). There are quite a few Christians who are prejudiced against Jews, too. Nope, Christianity has nothing of for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm not an Ann Rice fan, but I am definitely her version of Stepped Aside Catholic, and for all of the same reasons. Too many rules that exclude normal human nature, not enough Jesus-like action.
ReplyDeleteWhat the ecclesiastical church has failed to do these last 2000 years is show the meaning of New Testament scripture in it's entirety. But they didn't. A person can be free in Jesus Christ and never inhabit a church. Jesus didn't come to set up a religion, he came to set camp in each person's heart. He didn't seek a Kingdom on earth. He never expected men to build mega-churches, and when Satan showed him the world and all it's glory, and said Jesus could have all that earthly power and glory if He knelt down to Satan, Jesus refused. He wanted none of it. His mission was to save mankind.
ReplyDeleteI understand atheists and others who have left religion. I too have been through that valley of searching. And churches and people have left me dry, and I no doubt have left them dry. But Christ living in me is all I have, and all I want. We sin, we disappoint, and the temptations of this world are nothing compared to a place, a heaven that promises no tears, no pain, no disappointments.
Christ is not a religion, or a dogma, he's a way of life. And a way to eternal life.
There'll be quarrels, disputes, misunderstandings of the Bible's words, but the First Commandment Jesus taught, Love the Lord with all your hearts, and the Second, love others as you would love yourself. All those other things get added as a person grows and matures, like forgiveness, meekness, kindness, non-judments and humility. There is no law against these things. When Jesus was tried before Pilate, Pilate said that he found nothing wrong with this man. But the laws, and the mockers, and self-righteous spiritual police, legalists, who loved the things of the world more than the things of the heart felt threatened that their little Kingdoms would fizzle. The church has gone full circle and become like these self-righteous religious police. If Jesus came today, I wonder if the Hannities would be slicing him apart, because he didn't tie in with their vision of a greedy capitalist market that rewards the 1%.
No church, or minister, or self-claimed man of God inspires me anymore. The only One I can believe is Jesus because He gave His life for everyone - even as they sinned or before they understood what sin is. That's love, and no institution can outdo that kind of love.
Well, after reading the posts here I'm posting a different take on things. I was raised Catholic, became an atheist by default, and didn't participate for years in any organized religion. Then one day my boss and were talking about dimensions, about how there are more than three, or four, that some are so tiny rolled up inside one another, and I got the idea that there was room out there, or in here, that we simply can't see. That there was room for a god somewhere, and that I couldn't say there wasn't a god anymore. Because there was no proof there wasn't one. My husband found the Episcopalian church after 17 years of Roman Catholic education, and invited me along. It's great. We accept everyone, everyone participates. We do good works for people near and far. We believe in birth control, divorce, communion for and with all. We are accepting of all. We have no idea if something is up there, but we like coming together to do good works. Yes, we could do this in a secular organization, but the music is better. ;-)
ReplyDeleteBack to the original question: what do I think of Ms. Rice? She's questioning. Good for her, some people are more public about their questions than others.
I am a Methodist and I see the hypocrisy of other denominations like the Catholics. The UMC and I think the Presbyterian chuch are the only ones who let women be pastors. We are all equal in God's eyes and shame on the Catholics, Lutherans and other who do not feel that way.
ReplyDeleteThe theme of my church is Love God, Love People.
I can see why people become atheists or agnostic. When churches start contradicting and interpret the bible in the wrong way it can be a turn-off. My friend keeps say Jesus is the only way to God. Yes it is but that does not mean it gives you the license to deliberately sin. I explained that to her and she ignored me.
I feel Creationism and science co-exist. I believe God did have a hand in creating this earth. But how did he create it? That's where the science comes in. I don't think God just points at something and turns it into a tree.
Organized religion is just another corporation. Extracting money from & lying to fearful/greedy people. It is part of the 1% who plan to control 100% of the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteI did this when I moved to my house. I attended several Lutheran churches in the area. I went to the one closest to me the most. But then hired a new pastor, who was OK. But right after his probationary period was over and he had his permanent contract, he gave a sermon that was mostly about the sinning of Gays and women who had children out of wedlock. I considered it a hate sermon as it was given in church. The bible itself says "judge not" and I don't think a degree in theology gives anyone the right to supplant Jesus and be the judge of anyone. I wish I had had the courage to stand up in the middle of the sermon and leave but I didn't. I left at the end, bypassing shaking the hands of the minister, and I never went back. I called the next day and asked that my name be taken off the directory and that I not be contacted again.
ReplyDeleteMy faith hasn't changed. But I feel no compulsion to participate in organized religion. I don't care what PAUL said. PAUL was NOT a disciple of Jesus and I think he is given way too much weight in theology. I'm sure there's a reason so many of his writings made it into the bible and others were left out. And I suspect it had less to do with theology and more to do with the agenda of those picking and choosing what the bible would contain and shaping the form of religion. (As a male dominated theocracy.)
I believe I read somewhere that up to the 14th century gay marriages were performed. I haven't read up but is this the time that celibacy made it's big push too? And the powers of the Popes, et al started to control many states?
Yeah, I'm with Anne Rice on this. Love your God. Your church? Not so much.
mlaiuppa, I've had some similar thoughts about Paul. There are some very beautiful passages about him, HOWEVER, he also seemed to want to instill "rules" again into religion, which was something that Jesus did not seem interested in doing at all. If anything, Jesus turned many of the rules upside down.
DeleteHis intervention in the woman who was about to be stoned to death by a mob for adultery comes to mind. Prior to that, it was considered a "rule" to put someone to death for adultery. Jesus smashed that rule to smithereens with a simple statement: let the first person without sin be the first to cast a stone.
I never clung to religion, and Rice's perspective is pretty common, nothing remarkable about it besides her celebrity. However, I never felt the need to rail against the religion of others.
ReplyDeleteIt gives me a sinking feeling, because by doing this, she is handing over the definition of Christianity to the charlatans who would have been the first to nail Jesus to the cross.
ReplyDeleteIt's like deciding to quit being an American because the rightwingers have seized the title of "true patriots."
It's like deciding to quit any cause, faith, belief, because it's been hijacked by marauding pretenders.
I love Jesus Christ and his teachings. I despise the church, and all of the pain and suffering that organized religion has inflicted on "others". I will always call myself a Christian, I will never be part of a church again. Team Rice!
ReplyDeleteI was brought up Catholic(my mothers religion at that time,although she eventually left the Church and my dad left the Southern Baptist Church he was brought up in, for the same reasons as Anne Rice). I married another Catholic,with the big Church wedding. I had my sons Baptized (not to wash away the Original Sin,which at 21 I already did NOT believe in),but as a Blessing from God. Over the years of my sons childhood,my dads death,my divorce at 28,the Churches teachings against G/L,their archaic treatment of women as second class citizens,the Popes preachings to Third World Countries to keep having kids they couldn't afford to feed,etc., I kept pulling further and further away. My last straw was when I was engaged to an ex-boyfriend in the late 90's,and the Priest told me I could get an annulment,so I could remarry in the Church. I argued there was no grounds for that,my ex-husband wasn't abusive,he never cheated,that both of us had meant our vows when I got married at 20. He basically told me as long as I paid the fee,it could be granted. I found that to be a load of crap,and realized it was all about money. That just reinforced what I had already come to believe for myself,that Religion really wasn't about God. Religion is Man Made,mostly for Men,to help them maintain Power and Control. The further away I pulled from Religion(and I did look into other Religions and Churches),the closer I felt to God. I DO believe in God,always have,always will,but respect others beliefs-whether it's in their Religion,or that there is no God.It's a personal decision and one we must all come to for ourselves. I believe in God,but want nothing to do with Organized Religion,and find I am a much better (more accepting) person for it.
ReplyDeleteI came up with a term (Neo-christian) today, as I saw someone posting a cartoon on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteIts a two panel type, the first with a fat guy standing on a scale and muttering, "Oh, that's not good. I have a problem."
The next is the same, but the guy is saying, "Oh, that's not good. America has a problem."
This is to show the difference between conservatives and liberals.
As it was posted by someone who is forever putting up pictures of a WASP looking "Christ" with some blurb about how YOU should be more religious--it struck me a different way.
I saw it as a typical example of the Neo-christian mindset of "I've got MINE...everyone else can go to Hell."
To mock someone who views joining the overweight population, as a group problem, instead of thinking just of himself, is indicative of the usual selfish, hateful stance taken by self righteous fools.
She is correct and I have believed the same thing for about 40 years.
ReplyDeleteI can thank all those Christian zealots for sending me on a quest to find Enlightenment. I found that they and their interpretation of the Bible actually got between me and the Everywhere Spirit, as I have heard one Native American refer to 'it', and that they couldn't handle questions, which the Old Testament particularly provokes. So I left the Church and the authority of those people who thought they knew the 'only' way to salvation, because I realized that as the universe is infinite, so are the paths to spiritual grace. Heck, I've even read somewhere that one sage said something about there being as many paths to God as there are created souls. I took the teachings with me, as those are the most important things that the Rabbi Jesu left, but I left the controlling dogma behind. And it's been a revelation in the best sense ever since.
ReplyDeleteM from MD
I agree with Anonymous @6:25.
ReplyDeleteI learned a long time ago to never let a preacher dictate my beliefs. I began studying the Bible myself and I began seeing errors I had been previously taught during my years in a protestant church.
The Revelations, Chapter 22:19:
-And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
So it must be possible that men can take away from the words. Or maybe even add words, because I admit I do have some problems with Paul's writings. So I focus on Jesus' teachings, his life, his testaments.
I found an interesting blog about Abraham Lincoln and the Catholic church.
http://www.truthontheweb.org/abe.htm
I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.
It must be difficult for people that were raised with religion. Having been an Atheist since birth I truly feel for people that were led into religion only to find is inadequate.
ReplyDeleteIf you moderates really believed , you'd speak up. If you really believed, you'd shout down the extremists. If you really believed you wouldn't have let the extremists take control and dominate. If you really believed, you moderates would take the extremists out - you would silence them, drive them into the wilderness where they belong.
ReplyDeleteSaying nothing and doing nothing makes the moderates just as hypocritical as the extremists.
As an excommunicated Catholic, I must thank the Roman Catholic Church for leading me on a spiritual path which led me to become an atheist. And reading other people's experiences is comforting. I tried other denominations and even non denominational churches, and they did nothing for me.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading some of Anne Rice's works, and I can understand her going back, at times I missed the rituals, but she came to the same realization, what good is "going through the motions", just to belong?
My decision caused rifts in my family, as well as our decision not to have our kids baptized, to raise them by the golden rule, and let them decide for themselves, when they reach the age of majority, which, if any, religion they choose. The irony of it all is, eventually we patched those rifts, and my kids live a more "Christian" life then many of my Christian family and friends.