because it really was a 'realization' over time. There really was no epiphany per se. I stopped attending church regularly, although it wasn't a conscious effort, just a logistical one. I had always had questions. I could never understand how other religions could be said to be false with all of the people that attended them, many much more devoutly than Christians attend. I couldn't understand how Christians could say that gay people were making a conscious choice in their sexual preference, and that they were essentially damned to Hell. I've met and have spoken with many gay people, and the conclusion I came to for the most part was that they wished they weren't gay. This of course being the result of societal guilt I concluded. The list goes on, and I need not bore you with it. Finally, someone that I respected very much quipped to me, after I mentioned something about prayer, 'You don't believe that stuff do you?' That was my turning point insofar as giving it a critical look for a change. I've posted on RB since '98 and first came there a bright-eyed newb as a seed investor in a Hi-Tech F.O company. I watched about 200k go down the drain in profits I should have taken. I made the observation that 'bashers' always seemed to get the board cookin' and at the time the stock and board were pretty much dead. I started bashing the company just to have the holders gang up on me and express the virtues of the company. The only problem was, they didn't do a very good job. I started to realize that my 'faux bashing' was actually quite true and that the company didn't stand a prayer in reality. I sold the stock, and it lingered for a while before ending in a class action suit, sub penny. I recommend anyone who's been referred to as a pumper, tout, whatever to do the same as I did. Don't worry, you won't cause the stock to crash, but the exercise will be quite the odyssey indeed. It's amazing what that experience and perspective will do for you. Since then I've been known as a basher (suddenly_satan) Usually a paid basher naturally, the old 'silver tongue devil' variety of yore, lol :)
The same holds true for religion, essentially I did the same thing, and lo and behold, ended up with a similar result. I was never taught to think critically in my Christian circles, unless of course it was another religion, or such nasty lies as science (if it didn't fit the Christian world view, ie;Evolution, etc).
I must say that since that time, thinking for myself as you well put it, has been absolutely fantastic! I need not weigh everything against my heretofore iron-clad guilt index. Being a free thinker has opened up more things to me than I can write about here.
You were lucky in a sense, not to be brought up in a devout family. At least you were given a chance to think for yourself, most religious people are not afforded that opportunity, other than the reprobates that come to Christianity and other religions because it's the only place people are willing to look the other way when it comes to examining one's past deeds, usually at their own peril. People don't change, I've learned that lesson well. I could go on with all kinds of examples and postulates, but I'm not here to bore people who rightfully could give a rat's ass, lol :)
abbytraderwin- I'm not very interested in discussing anything with you. I concluded long ago that vulgarity is a strong sign of a weak mind trying to express itself forcefully. Perhaps if the rhetoric is toned down, I'll reconsider. I will say this though, since you did take the trouble to post to me, and since your post wasn't too over the top.
"No, I fear no man nor beast. I fear not death. I have been at the gate many times before. I know Jesus is real.
You in fact don't know that Jesus is real. If you claim that he talks to you, that simply makes you a schizophrenic. By you talking to him makes you a person with an invisible friend. I don't believe for a moment that you fear no man, or beast, (we certainly all should, and do) you're simply parroting some pious prick, the same sort of prick that launches himself into a lion exhibit at a zoo, and assumes Jesus won't let anything happen to him, (see the video sometime for a de facto Daniel and the lion's den myth reenactment :) I think F6 showed great wisdom in allowing your vulgar diatribe to remain on this board.
It would appear to me, that you, Ted Haggard et al, might be of like mind. I assume you're a male, even though your moniker is feminine. Naturally I could be wrong, and hate to assume anything. It puts me in mind of the old adage, 'Me thinks he doth protest too much' :)
F6- Thanks for this post, and the article/writer you brought to my attention. She really is a bright woman, and I thoroughly enjoyed what she had to say (she's kinda hot too ;)-re Olivia Judson, Aliens.
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