Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 632

Trivialization of Belief «

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: GA
Posts: 6969

YAY bunkum
you are such a cool chick.
i loves you muchos.

i think about this stuff so much.
i do have my own personal beliefs about God, but i also DO encourage my kids to be curious, and excited about learning, and figuring things out on thier own.
i really enjoyed your update. it made me realize again why i decided to try and keep an open mind while parenting, while still being in charge of the kids.


------------------------
"Men are all alike--except the one you've met who's different."-Mae West

"Brains are an asset to the woman in love who's smart enough to hide 'em."- also Mae West

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: MA
Posts: 2728

I am in love with you, bunkum.

I grew up in a Methodist household, and up until the age of 15 was forced to go to church & Sunday school each week. When I reached that age, my family allowed me to inquire about other religions, and attend other churches or religious events.

I am glad my family eventually allowed me to discover & explore religion on my own. I don't use my faith as a crutch, but I do have faith.

Hurrah for thought provoking updates!



------------------------
I only want your happiness, knowing I can never be yours to share it.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1010

Very well done UU bunkum.

I grew up in a very non-religious household. It's not that I was taught to be against religion, it's just that my parents never forced anything upon me and my sister. My sister thought she was Christian for a while, but it passed. I have never really followed one religon, but I take beliefs from various places. I am more agnostic than anything. It has served me well. I am not one to say that god dosen't exsist, but I have no proof, and don't think humans could ever have proof.

As far as other people's religious belief's are concerned, I don't judge anyone based on them. In my opinion, people can believe what they want too, as long as they don't force it upon others. It just saddens me that alot of people don't even know the history of their faith, they just go off of the things they are told to believe.

Again, very good UU Bunkum


------------------------
"The way to get over someone is to get under someone else" - The Cherry Poppin' Daddies

I stopped being sexist because bitches hate that shit.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Los Angeles, Ca
Posts: 2115

It's odd, the reversal that I had compared to most. My mom dragged me to many different churches run by various religions. We did Mormon, Church of Latter Day Saints (Jehovah's Witness'), Church of Religious Science, etc.. My mom was looking for something, thinking I needed it as well. I was already attending a private Baptist School so I didn't think I needed this as well.

Anyways, things turned full cycle later in life. My mom is still a Christian, but has developed a much more expanded view of Religion. She is open to more than just the standard, strict Biblists opinions on things. She believes that anyone who worships any type of "God" (ie: Buddha, Mohammad, etc.) will surely go to Heaven because that is God showing himself in different forms. I think that is a close representation.

I too am opposite, but still believe in the core values.

Sorry this was so long, but it was an excellent post bunkum, touching on so many points that you fully explained. I wish more would post their thoughts, especially the "non-believers".

CAL

------------------------
"The desert is my church, and hunting is my god."

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: A New England
Posts: 9187

I think therefore I don't believe?


------------------------
A closed mouth gathers no feet.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 4501

For you, thinking involves not believing. For me, it brought me back to belief. Same means, different ends. Neither is less valuable than the other, nor more "stupid" than the other.

------------------------
Deny closure. Honor ambiguity.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Beyond Mason-Dixon Line
Posts: 16824

Fair Bunkum--

This is a tough subject, especially in this arena, and I commend you for your courage and candor. Well written, too. Truly, truly, truly.

Though not raised Catholic, growing up I encountered and endured countless experiences substantively similar to yours. I know I am not alone when I say I can relate.

I was raised in a staunch Southern Baptist home. My home and parents were not the problem for me. I could not ask for better parents and I am thankful each and every day for them.

My problem was the church. More precisely, it was the numerous authority figures I naturally took as representative of that church. I will not go into details here, for this is your story. I will just say it took me many, many years to unload the heavy baggage I gathered along the way so I could begin acquiring a perspective that fit me.

Eventually, I discovered this, too--it is a damn sight easier to be a non-believer than a believer, especially if one possesses even a modicum of intelligence and analytical ability.

Again, thanks for the read, bunkum. This is a subject I think about every day. Amen.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: The Bottom of the Toyem Pole
Posts: 9476

Nice post, bunkum. I like the perspective you brought to the points you made.

Just wanted to say that.



------------------------
All Hail Eris!!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1217

quote:

---

Originally posted by CAL:
She believes that anyone who worships any type of "God" (ie: Buddha, Mohammad, etc.) will surely go to Heaven because that is God showing himself in different forms.

---

CAL Your mom is a smart lady. I had the same conclusion since I was a little kid and then was reinforced while reading a book on druidism.

Bunkum I think everyday about my ethics, beliefs, thought patterns, and sometimes religion. The constant reevaluation is difficult, but it keeps me busy and out of too much trouble. My latest conlusion is that I think too much.



------------------------
†Insanity† Insanity as a religion
E=Insane² Insanity as a science

Which is right? (Just add mushrooms)

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Bangor, ME
Posts: 10245

i have this strange idea that cultures interpret god in their own way, hence all the types of religion. each sort of validates what they were taught and meant to believe in, but all mean the same thing: God, Buddah, Allah, Nirvana, Toa, and (hank)

im gonna elaborate further, but i have to work tomorrow, hold on

------------------------
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools."
-Ernest Hemingway

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged