Believe it or not, I grew up going to church and Sunday School.
I was even baptized.
I went to a Methodist church.
I went with my mother and two sisters.
Dad always stayed home.
I am not religious anymore.
That doesn't make me any less of a person.
I just question so much of everything.
So, much just doesn't make sense to me.
I have seen the bad parts of religion.
There is good too.
I know that.
My oldest sister is a wiccan now.
She believes in the Sun God and worshiping the earth.
My other sister is a cult member now.
She wouldn't call it a cult, but it is what it is.
Here, let me add to the mix - I'm a Buddhist; no religion, just a philosophy that works for me.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I see the good and bad that comes from the indoctrination used to control individuals.
You are "no less of a person" is such an important statement - at the end of the day who really know what lies beyond this realm.
It would be nice if everyone was kind and compassionate to each other in the name of any god.
Great post, Ruth.
Jenny @ PEARSON REPORT
Jenny, I have looked into Buddhism. I even have a book on it. I do like the philosophy too.
DeleteI have always questioned when people say that in our religion the woman has to do every thing around the house. I know it cannot be true.
ReplyDeleteMunir, Of course it isn't true.
DeleteI'm not religious, but I do find religious people to be fascination and infuriating at the same time. I've never really seen anyone defend and explain the impossible and cherry pick what to believe in like they do.
ReplyDeleteAdam, it is pretty messed up how people pick and choose what is to be followed.
DeleteGood, honest post, as usual. I'm Christian and am satisfied with my belief, to me it's the best way to explain reality, the world around me. That said, I always welcome open dialogue with anybody and everybody, as long as they're sincerely seeking the truth. :)
ReplyDeleteAlex,If you are happy with your beliefs that is a good thing. It's also good to be open to discussing it with people.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, I was an altar boy for four years. Four years.
ReplyDeleteWith that in mind, have you SEEN my posts about the Pope?
Yeah, it's that kind of irreverence that happens as a result of seven years of Catholic School.
I hope I'm still a good person, though.
Al, I did and I commented. Now, I am seriously hurt that you don't remember.
DeleteI hope in your years as an altar boy that no priest ever gave you any candy bars.
Sounds like you're the level-headed sister.
ReplyDeleteI love what Pearson wrote too. More and more people are turning to Buddhism.
I'm proudly Jewish, and I'm sick and tired of having to defend and explain my faith to all the Jew-haters out there. It's disturbing how much hate and stupidity there is in cyberspace alone. I appreciate people like you who question what they've been taught.
xoRobyn
Robyn, I had a roommate that was(and I am sure she still is) Jewish. She would not discuss her beliefs with me because she was sure she would offend me. Apparently that happened a lot. People would give her Christmas cards and she'd return the favor because no one seemed to get the fact that she didn't celebrate Christmas and she didn't want to offend them.
DeleteMy one sister reads a Jewish bible. They practice British Israelism. They don't consider themselves Jewish, but they are one of the lost tribes of Israel. I forget what their name is.
Robyn, I am so sad that you have had this experience. I love Judaism and I am a Christian! There is no Christianity without it.
DeleteI'm Christian, but don't see myself as religious either. Religion is a human construct while faith is not. So although I enjoy going to church at times, I don't see one church as necessarily being better than another.
ReplyDeleteMy Writing Blog
My Life Blog
Misha, I like sitting in a church when it is empty. I find it very peaceful. I've just never been one to listen to the sermons.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you haven't let religion come between you and your sisters. I agree that everyone has to do what makes them happy, as long as they're not hurting anyone else. I also wrote about religion, and Robyn sent me over.
ReplyDeleteJulie
Julie, I can't lie and say that I like how my one sister has been changed by her beliefs. She is still my sister so in order to accept her I have to take all of her.
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