Why I'm Thankful I Was Not Raised in a Devoutly Religious Household

Good article!

"What if they're right? Can I take that chance?"

This is basically along the lines of Pascal's Wager. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_Wager and I agree with you it has nothing to do with faith. It's just cowardly covering yourself, just in case. Another problem encountered when using this argument would be exactly which religion to apply it to and on what grounds. What if the Islamists are right? what if the Hindus are right and so on.. what would be the consequences then. One might as well just say: what if nobody is right? Ignore the whole thing and live happily and fearless ever after

You sinner! Repent or burn in Hell!

"What if they're right? Can I take that chance?"

I agree about why this is not a good reason for following any organized religion. I've always asked, "What if they're wrong?" Then I would have lived my entire life according to their standards of goodness and their flawed morality that caused me to denounce my self and abandon my ideas of happiness. And if I then realized that there was no afterlife, I'd be really angry.

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I wish I'd remembered that when I was writing the article, thanks for making that connection.

But unfortunately, when you plant the idea of heaven and hell in the mind -- especially young impressionable minds -- it can really do a number them.

I feared my parents. I feared spankings. I feared my Mom telling my Dad on me when he got home. So sure you can say fear. Simply means utmost respect. It is nothing to fear. Honest.

This does not mean it takes away your capacity for life. I can drink beer and smoke left handed cigarettes and chase the women with the best of them. I can also confess my sins to God the father privately and move on. I don't even have to be sorry. Why would I be I probably had a good time.

Freer doesn't necessarily mean free Kjhack. In the case of the sex issue you used for an example in your article it can enslave you and usually does. This is what is meant by a snare. A snare is not meant to get out of. It is meant to keep you there.

The believe thing that is up to you. I will still read your articles any way. I gave an absolute + for your article here. I like the fact you wrote about your family.

because I read it as coming from an honest analysis of your experiences with religion. I admire that. I rarely comment on the religious bytes on Xomba for personal reasons but feel compelled to let you know that it sounds like we grew up in parallel universes...my extended family was the same. As you know from my profile, I am a Muslim and have been for 13 years which gave me peace and reconciliation with my previous religious experiences. And that's my personal reflection, not a suggestion for everyone reading this. I believe there is no compulsion in religion and at the end of my life, I don't want there to have been any regrets. So search for your truths! It's a noble cause and if you're a charitable and compassionate person in the process, then it's a win-win.
As always, a fan of your bytes...

Peace,

Mia NW

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Thanks!

I appreciate your thoughts on this. For me, religion just never had any appeal. And I've seen far too many people that have been messed up by very rigid theology.

Of course, I've also met many people for whom religion has been a satisfying and enriching experience, as well.

Thanks for your comments. :)

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This does not mean it takes away your capacity for life. I can drink beer and smoke left handed cigarettes and chase the women with the best of them. I can also confess my sins to God the father privately and move on. I don't even have to be sorry. Why would I be I probably had a good time.

No need to be sorry -- unless you hurt someone. Why do we need to consider so many things we humans enjoy as "sin?"

Freer doesn't necessarily mean free Kjhack. In the case of the sex issue you used for an example in your article it can enslave you and usually does. This is what is meant by a snare. A snare is not meant to get out of. It is meant to keep you there.

Sure, anything can enslave you. I've never felt enslaved by sex, to be honest. Sex is a natural, enjoyable part of life. Why do you need rules handed down by someone else to live your life?

I understand what you're saying, actually. A number of fundamentalist Christians have told me they were living a wild, narcissistic life prior to finding Jesus, then once they were "saved", it all ended. They may have gained a healthier lifestyle, but I kind of see it as just exchanging one addiction for another.

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perhaps the "right from wrong" you were taught had to do with Not stealing, lying, cheating, murder, etc. I think we all know what book to go to in order to find that teaching. If you think you have not been indoctrinated into a belief system, you are wrong--you have been indoctrinated into the "open-minded toward everything but organized religion" belief system--your parents passed it along to you.

Its funny--so often those who are the most proud of being "opened minded" are those who in the next breath are the most anti-religious -- and usually this means anti--Christian, as one sees from your post. While its true that every person who truly finds God finds Him personally, that He gave us a set of teachings to live by and instructed us therein to organized ourselves into groups (churches) for the purpose of supporting each other, receiving teaching and doing His work is hardly evidence of an Orwellian plot.

this reading (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmouWdfaI7Q and others attached) explains that the Bible's "Hell" had nothing to do with "punishment." (In fact, the prophet J&olong;b actually asked to ~go~ to Hell!)

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perhaps the "right from wrong" you were taught had to do with Not stealing, lying, cheating, murder, etc. I think we all know what book to go to in order to find that teaching.

Which book would that be? Of course you realize that such teachings predate both Christianity and Judaism.

If you think you have not been indoctrinated into a belief system, you are wrong--you have been indoctrinated into the "open-minded toward everything but organized religion" belief system--your parents passed it along to you.

Nope, not at all. I am very "open minded" toward organized religion, but I'm glad I'm glad I wasn't brought up on a steady diet of religious doctrine. I've seen some of the most messed up people come from such homes.

Its funny--so often those who are the most proud of being "opened minded" are those who in the next breath are the most anti-religious -- and usually this means anti--Christian, as one sees from your post. While its true that every person who truly finds God finds Him personally, that He gave us a set of teachings to live by and instructed us therein to organized ourselves into groups (churches) for the purpose of supporting each other

I think you misinterpret my words because you see it as an attack on what you believe. I'm just expressing my views based my upbringing and experience. They are in no way "anti-Christian" or anti-religion. I have happen to have a great deal of respect for the basis message that Jesus imparted. Look at the first paragraph where I related a story of an idiot minister who visited my father in the hospital. That's the type of twisted teaching with which I have a serious problem, I admit.

As far as God giving us "teachings", I'm afraid I'll have to disagree with you. All teachings known to humankind are man made.

Great article KJHack!

Well written and directly from your heart. I can appreciate your views and the time you took to express them.
+1 for sure! I don't agree with all of your views as I am sure by now you know.... :) but I certainly respect them.

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*treat others as you would like to be treated* I think that is the way to go (for most people haha)

I was recently invited to a wedding here in Europe and was asked if I wanted to borrow clothes for the wedding...I thought pfffft if my clothes are not good enough for the church wedding, I am not going! I did not go to the church wedding, I did however go to city hall for the real marriage!

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I say 'sometimes' because at other times I 'hate his guts.' He's a great guy, just misguided; yet when he does something 'wrong,' he's very careful to do it outside of the 'parishoners'' view.

(It's not exactly a traditional church - http://www.linkbrander.com/go/47684 - so its parishoners [The Married Money Club] aren't 'exactly' parishoners.)

I kinda have your beliefs, KJhack; except I was raised- and thus am entrenched-in Roman Catholic Christianity (which I would consider to be BOTH the next-best thing to- AND the complete antithesis of-having been one of the original disciples of Jesus Christ).

It's 'the next-best thing' because it worships the one whom they call Christ's 'Father.' I call it 'the antithesis' because (among other things) it's leaders think that God is found only 'within the Box.'

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I'm being a little lazy right now by making a quick, general post to all, since I'm a bit pressed for time. But I just wanted to let you know all your comments on my article were appreciated.

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What a well said point of view...I feel that my relationship with my creator is between my creator and I. As Lady K. states "treat others as if they were you", we are all a part of creation. We make our own peace with God in our own way...I think an entity believed to be so all-encompassing would not need an interpreter.
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Quote: "I think an entity believed to be so all-encompassing would not need an interpreter."

I just thought that was VERY well said *Smiles* couldn't resist replying :)

“Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand — and melting like a snowflake.” -Marie Beyon Ray

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I understand your take, and indeed we do not 'need an interpreter' in order to sit right personally with God. ("... when you pray, go into a private room and shut the door ...")

But the reality of religion is the demand for harmonious droning, whether participants are aware of the drone's meaning or not.

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You realize both that--to keep this thread alive--you must respond to all responses, and that collective respondence (applicable when the responses don't necessarily DEMAND individual respondences) gives you more time to write more content for XomBilly's web-scroll.

You wisely use the time you've got to do the work of the time you don't got! Good job!

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Would this be what God means when said " Not to begrudge you of what you have now, It is all you have"? A snowflake, a sparkling star? God says a vapor. Watch out for the trap.

Kjack you are denying the actions of some, that you would say you don't do, is extreme and causes the question to be asked what is normal?. Would denial be a snare too?

I have not been with, seen or talked with God .....

I just believe we should treat "everyone" in our lives, the way we would like to be. That means so, SO, so many things )but ya need common sense) shall I go on?

... if you see someone needs help... HELP THEM!
... if you see someone dropped something (kinda big) ... HELP!!! pick it up !
... if you see someone crying ... hand them a tissue if ya got it, if not give them a hug.... (watch out for the tears!)
... if someone is hungry.... give em those extra fries .... (i did that one time!) another story....
... etc .... it is SO simple!

don't worry about yourself so much, go help others, it works really good :)

“Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand — and melting like a snowflake.” -Marie Beyon Ray

Long time ago it was difficult for people to be "others". In South Italy it is very difficult today too: people think they are right, because they go every Sunday to the church.
I've my own thoughts about religion: every religion has good and bad things. My family think, intollerance = ignorance
I educate my children to be open and to think with their own head.

Lokesh

The feeling of oneness should overule religion for the human race to flourish....

good touching article this.... thnx...

... use His gifts as He intends!

'Excalibur (the blesséd sword) was NOT 'blesséd' until people PWNed The Blessing!'

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Some versions of God seem quite petty, jealous, and vindictive. I can't understand why anyone would want to worship such an entity. Does it make any sense that an all powerful deity would possess off the worst human traits?

I believe we are all part of something, I just don't choose to put a label on it, myself.

I think religion has things to teach us, but I think it becomes a huge mistake to become overly dependent on it.

Raising children to be open minded and think for themselves is most important.

The feeling of oneness should overule religion for the human race to flourish....

Division is what keeps us in constant conflict with each other -- and religion is one of the keys ways that is achieved.

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It's interesting to me just how many religions DO feature Gods that are petty, vindictive, etc. As a child, I was always fascinated with the Greek and Roman myths (which, of course, were once part of theist-based religions), as well as those of the Norse, etc. - but I was always amazed at how un-"Divine" the deities acted. (I realize this isn't exactly what you were commenting on, that you more likely had in mind religions where a God smites someone for a fairly minor infraction or for insullting Him, etc. - but this is what it brought up for me.)

After all, we created them.

My elderly mother, who's in a nursing home with cancer, gets visited periodically by the clergy and always tells them politely, thanks but no thanks, I'm not religious. She went to Catholic school as a kid but somewhere along the line decided religion wasn't for her, although she did make an effort to get me a basic Catholic education (I got baptized, communioned, and confirmed but, as with her, it didn't "take".)

I don't think religious piety has anything to do with ethics or morality, or happiness, for that matter. We've all known religious types who are mean, nasty people, and atheists who wouldn't hurt a fly. I long ago settled on agnosticism. I'm not closing the door on the possibilities, but I have more important things to do in my life than worry about whether or not "God" exists or if she approves of me.