Friday, 6 April 2012
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Big Announcement
I have 2 very important things to announce !
First, my blog has more than 5000 visits after yesterday.
Today, I have convert from a 'Christian' to a 'Lennonian'
A Lennonian is a person who walk accordingly to the song Imagine by John Lennon.
From today on, I worship only John Lennon.
There is no Bible to confuse you, you only need to listen to 'Imagine'
You don't have to hate women and homosexual.
You don't have to talk bad thing about other religion and other people.
You don't have to believe Facebook or Obama is the Anti Christ.
And most important, you don't have to believe other people is evil and you yourself is holy.
My holy scripture 'Imagine' is included in this blog.
First, my blog has more than 5000 visits after yesterday.
Today, I have convert from a 'Christian' to a 'Lennonian'
A Lennonian is a person who walk accordingly to the song Imagine by John Lennon.
From today on, I worship only John Lennon.
There is no Bible to confuse you, you only need to listen to 'Imagine'
You don't have to hate women and homosexual.
You don't have to talk bad thing about other religion and other people.
You don't have to believe Facebook or Obama is the Anti Christ.
And most important, you don't have to believe other people is evil and you yourself is holy.
My holy scripture 'Imagine' is included in this blog.
My ONE and ONLY true Lord John Lennon
Imagine By John Lennon
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace
You, you may say
I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people sharing all the world
You, you may say
I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will live as one
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace
You, you may say
I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people sharing all the world
You, you may say
I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will live as one
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Story By An Ex-Judaism
When I was in college, I fell in love with a Catholic boy. I graduated
and followed him to another state for graduate school. My parents
disowned me. They told me that if I choose him, that I was dead to them.
For two years, I was estranged from my parents. At the end of the two
years, I was vulnerable and ended up breaking it off with my love in
order to become a part of my family again. I married a man who was
Jewish and proceeded to have 3 fabulous children. However, the guy was
both physically and emotionally abusive. After 14 years of marriage, I
took the kids and got out. I was so demoralized that I did not realize
that I accepted escalating abuse because in fact, my parents were deeply
emotionally abusive. I gave my children both more religious training
and more religious tolerance than my parents gave to me. They have each
chosen their own paths in that regard. That is a topic for another day. I
love them unconditionally.
I don't think i ever really analyzed my feelings about the Abrahamic god the majority of my life. I did not read any version of the bible on my own, including the tanach...the hebrew 5 books of moses or old testament. I was content to just take my understanding of all world religions in the way they are presented to the popular culture. I was really cumbaya about the whole thing and did not realize that the god of the bible destroyed my life.
Then I moved to South Carolina.
Everyone was very very Christian and very very conservative Protestant. I decided to study Christianity. I read the KJV Bible and also my own English Translation of the Hebrew bible. I compared the translations in the old testament between them. I researched online and in real time about the beliefs of christians of various denominations. I read European history about how the various slight differences caused wars and divisions, made and destroyed royalty. I understood the motivations of coming to America for religious freedom in a whole new way. As a child, my history lessons were sanitized American history and the history of the Jews in the Old World (A viewpoint which paints ALL christians including Catholics with one broad brush).
As I studied the bible, new and old, I became more and more horrified by the things that I learned. Calvinists actually think that babies who die go to hell because they have not accepted Jesus? The Jews who were savagely murdered in the Inquisition are going to hell, but their Inquisitors are not? WTF?
I spent a fair amount of time feeling almost as threatened by christianity as my crazy ass mother who disowned me. And then...
I studied pre-Abrahamic religions. I found a great website called "POCM" Pagan Origins of the Christ Myth. You should all check it out. It is totally awesome. But it forced me to do one last thing...
Look at the religion of my birth.
I really thought about the things the Hebrews were told by their god to do to other people. I read about a petty, jealous god who said he knew everything but did not know that Adam and Eve would eat the apple or that Cain would Kill Abel. Well, shoot, how can humans sneak stuff on god if he knows everything??
I spent most of my life doubting. I no longer doubt. The Abrahamic god is a pagan god. Just like the gods before him. And frankly, I loved those stories too, but a never believed them even a little. It all came clear. There may be some glue that holds the universe together. But is certainly is not the Abrahamic god.
That is the short version of my de-conversion, such that it is. I was converted from Judaism to Atheism by studying Christianity. And that is why I am here.
Flo
I don't think i ever really analyzed my feelings about the Abrahamic god the majority of my life. I did not read any version of the bible on my own, including the tanach...the hebrew 5 books of moses or old testament. I was content to just take my understanding of all world religions in the way they are presented to the popular culture. I was really cumbaya about the whole thing and did not realize that the god of the bible destroyed my life.
Then I moved to South Carolina.
Everyone was very very Christian and very very conservative Protestant. I decided to study Christianity. I read the KJV Bible and also my own English Translation of the Hebrew bible. I compared the translations in the old testament between them. I researched online and in real time about the beliefs of christians of various denominations. I read European history about how the various slight differences caused wars and divisions, made and destroyed royalty. I understood the motivations of coming to America for religious freedom in a whole new way. As a child, my history lessons were sanitized American history and the history of the Jews in the Old World (A viewpoint which paints ALL christians including Catholics with one broad brush).
As I studied the bible, new and old, I became more and more horrified by the things that I learned. Calvinists actually think that babies who die go to hell because they have not accepted Jesus? The Jews who were savagely murdered in the Inquisition are going to hell, but their Inquisitors are not? WTF?
I spent a fair amount of time feeling almost as threatened by christianity as my crazy ass mother who disowned me. And then...
I studied pre-Abrahamic religions. I found a great website called "POCM" Pagan Origins of the Christ Myth. You should all check it out. It is totally awesome. But it forced me to do one last thing...
Look at the religion of my birth.
I really thought about the things the Hebrews were told by their god to do to other people. I read about a petty, jealous god who said he knew everything but did not know that Adam and Eve would eat the apple or that Cain would Kill Abel. Well, shoot, how can humans sneak stuff on god if he knows everything??
I spent most of my life doubting. I no longer doubt. The Abrahamic god is a pagan god. Just like the gods before him. And frankly, I loved those stories too, but a never believed them even a little. It all came clear. There may be some glue that holds the universe together. But is certainly is not the Abrahamic god.
That is the short version of my de-conversion, such that it is. I was converted from Judaism to Atheism by studying Christianity. And that is why I am here.
Flo
Adam and Eve
By Carl S ~
Here's
the story: Once upon a time two humans, plus lions, tigers, spiders,
flies, elephants, mosquitos, walruses, seals, horses, lambs, zebras,
polar bears, and millions of beetles - in fact, all life forms, lived in
harmony, in a place called The Garden of Eden. Every kind of fruit, vegetable, vegetation, including poisonous mushrooms, included.
Now - only two individuals were listed at that original prehistoric ZIP Code. They were, from the story, either teens or pre-teens, since neither one had sexual coupling yet. They were what my mother called "innocents." The story says, there was one single tree in that entire place on which there were fruits the couple were told by the Boss who made the garden, "Don't eat its fruit", so they went ahead and did it anyhow. They were warned beforehand that doing so would only bring problems. But, humans by nature are curious, and let's face it, these kids had NO knowledgeable reference points of just what "evil" and "death" meant. They were in effect, gullible and trusting. The Boss decided the consequences of this action.
So - the fruit tree was a frame-up, a.k.a., entrapment, with an agent in place to facilitate the entrapment, while the Boss watched from behind the bushes. If two kids like that wouldn't fall for it, nobody would. A slam dunk.
The story goes on that as a result of this disobedience, everybody had to get the hell out of Eden, never to go back in, and animals started eating each other, frequently making each other suffer and die, ever since. This is because the Boss decided, in his wisdom, this was the fairest punishment. Billions of humans have bought this story, so it CAN'T be silly, right?
Once out of Eden, now what? Survival, which depends on . . . curiosity, giving in to temptations, not being too trusting, being absolutely aware of dangers. And, the necessity to imitate Nature by lying and taking the risks of making the wrong choices. So, one of the consequences of expulsion from Eden is growing up and taking responsibility for one's actions, good or bad. Outside Eden there is freedom in all its awe and scariness. Outside of Eden is challenge, a sense of having the power of accomplishment. This is a "curse?" Is the Earth as experienced by the whole of mankind really a "vale of tears" after all?
Is an "Edenesque" place desirable, attainable, since many have endeavored to create one? Would it be a place fair to all? (Thomas Moore proposed Utopia; fair to only Christians. He burned heretics.) We ought to consider these questions with minds wide open; MILLIONS of lives have been destroyed in pursuit of an idealized Eden-paradise.
Let us propose something: That the faith, Hope, and Impetus driving "salvation" is really a desire to return to a state of Eden BEFORE the Fall; that to achieve this end, individuals are commanded to be "born AGAIN,” and become as little children, trusting and gullible. Uncurious. And, to never, never, disobey anything, anything the Boss says. The consequences are the rewards of getting back ALL the goodies of Eden/Heaven/Paradise/ a “New Earth” for persevering in this hamster tumbling wheel. But most of all, they'll enjoy the Presence of The Boss-Entrapper who tossed them out in the first place. They STILL TRUST him, with his repeated tricks and traps set on humans? Go figure.) This being born again and becoming as a little child is promoted to promise an Eden-relationship with the Boss even in the here and now, of peace and serenity as exemplified by holy men and women to be attainable. Even Mother Teresa's doubts are written off as transient.
Humans can no more return to Eden than a woman who has had intercourse can return to being a virgin - and most would never want to. We are told that as a consequence of disobedience, death was our fate rather than a previous eternal life in Eden. But, by following the aforementioned commandments, we will be rewarded with . . . Eternal Life!" For Christians, JESUS is the "way" back, the U-Turn who demands we become little children again.
Coming full round: The whole Eden story is so much nonsense. There never was a time or place free of pains, sufferings, of an utter perfection of Nature. Even "living Edens" aren't that way. By pointing this out, science becomes the enemy of salvation - beliefs. Evolution alone spoils the system by eliminating "Eden, Adam, Eve," in dealing with life as it always has been. You know, science in being Curious, giving in to temptation when one is told not to go there. By continually questioning claims without evidence to back them up.
Humans can no more return to Eden than a woman who has had intercourse can return to being a virgin - and most would never want to. Worshippers ought not to waste their lives trying to please such a fickle Boss- Entrapper and be so sure about that Eden thing. They can't be guaranteed that their Eden/Heaven/Paradise will not just be another place where they'll slip up just ONCE (and they will), and here we go again!!! So, they shouldn't be too anxious for this world we DO have to end, in order to get there. `
There are choices in living which are, frankly, gambles. What makes life itself a tragedy is when it's wagered on superstitions.
Now - only two individuals were listed at that original prehistoric ZIP Code. They were, from the story, either teens or pre-teens, since neither one had sexual coupling yet. They were what my mother called "innocents." The story says, there was one single tree in that entire place on which there were fruits the couple were told by the Boss who made the garden, "Don't eat its fruit", so they went ahead and did it anyhow. They were warned beforehand that doing so would only bring problems. But, humans by nature are curious, and let's face it, these kids had NO knowledgeable reference points of just what "evil" and "death" meant. They were in effect, gullible and trusting. The Boss decided the consequences of this action.
So - the fruit tree was a frame-up, a.k.a., entrapment, with an agent in place to facilitate the entrapment, while the Boss watched from behind the bushes. If two kids like that wouldn't fall for it, nobody would. A slam dunk.
The story goes on that as a result of this disobedience, everybody had to get the hell out of Eden, never to go back in, and animals started eating each other, frequently making each other suffer and die, ever since. This is because the Boss decided, in his wisdom, this was the fairest punishment. Billions of humans have bought this story, so it CAN'T be silly, right?
Once out of Eden, now what? Survival, which depends on . . . curiosity, giving in to temptations, not being too trusting, being absolutely aware of dangers. And, the necessity to imitate Nature by lying and taking the risks of making the wrong choices. So, one of the consequences of expulsion from Eden is growing up and taking responsibility for one's actions, good or bad. Outside Eden there is freedom in all its awe and scariness. Outside of Eden is challenge, a sense of having the power of accomplishment. This is a "curse?" Is the Earth as experienced by the whole of mankind really a "vale of tears" after all?
Is an "Edenesque" place desirable, attainable, since many have endeavored to create one? Would it be a place fair to all? (Thomas Moore proposed Utopia; fair to only Christians. He burned heretics.) We ought to consider these questions with minds wide open; MILLIONS of lives have been destroyed in pursuit of an idealized Eden-paradise.
Let us propose something: That the faith, Hope, and Impetus driving "salvation" is really a desire to return to a state of Eden BEFORE the Fall; that to achieve this end, individuals are commanded to be "born AGAIN,” and become as little children, trusting and gullible. Uncurious. And, to never, never, disobey anything, anything the Boss says. The consequences are the rewards of getting back ALL the goodies of Eden/Heaven/Paradise/ a “New Earth” for persevering in this hamster tumbling wheel. But most of all, they'll enjoy the Presence of The Boss-Entrapper who tossed them out in the first place. They STILL TRUST him, with his repeated tricks and traps set on humans? Go figure.) This being born again and becoming as a little child is promoted to promise an Eden-relationship with the Boss even in the here and now, of peace and serenity as exemplified by holy men and women to be attainable. Even Mother Teresa's doubts are written off as transient.
Humans can no more return to Eden than a woman who has had intercourse can return to being a virgin - and most would never want to. We are told that as a consequence of disobedience, death was our fate rather than a previous eternal life in Eden. But, by following the aforementioned commandments, we will be rewarded with . . . Eternal Life!" For Christians, JESUS is the "way" back, the U-Turn who demands we become little children again.
Coming full round: The whole Eden story is so much nonsense. There never was a time or place free of pains, sufferings, of an utter perfection of Nature. Even "living Edens" aren't that way. By pointing this out, science becomes the enemy of salvation - beliefs. Evolution alone spoils the system by eliminating "Eden, Adam, Eve," in dealing with life as it always has been. You know, science in being Curious, giving in to temptation when one is told not to go there. By continually questioning claims without evidence to back them up.
Humans can no more return to Eden than a woman who has had intercourse can return to being a virgin - and most would never want to. Worshippers ought not to waste their lives trying to please such a fickle Boss- Entrapper and be so sure about that Eden thing. They can't be guaranteed that their Eden/Heaven/Paradise will not just be another place where they'll slip up just ONCE (and they will), and here we go again!!! So, they shouldn't be too anxious for this world we DO have to end, in order to get there. `
There are choices in living which are, frankly, gambles. What makes life itself a tragedy is when it's wagered on superstitions.
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
The real 'born again' story
By Muse77
In 2005, I was a deaconess in a small full gospel church, my husband was head deacon and together we did bible studies for couples and I was part of the music team. That year, my husband fell in love with his secretary and left me and our three kids, then 14, 7 and 18 months. As you can imagine, this was a very painful time in my life, but the worst was yet to come. My pastors talked to my husband and came to me, convinced his wandering ways were my fault for being a rebellious 'Jezebel' and that I should immediately submit to counselling and prayer ministry (read that, deliverance ministry). At that time I was desperate to save my marriage and I did submit, for a while. When the humiliation grew to be too much, I started bucking the system, only to be told I was in rebellion and that I needed to be 'under their authority' if I had any hope of being 'spiritually well' and saving my marriage. My husband had refused counselling, seeing through their motives and he left the church for good. Between the heartbreak over a broken marriage and the emotional beating I was taking at the pastors' hands, death seemed a better option. But I had three kids to look out for, so I summoned all the courage I could and left the church and the all the friends I loved in that church, behind.
The pastors warned the congregation not to associate with me because of my so called 'rebellion' so I didn't hear from them. At all. My dearest friends abandoned me because they were afraid to go against the pastors' wishes. It was indeed an especially lonely time in my life. I did, after some time, join another church where my children and I found some healing. I was even coaxed into music ministry and found some satisfaction in that for several years. What was the turning point for me? Pastors who still wanted to manipulate and control for one. Inconsistencies in what the church claimed to believe and what they lived out day by day. And then, meeting a man who was not a Christian but who is the sweetest, kindest and funniest person I have ever met. He respected my faith, but when we had discussions about Christianity, he would ask me questions that I could not answer. I mean, I could give out pat answers as I'd been coached to in church, but those answers sounded totally non credible as I tried to explain them. He encouraged me to think more deeply, to think for myself. I think every Christian has had their share of doubts and questions that their religion does not answer satisfactorily. And I began to question, why doesn't the church have solid answers......?
The lack of logical answers and the plethora of ministers who crave recognition or who are greedy or power hungry are the main reasons I left mainline Christianity and the church. That and the criticism and judgmentalism that goes with it. The 'we are better than you because we have Jesus' club. Who needs it? The hypocrisy is untenable for me any more.
So where am I in my faith? I am not sure. I'm slowly piecing together a new life on a daily basis. I'm happier not living on a steady diet of guilt and condemnation. I like owning myself again. Though it's been hard, I've tried to come to a place of forgiveness towards the Christian community. If they knew better, they would do better.....at least, I hope that is true. It's been a blessing to come across the testimonials here. It is comforting to know, I'm not the only one.
In 2005, I was a deaconess in a small full gospel church, my husband was head deacon and together we did bible studies for couples and I was part of the music team. That year, my husband fell in love with his secretary and left me and our three kids, then 14, 7 and 18 months. As you can imagine, this was a very painful time in my life, but the worst was yet to come. My pastors talked to my husband and came to me, convinced his wandering ways were my fault for being a rebellious 'Jezebel' and that I should immediately submit to counselling and prayer ministry (read that, deliverance ministry). At that time I was desperate to save my marriage and I did submit, for a while. When the humiliation grew to be too much, I started bucking the system, only to be told I was in rebellion and that I needed to be 'under their authority' if I had any hope of being 'spiritually well' and saving my marriage. My husband had refused counselling, seeing through their motives and he left the church for good. Between the heartbreak over a broken marriage and the emotional beating I was taking at the pastors' hands, death seemed a better option. But I had three kids to look out for, so I summoned all the courage I could and left the church and the all the friends I loved in that church, behind.
The pastors warned the congregation not to associate with me because of my so called 'rebellion' so I didn't hear from them. At all. My dearest friends abandoned me because they were afraid to go against the pastors' wishes. It was indeed an especially lonely time in my life. I did, after some time, join another church where my children and I found some healing. I was even coaxed into music ministry and found some satisfaction in that for several years. What was the turning point for me? Pastors who still wanted to manipulate and control for one. Inconsistencies in what the church claimed to believe and what they lived out day by day. And then, meeting a man who was not a Christian but who is the sweetest, kindest and funniest person I have ever met. He respected my faith, but when we had discussions about Christianity, he would ask me questions that I could not answer. I mean, I could give out pat answers as I'd been coached to in church, but those answers sounded totally non credible as I tried to explain them. He encouraged me to think more deeply, to think for myself. I think every Christian has had their share of doubts and questions that their religion does not answer satisfactorily. And I began to question, why doesn't the church have solid answers......?
The lack of logical answers and the plethora of ministers who crave recognition or who are greedy or power hungry are the main reasons I left mainline Christianity and the church. That and the criticism and judgmentalism that goes with it. The 'we are better than you because we have Jesus' club. Who needs it? The hypocrisy is untenable for me any more.
So where am I in my faith? I am not sure. I'm slowly piecing together a new life on a daily basis. I'm happier not living on a steady diet of guilt and condemnation. I like owning myself again. Though it's been hard, I've tried to come to a place of forgiveness towards the Christian community. If they knew better, they would do better.....at least, I hope that is true. It's been a blessing to come across the testimonials here. It is comforting to know, I'm not the only one.
The Realization
By an ex-christian ~(anonymous author)
I have been very spiritual all my life but something about the churches and their teachings (having experience in both Protestant and Catholic churches) seemed to me to always preach action in the name of god or Jesus - not being good because it was the right thing to do.
Newborn child, seconds after birth. The umbilical cord has not yet been cut. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
For instance, just a few months before I realized I could no longer, in good conscience, remain a believer I had gone through RCIA at my local Catholic Church. Near the end of the course, during Lent,
we all had to talk about the sacrifices we were going to make. Some
people gave up smoking, some gave up coffee, some swearing. I gave up
my hair, which I saw as a vanity. When it was my turn to "reveal" my
sacrifice, my hair, I admitted I had gone a step further and donated it
to Wigs for Kids.
I asked what good was a sacrifice if it didn't benefit someone else? I
went on to mention that if you gave up candy or coffee or something
like that that cost money, why not donate that money to a soup kitchen
or something that would help others? I was instructed that the
sacrifice itself was enough, god didn't expect any more than that or
some words to that effect. That really bothered me, but I continued on
in the class.
Later that year my husband and I found ourselves pregnant with a surprise (my youngest child was already 9 years old). I finally was able to come to terms with a new pregnancy at 40 (it took weeks!), and time flew by. When the delivery day came, I was in the admissions waiting area having contractions along with a really non-religious epiphany. What kind of god would punish a woman for such a divine event by cursing her with unbearable pain during labor? Not a very good god and not one I wanted to have anything to do with. I realized at that moment that nature and nature only causes the pain we feel during childbirth. It was simply the result of a large object passing through a narrow opening, nothing more, nothing less. At that point, god became anathema to me.
It's been about a decade since that time and I've never felt freer - freer to be a good person just because it's the right thing to do; freer to help not just those who believe as I do, but anyone who needs it; freer to learn about other belief systems... I've realized that NO ONE can know the right truth for another. Life and life experience shapes that... I've realized how destructive the christian religion, in particular, has been to other cultures - converting then deserting people who, once they've lost their own way, suffer in poverty and misery following a god who won't help them.
I've discovered more in this time, too much to list here, so I'll shut up now - thank you for listening!
I have been very spiritual all my life but something about the churches and their teachings (having experience in both Protestant and Catholic churches) seemed to me to always preach action in the name of god or Jesus - not being good because it was the right thing to do.
Newborn child, seconds after birth. The umbilical cord has not yet been cut. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Later that year my husband and I found ourselves pregnant with a surprise (my youngest child was already 9 years old). I finally was able to come to terms with a new pregnancy at 40 (it took weeks!), and time flew by. When the delivery day came, I was in the admissions waiting area having contractions along with a really non-religious epiphany. What kind of god would punish a woman for such a divine event by cursing her with unbearable pain during labor? Not a very good god and not one I wanted to have anything to do with. I realized at that moment that nature and nature only causes the pain we feel during childbirth. It was simply the result of a large object passing through a narrow opening, nothing more, nothing less. At that point, god became anathema to me.
It's been about a decade since that time and I've never felt freer - freer to be a good person just because it's the right thing to do; freer to help not just those who believe as I do, but anyone who needs it; freer to learn about other belief systems... I've realized that NO ONE can know the right truth for another. Life and life experience shapes that... I've realized how destructive the christian religion, in particular, has been to other cultures - converting then deserting people who, once they've lost their own way, suffer in poverty and misery following a god who won't help them.
I've discovered more in this time, too much to list here, so I'll shut up now - thank you for listening!
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