Anyone non-religious here? Please be nice!

[KDbeads]

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Sorry, had to be short, had a hail storm come up really fast!

Anyway, there's a little thing, 'god helps those who help themselves', I don't think that's being taught as much anymore. And it really should be because there are so many out there that honestly think they are owed whatever for whatever reason, be it race or religion or politics or creed, etc. We've been in a really bad income crunch here lately and while looking for work I was told repeatedly to apply for hardship grants at whatever charity. I was appalled that someone would think I wanted a hand out! I want a JOB, I want to earn my way, I want to make my own ends meet because I am capable. Leave the grants for those who truly need them. I don't feel entitled for x,y, or z like I see so many others feel who claim they are religious. It does disturb me.

 

[deb1]

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My children have all nutured their stuffed animals from an early age. I think that is proof that, for the most part, we have goodness in us. Yes, there is some selfishness mixed in there also but a great capacity for kindness and compassion in our nature.

I think that as parents we should acknowledge when our children show the traits that we wish them to develop. There are some parents who don't hesitate to punish or yell at their children when they do wrong but never praise them when they do right.

If a brother is kind to his sister and one of his parents acknowledge his actions, that will have more effect on his actions then all the screaming and punishment in the world.

 

[SunnyDawn]

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I agree with you completely! Maybe it shouldn't, but it irritates me when I see people on TV saying that they won the football game because God answered their prayers! It's like saying that God doesn't love the other team. I'm not a believer but how insulting for the losing team's players that are believers and also prayed! This is my same problem with Santa Claus. I feel it sends the wrong message to our children telling them that Santa obviously loves them more than poor children since they received more gifts than these other children or vise-versa (Santa doesn't love my children as much as they're wealthy friends).

As far as the question about how we non-secular folks teach our children morals. I actually find that whole question amusing! Your religious beliefs have nothing to do with how moral your children are. You can't scare a child into behaving once they reach a certain age. Your children learn by example. If you lie, don't treat others kindly/respectfully, steal, etc. your children see this and will behave accordingly. I am a very honest person from a very honest family that believes in giving a lot of ourselves. As a result my children are very honest (though not perfect of course). In fact sometimes I wish they weren't quite so honest!

They are also generous to a fault (I don't think any of us will ever be extremely wealthy) but all of them have a strong sense of self and try very hard to do what's right and learn from the times they make mistakes. Trust me nothing guarantees that your children will grow up to be what you want them to be (not even the fear of fire and brimstone) but do your best and I bet they will try to do their's. Let them know how important it is for them to be someone they are proud of!
Of course I know of many stories where a child that is raised in a very disfunctional family winds up being one of the sweetest beings on the planet. So CityChicker is probably correct. For most of us it seems to be innate. Most people by far are just good by nature!
OK I hate to be one of those ministers that gets preachy so I will climb down from my soapbox now.

CityChicker the fact that you still adore your MIL and can see all of her wonderful qualities, despite her irrational superstitions, says a lot about what kind of a person you are! She is lucky to have you as a daughter-in-law! It does my heart good to see such loving, caring folks expressing themselves here!

 

[Kelly G]

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All of your points were well-stated...but this one rang loud and true. There are many times that I see very Christian threads...and I just keep moving. What they say holds not interest for me, and I don't go into their threads and start up trouble. To what end??? Let like-minds gather as long as everyone plays by the rules.

 

[deb1]

My husband is very religious. If he wants to say the rosary with me, I say it with him and when he prays before meals, I bow my head. My daughter has expressed curiosity about my actions. I tell her that all faiths deserve respect because they all contain some truth and beauty. Also, if you respect a person, I don't see the harm in participating in some expressions of faith as long as the other person understands that you aren't a part of their faith. Pretending to be something that you are not would be dishonest and ultimately disrespectful to the other person.

If I went to a mosque, temple, coven sabbath or any other religious practice, I would follow the actions of those around me. That doesn't mean-in my mind-that I believe as they do. It is only a matter of showing respect for the individuals involved and what they believe.

I no longer take communion at mass because I have always been taught that doing so means that you are in agreement with the Catholic Churches believes about the Eucharist, which I do not believe. But bowing your head, only shows that you respect another person's prayers. It doesn't mean that you believe or disbelieve that their prayers work.

 

[SunnyDawn]

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All of your points were well-stated...but this one rang loud and true. There are many times that I see very Christian threads...and I just keep moving. What they say holds not interest for me, and I don't go into their threads and start up trouble. To what end??? Let like-minds gather as long as everyone plays by the rules.

I'm enjoying speaking with like minds as well! Good to hear I'm not alone.

 

[Kelly G]

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This is SO true. My husband pretty much grew up with no religion at all. He is a content athiest. I grew up miserable in the Catholic church/school system, and consider myself a recovering Catholic. I have a good, healthy dose of resentment to Catholicism...and now, as an adult, a real healthy resentment towards ALL religions now. SO much destruction has been done in the name of religion...

 

[thaiturkey]

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I could never accept the '..... unto the seventh generation .....' rule either. What's the justification except to keep individuals in fear even if they regard themselves as good people? It was an Old Testament rule that, as I understand it, was overturned my the teachings of the New Testament. At least one faith keeps to the old rule, I think, if only because it rejects the new Testament. But the Christian churches can't have it both ways. Either the sins of the fathers get passed down or Christ died for our sins so that we may be forgiven.

Neither am I comfortable with the idea that someone gave his life to save mine without asking me first. That places a burden of moral debt on me that I might not want. So much for religious freedom of choice.

To put it simply, personal faith is quite easy until someone complicates it with his own interpretation of the bible, a very confused book indeed after centuries of misuse.

 

[EweSheep]

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I am not comfortable with that idea either and a debt I can never repay. I would have to have that reminder for the rest of my life as well and it would not be a happy one either.

I do not know if the Bible was misused but more likely wrong translations...it still happens today.

 

[thaiturkey]

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Hi Sunny Dawn.

Thank you for your added wishes. No rain yet but our storms are in the evening as the air cools. I still need more days to finish the coop roof though. I gave up digging in the hard clay to make holes for the eucalyptus log supports and have paid two guys to prod away at it for me to speed things up.

I'm glad you like the links. Asian religions are very old and contain some great wisdom. They have been hijacked by politicians and military over the centuries like more modern religions but the original teachings are still there for us today. I'm drawn to Buddhism because it's teaching ring true with me and I'm not asked to bow down to any deity or listen to any hot head preacher. It's a very gentle and tolerant philosophy.

I add my thanks to yours to Redux, Admin. and the Moderators for creating and protecting this very useful thread. Discussion of religion is banned from most forums for the reason that hate posts usually result but this thread has shown that people can discuss their experiences, views and beliefs openly and maturely. Thanks to all the posters too!

Although the non religious folk of this world may often be made to feel inferior, the posts on this thread show great strength of character and self belief!