Anyone non-religious here? Please be nice!

[tnchickenut]

Thanks for making this thread! You can safely add me to your list of non-religious folks.

I don't want to sound hateful... but there is just something about all of the churches and temples and synagogues I have been taken to growing up that in one way or another didn't sit right with me. The thing that kills me the most.... they are all saying the same thing and more often then not telling the same stories with the same charicters and, yet, they still fight about who is right and who is wrong!?!
(And, yes, I was taken to all sorts of Western and Eastern religious facilities - my Godmother took me to a different place every weekend once I was old enough to start understanding. She said it was all my choice and not to let anyone ever tell me what to believe. That last part stuck... not the rest. lol)

 

[Michele_Lynd]

Nurse that sounds like us

when I think about it U could say we are Eclectic I think thats how u spell it LOL .I know I havent posted much , I have been reading alot and Im so glad to see how everyone is being so mature and open

Thank U for starting this thread

 

[deb1]

So for those who were formerly religious, were there any books that helped you on your way out of your former religion.

 

[SunnyDawn]

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Yes that'll work! I've even scared people when they ask me why I celebrate christmas when I'm not christian. I inform them that christmas was actually a pagan holiday before the church adopted it to convert more pagans. So when I say I love my pagan holiday they almost always either laugh or back up a little (like it might be contagious).

 

[SunnyDawn]

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Nothing specific for me. Maybe I should write one! I'll include interviews from all of you!

Michele_Lynd I love that term! That's exactly what I am! I'm spiritually eclectic!

 

[KDbeads]

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Well, the bible was first and foremost. Several things I read on enlightenment during the 18th century, notably John Locke. Thoreau was another biggie.

 

[tnchickenut]

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Well, the bible was first and foremost. Several things I read on enlightenment during the 18th century, notably John Locke. Thoreau was another biggie.

The Bible! LMAO!!! That was witty. Love it.

 

[thaiturkey]

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You've got me thinking. Here are the pagan four seasons:

http://www.mystical-www.co.uk/time/fs.html

Perhaps I should ask this on the pagan forum but the thoughts of the non-religious posters would be welcome. Does paganism have relevance worldwide or only in temperate regions? We have two seasons only here. By and large, it's either hot and dry or hot and wet. I haven't met anyone here who claims to be pagan. However, we have animism and it's very early origins are fascinating:

http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/a/animism.htm

Boy, that's old stuff! It makes me think again about the origins of modern religions and why they were needed.

Animism here is mixed up with Buddhism, illogically. We all have spirit houses in our gardens and so do hotels, offices, banks and other businesses except the Chinese owned ones. They are there to appease the spirits that occupy the land on which a building has been erected. They are treated once in a while to prayers, garlands, a drink, some food and a cigarette. Wonderful stuff! And why not? It could all be true.

 

[Michele_Lynd]

no there were no books per say I bought some books on wicca by Scott Cuningham and Silver Ravenwolf. When my son was intrested in Buddiusm I went to the libary to look it up, My husband found some people to talk to about Native American believes at an open religious festivel and still keep contact with them. My girls all go to Sunday School. I still look things up and I talk with people and I read posts Like this one

 

[EweSheep]

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