Anyone non-religious here? Please be nice!

[MoSo]

I can't say that I am grateful, exactly, for not being religious or belonging to a religious organization. It's sort of a non-issue with me.

I have watched friends work through conflicts between their conscience and their church, and I am glad not to have that particular burden.

 

[SunnyDawn]

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You, and many other thousands upon thousands of folks that have been persecuted over the years, for not bowing down, throughout history.

 

[SunnyDawn]

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Yes, yes, yes! I do not miss any of this! I also don't miss the ridiculous superstitions, the judgement and the guilt (you try and try and try to be absolutely perfect and then someone comes up and makes a nasty remark about something small and you feel horrible 'cause you're trying so hard to be a "good christian"). I am at peace now because I know in my heart that how I am living my life is what's right for me and those I love. My spiritual energy is higher and I feel more grounded than I ever have. I am actually happy! Really being at peace with my beliefs and knowing that it's ok if I'm wrong is the best of all!!! I don't stress if I make a mistake, I know it's human and I don't feel like I'm going to burn in hell if I have part of my doctrine wrong.

It's soooo freeing!

The things I miss are a few of the people (most of them I'm relieved to be away from but there were some really wonderful souls too). I do miss them but I know they are only trying to be "good christians" by obeying the ministry. I also miss the music some. Luckily my whole family is musical and my parents (who are questioning their beliefs and are ok with not being sure of the exact answers) and I get together regularly and sing around the piano. Almost all of us have performed in public at one time or another so public displays are common as well. We often sing hymns too, since we feel like a beautiful song is a beautiful song and we feel completely free to enjoy beauty. It's not every week but I get my fix.

I enjoyed some of the activities too. For awhile I belonged to "Parents Without Partners" 'cause I was a single Mom and they had some great sport events and picnics etc but, of course you can't be married and still go to their events. However we go to the senior center dances here in Reno and they are a BLAST!!! The people are so sweet and we don't have to deal with cigarette smoke and drunks like we would have to at the dance clubs.

Of course a few of my family members hate me even more, since I live a very clean life, they feel like I'm an even worse example for my nieces and nephews etc..., since they can't say "see what happens when you leave the church?" but I can't make everyone happy and now I don't feel any pressure to try!

 

[Prettiest Frog]

I must make a confession.

I am religious.

For just today, at lunch, I looked upon the glory of his divine form, and have come to bring you to the Truth. http://www.venganza.org/

May you too, be touched by his noodley appendage

 

[OccamsTazer]

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I desperately want one of those. I'm going to stick it next to the Darwin fish on my car.

 

[KDbeads]

I had a place book marked for FSM bumper stickers.... will have to find it again...

 

[deb1]

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What are those who worship his noodleness called?

 

[KDbeads]

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Found it!
http://www.evolvefish.com/fish/fsm.html

 

[Prettiest Frog]

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What are those who worship his noodleness called?

Pastafarians

 

[justuschickens59]

I just found this thread and the Paganism thread and am greedily devouring it.

I am not religious and my spiritual path is Paganism. My religion is my land. I was a Christian for many many years (35+) and never once felt spiritual. Now, I feel spiritual many times a day. I feel spiritual when I step outside in the morning to greet the coming day. I feel spiritual when I feel the warm Earth under my feet. I feel spiritual when I feel the wind whip through my hair. I feel spiritual when I feel the rain fall on my face. I feel spiritual when I see flowers with their happy and colorful faces turned up to the sun. I feel spiritual when I see a strong tree full of ancient wisdom. I feel spiritual when I see a bird soar in the sky or a bunny hop across the field. I feel spiritual when I look around and see all of Mother Nature's creatures. Spirituality is all around me and IN me since I threw off the shackles of fear of Christianity. I am alive and I am free for the first time in my life and it is an absolutely WONDERFUL feeling.

Thank you sincerely for starting this thread.