Atheist/non-religious thread

[HawaiiCoyote]

Where any of you raised religiously, and then decide it wasn't for you?

I was raised christian when I was very young, always disliked it. (Church, praying, the whole nine yards) I think what made me realize I disliked it was the fact that I had to wait for my family to pray *or pray myself* before eating a meal. I just want to eat my food goddammit!
My parents were actually the ones to make the decision to dip out of Christianity, and I was ultimately pleased with it since I hadn’t really believed in it in the first place

 

[HawaiiCoyote]

Thanks @Silviaschicks for starting it. Hi @chickentrains ! Outside of organized religion, what are some things that make people feel spiritual? I find being in verdant spaces to be extremely calming. Also, observing the effortless perfection that is nature, and my animals. Also, seeing people be honest/vulnerable and self aware makes me feel connected.

Anyone else?

I have a bit of a routine that I do, for me to feel as connected with the earth as I can.
i like to sit in the forest and breath for a few minutes, just listening to myself breath. Then I will get up and take a few steps. Fully focusing on how the earth feels under my toes, the moss, the leaves. Heightening my senses. I like to close my eyes and try to smell every smell that I can catch, and then I observe the way the trees sway for a few minutes, watching how they communicate. It’s also nice to close your eyes and feel the ferns, or the tree bark.
Once I feel like I’m aware of every little thing around me, I start to explore. Taste things, brush my finger tips against everything, smell the dirt and examine the tiny veins on leaves. It’s different every time, a new adventure every time. That’s how I spiritually connect

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I have a bit of a routine that I do, for me to feel as connected with the earth as I can.
i like to sit in the forest and breath for a few minutes, just listening to myself breath. Then I will get up and take a few steps. Fully focusing on how the earth feels under my toes, the moss, the leaves. Heightening my senses. I like to close my eyes and try to smell every smell that I can catch, and then I observe the way the trees sway for a few minutes, watching how they communicate. It’s also nice to close your eyes and feel the ferns, or the tree bark.
Once I feel like I’m aware of every little thing around me, I start to explore. Taste things, brush my finger tips against everything, smell the dirt and examine the tiny veins on leaves. It’s different every time, a new adventure every time. That’s how I spiritually connect

I know this is an atheist thread but can I say, it's wonderful how much we have in common! These are things I also do to help me feel spiritual. I have always felt very close to God in nature.

 

[cheepteach]

I was raised Catholic-my father's half brother was a priest. Mom was Lutheran, but not practicing. I was taught in Sunday school that only Catholics go to heaven, so that meant not my mom, or her family. That was the beginning of my disillusionment with organized religion. Us kids were allowed to make our own decision in 8th grade after Confirmation. My dad wanted us to know about the religion before choosing yes or no. In high school I joined a Presbyterian youth group with 2 of my best friends. What a revelation that group was for me! We did community work with a Baptist church all together !
That is how I view what religion should be---accept the 10 Commandments and be good to each other. Not any one building or temple does that for me

 

[Tre3hugger]

Interesting to read each of your experiences. Thanks all for sharing.

 

[chickentrains]

Interesting to read each of your experiences. Thanks all for sharing.

Agreed

 

[HawaiiCoyote]

Interesting to read each of your experiences. Thanks all for sharing.

Totally! Thanks for creating this thread!

 

[chickentrains]

Totally! Thanks for creating this thread!

they didn't make it LOL

 

[HawaiiCoyote]

they didn't make it LOL

Oh god... here I go again

 

[HawaiiCoyote]

Now I’m just going to stalk the thread and pretend that didn’t happen