When I first read this post in one of the forums I frequent, my initial reaction was to rant and rave about my similar experience(s). So instead of a knee jerk reaction I decided to wait a bit and see if my "disgust" went away. Well it hasn't, tho it's a bit more tempered.
I think what upset me the most was the fact that the author felt that he needed to apologize because he "hurt" someones feelings for believing the way he does. I am so sick of having to tip toe around so called "believers" because that can't handle the fact that they are living a life of fairy tales. I have not only had to do this with my belief system but also because I am a lesbian; oh and throw in the fact that I also have a mental illness. I get a triple whammy. [Altho I have mentioned this in prior blog posts, I am a lesbian; have been my whole life. I consider myself a deistic (for lack of a better term) agnostic bordering on atheism, and I have bipolar disorder. I am physically impaired due to chronic pain, and I have diabetes (caused by the psychotropic meds I was prescribed to treat my bipolar).]
What I have learned over the past 25 years is this,,,I lead by example; I am who I am. What you see is what you get, and I have no pretences. I am not out to impress anyone, the only person I attempt impress is myself. I live my life for me (and my wife), not for any persons, organization, or religion. I hide nothing, my life is an open book. So, if you have a question, ask. If done with respect, I will answer you with respect and honesty. If you think you know the answer(s) to your question(s), and you still want to ask, be forewarned I will tell you straight up. So don't act all shocked and bent out of shape, don't try to "convert" me, and don't decide that all the sudden you can't/won't be part of my life. Just because I "came out" to you doesn't change who I am. I am still the same person I was 5 minutes ago.
It has taken many years, but I am now to the point of saying-- "F*** It, I do not care what others think. They either can accept me for who I am or get out of my life. I will drop you like a lead balloon and not think twice about it. I do not need negativity in my life.
Oh, and btw, this is not just in regards to my "religious" beliefs. You see my journey started many years ago. First aspect of my life to be called into question was my acceptance of being a lesbian. After many years of struggle I came to the conclusion that I am to accept myself for who I am; no amount of prayer was going to change me. I became comfortable with my sexuality in regards to my then religious beliefs. It was between me and god and no one else.
In 1997 I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and hospitalized for a total of 18 months (full and partial hospitalization). I struggled for 2 1/2 yrs to get a handle on my diagnoses. I read every possible piece of literature concerning bipolar disorder. Learned as much as possible to help my self be able to fight any stigma associated with having a mental illness. Maybe it was the timing of my diagnoses, or the fact mental illness was just beginning to come to the forefront, I found that I did not have the difficulties with societal expectations as many others in the past have. Yes there is much misinformation out there but that is changing.
As for my non-religious beliefs, very few people know about my deconversion.
My de-conversion odyssey is not just dogmatic or doctrinal. Both issues are involved, but my journey has not been a simple one. Without going into a long diatribe, my deistic agnosticism (bordering on atheism) has come after many years of study and thought. My rejection of the biblical cannon as having authority in my life, or as a revelation from god is complete.
Altho I no longer believe in the existence of the Abrahamic concept of god, I do accept the possibility of some form of a higher power hence the agnosticism. Tho I do not believe this higher power to be revelatory (deism) as generally accepted by those of christian faith.
But not many people know this aspect of me. Why? Because I have learned that talking "religion" is pointless (almost as pointless as politics). Your not going to change my mind, and I'm not going to change yours. That is where my leading by example comes in, my life is my testament. If by example I can show people that being a non-believer is not a "bad" thing I have done my part.
[BTW I do not deny that a good debate is always fun. That is why I have no issue in putting my thoughts out there in cyberspace. If I go to a "christian" forum and spout about being a non-believer I aspect to get backlash, I except that. The same should hold true for "believers" that come into our forums.]
Religious discussion can hurt
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