New Former Christian Member with a long story

[MoreWinters]

Hey guys, it is MoreWinters here. Let me introduce myself a bit. I love surfing the internet and being on forums, chatting with play. I have a crippling addiction to Agar.io as well. Other things I like to do is draw and read stories sometimes. The meaning behind my unusual username is because I live in the Midwest, USA and you know how cold it gets. I like staying inside for the winter, it's really peaceful and I want more winters like that.

Anyways, to my religious beliefs which I think are much more important. I was a Catholic that went agnostic who might be pushing into atheist territory. It's a long story.

I was bottlefed catholic teachings like any baby that was born into a catholic family. I followed along blindly with the religion. I didn't like going to mass at all and that's where all of this started. I began to focus a lot on the teachings and stories about Jesus when I learned about miracles. My young self wondered why no miracles happened today when they were common before. It would make the world a better place.
~
Once I got older I was confronted with more of the world's problems, especially all the murders happening. I looked towards the church and hoped that god would interfere and stop all this madness. It didn't stop. I won't list my parent's country of origin but let me tell you this, the capital is pure hell. On the news, there's always something about murders, either citizens or even police people getting slaughtered by underground mafia groups every day, every week, every month. Nonstop. I saw families of murdered people weeping and still sending prayers to their god and yet nothing seemed to change.
~
More time passed and I realized that my archdiocese was being bombarded my lawsuits due to sexual assaults. How could a place that belonged to a "Holy" religion be riddled with sinful lawsuits. Heck, even one of the priests I knew of got called out.
~
Today. Today was the last straw I had left with this hypocritical (no offense to any members) religion. I was forced to go to mass once more yet at the end, it shocked me so much. Our priest read a letter that he received from I don't really care who but it was a high member in the archdiocese. It was about how same-gender marriage was legalized on Friday. In the letter, it described that the government was making a mistake and that it was "not going to last long" and I can't forget my favorite part, "that it was a tragic error". I was officially fed up. I have put up with the Church's bull for way too long! And what's worse is that they made my mother an ignorant member who scowled in disgust at the announcement, I just looked at her and a little bit of my respect just died for her.

The Church keeps teaching all about love but when something doesn't sit right with them, they call it an abomination and they have to show them the word of god. Well, I listened to it and decided it was irrelevant. And hell, they ask for money even though the Catholic Church is swimming in money.

I hope you can accept me among your ranks, fellow agnostics and atheists, and understand my big problem with Christianity and maybe even the idea of religion.

[Mermaid]

Hi there. You are among like-thinkers here.

[MoreWinters]

Hi there. You are among like-thinkers here.

Thank you, Mermaid. I have a feeling I'm going fit in nicely once I find the right place. :)

[Munch]

Welcome winter. Thanks for telling us your story.

You sound like a very free thinking and analytical person, because you came to your own awakening to the church and its real stance, its lies and misdemeanors, and you did that on your own, which really put you ahead of the old generations of people you grew up in.

Just remember just because those before us are older, they are not wiser, and it takes a strong open mind to realize that.

The best thing you can do, is to make sure you ground yourself, as you are still discovering facts about your once faith. As you step away from it, it might seems harsh given those around you won't agree with it, but this is your story and your journey, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Lastly, I can understand the concern you have for your mother, perhaps when you are steadfast in your standard, your be able to tell her, and even if she goes against your agnosticism or even atheism, maybe in time you can help her understand what matters to you.


As we've got several gay members here, speaking as one I just want to say thank you, for seeing past the priests bullshit.

[MoreWinters]

I really appreciate it, Munch. It will be a difficult task to confront my mother about this since I'm one of those people who always listened to their parents. Even at a young age, I always felt like something was wrong, out of place, about the church's bible stories and preaches. I will admit, it's just a simple matter of trying to put things together and realizing that it will never fit together.

Thank you, again Munch. It's the reason why I joined this place, to find people that realize that religion is nothing but a myth but with critical thinking to analyze the world around us.   

[Baruch]

Congratulations ... no matter what you do in the future, or how your relationship with your family develops in the future ... you have achieved a degree of mental independence.  You are an adult ... eek!  You will never be able to return to childhood again, even if you remain Catholic and worship with your family again.  Either you are on a journey to become a better Catholic, or something else entirely.  Not that parents always appreciate this.

[MoreWinters]

Thanks, Baruch. ^u^ Officially, I will admit that I'm not quite an "adult" yet but certainly my mind seems to be racing ahead by the looks of it. Oh well, it's not long either, just a few quick years. Anyways, I hope my family (mother especially) will not change their relationship with me simply because I don't believe in something she does. Just because I don't believe in her god doesn't make us kin anymore.

[Mike Cl]

Thanks, Baruch. ^u^ Officially, I will admit that I'm not quite an "adult" yet but certainly my mind seems to be racing ahead by the looks of it. Oh well, it's not long either, just a few quick years. Anyways, I hope my family (mother especially) will not change their relationship with me simply because I don't believe in something she does. Just because I don't believe in her god doesn't make us kin anymore.

Welcome, MoreWinters.  Don't be too hard on your mother.  If she has been a good mother in that she has treated you well, and really does care about you, you can cut her some slack.  You will come to understand more fully over time that some people just don't use reasoning or critical thinking in certain parts of their lives.  Religion is one of these areas where you will find this to be true.  If they are people you care about, who treat you well, then simply cut them some slack.  I had to do that in a minor way with my grandmother.  She used the word 'nigger' all the time (she was white), and kept insisting that when we watched a boxing match on TV (she loved boxing) she would say 'you can't hurt a nigger by hitting them in the head', when a black and white boxer faced each other.  This drove me nuts!  I tried and tired to get her to not use that language.  But she never changed.  I just learned to live with it.  This example is quite mild when compared to your mom's beliefs, but my point is the same.  You may have to simply ignore some of her beliefs.  You seems like you are fairly sensitive to your environment and I think you like to use reason.  Keep it up.  It will work itself out--and I'm glad you woke up to the evils of church hierarchy. 

[MoreWinters]

Welcome, MoreWinters.  Don't be too hard on your mother.  If she has been a good mother in that she has treated you well, and really does care about you, you can cut her some slack.  You will come to understand more fully over time that some people just don't use reasoning or critical thinking in certain parts of their lives.  Religion is one of these areas where you will find this to be true.  If they are people you care about, who treat you well, then simply cut them some slack.  I had to do that in a minor way with my grandmother.  She used the word 'nigger' all the time (she was white), and kept insisting that when we watched a boxing match on TV (she loved boxing) she would say 'you can't hurt a nigger by hitting them in the head', when a black and white boxer faced each other.  This drove me nuts!  I tried and tired to get her to not use that language.  But she never changed.  I just learned to live with it.  This example is quite mild when compared to your mom's beliefs, but my point is the same.  You may have to simply ignore some of her beliefs.  You seems like you are fairly sensitive to your environment and I think you like to use reason.  Keep it up.  It will work itself out--and I'm glad you woke up to the evils of church hierarchy.

I remember seeing an example like this somewhere, that used the same topic. Scary. XD I'm glad you learned to live with your grandmother's use of such an inappropriate word and hopefully, I will learn as well. It just seems so...Ignorant that she would scowl at the fact that a form of love was being legalized when Christianity is supposed to teach about love.   

[dtq123]

Yay! Another girl!
Seriously though, We have too many submissive women who can't speak up and it's sad. Thank goodness we have you.

[MoreWinters]

Yay! Another girl!
Seriously though, We have too many submissive women who can't speak up and it's sad. Thank goodness we have you.

Heuheu. I didn't know that there were few females on the site. I can fit in with either gender as long as you don't go overboard with gender stereotypes. It's sad to hear that many women do not speak up, I can relate since I'm shy at first but someway somehow, I find a way to speak up.

[Mermaid]

Yay! Another girl!
Seriously though, We have too many submissive women who can't speak up and it's sad. Thank goodness we have you.

Pah! Hahahahahahahahaha! Submissive.

Good one.

[eylul]

Heuheu. I didn't know that there were few females on the site. I can fit in with either gender as long as you don't go overboard with gender stereotypes. It's sad to hear that many women do not speak up, I can relate since I'm shy at first but someway somehow, I find a way to speak up.

I can speak if i can find true words. But if you can't hear from me for a long time, dont worry, i could be murdered by muslims.

[MoreWinters]

I can speak if i can find true words. But if you can't hear from me for a long time, dont worry, i could be murdered by muslims.

XD
I think I'm gonna like it here.

[eylul]

welcome btw :)