tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12669850402902426632024-03-19T04:00:32.699-04:00ExChristian.NetEncouraging doubting, de-converting, deconstructing and former ChristiansDave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-76315096685456820862022-12-06T14:05:00.002-05:002022-12-06T14:05:39.201-05:00Call for Research Participants:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-mwyY1yuFphh05tgZLkj0ZyC3CN5XoZL7Rs4kaFc8ipmALSXk8QKpek4plStw2M_Vq3Uyxxsqq1w6vw-rzEKpxUi7N-N1xaG-lKikr63vom7z4Ei3ZtahdVbo7iJq7KYpoDG8ynGENlUcdQe27M7sjVv2LIskz1dE94QKmcJ-IblsBgFjdSyVsQU/s432/participants.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="432" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-mwyY1yuFphh05tgZLkj0ZyC3CN5XoZL7Rs4kaFc8ipmALSXk8QKpek4plStw2M_Vq3Uyxxsqq1w6vw-rzEKpxUi7N-N1xaG-lKikr63vom7z4Ei3ZtahdVbo7iJq7KYpoDG8ynGENlUcdQe27M7sjVv2LIskz1dE94QKmcJ-IblsBgFjdSyVsQU/w640-h484/participants.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span class="dropcap">M</span>y name is Ines W. Jindra, and I am an assistant professor of Social Work at Idaho State University.
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We are conducting a study that examines the biographies of those leaving various Christian churches, and the process by which it happens. The study also includes questions about the consequences on people’s sense of identity, well-being, on their relationships, their relationship to specific rules within the Christian churches, and on coping mechanisms that arise from the difficulties that this process might entail. This research will be valuable in helping us understand the differences between people who stay and those who leave a specific church.
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We are interested in talking to people who are willing to share their experiences with us about this topic. Participation in this research study will take approximately one hour to maximum an hour and a half. Interviews will be conducted in person or via zoom, depending on your personal preference and location. Your information will be kept confidential at all times.
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Your insight will be invaluable in helping us fully understand the process and consequences of leaving Christian churches, and we plan to publish our findings. If you are interested in participating in this study, please email me at <img border="0" data-original-height="17" data-original-width="230" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-92uDvMugiiIiRDTmi8EJCUn2AzVxHFtvuoPG0Gkxp3cKGlg0fYr4fT6RP9sl3_jVLFZPOMHr2LybfLpqd7ewA6MT1erP4UDqxU7GlHh_RQj7a5mEYW0g8TfOBwa5Mm7CP__p1lRPY9qI7zGnDHvURbK_zst35gEKA66qK1qcplm-K9lsS5V0A72/w200-h15/email2.png" width="200" />and I will set up a time to schedule your interview. If you do not wish to participate, please feel free to disregard this post.
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<b>In order to participate in this study, you need to currently live or have previously lived in Idaho or Utah, and you need to be at least 18 years old.</b>
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With best wishes,
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Ines, at<img border="0" data-original-height="17" data-original-width="230" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WXi-Yj7mjULZXSlyuJs8m0efxigOSlb3jit8j3JpZuM__4XPWfg9MTJBWg5OolLg6WNJnEp9l01DHmQTmUButA2MbgaUwZqD6HsyxSOsuYcbuPCoguPm8gOEQ6HOsgwoFrbLzjmAp4YtAxVAXXH8d1-HVZIeNNk8evGgf9dD7hcj0QBXguQSlKas/w200-h15/email2.png" width="200" />. Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-10415034279099509362022-11-17T12:28:00.004-05:002022-11-17T12:28:41.229-05:00Void...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHEzNGLDDVOSWVtBhu0lnTLqgfpBSamdXcuj6elEGNddDfie6k70mprB0qQ5Z6iLpt-S31rS50rp60OBYE2w_FykQwwG8DWsLRiTsNO3saPWxDgOnsQOTAGRbr7BtD4vXtTxk5ihWCTzAfdIaKSsUybbp7l9eUcih_c5FoxhjVvKzCQFeC-oaLJiw/s1528/spiritualitywithoutreligion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1528" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHEzNGLDDVOSWVtBhu0lnTLqgfpBSamdXcuj6elEGNddDfie6k70mprB0qQ5Z6iLpt-S31rS50rp60OBYE2w_FykQwwG8DWsLRiTsNO3saPWxDgOnsQOTAGRbr7BtD4vXtTxk5ihWCTzAfdIaKSsUybbp7l9eUcih_c5FoxhjVvKzCQFeC-oaLJiw/w640-h336/spiritualitywithoutreligion.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><i>By Jason7 ~ </i><br /><br />
<span class="dropcap">R</span>ecovering x-Christian here. Struggling spiritually.
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My life used to revolve around church. All my friends were from the church. My ex-wife & 4 kids were all heavily involved with the church. We were there every Sunday. We took my kids there for Wednesday night children's church. My family & I lived in a carefully constructed, sheltered Christian bubble.
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My life revolved around the Bible & I taught my family that it was 100% truth. We listened to Christian music & frowned on secular music with its cuss words & loose morality. We didn't smoke. we didn't openly cuss. We surrounded ourselves with like-minded Christians & had no non-Christian friends.
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We thought of ourselves as Holy & set apart by God to be his light in the world & to spread his love.
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However, underneath my outer Christian shell was a soul that was struggling intensely.
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I started questioning things that didn't make sense about my religion & God himself. I asked myself & others why God would allow evil in the world. I watched a documentary about modern day sexual slavery. At that present time, there were brothels in Cambodia filled with children as young as 3 who were being sexually tortured & raped every day. I became so angry that God would allow things like that to happen to innocent children.
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I started thinking that God wasn't such a loving God after all. When I voiced my doubts & struggles with Christianity to my family members, I was frowned upon & considered less spiritual than my undoubting family. They didn't question anything about the church, or the bible, at least openly.
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Most Sundays after church my in-laws would say what a great sermon it was, how it moved them emotionally & spiritually. They would say "that was such a good sermon, wasn't it"? I would say that I didn't get much out of it & they would frown & act as though I was troubled or less spiritual than they were.
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<span class="pullquote">I feel somewhat lost spiritually.</span> Eventually I had a crisis in my faith that was unreconcilable. The chasm between what the bible taught & my real-life experiences had grown too wide to bridge back together.
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Fast forward many years...
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I now consider myself a non-Christian. I believe in the Universe & karma. I am open spiritually, however, I am struggling. There is now a hole in my soul. That hole used to be filled at least in part, with Christianity, the church & my church friends.
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I feel somewhat lost spiritually.
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I used to read the bible every day. It gave me a sense of security & made me feel somewhat grounded. Now I read very little of anything. I wish I could pick up a book everyday & be led spiritually by it, like I used to believe the bible did, but I don't know if anything like that exists.
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Can anyone help me?</div>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-44604772917703187162022-09-15T14:33:00.139-04:002022-09-15T15:42:55.871-04:002022 Religious Recovery Retreat! <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><i><b>From Dr. Marlene Winell ~ </b></i>
<br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPeM4Os-QoWS1sXwvou8k_TIfRzvsAcc9S_9LsRnfx2bPceBw-13g9wcZJDXG3tfx4xavh38fgRtL4lQ-BWGlCtexRoe6hyAkgBHwvV4LjlgGsDooRB6rZF3D279h7Fw0SOY1Ok1ZH98ziM4UUuBRN0mG0l1ZPdQJKiuEskvz8xYCZ0nIL1GjC2MH/s1600/2022winell1.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="1640" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPeM4Os-QoWS1sXwvou8k_TIfRzvsAcc9S_9LsRnfx2bPceBw-13g9wcZJDXG3tfx4xavh38fgRtL4lQ-BWGlCtexRoe6hyAkgBHwvV4LjlgGsDooRB6rZF3D279h7Fw0SOY1Ok1ZH98ziM4UUuBRN0mG0l1ZPdQJKiuEskvz8xYCZ0nIL1GjC2MH/w640-h243/2022winell1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br />Announcing our 2022 Religious Recovery Retreat! Join us in-person December 8-11.
Pack your bags, we're off to beautiful Nine Mountain Retreat Center in western Massachusetts for a long weekend designed to support recovery from Religious Trauma Syndrome.
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We're thrilled to offer this in-person opportunity where folks can disconnect from daily pressures, share personal stories, examine the effects of past indoctrination, and learn strategies for recovery. The program will include short presentations, discussion, and structured activities with activities like art, drama, music, and movement. We will also have time to socialize with like-minded people over delicious meals, hiking, or enjoying the hot-tub! Go <a href="https://journeyfree.org/retreats/" target="_blank">HERE for more information</a>. </span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmx4oIC4SBq1xj7XNYDV0dNrjok1PAAq3_PxSgNu5LUmafP3z3FZJqntcurgjpN516EX7t6absdoftJNPlgd98zV91ZdOUsos462ueH17qbBaVBB6UKFBCxkDI0q7oEXdwh33PcW3F1rnm-QhArRsBE54on1Ia3DAXL0qsk4dQudPxxHz-jkT-DTOJ/s1260/2022Winell2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1260" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmx4oIC4SBq1xj7XNYDV0dNrjok1PAAq3_PxSgNu5LUmafP3z3FZJqntcurgjpN516EX7t6absdoftJNPlgd98zV91ZdOUsos462ueH17qbBaVBB6UKFBCxkDI0q7oEXdwh33PcW3F1rnm-QhArRsBE54on1Ia3DAXL0qsk4dQudPxxHz-jkT-DTOJ/w640-h424/2022Winell2.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">After registration, you will get more details and a questionnaire to complete. Space is limited, reserve your spot below! </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: black; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" bgcolor="#3f6634" style="background-color: inherit; border-radius: 6px; margin: 0px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://u14706927.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn%3DyjdjQgCB5iiRS-2F5aGZ72I-2Fl8nB9SkIZINJ-2B49ezOEzi9VbAvKM61NuyKDMgLOmGRweOqyUHLCYdiP276JZMg7GavLQpBdgylkJYwL6qIkY1NAZrQwwr1Qp8wDicFMh9IDpYneHWFbu5n0zNvH-2F2YhQ-3D-3D2YRi_bcC7X8RI04ghsqHgjPSnrzoKU3GsOBITbhW3p-2FVUw308v4H4Bm3BZ-2BduXvN7FnRxGvj-2F7-2BRIclf8I70FPrDre4S176Yfsy2HvcgvYQcgPYzPOuWEx4m73B6kqKTo8pXXUY9jGCu-2BguLLgTeqAWsUg1WIM-2FhMZXwt0uo015Vl5eX1t5rDA4tY-2F7YDk8rl2RhUcezoIChudVlj5a8Al3xBvv3AVx-2FMtQDGKb0oYCRH884e5gLrSUCbf7XNXvlEXw9g-2FYuQfTwC-2Fv1V4-2BzRWDQ9zuCVLUBsdqa5gdJVu4Qaojd07wALRpJbWfBskpbJJhidmOm5qTwJg7fkvB5YMQChR6s8pDvLH44MKI-2BKR2C-2FB4GBQTNXtWsRnAqXZ2kmzxfhd4DlB-2FMS3nPPShYxB7emZlA8ypIfVqYhXU3CoNEHLlVa1FhDW8KTKVB4aqB4oUag3RYsbz1Q4TBedAT54VVQPqzD-2B2MGi1P-2BoXwybcS5p21eLiEDzNn25nwdSiY2GNUSDh3TfWiSrlG5iUaoZPz42Qxfcwj1O2tkIsfJ-2FS0TVlYVTBtbZuTcPz4VwMT6k0YKBd1wJTuXcPVe2iQhlBPSX658upXcgG-2F7KbiFIp7CHTXpKVTAtm6WOiU3c6-2Fj8wLMww2TGIpnSRoy1x1YdhplnA-3D-3D&source=gmail&ust=1663352551923000&usg=AOvVaw17v5qivrtHeDhnQEeFLmRF" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctKALRvvR8L5DUE9R9rCvsAsImSSCdhpiPYsS6r78NewoJHg/viewform" style="background-color: #3f6634; border-radius: 6px; border: 0px solid rgb(51, 51, 51); color: white; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: normal; padding: 18px; text-decoration-line: none; width: 550px;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Register Today</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSefJtme8y6mCvKXNzcFWwHYeJuQIlAjQXIsJkxFgfEHyEw3ItS6sipc095lZHVZI8iN9ZxUSY5wuHhSpmHoKr1vZZoZN6AfI7NEWw6xFk4dmDbX2sUVw7aNMRL4s6IdbOubEZ12HqXgAOYnwNXxsZ9OYQUonlxKPAQjkLK4YVNIm3iUsidUfzhLAl/s240/2022Winell3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="240" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSefJtme8y6mCvKXNzcFWwHYeJuQIlAjQXIsJkxFgfEHyEw3ItS6sipc095lZHVZI8iN9ZxUSY5wuHhSpmHoKr1vZZoZN6AfI7NEWw6xFk4dmDbX2sUVw7aNMRL4s6IdbOubEZ12HqXgAOYnwNXxsZ9OYQUonlxKPAQjkLK4YVNIm3iUsidUfzhLAl/s1600/2022Winell3.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The retreat is led by Dr. Marlene Winell, psychologist and author of Leaving The Fold: A Guide for Former Fundamentalists and Others Leaving Their Religion. Dr. Winell has been developing methods for religious recovery for 30 years and coined the term Religious Trauma Syndrome. She will be joined by Janice Selbie and Jayme Winell for special sessions, and volunteers will help facilitate the weekend.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_aIMYQC_9M" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: white;">Watch videos about the retreat <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOOh6DP_3KM" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_aIMYQC_9M" target="_blank">here</a>.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b>Hear from past attendees. 👇 </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b>"A recovery retreat is a great way to connect with others. You are not alone."</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b>"I would come again without hesitation. The retreat gave me the courage to trust</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b>myself."</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b>"Marlene provides a supportive, nurturing environment and validates and affirms</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b>each participant."</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b>"Take the risk...Invest in yourself....It’s one of the smartest things you can ever do for yourself."</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b>Listen to a Journey Free Retreat attender <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxYZr7J4YyQ" target="_blank">in this video.</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuMstN3EZU6IyA0bCykMSvMv23qnjoe0RxtXYj5En1AwBmanPiHivwv13BrZSYqV3ZArx3eGOkvRyXNU9m9ywb2KrTQd5JnSrLKlzjtWBRwxKLzJ9fpVnbGA5ItYo_zjdAkkIW4YM-MhZL8e4VQI85srJf_et98nY4EcCUPve8osx4mcuP6SLPpPS/s952/2022Winell4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="952" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuMstN3EZU6IyA0bCykMSvMv23qnjoe0RxtXYj5En1AwBmanPiHivwv13BrZSYqV3ZArx3eGOkvRyXNU9m9ywb2KrTQd5JnSrLKlzjtWBRwxKLzJ9fpVnbGA5ItYo_zjdAkkIW4YM-MhZL8e4VQI85srJf_et98nY4EcCUPve8osx4mcuP6SLPpPS/w640-h472/2022Winell4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Understand and begin effective steps in recovery from RTS</b></li><li><b>Learn strategies for dealing with family</b></li><li><b>Make new friends and build lasting connections</b></li><li><b>Enjoy meals, music, and fun in a safe, relaxed atmosphere</b></li><li><b>Food and lodging at <a href="https://ninemountain.com/" target="_blank">Nine Mountain</a> included</b></li><li><b>View <a href="https://journeyfree.org/retreats/" target="_blank">more information here</a></b></li></ul></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><ul></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><ul></ul><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwC6MHWYOBEpyJGLfAuPJ0bHioI6IO5EbAHl0x8XAjvbmwXIEIr055TgrBRBF0Zc4jTsjzX4ExMoeXQf_XDf4TfDHQnY4Mn36py3s70dmIT8giiO1-MWk9DWOrGyUFGQVmeJIpd2WqljdtndCYJT2WCegAXMBUktAyEf2zHCddJvf6CcqoVpgm1xM/s2880/2022Winell5.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="1920" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwC6MHWYOBEpyJGLfAuPJ0bHioI6IO5EbAHl0x8XAjvbmwXIEIr055TgrBRBF0Zc4jTsjzX4ExMoeXQf_XDf4TfDHQnY4Mn36py3s70dmIT8giiO1-MWk9DWOrGyUFGQVmeJIpd2WqljdtndCYJT2WCegAXMBUktAyEf2zHCddJvf6CcqoVpgm1xM/w113-h169/2022Winell5.jpg" width="113" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b>“I have known many people who attended Dr. Winell’s retreats, and all have spoken highly of the healing and creatively liberating approach she uses. Her ideas around religious trauma are unique and right on target.” — Dr. Darrel Ray, author of <a href="https://amzn.to/3UgCZsQ" target="_blank">The God Virus</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/3xuc4Ai" target="_blank">Sex and God</a>. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #3f6634; color: white; font-size: large;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: black; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" bgcolor="#3f6634" style="background-color: inherit; border-radius: 6px; margin: 0px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://u14706927.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn%3DyjdjQgCB5iiRS-2F5aGZ72I-2Fl8nB9SkIZINJ-2B49ezOEzi9VbAvKM61NuyKDMgLOmGRweOqyUHLCYdiP276JZMg7GavLQpBdgylkJYwL6qIkY1NAZrQwwr1Qp8wDicFMh9IDpYneHWFbu5n0zNvH-2F2YhQ-3D-3D2YRi_bcC7X8RI04ghsqHgjPSnrzoKU3GsOBITbhW3p-2FVUw308v4H4Bm3BZ-2BduXvN7FnRxGvj-2F7-2BRIclf8I70FPrDre4S176Yfsy2HvcgvYQcgPYzPOuWEx4m73B6kqKTo8pXXUY9jGCu-2BguLLgTeqAWsUg1WIM-2FhMZXwt0uo015Vl5eX1t5rDA4tY-2F7YDk8rl2RhUcezoIChudVlj5a8Al3xBvv3AVx-2FMtQDGKb0oYCRH884e5gLrSUCbf7XNXvlEXw9g-2FYuQfTwC-2Fv1V4-2BzRWDQ9zuCVLUBsdqa5gdJVu4Qaojd07wALRpJbWfBskpbJJhidmOm5qTwJg7fkvB5YMQChR6s8pDvLH44MKI-2BKR2C-2FB4GBQTNXtWsRnAqXZ2kmzxfhd4DlB-2FMS3nPPShYxB7emZlA8ypIfVqYhXU3CoNEHLlVa1FhDW8KTKVB4aqB4oUag3RYsbz1Q4TBedAT54VVQPqzD-2B2MGi1P-2BoXwybcS5p21eLiEDzNn25nwdSiY2GNUSDh3TfWiSrlG5iUaoZPz42Qxfcwj1O2tkIsfJ-2FS0TVlYVTBtbZuTcPz4VwMT6k0YKBd1wJTuXcPVe2iQhlBPSX658upXcgG-2F7KbiFIp7CHTXpKVTAtm6WOiU3c6-2Fj8wLMww2TGIpnSRoy1x1YdhplnA-3D-3D&source=gmail&ust=1663352551923000&usg=AOvVaw17v5qivrtHeDhnQEeFLmRF" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctKALRvvR8L5DUE9R9rCvsAsImSSCdhpiPYsS6r78NewoJHg/viewform" style="background-color: #3f6634; border-radius: 6px; border: 0px solid rgb(51, 51, 51); color: white; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: normal; padding: 18px; text-decoration-line: none; width: 550px;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Register Today</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYM_J4OrTTba8IuugqHcQDaXu8s1_e7cIFqCWN-ihwMXMFa5xlbQzUfR5VUMLKUy60l2bxYcZ-IFkPd--zIWrpLFPVRMCBDEPYOM72xUYvxBOsUlew42-WUya4-F21g0uKb-GmoY_MlA5JGYXFdAEki54j3VuEeMIuKmB0JppLFID0Xqypf3LLwDyY/s640/2022Winell6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYM_J4OrTTba8IuugqHcQDaXu8s1_e7cIFqCWN-ihwMXMFa5xlbQzUfR5VUMLKUy60l2bxYcZ-IFkPd--zIWrpLFPVRMCBDEPYOM72xUYvxBOsUlew42-WUya4-F21g0uKb-GmoY_MlA5JGYXFdAEki54j3VuEeMIuKmB0JppLFID0Xqypf3LLwDyY/w640-h428/2022Winell6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b>Covid Safety: All retreat applicants will be required to provide proof of vaccination and 72 hours before the retreat begins, take a covid test that proves negative. Wearing masks will be optional unless covid conditions change.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://journeyfree.org/retreats/retreat-photos/" target="_blank">Retreat Photos</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://journeyfree.org/retreats/retreat-testimonials/" target="_blank">Retreat Testimonials</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://journeyfree.org/retreats/retreat-faq/" target="_blank">Retreat FAQ</a></b></span></div></div>
Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-3069861604331086872022-09-11T09:32:00.002-04:002022-09-11T09:32:47.106-04:00 Agnostic, Atheist, Deist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfEvVhU5J_G03rEdpy1WPSoo4dp1w6X3-cqvzTrIGKITTym77P0ops_qWD7r1uTKf0SLyuedBXljlKnqHdAZ7JM8vzEi9cI8WHG45qP_BvcJKMzkU6hfsb2KZzJ3AaEDt28bBxVBqNwANNZCkkX403rfzY4qcJpAhLf_5AKHAbLk30XAYK2NMR-N0/s600/delusion-religion.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfEvVhU5J_G03rEdpy1WPSoo4dp1w6X3-cqvzTrIGKITTym77P0ops_qWD7r1uTKf0SLyuedBXljlKnqHdAZ7JM8vzEi9cI8WHG45qP_BvcJKMzkU6hfsb2KZzJ3AaEDt28bBxVBqNwANNZCkkX403rfzY4qcJpAhLf_5AKHAbLk30XAYK2NMR-N0/w640-h478/delusion-religion.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<i>By Guncher ~ </i>
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<span class="dropcap">I</span> have been a believer for over fifty years.
<br /><br />
During Covid I sat down and looked at what I believed.
<br /><br />
Once I questioned things, I realised that I had no evidence to stay a Christian.
<br /><br />
At the moment I border between Agnostic, Atheist & Deist.
<br /><br />
I have lost trust in the Bible being "inerrant."
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Confused...Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-5708416931563414252021-10-29T15:06:00.003-04:002021-10-29T15:08:27.135-04:00Journalist looking for named/anon interviews on experience of sex and relationship teachings at UK churches<i>By <a href="https://www.elliebroughton.net" target="_blank">Ellie </a>~</i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglEgzWuc0omGBJorxJPluaI5Y7Xsp3FuFuFNoqpvbNMjKN4ZuqqKBp47k00uLGVj3lb87kw1HvKBGMboIxZcSqz7cFjE2M5mSCOq3vCSnhMghbyGZEacFZGI0yY6XlBDMQ6c8d8OESuk/s1050/purity-culture.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglEgzWuc0omGBJorxJPluaI5Y7Xsp3FuFuFNoqpvbNMjKN4ZuqqKBp47k00uLGVj3lb87kw1HvKBGMboIxZcSqz7cFjE2M5mSCOq3vCSnhMghbyGZEacFZGI0yY6XlBDMQ6c8d8OESuk/s16000/purity-culture.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="dropcap">Hi</span><i></i> all. I'm a UK journalist and ex-Christian with experience of UK purity culture in the Church of England and evangelical church/events.
<br /><br />
I'm keen to speak to men and women 25-40 who experienced purity culture at church as children or young people about its impact on them, with a view to sharing those experiences anonymously in a feature for a UK title. Your stories would run alongside coverage of a story-gathering project at a major US university about the impact of purity culture, and a research PhD about the UK experience of purity culture. Sharing experiences of UK purity culture feels important to me, and seems like something that hasn't been done yet. I can share a bit more about my portfolio and experience as a journalist if you'd like to hear that before going ahead but to summarise, I have about 10 years' experience as a journalist, and three or four years' experience working closely with case studies on personal stories. <div><br /></div><div> If you'd like to hear more, you can reply in-thread in the forums at <a href="https://www.ex-christian.net/topic/85748-journalist-looking-for-namedanon-interviews-on-experience-of-sex-and-relationship-teachings-at-uk-churches/">https://ex-christian.net</a> or message me directly using the <a href="https://www.ex-christian.net/messenger/compose/?to=24322" target="_blank">forums messaging feature.</a> Thanks for your interest.
<span class="pullquote"></span></div></div>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-54615521529446699822020-05-15T08:18:00.002-04:002020-05-15T08:18:16.564-04:00Joy Unspeakable, Toxic Faith and Rose Colored Glasses<span class="dropcap">J</span>oy Hopper, a well respected contributor here, submitted 24 articles under the pseudonym "<a href="https://new.exchristian.net/search/label/undercover%20agnostic">Undercover Agnostic</a>." After making peace with her new atheist reality, she moved on from Ex-C and wrote a memoir about her deconstruction of faith. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Unspeakable-Hopper/dp/1640824456/ref=as_li_ss_il?dchild=1&keywords=joy+hopper+joy+unspeakable&qid=1589543101&sr=8-1&linkCode=li3&tag=exchrisnetenc-20&linkId=1dcdc71ee4b407dadf93c5d89f894c4d&language=en_US" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1640824456&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=exchrisnetenc-20&language=en_US" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=exchrisnetenc-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=1640824456" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<blockquote>
The faith Joy inherited at the age of three worked for almost fifty years. She believed it, preached it, wrote songs about it, lived it. Jesus was the center of her universe, literally and metaphorically. Hence, one can only imagine the tsunami that followed when her ironclad theological foundation unexpectedly and involuntarily collapsed with a deafening thud.<br />
<br />
Joy's narrative chronicles her experiences of indoctrination from a young child to the present, as viewed through her rose-colored glasses. From early neglect to domestic violence, she shares how her distorted lens of faith turned every obstacle into an object lesson and every injustice into a refining tool. She exposes the toxicity of a religion that promises unspeakable joy amidst the backdrop of terror and violence. Joy offers hope to others who, like her, have found the courage to walk away and discover the world is even more beautiful without the enhanced overlay of religion. </blockquote>
<br />
Her book <a href="https://amzn.to/3dOklTa">Joy Unspeakable, Toxic Faith and Rose Colored Glasses</a>, has been added to our <a href="https://new.exchristian.net/p/recommended-books.html">recommended book selections</a>. <br />
<br />
Also available in Kindle Format here: <a href="https://amzn.to/3fQd3jN" target="_blank">Joy Unspeakable</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="pullquote"></span>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-80781326178290334302020-05-06T10:40:00.001-04:002020-05-06T10:56:28.262-04:00Questions for Theists<i>By Apetivist ~</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiB014Dlh5lL0dgNbbQNf28HoSwsGeLVvue16JSXhcKCeYGU9A1DlKmLPkxstXOzqhgv86mo0P4DrkVsEVQtsMUmEh5PaEUAaYXYJYJUFkkKkVafYT-mswUUTfAdtF0dvX88xdJUIgpY/s1600/apereadingbible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="396" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiB014Dlh5lL0dgNbbQNf28HoSwsGeLVvue16JSXhcKCeYGU9A1DlKmLPkxstXOzqhgv86mo0P4DrkVsEVQtsMUmEh5PaEUAaYXYJYJUFkkKkVafYT-mswUUTfAdtF0dvX88xdJUIgpY/s640/apereadingbible.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="dropcap">H</span>ello to all. You can call me "Ape." (It is okay, I do not mind as I happen to be one.) I hope you get something useful from <a href="https://www.apetivist.com/" target="_blank">my website</a>. I will explain more about </span><a href="https://new.exchristian.net/2018/12/apetivist-former-southern-baptist.html" style="background-color: white;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">myself</span></a><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> below too so you can better understand where I'm coming from. Now onto the purpose of <a href="https://www.apetivist.com/" target="_blank">my site</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-29f09db7-7fff-e4dc-d915-2a0f24c908fc" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;">
<div style="font-size: x-small;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">First, let us get this basic Q & A stuff resolved before we continue:</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: x-small;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q.</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Do I mean to attack believers?</span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A.</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> No, I am only addressing beliefs not the people who hold them.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q. </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do I think I am more intelligent than believers? </span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A.</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> No, making a case for my or a reader's intelligence is not the point for my website. Intelligence is rather evenly spread throughout groups of people. There are no peer-reviewed scientific studies that indicate intelligence being a factor that is sufficient enough to make any difference between believers or unbelievers. We must be careful and kind to not make snap judgments on the intelligence of others based upon a belief or absence of belief. I will make another post regarding this subject later.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Do I hate believers?</span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A.</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> No, I was once a believer, and I have many in my present life whom I dearly love. I don't like certain personality types or perhaps specific people, but that is due to their behaviors and not due to professed belief or absence of belief (unless such beliefs encourage violence or the marginalization of others through bigotry or force of law). Regarding these types of people, I admit I feel disgust, but would not go so far and call it hate. In a way, I pity them more than anything as they are missing out on the joys of diversity and understanding people personally as they are and that goes beyond labels.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Do I hate any deities?</span></span></i></span></div>
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</span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A.</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> No, it is hard to hate what you do not believe exists. Do you hate Leprechauns or Bigfoot? That is the way I see this question as it is framed toward atheists. If one or many deities existed, it would not have any bearing on my points, as I will point out later in the site.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Do I have a personal ax to grind?</span></span></i></span></div>
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</span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A.</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> To be honest? Yes, I do. I think it’s unfair to indoctrinate children before they’re experienced and informed enough to come from a background of education and understanding to know what if any evidence supports the claims and whether they have good enough reasons to accept them.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Do I have questions to ask for believers about their beliefs?</span></span></i></span></div>
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</span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A.</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Yes, I do. More than this page is soon to follow!</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Do I wish for everyone to leave their belief?</span></span></i></span></div>
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</span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A.</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Not always, depending on the faith and how it manifests I have little issue at all with people holding to faith, if it isn’t an inflexible Literalist faith reflecting negativity towards people that believe differently or that promotes violence, hatred, and marginalization either by personal or collective behavior either by dogma and/or by force of law.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Do I wish for some believers to become less literal in their beliefs and become more flexible and open-minded about life?</span></span></i></span></div>
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</span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A.</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Yes! I think this is the goal of many liberal or moderate believers too.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Do I wish for some believers (as well as other unbelievers) to become less judgmental of others?</span></span></i></span></div>
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</span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A.</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Yes. We are all in the same boat together. Unless we interact kindly and treat each other with a reasonable measure of respect we are just making life worse for ourselves and others.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Do I hope to show why all believers can accept the efficiency, effectiveness, and findings of the scientific method?</span></span></i></span></div>
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</span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A.</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Yes. In fact, many religious people see the value in Science and do not reject its many findings.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q. </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do I wish believers to have a more mature understanding of Philosophy?</span></span></i></span></div>
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</span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A.</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Yes. If anything, it will help them understand their beliefs even better and whether their beliefs stand up to logic and examination from various perspectives.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Okay, here we go.</span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">About me:</span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As a former believer and minister (I deconverted 31 years ago as of 2020) of the </span><a href="http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/basicbeliefs.asp"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Southern Baptist</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> flavor of </span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christianity"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christianity</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, I became interested in </span><a href="https://www.philosophybasics.com/general_whatis.html"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Philosophy</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that was primarily introduced to me through studies in </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theology"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Theology</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and </span><a href="https://bible.org/seriespage/1-what-apologetics"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christian Apologetics</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. This led me to the basic principles of </span><a href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/critical-thinking/"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Critical Thinking</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (by accident, of course and I found myself startled that this was such a concept was so foreign to me as I incorrectly thought that thinking about important stuff was "critical thinking") and as a by-product of applying Critical Thinking toward the claims of my Christian faith I came to realize (through a great amount of research, as well) that they were no longer tenable.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">This was not a happy discovery! I became incredibly sad as it resulted in me leaving not just the belief but also the ministry and church members I cared for. They did not meet my deconversion with understanding or open arms at all. I was callously rejected by many close friends and even some family members. Yet, eventually this all led to even greater happiness and fulfillment in my life (by saying this I am not saying the same results happen for other people). As a result of my deconversion, I understood that I should try my best to apply critical thinking and skepticism about important claims and not accept anything based on faith, appeals from authorities, or appeals to my emotion.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Note that to do this took a lot of practice and sometimes I failed in (and at times still do) in doing so and did get caught up in some odd beliefs that were popular at the time (Ancient Aliens anyone?). We must remain vigilant. It is a process and I admit I was not even nominally good at it until around 2013 due to attentively listening to the thoughts and ideas as expounded by greater thinkers than myself. Great thanks to Matt Dillahunty, Aron Ra, Tracie Harris, Seth Andrews, Dr. Richard Dawkins, Dr. Hector Avalos, Dr. Richard Carrier, and especially through direct communication with John W. Loftus and David Madison, PhD. True, I'm a self-designated Agnostic Atheist, however I am even more so a </span><a href="https://americanhumanist.org/what-is-humanism/"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Humanist</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. People who personally know me can attest that I care for others, no matter their beliefs. I admit we can all be correct or incorrect in our views and beliefs upon a multitude of different subjects. As a result of becoming more deeply involved into Humanism, I sincerely wish that we all could live in a more peaceful and caring society.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Regarding Religious Beliefs:</span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Religion permeates much of the world and has done so for possibly </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_religion#Prehistory" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">400,000 years ago up to 40,000 years ago</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and comes in </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_religions_and_spiritual_traditions" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">thousands of forms</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, many that are lost to prehistory and history. Depending on where you live you may see one religion more prolific than another. Have you ever asked why this is the case?</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here are some basic questions popularized by author </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_W._Loftus"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">John W. Loftus</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> known as </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B01M4GJWJC" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="bb7f8d9ac77169a179523641019fa232" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="The Outsider Test for Faith" href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M4GJWJC/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=exchrisnetenc-20&linkId=bb7f8d9ac77169a179523641019fa232&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_4943048" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Outsider Test for Faith</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_4943048" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=exchrisnetenc-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=bb7f8d9ac77169a179523641019fa232&_cb=1588776882470" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. I will use the acronym OTF throughout to abbreviate the term as also used by John W. Loftus. This is a brief summation of OTF, yet I highly suggest reading Loftus' entire book for greater details and nuance.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ask yourself, "Why are religions predominately popular based upon geographic locations?"</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In North America you will find Christianity as the predominate religion, in Saudi Arabia it's </span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islam" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Islam</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, in India it's </span><a href="https://www.history.com/topics/religion/hinduism" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hinduism</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, etc. Please make note that there is no such thing as a singular monolithic belief system within the above-mentioned religions, but many variations of the religions that we can call subsets. With all this in mind ask yourself, “How can people know with reasonable certainty they are born into or talked into the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_exclusivism" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"one true religion"</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">?”</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are we all fated by an </span><a href="https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/accident+of+birth"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">accident of birth</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to make our way through life? All the while there is only "one true religion" that is indicative of a Creator's or Creators' plan for us and must we search through the pages of every religious book to make sure we are in the "one true religion"?</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">If we hear or see this "one true religion" how can we distinguish it from other "false religions"? What method do we use to make this determination? If you are a believer in any god or gods or subscribe to any religious views have you ever asked yourself these questions? If not, please ask yourself, “Why is this the case?"</span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now ask yourself, "Why is there </span><a href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/religious-pluralism/index.html"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">religious diversity</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> at all?" If there were one true Creator or Creators, then would not there be only one religion? Wouldn't a responsible Creator or Creators make sure that everyone understood this divine plan? Why do religions blame humans for a poorly designed plan that does not do what a Creator or Creators intended it to do? If the plan is that all people be saved, then why aren't all people saved?</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If a bridge collapses, do bridge designers blame the pedestrians that walk on the bridge? Shouldn't the blame, if there be any, be hoisted upon the designers of the bridge itself? Especially if the result of the failure was a poor job of engineering? Many legal experts would reply with a big, "</span><a href="https://www.local10.com/news/2018/03/20/first-lawsuits-filed-in-fiu-pedestrian-bridge-collapse/"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes!</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">" If this is the case, ask yourself, "Why is it that Divine Creator’s or Creators that supposedly have knowledge and abilities far beyond humans are not being held responsible for their designs or plans for failing?" Ironically, many religious people will talk all about the value of personal responsibility but will excuse their Creator or Creators from taking personal responsibility for the lack of insight. Why the *</span><a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/double-standard"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">double standard</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*Humans doing something irresponsible equals bad and perhaps deserving some punishment. A god or gods do something irresponsible equals them being given excuses or a pass from theists. There are professional apologists (defenders of a belief) that exist solely for this purpose.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dear reader, I wish to expose you to various thoughts and ideas that may aid in answering these questions and many others that I have planned for my website. If you think you have the "one true religion" or the proper relationship with the one true Creator or Creators of the Universe, then you should not feel challenged at all by these and upcoming questions. Correct?</span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Please, read and subscribe to <a href="https://www.apetivist.com/" target="_blank">my blog</a> to get new posts if you wish. Please leave comments below yet also be civil as uncivil comments will be deleted. Feel free to email me at <a href="mailto:apetivist@gmail.com" style="text-decoration-line: none;">apetivist AT gmail.com</a> also please be civil there, too.</span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you for your readership and please understand all I'm doing is asking questions and asking you to ask questions I am doing this to not only challenge theists and their claims but also to invite others to consider how they come about any belief and how they can think about them and perhaps confirm or disconfirm them with well-reasoned answers. Please, especially with more than mundane claims, question everything!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">This article also appears on my website: <a href="https://www.apetivist.com/">https://www.apetivist.com</a>. </span></i></h2>
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Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-85268146625628860682020-01-19T13:18:00.001-05:002020-01-19T13:18:19.885-05:00I don't know what to do<i>By Art ~ </i><br />
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<span class="dropcap">G</span>reetings to all of you! Sorry if my English is not very good, it's not my native language. So I want to ask you guys to give some advice about my situation. I'm a musician, worship minister in a small Pentecostal church (about 20-30 members). The other members of the group never considered themselves as a musicians and was doing their ministry only because there was no one else who was ready to do it. So when I became a minister, all technical stuff about how to make music not to sound like shit was laid on my shoulders because I was the only one in the whole church who knows how to do it right.<br />
<br />
Not so long ago I was came out to my pastor and to other ministers about my non beliefs. After some discussions when they realized that I'm serious about my decision to leave the church they're have nothing left to say but to ask me not to leave my ministry until a replacement was found for me as a musician. Actually I can understand them, because the rest of the worship team still can't do good sounding music on their own without me as a director who can tell them about what they're doing wrong and how to do it right. Of course I was giving them some private lessons about music and stuff, but almost no one of them were actually practicing on their own without me so as a result there was almost no progress.<br />
<br />
So in the end, I was told by ministers that despite the fact that they understand my suffering from being in the church, they believe that I will act immorally, leaving the group on it's own without musical leadership. And because we are actually a good friends I couldn't say no to them.<br />
So here I am on stage for 2 months after that conversation, singing songs about stuff that I'm absolutely in conflict with, playing music that I don't like, wasting my time on repetitions etc. And there's no reason to think that someone could take my place any time soon, because as I sad<br />
earlier there's almost no one in team who do care about a real progress of their musical skills. And for those few who care, in any case, it will take a lot of time that I will have to spend in the ministry before the moment they will be ready to replace me. It's kind of trap and it's hard for me to just stop giving a f**k...<br />
<br />
Soon I'm going to talk about it with ministers again. And I'm asking you guys to give me some advice about what actually should I tell them, how to react if they again claim that I am immoral for leaving the team on it's own etc. I understand that they're just manipulating me, even if they think that they doing it for good. But I'm just so exhausted that I literally can't think clearly about that. Every time when I think I'm ready to tell them that I am going to quit I feel this guilt and shame (even if I actually understand that it's irrational) for what would it be if I leave my worship team on their own. Maybe some of you already been in my situation, maybe you could share links to some videos or text testimonies of those who been. I would appreciate any help..Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-30804004830689108982019-11-25T07:54:00.001-05:002019-11-25T16:34:01.410-05:00Jesus Did it Again<i>By James Wilhelm ~ </i><br />
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<i>(The following is a true story - one of many I have personally come across during my 40+ year journey through Christianity.)</i><br />
<br />
<span class="dropcap">I</span> have a good friend - a dependable, devout, genteel type of guy. Regularly attended church - always participating in "fellowship" and other church activities. Being single - he met a girl in church and quietly and discretely dated her. One night a very clear dream came - God wanted him to marry her! God answered his prayer! They married months later and soon a child followed. Turned out his new wife was a secret drug addict - and within two years sunk deeper into addiction and eventually killed herself. Now - totally broken and no faith he's struggling to explain to his child what happened to her mother.<br />
<br />
The real issue is how do you stop from being angry, bitter and resentful at a God you believed in that really doesn't exit? This is the conundrum of many of us who have abandoned religion. My anger is toward the thoughtless people that arrogantly believe God exists, that the Bible is real and that wish hell on you when you feel otherwise. It is a real struggle for me. The arrogance and self-righteousness of religious people that have never really struggled with anything serious in life is the real problem. Letting go of that bitterness and moving on is the challenge many of us nonbelievers face. I wish all of us well. <br />
<br />
Thanks for reading this true story.Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-2640949755378086502019-07-09T12:14:00.002-04:002019-07-09T12:15:00.967-04:00How do I overcome this confusion?<i>From Michael ~ </i><br />
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<span class="dropcap">H</span>ello, If you guys don’t mind I’d like to request some advice. I’m on the fence about religion at the moment. <br />
<br />
I used to be a Christian, as I was raised in a predominantly Christian household. My Mom and Grandma brought me to Mass every Sunday, and I spent my time in primary school in a Christian school. However, I’m starting to question things, and I’m confused because of it. <br />
<br />
For example, I sometimes ask myself questions like, <br />
<blockquote>
"If there is a God, why has he allowed so many people to suffer over the thousands of years of our existence. If he loves us, why does he let us suffer?" </blockquote>
<br />
I’ve also asked myself the question of, <br />
<blockquote>
"If there was nothing before God created us then how did he exist? Does God have his own God?"</blockquote>
<br />
He couldn’t have just existed without any kind of explanation right? <br />
<br />
I think the most important question however is: <br />
<blockquote>
"How do I overcome this confusion?"</blockquote>
Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-88775926714997020472019-06-30T14:14:00.002-04:002019-06-30T14:14:23.431-04:00Atheists in Hell?<i>From Mandy ~ </i><br />
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<span class="dropcap">J</span>ust curious to know what your thoughts are on these stories about atheists who supposedly saw or went to hell when they had a near death experience.<br />
<br />
I see these kind of videos popping up on my YouTube feed from time to <br />
time. <br />
<br />
I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter. Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-28904347560946598062019-06-14T10:49:00.002-04:002019-06-24T12:35:37.862-04:00Holy Hustle! & Unholy Bible<i>By Ward Ricker ~ </i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <br />
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<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B07SSPC532" class="amzn_ps_bm_il" data-amzn-link-id="0429590604d1fa6d989f2866095bb64c" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="holy hustle a bible parody" href="http://www.amazon.com/Holy-Hustle-Bible-Parody-Containing-ebook/dp/B07SSPC532/ref=as_li_bk_ia/?tag=exchrisnetenc-20&linkId=0429590604d1fa6d989f2866095bb64c&linkCode=kia" id="amznPsBmLink_2811234" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitm05wifd2t2ulHc_AoS_L7rLcpDxcNzaYHDBag7wmKUv2rdIrNDvKoaL6k5HG2q_54aduXK6KkbENdTxwKAtGGuHNb9yN2zDf9_JkNKWxOOQLZBy4Y8_1AfISkB0hfopXhNCx-q9T3Ok/s1600/holyhustle.jpg" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_2811234" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=exchrisnetenc-20&bm-id=default&l=kia&linkId=0429590604d1fa6d989f2866095bb64c&_cb=1560523661305" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></div>
<i><br />
</i> <br />
<span class="dropcap">T</span>he <a href="https://amzn.to/2KkCEEO">Holy Bible as you have never read it before</a>. <br />
<br />
I wish to let you know about two new books that I just published that I think you'll be interested in. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://amzn.to/2KkCEEO"><i>Holy Hustle! A Bible Parody Containing all 66 books of both the Old and the New Hustles</i></a> is a (I hope) hilarious romp through the whole Bible, making fun of its stories, teachings, etc. Although it is intended to be fun and entertaining, it is also, I believe, educational, pointing out the contradictions, insanity, immorality, and horrors of the Bible.<br />
<br />
Read a <a href="http://www.wardsbooks.com/holy-hustle-sample.pdf">sample of <i>Holy Hustle!</i></a>.<br />
<br />
The entire book is available on <a href="https://amzn.to/2KkCEEO">Amazon</a>! <br />
<br />
The other book, <a href="http://www.wardsbooks.com/unholy-bible.php"><i>Unholy Bible: The Unholy and Unreal Parts of the Bible</i></a>, is a free book. It started out as a listing of all the contradictions that I found as I was writing the parody, but I have expanded it to include the Bible contradictions that I have been able to find from other sources, as well as the Bible passages that show its violence, horror, immorality, <br />
etc. <br />
<br />
It is free for anyone to download at my website, <a href="https://www.wardsbooks.com/">www.WardsBooks.com</a>, along with information about all my books. If you prefer the ebook version you can purchase it for <a href="https://amzn.to/2FaEHqP">99 cents at Amazon</a>.<br />
<br />
Thank you for your efforts to promote reason and understanding and take back our society from the religious establishment that would love to impose their religious beliefs on all of us.<br />
<br />
I hope that you will find my books to be useful as well as entertaining.Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-70666706942824173812019-04-07T18:12:00.001-04:002019-04-15T14:53:08.470-04:00Spirituality and / or Religion?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhar3cey8dMzfQJSaXWtn0lkL4vAqQd9D8Q8TNplGuKdy8XJYhsASptoELnvxLw3ngPY0Cf9-hxUWBWxJWsHy92Sg2-rl6LMipD7M36LWGkhUK20eacfkWJc_bZ6Zgu0F0Z6mioRH0y54s/s1600/spiritual-but-not-religious.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="940" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhar3cey8dMzfQJSaXWtn0lkL4vAqQd9D8Q8TNplGuKdy8XJYhsASptoELnvxLw3ngPY0Cf9-hxUWBWxJWsHy92Sg2-rl6LMipD7M36LWGkhUK20eacfkWJc_bZ6Zgu0F0Z6mioRH0y54s/s640/spiritual-but-not-religious.jpg" width="640" /></a><i>By AJ ~ </i><br />
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<span class="dropcap">I</span> have asked, <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>“Is it possible to be a spiritual person without being a religious person?,” </li>
<li>"Is it conceivable to be a spiritual person and not belong to an organized religion?,” and </li>
<li>“Can a person be spiritual and at the same time be an atheist?” </li>
</ul>
<br />
I submit that the answers to all of these questions are yes.<br />
<br />
The answers are yes if we acknowledge that religion is man-made and spirituality is nature-made. <br />
<br />
George Vaillant declared that, <br />
<blockquote>
“religion arises from culture; spirituality arises from biology.” (2008) </blockquote>
Spirituality invites us to become awakened to ourselves and to the world around us. I maintain that each one of us has a life encapsulated in Nature, human nature, and our own nature. I announce that this awakening can happen without adhering to any religion. I recognize that for some spirituality can include religion, but it doesn't have to. Really, to be a spiritual person doesn't require a belief in a God. I view spirituality from the following two perspectives: <br />
<ol>
<li><i><a href="https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/geistlich">Geistlich</a></i> - spiritual matters with a religious view and God is part of spirituality. From the religious view our search is strongly guided from the outside by dogma, or </li>
<li><a href="https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/geistig"><i>Geistig</i> </a>- spiritual matters without a religious view where the Self is the bases of spirituality. From this view the awakening is a self-search of experiences strongly guided from the inside. </li>
</ol>
I value the following quote by Paul Bjorklund saying,<br />
<blockquote>
“spirituality is an inviting word when it is understood. It invites us to discover our world of values and beliefs.” (1983) </blockquote>
What do you think?Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-23403666181029952172018-10-21T15:52:00.000-04:002018-12-21T09:59:08.718-05:00Admit the Truth!<i>From Tricia ~ </i><br />
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<span class="dropcap">W</span>e only leave Jesus because we were never committed to Him or were deceived, wanted to live our lives the way we want. <br />
<br />
Self idolatry -- it is the same and just what Satan wanted you serve and worship SELF but actuality this world. The FOOL has said in his heart there is no God. <br />
<br />
We have become blinded, caught up in lies by the god of this world You want to be hay and God says no, therefore He is wrong. No you are wrong. <br />
<br />
I is an abomination and God says you want your lust so He gives you a reprobate mind....the word of God is right. We are wrong, admit the truth even if you chose not to live it.Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-58397258677012401962018-10-21T15:34:00.001-04:002018-11-18T13:12:42.601-05:00Dechristianized & Unchurched<i>From Mark ~ </i><br />
<br />
<span class="dropcap">H</span>i Guys, <br />
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Thought I'd just give a little update since my last post. It's been over six years that I called it Quits. To be exact, 29 Aug 2012. <br />
<br />
Life has not been exactly rosy as I had expected back then, just because there was stuff to be worked out. But having said that, I felt I was more in control of my life although the road was dark and slippery at times. I felt I was more free and liberated to follow my own path, my own heart and gut, which while it might not to be everyone's liking, is actually what prayer and faith is all about.<br />
<br />
I still keep in touch with some friends from church as we are still friends, but sometimes I feel sick in the stomach when they start talking about how you must have more faith, pray more, fast more, tithe more, give more. <br />
<br />
Anyway, long story short, its been the best and most exhilarating six years I ever had. I am free. <br />
<br />
Thank You !! Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-58244493859516170452018-07-20T12:16:00.004-04:002018-08-05T13:11:31.413-04:00Warning!!! You are working with Satan!<i>Disciple of Jesus Forever ~ </i><br />
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<span class="dropcap">G</span>uys, this is a warning. <br />
<br />
Stop doing all of these before it is too late. I am not pointing fingers at anyone around here, but I am telling you the truth! God loves every single one of you and wants you to give your lives to Him. <br />
<br />
As it is written, <br />
<br />
<blockquote>
Jesus is the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh to the Father, but by Him.</blockquote>
<br />
If you give your lives to Jesus Christ, He will change your lives and use you greatly! This is all your decision here! God wants you to spend eternity with Him, and the only ones stopping this are you! Also, by doing what you are doing, you are actually working with Satan and you are bringing souls to Hell by misleading people. Please repent before it is too late! God really loves you, and I love you all as well. Just because you were probably disappointed before or just waited and did not get answered by God, it does not mean He is not real! All the truth is in the Bible, make sure you read the Bible as well! In order to be saved, you got to become disciples of Jesus Christ, which means to take the believer's authority and to do what Jesus did while He was ministering on Earth! <br />
<br />
It is all either Jesus Christ or Satan, do not be deceived! God is surely not mocked! You are only mocking yourselves by posting stuff against Him! Satan rebelled against God, and He got cast out of Heaven. Adam and Eve rebelled against God by eating the apple, and they got punished! <br />
<br />
I am just saying that there are consequences after any action or word that you do and say respectively. for it is also written: you reap what you sow. You better get right with God Almighty before it is too late. And yes, I still need to work as well so that I make sure I am right with God. I pray in the name of Jesus that the truth will be spread all around the world, and that hell will never prevail against the body of Christ! I bind and loose all evil spirits interfering with people minds and attacking their faith, in the mighty name of Jesus. <br />
<br />
Devil, I put you on notice, I paralyse you and I cut your tongue in the mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ! I bind and loose all spirits of confusion, mind control, compulsive behaviour and bondage right now in the name of Jesus Christ.<br />
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It is written,<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
all knees shall bow down at the name of Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus, </blockquote>
<br />
I declare complete victory and protection of faith of all sincere Christians in the name of Jesus! I cover myself and the rest of the body of Christ with the blood of Jesus, in the name of Jesus! Praise God Almighty! Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-76178825456396449412018-06-24T17:54:00.000-04:002018-07-20T13:08:51.489-04:00One Thing I Miss About Being a Believer...<i>By A Former Believer ~ </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nIfVqRC6SHNM_rpGxidjxIfgeSfT42OXySkYJZ65PhJjpapFzKTWxF8bUhsqhSf2oT62VYp1nxPmmSqQO5yJS2F9IRKlvIo868-cF6cmmU_NE8l6_AU_RerDSoKWZg4uwW_ZZXUVP7Q/s1600/misschristianity.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="715" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nIfVqRC6SHNM_rpGxidjxIfgeSfT42OXySkYJZ65PhJjpapFzKTWxF8bUhsqhSf2oT62VYp1nxPmmSqQO5yJS2F9IRKlvIo868-cF6cmmU_NE8l6_AU_RerDSoKWZg4uwW_ZZXUVP7Q/s320/misschristianity.webp" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="dropcap">A</span>fter quitting my Religion, I have had a problem. I always have had ADHD. The problem that follows with this is lack of focus. I have never been able to sit down and work without having a lot of distractions.<br />
<br />
When I was young I had the same problem but after converting to Christianity I prayed and suddenly I could work for hours and hours.<br />
<br />
It worked like this : after I prayed and I started working, when some distraction occured, I immediately thought about God, and he would ask me to focus and return to Work. It was very efficient. During those years, my grades rose several steps. This was one of the main reasons why I stuck to Christianity for so long. As an adult I have tried several times to come back and achieve the same effect, but without any luck.Today I dont have the slightest belief that a God exist.<br />
<br />
When I tell christians about this, they soon proclaim it was a miracle.I don't think so. I remember that when it worked, I considered it to be a psycological effect (without God interfering), but soon oppressed that Idea, and thanked my God for all the work I had done. The power of wanting to believe was the main source of this incredible brain trick.<br />
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Are there any fellow former believers who have tried this, and have anyone found a solution? Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-21209015318339106252018-02-03T13:34:00.001-05:002018-02-19T14:16:52.818-05:00Don't Mistake the Church for representatives of God<i>By Emmanuel Melendez ~ </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGP7O7Pz6uQTeldGSKA-IHMGl-RZsDMxz2lh_iSnmotygXi-KiaeAsLikjg3KtEeIFg9YWixqjnZaKRUHzP1JP9t7_BH9DBKROLWIzE6q3dmAe0RfpkKi2msSpjd_xpDDeTEdnzo9TJPA/s1600/popeisgod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGP7O7Pz6uQTeldGSKA-IHMGl-RZsDMxz2lh_iSnmotygXi-KiaeAsLikjg3KtEeIFg9YWixqjnZaKRUHzP1JP9t7_BH9DBKROLWIzE6q3dmAe0RfpkKi2msSpjd_xpDDeTEdnzo9TJPA/s400/popeisgod.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="dropcap">O</span>kay, so just to be clear I am a Christian, an actual real Christian, I've spent years studying the bible with no bias and looking at scripture in historical, scriptural, and cultural context, all the while seeking Gods infinite wisdom on what his word says.<br />
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I will start off by saying today's modern church is anything but Gods church. First, church isn't a building, in scripture we see that what church is, is the people themselves. God, nor the people in scripture never refer to church as a building and the funny thing is all these church traditions like weddings or going on Sundays to a building, are not in the bible. So anyone telling you to go to a building, don't even realize that God is speaking about his actual followers who love him and actually follow him.<br />
<br />
Since the church has developed many false beliefs have arisen, and God does say a false church, or group of believers would rise during the end times. Some of those false beliefs are that Homosexuality is sin or that Gods love is shown through gaining material items.<br />
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I will explain why homosexuality is not sin.<br />
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First, the old Law is dead. Ignorant Christians misunderstand the old Law to be the 10 commandments. However the old laws are the first 4 books of our bible. Genesis to Leviticus have about 460 laws meant for the Ancient Israelites. And Jesus, James, and Paul all said the Law is United as one. Why is this important? It's important because if eating shellfish is gone, if divorce being punishable is gone, then so is the verse in Leviticus 18:22, Man shall not lie with man. Secondly, you need to realize Leviticus and Exodus laws were ceremonial laws. That means they were moral laws of good or evil. For example, Ritually speaking, a woman was unclean because of a period, however this doesn't mean she was morally unclean or evil. Ok? Good.<br />
<br />
Now, Leviticus 18:22 is also relating to ancient pagan worship. The godess Cybele was a fake God known in that time. Her followers would worship her by having sex in a temple. Leviticus and Exodus are mute and abolished because Jesus died on the cross for sin. His death was prophesied and every credible historian agreed Jesus Christ lived and died. Whether he was God or not, that's up to you. <br />
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Anyways, let's keep going. Most anti gay bible scholars agree Genesis creation story and Sodom story do not relate to homosexuality. In fact Ezekiel tells us the sins of Sodom were inhospitality, Greed, and lack of loving. They were a wealthy city that refused to help the poor and hungry. They celebrated prostitution. Some may ask about the event with Lot, and that was merely attempted gang rape. The Romans used to rape those they conquered to show they were dominate. Lot offering his daughters (which was endlessly stupid) indicates they were straight....I mean come on, if they were gay and he knew they were gay, why the hell would he say take my daughters? A shitty dad, but he obviously knew they werent gay.<br />
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Anyways, other passages like Romans, and Corithians do not relate to homosexuality.<br />
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To you who would challenge this claim after learning all you did above, I will use the example of slavery which many on this site misunderstand, no offense.<br />
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Firstly, our modern words are different than words used in Greek and Hebrew. The same word used to say abomination in Leviticus me and detestable. God said eating some kinds of meat was detestable, then after Jesus died and rose, he said we can eat all kinds of meat. So obviously, Abomination doesn't mean something inherently evil in context of scripture.<br />
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In the same way, Slavery in the bible isn't slavery. The Greek word used meant servant. God himself says if any man kidnaps another person and makes them a slave, they shall be put to death. Some of you will call it a contradiction because you lack knowledge, no offense. But to those of you who love all kinds of truth, even in things you believe to be fiction, I hope you do listen. In context of Exodus, people who could not pay for something would offer themselves as servants. They would even need to go to court to organize such an arrangement. However, they were equal and had freedom, and they had food, and a place to stay. They would work for 7 years and after 7 years, they would be free of servanthood. Foreigners also would sell themselves as bonde servants. They too had rights and were paid, but not that much.<br />
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See the churches and even Atheist issue is that none of you actually study the scriptures in context, cultural context, or historical context. You, most of you read it at face value, hence why you think there are contradictions, hence why you can't notice figurative and literal statements in scripture<br />
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My attempt has never been to offend any of you though, but to task you to actually properly study the scriptures and then make your decision. The modern church you see is nothing like Jesus, God revealed that to me. They reject sinners and shun them, their like the Pharisee that Jesus rebuked. You need to seek real Christians who actually obey Jesus two greatest commandments, to love God and to love the neighbor. <br />
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Regardless of what you believe, I do know God, and he knows me, so on behalf of us real Christians, I want to apologize for these fake Christians. Jesus himself warns of them in the scripture. He himself said he will tell people who claimed to be Christian that he never knew them. And it will be worse for false Christians because they will lead people away from him. My only intention here was to educate and make you realize that today's modern church is not Gods church. For example, there is a friend I know who had mental issues, and her church ignored her when she sought help, first of all, any real Christian would welcome her, as we through Gods power are changed to be able to live almost as he did. That means being able to love and forgive more despite our human flaws.<br />
<br />
Look I will keep this short, all humans have love, have the power to be good. But the false churches and pastors will shun you and tell you that you love Satan. Ignore all of those lies. God makes it clear that we all can do good and love. But when God speaks about people who do not love and hate God, he is talking about actual people who indulge in hating others, who openly seek to hurt others. However, God makes it clear our goodness can't save us for the simple reason that sin separates us from him. In scripture, one of Gods priest died in Gods presence immediately when he made a mistake. God didn't lift up a finger and condemn him, he just died from a single flaw. <br />
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The whole bible illustrates that us Humans, though wanting to do good, be good, and love good, are flawed and will make mistakes. God, being the very essence of holiness but also love sent Jesus to die on the cross as a metaphorical sacrifice, not because God isn't powerful and cant save people, but because through Jesus, all who trust in him are renewed and their sins are forgiven. I mean we see God forgiving sins in Exodus through animal sacrifice, or another way to say it, In order for sin to be forgiven, a life have been taken to pay the price. <br />
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Just think on that, Sin being so wrong, that in order for it to be forgiven a life of an animal must be taken. Hence why God sent Jesus to die, because Jesus was perfect, and that through hid perfect son, all would be forgiven.<br />
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Now don't hate on me, I just wanted to share what the scriptures actually say, and wanted to let you know these modern churches (many people who say they follow God) are not Christians. I mean, you can open up a bible and read the verses where Jesus says it himself.<br />
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All I ask, is that if you are going to reject God in his entirely and specifically Jesus, that you'd at least properly study scripture in full context. I mean, the church is as ignorant as some of you, you might as Well equip yourself with what the bible actually says, even if you disagree with it.<br />
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Thank you for reading and...Have a good day.Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-40785761451363416242017-08-26T06:32:00.002-04:002017-09-24T15:57:20.306-04:00I Don't Know What to do with My Life Anymore<i>By TDB ~ </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6pERZa3yCghPjeKOtkqPwS0vg1EFr7qn2B1hqxUeWacsxpVwqp8dOiZcK202CexN8BYhsl72Oj_sCX87EfbArGz38LR4ZsQH3NIBE0BQ7X182Wz2Cha6DphOQDYU5EmUI35E_9juAZc/s1600/autism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="729" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6pERZa3yCghPjeKOtkqPwS0vg1EFr7qn2B1hqxUeWacsxpVwqp8dOiZcK202CexN8BYhsl72Oj_sCX87EfbArGz38LR4ZsQH3NIBE0BQ7X182Wz2Cha6DphOQDYU5EmUI35E_9juAZc/s320/autism.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="dropcap">I</span> am an ex-Methodist.<br />
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I am 25-year-old autistic atheist who also questions his sexuality while at the same time am totally grossed out by sex.<br />
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I have been labeled a "special snowflake social justice warrior" for being who I am...and I think it's killing me. I have thought about suicide for the longest time now and I may have written something here once before that was probably incredibly inappropriate. It all came from seething rage over the Orlando massacre as well the notion that my rights as a human being with the ability to think an act for himself should be up for debate.<br />
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I was born and raised in the Deep South, Georgia to be exact. I am trying my damnedest to not conform to any ideology, but all it has done has given me more scorn than ever before. I think that learning to come to grips with the truth that me and my kind are cancer for valuing feelings more than facts, or whatever the apparent current argument is. I have been frequently called a politically correct thought policer as well as a demonizer for reacting against those who slander me for who I was born as.<br />
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I have lost all respect for my fellow man and I need to make the confession that not all lives matter to me.<br />
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I am white and cisgendered, by the way...and I am more and more ashamed of my privilege.<br />
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I cannot express myself clearly without being demonized.<br />
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I will be going to college in less than a week through this special program, but I am deathly afraid of someone like Milo Yiannopoulos or whatever the hell is name is and speaking ill of my fellow man whether they be African, Muslim, Trans, or otherwise.<br />
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I don't know what the hell to do.Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-55269567626478981792017-08-26T05:44:00.001-04:002017-09-12T14:45:01.384-04:00To the elite idiots of ExC-Net<i>From Rodney M ~ </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIu3hYRBxo1zgiZDcABy3wkS6dZg0LTrpGUkUsiScRIxBxtJnku4t1x-mvYLykZCkrWNVnhKGktpjb3lEtC3zuec9j9eisA_DVS3tUZkR0EowYHOwzOmpXgwSDoBsfkST1m0vjyckDy5w/s1600/jungle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIu3hYRBxo1zgiZDcABy3wkS6dZg0LTrpGUkUsiScRIxBxtJnku4t1x-mvYLykZCkrWNVnhKGktpjb3lEtC3zuec9j9eisA_DVS3tUZkR0EowYHOwzOmpXgwSDoBsfkST1m0vjyckDy5w/s320/jungle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="dropcap">I</span> really don't need to transcribe volumes of some diatribe to prove my worthiness to be read. After all, I'm writing to a bunch of moron's who claim they can think but rarely do so beyond their own "narrow self interests" or suicidal group-think causes. Guess what, life sucks for most of us. It sucks to a large part because we live in a world of competition and that competition is not fair. It's not only unfair it's often deadly to the naïve and innocent. Now, you can always blame some dogma for the problems in the world but even your dogma isn't a unifying one. As a matter of fact I can sum up the calloused ExC-Net dogma in a few sentences:<br />
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<b><i>I am rational.<br />
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Do what thy wilt, shall be the whole of the law.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr8-E8may2Y">Welcome to the jungle. You can take anything you want but you better not take it from me.</a><br />
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Repeat Mantra.</i></b><br />
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The main problem I have with this website is that you never offer any viable alternatives. You're like the George Carlin diatribe about right -to-lifers. He says once they get a newborn in the world, their response is a big FUCK YOU. See, it's all about having purpose and no responsibility. Well, isn't that what you're doing. Encouraging people to renounce their faith and then the big FUCK YOU. Maybe you'll direct some to read from your shitty ExC-Net self help book list. Then what? The fact of the matter is some people are better off suffering in their congregation than chasing blind guides like you. Are you going to teach these people how to fish? No you're not. This is why you'll never do away with Christianity. And don't give me that rational thought bullshit. You hypocrites rarely practice what you preach. Just like all the fake Christians out their, if you really cared anything about your cause the world would be a... Well in the event of Christians it would be a better place. In your case it would be a dystopian hell hole. Close but not quite yet.<br />
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I'm sure some of you bitter twits can recognize the truth in what I have said. I can only hope or perhaps have faith that one of your rank, perhaps someone with an IQ above 90 will respond back. Although, I don't hold much hope in that happening. Alternatively, maybe you could do some sort of intellectual gang-up. No, I take that one back. You're probably not to well equipped for that either. Since, I know how much you-all hate Bible verses, let me leave you with the following sentiment. King Solomon told us the reality of life when he said everything is vanity. He also said with much knowledge comes much sorrow. Did any of you ever consider that life isn't supposed to be a utopia or maybe our focus here should be elsewhere?Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-19358279865719161772017-06-06T04:25:00.000-04:002017-06-25T16:35:25.454-04:00ATTENTION! ATTENTION! ATTENTION!<i>By AS SEEN ON TV ~ </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VRYtK5cZ92GYLoBMa1cqOltbgCGjQJLO9uuCjYeYIsJ18wOhzydy14EvVuSr6aAW4QCV3szMq34EBf62LQs50JXQkkZzZdgXDWRus0LgS0qdmMS2MVL8Yl_r4YKbIskl-ugsUjY0hP8/s1600/as-seen-on-tv1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="385" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VRYtK5cZ92GYLoBMa1cqOltbgCGjQJLO9uuCjYeYIsJ18wOhzydy14EvVuSr6aAW4QCV3szMq34EBf62LQs50JXQkkZzZdgXDWRus0LgS0qdmMS2MVL8Yl_r4YKbIskl-ugsUjY0hP8/s320/as-seen-on-tv1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="dropcap">I</span>f you or a loved one has any two of the following symptoms:<br />
<ul>
<li>currently living</li>
<li>a biological father</li>
</ul>
... then you are suffering from borna sinna.<br />
<br />
Without treatment, your B.S. condition will never heal, and your condition will worsen into unbearable torture.<br />
<br />
HAVE YOU HEARD THE GOOD NEWS? The cure is TOTALLY FREE!<br />
<br />
EVEN THE CALL IS FREE!<br />
The Son of the Founder will PERSONALLY take your call.<br />
<br />
YOUR CALL IS VERY IMPORTANT!<br />
Due to the volume of calls, the Son will not be able to respond to any caller, but rest assured, you are His top priority.<br />
<br />
LOCAL SUPPORT GROUPS!<br />
There are many local support groups for B.S., with leaders who have decades of experience identifying, describing, and sharing their B.S. solutions with others.<br />
<br />
YOUR DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE!<br />
Check with your local leaders, but most donations to local support groups for B.S. are tax-deductible.<br />
<br />
REMEMBER: THE CURE IS A TOTALLY FREE* GIFT FROM THE SON!<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Just pay a small 10% service charge on all your income for life.</span>Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-50269973020294529152016-08-27T15:56:00.000-04:002016-09-11T11:31:13.566-04:00How do I stop being afraid of going to hell?<i>By ClayBlack ~ </i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTb8CmI2TGRZhtryY6W2Ng9symS8JEDohlh18oS6OfxteCokrUu_5MOfMnm6anJfRGr3WwBTwPh5BL9P-5-A3NvhXCGUCqL3M3mrCine_F7jDT_uRot3dF7C88JcaP4Gbn-WV3Wc1Dm4/s1600/portait-of-sad-young-woman_tx8tqc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTb8CmI2TGRZhtryY6W2Ng9symS8JEDohlh18oS6OfxteCokrUu_5MOfMnm6anJfRGr3WwBTwPh5BL9P-5-A3NvhXCGUCqL3M3mrCine_F7jDT_uRot3dF7C88JcaP4Gbn-WV3Wc1Dm4/s320/portait-of-sad-young-woman_tx8tqc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="dropcap">I</span>'m not quite an ex-Christian yet, but I've been having serious doubts and the one thing stopping me is the fear that if I stop trusting in Jesus, then I will go to hell. I'm hoping that people who have felt the same see this post and are able to give me some advice.<br />
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I was raised in a Christian home and passionately pursued the faith from the age of 12 up until a few months ago (I'm 23 now) when I started having serious doubts. Two years ago, I moved out of my parent's house and have been exposed to more secular environments. My husband (I moved out when I got married) says I've become a more optimistic and confident person since I left my highly religious parents home.<br />
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I love listening to philosophers and debates on Youtube, and have found that many people arguing for Christianity use this argument based on Romans 1:20: "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse." Meaning that they think everybody knows that God exists therefore he does, and if we don't believe in him, it is rejection and we only have ourselves to blame if we end up in hell.<br />
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I'm struggling with this because I don't feel as if I actually know that God exists. I think, 'Surely he would make himself more real and tangible to us and not play a sick game where we pray to him to reveal himself, and he doesn't.'<br />
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Hell, human depravity, and eternal punishment are concepts I find irrational. But because I grew up with conservative, fundamentalist Christian parents, I was heavily indoctrinated with these teachings. I don't think God can be loving if he creates people just to send them to hell, and threatening people with the eternal torture if you don't believe on them seems like a massive interference on free will.<br />
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I'd love to stop believing this but my mind keeps asking, 'What if you die tomorrow and go to hell? What if you wake up before God and he's mad at you because you questioned his authority to send people to heaven or hell or wherever he likes?'<br />
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I know to some that will sound silly. Up until recently, I honestly believe that I had a revelation of God as a teenager, that he wanted to pursue a relationship with me. But now I think it was just excitement from going to youth group for the first time.<br />
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It's weird; my parents are quite conservative but most of my life, we attended a church a lot more liberal than my parents were used to. It's given me lifelong friends, and I think if I were to stop believing, they would still embrace me, and not reject me like some in the more conservative churches do. My closest Christian friends know that I'm going through a "crisis of faith" at the moment, but they don't realise how serious it is. And they wouldn't understand if i spoke to them about it in detail.<br />
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Ex-Christians, what advice would you give me? Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-26844131857156653972016-08-06T06:52:00.001-04:002016-08-27T16:12:52.309-04:00Condemned & Confused -- HELP!<i>By Shai ~ <br />
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<span class="dropcap">I</span> went to church yesterday for the first time in awhile and it was a nice service but it doesn't mean it's something I want to continue to do. I've felt this mental tug of war for a long time and I guess peace and routine are the things that are on each end. I don't like the idea of going to church when I have questions and I usually tend to get answers for something completely unrelated to what I'm confused about. I feel like I've fallen from grace but that doesn't necessarily scare me. It's just if there is a hell why am I going there? If there is a God why does he give people the choice to turn their back? I don't know why free choice is supposed to be this back-handed gift. We're supposed to enjoy our free will but dig ourselves holes and cry when it comes to face the consequences of the same free will we were "gifted". How come God seems like the very emotional manipulative type in the relationship to test you by not talking to you and waiting for you to make the first move when in all actuality you have no clue that you're supposed to make the first move? I struggle with the inconsistency of it all. Why can't god call for once? <br />
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They say being 20 or being in your 20s is a huge roller coaster of emotions and self discovery. I see the truth in that and I've happened to discover maybe God and Christianity isn't something I really resonate with. Maybe it's just the church in general maybe it's the almost overbearing dialogue my family members have with each other at every Sunday dinner where they speak on the Christian thing to do every time they do something right. I feel out of place and I feel I can't really express my concerns to my family because I don't have the same thoughts as they do. I just feel like a black sheep. I feel as if I don't belong my family gets so offended by my questions and tell me that it isn't "me" or that "you know the right thing" but what if I don't? I mean if you have more than one person telling you what the right thing is and you're the only person to believe otherwise it's hard to fend for yourself. I guess my initial struggle with my faith happened when I discovered the fact that I was gay.<br />
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I'm going to save all those stories because they're really hard to talk about and just bring you where I am now. I'm 20 years old and I'm secure in my sexuality and I thought after years of fighting off this tug of war between my faith and who I love this would be my only difficult trial. And since I'm writing this I guess that's not the case. I'm here to tell you all I'm dating an atheist and it's the best most fulfilling relationship that I've ever experienced. I'm here to say that this boy has done so much for me and has been with me and it's been such a great 7 months and that I want to spend the rest of my life with him genuinely. Thinking that I told my family about him and I guess that's not something that wanted to hear. They say he's a bad influence and they basically want me to break up with him. They're making him the scapegoat for my depression/anxiety and every time I'm sad they relay it back to him. And it's not him at all. They believe he's the reason why I question things and I've had questions long before he was even a factor. He's just brought me to realize that what I'm dealing with isn't what God is supposed to be about and that he feels I was brainwashed at a young age. Scared into believing Jesus was my savior and that he died for me. This is a thing I struggle with and it's made me attempt suicide plenty of times. I genuinely don't know what to think or what's wrong to think. I'm not getting any straight answers I'm just sick and tired of feeling condemned for having my own thoughts. I hate the feeling of having this guilt stored inside me. My brain is restless and like I want to just be in love and be happy and not have this godly conviction over me I don't want their to be any clashing I don't want to feel like crap for having questions and I have them and there's a reason for that. I'm sorry to the readers that may have to piece this together but I'm still looking for the freedom that a lot of you already have. <br />
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Sincerely, a very confused 20 year old. Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-80639463338891028312016-07-04T11:29:00.000-04:002016-08-06T06:58:41.114-04:00Driven & Distracted – Meditations On The Journey Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<b><i>An Ex-Christian Poem Made on the Commute Home</i></b><br />
<br />
<i>By Jonny Wanabi ~ </i><br />
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<span class="dropcap">O</span>h me, oh my,let’s reach out and touch the sky<br />
<br />
Let’s do the hard work to make things happen<br />
<br />
And do it with some joy and fingers tapping<br />
<br />
I mean toes tapping<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Yeah, there may be some clouds on the horizon<br />
<br />
But you might get fear in your heart<br />
<br />
If you give in to fearful surmising<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In line with all the other local folks<br />
<br />
<br />
But this is real life, it ain’t a hoax<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This trip is enjoyable, I like it a lot<br />
<br />
<br />
I like it even more when I realise that<br />
<br />
This life is all I got<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Turning left on this road of life<br />
<br />
Overcoming my fear of pointy things<br />
<br />
Like a pen or a knife<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Making the most of the moment<br />
<br />
With subliminal joy in my heart<br />
<br />
My short life is a canvas<br />
<br />
With some squigglies you call art<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Going straight, trying to<br />
<br />
Keep between the lines<br />
<br />
And making hay while<br />
<br />
The sunshines<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Though often times I romanticise<br />
<br />
And glorify the lives of the heroes<br />
<br />
As when they rise up from the dust and ashes<br />
<br />
Starting out as zeroes<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Watch out for head-on traffic<br />
<br />
Pay attention to the road<br />
<br />
‘Cause you ain’t leap-frogging your problems<br />
<br />
Like a big, fat hornytoad<br />
<br />
Like a big, fat horny toad<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Passing the train and crossing the bridge<br />
<br />
<br />
Got to ease up a notch<br />
<br />
Reduce the tension a smidge<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
You know, joy comes in the morning, they say<br />
<br />
After a night of tears<br />
<br />
On the bed in which you lay<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
But you know, I want joy all daylong<br />
<br />
I’d like my mind and heart<br />
<br />
Filled with a song<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Though I know crossing a river<br />
<br />
Includes a toll<br />
<br />
And here and there I might<br />
<br />
Be called an asshole<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
But we keep pressing on<br />
<br />
Doing our thing<br />
<br />
<br />
Sometimes with an empty wrist<br />
<br />
And sometimes with bling<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Following a bus, following a truck<br />
<br />
Following the scientific approach<br />
<br />
Toluck<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Just getting on with life and doing it<br />
<br />
Putting all the ingredients in the batter<br />
<br />
And brewing it<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
‘Cause I got a job to do and I aim<br />
<br />
To do it well<br />
<br />
‘Cause I don’t believe in<br />
<br />
The afterlife, Heaven or Hell<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
‘Cause Judgment Day is today<br />
<br />
<br />
Not something in Airy Fairy Land<br />
<br />
And the Judge is Cause &Effect<br />
<br />
Not some Heavenly Lord or Man<br />
<br />
<br />
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Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266985040290242663.post-35567459616839129642016-04-02T09:11:00.000-04:002016-04-23T17:57:51.893-04:00Dear Ex-Christian<i>By Bullwinkle ~ </i><br />
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I'm going to check this out. Your site disclaimer encourages people to have an open mind....so we'll see.<br />
<br />
I am a Christian, 25yrs now. Don't know if I would have ever started this journey if I had known what I would go through.....but I'm still here....Its heart wrenching to read some of the testimonials of people who have had terrible experiences because of deceivers, spiritual abusers, charlatans, and just plain crazy, weird interpretation of scripture, from people who should know better, but don't.<br />
<br />
Yet I also find on this site some of the same behavior(just saying). Weird, crazy interpretation of scripture in some cases and explanations that twist my ignorant high school mind, lol. Come on people, keep it simple and please keep your ego out of it, open mind remember! Jesus: Is he real or not! Did he exist, or not.? Did he do the things the Bible records him doing, or not? Was he crucified or not? Did he come back from the dead, or not? These are the KEY issues. If these claims are NOT true, then live as you like, believe as you like and do as you like because if they are NOT true, our faith is for nothing. Just saying........<br />
<br />Dave Van Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08288914445803411893noreply@blogger.com0