By Mriana ~ D ue to some recent events in my life, this story was originally going to be a comparison of theists and non-theists concerning “judgment and forgiveness”, but it was a great struggle for me to write such a story, in part because as a former Episcopal licensed lay minister, I feel I fall into a trap of preaching. That is not something I wish to do, but I still want to tackle the subject and the various elements it involves. However, I was a very bad Episcopal licensed lay minister, in that I would often rant about Christianity in the office of the priest, under which I served. I make a far better lay humanist minister and after posting this inspirational story, in different ways, on a couple of forums, it finally occurred to me, this is the story, because it touches on many things that are very human- regrets, sorrow, grief, inspiration, joy, love, fears, encouragement, perseverance, human frailties, risk taking, and even living on after death. All those things make...

By Mriana ~ T he other day I went to visit my younger son and met a woman who was visiting her husband. The visits in and of themselves are a story too, but as I was waiting to see my son, this woman starts talking bizarrely, as she rambled on about her superstitious mumbo-jumbo, which made no sense at all. Gravelings -- Image via Wikipedia In the course of small talk, she said, “I believe in God, but I don’t believe in science.” Where that came from, I do not know, but anyway… Cue “ Dead Like Me ”* mental thoughts, “Here we go again with some crazy fundie running her mouth off with superstitious stupidity. Not to mention, I didn’t know there was such a thing as “belief in science”.” She rattled on about how scared she was of tornadoes that her god created and dying, which made my head spin because the woman absolutely no sense. I actually did feel like I was suddenly in an episode of “Dead Like Me” and I was Georgia, wishing I could just put the poor woman out of her mise...

By Mriana ~ I want to run this by our readers- not just atheists, non-theists, Ex-Christians , humanists, Pagans, Wiccans , and whoever else our readership is that are not Christian, but also the Christians too- both who believe pets go heaven and those who do not. I do not think it matters if you believe pets do or do not go to heaven or even if you believe in an afterlife to follow my questions after I tell you this incident, which left me in a very sickened, disturbed, and shocked state of mind for several days. However, it is just one more example as to how heaven and hell are merely human concepts. I could not imagine how any sane and reasonable human would come up with such a concept. This scenario came up while my mother was telling me that my definition of hell was not hell because it is not eternal. A few days ago, I gave my definition of hell being on earth and created by humans, as well as made mention of that statement from her, in another essay. At the time, thi...

An introduction to a newly published book by Mriana , a regular contributor to this site ~ W hile some may find religion comforting, others do not. Eventually they leave their religion and begin a journey of their own. Some struggle to recover from the damaging affects and scars that some religious beliefs leave behind. Some read books that may leave them flat because they suggest no alternatives. This is not your average book about non-theism. It tells the story of one woman who grew up in an Evangelical family, left home, changed denominations, and eventually left the Church. Along her journey she meets interesting people and finds help to overcome the pain some religious beliefs have caused from various non-theists. She finds a new way of life and begins to experience the "good life". This is non-realism, non-theism, humanism, pantheism, and existentialism in action at various times over a lifetime, as one human struggles to survive and heal. Sometimes it'...

By Mriana ~ T he idea of hell, heaven, and eternity are very much a human concept and I going to attempt to show just how they are. A word of warning for people now, concerning what I am about to “show” you: this article maybe difficult to stomach and not meant to be family oriented. However, if you read on, you will see “My Little Box”* that I live in when I have nightmares and waking flashbacks of a “torturous hell.”It is quite a different definition of the Christian hell and is in this life, right here on earth. Towards the end of 2010, I came out to my mother as a humanist and explained to her why am I not a Christian. The main reason I am not a Christian is that I have studied Christianity, other religions, mythology, philosophy, and psychology. The study of religion and psychology were the big two that helped to deconvert me. My experiences as a Christian, especially as a child, are only minor reasons, but these experiences helped me to define my thoughts concerning heav...

By Mriana ~ T he other day, I watched part of a video concerning someone’s deconversion and it made me think, even though I could not listen to or watch the whole video.  The response was to the statement Christians often make to those who leave Christianity.  You know the one, “Well, you were never a Christian.”  That statement really irks me when I hear about it and somehow I know that is an unfounded assumption.  I can expand upon my thoughts below, if need be, but I think this would also explain why I was so attracted to Catholic-like practices, such as that found in the Episcopal Church , even though I grew up Fundamentalist Evangelical.  One of which I realize I am going out on a limb to discuss and explain, but, like many others, religion had a very profound psychological affect on me. After leaving home, I went to the Episcopal Church for a while until I deconverted.  When it came to religion from childhood onward, especially talk ...

By Mriana ~ L ast Monday, for 24 hours after seeing the doctor, my older son and I thought hard about this subject. The next morning, I decided to write about the subject, because a part of me did not want to do it, but the other part was doing its best to comfort and tell myself, it was the right decision and best for Amber. Since this topic is one of much discussion, besides one my family had to face, I decided to share my thoughts. I had to stop trying to second-guess the decision too, in the hopes of saving her life, but writing did not stop the tears or the pain. There was a time I said I would never do that to a pet or anyone else for that matter, because I thought it was murder, at least when I was in the Church. The thought of killing someone to save them from suffering and pain was an abhorrence to me and I truly believed that we should do everything to save their life, even if it fails. Why? I do not know. However, since I left the Church that has changed and I hav...

By Mriana ~ I t is sometimes strange how we figure out what things/issues give our lives meaning. I think I found out the hard way recently, but I am rather content on that aspect now, especially after a short email conversation I had Wednesday morning. I received an email that morning from Valerie Tarico , who has given me inspiration in many ways, even helped/helps me on my journey in recovering from religion and this time was no exception. She said, "Thank you again for all of the encouragement and support you provide to the exChristian community. So many people have been buoyed and encouraged by your words!" I not only thanked her for that and told her I really needed those kind words right about now, but I ended up dumping on her a little, in part because I know she won't repeat what I told her and because I trust her. Recently, someone inquired of me something to this effect, “If religion is meaningless to you, why do you still talk about it, among many ot...

By Mriana -- I have watched my mother since I came out to her last November and it appears that statement ‘know God, know peace’ is completely false. Last November, when I told my mother that we do not share her beliefs, she said, “I just want to see you all go to heaven.” To which I replied with, “You’re welcome to your beliefs, Mother, but we do not share them.” In this case, we do not share a belief in a god, heaven, hell, or any human concepts thereof. Image by Gabriela Camerotti via Flickr Recently I came out to her as a humanist and told her my older son is a professed Tao Buddhist. I do not think I have ever seen a grown woman act like a frightened child in my life, but she appears to be truly frighten by the idea that her descendants are not Christian. In response to my written statement, I received a series of brief notes, which I have now discarded. Everything from, “As a Christian mother, I am disappointed” to “I am praying for you” to “Because I am a Christian ...

By Mriana -- I have not written a whole lot about my minister great uncle, but last Sunday I went to meet Darrel Ray at a lecture he was giving to our local Freethought group and there were a couple things that started me thinking. There's nothing up my sleeves... Of course, this is how I understand the little tricks ministers do in their services to put people in an altered state of mind as I remember watching it and I may just add this to the book I am writing too. My minister great uncle was a Free Methodist minister. In seminary, he had an affair which created a baby out of wedlock. From then on out, his ministry life was a bit limited. Some FM churches still accepted him as a minister. Others did not and would not have him grace their door as a minister. Those that did he was quite the charmer- ministerial wise that is. He would do magic tricks for Jesus, causing people, especially children to “Oo!” and “Aw!” However, the catch was you had to listen to a sermon...