Devious Dogma
My move away from religion was a lifelong journey. I sought so many things that would help me feel spiritual but not disappoint me. Ultimately, there is just no way to get that clean feeling from any group that practices spirituality. Of that I am certain.
So as an atheist, let me lay it all out there about my feelings regarding faith and those who practice it:
I don't care what or who you worship, and I would never stand in the way of your ability to do that. Have fun, knock yourself out. I don't participate, but I don't skydive either. Doesn't mean you can't. But.....
When you try to pass laws or make rules for the rest of us based on your belief system, that's not ok.
When you use your belief system to oppress anyone, that's not ok.
When you enjoy the tax-free status of a church, but are actively involved in politics, have a mansion and/or private jet, or any of the other trappings of incredible wealth, that's not ok.
My mother committed suicide about 14 years ago. When we went to clean out the house, I found correspondence she was having with some megachurch. I only saw their end of it, but it was pretty obvious that she had gone to them in her final days looking for answers. What she got back was a lot of angling for money.
Am I saying that these predators caused her suicide? Of course not. My mother had a long history of mental illness and a strange relationship with religion so I'm not surprised she reached out to a church in her final days. What I AM saying is they didn't help and that they preyed on a desperate woman to further their own agenda. And it was very obvious from the correspondence that they have a formula for getting the most out of people who are losing hope. It's sickening and heartbreaking.
For those who continue to tout the drivel that America is a christian country, let me remind you that that is exactly what the founding fathers DIDN'T want. They had seen what making the religion the law of the land did, and they specifically tried to set up our country to avoid the same pitfalls. Thanks for spitting on THAT legacy and taking us back a couple hundred years. Another example of trying to interpret written words to fit your agenda.
As much as it appears to be, this isn't a rant. This is an observation and interpretation. I'm open to any argument that doesn't sound so sad and hopeless.
I haven't lost hope. I'm just very convinced that faith and religion are not the places to find it.
So as an atheist, let me lay it all out there about my feelings regarding faith and those who practice it:
I don't care what or who you worship, and I would never stand in the way of your ability to do that. Have fun, knock yourself out. I don't participate, but I don't skydive either. Doesn't mean you can't. But.....
When you try to pass laws or make rules for the rest of us based on your belief system, that's not ok.
When you use your belief system to oppress anyone, that's not ok.
When you enjoy the tax-free status of a church, but are actively involved in politics, have a mansion and/or private jet, or any of the other trappings of incredible wealth, that's not ok.
My mother committed suicide about 14 years ago. When we went to clean out the house, I found correspondence she was having with some megachurch. I only saw their end of it, but it was pretty obvious that she had gone to them in her final days looking for answers. What she got back was a lot of angling for money.
Am I saying that these predators caused her suicide? Of course not. My mother had a long history of mental illness and a strange relationship with religion so I'm not surprised she reached out to a church in her final days. What I AM saying is they didn't help and that they preyed on a desperate woman to further their own agenda. And it was very obvious from the correspondence that they have a formula for getting the most out of people who are losing hope. It's sickening and heartbreaking.
For those who continue to tout the drivel that America is a christian country, let me remind you that that is exactly what the founding fathers DIDN'T want. They had seen what making the religion the law of the land did, and they specifically tried to set up our country to avoid the same pitfalls. Thanks for spitting on THAT legacy and taking us back a couple hundred years. Another example of trying to interpret written words to fit your agenda.
As much as it appears to be, this isn't a rant. This is an observation and interpretation. I'm open to any argument that doesn't sound so sad and hopeless.
I haven't lost hope. I'm just very convinced that faith and religion are not the places to find it.
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