Moderator LogicalFallacy Posted November 22, 2016 Moderator Share Posted November 22, 2016 This is more of an interest as to others experiences shortly after de-converting. I am finding myself a somewhat of a state of flux in regards to my opinions/beliefs on issues and a worldview in general, and I'm finding I'm questioning my moral/ethical standpoints (Which is I suppose a good thing). It's like my brain is constantly updating and rewriting stuff, sometimes flipflopping on issues... which is something I have hitherto not really done. Mind you haven't thought as deeply about stuff as I do now. Did anyone else find they wen't through something similar? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shinzon Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 I have found that kind of thing has just become apart of life post deconverison. A good example is politics for most of my time interested in politics i have been pretty much libertarian. Post election debates have evolved me into some sort of political humanism where i dont really care as long as we are as free and healthy and alive as possible. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator florduh Posted November 22, 2016 Super Moderator Share Posted November 22, 2016 When you're not told what to think you have to think for yourself. This is normal and right. Keep thinking! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 I am experiencing what you are describing. It is very unfamiliar to me, maybe a bit disconcerting at times, but I understand that its just part of the process of deprogramming and becoming autonomous. Christianity (and other religions) makes it a point to do the thinking for you and telling you what to believe and who you should be helping and earning "Jewels for you Crown". As Florduh said, its normal and and right. I think we will get used to it in due time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeCycle Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 This is more of an interest as to others experiences shortly after de-converting. I am finding myself a somewhat of a state of flux in regards to my opinions/beliefs on issues and a worldview in general, and I'm finding I'm questioning my moral/ethical standpoints (Which is I suppose a good thing). It's like my brain is constantly updating and rewriting stuff, sometimes flipflopping on issues... which is something I have hitherto not really done. Mind you haven't thought as deeply about stuff as I do now. Did anyone else find they wen't through something similar? Oh yeah, definitely... This is one of the reasons the "freedom in Christ" phrase is bullshit. You're not free to form your own opinions... You're not free to observe and learn. That's already been done for you. Your mind is in a box built by religion. Frankly, you're going through something you would have done long ago... You're growing, but religion stifled that growth. But yeah, I went through that and lots of it... Completely normal post religion. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yunea Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 I agree with the people above - normal and healthy. I've felt it too. For years it was so easy to "form opinions" based on WWJD or whatever, but actually weighing pros and cons of things, unafraid to think of "sin" etc is very different and I think necessary for growth. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOHO Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 Yeppers! Been There. Done that. But, as you can see by my avatar, my brain is so small that changing my mind has little impact. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geezer Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 Yeah, but once God is removed from determining a person's world view it seems to me people have more choices to consider. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator LogicalFallacy Posted November 22, 2016 Author Moderator Share Posted November 22, 2016 Thanks folks. Good to know that this is a normal process. It's interesting from a personal growth perspective to be arguing one train of thought on the forum, to have it challenged, think bout it, then realise that you need to do more thinking and studying the issue because now you (I) don't agree with the original position I held. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tycoondon Posted November 26, 2016 Share Posted November 26, 2016 Other people have confirmed for you that they had the same experience you did. So I won't just chime in that I did too. Instead, I'll tell you some specific areas that I found myself changing views and some areas that I am the "same guy I've always been." And I think that the "same guy I've always been" category is much more populated than the ways I've changed. And that's important because many Christians will attempt to paint you as now unstable and totally different than you were before and thus untrustworthy and shifty. It's important to be able to not just claim but give examples of the many, many ways that deconverting didn't change you at all. But as for ways it did change me, here are two. I was always against homosexuality when I was a Christian. First, there was the "ick" factor which, for me, hasn't changed. Secondly, there was the militant aggressiveness of their movement which, even now, I find both shocking and too "in your face." But the third reason I was against it was because it was a "sin." So I still think the first two things but I no longer think the third. Thus, as a Libertarian, since nobody could ever demonstrate why what my neighbor three doors down does in their bedroom is of possible harm to me or my family, I am no longer opposed to homosexuality. Do I still have the "ick" factor? Sure. I don't even do that with my wife. Do I still think the movement is hyper-aggressive? Yes. But I don't oppose it anymore. Without going into great detail, abortion was never a hot button with me as a Christian. The only reason I opposed it was because I thought it was a "sin." But not believing in sin anymore changed this too. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator LogicalFallacy Posted November 28, 2016 Author Moderator Share Posted November 28, 2016 Great points tycoondon. My position on homosexuality is pretty much the same. Interesting note on the "ick" factor. This is actually a common theme, even among full supporters of the movement. I think you'd also find that at least some homosexuals would have an "ick" factor when thinking about male/female sex. So its just a bit of what the brain accepts or is attracted to I guess. Other things like relationships I haven't really got a solid 'view' yet, other than I believe that if you are going to have sex with someone you should commit to each other with a long term relationship - especially if children are anywhere near the back of the mind. I really don't think a return to the Roman days of orgies is good for society. Abortion - tricky one. I am in favor of abortion in very specific cases where protecting a woman's life is necessary, or in the case of rape I'd support it. Other than that I think life should be treated 'sacredly' for want of a better term. So those are just a few examples of the sorts of things my brain is churning its way though at the moment - on top of all the new knowledge its gaining each day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
♦ ficino ♦ Posted November 28, 2016 Share Posted November 28, 2016 Do I still have the "ick" factor? Sure. I don't even do that with my wife. Do I still think the movement is hyper-aggressive? Yes. But I don't oppose it anymore. Hey tycoondon, welcome. Just a note: by "that" it sounds as though you mean male on male anal sex ... ? What used to be called "sodomy" doesn't define gay men, and many prefer oral or mutual masturbation. Then, lesbians have other ways of making love. I think a lot of anti-LGBT rhetoric in society takes male on male anal sex as definitive of all LGBT people, and this assumption isn't accurate. And a lot of anti-LGBT rhetoric in society sort of forgets about lesbians. But it's hard to get away from, the way we're enculturated and the way society traditionally framed the issue. As aside: male-female anal sex, even in marriage, was illegal under sodomy laws in Renaissance Italy. I've read about married couples in Venice who were arrested on that law - who reported them? A disgruntled servant? Anyway ... I appreciate hearing about how your views have changed. My political views changed too after deconverting. Cheers, f 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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