Knitterman Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 Hi there. This is my first "official" post in the forums, although I've commented on various articles/posts over on the main page. Maybe I'm just noticing it more in the last few days, but I'm wondering if there's a reason for so many articles being posted about 'bad apples' in the church -- the music director being charged with rape, the preacher charged with theft, and similar articles. I'm far more interested in the personal stories of the people posting/sharing here; posting at exchristian.net such reminders of how many 'bad apples' are in the church feels more like "See? I KNEW they were bad and I'm glad I'm not there any more," as if that is WHY exchristians are exchristians ("the bad apples made me leave"). I'm not complaining, just making an observation. For outsiders/first-time visitors I think it is a more effective presentation to see what's good on this side of the fence, rather than what's not-so-good over on that side. I was on 'that' side for about a dozen years, including far too many as an Assembly of God/Pentecostal/funda-gelical minister ('74-'83). I've had plenty of time to test other waters, and finally realized all the wells were dry at the source. I'm fully atheist, and far more happy than I've been in previous times in my life. It's been so long since I left christianity, I hesitate to write at length about my leaving or make a posting on where I've been along the way. Now I'll go figure out how the rest of this bulletin board/forum system works. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
♦ nivek ♦ Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 Knitterman, First of all from me, "Welcome to ExC", "Why all the bad news?" Wish there was a pre-made simple answer to pull from the Patented "Easy Answer Jar" that sits on my desk. Kid who used to come by and fill it has been MIA for several years, forcing me to pull answers out of my ass since.. Anyway.. Read the news of the bad apples, and find that 'you' are nt alone in your piss poor experience in the religious systems. So many folks find something that they can connect to and stop the drowning effect that cutting loose the docks of easy answerism and religious guidance gives. Between the Webmaster, myself and half a dozen other newshawks, the web tends to get scoured and things both bad_shit and positive_educational, a lot in between gets hung here. Folks who choose to follow the newsies get a screen full of assorted information that they can use to sharpen their knowledge. On a personal note, Webmaster posted a newsie year-odd back that hit me right in the gut. Asst. Pastor in a church I had attended got busted for fucking boys, encouraging orgies, and taping all of it. Wish I was there the day that scumbyting bastard would ever swing.. Knowing he got busted, and now doing hard time for it makes me "feel much better now". Anyway, this place is what we make it. Feel free to contribute and join in. Best place on.ass, on.line on 'Net for this kind of discussion. kFL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpa Harley Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 "Kid who used to come by and fill it has been MIA for several years, forcing me to pull answers out of my ass since.." K, He's strapped face down on a bunk in a Holy Brother's Monastery fitted with a ball gag, with a jar of 'Crisco' and a collection of infeasibly large sex toys next him... I assume he'd like to scream... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraphicsGuy Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 I think of the news stories as proof that the religion of Xianity simply doesn't work. It doesn't make people better, it doesn't make them any different from anybody else. In fact, I would venture so far as to say it makes people worse. Especially in the case of sexual crimes and such. Xianity forces people to repress their sexual desires and it often comes out in bad ways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knitterman Posted February 10, 2008 Author Share Posted February 10, 2008 Knitterman, Anyway, this place is what we make it. Feel free to contribute and join in. Best place on.ass, on.line on 'Net for this kind of discussion. kFL Okay. I can live with that. :-) Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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