Amethyst Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 So I'm on the phone with my stepmom tonight, and we're talking about the London bombings because my dad is in England right now, and she keeps saying "all you can do is pray." And then she kept talking about how she got all of her support from prayer and church, implying that I should be doing the same, even though she knows darn well it didn't work for me. Then she brings up that her mother and my grandmother on my dad's side get their support from prayer (by that logic, of course I should be, too). Sigh...apparently, just because something is a tradition, that means everyone must keep doing it, even if they disagree with it. I told her that I got my support from my friends and family, not an imaginary friend. She said that she didn't know where I was "reading this stuff" as if I can't possibly come up with it on my own. I'm 29, but I'm still a teenager in her eyes, and she hasn't realized that. When I try to tell her that, she says she doesn't think she's treating me like one, and that's her sole argument, even when I bring up specific examples. And then she always overreacts emotionally. At least my dad is more rational, but he's out of the country right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amethyst Posted July 23, 2005 Author Share Posted July 23, 2005 Don't you just want to say: "Yeah Mom, I'm sure talking to myself will really solve the problem. Why didn't I think of that before." Yeah, something like that. She's at the point where she knows it's a fairy tale, but still thinks the whole emotional support/prayer/positive thinking thing should help everyone just because it helped her and other people she knows. Whenever I bring up the point that prayer didn't work for me, she uses the old "it wasn't in god's plan" cliche'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatifidontwantausername? Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 The way I pray really works though! I get out and volenteer my time to causes, WOW! It's a Miracle! Homeless are being fed! People are getting off of drugs! /end sarcasm. Seriously, not many christians go to help people like that. Ask your stepmom what she is DOING to help these people. Is she sending money? Has she volenteered to go to London and help rebuild? It is bull that she wants people to pat her on the back and say, "Wow! You're praying for them! Of course everything will get better now!" sorry.... I'm in a ranty mood. -Jake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amethyst Posted July 23, 2005 Author Share Posted July 23, 2005 The way I pray really works though! I get out and volenteer my time to causes, WOW! It's a Miracle! Homeless are being fed! People are getting off of drugs! /end sarcasm. Seriously, not many christians go to help people like that. Ask your stepmom what she is DOING to help these people. Is she sending money? Has she volenteered to go to London and help rebuild? Actually, she is an advocate of volunteering. She's gone and volunteered at the soup kitchen downtown through her workplace. She doesn't trust charities, though, and thinks they're just out to steal people's money. Um...just because churches are like that, doesn't mean all charities are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatifidontwantausername? Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Wow! Props to yo moms! As the "gansta" would say. Seriously though, good on her. That ripped my argument to shreds... Still, just tell your mom that she keeps treating you like a teenager and that you are 29. If she gets emotional just say that you don't care if she wants to cry about it and that it isn't going to change your mind. -Jake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amethyst Posted July 23, 2005 Author Share Posted July 23, 2005 Still, just tell your mom that she keeps treating you like a teenager and that you are 29. I turn 30 in August. I'm hoping that my parents will quit treating me like a teenager then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amethyst Posted July 23, 2005 Author Share Posted July 23, 2005 If we aren't careful, in our zeal and ignorance of "combatting terrorism" we just might sacrifice the very freedoms we sought to protect. Well, this is the only "wrong" choice I've made. I think my dad understands my reasons for it. He is where I get my logical side from, after all. But I know my stepmom doesn't. I'm pretty sure she thinks it's because of my overly perfectionistic mother, even though I told my stepmom I realized Christianity was just another myth and that my biological mother wasn't the only reason why I deconverted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Carrion Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 I'm sorry, but this sickens me. How dare this woman or anyone else use the atrocities that occured here and the lives that were lost as a platform for reinforcing their fucking faith. The selfishness of Christians never fails to astound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amethyst Posted July 23, 2005 Author Share Posted July 23, 2005 I'm sorry, but this sickens me. How dare this woman or anyone else use the atrocities that occured here and the lives that were lost as a platform for reinforcing their fucking faith. The selfishness of Christians never fails to astound. You don't know her, so don't put her down like that, okay? She is a good person, just brainwashed like every other Christian on this planet. This is a very Christian thing to do. The cult's methods of brainwashing are very inisidious. If anything, I feel sorry for her because she is still brainwshed and probably will never stop being brainwashed. I was Christian at one point and would have done the same thing. It's not really selifishness, it's the brainwashing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IAm_Lucifer Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 "All is can do is pray" has got to be the second most annoying thing you can ever hear. "If God wants" is number one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amethyst Posted July 23, 2005 Author Share Posted July 23, 2005 LOL. No, it's "think positively." Ugh. I swear, that is her catchphrase. Yes, we absolutely must think positively 100% of the time, no matter what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Checkmate Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 You don't know her, so don't put her down like that, okay? She is a good person, just brainwashed like every other Christian on this planet. This is a very Christian thing to do. The cult's methods of brainwashing are very inisidious. If anything, I feel sorry for her because she is still brainwshed and probably will never stop being brainwashed. I was Christian at one point and would have done the same thing. It's not really selifishness, it's the brainwashing. Agreed! As former Xians we MUST strive to remember that our Xian family and friends are the victims of the religious meme. JUST AS WE WERE! I get physically ill sometimes when I think of my family members who are still trapped. AND they "pray for ME" to return to this sick trap! This is SO damned hard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highvoltage Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 I get physically ill sometimes when I think of my family members who are still trapped. AND they "pray for ME" to return to this sick trap! This is SO damned hard! I still haven't told my family about my apostacy, and exactly for this reason. Even if/when I do tell them, which is hard enough, I am afraid of exactly what you say tk. There just can be no easy way, can there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Checkmate Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 I still haven't told my family about my apostacy, and exactly for this reason. Even if/when I do tell them, which is hard enough, I am afraid of exactly what you say tk. There just can be no easy way, can there? Nope! I don't know YOUR particular situation, but I would like to warn you of the danger of being "found out" by accident. Sure, "coming out" can be a bitch, HOWEVER, having them discover you've been LYING to them about your lack of faith, WILL make things worse. I suggest you begin some type of method of SLOWLY introducing the idea that you are "having doubts". Test the waters. As you do this, they won't be nearly as floored as if you were to just spring it on them one day! ("Hi! I'm an apostate now! Not good.) Some people just CAN'T tell loved ones due to their irrationality, and potential vindictiveness (Parents and spouses can be downright brutal!). It truly does suck. Kind of "damned if you do, and damned if you don't". Oh well. I know you weren't seeking advice. I just thought I'd try and encourage you a bit. Keep your chin up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amethyst Posted July 24, 2005 Author Share Posted July 24, 2005 I still haven't told my family about my apostacy, and exactly for this reason. Even if/when I do tell them, which is hard enough, I am afraid of exactly what you say tk. There just can be no easy way, can there? I have told my immediate family, but they knew that I was agnostic long before I told them, apparently. Even if you don't say anything, and just quit going to church, they'll eventually realize it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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