TruthSeeker Posted September 21, 2005 Share Posted September 21, 2005 Never before have I written of my rejection of a religion (Christianity), and all religion. I do so here, as briefly as possible for such a topic of enormity and personal conviction, in an effort to share why I have become the person I am: someone who views all as my brothers and sisters; one who believes in truth; one who rejects any legislation that would limit freedoms; one who endeavors to express love to all and to this Earth; one who revels in rational exchange of ideas free from emotionalism; one who wants to learn--always learn--from books, from others, from my experiences; one who does not compromise; one who rejects corruption no matter the form it takes. I believe in and respect those who have courage to speak the truth in a society which persecutes them for doing so, and I endeavor to do so myself. I am not a Christian, though I once was for over 13 years. That was many years ago. I am fortunate I am now at the point that the majority of my adult life has been lived in freedom from any limiting belief system. I truly ‘saw the light’ when I rejected my former Christian beliefs, and now live a life of perfect freedom and joy in every area of my life. My intellectual delight in gaining knowledge, apprehending wisdom of others, and learning from my experiences, is far superior to a life of abiding by the ‘laws’ a religion commands….’laws’ that were formed merely to exert power and control over people. For myself, I choose freedom completely….and am experiencing a wonderful life open to opportunities and happiness that I never would have experienced had I chosen to remain a Christian. For those who are Christians reading this, I realize some of you are sincere and true (versus those Christians who use the term but whose lives are filled with hypocrisy). You are good people who, like I did years ago, believe in the deity of a man named Jesus and you accept the Bible as “the word of God.” To those sincere Christians, and by that I mean those who do not merely give lip-service to a religion, but who live in ways that are loving and giving, I commend you. I would say that for me, that was not enough. For even though I tried to be loving, I could not hold religious dogma in my heart because some of it’s teachings were not of love but of judgmentally and condemnation of others. It seemed to me that as a Christian, the best of that belief, the teaching of loving others as myself, was in contradiction to other Christian beliefs. Even if I was (subjectively) a good person, the religious dogma itself taught judgment and focused on a belief in differences. To me, that is not of love but of the ego. Thus, I write this from the perspective of one who once believed as you do now…I have always been a seeker of truth. For 13 years I thought I was in the truth, but realized many years ago that I was believing in illusion created by man... Approximately 16 years ago, I was one of those “true believers.” I truly and sincerely believed what I had accepted, and lived accordingly. Sadly, looking back, I realize those self-imposed limitations would have and did lead me to hold beliefs and behave n ways that were not loving. My ability to “love” was filtered through false beliefs…as if my religion was the only true religion. That my God was the only true God. That people were either part of us, or part of the lost. Looking back, I am sure good friendships which would have been enlightening for me in knowing many different kinds of people were not experienced due to my closed perception. Though I wanted to love others, how could I? How can you truly love other people when you look at them as lost? Christians are fond of saying ‘They love the sinner but hate the sin.” Impossible. Their actions speak louder than their words. Life proved to me the falseness of the religion. When reality does not support one’s beliefs, one had better question those beliefs not themselves. That is what I did. To choose otherwise is to wrongly question oneself (rather than the prison of their religious beliefs) and that leads not to growth, but to confusion, despair, rage, anger, depression, or to blind acceptance - a terrible form of insanity from which we see all manner of hate manifested by such true-believers. For me, I always questioned. Experiences in my life did not reconcile with the religious beliefs. I despaired, and saw that a loving earthly father would never put their child into a situation of pain that they could relieve. Prayer? After one has lived a devoted life and prayed and only suffers--even suffering caused by “other believers,” one either can accept it as their due (Christians like to say God has his ways; He knows better; and other similar banalities…these are the same Christians who will “praise the Lord” when one of their own, for example, survives a terrible tragedy but simultaneously will say ‘God works in mysterious ways” when one of their own dies or suffers. They seemingly have an answer for everything. In reality, they have no answers at all. They merely have decided to stop thinking for themselves because the stress they imagine they will endure in having to be solely responsible for everything they have done and do is too much for them to bear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of personal responsibility. Fear does their choosing between right and wrong... My rejection of the religion came after years of sincere belief. I invite those interested to visit my website on which I have a page detailing my personal testimonial of rejecting Christianity...it is I think, too long to post in this forum. Thus you may read my story of rejecting Christianity--my reasons for doing so at http://www.christinesmith.us/id46.html I thank the creators of this website. And I encourage those struggling with their Christian beliefs and what life has shown them to choose life--choose reality--follow your heart not that of a religion and its dogma. It takes courage...it is well worth it. Peace, Christine Smith website http://www.christinesmith.us rejection of christianity page: http://www.christinesmith.us/id46.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Challenger Posted September 21, 2005 Share Posted September 21, 2005 Welcome to the boards, TruthSeeker! You'll find a lot of good information on tap here! Like brownies? Reach has a great recipie! Challenger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caretaker Posted September 21, 2005 Share Posted September 21, 2005 Welcome, TS.... I certainly hope you feel at home here! Aren't we all seekers of truth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LloydDobler Posted September 21, 2005 Share Posted September 21, 2005 Welcome to the boards, TruthSeeker! You'll find a lot of good information on tap here! Like brownies? Reach has a great recipie! Challenger <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Challenger Posted September 21, 2005 Share Posted September 21, 2005 <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caretaker Posted September 21, 2005 Share Posted September 21, 2005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mythra Posted September 21, 2005 Share Posted September 21, 2005 Hi Truthseeker. You sound like a well-grounded, solidly centered person. Don't suppose you would rub my head and see if I can get some of that from you? Nice to meet you. Looking forward to checking out your site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TruthSeeker Posted September 22, 2005 Author Share Posted September 22, 2005 Thank you for the welcome to this forum. I see there is so much to read....good dialogue between those of varied beliefs and on many topics. I am an avid reader, so will enjoy exploring this site. I believe we all are teachers and learners, and appreciate reading good discussions and exchange of ideas in a forum like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Challenger Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 Welcome again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fweethawt Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 You'll find a lot of good information on tap here! Challenger, what makes you think this person is interested in information about TAP? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Challenger Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 Challenger, what makes you think this person is interested in information about TAP? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It seemed like that was why she was here; after all, she did say she was a "TruthSeeker" And, of course, we can never have too much of a good thing around here. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomas Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 Never before have I written of my rejection of a religion (Christianity), and all religion. ..... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Welcome TS. I hope you will enjoy this place and participate in the discussions going on here. For many people, leaving Christianity is a very long process, that often begins with a search for better versions of the Christian faith. But it seems, that you have been able to understand and leave the Christian system in relatively short time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TruthSeeker Posted September 22, 2005 Author Share Posted September 22, 2005 Thank you, Thomas. I do not think I could say it took a short time...but perhaps it is so relatively. I know it was a struggle. I had in my mind that to question the religion was a "sin,"...when I look back I see the horrible trap Christianity is...it gives people the illness (belief in sin, guilt, damnation) and then it gives the cure ("salvation") and then it says that to even question is to "sin." I struggled....but I have always been someone who was introspective. I first rejected organized Christianity (due to the prevalent hypocrisy I saw and experienced)...than my inner growth brought me to truly "seeing the light" recognizing that the belief system I had accepted was false, manmade, and limiting. I believe in love...I believe in freedom...and that belief system I had chosen to put my heart and mind behind was limiting and taught anti-love/hatred/judgment against my brothers and sisters. I still remember when I fully, again with my heart and mind, rejected Christianity...I was free. I look at my life now and am so grateful to be free of that self-imposed prison. I empathize with others who are going through that struggle, for it is really those who are sincere who suffer the most as they begin to come out of it. Therein lies the value of a forum like this. Before rejecting it entirely, I spent years believing, though not relating to other Christians whom I found often shallow and some (not all) downright horrible in the way they treated people...I rejected churches long before I rejected Christianity...deciding to not judge the religion with astray followers...but in the end, I realized the beliefs, themselves, were false. I am now someone who rejects the entire concept of "sin," thus I reject the concept of "guilt," and thus no need for "salvation." I believe mistakes are merely for correction...if at times only within ourselves. But the religion was a part of my life for years, and I learned quite a bit about others and myself as a result of that struggle. Now, free from Christianity and any other false concept, I experience joy. I can fully understand how the time frame for those leaving/questioning their Christian beliefs can take time...again, it is good those of us who have rejected it share our stories in a place like this. Thank you for welcoming me... Also, I have been notified of the 'inside joke' regarding another member whose screen-name in another Christian forum is also TruthSeeker...two of you let me know. Thank you. Best wishes, Thomas...and the others who have welcomed me. I'm gradually learning my way around this forum....reading other posts from those who have replied to me...finding the variety of discussion here interesting. Welcome TS. I hope you will enjoy this place and participate in the discussions going on here. For many people, leaving Christianity is a very long process, that often begins with a search for better versions of the Christian faith. But it seems, that you have been able to understand and leave the Christian system in relatively short time. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Challenger Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 (TruthSeeker) Also, I have been notified of the 'inside joke' regarding another member whose screen-name in another Christian forum is also TruthSeeker...two of you let me know. Thank you. "Another" Christian forum? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eponymic Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 Great to have another enlightened mind around here. Look forward to seeing you in the forums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TruthSeeker Posted September 22, 2005 Author Share Posted September 22, 2005 Yes, Challenger, you are correct...I should have re-read before posting...not "another"...my mistake of misuse of word...didn't mean another. ...just meant in another forum. (TruthSeeker) "Another" Christian forum? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TruthSeeker Posted September 22, 2005 Author Share Posted September 22, 2005 Thank you...likewise, am exploring each of the postings from all of you in the forums. It's rare to have such dialogue as I see here. Great to have another enlightened mind around here. Look forward to seeing you in the forums. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Challenger Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 Yes, Challenger, you are correct...I should have re-read before posting...not "another"...my mistake of misuse of word...didn't mean another. ...just meant in another forum. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well. . .OK. . .this time . . .this isn't just any forum, as you'll find out. . .there's something special about this place. . .I've never even been a Christian, and, despite that, I've always felt welcome here. By the way, from what I've read of your testimony and seen of your web page, you'll be an asset here. Thanks for finding us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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