roadrunner Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 OK so there is no big guy in the sky. but I still havent got up the desire to drink alcohol, curse, or go on a porn binge. was it noticeable for any of when you got the guts to do something that we were always told was a sin and of course there is no such thing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tothemorning Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 Interesting post...There are life practices that are more conducive to good physical health and mental health. Social paradigms that have evolved over hundreds of years (even by way of religious influence) have placed standards and rules to play by that fosters one's path into social acceptance or drives one into the social gutter. There is a time and place for certain behaviors...but not all behaviors are beneficial. Intellectually we have elected a different position regarding religious belief...yet we have a deep conditioned manner of living our lives. I don't necessarily believe that we must change behavior to reflect a new belief...while yet some behaviors could be changed for our betterment. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denyoz Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 Fuck yeah, I can swear now and I do. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator TrueFreedom Posted August 5, 2012 Moderator Share Posted August 5, 2012 Fuck yeah, I can swear now and I do. Yah--didn't take long for me to start swearing. I try not to overdo it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackpudd1n Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 I swear like a trooper. And I say the lord's name in vain as many times a day and in as many ways as possible. But other than that, no real major changes. I don't drink because I have medical reasons not to, I've always smoked cigarettes, I just don't feel guilty about it now, and as for drugs, well, my head just aint strong enough for that, so I don't go there. As far as sex goes, I have no interest in it right now. My life is too messy to be further complicated by sleeping with one or more people at the moment. Ironically, I'm behaving better than I did when I was a christian LOL! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norton65ca Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 I was doing all sorts of sinful things long prior to deconversion, Back in the Xtian box, I would have considered myself backslidden. Porn, smoking pot, listening to Motorhead, you name it. The only thing that changed after deconversion is that I could do all of that, if I desired to, guilt free. It's fantastic. I think I only stopped drinking for the first three years of my Xtian "walk", been enjoying real ale for decades without feeling bad about it, but then as I said, I was firmly backslidden anyways. I don't think I'm some sort of reprobate, rather a relatively normal person with faults and some habits, that has been sitting under a cloud of condemnation for almost thirty years now. Sure glad it's gone... I no longer believe in "sin". I enjoy a reefer, like an ale and occasionally look at porn. Terrible isn't it? I'm surely an evil man destined for the pit. bwahahahahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mymistake Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 There was a point when I deconverted where I thought "Wow I could kill or rape or do anything I wanted." I sat for a moment and thought about it. I realized I didn't want to do any of those things. I could not figure out why. Later on I realized that my morality came from me rather than my old religion. The only "sins" that I have added in my new life is that I don't go to church nor give them money, I openly mock/question Christianity and of course I don't believe (which is a thought crime for Christians). The rest of my behavior continues right on as before, not that I was a sinless saint back when I was a Christian. Christian ideas on sin are in conflict with reality. I use to give myself massive guilt trips over the things God had not yet delivered me from - using profanity, desiring women, eating chocolate, wanting to succeed. I couldn't understand why God wouldn't take those things away from me back when I still thought God was real. Christianity has so many double binds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Honest Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 I haven't had the desire to "go out and sin", either. But I've definitely felt a sense of liberation in knowing that the choices I make are MY choices, not defined to me by anyone else (divine or not). As an example, the other day I was at Wal-Mart (I hate that place!). I got to my car and realized there was a $2 bottle of aspirin in my cart that I didn't pay for. Normally I would have instantly felt like God was there w/me, watching me, and I would have taken in back inside. Not really out of fear of punishment but just b/c I needed to "do the right thing". But it was literally 110 degrees outside and I didn't feel well. I threw the damn bottle into my purse, got into my air-conditioned car and drove home - not feeling one bit guilty. Wal-Mart probably paid less than 25 cents for that bottle of aspirin. I've spent thousands and thousands at that store over the years. My little mistake will not harm anyone. Ahhh freedom.... And yeah, I also cuss more. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadrunner Posted August 5, 2012 Author Share Posted August 5, 2012 yeah I was never perfect anyway. but I was restrained a little by fear that god was watching. cursing never did flow for me I'm sure it sounded awkward too I did slip up and say the s word in moves like Jagger. well I didn't slip I said it out of rebellion and plus the placing of it just flows Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thetourist Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 It's really hard to answer this question, because a major part of my realization that Christianity was a load of shit was my inability to reconcile the fact that Christianity callled for a ton of moral absolutes, and the world around me made it pretty clear that morality is extremely subjective and flexible. I began to realize this while I still considered myself a Christian, so by the time I was, in my own mind, a full on heathen, I was no longer adhering to a strict moral framework other than the one I had laid out for myself. In simpler terms, but the time I started sinning, I was entirely convinced that there really was no such thing. By the time I deconverted, I'd already slept with my girlfriend, done some drinking, smoked some weed, and did some mushrooms. Taking the Lord's name in vain on a consistant basis was the last thing I started doing, because it involved breaking a long-established habit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
par4dcourse Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 My behaviors didn't change, only my attitude toward them. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Margee Posted August 5, 2012 Moderator Share Posted August 5, 2012 I haven't had the desire to "go out and sin", either. But I've definitely felt a sense of liberation in knowing that the choices I make are MY choices, not defined to me by anyone else (divine or not). As an example, the other day I was at Wal-Mart (I hate that place!). I got to my car and realized there was a $2 bottle of aspirin in my cart that I didn't pay for. Normally I would have instantly felt like God was there w/me, watching me, and I would have taken in back inside. Not really out of fear of punishment but just b/c I needed to "do the right thing". But it was literally 110 degrees outside and I didn't feel well. I threw the damn bottle into my purse, got into my air-conditioned car and drove home - not feeling one bit guilty. Wal-Mart probably paid less than 25 cents for that bottle of aspirin. I've spent thousands and thousands at that store over the years. My little mistake will not harm anyone. Ahhh freedom.... And yeah, I also cuss more. I just had the exact same thing happen to me with a $2.99 protein bar that I ate while I was grocercy shopping. I always, ALWAYS get the empty wrapper scanned.........I got out to my car, reaslized I didn't pay for it and had a 3 minute conversation with myself as to go way back to the cashier and ring it in. I didn't. And it felt good. Bastards aren't gonna go broke over my $2.99 bar. Now, if I forgot to 'ring in' a television set..............This i need to question myself......This would be a huge test....... Don't be too shocked...Margee might just drive off with it!! But I don't know....I am quite an honest person for the most times...... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raoul Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 I think a better question would be 'did you ever stop sinning?' ROFL I'll go first - NOPE!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeCoastie Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 I haven't had the desire to "go out and sin", either. But I've definitely felt a sense of liberation in knowing that the choices I make are MY choices, not defined to me by anyone else (divine or not). As an example, the other day I was at Wal-Mart (I hate that place!). I got to my car and realized there was a $2 bottle of aspirin in my cart that I didn't pay for. Normally I would have instantly felt like God was there w/me, watching me, and I would have taken in back inside. Not really out of fear of punishment but just b/c I needed to "do the right thing". But it was literally 110 degrees outside and I didn't feel well. I threw the damn bottle into my purse, got into my air-conditioned car and drove home - not feeling one bit guilty. Wal-Mart probably paid less than 25 cents for that bottle of aspirin. I've spent thousands and thousands at that store over the years. My little mistake will not harm anyone. Ahhh freedom.... And yeah, I also cuss more. Those feelings where you thought god had you on the spot were always the worst. I'd feel so bad about some petty thing and when I finally fixed it, I wouldn't feel like shit anymore, but I didn't feel good about it either. I think it shows how forced and false that morality was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raoul Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 I haven't had the desire to "go out and sin", either. But I've definitely felt a sense of liberation in knowing that the choices I make are MY choices, not defined to me by anyone else (divine or not). As an example, the other day I was at Wal-Mart (I hate that place!). I got to my car and realized there was a $2 bottle of aspirin in my cart that I didn't pay for. Normally I would have instantly felt like God was there w/me, watching me, and I would have taken in back inside. Not really out of fear of punishment but just b/c I needed to "do the right thing". But it was literally 110 degrees outside and I didn't feel well. I threw the damn bottle into my purse, got into my air-conditioned car and drove home - not feeling one bit guilty. Wal-Mart probably paid less than 25 cents for that bottle of aspirin. I've spent thousands and thousands at that store over the years. My little mistake will not harm anyone. Ahhh freedom.... And yeah, I also cuss more. You dirty sinner! ROFLSeriously though - similar thing happened for me. I went to Target's to get a couple of packs of pool filter cartridges. They cost $11.79 for a pack of 2. I picked up 2 packs but after leaving the store I checked the receipt and found she only charged me for 1 of the 2 packs. Did I think about going back? Nope - I did that the roadrunner in those old cartoons - I said 'beep, beep' and whisked myself away to my Acme car. LOL 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadrunner Posted August 5, 2012 Author Share Posted August 5, 2012 after spending the morning reflecting on it i think you guys are right. we dont sin any more or less than we did before be quit believing its just the guilt associated with it goes away. we all mess up. I think overall I am leaving the world better than I found it even though I mess up every now and then. my mom had a bumper sticker on her Plymouth acclaim when I we growing up that said Christians aren't perfect just forgiven. that makes a lot more sense now as a non believer. it should read Christians do wrong too some one else just picks up the tab. we touched on this one day in Sunday school. if we can't live to our standards of morality how can we live up to gods. gods standard is our standard since he is a product of our mind. I almost look at morality different now. its a agreement between you and the world. and with very limited exceptions most people adhere to the code to minimize harm and aspirin and pool filters are not harming at all but we all agree that $11 from a homeless man who has nothing is immoral and we wouldn't do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GardenerGal Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 I haven't had the desire to "go out and sin", either. But I've definitely felt a sense of liberation in knowing that the choices I make are MY choices, not defined to me by anyone else (divine or not). As an example, the other day I was at Wal-Mart (I hate that place!). I got to my car and realized there was a $2 bottle of aspirin in my cart that I didn't pay for. Normally I would have instantly felt like God was there w/me, watching me, and I would have taken in back inside. Not really out of fear of punishment but just b/c I needed to "do the right thing". But it was literally 110 degrees outside and I didn't feel well. I threw the damn bottle into my purse, got into my air-conditioned car and drove home - not feeling one bit guilty. Wal-Mart probably paid less than 25 cents for that bottle of aspirin. I've spent thousands and thousands at that store over the years. My little mistake will not harm anyone. Ahhh freedom.... And yeah, I also cuss more. Joyce Meyer and her shopping cart stories sure didn't help! Not sure if anyone listened to that one, but it's enough to make you think every single decision has a huge consequence. Didn't put your shopping cart back? Miss out on a blessing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadrunner Posted August 5, 2012 Author Share Posted August 5, 2012 I haven't had the desire to "go out and sin", either. But I've definitely felt a sense of liberation in knowing that the choices I make are MY choices, not defined to me by anyone else (divine or not). As an example, the other day I was at Wal-Mart (I hate that place!). I got to my car and realized there was a $2 bottle of aspirin in my cart that I didn't pay for. Normally I would have instantly felt like God was there w/me, watching me, and I would have taken in back inside. Not really out of fear of punishment but just b/c I needed to "do the right thing". But it was literally 110 degrees outside and I didn't feel well. I threw the damn bottle into my purse, got into my air-conditioned car and drove home - not feeling one bit guilty. Wal-Mart probably paid less than 25 cents for that bottle of aspirin. I've spent thousands and thousands at that store over the years. My little mistake will not harm anyone. Ahhh freedom.... And yeah, I also cuss more. Joyce Meyer and her shopping cart stories sure didn't help! Not sure if anyone listened to that one, but it's enough to make you think every single decision has a huge consequence. Didn't put your shopping cart back? Miss out on a blessing! that pissed me off yesterday to watch a couple just push the cart back in the direction of the store when they were clearly cable of taking the extra second to put it with the other cart. they were probably religious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denyoz Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 I often forget things at the bottom of my shopping cart, since we have to bring our own plastic bags now, I usually throw three or four bags in my cart, and while I'm shopping, some small expensive items accidently slide under one of those bags, and I only realize this when I get to the car. I should be more careful, eh? Uh-hum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryG Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 I "sinned" less after giving up religion. Not just because sin became a bogus concept, but because I knew that I'd have to look my real self in my real eye and answer to myself if I behaved badly. When I was a believer, I "knew" I was going to hell, anyhow, because I'd been told how bad god thought I was. So it didn't matter how I acted; I was doomed just by being me. Then there are those xtians who "know" that god has forgiven them, so they can cheat, lie, steal and treat others (esp. non-xtians) like shit because all they have to do is say, "Sorry" and they're back in the Big Guy's graces just like ... magic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midniterider Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 OK so there is no big guy in the sky. but I still havent got up the desire to drink alcohol, curse, or go on a porn binge. was it noticeable for any of when you got the guts to do something that we were always told was a sin and of course there is no such thing. I wasn't that saintly before I deconverted but I do remember the final nail in the faith coffin for me was feeling guilty about lust which made me take a pause...I told god I was going to continue to 'lust' so he better deal with it. I refused to feel guilty anymore about something I was going to continue to do. So it was at that point I took back control of my life. I find it interesting that a man is not supposed to lust (which could be deemed as natural physical attraction) after someone he is not married to .... makes me wonder how christian singles ever can start a relationship without violating the lust clause in Matthew 5:28. Though by that time I was divorced and shacking up with another woman...doh! Two more biblical violations, no doubt. :-) I didn't necessarily go out and commit sins just because I wasn't an xian anymore as I had been sinning anyway. I just stopped associating 'sin' to what I was doing. I do remember while going to church the exwife and I were taking some video course on raising a family. The guy on the video talked about doing 'the right thing' a lot and gave examples such as returning the empty shopping cart to the store instead of leaving it in the parking lot. That gives me a chuckle still when we're loading up the car and I will leave the cart in an empty space just to spite that guy on the video...muhahahaha....I'm such a bad person. lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeverAgainV Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 The brainwashing had to subside before I was able to cross over the line...my first biggie was celebrating christmas!! We left the cult spring 2007 & celebrated the kids first xmas Dec 2007. Yes...that was a big NO-NO in the cult church. Granted I didn't have a large xmas tree, just a little one the first year. Then I got the forbidden xmas tree!! A decorated tree to brighten up the house in the dead of winter...do I worship it? NO. That was huge.. Of course the first Halloween was big too!! I went nuts....saw the Harry Potter movies as fast as I could...I just went down down into sin. Ha! because we all know how sinful a PG movie is..& how sinful a decorated tree is....& how sinful it is to wear a costume.... I am so glad to be out of there!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Positivist Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 Interesting question! For me, the biggest thing is the freedom of knowing the thought police is not weighing my every thought for virtuous merit. If I have a "sinful" thought I don't have to mutter any prayers under my breath to help God get over it. Other than that, I can love more freely, without having to secretly sneak in the gospel message through word or deed. I'm not into drugs and rarely drink, not into porn, and I rarely watch movies or even TV. I try to live right because it makes sense! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vigile Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 Hell, I did all that stuff when I was still an xian. I just quit feeling guilty about it after I realized I had done nothing to feel guilty about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator florduh Posted August 5, 2012 Super Moderator Share Posted August 5, 2012 We were always sinning as Christians - that's why we needed Jesus every day. After leaving the cult fold, I think most don't change their behavior or personality, they just no longer feel guilty for dancing, having a beer, buying a lottery ticket, having sexual fantasies, fill in the blank. I imagine very few leave church and start robbing banks because they feel free to sin. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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