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elkid
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Joined: 18 Nov 2002
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Location: hiding out in Philly
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 Posted: 11/29/04 - 09:46 Post subject:
| genie wrote: | | I walked away from organized religion myself a long time ago because of some negative experiences and am just starting to make the long crawl back, but I never walked away from believing in some form of Higher Power. ...I'm just thinking of my own journey and honestly wondering how a person would come to that determination.... |
Not believing in organized religion does not necessarily mean you are atheist. Though it is true many atheists have become severely disillusioned with the church, and its man-made doctrines, rules, and dogma which may pave the way for further religious disillusionment. The inconsistent implementation of said "laws" is what drives many away from the church as an institution. Not believing in a higher power of any kind may for some stem from frustration, anger, or guilt stemming from these "laws", but for many it's an entirely different, personal story.
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runaroundsue
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Posted: 11/29/04 - 10:18 Post subject:
a little bit that has been touched upon, there are some of us that aren't completely agnostic...we just aren't "into" organized religion. I've come to the conclusion that what I learned is a little confusing. I never figured out why I needed a "middleman" during confession. As I grow older, I have no idea why I need "anyone" between God and I. I do believe in God and angels, after that, I'm not sure. I'm also not sure that I want someone to tell me "how it is". I want to make the connection on my own. My family is ready for religion in their lives and I would be willing to attend services of their choice---I'm not doing the choosing and there are specific organizations that I would say "no way". Of course, I would not name them here 
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genie
Master of Prissface
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Joined: 14 May 2002
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Location: Finding serenity one day at a time
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Posted: 11/29/04 - 12:42 Post subject:
| elkid wrote: |
Not believing in organized religion does not necessarily mean you are atheist. Though it is true many atheists have become severely disillusioned with the church, and its man-made doctrines, rules, and dogma which may pave the way for further religious disillusionment. The inconsistent implementation of said "laws" is what drives many away from the church as an institution. Not believing in a higher power of any kind may for some stem from frustration, anger, or guilt stemming from these "laws", but for many it's an entirely different, personal story. |
I know, I didn't mean that not believing in organized religion was the definition of atheist, I was just wondering how they were connected for some people because that's kinda the parallel I got from what some of you were saying who call yourselves atheist. Maybe I incorrectly made a connection that wasn't there, but I can certainly see that for some people, a loss of faith or belief in a Higher Power can definitely come from personal tragedy, etc. Like my one friend whose child died very young from a brain tumor. Her attitude was "how could there be a God that would let this happen?" So now she considers herself an atheist. But thanks for clarifying, it's possible I just took two separate statements and made them one when they weren't and that's what got me confused.
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phillycat
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Posted: 11/29/04 - 13:33 Post subject:
In an attempt to help you to understand another point of view, I call myself an Athiest because after spending a lot of time searching my soul, I came to the understanding that I do not belive in a higher power. I believe in myself and in others...even in spirits of those who have past, but I don't believe in God. I did not come to this conclusion because of my experiences with the church or the loss of my father at a young age...it really just came to me after a lot of thinking.
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genie
Master of Prissface
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Posted: 11/29/04 - 16:34 Post subject:
Thanks PC, that's really what I was looking for, is other people's POV and how they got there. Thanks for sharing yours.
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runaroundsue
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Posted: 11/30/04 - 10:04 Post subject:
but because there is belief in a power, is it considered pagan? or are you still atheist if you belief in the spirits?
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