Religious Freedom

[tracilicious]

For the first 19 years of my life I was actively involved in a very strict religion, and for the past six I haven't been involved but have still followed the basic precepts/restrictions of said religion. I'm posting this because we've officially set ourselves free. Officially in that if people ask I will no longer say I am part of that religion. I haven't sent in a letter to the religion or anything, as I don't really feel like it's any of their business.

Today I celebrate the release of guilt of not attending religious meetings three times a week, of not believing everything the religion taught, and of not really caring whether there was an eternal future in store for me.

I also celebrate the regaining of my faith in God. For a long time I've felt that if this religion didn't have the truth about God then God simply didn't exist. I just finished reading somewhat of an expose written by a top ranking member of the religious organization. It was revealing in that I discovered that much of the organization doesn't actually have much to do with God, but rather with upholding policies and making new rules. I no longer claim to have all the answers about God or the bible, but I can be a nondenominational Christian without really worrying about the exact details of every bible prophecy.

Freedom from religion feels like an entirely different outlook on life. I no longer feel obligated to assume that 99% of the people on earth will die, or to group people into categories. I haven't done either of those in longer than I can remember, but it's what most members of that religion do. Don't get me wrong, I think nearly every member truly loves God and Christ, and most are very good people, but that's what they are taught. The flaws are with severely organized religion, not with individuals.

Michael and I both have a handful of family members that remain in the religion. Some we'll tell the truth to, others we just won't talk about it with, and some wouldn't be able to handle it. We'll probably lie to the last group and tell them that we just don't go. Our closest friends that live out of state will eventually find out and cut us off. It won't be their fault, but it will suck. That's life though. The most important thing is to be true to ourselves and find our own path to God.

So welcome me to the free world! This year we'll celebrate our first Halloween, our first birthdays, etc. (Well, not sure about Christmas yet.) Religious meetings feel like suffering and I will probably never go again. Ah flexibility!

[€uroMeinke]

Congratulations on charting your own path and finding a way that rings true and sincere with you and your immediate family

[wendybeth]

Welcome, Traci. I refuse to believe that God intended us to suffer through interminable sermons that preach hellfire and damnation for all those not lucky enough to be hanging out with that particular group. I believe what I believe, and I don't need some mitre weilding, smock wearing, sexually repressed (or worse) leader of the church I was brought up in telling me otherwise. I believe I was given a brain that I was supposed to use, not hand over to someone else.

You go, girl!

[tracilicious]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

Welcome, Traci. I refuse to believe that God intended us to suffer through interminable sermons that preach hellfire and damnation for all those not lucky enough to be hanging out with that particular group. I believe what I believe, and I don't need some mitre weilding, smock wearing, sexually repressed (or worse) leader of the church I was brought up in telling me otherwise. I believe I was given a brain that I was supposed to use, not hand over to someone else.

Yeah! Rock on! I'll add to that: If God intended everyone to worship in exactly the same way he would have given us a clear set of rules in which to do it. And furthermore, it's ridiculous to think that He created such a wide variety of people, yet expects everyone to think and act exactly the same way.

Thanks BTD, Euro, and WB!

[Tref]

I had read that the way out was the way through. It is good to see that it is not always the case.

[RStar]

Congradulations Traci! Legalisim is the downfall of any religion. If you belive Christ, and what is written in the Bible, you'll see that He would compare what you went through to what the Pharasies were doing, and He would reprimand them.

And BTW, I don't believe God is worried about someone dressing up and collecting candy, or passing out candy, for Halloween. I also don't think he is the least bit scared of Santa Clause. He is stronger than all of that, and it's what's in your heart that matters.

God want's you to enjoy life, not suffer through it. So have fun!!

And good luck with your family.

~Bob

[BarTopDancer]

Oh Traci,

I am so glad you have come to peace with your decision. Just in time for Halloween .

[scaeagles]

Many people seem to make the assumption, when looking at the religious overtones of the all encompassing "will of God", that God wants everyone to suffer and be in some dark corner of Africa spreading the gospel. To echo RStar, I don't buy that vision. God does want you to be happy, but in a different light, that desire does not give license to do whatever one pleases.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I hope you'll be posting your birthdate for all of LoT to see. Look forward to a whopper of a celebratory thread that day!

I'm glad that you're going with your heart.

[Snowflake]

Congratulations Traci!
To those who call you a friend and then rescind their friendship based on your status with any church are not your real friends. Wave them goodbye and wish them well and go forward to find new friends, you will find many on this planet I am sure!