Love it, had a similar story but far away from the US. (Colombia) The good thing is, once you realize and stop thinking and playing as a victim from life or circumstances etc. that’s a game changer! 💪👌
Great "conversation" (monologue) Jay. As someone who has walked a similar path in church life, I deeply relate to much of what you have said. One of our son's is in a religious studies program, and I genuinely feel that his heart is in the right place. But I worry about him also finding that everyone else isn't as sincere about their faith and caring for others as he is. I plan to share this with him, not to 'scare' him, but to make him more aware of the pitfalls and possible traps he might encounter. His father and I strongly believe that knowledge is power; and sound, thoughtful information (in your case, I feel this applies, given all the time you have spent in therapy and self reflection) is always helpful in having a clearer picture of how others are feeling and coping with life. I think this will be a great tool for him, and I appreciate you being so open and honest. Merci Beaucoup! :)
Richard Dawkins explains it clearly: Your religion is a cultural phenomenon -- it depends largely upon where you are born. Israel? Jewish Japan? Shinto/Buddhist India? Hindu Saudi Arabia? Muslim Italy? Catholic Sweden? Lutheran Utah? Mormon All professing they're the "true word". You were indoctrinated by your family and village. There was no free choice as a child. Only when you are able to think critically as an adult (if you were so lucky to been given those skills) can you start to question the dogma you were raised upon. Science persists because it can survive being questioned, religion persists because it cannot tolerate too many questions and must suppress them.
Love it, had a similar story but far away from the US. (Colombia) The good thing is, once you realize and stop thinking and playing as a victim from life or circumstances etc. that’s a game changer! 💪👌
Great "conversation" (monologue) Jay. As someone who has walked a similar path in church life, I deeply relate to much of what you have said. One of our son's is in a religious studies program, and I genuinely feel that his heart is in the right place. But I worry about him also finding that everyone else isn't as sincere about their faith and caring for others as he is. I plan to share this with him, not to 'scare' him, but to make him more aware of the pitfalls and possible traps he might encounter. His father and I strongly believe that knowledge is power; and sound, thoughtful information (in your case, I feel this applies, given all the time you have spent in therapy and self reflection) is always helpful in having a clearer picture of how others are feeling and coping with life. I think this will be a great tool for him, and I appreciate you being so open and honest. Merci Beaucoup! :)
👀 - proud of ya, Jay. :)
Idk why but since I’ve started to identify as an atheist, I’m that much more invested in people and their relation to belief systems.
Richard Dawkins explains it clearly:
Your religion is a cultural phenomenon -- it depends largely upon where you are born.
Israel? Jewish
Japan? Shinto/Buddhist
India? Hindu
Saudi Arabia? Muslim
Italy? Catholic
Sweden? Lutheran
Utah? Mormon
All professing they're the "true word".
You were indoctrinated by your family and village. There was no free choice as a child.
Only when you are able to think critically as an adult (if you were so lucky to been given those skills) can you start to question the dogma you were raised upon.
Science persists because it can survive being questioned, religion persists because it cannot tolerate too many questions and must suppress them.