I forsee that I'll not be terribly popular here, but bear with me. Perhaps the general membership of this forum and I can learn a great deal from one another.
First: I am not a Christian. I was raised Catholic, but grew disillusioned with it in my teens. I was 17 before I got to the point of questioning it openly. By 18, I largely turned my back on Catholicism, proclaiming myself to be an agnostic.
Not long ago, I joined the Western Reform Taoist Congregation. Our motto is this: "We believe in the formless and eternal Tao, and we recognize all personified deities as being mere human constructs. We reject hatred, intolerance, and unnecessary violence, and embrace harmony, love and learning, as we are taught by Nature. We place our trust and our lives in the Tao, that we may live in peace and balance with the Universe, both in this mortal life and beyond."
Ironically, it was that final step of formally turning my back on Catholicism which brings me here. I am here not to celebrate Christianity, but to contrast it with Taoism.
For the most part, I shall keep my opinions to myself; I'm not here for a fight--in fact, I hate heated arguments with a passion. However, there will be times when I require further illumination on the Christian viewpoint (After all, I was but a child when I last truly believed), and it will be necessary to post a comment.
There is no part of the Bible that I like, but I detest Deuteronomy. I'm aware that Deuteronomy is not valid Christian doctrine (although it is valid in Judaism...which makes me wonder why so many Christians like to threaten me with it for being an unbeliever, whereas most Jewish tend to respect my beliefs...but I digress). As I was saying, I'm aware that it's not valid doctrine, but that doesn't keep it from being rubbed in my face. That book of the bible is one thing that I cannot be expected to discuss with a cool head. However, I shall endeavour not to interpret any other discussion as hostile towards myself or Taoism. (Just a heads-up. I know my sensitive spots, and I'm admitting them ahead of time...better than letting things get out of hand later)
A last note: No, I can't be converted
And no, I'll not try to convert anyone else to Taoism.
First: I am not a Christian. I was raised Catholic, but grew disillusioned with it in my teens. I was 17 before I got to the point of questioning it openly. By 18, I largely turned my back on Catholicism, proclaiming myself to be an agnostic.
Not long ago, I joined the Western Reform Taoist Congregation. Our motto is this: "We believe in the formless and eternal Tao, and we recognize all personified deities as being mere human constructs. We reject hatred, intolerance, and unnecessary violence, and embrace harmony, love and learning, as we are taught by Nature. We place our trust and our lives in the Tao, that we may live in peace and balance with the Universe, both in this mortal life and beyond."
Ironically, it was that final step of formally turning my back on Catholicism which brings me here. I am here not to celebrate Christianity, but to contrast it with Taoism.
For the most part, I shall keep my opinions to myself; I'm not here for a fight--in fact, I hate heated arguments with a passion. However, there will be times when I require further illumination on the Christian viewpoint (After all, I was but a child when I last truly believed), and it will be necessary to post a comment.
There is no part of the Bible that I like, but I detest Deuteronomy. I'm aware that Deuteronomy is not valid Christian doctrine (although it is valid in Judaism...which makes me wonder why so many Christians like to threaten me with it for being an unbeliever, whereas most Jewish tend to respect my beliefs...but I digress). As I was saying, I'm aware that it's not valid doctrine, but that doesn't keep it from being rubbed in my face. That book of the bible is one thing that I cannot be expected to discuss with a cool head. However, I shall endeavour not to interpret any other discussion as hostile towards myself or Taoism. (Just a heads-up. I know my sensitive spots, and I'm admitting them ahead of time...better than letting things get out of hand later)
A last note: No, I can't be converted
And no, I'll not try to convert anyone else to Taoism.
