Deconversion?

[sk8Joyful]

"we play to an audience of One"

soo true: "we play...to an audience of One" THANK God!

 

[Philothei]

the christian god (here comes plenty of rule violations so get yoru reporting finger ready) was composed of by combining many of the pagan traditions together...to create a new archetype and in the process trigger all kinds of upheaval and evil in the name of "god". All of the christian holidays are based off of pagan holidays, twisted to fit the "new" (truly recycled) religion of christianity. along with it came the restrictions on sexuality (first religion of it's kind there!), restrictions on types of worship (also a first), and that's about it...even the virgin birth, death, and resurrection are regurgitated traditions of older religions...

the misery caused by the "new and improved holy writings of scripture" which again are nothing more than recycled pagan beliefs, oral legends, traditions, priestly activities, and rites, throw in a bit of "exclusionary" (no gays, no magick, no premarital sex, no polygamous marriage, no alcohol, no drugs - too close to divination, no justice, and be servants and slaves to your uber holy god, instead of a partner with them) rules and voila...new religious texts...

that is what you defend... __________________

love ya Gweny


For the sake of Criada shall we refrain from doing this? I understand your stance and I think we all do and our focus has been to help Criada.... I know we are all hurting seeing you explaining this "new found ' freedom from Christ... I respect your decision and all I truly do and you have every right to uphold your 'old/new' beliefs ....

Please let us respect Criada who is hurting right now and let's stop this I do not believe anyone is benefiting from this...

I think actually it brings about the opposite result....

 

[Gwenyfur]

...

 

[Gwenyfur]

love ya Gweny


For the sake of Criada shall we refrain from doing this? I understand your stance and I think we all do and our focus has been to help Criada.... I know we are all hurting seeing you explaining this "new found ' freedom from Christ... I respect your decision and all I truly do and you have every right to uphold your 'old/new' beliefs ....

Please let us respect Criada who is hurting right now and let's stop this I do not believe anyone is benefiting from this...

I think actually it brings about the opposite result....

you're right...

Criada...my apologies

 

[Gwenyfur]

Nah! You admined Theology so you know better. lol!!!!

The "Christianity came out pagan crap" is just that crap. Do you wanna start with a link to support your stuff and then I can provide a link to support my stuff and we can have a good old time link fighting? Doesn't that sound just peachy?

wouldn't be a fair fight...you've still got access to all the hokiest of links

 

[Thekla]

the christian god (here comes plenty of rule violations so get yoru reporting finger ready) was composed of by combining many of the pagan traditions together...to create a new archetype and in the process trigger all kinds of upheaval and evil in the name of "god". All of the christian holidays are based off of pagan holidays, twisted to fit the "new" (truly recycled) religion of christianity. along with it came the restrictions on sexuality (first religion of it's kind there!), restrictions on types of worship (also a first), and that's about it...even the virgin birth, death, and resurrection are regurgitated traditions of older religions...

It would be great if you could post the sources you've found that support this theory !

the misery caused by the "new and improved holy writings of scripture" which again are nothing more than recycled pagan beliefs, oral legends, traditions, priestly activities, and rites, throw in a bit of "exclusionary" (no gays, no magick, no premarital sex, no polygamous marriage, no alcohol, no drugs - too close to divination, no justice, and be servants and slaves to your uber holy god, instead of a partner with them) rules and voila...new religious texts...

that is what you defend...

Again, citation/s would be appreciated which describe and support your position

 

[Gwenyfur]

love ya Gweny


For the sake of Criada shall we refrain from doing this? I understand your stance and I think we all do and our focus has been to help Criada.... I know we are all hurting seeing you explaining this "new found ' freedom from Christ... I respect your decision and all I truly do and you have every right to uphold your 'old/new' beliefs ....

Please let us respect Criada who is hurting right now and let's stop this I do not believe anyone is benefiting from this...

I think actually it brings about the opposite result....

you're right...

Criada...my apologies

It would be great if you could post the sources you've found that support this theory !



Again, citation/s would be appreciated which describe and support your position

see above...

 

[Thekla]

see above...

Indeed

Perhaps you would start a new thread on this ?

 

[Gwenyfur]

Indeed

Perhaps you would start a new thread on this ?

Actually being that I'm not a Christian, the playground is a bit uneven...
I'd get nailed for "proselityzing" --- though it would help get a former site advisor (and potential embarassment for management) banned

Christians are allowed to argue this between themselves until the cows come home....non-christians...not so much...

 

[A New Dawn]

Actually being that I'm not a Christian, the playground is a bit uneven...
I'd get nailed for "proselityzing" --- though it would help get a former site advisor (and potential embarassment for management) banned

Christians are allowed to argue this between themselves until the cows come home....non-christians...not so much...

Gwenny, even though you've obviously accepted your decision to deconvert, Criada seems to be upset and confused over it. It would be nice if you'd take this somewhere else. Accusing staff about being embarassed by your situation is nonsense, and doesn't seem to serve any purpose but to create hostilities (as most of your posts are purely argumentative.)

 

[Gwenyfur]

What would be nice is if people would truly consider helping Criada with this rather than spouting scripture and useless platitudes to her.

You don't think she's scoured the scriptures trying to find the answer???

Or spent hours in tearful prayer seeking the face of god????

What...like someone is going to say something she doesn't already know...or hasn't already been told, or already faced???

They're not....and they're truly not helping...they're exacerbating her pain...not lessening it...

Am I the only one willing to tell her "Whatever you decide to choose, and however you decide to live, I will still love you" even if I don't personally adhere to whatever belief system she may choose?

Am I arguing? not really...
I've been explaining...if anyone's taking it as arguing then they're reading entirely too much into my words.

Criada already knows what she needs to....she just needs the space and security to make the choice she faces....for that she needs love ... not more preaching...

 

[Criada]

((((Gweny))))
Thank you for hearing.

 

[Gwenyfur]

Criada
love you too sweetie!

 

[Chaplain David]

What would be nice is if people would truly consider helping Criada with this rather than spouting scripture and useless platitudes to her.

You don't think she's scoured the scriptures trying to find the answer???

Or spent hours in tearful prayer seeking the face of god????

What...like someone is going to say something she doesn't already know...or hasn't already been told, or already faced???

They're not....and they're truly not helping...they're exacerbating her pain...not lessening it...

Am I the only one willing to tell her "Whatever you decide to choose, and however you decide to live, I will still love you" even if I don't personally adhere to whatever belief system she may choose?

Am I arguing? not really...
I've been explaining...if anyone's taking it as arguing then they're reading entirely too much into my words.

Criada already knows what she needs to....she just needs the space and security to make the choice she faces....for that she needs love ... not more preaching...

Many of us are helping Criada as she has so often helped us and others. There are always some that go off on a tangent in any thread. But that is to be expected. Still, that does not blot out the fact of our love for her, our wanting the best for her, and our trying to continue to reflect to her Christ's love as He so generously gives to all of us.

We love you Criada.

 

[A New Dawn]

What would be nice is if people would truly consider helping Criada with this rather than spouting scripture and useless platitudes to her.

You don't think she's scoured the scriptures trying to find the answer???

Or spent hours in tearful prayer seeking the face of god????

What...like someone is going to say something she doesn't already know...or hasn't already been told, or already faced???

They're not....and they're truly not helping...they're exacerbating her pain...not lessening it...

Am I the only one willing to tell her "Whatever you decide to choose, and however you decide to live, I will still love you" even if I don't personally adhere to whatever belief system she may choose?

Am I arguing? not really...
I've been explaining...if anyone's taking it as arguing then they're reading entirely too much into my words.

Criada already knows what she needs to....she just needs the space and security to make the choice she faces....for that she needs love ... not more preaching...

Very few here are preaching. If you are reading it as such, then you're reading entirely too much into people's words. Everyone here knows the anguish she is in, but telling her that the faith she had for a very long time was just a crutch is not support. She genuinely seems to miss it, and many of us have offered the same "support" you have, that we love her, and that she needs to take some time for herself (and God). That you feel it is preachy doesn't make it so. (Let me rephrase it. There are no more people preaching God at her than there are preaching no need for God.)

I'm sorry if I've drawn your thread off-topic, Criada. I pray for peace for you.

 

[Penumbra]

If you feel like this, I highly recommend reading The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus (the wikipedia article on the book is worth a read too, as it highlights the key concepts).

May the best be with you, and I do hope you find some strength somewhere.

I second that.

The Myth of Sisyphus is a great essay and the concepts in that work have helped me out.

-Lyn

 

[FaithfulWife]

I can not speak for "The Myth of Sisyphus" but you and Gwenny both know that I love ya in thought and in deed.

I would agree with Gwenny on one thing, I believe. Face your doubts fearlessly. Speak them out loud even. I personally do not think that doubting or questioning is anything other than an opportunity to learn. Be bravely honest--with yourself and people around you. If you just can not say you're going to pray for someone don't say you will because you think you are praying to thin air...tell them they are in your thoughts every day.

Jacob wrestle with an angel that was tangible and in front of him. My guess is that that if an angel were in front of you, you'd have some faith. The Israelites whined and had a pillar of fire leading them around! Job lost everything and wrestled with it. Thomas was a disciple and was physically WITH Jesus, and he doubted. These are all examples that I know you know of--and those folks all had MUCH more tangible evidences of G*d and struggled with their relationships. So lovely, don't feel bad that you are where you are...you just ARE there! Be there! It's okay.

I suspect where Gwenny and I might differ (and I'm not sure even) is that I'd request that you keep an open heart and mind to the possibility there is a G*d. Keep that option open. My suspicion is that you need to learn it for yourself, and you may wander and learn and try some other things including maybe NO religion or god/dess at all!

And lovely, think of a lighthouse. You are out there on the ocean in the storm, and you think you might sink and you can't find your way in the dark. Well, no matter where you go I will love you, for you are my dearly beloved sister. It is who you are and you can't lose that.

 

[vespasia]

Criada,

God is bigger and greater than anything any of us can even begin to imagine. So often when we hurt that can be very hard to even begin to think about but God is there.

Christ is not the same as his people. People like me who follow Christ will always make mistakes. Not one of us is perfect.
Those who bear church responsibility as pastors, teachers and so on can really besmirch the image of Christ for another person if they mess up.

Faithful; Lighthouses are found near the shores they are not in the depths of the tumultous sea where it is not possible to be sure which way is up or down. All one can do is cling like crazy to anything that might float and hope something better might come that can float so you may try to stay alive long enough to find the shoreline and the lighthouse.

Criada hang in there and may you have the space and time you need to stay afloat long enough to know where you want to try to head for.
Praying for peace and shelter under Gods wings for you.

 

[Gwenyfur]

I can not speak for "The Myth of Sisyphus" but you and Gwenny both know that I love ya in thought and in deed.

I would agree with Gwenny on one thing, I believe. Face your doubts fearlessly. Speak them out loud even. I personally do not think that doubting or questioning is anything other than an opportunity to learn. Be bravely honest--with yourself and people around you. If you just can not say you're going to pray for someone don't say you will because you think you are praying to thin air...tell them they are in your thoughts every day.

Jacob wrestle with an angel that was tangible and in front of him. My guess is that that if an angel were in front of you, you'd have some faith. The Israelites whined and had a pillar of fire leading them around! Job lost everything and wrestled with it. Thomas was a disciple and was physically WITH Jesus, and he doubted. These are all examples that I know you know of--and those folks all had MUCH more tangible evidences of G*d and struggled with their relationships. So lovely, don't feel bad that you are where you are...you just ARE there! Be there! It's okay.

I suspect where Gwenny and I might differ (and I'm not sure even) is that I'd request that you keep an open heart and mind to the possibility there is a G*d. Keep that option open. My suspicion is that you need to learn it for yourself, and you may wander and learn and try some other things including maybe NO religion or god/dess at all!

And lovely, think of a lighthouse. You are out there on the ocean in the storm, and you think you might sink and you can't find your way in the dark. Well, no matter where you go I will love you, for you are my dearly beloved sister. It is who you are and you can't lose that.

There's a god...actually...there are several gods and goddesses...
we just differ on how we define "god"

 

[Gwenyfur]

I hear this phrase often...worded many ways, but essentially saying the same thing

Christ is not the same as his people.

And yet...every time, I'm reminded that christians are supposed to be like christ...

just sayin' is all...