supercrone

As arguably the oldest member of this forum, I have probably given this subject more years of thought, research and introspection than the average pedant. So, by way of introduction, herewith a partial exposition of what I understand to be the Truth. I say "partial" because I have published many thoughts on this subject in an ongoing effort to pass along 81 years of insight. The following is part of a chapter that describes my trip to Atheism.

That mindset [man invents god(s), not vice versa] never changed for me, through divorce, another marriage, another divorce, the death of my daughter, a life full of travel, adventure, people and a wide diversity of cultures all over the world. The more I learned about organized religion, the more I saw it as a horrifyingly negative force on humanity. I became a dilletante in the study of theology, dipping into everything from Hindu Animism to Transcendental Meditation to Buddhism to Catholicism and back to Judaism. I read the Tibetan Book of the Dead, the Bhagavad Gita, parts of the Koran and some of the Upanishads, as well as the Torah and the Christian Bible. I talked with rabbis, priests, shamans and gurus. I even let a Jehovah's witness in one time (she left in tears). In short, because I believe in "don't knock it till you try it", I learned enough about the various religious concepts that mankind has imposed upon itself to understand how much I couldn't possibly swallow any of it.

I KNOW that the life force is a simple configuration of matter and energy, neither of which can be created or destroyed. I do NOT know the original source of this matter and energy, my definition of agnostic. I DO know that all deities, regardless of what they are called, are manmade myths, which knowledge apparently labels me an atheist.

I am far less immoral and untrustworthy than our born-again president. I am far more clear-headed and honest than the Pat Robertsons and Jerry Falwells of the world. I do not condemn those who disagree with me nor am I afraid of the consequences of my non-belief in some imaginary afterlife. My prejudices are the result of rational thought, study, experience and introspection.

So I'm an atheist. So sue me.

LilOne1989

Hi, never had the opportunity to make a JW cry before but I went to school with a girl and her brother who were both JW's and very kind. I wouldn't want to make her cry but I'm sure I would feel differently if she came to my door. You sound like a very intelligent person I look forward to reading more of what you have to say.

Brandon

are you really 81? Welcome to the forums. I hope to get some chances to discuss religion and life with you here.

Melos

I applaud your drive to study and discuss various religious faiths. However, I question your methods and inspirations behind it if you make poor misguided people cry. I'm curious to know what your prejudices are, and how you act upon them.

palefrost

Have you looked over pantheism? Its sounds close to how you view existence. Welcome! Im new here to and its always great hearing fresh input and learning new things!

SithLord

I was with you till this statment Fact is were it not for religion we would not be able to enjoy a lot of the freedoms and quality of life we do today. Religion (with all it's flaws and misguided loyalties) is one of the building blocks of today's society. Through it's moral beliefs in right and wrong. In fact it's arguable that most if not all of our laws on the books today have some basis in religious moral values.

Though I agree witht he rest of your post I just wanted to make that point.

ninikins

I am not absolutely sure about what it is that you are saying in your initial post, but nice to meet you.

jaclyn00

Wow. Very eloquent. I wholeheartedly agree. I find that many religious types are very immoral. People coming right out of church will be nasty and rude. I know--off point. I hugged my sister while visiting her at her restaurant..and a table of people fresh from church tried to get her fired because they thought she was gay. They were okay with it once the manager explained that I'm her little sister, but still--that is a "horrifying negative force on humanity". Even if you don't agree with something, I find it appalling that a Christian would behave in this manner. And this, at least as far as I've seen, is definitely the norm.

Starlily

LOL! Thanks for your post....I love your sense of humour, and look forward to your insights...

Today some JW's stopped by while I was in the shower, and when I got out, my young daughter told me some 'religious aliens' were looking for me (giggle)...

Paula62

I always wonder what people who do this kind of think is going to happen? No matter how a person thinks or acts, they still have to eat, find shelter, clothing and etc. So if you prevent them the means of supporting or housing themselves, what do they think is going to happen??????