Hello

[Sita]

Hi, I’m Sita and I’m a former Catholic living in a predominantly Catholic area.  Just about all of my family, friends and co-workers are Catholic and I’m just looking for a place where I don’t feel like a misfit.  I hope this place fits the bill.

[MommaSquid]

Hi, Sita, and welcome to the forum.  

I didn't really get to know you at the other forums but hopefully I'll have a chance now.

Enjoy your stay.  

[McQ]

Hi, I’m Sita and I’m a former Catholic living in a predominantly Catholic area.  Just about all of my family, friends and co-workers are Catholic and I’m just looking for a place where I don’t feel like a misfit.  I hope this place fits the bill.

Sorry, no catholics allowed.


Unless you brought the communion wine. Or any wine. Or any booze whatsoever.  

Welcome to the forum. I'm surrounded by catholics and married to one. You'll fit right in.

[Kona]

Welcome to the happiest place on earth!   You're surrounded by Catholics, I'm surrounded by Mormons.  Hawaii is slowly becoming West Utah. Maybe if I put a prop of Joseph Smith impaled on a stake outside my front door they will think twice about ringing the bell.  

[tacoma_kyle]

Ahah thats awesome Kona.

Welcome Sita.

[Sita]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome.  

McQ,
Does your wife know of your unbelief?  I'm still a closet atheist.   I also noticed you are from PA, so am I.  I'm in the northeast.


Kona,
I'm surprised to hear there is such a large mormon population in Hawaii.  That is something that I would not have expected.

[McQ]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome.  

McQ,
Does your wife know of your unbelief?  I'm still a closet atheist.   I also noticed you are from PA, so am I.  I'm in the northeast.


Kona,
I'm surprised to hear there is such a large mormon population in Hawaii.  That is something that I would not have expected.

Sita,

Yes, she does. It was a fairly recent revelation (I love using that word with a  secular meaning!). Although I have been a total non-believer for at least 12 years, I only stopped going to and supporting church in the last four years.

It has been a strain, but when we finally got around to having a long, serious conversation about it, I was able to express my beliefs and lack of beliefs clearly. My wife took it rather well, actually.

I focused more on what I do believe rather than what I don't, and refrained from slamming religion  or people who have religious beliefs or spiritual beliefs. I told her I was, in essence, a naturalist, and that I believed in no supernatural anything at all, but that humans are one of billions of living things on Earth, and that we have the same life cycle as any other living thing, including death with no afterlife.

All things considered, I think we've done pretty well since then. That was less than two years ago.

And nice to see another Keystone Stater here! I'm from outside of Philly originally, so I know the northeast well.

[Sita]

McQ,

I’m glad to hear that your wife is understanding with regards to your unbelief, all too often differing opinions on religion is a source of stress in the home.  I’m divorced with one daughter who is an agnostic so I don’t have any of that to deal with in my home but my sisters and brother are all devout Catholics and they see atheists as some kind of Satan worshiping people.  I wish that were different and I hope one day they will feel differently.  Because of their feelings I haven’t been able to tell them of my unbelief.   I was raised Catholic but always had doubts about it but went along with it up until about 6 years ago.  I stopped going to church at that point, but I still believed in god, I suppose I was a deist.  About a year ago I finally gave up my belief in god as well.  I feel I am still the same person with the same set of morals, I just don’t believe in god anymore.

I’m becoming more and more familiar with the Philly area since my daughter went off to college in Philly last year.  Now I travel to and from there quite frequently.

[MommaSquid]

I used to be Catholic, but I gave it up for lent.

 lol

[Kona]

Most people don't realize that Hawaii has two mormon temples...one on Oahu and one on Kona. That is a bid deal since we are such a small state. We also host BYU-Hawaii on the north shore of Oahu.  In fact, Kahuku is practically owned by the LDS.   If you arent aware, LDS also owns Marriott Hotel chain and the Polynesian Cultural Center.  I fight temptation daily when I drive home.....look....mormons on bikes....swerve right!   Look!   Mormons on the sidewalk......nah.....they are talking to my neighbor.....ratz!    

[Sita]

I used to be Catholic, but I gave it up for lent.
 lol

You know I’ve never quite understood the whole giving up of meat on Fridays during lent.  It’s supposed to be a sacrifice, but it was never a sacrifice for me.  Now don’t get me wrong, I love a good steak or burger but I love fish and veggie dishes just as much.  I could never understand why it was ok to have an expensive seafood meal but it wasn’t ok to have a cheap fastfood burger.   :?

[Sita]

Most people don't realize that Hawaii has two mormon temples...one on Oahu and one on Kona. That is a bid deal since we are such a small state. We also host BYU-Hawaii on the north shore of Oahu.  In fact, Kahuku is practically owned by the LDS.   If you arent aware, LDS also owns Marriott Hotel chain and the Polynesian Cultural Center.  I fight temptation daily when I drive home.....look....mormons on bikes....swerve right!   Look!   Mormons on the sidewalk......nah.....they are talking to my neighbor.....ratz!    :shock:

[Sophie]

Welcome aboard, Sita!  As McQ said, you'll find a number of recovering Catholics here.  

[Sita]

Thanks for the welcome Sophie and good luck to you when you have your discussion with your husband.  

[SteveS]

Hi Sita - welcome to the board.  I was only nominally catholic (my folks had me baptized to keep grandma happy), but the area I live in is mostly catholic.  There are 50 catholic churches listed within 10 miles of my home.