Hello

[deekayfry]

I was brought to this site through my wife.

I would like to submit a happy greetings to everyone regardless of their religious and spiritual beliefs and especially to the site administrator for giving a voice to not just atheism, agnosticism, etc. but also a voice for theist of all varieties.  Finally, a thanks goes to my wife who we share very similar beliefs.

I was raised and confirmed Lutheran, and with some fortune the church I went to was rather liberal and open minded.  In addition, for a lack of a better explanation, this sect of Lutheranism followed very closely to Catholic traditions.  In fact, this congregation was liberal enough to "share" protestant pastors and catholic priests within each others church.  Which overall was pretty cool.

This presents some contradictions, for which right now is unnecessary for an an intro post but needless to say, my upbringing within the church and parochial school allowed for free thinking, free will, and genuine love for everyone.  I owe a great debt of gratitude to the school and church when my father passed away nearly twenty years ago.

So how did I arrive to a general outlook of "being" an atheist?  I began to question the authenticity of many of the erratic dogmas that are present in Christian theism.  Ideas such as creationism, an infallible , inerrant bible, the fallacy of original sin, notions of an absolute bicameral doctrine of good and evil, all lead me to have done a lot of soul searching.

Finally, current Christianity minus my upbringing has strayed very, very far from the good that a Jesus has taught us.  This is a stereotype indeed, and I know and are friends with many genuine Christians and even some that are fundamentalist.  However, a sizable portion of the Christian faith every Sunday read the same Beatitudes I read, the same Parable of the Prodigal son, and the same Parable of the Good Samaritan, and then say AMEN to them, nod and smile, and then go out and spit fire and venom against anyone and everyone who slightly or wholly agrees differently to their faith.  As such, they prima facie or pretend to understand the lessons, but totally ignore them when it comes time to practicing it.

How many of us, regardless of theism or atheism have stopped to help a man or woman whose car is broke down or has a flat tire?  (I am proud to say I have and still do.) or have gone to Mexico to build schools and homes (I worked with a wonderful devoted and fundamentalist Christian man who did such of which I let pray over me with a headache even though I disbelieved in such a thing.  The act itself was an honor.)

Therefore, it is the sum of all this and much more that has me in the state of thinking I am.  Even though a faithful will say, "the fool in his heart says there is no 'God." but another man also said without ever referring to a God said:

-When I was poor you gave me money
-When I was in prison you visited me
-When I was hungry you fed me
-When I was sick you cared for me
and finally
-The meek shall inherit the Earth (which quite literally they do)
I just wish today's Christians would focus and live for that and not all the angry and nasty "hellfire and damnation."

Unfortunately Paulistic Christianity still rules the day.

Thanks for reading such a long post.  I work a lot of hours so I will try to join with my wife and read as much as I can, but I look forward to seeing all points of view and learning something.

[pinkocommie]

Welcome to the forum!  I totally agree about Christians and their beliefs - there is a lot of beautiful and good lessons to be found within Christianity and it's a shame more Christians don't focus on the good stuff instead of getting hung up on all the bad.  

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!  I hope you enjoy it here.  

[KDbeads]

So do I have to say hi to him considering I dragged him on here??  

[Tank]

So do I have to say hi to him considering I dragged him on here??  

[deekayfry]

It is debatable as who is the more ardent fan

But when it comes silkies, I am possessed and in need of exorcism.

Is there anyone who specializes in silkie chicken possessions?

[Tank]

It is debatable as who is the more ardent fan

[deekayfry]

It is debatable as who is the more ardent fan

 LOL

It's a good thing SHE did not see that.

Oops.  Never mind!

[KDbeads]

[Whitney]

welcome to haf

[elliebean]

Hi DKFry! Welcome to the forum!