Title: Former Fundy
Post by: Puddinhead on March 01, 2010, 02:35:02 PM
Post by: Puddinhead on March 01, 2010, 02:35:02 PM
Hi all. I'm happy to have found this place. I always describe myself as a "Happy Atheist" and was thrilled to find a forum with the same title.
I was raised in Wyoming - a moderate fundy and became something of an uber fundy all on my own. After high school, I attended a literalist bible college. I had to lobby to get into the meatier classes at this college because the females were supposed to take classes in "how to raise godly children" etc. Ironically, it was one of these more challenging classes that helped get me out of Christianity. During Hermeneutics, translating the koine greek of I John, the actual greek stumped me. The "small little holes" became huge gaping could-drive-a-Mack-truck-through-it chasms. Convinced it was my weakness, and not Gods Holy Word, I studied harder. More holes became evident. I was being "proud" and relying on my mind! That must be it! So I turned to prayer, locking myself in a closet and praying for an hour a night. Still, unable to turn my brain off, my faith slipped away. I dropped out of bible college.
After a while I attended a state university where I found that, hey, biology, geology, anthropology, history...all confirmed my thoughts about the bible... Holy Crow! A whole new world, to quote Aladdin (and Columbus, come to think of it).
Fast-forward to today. Mommy of three great atheist kids. I live on an island in the Pacific NW. I like history, kayaking, anything Whedon-related, supporting liberal causes and have a weakness for taking in foreign exchange students. I have a special affinity for people coming from fundy families, as I've had many issues of my own with my birth family. Both sisters are home-schooling pastors wives, which is...I can't say "interesting." It's a train wreck. Better relationship with my still fundy parents and my more free-thinking brothers.
And this is too damned long. Nice to meet ya.
I was raised in Wyoming - a moderate fundy and became something of an uber fundy all on my own. After high school, I attended a literalist bible college. I had to lobby to get into the meatier classes at this college because the females were supposed to take classes in "how to raise godly children" etc. Ironically, it was one of these more challenging classes that helped get me out of Christianity. During Hermeneutics, translating the koine greek of I John, the actual greek stumped me. The "small little holes" became huge gaping could-drive-a-Mack-truck-through-it chasms. Convinced it was my weakness, and not Gods Holy Word, I studied harder. More holes became evident. I was being "proud" and relying on my mind! That must be it! So I turned to prayer, locking myself in a closet and praying for an hour a night. Still, unable to turn my brain off, my faith slipped away. I dropped out of bible college.
After a while I attended a state university where I found that, hey, biology, geology, anthropology, history...all confirmed my thoughts about the bible... Holy Crow! A whole new world, to quote Aladdin (and Columbus, come to think of it).
Fast-forward to today. Mommy of three great atheist kids. I live on an island in the Pacific NW. I like history, kayaking, anything Whedon-related, supporting liberal causes and have a weakness for taking in foreign exchange students. I have a special affinity for people coming from fundy families, as I've had many issues of my own with my birth family. Both sisters are home-schooling pastors wives, which is...I can't say "interesting." It's a train wreck. Better relationship with my still fundy parents and my more free-thinking brothers.
And this is too damned long. Nice to meet ya.
Title: Re: Former Fundy
Post by: joeactor on March 01, 2010, 03:13:10 PM
Post by: joeactor on March 01, 2010, 03:13:10 PM
Well, howdy Puddin' ;-)
Nice to meet you - thanks much for the introduction.
Glad you're thinker's working well for you.
Hope to chat more on the forums - Welcome,
JoeActor
Nice to meet you - thanks much for the introduction.
Glad you're thinker's working well for you.
Hope to chat more on the forums - Welcome,
JoeActor
Title: Re: Former Fundy
Post by: LoneMateria on March 01, 2010, 03:54:44 PM
Post by: LoneMateria on March 01, 2010, 03:54:44 PM
Welcome ^_^
Thanks for sharing your story. It looks like you've had a "fun" ride with religion. I look forward to future discussions with you.
Thanks for sharing your story. It looks like you've had a "fun" ride with religion. I look forward to future discussions with you.
Title: Re: Former Fundy
Post by: elliebean on March 01, 2010, 05:13:12 PM
Post by: elliebean on March 01, 2010, 05:13:12 PM
Great story! Welcome to the forum. I look forward to reading more of your posts. 
Title: Re: Former Fundy
Post by: pinkocommie on March 01, 2010, 09:44:31 PM
Post by: pinkocommie on March 01, 2010, 09:44:31 PM
Ooh, which island do you live on? I'm from the Pac NW as well, nice to see a local atheist joining the board. Welcome to the forum!!
Welcome to the forum!!
Title: Re: Former Fundy
Post by: Puddinhead on March 01, 2010, 11:08:56 PM
Post by: Puddinhead on March 01, 2010, 11:08:56 PM
Thanks for the nice welcome all. Pinko, to answer your question, I live on Fidalgo Island - where the ferries go out to the San Juans. Yeah, it sucks to go to the grocery store in the summer.
Title: Re: Former Fundy
Post by: pinkocommie on March 02, 2010, 10:42:29 AM
Post by: pinkocommie on March 02, 2010, 10:42:29 AM
Quote from: "Puddinhead"Thanks for the nice welcome all. Pinko, to answer your question, I live on Fidalgo Island - where the ferries go out to the San Juans. Yeah, it sucks to go to the grocery store in the summer.
I bet. Still, such a beautiful place to live. The San Juans are gorgeous.
Title: Re: Former Fundy
Post by: karadan on March 02, 2010, 11:18:23 AM
Post by: karadan on March 02, 2010, 11:18:23 AM
Welcome to the forum Puddinhead. It was a great intro.
I'm jealous. What a fantastic place to live! I've just looked at the islands on :D
I'm jealous. What a fantastic place to live! I've just looked at the islands on :D