Title: Hi
Post by: Howard on November 01, 2010, 02:54:36 AM
Post by: Howard on November 01, 2010, 02:54:36 AM
I was raised Catholic, was an altar boy for several years and at one time many years ago considered becoming a priest. Yes, I was an altar boy. No, I was never molested. In fact, the priest for whom I was an altar boy remains one of the men I most respect in my life. He was sincere and a very good man. I don't share his religious beliefs, but I don't doubt the sincerity with which he held them and applied them to his own life.
Looking back, I realize I never completely bought into Catholic dogma. I have a questioning mind and over the past 10 to 15 years, the questions came more frequently. The first step was to realize I didn't like organized religion, but ultimately I admitted that I just don't believe that God exists. I don't claim to know for sure that no God exists, but I have no reason to believe one does.
I've come "out of the closet" as an atheist to friends and family the past few years, though there are still some who don't know. As a liberal atheist living in the American Bible Belt, I rarely run into people who are openly agnostic and/or atheistic. It's nice to be among others, even if it's not in person, who won't look at me as if I'm some sort of space alien because I don't share their belief in God.
Howard
Looking back, I realize I never completely bought into Catholic dogma. I have a questioning mind and over the past 10 to 15 years, the questions came more frequently. The first step was to realize I didn't like organized religion, but ultimately I admitted that I just don't believe that God exists. I don't claim to know for sure that no God exists, but I have no reason to believe one does.
I've come "out of the closet" as an atheist to friends and family the past few years, though there are still some who don't know. As a liberal atheist living in the American Bible Belt, I rarely run into people who are openly agnostic and/or atheistic. It's nice to be among others, even if it's not in person, who won't look at me as if I'm some sort of space alien because I don't share their belief in God.
Howard
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: Thumpalumpacus on November 01, 2010, 03:14:11 AM
Post by: Thumpalumpacus on November 01, 2010, 03:14:11 AM
Hiyas.
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: The Magic Pudding on November 01, 2010, 04:18:11 AM
Post by: The Magic Pudding on November 01, 2010, 04:18:11 AM
Welcome Howard
Those Catholics have some funny ways, but I know their are a lot of good people amongst them.
Those Catholics have some funny ways, but I know their are a lot of good people amongst them.
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: Tank on November 01, 2010, 07:58:46 AM
Post by: Tank on November 01, 2010, 07:58:46 AM
Hi Howard
Nice to see another mind find its way out from under the comfort blanket of institutionalised superstition known as religion. Hope to get to know you better.
Welcome aboard
Regards
Chris
Nice to see another mind find its way out from under the comfort blanket of institutionalised superstition known as religion. Hope to get to know you better.
Welcome aboard
Regards
Chris
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: skwurll on November 02, 2010, 02:49:38 AM
Post by: skwurll on November 02, 2010, 02:49:38 AM
Welcome to the forum!
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: DropLogic on November 02, 2010, 08:59:22 PM
Post by: DropLogic on November 02, 2010, 08:59:22 PM
Welcome Howard!
I know how you feel in regards to family and friends. Although I don't live in the bible belt...Ohio may as well be a southern state. One thing the church does that nothing else can compare to is provide a place for people to consistently gather and socialize, albeit it for the worship of a cruel, demeaning sky daddy.
I know how you feel in regards to family and friends. Although I don't live in the bible belt...Ohio may as well be a southern state. One thing the church does that nothing else can compare to is provide a place for people to consistently gather and socialize, albeit it for the worship of a cruel, demeaning sky daddy.
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: wildfire_emissary on November 03, 2010, 12:34:35 PM
Post by: wildfire_emissary on November 03, 2010, 12:34:35 PM
Welcome Howard!
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: Howard on November 04, 2010, 12:38:39 AM
Post by: Howard on November 04, 2010, 12:38:39 AM
Thanks all. I signed up for this forum, made my introductory post and then was unable to do much else on here for several days.
Don't you hate it when life gets in the way of online activity?
Don't you hate it when life gets in the way of online activity?
Title: Re: Hi
Post by: Tank on November 04, 2010, 02:53:17 PM
Post by: Tank on November 04, 2010, 02:53:17 PM
Quote from: "Howard"Thanks all. I signed up for this forum, made my introductory post and then was unable to do much else on here for several days.What is this 'life' thing you mention?
Don't you hate it when life gets in the way of online activity?