http://ex-christian.disqus.com/Articles, rants, testimonials, etc., from people who left Christianity. Atheism, atheist, agnostic, agnosticism, deism, deist, skeptic, anti-Christian, ex-Christian, former Christian, reason, rational thought, freethought, humanism, humanistenTue, 10 Nov 2009 17:21:09 -0000http://feeds.feedburner.com/exchristian/qjmW?format=skinhttp://comments.exchristian.nethttp://lh3.google.com/image/dave.vanallen/RcuR1JsQ-CE/AAAAAAAAAIA/_IQiv8jG4uw/s160-c/UntitledAlbum02.jpgexchristian/qjmWhttp://feedburner.google.comSubscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with My AOLSubscribe with BloglinesSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with GoogleSubscribe with PageflakesSubscribe with PlusmoSubscribe with FeedLoungeSubscribe with Bitty BrowserSubscribe with NewsAlloySubscribe with Live.comSubscribe with Daily RotationSubscribe with FlurryAdd to Any Feed ReaderThis is an XML content feed from comments posted to http://exchristian.net. It is intended to be viewed in a newsreader or syndicated to another site, subject to copyright and fair use.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/tNN9WQpktPE/deprogramming.htmlI think one thing that has been caused that is very difficut to deal with is that although you might have the body and brain of an adult, you continue to refer to the 'bible' as a book whose suggestions are credible and useful. Something (you would attribute your deity) is causing your synapses to misfire...there is a melting of your gray matter and a dissolution of all powers of analysis and synthesis that our brains are heir to. Getting circumcised? Excuse me, but given what my parents gave me through their genes, I've always begrudged that bit of skin that was so painfully removed. Who was to know that the original size was pretty close to what it would be at maturity! It is brutal and painful to circumcise any baby of either gender.<br>The dietary laws are a mixed bag of bronze age ideas about 'clean' and 'unclean' foods. It is understandable that they were going with their best observations up to that time and attributed causality of illness and disease to animals and food combinations that we have much better information now.<br>And we no longer put our dietary information in our history and geography books, much less in our books of legends and literature. <br><br>We have evolved immensely and deal with books and information in a more logical and rational way given the work of millions of humans who have collected and distilled the best information that stands the test of proof and time.<br><br>I personally don't even see the bible as interesting literature. I neither like the writing styles, the contradictory morals and st ories, and I certainly don't like the personification of the deity throughout the whole book. The new testament is a different book, written in a different style, but no less boring to me. The only mild interest I have these days is in how the final book got edited and put together under the leadership of Emperor Constantine and with the participation for an extended period of time of a truly motley crew of preachers, believers, philosophers, politicians and rabble rousers.<br><br>Rather than focus on the sea divided, I would, if I were you, put some attention to the truly shocking disparities within the complete opus. Instead of figuring out how to warmover all those trite defenses and explanations of what is neither definsible nor logically explained, you should really work on having a mature and independent view of what it means to be an adult, with the ability to reason, analyze and explore all those wonderful tools for evidence-based investigation.<br>Join us, simply as a human being who wants to really think things through, without any christ-crutch, bible-beams or spiritual whisperings.<br>We welcome you as a person seeking truth, but not as a regurgitator of holy hogwash. We spread enough of it ourselves and probably sometimes much better than what you are attempting here.<br><br>Please, join us, but divested of your religious clothes. Naked in your humanity.<br>(Oops, not totally bare-ass...I would never dare impose that vision on our colleagues...although I had thought of having an exXian fundraising calendar of all of us in the buff representing each wonderful month. From what I saw in the mirror this morning after my shower, it would be, ah, sobering at best.)aureliomTue, 10 Nov 2009 17:21:09 -0000http://exchristian.net/testimonies/2009/11/deprogramming.html#comment-22637692http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/WD7ul_fMFBM/pastor-charged-with-stealing-50000-from.htmlPeter,<br><br>He was following his god's example. As I told Neocognitroll on another thread, the first recorded sin was god bearing false witness to Adam and Eve, so it is only right that god's ministers should follw the example.glebealythTue, 10 Nov 2009 17:13:55 -0000http://exchristian.net/2/2009/11/pastor-charged-with-stealing-50000-from.html#comment-22637319http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/ghY-sixR5g8/atheist-after-40-years-christian.htmlWe have much to speak about, but you need to open your mind and consider evidence rather than retreat back into the myth.<br><br>My tone is not aggressive, though I will admit to forthright.<br><br>You are stuck in a groove that takes you around in ever decreasing circles because you cannot admit that there may be errors in the written foundation which underpins your belief system. I will consider any evidence you have; you refuse to do the same AND fail to supply evidence. Perhaps you are right -there is no point in discussing myth, its proponents can always amend the content to suit.<br><br>Goodbye, and may you god go away without you.<br><br>Peace,<br><br>DavidglebealythTue, 10 Nov 2009 17:11:34 -0000http://exchristian.net/testimonies/2009/10/atheist-after-40-years-christian.html#comment-22637188http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/QOHMErQC36w/devils-union.htmlGeeze! No wonder they've become extinct!Peter_NLTue, 10 Nov 2009 17:03:20 -0000http://exchristian.net/exchristian/2009/11/devils-union.html#comment-22636739http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/UNkvoLp7O-c/my-agnostic-limbo.htmlProblem solved. My precious words are back up. Oh that my long lost hair would reappear so easily!aureliomTue, 10 Nov 2009 16:51:47 -0000http://exchristian.net/testimonies/2009/11/my-agnostic-limbo.html#comment-22636093http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/yy4lUmYfnNY/searchIt's great to see one more person who starts examining their faith and sees, when others cannot, that there's so much that people believe by impulse. For me, whenever I raised an objection to the doctrine of the assumption or immaculate conception or trinity, I was merely told, to just have faith.......<br>Simply believe for the sake of it... Otherwise our loving God will send you to hell :) <br>Quite frankly, I'd like to figure things out with reason rather than "have faith" :Plemrac889Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:47:26 -0000http://74.125.153.132/search?q=cache:HhwBfasPpv8J:exchristian.net/testimonies/2009/11/raised-catholic-now-secular.html+atheism+sex+before+marriage&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=au#comment-22635799http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/tImUs-e7gIk/my-agnostic-limbo.htmlIf you do a porno DVD, get one of those that appeal to the more exotic subgroups, e.g., people and pets or using household objects for self pleasure.<br><br>Perhaps a copy of Crumb's new Genesis Illustrated book might be a good coffee table piece to have as a conversation piece.<br><br>For the booze, make sure it's cheap...you don't want to waste good stuff on those who presumably don't know the difference.aureliomTue, 10 Nov 2009 16:36:15 -0000http://exchristian.net/testimonies/2009/11/my-agnostic-limbo.html#comment-22634891http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/t-SWdZ7m1YI/my-agnostic-limbo.htmlAny combination of labels is good...but we should have some literature (Eng/Span) to give them about our stands on human intelligence and worth, with maybe a sidebar on evolution.<br><br>I probably also want to have some handy brief pamphlets on psychological problems: schizophrenia, bi-polarity, delusions etc. with some brief information that help them see the connections between their conversations with a non-existing being and contemporary definitions of abnormal psychology.<br>Not much, mostly in brief bullets but perhaps to whet their interest in finding out more.<br><br>If these fair visitiors would chose to return, I would have some brochures that highlight some of the more glaring contradictions in their good book, possibly Genesis through Numbers.aureliomTue, 10 Nov 2009 16:32:43 -0000http://exchristian.net/testimonies/2009/11/my-agnostic-limbo.html#comment-22634597http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/B6a6fYIlMXQ/my-agnostic-limbo.htmlActually they are unkowingly in training for Amway, Avon and any other product that is sold through personal networks and home parties.<br>I actually might pay more attention if they had tupperware products for the home at a good price.aureliomTue, 10 Nov 2009 16:27:56 -0000http://exchristian.net/testimonies/2009/11/my-agnostic-limbo.html#comment-22634089http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/YaxjXdvSDuk/devils-union.htmlNo sir, you take two every four hours for a bad cold.aureliomTue, 10 Nov 2009 16:24:27 -0000http://exchristian.net/exchristian/2009/11/devils-union.html#comment-22633711http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/4W-uf6Q74d4/christians-exploited-my-mental-illness.htmlYou unclean person of advanced age, of the male gender.aureliomTue, 10 Nov 2009 16:21:24 -0000http://exchristian.net/testimonies/2009/11/christians-exploited-my-mental-illness.html#comment-22633418http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/8YAHm41Qjok/christians-exploited-my-mental-illness.html"holy" pelvic exams? My word, Barbie, can you imagine how many cold showers and rosaries those poor blessed gyn's of god would need to stop from sinning?<br><br>Not only are they not mental health professionals, but even those that might have some formal training will be overtaken by their religious beliefs.aureliomTue, 10 Nov 2009 16:19:52 -0000http://exchristian.net/testimonies/2009/11/christians-exploited-my-mental-illness.html#comment-22633258http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/FeNx8DiQWVM/christians-exploited-my-mental-illness.htmlIncidentally, the inventor of the other major modern religion, Mohammed, also suffered from hallucinations.<br><br>Interesting. I begin to detect a pattern here.<br><br>Peter.Peter_NLTue, 10 Nov 2009 16:01:48 -0000http://exchristian.net/testimonies/2009/11/christians-exploited-my-mental-illness.html#comment-22625176http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/lNyWrdAk8-g/christians-exploited-my-mental-illness.htmlPerhaps the worst thing religions do when confronted with mental illness is to blame the ill. There is no "chemical imbalance" with them, just sin and it's consequences.<br><br>Of course, the ones who do that are usually the ones that push the responsibility for their own sin off onto the Devil. <br><br>They won't say "I wanted to give the young lady with the nice round bottom a holy pelvic exam, and so I did, and with an unparalleled zeal I might add..." <br>No, no, no, they bawl about how they "fell prey to the wiles of the Enemy".juan_marcoTue, 10 Nov 2009 15:59:50 -0000http://exchristian.net/testimonies/2009/11/christians-exploited-my-mental-illness.html#comment-22624077http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/aTitBmfkgr0/pastor-charged-with-stealing-50000-from.htmlAh, but don't blame the poor minister - the devil made him do it! He seduced that poor man of god to create doubts in the hearts of men. It's the struggle of light against darkness, and that poor victim pastor was just a pawn in Satan's ploy....<br><br>I wonder how long it'll take for the members of his congregation to chime in and start defending him. Surprized they haven't posted bail for him yet. 'Honestly, he is a good man of god, but lapsed in a moment of weakness when seduced by satan. He has repented and was forgiven by god, so all is hunky dory again. We are looking forward to his next sermon in our church. To show my trust in him, I've given him full control over my retirement fund.'<br><br>Can't say I'm surprized by the actions of the pastor, but I'm really looking forward to the defending of his crimes by his congregation.<br><br>Peter.Peter_NLTue, 10 Nov 2009 15:53:15 -0000http://exchristian.net/2/2009/11/pastor-charged-with-stealing-50000-from.html#comment-22620206http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/12yliW_Mk2c/christians-exploited-my-mental-illness.htmlI like you just the way you are...drugged up or straight. Your wit and insights have been very helpful to me...especially since you never lose your devilish, sharp humor.<br><br>So it's about 2 parts genious, to three parts tortured, to one part wise-ass...that sound about right?aureliomTue, 10 Nov 2009 15:26:46 -0000http://exchristian.net/testimonies/2009/11/christians-exploited-my-mental-illness.html#comment-22603764http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/ryZYHT5yUsY/devils-union.htmlLoved the story!<br><br>Peter. (&lt;-- who thought Thylacines were extinct...)Peter_NLTue, 10 Nov 2009 15:26:16 -0000http://exchristian.net/exchristian/2009/11/devils-union.html#comment-22603727http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/fqz96Uk5Gwc/christians-exploited-my-mental-illness.htmlThey really are tickled with other's misfortunes and this is clear from their words, actions, tone of voice and body language. <br><br>Any bad or harmful thing that happens will be automatically connected, in their bible-bleary minds, to some sin committed by the recipient of the harm.<br><br>Even as they defend their god being just, they've never been able to explain to me how that works for the babies and children that suffer cruel diseases and sufferings. Of course they speak of the sins of the fathers visited on the children.<br><br>At that point I want to visit their condescending face with one clear, well-landed slap. They push me to disbelieve the existence of their gawd for one microsecond because I want to kick the shit out of he/she/it if they had anything to do with the suffering of innocents.aureliomTue, 10 Nov 2009 15:22:15 -0000http://exchristian.net/testimonies/2009/11/christians-exploited-my-mental-illness.html#comment-22603284http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/27ymIzs9YmE/devils-union.htmlYour friends undoubtedly went through some turmoil because of her ignorantly religious family. The treatment of their own flesh-and-blood was despicable, although not totally surprising. <br><br>But I have to say this -- the story of your friends' lives together brought a big smile to my face. Thanks for sharing it and brightening our day.<br><br>BPbuffettphanTue, 10 Nov 2009 15:21:48 -0000http://exchristian.net/exchristian/2009/11/devils-union.html#comment-22603221http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/_jAbNPdB7eg/christians-exploited-my-mental-illness.htmlYeh...periodic incontinence and flatulence....I used to claim they neither made noise nor smelled bad until a friend asked me to get my hearing checked and also go see a nose specialist because my smell sensors weren't working.aureliomTue, 10 Nov 2009 15:15:37 -0000http://exchristian.net/testimonies/2009/11/christians-exploited-my-mental-illness.html#comment-22598623http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/pRzmdzf6_1k/devils-union.htmlThe Thylacine,<br><br>What a powerful case of real love and true human flourishing, in spite of the shunning by the immediate family. <br><br>It looks even better as you contrast it with the blind, biased unloving way of religious parents dealing with children who leave the faith and their marriage choices.<br><br>I used to think that the harshest family reactions was when there was a coupling across race and ethnicity. Just recenly a judge in the south quit because he refused to allow mixed race marriages. It is horrible, but probably much less prevalent these days than the reaction to marry across faiths or believer with non-believer. The deity for those deeply disturbed parents and family is, rather than a god of love, a judging, divisive and ugly ruler. Of course since the deity is non-existant, it really is a human choice and interpretation that is trying to silo and separate all segments of society.<br><br>And some of these idiots want to keep influencing public policy? Yuck.<br><br>The family that cut itself off lost an opportunity, never to be regained, to know this loving couple, their children and their grandchildren.<br><br>We, simply and solely as finite human beings, can do quite well with each other without any appeal to divine intervention. Since all deities and spirits are pretty much silent, uncommunicative and unresponsive, even if some were to exist, they woud be useless to add one whit to human joy, cohabitation, familial and friend bonds.<br><br>I raise a toast to at totally wonderful and human family...I would have loved to be part of the 'delayed' wedding.aureliomTue, 10 Nov 2009 15:12:14 -0000http://exchristian.net/exchristian/2009/11/devils-union.html#comment-22593610http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/C_45DjOr_VU/pastor-charged-with-stealing-50000-from.htmlGee, why am I not surprised.buffettphanTue, 10 Nov 2009 14:57:17 -0000http://exchristian.net/2/2009/11/pastor-charged-with-stealing-50000-from.html#comment-22574914http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/jv_ChwQX1xU/devils-union.htmlOh yes. Appreciate this story. Reminds me of some long ago events of my life as interpreted and reacted to by "good" Christians. So much cruelty, and this is still in evidence. The "erring" female seen as fallen woman has been excoriated in America; in some cultures she is branded and put to death. In the name of god; god help us good people---but<br>be sure to send the rest to hell! ( NOT)facebook-587642358Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:56:26 -0000http://exchristian.net/exchristian/2009/11/devils-union.html#comment-22574867http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/VWZaiH51n4A/atheist-after-40-years-christian.htmlThat's right! It's not the content of the discussion that counts -- it's the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timbre" rel="nofollow">timbre</a>. <br><br>Can we change the subject and start examining the truths of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albus_Dumbledore" rel="nofollow">Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore</a> instead? I'm getting bored with the Christian myth.webmdaveTue, 10 Nov 2009 14:41:42 -0000http://exchristian.net/testimonies/2009/10/atheist-after-40-years-christian.html#comment-22573912http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/exchristian/qjmW/~3/9NLxsnF9B1k/devils-union.htmlWhat cool people!wilyfemTue, 10 Nov 2009 14:31:48 -0000http://exchristian.net/exchristian/2009/11/devils-union.html#comment-22573313