Where did you start?

[Moni_Gail]

What was the religion you grew up with? How and at what point were you comfortable with opening yourself up to this thought process?

I began with going to a Southern Baptist private school until Jr High, at that point my family converted to Mormonism. I think this was a huge leap for me. The two are polar opposites of the Christian scale. It enabled me to think outside of the box. Also, growing up my dad always told me that not one church or religion has the whole truth, but each one has a piece of it. That has always stuck with me.

My main point of this question/thread is, what helped you step away from literalistic teachings? For those literalists it's so hard for them to stop and think that others may be right also. They believe their texts and dogmas to be infallible.

 

[Willamena]

My parents were Protestant, but not active in the church. We attended Sunday school as kids, but left soon after we started. My early impression of it was that it was nonsense: God living on clouds in the sky, and such. I remember being frightened by the thought that God watched everything I did --talk about paranoia.

Much later in life, I learned to understand that as the image of God. From that point on, I developed a personal spiritual understanding of things that made sense to me.

What helped me to step away from literalistic teaching is, in a word, Joseph Campbell. The series on PBS The Power of Myth and Transformations of Myth Through Time, had a profound impact on me, turning me from a callous athiest into a reader of myth and a believer in god (as opposed to the Image of God).

Oh... but I'm not Gnostic.

 

[gnostic]

Oh... but I'm not Gnostic.

Oh, yes. You're in the wrong forum and thread. You must have taken the wrong turn. Agnosticism is the third door to your left. Make sure you take off your shoes before you come in.

 

[michel]

What was the religion you grew up with? How and at what point were you comfortable with opening yourself up to this thought process?

I began with going to a Southern Baptist private school until Jr High, at that point my family converted to Mormonism. I think this was a huge leap for me. The two are polar opposites of the Christian scale. It enabled me to think outside of the box. Also, growing up my dad always told me that not one church or religion has the whole truth, but each one has a piece of it. That has always stuck with me.

My main point of this question/thread is, what helped you step away from literalistic teachings? For those literalists it's so hard for them to stop and think that others may be right also. They believe their texts and dogmas to be infallible.

My Father was an ex communicated Roman catholic (Having divorced his first wife in 1940), my Mother was a member of the Anglican church - but hardly ever went to Church.

I was therefore brought up in a religious 'Vacuum'; it was as a result of trying to kill myself that I began my search for God.

 

[Moni_Gail]

I also found that many who share these beliefs hold a deep respect for Eastern religious practices, such as Hiduism, Buddhism, and Taoism. While growing up I always had my little jade Buddha sitting next to my bed. For me, this united my Christian upbringing with those enigmatic and thought provoking religious paths.

 

[Halcyon]

What was the religion you grew up with? How and at what point were you comfortable with opening yourself up to this thought process?

I began with going to a Southern Baptist private school until Jr High, at that point my family converted to Mormonism. I think this was a huge leap for me. The two are polar opposites of the Christian scale. It enabled me to think outside of the box. Also, growing up my dad always told me that not one church or religion has the whole truth, but each one has a piece of it. That has always stuck with me.

My main point of this question/thread is, what helped you step away from literalistic teachings? For those literalists it's so hard for them to stop and think that others may be right also. They believe their texts and dogmas to be infallible.

I grew up atheist, bordering on anti-theism.

My father's death when i was 14 caused my to explore spirituality. I began by exploring pagan (specifically Kemetic) beliefs. When i went to university i carried on my pagan beliefs, but also was introduced to Buddhism.
Buddhism and its lack of theology as well as its esoteric nature appealed to me greatly. But i was still fond of my pagan gods and goddesses.

While doing some idle internet research i came across Sophia for the first time, She introduced me to Gnosticism. I still have trouble taking things literally, but i'm getting better at understanding things from a purely Gnostic position.
I'm a scientist by nature and profession, so none of the big religions with their emphasis on the realised supernatural appealed to me. Gnosticism deals almost entirely with the spirit and the mind, it doesn't encroach on the physical realm so it doesn't conflict with my scientific understanding of the universe.

 

[Buttons*]

I was episcopalian

 

[Moni_Gail]

I was episcopalian

Was there one thing that you can recall which opened you up to more possibilities and a broader view of religion?

 

[Hacker]

I was Catholic for YEARS, but as Williama said, I was a little lost girl during my childhood education years. I was very dedicated though, like when I was a child, if I would sin I felt the need to confess to the priest, I went to church every Sunday, prayed the Rosary. Then I claimed Christianity, the explored a little Buddhism, and spirituality.

 

[gnostic]

Are you involved in any with Gnosticism, tlcmel?

 

[doppelganger]

As I explained on a different thread, I was an atheist in my early teens and had a "born again" experience and considered myself an Evangelical Christian for several years in my late teens and early twenties.

 

[Random]

I was born Roman Catholic cos' my mom insisted, but only nominally thereafter. I never went to Church growing up. My dad was an Atheist and my mom never paid much attention to religion beyond the holidays.

I, however, was very interested in it. I struggled with Catholicism for years after I hit my twenties: some bits of it I loved, others I couldn't stand. I practiced Catholic mysticism for a long time before it led me to pursue other esoteric areas, primarily Gnosticism and Goddess-worship. Eventually, to save my sanity, I parted ways with the Church to walk my own path.

That point of divergence was huge in my life, but I am much happier now. I think what is common to all spirituality is that ones own conditioning, the faith instilled from early on, must be tested and questioned and nothing believed unless it gives the life you're living a meaning and purpose that is true for you. That's why so often the starting place and the journey are radiaclly different, but the place of rest can be similar or even the same.

 

[Halcyon]

I think what is common to all spirituality is that ones own conditioning, the faith instilled from early on, must be tested and questioned and nothing believed unless it gives the life you're living a meaning and purpose that is true for you. That's why so often the starting place and the journey are radiaclly different, but the place of rest can be similar or even the same.

So true and well said, frubals on your head!

 

[Simon Gnosis]

What was the religion you grew up with? How and at what point were you comfortable with opening yourself up to this thought process?

I began with going to a Southern Baptist private school until Jr High, at that point my family converted to Mormonism. I think this was a huge leap for me. The two are polar opposites of the Christian scale. It enabled me to think outside of the box. Also, growing up my dad always told me that not one church or religion has the whole truth, but each one has a piece of it. That has always stuck with me.

My main point of this question/thread is, what helped you step away from literalistic teachings? For those literalists it's so hard for them to stop and think that others may be right also. They believe their texts and dogmas to be infallible.

I began as a catholic, indoctrinated by my catholic family and local church.

Soon I begun to understand what christianty is really about, fear ignorance and power.

Now I relentlessly oppose christianity and its allies, dreaming of the day when every church and mosque is reduced to rubble.

Maybe I am full of hate for these religions, but I make no apologies, there are many like myself who are sick of the hypocracy and the lies, we will lead the 'crusade' against these 'people of God' in our own inexorable way..I do so here on this site at every oppurtunity, my motive for being here is to learn everything I can about christianity and islam, how arguements are set forth and the rationale behind etc, so I am better armed to help eliminate these demonic religions.

Thankyou.

 

[gnostic]

You sound very bitter, SG.

I was never a Christian, and don't have that much experience with RC. Most of my experiences were with Protestants...I am not sure which Protestant sect. And I only had bad experience, in my late teen, when I argument over something that I don't even remember now, but I did remember his closing argument that if I didn't baptise and convert, I would burn in hell. I do remember he also use the insurance scenario for the conversion/salvation.

I had near-conversion to LDS, the church of my sister. I didn't believe in the Book of Mormon, and I thought it wouldn't be right to convert if I didn't believe; I would have converted because this was my sister's belief not because of my own belief. I had changed my mind at the last moment.

I don't have theological debate with my sister and brother-in-law, or with friends. I don't think they would appreciate it, if I said anything that they didn't like hearing.

 

[Simon Gnosis]

You sound very bitter, SG.

I was never a Christian, and don't have that much experience with RC. Most of my experiences were with Protestants...I am not sure which Protestant sect. And I only had bad experience, in my late teen, when I argument over something that I don't even remember now, but I did remember his closing argument that if I didn't baptise and convert, I would burn in hell. I do remember he also use the insurance scenario for the conversion/salvation.

I had near-conversion to LDS, the church of my sister. I didn't believe in the Book of Mormon, and I thought it wouldn't be right to convert if I didn't believe; I would have converted because this was my sister's belief not because of my own belief. I had changed my mind at the last moment.

I don't have theological debate with my sister and brother-in-law, or with friends. I don't think they would appreciate it, if I said anything that they didn't like hearing.

Hate something...change something.

The power of the dark side hehe

I am not really all that bitter, catholics like anyone else are nice enough people with the usual hang ups and faults we can all have.

But when it comes to debate I will say what needs to be said..this doesnt always win friends and influence people..but then I do not crave the approval of my peers.

My mother, during one of our ecclesiastical arguements, once asked me when I was 15, if I was if not The Antichrist then was I perhaps a lesser antichrist (like those mentioned in the new testament)? like I was supposed to know the answer, I then asked her why she asked me this seemingly to me absurd question
She said: You ask questions you shouldnt ask and you look at the world with old eyes..

I dont really know what my mother was on that day, but since then I realised that reason is not always enough when debating with people who have strong religious convictions.
You can simply be dismissed as an anti christ in extreme cases lol.
Such is the nature of a religion that tries to present its holy book as totally empirical.

 

[Hacker]

Are you involved in any with Gnosticism, tlcmel?

I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, I haven't checked this thread out in a while. Ummm, no I actually haven't got "involved" with Gnosticism yet. All I know is it means constantly seeking, right?

 

[Buttons*]

Was there one thing that you can recall which opened you up to more possibilities and a broader view of religion?

several.

First, i went to a public high school for my freshman year after having attended an episcopalian elementary-middle school. At the public school, there were mormons and people of other faiths. I was taught to respect others beliefs because during my time at the episcopal school, I had a Jewish teacher who taught us about Islam. Respect for others was something I learned early on. I appriciate everyone's beliefs because of it.

During my Sophomore year in High School, i transfered to a non-denominational "christian" school because they were going to let me twirl with their band. I realized very quickly that people hardly practice what they preach, and it made me not want to be Christian anymore. My best friend Amelia was changing her religion from Christianity to Paganism... and taught me things about the Bible tat I didn't know. Magdelene is a title of honor, for instance. She told me that there was a goddess (Sophia) in Christianity... So I found a book that showed that to be true. I was reading into Philosophy, and Gnosticism came up. Then I saw a few documentaries about the early christians, and read a few things as well.

After some research, and reading the gnostic gospels... i found myself in love with the completeness of the texts, and the feelings that they gave me. I cant tell you how many times i've posted my story... i dont think anyone actually reads it. But if you were honestly curious, there it is

 

[Moni_Gail]

Buttons, I definitely read it all the way through and it was more than worth it. Can I ask what you were told about the Bible? What books on Sophia? Thanks! :hug:

 

[Buttons*]

Buttons, I definitely read it all the way through and it was more than worth it. Can I ask what you were told about the Bible? What books on Sophia? Thanks! :hug:

First books of sophia: "Jesus and the Lost Goddess" by Gandy and Freke

"The Heart of Philosophy" by Jacob Needleman

these are two of my favorite books
~~~~~~~~~

As for what I was told about the Bible, I'm afraid you'll have to clarify for me. *blush* At what point in my life are you referring to?

In high school I had a Bible class that taught about the reliability of the old testament, and some of the new. I asked her a question when we arrived at the birth of Yeshua:

She said, "I think it's so amazing how David, the greatest of God's chosen is related to our lord and savior. This proves that God really does have a plan."

I asked, "excuse me... but because Joseph did not sleep with Mary in order to conceive Jesus, how can David be related to Jesus?"

... she couldn't give me a satisfactory answer. It shocked me.

She said, "well you see, Mary was related to David too by way of cousins because they came from a similar branch... does that make sense?"

The truth was, she didn't really know.

To her answer, I replied, "no."

She huffed, "well, we're moving on anyway."

From that point on, I was considered agnostic by my classmates.