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RE: Freedom
December 14, 2015 at 8:31 pm
Religion is like a prison. For some, the prison becomes comfortable. They can't handle it on the outside. But for others the prison is just that -- a prison.
Sure, the bible says you should accept people. I'm not so sure that applies to gay people. Especially since earlier passages push for stoning people for having sex. And even those who do accept gays, they expect them to remain celibate, or don't want them to be able to get married. There's a lot of guilt associated with almost everything in life.
Then there's the fear of hell. It's a place I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. And of course the crazy beliefs -- like Noah's ark for instance. Some people believe it's just allegory, though it doesn't really give any sort of message. If it were true, it would make god the biggest sociopath in the history of humanity. Especially since he did nothing to stop Adolf Hitler from leading the extermination of six million people.
Becoming an atheist was like trying to open the door to my cell for the first time, and realizing it was never locked. I just had to let myself out. I could escape the fear, the guilt, and stop justifying everything one book written 2000 years ago said. I no longer had to agree with everything it said per the Warden's rules. Even when I disagreed.
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RE: Freedom
December 14, 2015 at 8:35 pm
The story of Noah's Ark is supposed to symbolize baptism. Just figured I'd throw that out there lol.
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly."
-walsh
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RE: Freedom
December 14, 2015 at 8:39 pm
(This post was last modified: December 14, 2015 at 8:40 pm by Minimalist.)
........
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RE: Freedom
December 14, 2015 at 8:39 pm
(December 14, 2015 at 8:35 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: The story of Noah's Ark is supposed to symbolize baptism. Just figured I'd throw that out there lol.
Reminds me of.....
![[Image: bs204.gif]](https://images.weserv.nl/?url=www.instantattitudes.com%2Fgifs%2Fbs204.gif)
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RE: Freedom
December 14, 2015 at 8:48 pm
(December 14, 2015 at 8:35 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: The story of Noah's Ark is supposed to symbolize baptism. Just figured I'd throw that out there lol.
Baptism isn't supposed to be lethal.
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RE: Freedom
December 14, 2015 at 8:53 pm
(December 14, 2015 at 8:35 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: The story of Noah's Ark is supposed to symbolize baptism. Just figured I'd throw that out there lol.
Explain. What do the animals represent? And why does everything die except Noah and his three sons?
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RE: Freedom
December 14, 2015 at 8:56 pm
I don't notice a big difference but then my family stopped schlepping me to church before I started school and I was an atheist by around 10, 11. If anyone left a church they were actively involved in at a later age I can imagine it would be a lot more difficult. And the result, once accomplished, would probably feel liberating (as well as scary perhaps).
Since I stopped going at such a young age and my parents weren't too gungho about foisting much dogma on me, I pretty much was free to imagine god as I pleased. Frankly I think I did a better job of it than most churchly folk. In fact, in my mind, none of them is a true Christian. 
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RE: Freedom
December 14, 2015 at 8:57 pm
(December 14, 2015 at 8:53 pm)Cecelia Wrote: (December 14, 2015 at 8:35 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: The story of Noah's Ark is supposed to symbolize baptism. Just figured I'd throw that out there lol.
Explain. What do the animals represent? And why does everything die except Noah and his three sons?
It's supposed to be about rebirth and water washing away the impurities for a fresh start. I don't think every single detail of the story represents something.
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly."
-walsh
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RE: Freedom
December 14, 2015 at 9:01 pm
Anything they bloody want! Apologetics anyone?
No God, No fear.
Know God, Know fear.
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RE: Freedom
December 14, 2015 at 9:04 pm
I'm free to think that bad things happening is just bad things happening, and nothing more.
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