(February 22, 2014 at 4:32 am)Mr. Moncrieff Wrote: Hugely appreciative of the welcome that I have been given here. It is terrifically enthralling to know that there are a very many like minded folk and that my sentiments are held with regard.

I cannot thank those of you who have contributed enough. It has been very encouraging.

I will remain focused on my personal development and will certainly be true to who I am. The support of my wife has been integral, but the support of complete strangers here has been inspiring and the words of comfort and support have been fantastic. I am delighted with the response.


Thank you.

I'm not sure if you're aware or not, but the majority of young people in England are Atheists. I reckon that applies to a fair number of your students too. Whenever I read/hear some religious nonsense, I won't get too upset as I know it's on the way out.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion...n-God.html

You are not alone, and most likely in the majority in the UK.

Hi Moncreif.

I am also a product of the English Roman Catholic school system albeit from rather further south. I rebelled rather early on and left. I found RCs Prissy and conformist to a repulsive degree. "OOOOh the catechism have you said your Pater Nosters?"

I managed to set fire to the school changing rooms when i was 12.

Welcome, and I hope you find the answer to your dilemma soon enough!

(February 22, 2014 at 9:27 am)FreeTony Wrote:

(February 22, 2014 at 4:32 am)Mr. Moncrieff Wrote: Hugely appreciative of the welcome that I have been given here. It is terrifically enthralling to know that there are a very many like minded folk and that my sentiments are held with regard.

I cannot thank those of you who have contributed enough. It has been very encouraging.

I will remain focused on my personal development and will certainly be true to who I am. The support of my wife has been integral, but the support of complete strangers here has been inspiring and the words of comfort and support have been fantastic. I am delighted with the response.


Thank you.

I'm not sure if you're aware or not, but the majority of young people in England are Atheists. I reckon that applies to a fair number of your students too. Whenever I read/hear some religious nonsense, I won't get too upset as I know it's on the way out.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion...n-God.html

You are not alone, and most likely in the majority in the UK.

Absolutely, I fully agree and understand that there is certainly a significant change occurring in the make up of my nation. I would even go far as suggesting that we will become a majority secularist nation within the next 20 years.

I am not at all ashamed of the choices that I have made or the journey I have taken.

My biggest point of contention is going to be the questions that will certainly be posed. When you have worked in the Catholic education system for 12 Years and suddenly pull out...it begs a question.

I am happy to answer those, but securing my family's future is of severe importance. My friends and colleague may revoke their respect and understanding... Such is their prerogative. But as has been said, that's their problem.

---

The supernatural, in the definition to which I understand it, is that which is not subject to the laws of physics, or more figuratively, that which is said to exist above and beyond known nature.

I have come to the conclusion that anything outside of natural law is thusly unknowable and indefinable by its very criteria. I am not necessarily concerned with the supernatural to the extent of the proclivity I once exhibited, in fact, I have come to the conclusion that it is of no further concern to me, though it is something I always struggled with. Many could argue that I have abandoned the supernatural in frustration at my inherent lack of progress with it.

I am more focused on the nature of the definable, the measurable and the empirical.

(February 22, 2014 at 12:13 pm)Mr. Moncrieff Wrote: When you have worked in the Catholic education system for 12 Years and suddenly pull out...it begs a question.

That you got caught with your pecker in a tender young pie hole?


Oh wait. That's Catholic priests not teachers.


Welcome BTW.

(February 22, 2014 at 12:46 pm)popeyespappy Wrote:

(February 22, 2014 at 12:13 pm)Mr. Moncrieff Wrote: When you have worked in the Catholic education system for 12 Years and suddenly pull out...it begs a question.

That you got caught with your pecker in a tender young pie hole?


Oh wait. That's Catholic priests not teachers.


Welcome BTW.

I'm glad to see that you have the integrity to leave the job because you don't fufill the requirements set upon you by the school. I was raised catholic and was a devout one for most of my llife. It was difficult for me to finally leave the church as it was my family and my culture as much as my faith. By all means, feel free to seek out the truth, but remain open to all possibilities. I wish the best for you and your family and may you come to the truth.

(February 22, 2014 at 2:45 pm)Lek Wrote:

(February 22, 2014 at 12:46 pm)popeyespappy Wrote: That you got caught with your pecker in a tender young pie hole?


Oh wait. That's Catholic priests not teachers.


Welcome BTW.

I'm glad to see that you have the integrity to leave the job because you don't fufill the requirements set upon you by the school. I was raised catholic and was a devout one for most of my llife. It was difficult for me to finally leave the church as it was my family and my culture as much as my faith. By all means, feel free to seek out the truth, but remain open to all possibilities. I wish the best for you and your family and may you come to the truth.

Thank you for the sentiment, it is greatly appreciated.

I must share your aforementioned consideration when concerning myself with a move away from the church.

It certainly bears cultural and familial ties in my context, meaning that it would disappoint the vast core of my family and friends to see that I had left the faith. My father would be indifferent as he is a particularly intellectual man and, although he still subscribes to the faith, he has long been agnostic in his views.

My mother is too focused upon the supernatural and relies upon the faith as her crutch for me to ever be able to convince her. As for aunties and uncles, I think that would be the crux of the matter seeing as our grandmother was a Catholic matriarch - although still a beautiful warm and deeply affectionate woman. Leaving the faith would be seen as a betrayal of her...I would suppose.

You still have to go where you need to go Mr. Mon.

(February 21, 2014 at 2:13 pm)Mr. Moncrieff Wrote: Hello there. I am from North East England and am actually taking quite a risk in posting on this forum but I am determined to speak to like minded people as regards my current developing stance on philosophy and personal enlightenment.

I am a Catholic teacher in a Catholic school, but I have very recently questioned my beliefs with increasing fervour.

Reading Hitchens, Dawkins, Russell, Kant and Schopenhauer I have come to the conclusion that my own belief system has long been without vigour for quite some time. I have been going through the motions. Proselytising to the children as a mouthpiece for the church, rather than being allowed to educate with the trust of personal responsibility.

I am looking to leave my position within the next few months, but it is increasingly important to me that I remove myself in order that my hypocrisy not damage both my personal sense, my professional sense and my personal philosophy.

However, being as I am a relatively senior member of the school, it will be very difficult to move out of the Catholic system without something looking quite odd. It also means my options are immediately lessened.

But my family need a room over their heads and an income coming in.

Thanks for listening and I am welcome to all opinions.

I haven't been posting for a while, took an 'internet break,' which every now and again ...is good for the mind and soul. lol I logged in today, and your intro caught my eye. I was raised Catholic, and it is very common to go through the motions. I think most Catholics are going through the motions, out of fear. Religion breeds fear. You can have a connection to a 'higher power' without following a religion.

Relating to your dilemma, maybe start sending resumes out. To teach something you don't believe, will be disineguous to the school that pays your salary. I realize you have a family to support, so right now you are stuck. But, if you abandon your faith, and continue to teach there, you will struggle in an entirely different way that will take its toll on you, mentally and emotionally over time.

Not easy. But, I'd try to get out of the area you're in, and pursue something new. If you don't live authentically, you will have more problems that you'll even imagine. But, I understand your dilemma.

I hope you find the right path for you.

Your students might benefit more if you stayed at the school.

manowar