I left religion about 6 months ago now, and have observed some changes in myself, some expected and some not. I'm interested in what others felt in their lives, especially if you left a religion. Here are mine:
More at peace with myself, not feeling depressed about being human and being judged, or asking "forgiveness" from some faceless entity.
More time on my hands to read and spend time with others.
Better connection with mankind in general: less judgmental and more accepting and curious.
Now that I view religion and followers from the outside, the closest feeling I have toward them is pity, as if they haven't yet seen the folly in the whole system. The ritual, vestments, obedience, deception, routine, reverence, solemn reflexive responses...it is so patently fake that I actually feel like intelligent people should simply know better.
Rather than being in one religion and viewing other religions as terrorists or misguided, and viewing the "unchurched" as those who simply need to hear the message and repent, I am now seeing ALL religions as institutions of deceit and manipulation. This is probably the most profound and unexpected observation so for for me.
The feeling that I really need to do my best to be the best person I can here, because my time is limited and it is the right thing to do. This is not motivated by facing judgment in some cloud court, or being banished to some sweaty fire pit. The motivation is knowing that I did my part and left some very small positive influence on a very small slice of mankind. Imagine if we all did this.
More at peace with myself, not feeling depressed about being human and being judged, or asking "forgiveness" from some faceless entity.
More time on my hands to read and spend time with others.
Better connection with mankind in general: less judgmental and more accepting and curious.
Now that I view religion and followers from the outside, the closest feeling I have toward them is pity, as if they haven't yet seen the folly in the whole system. The ritual, vestments, obedience, deception, routine, reverence, solemn reflexive responses...it is so patently fake that I actually feel like intelligent people should simply know better.
Rather than being in one religion and viewing other religions as terrorists or misguided, and viewing the "unchurched" as those who simply need to hear the message and repent, I am now seeing ALL religions as institutions of deceit and manipulation. This is probably the most profound and unexpected observation so for for me.
The feeling that I really need to do my best to be the best person I can here, because my time is limited and it is the right thing to do. This is not motivated by facing judgment in some cloud court, or being banished to some sweaty fire pit. The motivation is knowing that I did my part and left some very small positive influence on a very small slice of mankind. Imagine if we all did this.
