(May 10, 2012 at 2:34 am)Welsh cake Wrote: Hello and welcome!
Sadly you couldn't have picked a worse one than Catholicism, hopefully you'll do well with your PhD studies though! Molecular biology is fascinating.
Thank you for the welcome!
Needless to say I disagree about Catholicism. Molecular biology is extremely fascinating but I won't lie, I am torn between just becoming a sister ASAP or just finishing up my studies first. Its considered very poor form to stop your PhD early since your PI is depending on you, and of course becoming a sister means giving up property, freedom, and your ability to have a family, so I do want to be sure first and I'm trying to "enjoy" these things while I have a chance....but at the same time my heart really aches to just join them already! And the most devout and traditional orders have the strictest age requirements too.
(May 10, 2012 at 2:38 am)Cthulhu Dreaming Wrote: Welcome. If I'm not mistaken, you are/were a frequent poster at AF.com?
Thank you for the welcome. You aren't mistaken at all, who is this? I don't know what I'll do without a Guinness smiley!
(May 10, 2012 at 3:47 am)Kayenneh Wrote: Welcome to AF!
What on Earth went wrong?
Thanks for the welcome!
I think even when I was atheist I had a certain sort of love of comparative religion (still do), and learning about all the different traditions and ways of conceiving the divine. Outside of the obvious key issues, like gay rights, I never really was anti-religion, I just didn't see how it was possible. I eventually educated myself into a weak atheism stance (or agnostic atheism if you prefer), then I was sort of a weak off-and-on Abrahamic monotheist and the rest is history.
An atheist once told me I was never really an atheist, I was just a dormant Catholic waiting to awaken. I don't think I have ever been paid a more lovely compliment, even if it wasn't intended that way!
Mary Immaculate, star of the morning
Chosen before the creation began
Chosen to bring for your bridal adorning
Woe to the serpent and rescue to man.
Sinners, we honor your sinless perfection;
Fallen and weak, for your pity we plead;
Grand us the shield of your sovereign protection,
Measure your aid by the depth of our need.
Bend from your throne at the voice of our crying,
Bend to this earth which your footsteps have trod;
Stretch out your arms to us, living and dying,
Mary Immaculate, Mother of God.
Chosen before the creation began
Chosen to bring for your bridal adorning
Woe to the serpent and rescue to man.
Sinners, we honor your sinless perfection;
Fallen and weak, for your pity we plead;
Grand us the shield of your sovereign protection,
Measure your aid by the depth of our need.
Bend from your throne at the voice of our crying,
Bend to this earth which your footsteps have trod;
Stretch out your arms to us, living and dying,
Mary Immaculate, Mother of God.
