(December 19, 2009 at 8:17 pm)fr0d0 Wrote: Welcome Sean
In other words - growing up in a household where something was practiced by someone else and not by you usually means you know jack shit about said practice in actual fact. Only if you make a reasoned 'choice' could you ever pretend to understand anyone else who has done so, unlike the likes of rabbit who knows very little about what he's talking about when it comes to faith, in fact he's pretty ignorant. In these times he's in good company with eloquent fools like Dawkins to follow.
Oh, but I did practice as a Catholic when I was younger. I recall going to church with school friends on a Sunday, then spending a few hours in the social club at the back of the church drinking coca cola and playing snooker.. At the time that was a good day, and the odd teacher from school would see us and we would get a few brownie points in school for being good boys.
I was also noted for being knowledgeable in Religious Education, although I did upset my teacher sometimes with questions he could not answer. But for years after I left school I became apathetic about Religion, joking that on my death bed I will receive last rites and go to heaven like a good Catholic..
I think it was 9/11 that made me more aware and prompted me to become more outspoken as an Atheist. After all, I seem to have one of those faces that makes people try to convert me, so I am only too happy to continue the conversation for a few hours until the other person gives up or I get too tired and go home.
I have religious friends, some of them Muslim. My girlfriend is a devout Catholic! And I have family members who go to Church every day.. I know religion, I even once tried to believe. But I am unable to accept it any longer..
