The Ghost of Churchy Past

[Homeless Nutter]

I have no fond memories of anything religion-related. I was raised nominally catholic, because that's who my mother was, but that didn't mean much, because we didn't go to church, or pray except on very rare occasions, when visiting more religious family. When I did have to attend religious rituals, like around the time of my first communion, it was a decidedly unpleasant experience - alien, uncomfortable and boring. The architecture was intimidating, the art was dour, the singing was just plain awful, religious people were pompous douche-bags, spewing vague and incoherent nonsense.

Despite my father being an atheist, I gave catholicism a try, wishing to honour my mother's beliefs, which culminated in me becoming an altar boy for a year, when I was 11. At that point I realized I couldn't pretend anymore, that religion was some alternative source of knowledge, instead of a scam run on dumb, ignorant and desperate people. After that I minimized my contact with anything Christianity-related and when I was around 13 years old I declared myself an atheist.

One important memory I have from church is that of my younger brother (around 8-9 at the time) coming out of the confession box, teary-eyed, because some priest told him - among other wthings - that our mother was raising him like a swine-herd raises pigs, for not taking him to church every Sunday. That was the point, when my mother stopped insisting on any of us attending religious services. Consequently - both myself and my brother are adamant anti-theists. My mom still considers herself a catholic, even though her actual beliefs have almost nothing to do with Christian doctrines - it's just that living in a country, that's ~95% catholic, she doesn't have many options, nor would she want to label herself as anything other than the majority of people do, for fear of alienation.

[Foxaèr]

If I could go back in time, I would slap myself silly and fuck the paradox it would create.

[J a c k]

Seems like I'm the only hater. 

[J a c k]

I have no fond memories of anything religion-related. I was raised nominally catholic, because that's who my mother was, but that didn't mean much, because we didn't go to church, or pray except on very rare occasions, when visiting more religious family. When I did have to attend religious rituals, like around the time of my first communion, it was a decidedly unpleasant experience - alien, uncomfortable and boring. The architecture was intimidating, the art was dour, the singing was just plain awful, religious people were pompous douche-bags, spewing vague and incoherent nonsense.

Despite my father being an atheist, I gave catholicism a try, wishing to honour my mother's beliefs, which culminated in me becoming an altar boy for a year, when I was 11. At that point I realized I couldn't pretend anymore, that religion was some alternative source of knowledge, instead of a scam run on dumb, ignorant and desperate people. After that I minimized my contact with anything Christianity-related and when I was around 13 years old I declared myself an atheist.

One important memory I have from church is that of my younger brother (around 8-9 at the time) coming out of the confession box, teary-eyed, because some priest told him - among other wthings - that our mother was raising him like a swine-herd raises pigs, for not taking him to church every Sunday. That was the point, when my mother stopped insisting on any of us attending religious services. Consequently - both myself and my brother are adamant anti-theists. My mom still considers herself a catholic, even though her actual beliefs have almost nothing to do with Christian doctrines - it's just that living in a country, that's ~95% catholic, she doesn't have many options, nor would she want to label herself as anything other than the majority of people do, for fear of alienation.

Well, here's something I can relate to. 

I'm anti-theist, too. So far it has worked wonders, since mom, dad, and my sister left religion after my atheist brother and I came out as atheist. All their questions lead to leaving the church and religion behind. It's a wonderful thing. There's still a lot of work to do, because my sister (the last to drop her faith) has had a slower "shedding" process. It has been difficult for her to leave her old ideas behind, but she's getting there.

[robvalue]

I've never been under the spell, but I think that in a parallel universe I'd be looking back in disgust most likely.

[account_inactive]

I've always been an atheist. No religious past whatsoever.

[purplepurpose]

In the past I have attended yoga lectures for a few is years and motto there was "Gods will or hell, probably" like in any other idealistic religious society.

Still, I think, even if religion goes crazy sometimes, scams its followers(Scientology), your average believer there sincerely wishes to do something noble and good in his life for a once.

[drfuzzy]

Raised batshit crazy Pentecostal.  Sent to a xtian school where all the girls looked like Amish without bonnets - you know, LONG skirts, long sleeves, everything buttoned up the neck, baggy everything, sensible shoes, no decoration of any kind.  Went to church all Sunday morning, then again Sunday night and Wednesday night and all "special" services and dinners.  
   Parents believed the Bible was literally perfect, young-earth Creationism, rock music was of the devil, scientists were demons, and they prayed for the Rapture to come soon morning, noon and night.

It took me 30-something years to admit that a lot of things just did not make sense, and I didn't voice my non-belief until the ripe old age of 46.  So hell yes, I'm pissed.  Just driving by that old church makes me sick to my stomach.  I'm also pleased and grateful though, to be free of all that.

However, I still like to play some good ol' Gospel piano with a decent choir.  Pass the communion wine.

[The Viking]

Betrayed.

Abandoned.

At first.

Now, just pity. For them.

[Aroura]

I'm probably alone in this, but mine is somewhat nostalgic. We had kindly priests and brothers in my parish, and children's services included magic tricks, games, singing, costumes, etc. We only went to main Sunday services about once a month or less, because my mom had an injury that made the hard pews torturous, so I kind of enjoyed the ritual of services, the canned responses and songs were soothing to me.

It's odd, I harbor no lingering belief, and have even become a touch anti-theistic, but my personal experience with church was quite positive. I do have resentment that I was not given real tools to deal with grief and difficult times, but that is separate from my actual church experiences.