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Do you ever miss the religious life?

Admin 9 June 19
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317 comments (51 - 75)

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0

Not at all
in fact i am very happy after i left religion.

1

I never had one, so I can't say.

2

It was emotionally easier to cope with

1

I couldn't wait to get away from it. Once I turned 18 and my father couldn't make me go to church and catechism I was done. I checked out way before that, but once it was MY choice my choice was "fuck this". I never looked back and never regretted that decision.

0

I never really had a religious life to speak of, at least not as an adult. As a youngster, I was fairly active in my church, but then I figured out it was all baloney, and the thrill was gone. I don't miss the hocus-pocus nonsense, but I do miss the sense of community. I live in the Bible Belt; if you have no church affiliation you have no social life at all; you might as well be dead. Luckily I'm retired, because it's also difficult to do business here if you're "unchurched," and I have been encouraged to join a church for that very reason. But as I have a very low tolerance for intolerant, dogmatic bullshit, I can't see myself doing that. I would be sure to offend somebody every single time I opened my mouth.

0

Nope

1

Some agnostics and atheist say they wish they had their religion back. I have thought about that often but I don't think there is any going back. Our mind decides what e believe and once it don't believe, then it ain't going back. But I do think we have to get some "hype" from somewhere in order to remain motivated to live and achieve. We have to have something that drives us. For some it's family, football, sports, sex, love of music or art. Everybody has something.
I guess we should live to experience joy. Joy is short lived emotional happiness. What brings people joy? I guess everybody has his/her own catalyst.
Do you ever see the spectators at football games with their shirts off and the whole body painted in team colors? Now those folks are really into the experience of the game. The game means something big to them. The game adds to their reason for living.

1

No. i grew up in the 60's in a protestant home. mom told us to never even look at a catholic church. even tho they claimed to be methodist, she was agnostic, until she got older and i guess was afraid she'd go to hell unless she went to her boring church. fast forward, i went to a catholic church in my 30's w a friend, as irrational as it sounds, i felt like i would be struck by lightening for going into a catholic church. do i miss that? well, thinking about it, it is kinda funny, and i do love to laugh!

1

One thing that is missed is the fellowship of a church family. In a good church, with good people, you always have help in tough times. However, all the other negative things greatly outweigh this aspect of church life.

be interesting for you to spell out the negative things

@Flettie Well, let's see. Of the 3 churches I was a member, all 3 pastors had to resign, 2 for sexual scandals. The other was because he was too liberal and supported the SCOTUS decision on school prayer...and he smoked cigars. The last church we attended, my wife got greatly offended as she was shamed because she did not home school. We never went back.

0

I've got to admit, there are times when I miss the blissful escapism of it all. And if you don't understand that, then you will never understand why so many people get stuck in it.

0
0

I go to church with my wife every Sunday. She is a Christian. I keep my mouth shut. I usually read about the validity of the Bible on my phone during the service. How hypocritical can one person be??

you just keep the illusion going on my friend for an easy life. Could there be anything more productive you could be doing with the time. After all as a non believer time is the ultimate currency

sounds like you are supportive of your wife. is she also supportive of you? while i do not believe there is a god, i do not devalue others beliefs.

@chucky2001 My wife has serious illness and I don't want something to happen to her and me not be there. It is an interesting situation. My preacher know how I believe and I think he know I don't want to be converted so he never tries to discuss religion with me. I think I have to keep quiet in church because sooner or later somebody would say they don't want me to attend because I am not a believer.
Most of the people in the church are old because the number of young believers is dropping. It's funny to me because the preacher really preaches his heart out every Sunday and he sees me sitting out there and he knows I don't believe a word he is saying.

1

No I don't.

ebdb Level 7 Apr 25, 2018
0

Can not miss what you never had.

2

Not for a second. Being alone is better than being abused.

0

I don't miss it at all, I found it and the people for the most part to be so fake and condescending. I knew several of the people both in and out of church and even as a child knew it was like watching Sybil split personalities and all. I am much happier not having to listen to the BS being preached and told I am a sinner at every turn. I also don't missed being interrogated simply because I was not a good enough actress to hide my doubts of the veracity of their claims.

1

Mostly miss the music. Beautiful sounding hymns and organ music.

and the potluck dinners-don't forget the food!

1

Not in the least!

Uncas Level 4 Apr 1, 2018
2

No, no, 1000 times no! Went to church Sunday morning, night n Wednesday night. My folks were hypocrites. When I was 38, I realized, I don't have to do this anymore! I fired my parents!!! Best decision ever!!

2

No, no, 1000 times no! Went to church Sunday morning, night n Wednesday night. My folks were hypocrites. When I was 38, I realized, I don't have to do this anymore! I fired my parents!!! Best decision ever!!

2

No, I don't miss it. Becoming an atheist has freed up alot of time and money for me. I know I have said this in many comments. I truly wish I became an atheist earlier life. Like at 19, 25, or 30.

1

I miss the networing you can do in church. I've been offered jobs just because I go to the same church as the guy that's doing the hiring. Church is heaven for the machiavellian.

3

I don't miss it in the slightest. I love being open minded.

2

There is something about the traditions of the Jewish religion that I miss, like the davening in Temple, the flow of the reading of the Torah and Haftorah. I do miss the celebration of Passover when family would get together for our annual supper.

I wanted to be a cantor as a kid, so at one point religion was important to me. But I recently went to a friend's kid bar mitzvah and had a hard time with the religious aspect of the occasion. As atheists we do not have a celebration of becoming and adult, no bar mitzvahs, no communions, no walk abouts. We do not celebrate the coming of age when our kids turn 13, 18 or 21. I miss those traditions.

I can see that. I'm an atheist but I love going around the medieval churches of Europe and I'm also interested in devotional music. Remember this - you don't HAVE to throw out baby with the bathwater 🙂

yes traditions. as a former christian i kinda miss christmas. i'd taught my son that christmas means christ's birthday. he's 31 and also atheist. when he asks what i want for christmas, i respond by telling him what i want for a winter gift. not the same. and NO TREE! what?

1

I do, I miss the singing and the friendships.

gater Level 7 Mar 13, 2018

make new friendships - all you got to do is grab em by the pussy!

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