Post Christians...do you still have dreams of church themes?

noworry28 comments on Mar 8, 2018:

You need counseling for that sexual abuse. It is a traumatic event that takes a long time to get over. That could be the reason for the dreams, specially if the abuse is associated with a person that was religious or the church.

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 8, 2018:

Yeah I'm in counseling for another issue, but I haven't broached that subject yet. Maybe that's what's bringing this all to a head. Thanks for your input.

Post Christians...do you still have dreams of church themes?

Sticks48 comments on Mar 8, 2018:

No, but post sex I still have dreams about sex.

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 8, 2018:

@Sticks48 then maybe read the full post question before responding. Js I have dreams about **all** of it.

Post Christians...do you still have dreams of church themes?

Sticks48 comments on Mar 8, 2018:

No, but post sex I still have dreams about sex.

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 8, 2018:

Helpful. I have dreams about being raped. Does that count? DA

This is the Overcoming Faith Christian Center, Arlington, Texas.

ashortbeauty comments on Mar 8, 2018:

It's listed as a church on Google.

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 8, 2018:

@Meep70 the name **is** ridiculous. It's like who thought this through? 8)

Post Christians...do you still have dreams of church themes?

VictoriaNotes comments on Mar 8, 2018:

Fortunately, I have not. I do recall a dream I had not long after I denouced Christianity (18 years ago) where I visited the home of a couple I was close friends with before leaving the church. It was a rather benign dream. How long have you been an unbeliever?

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 8, 2018:

I've been a non believer about ten yrs.

Post Christians...do you still have dreams of church themes?

SamKerry comments on Mar 8, 2018:

Why are you dreaming? Maybe you are anxious about something you've lost when you left the church? Do you have friends or family who are still Christians? And are they worried about your atheism? I was brought up in a very religious Catholic family. Went to church every weekend and recited the ...

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 8, 2018:

I was raised in a bubble. Everything was about the church. We attended Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, Friday night, bible study. So yes I lost a whole "world" when I left there. Oddly enough I left over 10 years ago. So I'm not sure why these dreams keep coming now.

If applicable, how did you quit smoking?

Ora_11_11 comments on Mar 7, 2018:

Wellbutrin/Bupropion. Worked brilliantly and I wasn't even trying to quit, but it took both the pleasure of smoking and the cravings away. Worth a try. It has worked for a lot of people.

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 8, 2018:

Unfortunately I'm already on that, but thank you for your input. It may help someone else :)

If applicable, how did you quit smoking?

stinkeye_a comments on Mar 8, 2018:

"I don't want a cigarette; I want to change my state." "I don't want to want to change my state all the time; I want to be present in the present." I saw what was really going on, and my priorities changed.

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 8, 2018:

I love that! Saving to my pics

If applicable, how did you quit smoking?

Silvertongue comments on Mar 7, 2018:

Simple.... Never started in the first place. :)

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

Hence the "if applicable..."

If applicable, how did you quit smoking?

Nurse-Quantros comments on Mar 7, 2018:

I waited until I was sick in bed, then quit cold turkey. Figured I wasn't going to feel any worse. It'll be 10 years this May.

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

Congrats!

If applicable, how did you quit smoking?

atheist comments on Mar 7, 2018:

I started vaping (ecigarettes) in April/17 at 18 mg then tapered it down to 0 mg in Jan/18. I quit the juice altogether on Feb 1st. I've tried everything except voodoo & acupuncture (aren't they the same) to guit smoking & this seems to have worked. Free at last! :)

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

Yay YOU!!!!

If applicable, how did you quit smoking?

Thomas89506 comments on Mar 7, 2018:

A vaporizer worked for me. I tried quitting a few times, twice for two years, and during all those times, if you were to ask me, "if the world was going to end tomorrow, would you start smoking again?", my answer was always, "Yes". The Ego brand vaporizer is what I finally arrived at, after ...

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

Thank you for the details. :)

Are you a night owl, a morning person, or both?

Sticks48 comments on Mar 7, 2018:

Night Owl. That was one reason playing music for a living instead of a hobby was appealing. Also the dimmer the light the better I look. In complete darkness I am damn near handsome.

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

Lol

If applicable, how did you quit smoking?

JimmyM comments on Mar 7, 2018:

I quit smoking about 15 years ago. I always say that I was lucky as I had cancer! I was lucky. It wasnt a malignant tumor but I didnt know that till they cut it out, My kids were 7 and 8 at the time and I just thought this is NOT going to happen. I was determined that my children would remember ...

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

Another one whose determination broth them through. I'm starting to see a pattern here. Glad that you're here with us.

If applicable, how did you quit smoking?

Charlene comments on Mar 7, 2018:

A cancer diagnosis cured me..and nicorette..

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

I'm sorry to hear that you had to fight cancer. It's harsh. I'm glad you're here with us to share. Hugs

If applicable, how did you quit smoking?

Condor5 comments on Mar 7, 2018:

I quit at around 28 yrs old. I'd smoked since 15, and had just had enough, at 28, of feeling like my chest was always being squeezed, and shortness of breath. Tapering off was the easiest way for me. At first I smoked fewer (unfiltered) cigarettes, then went to filtered cigarettes, then went to ...

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

Lol @ wacky tobaccy! Yeah my eight years clean was while I was having and raising up my kids. Then one fine stressful section I threw it all away.

If applicable, how did you quit smoking?

ElizabethI comments on Mar 7, 2018:

I tried everything except the gum and the nasal spray. Nothing worked while I was living with a smoker or under stress. First quit attempt after the stress was significantly reduced was with Nicotrol inhalers. It actually workd for a good amount of time, but the stress wasn't really gone and ...

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

Thanks for sharing and good luck!

If applicable, how did you quit smoking?

lovinglife7 comments on Mar 7, 2018:

I worked up to it. I knew an elderly couple who still smoked and the woman had had a stroke, she would bring the cigarette to her mouth shaking. Everytime I wanted a cigarette I would picture here and think that will be me if I don't quit. It worked, I smoke for 30 years and haven't had a ...

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

Congrats on staying smoke free B-)

If applicable, how did you quit smoking?

AdieG comments on Mar 7, 2018:

I was 40+ a day for 18 years then I tried a Vape unit and I haven't touched a cigarette since

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

Wow! I'm glad you were able to quit.

If applicable, how did you quit smoking?

ScienceBiker comments on Mar 7, 2018:

I'm a weirdo. I've never really had an addictive personality. Most things people get addicted to I get bored with and just stop. Smoking was like that. I started in my 20s because I noticed smokers got more breaks than non smokers. If my supervisor smoked than I smoked their brand. When the ...

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

It felt like that my first go around but now it seems to have a strong hold on me. :/

If applicable, how did you quit smoking?

BlueWave comments on Mar 7, 2018:

The first time -- a program called SmokEnders. Great program. Eight years later, I willfully and consciously CHOSE to start smoking again as a "fuck it all" method of coping with a difficult life event. The next time, I used vaping with gradual nicotine withdrawal. I vape occasionally with ...

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

@SherryMartin I'm sorry for your loss. :(

If applicable, how did you quit smoking?

BlueWave comments on Mar 7, 2018:

The first time -- a program called SmokEnders. Great program. Eight years later, I willfully and consciously CHOSE to start smoking again as a "fuck it all" method of coping with a difficult life event. The next time, I used vaping with gradual nicotine withdrawal. I vape occasionally with ...

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

Thanks for the input. I quit for eight years at one time too. Just walked away from them. This time oye vey!

Are you a night owl, a morning person, or both?

Meep70 comments on Mar 7, 2018:

I am a night owl. There's a reason that morning and mourning are pronounced the same.

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

Lol

Are you a night owl, a morning person, or both?

FrayedBear comments on Mar 7, 2018:

All depends on how you measure. Sometimes I may still be up at 5 am. my time conversing with someone around the world when it is their 3 pm. Does that make me a night or a morning person?

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

Depends on the average timeframe. When you're not chatting all night, are you still up and full of energy?

Do you find giving advice to someone who disregards it, is a waste of time.

ashortbeauty comments on Mar 7, 2018:

I think you nailed it in your last sentence. The individual must want and ask for advice. Otherwise, yes, you **are** wasting your time. It also sounds like you became too invested into their problems, causing yourself unnecessary stress. Definitely work on loving you. That's always important. Gl

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

@Sarahroo29 yeah but a lot of times people aren't willing/ready to listen. They just need to vent. You did good and it was poo poo'd. That's on him, not on you :)

My Philosophy about life is that we should be journey oriented and not goal oriented.

ashortbeauty comments on Mar 7, 2018:

Beautifully stated. I was an avid runner. I've lived this. There was a 7 car pile up on the interstate. Every disc in my back was effected. I haven't run since. But looking at the small achievements helps. I've moved from hospital bed to wheelchair to walker, cane, and now I can walk on my own. Will...

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

@cava the help of those around me has been crucial. From therapists and doctors to my sister and my kids. I did go through a depressive state where I gave up. It took achieving multiple small goals to pull me up out of it. The encouragement of my kids has been paramount. It's defiantly a **journey**. I'm almost done with a round of procedures then I can finally go back to therapy. And yes, I think who/how I was before plays an important role in my progress. Thanks for asking ???? hth

Don't you want somebody to love??

Piece2YourPuzzle comments on Mar 3, 2018:

I'm more partial to this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kijpcUv-b8M

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

@Piece2YourPuzzle Freddie was AMAZING. Beyond talented and able to touch so many generations. Too sad to lose him so early on.

A Few More Music...

ashortbeauty comments on Mar 6, 2018:

Just had to steal 3 of em!

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 7, 2018:

@phxbillcee not the outlandish one. He just sounds too stupid to repost lol

Preferences in dating

Ella comments on Mar 6, 2018:

I’m not one to tell anyone else what to do. But when someone tells me they won’t date outside their race, or have a strong preference for a particular race, it tells me they gave some racial biases, at the least. If you can only find beauty and/or attraction within a certain race there’s ...

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 6, 2018:

@Ella actually yes, I do have my same preferences. I don't think that means that I have any hangups. It (foods) and they (fems and males) are simply my acquired tastes. Example..never liked seafood, still after testing a wide range of people's recipes don't like seafood.

My 12-yo daughter revealed to me yesterday that she’s gay. Should I...

ashortbeauty comments on Mar 2, 2018:

I wish that my family would have accepted me at age 10 when I knew I was bisexual. Instead they did indeed try to pray and exorcise the demons out of me. It was pure hell being held down by 4 full grown men as the entire church gathered around and yelled at the so called demons inside of me. I, to ...

ashortbeauty replies on Mar 2, 2018:

@Freedompath thank you for caring.

Do/did you teach your children about religions?

EricT comments on Feb 20, 2018:

Shared as many stories as I knew about as many religions as possible and then let her decide.

ashortbeauty replies on Feb 20, 2018:

I did the same with mine

Proving the unseen

silvereyes comments on Feb 20, 2018:

What is the connection you're making to dark matter and god? Do you connect gravity with god? Water with god? Anything else in the universe observable or not, with god? And if so, where is the connection between dark matter and god? I'm just wondering. I don't see the correlation.

ashortbeauty replies on Feb 20, 2018:

@silvereyes forgive me I had to look up the word. I guess it was some kind of mesh between that and the god of Abraham. It was called a nondenominational fundamentalist church. I've come to know it as a cult.

Proving the unseen

silvereyes comments on Feb 20, 2018:

What is the connection you're making to dark matter and god? Do you connect gravity with god? Water with god? Anything else in the universe observable or not, with god? And if so, where is the connection between dark matter and god? I'm just wondering. I don't see the correlation.

ashortbeauty replies on Feb 20, 2018:

I was brought up that god is in everything, moving things around like a kid playing with Legos to make things just so. That is where, yes, god in gravity, water, etc comes in.

Are you racist?

Silvertongue comments on Feb 19, 2018:

I think we're all racist to one degree or another and once we're all honest enough with ourselves to admit it maybe we can move forward.

ashortbeauty replies on Feb 20, 2018:

I just found out moving forward on this issue can be done in one lifetime. Relieving to know and hopeful for all of humanity ????

Are you racist?

DavidLaDeau comments on Feb 19, 2018:

I voted yes I am a racist and consider all races equal. Am I a hater? No.I do actually see (and often admire color and gender). Do I hate or active try to have bias? No. I was raised in a sexist, racist country and often have to correct stupid brainwashing that I don't even know I have ...

ashortbeauty replies on Feb 20, 2018:

I would agree with you wholeheartedly a few years back. I was brought up the same way. I'm at a place now, though that's "even". I'm bisexual even though raised to abhor anyone not heterosexual. My parents didn't share the same "race", yet one was preferred over the other. I'm happy now and free, and that's why my poll chose the no option.

Proving the unseen

astrochuck comments on Feb 19, 2018:

Dark matter has already been proven in that the shape of the velocity rotation curves of galaxies cannot be explained without there being substantially more unseen matter. What is not known yet is what constitutes this dark matter. Regardless of what dark matter is, all galaxies rotate according...

ashortbeauty replies on Feb 19, 2018:

Bingo. That clicked it for me. Thank you so very much.

Proving the unseen

gearl comments on Feb 19, 2018:

I don't see the correlation. There is evidence that dark matter exists but none that a god exists.

ashortbeauty replies on Feb 19, 2018:

It connects in my brain and I'm trying to find the disconnect.

Proving the unseen

jlynn37 comments on Feb 19, 2018:

There is absolutely no reason that a god(s) can not be proven to exist. All that would be required is for some tangible, verifiable, peer reviewed evidence to be presented. Until that actually happens, the existence of god(s), deities, the supernatural does not exist and is simply imaginary. IMHO

ashortbeauty replies on Feb 19, 2018:

Imaginary or a theory? Asking not debating.

While growing up, I was raised by my parents as a Catholic.

jlynn37 comments on Feb 19, 2018:

Please tell me why you "still believe there is a higher power". What evidence, facts and data do you have to support that belief or is it just what you want to believe, in other words the old "faith" nonsense?

ashortbeauty replies on Feb 19, 2018:

I'm curious as to how y'all come to the finality of absolutely nothing higher than human kind. Don't beat me up, just a question ;)

Any President's Day plans? Here's a suggestion.

GipsyOfNewSpain comments on Feb 19, 2018:

Is this a holiday? really? like yesterday? Wow... nothing like Retirement.

ashortbeauty replies on Feb 19, 2018:

I did the same thing., was all set to mail out a letter and NOPE. Enjoy that down time =)

Recent Converts

ipdg77 comments on Feb 9, 2018:

I was baptised a Catholic but couldn't rationalise religion as soon as I could think for myself. I was about 8 or 9 and was thinking this doesn't make sense, that feeling never changed and I've never believed in god(s) although have gone thru the motions for various reasons at various times. I guess...

ashortbeauty replies on Feb 12, 2018:

I like that you mentioned being settled with yourself. For me, I did believe wholeheartedly, so breaking those beliefs and traditions has been a struggle.

What age did you start telling people you are agnostic or athiest?

twshield comments on Feb 5, 2018:

well i am a newbe...i just converted to Agnostic 2.5 years ago

ashortbeauty replies on Feb 9, 2018:

Welcome = )

Atheist and Agnostic Memes

Danigirl comments on Feb 6, 2018:

my favorite:

ashortbeauty replies on Feb 9, 2018:

Buh dum lol (Stole)

Atheist and Agnostic Memes

resserts comments on Feb 6, 2018:

*Apparently putting googly eyes on the portrait of Jesus my parents have is "not funny" and "blasphemous."*

ashortbeauty replies on Feb 9, 2018:

haha!