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If you were brought up in a religious household, was there ever a moment when your religious fervor shocked, dismayed or almost gave your parents a heart attack?

Here's an example from my life. When I was 14, I read a non-fiction book about an order of nuns who lived in a leper colony and looked after the afflicted people. Entranced with the idea of dedicating my life to alleviating the suffering of sick and shunned people, I announced to my parents that I wanted to become a nun. My staunchly Protestant parents almost died with horror. The book disappeared so I never got to reread it. Oh well. 🙂

pixiedust 8 Aug 3
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2

I was raised in a devote Mormon household, but my niece was born out of wedlock when I was 12. When the bishop refused to Baptiste my niece for her being illegitimate I went to my parents and told them that I could no longer believe in a god who would would force my beautiful neice to hell. I still believing but my decision to go against the bishop made my parents livid and made the bishop almost ban our family based upon my sister's and I 's actions.

Your niece is lucky to have such a strong and loyal uncle!

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My morals and integrity annoy the hell out of my friends and family sometimes. I don't judge; I wish they wouldn't. Sucks to be condemned for being good.

I'm sorry they don't appreciate you. It's very annoying to be condemned for our virtues, isn't it?

3

I was raised as a JW and on my 13th birthday I cited the bible to support my position that I would no longer be attending their cult services which deeply disappointed my mother and grandmother but there was really nothing they could do about it because I used the rules of their religion to support my position. I did briefly consider starting a cult in my late teens as I had all the groundwork in from being raised in one and while morality wasn't an issue I did have scruples and decided against it after giving it much thought. Ultimately I think I just thought it would be impractical as a money making venture.

You were brave to escape the trap at such a young age.

I, too, have sometimes wondered why I don't start a cult. I could use a bevy of minions whose every thought and action I control 😉

@pixiedust I suspect it is a lot more like herding cats than faithful minions, much like running large construction projects which is what I wound up doing for a career.

@Surfpirate Better yet. I do well with cats!

@pixiedust I'm more of a dog person myself, I do try to bark more than I bite but when I bite it is to the bone.

2

No, I disappointed them by asking questions and looking towards science more than religion.

1

I was raised catholic in Italy. I wanted to become a priest at some point. My parents had nothing to object. They just waited for puberty to kick in. ?

2

The hills are alive with the sound of Athiests..??

3

Ha! I remember the nuns at my school refusing to let me donate $20 I had received as a first communion gift to the needy. They absolutely refused to take it in spite of my protestations. Weird that they take a vow of poverty, I guess they didn't went me stepping on their turf.

That does make one wonder why.

@pixiedust They told me I didn't know what I was doing. That that money was meant for me to use. They couldn't seem to grasp that I wanted to use it to help others who were less fortunate than I was. I was eight. What the hell was I gonna buy with it?

@Nottheonlyone You were sweet to think of others first - not many 8 year olds would.

@pixiedust Or maybe I just didn't understand the concept of money very well... But that's nice to read. Thank you.

2

No. Not at all. I was into classic Sci-Fi books and then fantasy books after seeing Star Wars in the theater in the theater 4 times at age 10.

Then when I was 13, I wandered into the "religious" section of the school library and converted myself to being Wiccan. I was Wiccan -- heavily involved in covens and Pagan Pride events throughout my teenage years and through my 20s...even into my mid 30s.

In the bio part of my high school year book, I proudly declared myself a witch....which set off all the alarms my little town and almost sparked a modern day "witch hunt". I heard I was the subject of a LOT of Sunday sermons in the local community! LOL

Since I quit eating dead cows, pigs, sheep..etc at age 13/14, my parents already decided I was weird and never confronted me about anything. But, hell, I was a straight A student and never gave them any trouble...so....it was easier for them just to ignore my weirdness.

You are definitely an amazing person with an interesting life journey.

1

So mother theresa lost a sidekick and we won you Brilliant!!! My first born used to be taken to church by neighbors... she will return, line up all her stuff dolls and animals and preach to them. Mother will come... honey please, not during Daddy Hangover Hours.

Thank you. I prefer being in this community.

Funny about your little one - children do like to emulate the adults in their lives.

@pixiedust Children are watching all the time they are awake.

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