That's the one thing I got out of it too. I was in the CYO -- Catholic Youth Organization -- and not only did we do a bunch of fun things including travel but there were some really cute girls there too.

@Sgt_Spanky Hear, Hear my friend.

How has no one "liked" this story?!

No such assumption. I was addressing those who once did. If you didn't, the question wasn't directed at you. Simply disregard it.

@Sgt_Spanky I do not have to disregard it. Why should i? You did not specify that you were addressing former believers. You defaulted to an assumption of previous belief, regardless of whom you thoughr you were addressing. I stand by my comment.

g

@genessa And I stand by mine. It was self-evident I was speaking to former believers. You appear to have been the only one who was confused.

@Sgt_Spanky i was not confused.

g

@genessa I'm confused. Were you talking to me?

@PondartIncbendog Nope! See how i addressed sgt spanky each time?

g

@genessa I wasn't confused before I came here. Who is confused?

@PondartIncbendog You seem confused now. The only person who said anyone was confused is spanky. Ask him.

g

@genessa I'm not asking him. He's confused.

@PondartIncbendog You are not confused about that.

g

Well, you're going to Hell. The rest of us will see you there.

Or not.

@Sgt_Spanky I beg to differ. I’m going to Valhalla to chop heads off for eternity or until the mead runs out.

@Gatovicolo That'll be fun too.

Your church much have been very liberal.

Around these parts, -mostly Catholic- you are taught in church to hate and fear anybody that does not share their belief system that includes condemnation of any behaviour not approved by their version of god. I have debated many Catholics that assert being by or homo sexual is an abomination to god. As a result of the teachings of their church, some Catholics I know fear gay or trans-gender people, some Catholics I know want them (to please their god) dead. A few I Catholics I de-converted have thanked me because without their church teaching them how bad people are, they can appreciate different people with different orientations.

@NoMagicCookie We were very fundamental conservative and if people didn't learn then they would burn in hell, but we loved and hoped they would conform and become what god wanted. I've managed to hang onto loving people in spite of things.

@GwenBFree Sounds like you, a beautiful, (inside and out) loving person, exist beyond the foundational condemnations of those not endorsed by their god of your church. You use of "we loved and hoped. . . " I find a bit confusing. Those I encounter from fundamental churches will on face value assert love but reflect fear and condemnation for those who do not follow the (moral (LOL)) teachings of their version of a god. Does "we" include all that you know from the church or a select sub-set.

Were the pews comfortable? Did you like the drapes? Was the carpet pretty? Was there ample parking? I'm really reaching to help you find something.

@Sgt_Spanky Pews were hardwood, no cushions. No drapes, no carpet.
It was a catholic church in Northern New Jersey, of course there wasn't ample parking. LOL
Besides, my sister and I were made to walk. Occasionally, we rode with neighbors from the next street, who saw us walking every Sunday.
Usually, when the weather was particularly bad or really cold.

Eventually, the best part of going was when I finally figured out that we could get that Sunday's program (to prove we'd gone, because otherwise they wouldn't believe us), walk out before mass started, and use the collection money to have breakfast at the Dunkin' Donuts across the street.

@KKGator There's your one good thing; misappropriated church funds to spend on Dunkin Donuts. I knew we'd find something.

Since you're the only one who feels this way, I leave it to you to work it out for yourself.

With your little mind, what else can you do besides leave it to me? It is not me work it out, but I am trying to get an idiot like you to expand your little mind a bit more.

Sgt_Spanky and I am not the only one who see religion as such. You are just too naive and does not get out much into the real world to see there are a lot of people do see it as I do. Christopher Hitchen, Sam Harris... heard of them little one?

Religion has inspired many other creative accomplishments. Art, architecture, and music mostly but movies too. Trouble is, religion themed movies are typically not very good. Exorcist was a rare exception of a religion themed film that was not only good but excellent.

@Sgt_Spanky Excorcist III was pretty good.

@indirect76 Yeah, I thought it was great. It's E-II that's just laughably bad.

Saw that in Seattle in 73. The religiounuts were outside crying. I thought they had seen an accident. "You are going to hell"........well, I really wish it were a little warmer here......"BLASPHMER!!".............I don't think that's gonna do it. ( I thought it was some kind of code to turn up the heat. )...