atheist/agnostic tribe - Page 21

[hollyvangogh]

Originally Posted by greenrene

I just joined this board and am glad to see this thread! I am an agnostic who grew up in a church that is very cult-like. Anyone here heard of the Church of Christ?

Welcome! I'm sure you'll fit right in!

I'd like to recommend a book for all us mamas who have left harmful churches: Standing For Something More by Lyndon Lamborn

It's by a Mormon and about Mormonism...sort of. But really it's about destructive mind control. DH and I are REALLY enjoying it so far. We got to meet the author (like I mentioned). I've also been told that Steven Hassan's book Releasing the Bonds: Encouraging People to Think for Themselves is invaluable to people leaving cults and cult-like religions. It's on my list of books to read.

[teale]

quote removed by admin

Hee, that made me giggle.

Holly, I know the recommendations were for greenrene, but I'm going to have to find that book.

Welcome Green!

[hollyvangogh]

Originally Posted by teale

Hee, that made me giggle.

Holly, I know the recommendations were for greenrene, but I'm going to have to find that book.

Welcome Green!

They were for everybody!

[teale]

I'm adding them to my list of books to find. Do you order yours off Amazon? The Chapters here lacks any "controversial" books. I can order them in, but it generally costs a pretty penny.

[hollyvangogh]

Originally Posted by teale

I'm adding them to my list of books to find. Do you order yours off Amazon? The Chapters here lacks any "controversial" books. I can order them in, but it generally costs a pretty penny.

Well, Lyndon gave us a copy of his book when we met him. But I'm pretty sure it's on Amazon. The library might have the other book.

[teale]

Originally Posted by hollyvangogh

Well, Lyndon gave us a copy of his book when we met him. But I'm pretty sure it's on Amazon. The library might have the other book.

Does he do those seminars often? I went to his website and couldn't find any links about it, or so forth. I'd love to finally attend one.

I stayed up way too late reading a lot of info, and links from his website. I took a break a few years ago from reading anything about the church. I found I was still too angry, and too wounded from the whole situation. Now I felt empowered and excited to be reading something that FINALLY answered questions I've had for a very long time.

I definitely need to find a way to network out into the community here with other ex-mormons. There's a high percentage of practicing, but I'm sure there are some that are not practicing anymore.

[hollyvangogh]

Originally Posted by teale

Does he do those seminars often? I went to his website and couldn't find any links about it, or so forth. I'd love to finally attend one.

.

I'm not sure. I know he's done at least one other because it's on YouTube. There's talk of getting Richard Packham to speak next year. He'd definitely be worth a drive up to Edmonton.

[misswerewolf]

This might be a fun and informative read for you ladies.

[AngeliqueW]

Have you all seen this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNf-P_5u_Hw

[hollyvangogh]

Originally Posted by AngeliqueW

Have you all seen this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNf-P_5u_Hw

I started watching that movie a while ago but couldn't finish. It seemed off some how.

Wikipedia says

The February 25, 2009 edition of eSkeptic,[21] the online newsletter of The Skeptics Society, criticizes the first part of the film (the one on Christianity) by saying:

"Perhaps the worst aspect of [...] Part I of Peter Joseph’s Internet film, Zeitgeist, is that some of what it asserts is true. Unfortunately, this material is liberally — and sloppily — mixed with material that is only partially true and much that is plainly and simply bogus. [...] Zeitgeist is The Da Vinci Code on steroids."

[Theoretica]

That's a great video Angelique...thanks for sharing!

[AngeliqueW]

Originally Posted by hollyvangogh

I started watching that movie a while ago but couldn't finish. It seemed off some how.

Wikipedia says

I wonder which parts aren't true...?
Guess I'll have to do do some investigating.
Leave it to the atheists to debunk the debunkers!

[teale]

Originally Posted by AngeliqueW

I wonder which parts aren't true...?
Guess I'll have to do do some investigating.
Leave it to the atheists to debunk the debunkers!

The problem I started to have when I was reading/watching/researching religion is that sometimes the author or producer can be slightly jaded. It's tough to find legit imformation out there that isn't tinged with some sort of anger, or laced with other intents.

I try to read everything with a grain of salt, take what I do know and see what meshes together. Generally, you can pick out the fake stories from the genuine, but it's tough.

[cathy17]

Originally Posted by greenrene

I just joined this board and am glad to see this thread!

Nice to meet all of you!

Same Here

[Ell-Bell]

No time to post now, but wanted to join. Hi!

[AuntieLiz]

Welcome greenrene, cathy17 and Ell-Bell!

[mrs joe bubby]

I would like to join as well. Hopefully will have more time to post tonight

[spruce]

I love the book suggestion!

I know I've posted about my best friend before, who is VERY religious, but also very cool. Her husband is a bishop in a church mentioned here a lot.

Anyway, I have her kids over regularly, almost always for long sleepovers. When they come over, the "littles" (10 and below) sleep all together in the living room...so I was trying to be a good host and remind the visiting kids to say their prayers, and my son blurts out, "I don't want to be quiet for this part, I don't even believe in god!"

While I agree with the sentiment...well, wow. He's pretty vocal about his beliefs, and I felt pretty bad. I mean, they were our guests. OTOH, he's 8.

I haven't heard the story back from the mom, but I'm wondering if I should bring it up?

love, penelope

[jspring0308]

My 6 yo has done similar things as above poster's 8 yo and my problem is why do/should I feel bad? If one doesn't believe in god and praying and all the broohaha that goes along w/religion I shouldn't feel guilty or bad about not participating and neither should my children. She can be respectful but why should she have to be quiet when others are praying? Why should I have to explain why we don't do all the religious stuff anymore then those who do? Which of course they don't and are shocked when they realize we don't attend church and then start prying into all the other details. I am not embarrassed by our lack of religion and yet I find myself apologizing about it.

Penelope, I definitely would not bring the issue up w/mom. It probably wasn't that big of deal w/the kids and even if they mentioned it to their parents it was probably taken fairly lightly as it came from your child and you all seem to have a fair amount of respect for each other despite the different beliefs.

[teale]

Yay for new people! I love seeing this group grow!

I've been very busy this week- from moving, to now spontaneously organizing a Doula workshop, to working, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

I hope this summer starts to slow down soon!