My parents were atheists and I discovered church in maybe 5th grade or so...it was the music and the girls in pretty dresses that hooked me. I had relatives that were Catholics and Protestants but I went to them all....more churches...more girls in pretty dresses more music. I left the faith when I went to Viet Nam and my faith seemed to contradict reality ...I don't miss religious congregations at all but I am glad I experienced them when I was young and naive. I don't believe in such things as heaven or hell but I am curious about reincarnation. I remember the moment I took to religion and the moment that I abandoned it. It's now just a chapter in my past. I'll still occassionally visit an Easter Mass or Gospel Revival when traveling and enjoy it. Religion brought some really beautiful art and music into the world. I'll give it credit for that.
I am opened minded. I believe in the possibility of creation. I believe in science. I believe both can exist. I believe in spirituality. I don't believe in religion. Religion is not spirituality. Religion is a set of practiced beliefs that are exclusive. It is close minded. It dismisses facts. It's harmful. Spirituality on the other hand is all inclusive. It's a search for peace and purpose. It's an awareness of not just ones self but of those around them. It's being cognizant with the energy of everything, of the senses. It's really taking things in and not taking things for granted. It's the ebb and flow of putting good out into the world and feeling it be returned.
Nearly 25 years I had a falling out with my ex wife's church over a youth pastor hitting on my then 14 year old daughter. I wasnt involved in the church but my ex was, as was my daughter. Yeah, I went for Xmas and Easter for them. I confronted the YP head on and really didn't get any support from his father who happened to be the head pastor. Anyway that whole deal played a role in my ex and I divorcing as I found out later she wasn't against the relationship at all, but thought it cool that maybe we could have PK as a son in law eventually. My daughter would come home from a youth camp all spiritual and such, saying she wanted to be a pastors wife and stuff. The whole thing didn't end well because I threatened to kick his ass if he didn't leave my daughter alone, after several times confronting him. I confronted his parents the church pastors about their son, and made it clear if he tries to pursue her I would call the cops, after I gave him a beat down. He really did need it. My daughter is now married to a great guy and hard worker, they have 3 super kids and they are not involved in that church or any other. Anymore, I view religion the same as politics now days. Sure there are decent politicians and people who attend a church but at the same time there is a real slippery side to both. I heard this morning that CA has a senator that is 91 years old and she been there for decades. What a fucking joke.
I was raised without a religion and always thought our cousins and grandma talking about it made it seem kinda weird and then later friends in school going to youth groups. I find it interesting learning about them now but have no interest in ever going to a church or becoming a believer, I haven't been inside a church since I was a baby for a cousin's wedding! At the end of the day I think they are all for controlling people and making money.
My daughter is headed off to attend college at a private Jesuit catholic school. There is a theology requirement. Curious how it will go.
Do they have a dress code? My sisters kids all went to a private catholic high school. Dress code, hair length standards, etc... It turned one of them into a non believer, the one who was a conformist to the nth degree pretty much stopped going to church and the other one ended up going to a Catholic university and is probably the only one that will remain interested in the church.
A lot of colleges are technically religiously affiliated but provide essentially secular education and have diverse student body. Think Yale, Notre Dame*, Brandeis. * Not named for our Dame.
My Granddaughter goes to Baylor and she's not religious. She went there because they offered her very significant honors scholarship. It's a college where there are a lot of kids of rich parents (like Many) but she is not one. Im very proud of her, she's getting ready for her second trip to Africa for a medical assistant endeavor, she's pre med.
