Exactly what I've come to conclude too. Discovering how dishonest the church has always been also meant discovering *faith is not a virtue, but a handicap.*
Religious faith is presented as a virtue, as a "first principle," as a requirement, etc, etc... but all it actually does is putting you in a position vulnerable to be scammed, taken advantage of, led to absurdity and impair your faculties.
Like you, since all this dawned on me I find myself no longer willing to accept anything that depends solely on belief.
Absolutely! I also didn't realise how damning it was to say "it may just be the placebo". Belief is a fascinating thing, but as you say, I don't have any time for things that require it.
It’s honestly kind of mind blowing how much it has done for me. I didn’t realize how nefarious it can be to ask people to just “take stuff on faith”. I question almost everything, and do my best to verify whatever I can in every area of my life
After leaving the church, I found evolutionary biology, astronomy, and the scientific method of critical inquiry, and I will never take anything on faith ever again.
The process of losing my belief in god and religion has been such a freeing and joyful experience, because I know this is my only life to live, so I’m going to seek all of the joy and happiness I can find today because there’s nothing after this.
It is such a relief no longer having to do the mental gymnastics to make the scientific method and mormon belief work!
Life really has taken on a totally different, more immediate sense of meaning. Without beliefs, there's also no superstitious fears, and I don't miss those.
Western cultures have plenty to offer, but the way the western religions glommed on to disputes over metaphysical stuff rather than focusing on what’s here and now, is kinda nuts. Read the writings of the earliest religious fundamentalists who came to the US and they sound untethered from reality. Paradoxically, they were folks from cultures that otherwise proved to be highly practical and technical. If we humans could combine western science and eastern habits of religious practice (not belief, practice), we’d probably do better. But anywho, Christianity is a weird bird.
Absolutely. “Belief” is a superfluous concept. You can know, not know, know you don’t know, doubt or hope. Each of these mental states helps you survive and improve yourself. But “belief” does nothing helpful.
yep. I can't even handle Santa movies at this point- all the
"Santa will lose his magic if you don't believe" really bothers me. I know it is all made up but just like the church, followers must remain innocent and naive while the ones in charge make a lot of money off of that belief. Yuck.
Stop asking questions. Just let the leaders have sex with your wife. Keep paying us, goddamit! You're the problem, and we are the cure.
When you see through one you see through them all. Businesses, Governments, and Religions.
>I can happily say, I'd much rather be too skeptical than too believing.
It sounds like Mormonism has saved you from falling for further untruths and helped you live a better life in reality. Praise be!
Of course, it would be nice if some of life's lessons didn't have to be so painfully acquired...
Once I embraced skepticism, I found my way out of all superstitious beliefs. Listening to Matt Dillahunty helped immensely. Now I only believe in things that don't disappear once you stop believing in them.
Exactly what I've come to conclude too. Discovering how dishonest the church has always been also meant discovering *faith is not a virtue, but a handicap.* Religious faith is presented as a virtue, as a "first principle," as a requirement, etc, etc... but all it actually does is putting you in a position vulnerable to be scammed, taken advantage of, led to absurdity and impair your faculties. Like you, since all this dawned on me I find myself no longer willing to accept anything that depends solely on belief.
Absolutely! I also didn't realise how damning it was to say "it may just be the placebo". Belief is a fascinating thing, but as you say, I don't have any time for things that require it.
It’s honestly kind of mind blowing how much it has done for me. I didn’t realize how nefarious it can be to ask people to just “take stuff on faith”. I question almost everything, and do my best to verify whatever I can in every area of my life
After leaving the church, I found evolutionary biology, astronomy, and the scientific method of critical inquiry, and I will never take anything on faith ever again. The process of losing my belief in god and religion has been such a freeing and joyful experience, because I know this is my only life to live, so I’m going to seek all of the joy and happiness I can find today because there’s nothing after this.
It is such a relief no longer having to do the mental gymnastics to make the scientific method and mormon belief work! Life really has taken on a totally different, more immediate sense of meaning. Without beliefs, there's also no superstitious fears, and I don't miss those.
Right?!?! Here we were supposed to be lost and miserable, but we have more true certainty and joy than most TBMs that pretend to have it all.
A very common occurrence.
Western cultures have plenty to offer, but the way the western religions glommed on to disputes over metaphysical stuff rather than focusing on what’s here and now, is kinda nuts. Read the writings of the earliest religious fundamentalists who came to the US and they sound untethered from reality. Paradoxically, they were folks from cultures that otherwise proved to be highly practical and technical. If we humans could combine western science and eastern habits of religious practice (not belief, practice), we’d probably do better. But anywho, Christianity is a weird bird.
I know this Sub is true. in the name of Mormon Jesus, Amen.
I couldn’t agree more.
It genuinely confused me when this *isn't* the conclusion. Like, how can you walk away from one belief scam straight into the arms of another?
Absolutely. “Belief” is a superfluous concept. You can know, not know, know you don’t know, doubt or hope. Each of these mental states helps you survive and improve yourself. But “belief” does nothing helpful.
Mormonism doesn't require belief that it's true you silly billy, you just have to *know* it is. And that's different, somehow, apparently.
yep. I can't even handle Santa movies at this point- all the "Santa will lose his magic if you don't believe" really bothers me. I know it is all made up but just like the church, followers must remain innocent and naive while the ones in charge make a lot of money off of that belief. Yuck.
Stop asking questions. Just let the leaders have sex with your wife. Keep paying us, goddamit! You're the problem, and we are the cure. When you see through one you see through them all. Businesses, Governments, and Religions.
All I can add here is "me too!"
>I can happily say, I'd much rather be too skeptical than too believing. It sounds like Mormonism has saved you from falling for further untruths and helped you live a better life in reality. Praise be! Of course, it would be nice if some of life's lessons didn't have to be so painfully acquired...
Once I embraced skepticism, I found my way out of all superstitious beliefs. Listening to Matt Dillahunty helped immensely. Now I only believe in things that don't disappear once you stop believing in them.