That is why I wouldn’t try to post subjective comments about people on this blog. I think it is better to concentrate on the arguments. Don’t worry; I won’t jump to conclusions about people, especially in an online environment.

i don’t come here for that reason either. What I was stating is that you will be surprised at the varied opionions and concepts that many of the people who visit here hold dear. One cannot help but see one post very intelligent concepts, but in the next breath express some unwise decision they have just made—or the opposite. It is hard for one to miss that.

I am not stating one should come here to judge everyone—–I am just saying it is fun to hear the varied use of the brain and the heart in this place. As I said, it is an eye-opener. Of course, you can define my statements any way you would like to. :>)

I don’t come here to judge how “wise” or “intelligent” someone is. I take away with me any ideas that benefit my psyche and way of thinking. I listen to the arguments and try not to any make assumptions about anyone here.

Thanks for the post. One thing you’ll notice as you continue to post and read here is the sharp contrast between intelligence and wisdom in the different poster’s on the board. It is a real eye-opener.

The key is to remember that YOU built those bonds and emotional connections. They can be rebuilt and or repurposed in your new life. And I agree, that having destroyed the logical underpinnings of my old faith, hanging onto it just for emotional reasons was just something I couldn’t nor shouldn’t do. It hurts..but it gets better over time. Fill your life with the good things and take up your remaining days with a spirit of adventure and new beginnings.

In my case, leaving the faith was more emotional than getting into it. It was excruiatingly painful, but I could not be in denial anymore. Things are definitely much more clear. I am more aware of what I should rely on and am the more healthier because of that. It beats being in a delusional state of mind.

I look forward in reading more posts here. Thanks to you all for keeping it up!

I think for those Christians that had the “big moment” type conversion, it is very hard to break away using logic and reason. That’s because their conversion was an EMOTIONAL one. It’s not defensible or solid on reason, so chipping away at the logic is not affecting the emotional base they stand on.

At the end of the day, Christianity is true to them because they WANT it to be true, not because they can defend the truth of it. These people need to WANT to “know” the truth, reagrdless of their desires, before they can start reconciling their beliefs with reality and move forward.

Maybe the challenge for you is trying to understand why our experiences are so different, why god seems to “speak” to you and not everyone else. For most christians it’s the presuppositional kind of thinking that gets them sort of stuck. The skeptic questions before he trusts; He doesn’t stand in the stance of trust/belief first (This may cause him to come up with questions based on what he trusts already). Not sure if I am making any sense. Just a thought.

Many people on this site have gone far and beyond what I had on their journeys. Their deconversion stories are inspirational. I consider my experience a stint in comparison. There are a myriad of people far more articulate, intelligent and knowledgeable than I am on this site. That’s why I visit.

I think it is good that you are asking questions.