I hope Johnson will forgive me for once again seeming to veer off the topic but something just happened that is a rather more extreme example of what R. LeBeaux says above.R. LeBeaux wrote:Per Johnson’s request for us to return to the original theme, here’s my “How did you stop believing?” story:
My youthful disillusionment was further exacerbated by the fact that I had a good pair of ears and used to mingle with the adults before and after church, listening to their conversations. I was surprised to find that these conversations were not about God or Jesus or religion; they were mostly about business or gossip, and many comments weren’t at all what I considered Christ-like.
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Today is the 6 anniversary of my nephews suicide. His Mother, my sister, and her other children are religious, in that they believe in God etc. yet once again my sister (who in my opinion was neglectful of her son) has entered a memorial notice in the paper in my nephews small town. This notice markedly does not include my nephews wife or his children. My sister, nor none of her other children, have ever lived in this town or even in the state. It seems to me that this notice is an attempt to "stick it" to the widow. Something I consider very unchristian. Or even kind.
It is interesting what R. LeBeaux says about nature and the change of seasons. I have always lived in the north east and so see very extreme changes of season. It would have no impact on the way I view religion but it is interesting what different influences we have on our belief systems.
What I am most awe struck by are the pictures from the Hubble telescope and learning about astronomy