Was there something you used to do as a religious person that you couldn't get used to not doing. For me it was making the sign of the cross especially hearing bad news
I find it difficult to throw out the many Bibles I found among the possessions of my parents and other relatives. It seems odd to just throw them in the trash...
@Boogey I am not sentimental...I guess somewhere in my subconscious, I still think throwing them out is sacrilegious..lol...I will get over it as I am not keeping them nor giving them away
Actually, I recently started doing the cross thing when doing shots and saying, "here's to the great architect of the universe or whatever the f**k you belive in." I've had too many discussions with christian friends on Jesus since I left the herd.
Interesting question. Religion was not forced on my siblings but was simple there and pretty much benign. I never really got used to doing anything which is why it took me sooo long to see the damage it causes.
@Boogey I am shy and introverted. It's a part of my genetic personality. Religion was not forced on us in a normal sense and each of my siblings have a different personality. There is nothing wrong with being shy or introverted.
@Boogey I have gotten more confident as I have aged and knowledge about certain topics have helped. But basically I am very shy.
@Boogey They often are. But, as I said, I am improving. I am the opposite of what one expects from a shy person. Instead of being quiet I often talk too much.
@Boogey It's a self-esteem thing. For many people this is genetic.
I keep a cross next to the TV remote for whenever i accidentally click to Fox News.
Lol
My grandma was hardcore Irish Catholic so even though I went to a Christian church, since my grandma cared for me pretty often, I was socialized to make the cross too. I still do it sometimes when Im really nervous, but I think now its more like remembering my grandmas strength rather than relating it to a diety.
Also I still say Bless You when people sneeze, which makes my also anti-theist boyfriend laugh. Training myself to say Gesundheit instead since its supposed to mean "good health" according to my little sister.
You don't need to put yourself through retraining. Say "Bless you" , make the sign of the cross. Its how you were brought up and its a conditioned reflex like Pavlov's dogs. Who cares if you make these gestures. They are a part of you which is beautiful. No need to give a part of you away because it makes others feel awkward. Their problem not yours!
Having grape juice with my crackers.
When I was a kid and went to my parents Lutheran Church, they used to make the sign of the cross to bless you at the end of the service. I appropriated it for myself and would do it when someone would do me a kindness. Hard to stop doing it on the spur of the moment when someone does right by me.
Never did any religious symbols I feel the cross is a torture device and can not see worshiping such a device
Taking the Lord's name in vain. I still do it, I just don't feel bad about it anymore. ?
Nah for real, once at work I slammed my finger in a door and yelled "Jesus Christ!" And my coworker two classrooms down yells "you don't believe in him!" To which I responded "I use it as a term of disbelief" she came into my classroom and was like "girl you were wrong for that" ? I miss messing with her. She was one of few christians who I could still talk to about my atheism without a lecture.
Sidenote : it was an early dismissal day so no kids witnessed this
Saying "and also with you" and clapping in rhythm. Lutherans always do that lmao across the globe if they have to applaud ANYTHING they always end up clapping in rhythm
Not really. I was glad to dump every vestige of religion in 2016, and had stopped attending church decades before.
Well, I was never a religious person, but I still automatically say god bless you when I hear someone sneeze.
... a weird thing I did out of habit, on a "Saturday night movie date"... I genuflected (on one knee) when entering the aisle. I pretended to have dropped something to distract... I've done that 2 or 3 times... embarrassing.
That's a brilliant story!
Masturbate? Once you learn.... who quits?
I am 80 and I never have quit, however I have slacked off considerably. I have read on Medical sites that ejaculation is a healthy activity for the man's prostate.
@jlynn37 AMEN!
I still make the sign of the cross. I find it comforting even if nothing is behind it. It is something I do for myself and no one else.