I've been a minister of religion but have several nagging doubts. I recently saw a video made by a young man in which he visually shows scorn for Christianity's holy book. Though it was highly provocative, it got me thinking about this again.
I'd really value talking to someone about this.
6
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13 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I know @VictoriaNotes as very compassionate and not judgmental. If you seek to talk directly to someone, I would start with her. She also runs this group: "Bible Belt Survivors" Group that has 300+ members that can relate to your situation.
Lukian
Level 8
Dec 18, 2018
1
Thank you so much
Welcome to the group and I know you will get support and information here. Doubting clergy is an area that need to be addressed and coming here for ideas is definitely a step in the right direction.
Funny, this morning listening another report on the problem of clergy pedophilia (now it's about Jesuits) I got to thinking maybe this is what happens when some clergy finally realize their calling is no longer valid but feel trapped. When Catholic clergy take a vow of celibacy they feel they are not only trapped but missing an important aspect of life. They then use their power and frustrations on others. I know this problem is common across religious but it is especially egregious with Catholics and I can't help but link celibacy and power.
JackPedigo
Level 9
Dec 18, 2018
1
I've always thought celibacy is plain cruel. I'm Anglican myself, so don't have that problem. Thanks for your supportive words.
I regularly show scorn for the bible. I consider it to be amoral bullcrap. It gets people to do really bad things.
ldheinz
Level 7
Dec 18, 2018
1
That's really interesting. The video was of a guy effectively destroying a bible gleefully. I was shocked yet kept watching. I think that's because my doubts are tending towards unbelief and dislike of what I've been trained to believe of the bible.
I'd be interested to know what you do in scorning it and if that is therapeutic or not, or whether it clouds thinking about the issues.
Personally, I don't do anything for myself. I just ignore it. It's when other people start saying that I should respect it that I inform them of just how WRONG the bible is about essentially EVERYTHING.
Whether or not it is ' claimed' as being a holy BOOK, it is just a book ( actually a collection of ancient archaic mythologies plagiarized from dozens of much older cultures and then twisted to suit the needs of the religion it serves,) other than that it is absolutely NOTHING and almost as completely meaningless.
After 7 years of study I have a ThD in Theology ( Theosophy as I like to call it) and Comparative Modern Religions and still remain an Atheist.
Triphid
Level 9
Dec 18, 2018
0
Welcome! As others said, many of us came from religious backgrounds. Everyone has their own challenges to deal with when confronting beliefs they once considered to be firm, especially ones relating to our mortality and who we are as people and as a species. You, having been a minister, I assume that you once fully believed in religion, so this will be a challenging but interesting journey for you. Glad to have you here.
Mofferatu
Level 7
Dec 17, 2018
2
Thank you!
That's a good question - my friend knows more about this so she's pulling up a video for you. Give her a bit and she or I will post it.
The Atheist Experience is a good podcast to start with. Not too hardcore if you're looking for information on being atheist.
Many of us came from religion to here - so it doesn't surprise me that you are. Welcome!
It's not the easiest thing. But it's not the worst.
If you have questions about what is in the Bible there are people who will gladly discuss it with you.
RavenCT
Level 9
Dec 17, 2018
2
Howdy and welcome here. I got my first college degree from a Lutheran college where I took 5 of the religion classes. I also taught a couple of the adult bible study classes at one of the churches I was a part of.
gsiamne
Level 8
Dec 17, 2018
1
It would help if you explained the basis of your doubt. Is it because you are gay, is it hypocrisy, is it that there can be no proof of whether a god exists or not, etc.
EdEarl
Level 8
Dec 17, 2018
1
There are several causes: my sexuality, deep disillusionment with church and especially church people, intellectual doubts over the way I was taught to read the Bible, and finally my very surprising (to me) reaction to the video I saw and which I mention above.
@Doubting What is the reason for your disillusionment with the church? It's easy to be disillusioned with people who all tend to have different ideas about a subject, in this case interpretation of the bible and canon. Your intellectual doubts seem founded on these differences.
Have you already decided you are agnostic, but struggle with accepting your belief, because it goes against people who now trust you to have faith in God. What internal struggle will you have by continuing your current life? Will it make you cynical and unhappy?
Announcing a change of heart to your congregation and family will cause others to be unhappy with you. Are you ready for the consequences?
This is a warm community open to discussing most anything. I'm not clear on what exactly you'd like to discuss, but there are many groups here that focus on more specific topics, and I'm sure you'll find some that interest you.
Nothing need be repressed here. Welcome and happy browsing.
Amzungu
Level 8
Dec 17, 2018
2
talk about what exactly?
hippydog
Level 8
Dec 17, 2018
0
My doubts and the video I saw combined with my surprising reaction, very surprising to me anyway.
Ok then. It's not pornographic but it is utterly contemptuous of the Bible as you'll see. He does several things before it ends.
[xvideos.com]
@hippydog You are being needlessly aggressive. I am not trolling at all. If you don't find it shocking, that's fine. I did. Extremely so. I've never seen a man deliberately tear up a bible with his feet and hands and then set fire to it.
If you want to discuss it, well and good, but coming to this site was very hard for me and you are not being very helpful
You came to the right place. Buckle your seatbelt! 
skado
Level 9
Dec 17, 2018
3
@MissKathleen
Hey no name-calling now! 
@MissKathleen
You are too kind. Thank you.
@MissKathleen
I do try, and I see that you do too. I very much appreciate it.
Enjoy being online again!
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