Christians are baptized into the church, either as children or as adults.
For those of us who like to mark such occasions, what ritual should we use to denote our departure from the church?
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2006-12-12 11:00:45 · 10 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Buying "The God Delusion," "The End of Faith," "Letter to a Christian Nation," "Religion as a Natural Phenomenon," and "Intelligent Thought: Science vs. the Natural Design Movement..."
...and giving them all to your preacher so that he can join us, too.
Congratulations on finding freedom.
2006-12-12 11:04:53 · answer #1 · answered by Chris R 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Personally, I would love to see all monotheism left behind but I guess that won't happen anytime soon. And why do I feel this way?
Being a woman, all three patriarchal monotheistic constructs have no meaningful or significant place set at the table for my gender. At best, we're second class. At worst, well, I'd rather not go there. The lack of any recognition of the Divine Feminine, which would honor equally the vital contribution of women to the survival of our species, is one of the many reasons why I am not a Jew, Christian or Muslim. So, with this in mind...
I think a ritual where women are revered as goddesses would denote in a very positive way, your departure from the patriarchal church. Further, working towards gender equality or even helping out at a woman's shelter would be of great benefit and would signal to all and sundry that you had departed from this outmoded, oppressive thinking.
2006-12-12 19:14:10 · answer #2 · answered by gjstoryteller 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've known people who have thrown parties. They actually have Congratulations on your Recovery from Catholicism greeting cards out there. I've seen them. Some people perform a symbolic "Black Mass". Others just leave religion behind without any celebration whatsoever. So I suppose the choice of such a commemorative ritual is up to the individual.
2006-12-12 19:04:09 · answer #3 · answered by swordarkeereon 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I mentioned this in an earlier question, but I think it's appropriate here, as well.
When I left Christianity, I marked it with a ritual involving desecration of Christian sacred symbols (burn a bible, trample a cross, shattering of iconography and statues, a few things a little too twisted to mention publically), the venting of my anger at the Christian conception of God and salvation, and a praise and affirmation of new direction. Of course, what you identify with Christianity would determine the shape of this ritual. If you'd like to discuss it further, please feel free to email me.
All the best,
Laz
2006-12-12 19:07:03 · answer #4 · answered by The Man Comes Around 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Much of the point of dumping religion is to get rid of meaningless ritual. But that doesn't mean you cant throw a small party and invite in friends.
2006-12-12 19:14:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Baptism represents crossing the Jordan to enter the promised land where the "filth of the flesh" was left at the bank of the river at Gilgal.
If you're leaving Christianity, you're leaving the proverbial promised land and a fitting ritual would be to simply be baptized backward.
Then have each of your friends hand you the symbols of sin that you have chosen to indulge yourself in. One could hand you a bottle of Johnny Walker, another a carton of Marlboro, another a pack of condoms (or not), etc.
2006-12-12 19:07:12 · answer #6 · answered by s2scrm 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well, for me, I consider that the anniversary of the day I walked out on my own baptism.
2006-12-12 19:05:05 · answer #7 · answered by genaddt 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Thats called April Fools Day ;)
2006-12-12 19:02:13 · answer #8 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
By leaving Religion & Spirituality on Yahoo! Otherwise, you are just being hypocritical.
2006-12-12 19:05:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
With all thy getting, get wisdom.
2006-12-12 19:02:57 · answer #10 · answered by Maurice H 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋