2007-12-23 06:02:21 · 5 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A great many over the years. For one thing, I have taken to calling myself an atheist, but I acknowledge that there is some debate on exactly what that means. So if I had a choice, I'd be a NOTA [None of the above]. When I joined the Ethical Society about six months ago or so, I was still calling myself a witch, although I had not done any spells or rituals since My Steve died two years ago. Before that, I had been a witch for about 25 years.
The main reason I went from witch to atheist was right here on R&S. I noticed that most of the other people who referred to themselves as witches took it a lot more seriously, and were a lot more literal in their belief in various gods and/or goddesses, than I had ever been. I've generally considered the gods and goddesses to be metaphorical rather than anything more substantial. Having read Tarot cards for about 35 years, I gradually came to know the significance of the symbols and archetypes represented there, and used them for a vocabulary with which to communicate what I saw in the readings. And I understood about manifesting the goddesses for Steve, and he manifesting the gods for me. But I did not feel there was anything supernatural about it, really, but rather very natural indeed.
When he committed suicide some two years ago, I had to re-evaluate everything I had shared with him. The shift to atheism, and a more philosophical and intellectual approach to spirituality, is the long-term result.
2007-12-23 06:56:00 · answer #1 · answered by auntb93 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I stopped believing in Jesus, or at least "god" on our side that was rooting for the US to triumph as a Christian Nation over Iraq, M. East and Islam while serving my 6th tour in US Army in Middle East
I realized the people we were fighting were just like ourselves, we would rather not butcher each other "in god's name" (also on CBS tonight) and would rather be helping each other than waging war and bombs in the name of freedom and democracy
why? I thought seriously why I was putting my life on the line while fundamental maniacs were cheering me on and not serving but wanted me to die for them and their god over the "correct" belief
today....not so sure I am ready to jump into religion or atheism
more concerned about lost time where I put my life on hold "for Jesus" and was used as a missionary and Warrior for God representing the crusaders
I hope that others including those like Howard Zinn who wrote many books about such epiphanies will wake up and stop the senseless violence, stop believing the news media controlled by the US and private organizations meant to keep us at war and keep war dollars paying for overpriced weapons
so long as the bullets fly, someone has to make, sell and justify the industry of death under the guise of "self defense"
2007-12-23 15:45:28 · answer #2 · answered by voice_of_reason 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I realized that I'm no longer really Wiccan/pagan. Some of the same things that bugged me about Christianity 12 years ago, started bugging me about paganism this fall:
1) anthropomorphic deities who behave like spoiled children;
2) feeling obligated to do certain things at certain times, even if I'm sick or I'm having a busy time at work;
3) trying to communicate with deities and feeling like no one was listening;
4) far-fetched claims and gullible people who seem to really believe those claims.
I'm now a Deist. I believe there's some kind of higher power, but that he/she/it does not intervene in human affairs.
2007-12-23 22:24:32 · answer #3 · answered by catrionn 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I got rid of the "System" and just focused on the belief of saved by Grace in Christ Jesus.
2007-12-23 14:05:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just from being on this site I have come to realize how much I lean towards atheism in regards to religion. In all other aspects I remain agnostic.
2007-12-23 14:05:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋