Last week the implications of my new way of thinking became crystal clear.
Everything is different.
My burgeoning awareness of how relationship altering my leaving the belief system central to my families existence.
I woke up this morning with the awareness that my conversations with my devote mystical catholic sister will never be the same.
How can they when she thinks I'm possessed by the devil and she needs to shield herself from my evil beliefs. She believes my happiness is grounded in the devil's work and her belief system calls her to try to save me. She has been talking with my two equally devote brothers about me. The have always held my sins up in a way that put them in a constant place of judgement -- Don't judge me because my sins are different than yours. My sister believes it is okay to go out regularly with her best "religious" friend ,for whom she stood up in their catholic wedding, as her friend cheats on her husband over and over right in front of my sister but that is okay. The hypocrisy is ridiculous.
I am trying to find a local Free Thinkers group locally.
I'm feeling a very strong desire to connect with other like minded people.
Feels good just to write this down here.
I'd love to talk with others coming out of the indoctrination into Free Thinking
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"Don't judge me because my sins are different than yours."
I just want to remind you: sin does not exist. I'm sure you know that, but are still in the process of dumping these old ideas. Hang in there!
Just step out into the light. But mind your shoelaces. Once you feel comfortable and have enough knowledge and support (you can get both here) take off running. But still mind your shoelaces.
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You need to show your sister that it is not your fault if you do not believe their claim that god exists but it their fault.
They failed to deliver a valid reason that convinces you about their claim.
I think this darkmatter2525 video can help:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j8ZMMuu7MU
Ask them some of the basic questions. Ask them about the existence of evil, the contradictions, the fact that they're not living 'godly' enough, etc. Bring it to reductio ad absurdiam levels. They're judging you based on your 'lack of faith' or belief, so it's completely fair for you to call them out on the same. Hell, take good things that happen to her and tell her that the devil's being just as kind to her. Just remember that that isn't the end of it. If all you are is a 'lapsed Catholic', then the conversation hasn't gone anywhere. I have a firmly entrenched theist or two in my family, and I understand that I am incapable of changing their minds on the matter, regardless of my good deeds or better talking points. Once somebody views all actions, good or bad, through the filter of their chosen sky-wizard's ethical code, then little can be done for them.
But it's not your fault. And it's not your responsibility to make your family member, or anyone else, see reason if they're completely closed off to it. Love them as much as you'd loved them before, but understand that everybody has their stumbling points.
It feels bigger than stumbling points.
She thinks I'm possessed by the devil. I know how she thinks. She is praying to go before she talks to me that she's not corrupted by my ideas and that she can convert me. How can she relate to me in an authentic way if she is operating this way? She views everything about me through a lens. Maybe I'll work through this but right now I'm not seeing a bridge back.
Thanks for all your comments.
She is convinced she is right, there is nothing that woud get to her.
You should try to hep her in trying to convert you.
Tell her that you wish you could believe, but it is not your choice.
You see her god as the story of father christmass.
If she wants to convince you of the existance of god she needs to do it with reason and logic and not with faith.
tell her:
If you trully want to understand my position so you could be able to convert me, you have to understand how i see your claims about god.
Take your entire speech and change the word god to father Christmas, and your points work just the same.
They are equally ridiculous to me.
Come back when you know how to convince me of your claims, your faith in Father Christmas won't work ever.
You are my sister and i love you regardless of how childish your arguments are.
Good flip around, Google points, both of which have made me well humored.
First of all I feel your pain. I went through much of the same emotions. I went through phases:
1) Lashing out
2) seeking to rejoin christians
3) Isolation
I just began to understand that the only one I can change is myself and that I had to be true to myself. Becoming a christian to just fit in is just wrong. Lashing out makes no sense. I came to the realization that I cannot change anyone and not be ashamed that I am not like them. I won't and don't argue with christians no matter how much they want to. That also means family. I don't provoke by audacious displays or rants but I don't hide my stance on a god either. I find comfort in my honesty.
I play b-ball in a christian league but don't pray or participate in any religious rituals and everything has worked out fine. Texans are basically ignorant and uneducated even if they hold degrees. I deal with them accordingly. Not with contempt but with understanding. Christians are the very same way. I do what I need to do what I want to do where and when I need to do it, and I don't let my non-belief hinder me in any way.
Amen....lol