Comment

Comment by William Matis on February 16, 2013 at 9:06am

Thanks Kevin, it was a long time ago so it's easier to talk about.  Annie, I agree.  I minored in Near Eastern Ancient Studies and took Hebrew for two years so it was something I was really interested in even before I became an atheist.  For anyone who's interested, here's a story Newsweek wrote about my brother here.

Comment by Annie Neri on February 15, 2013 at 1:22pm

Hello William.  I have a degree in Religious Studies for just the reasons that you mention.  Religion is a very interesting and complex sociological study and the Bible is part of that.  If you can look at it from that perspective and not turn it into some truth challenge then it can be an enjoyable read.  Its the same thing when we read about the Roman or Greek Gods.  However, glad you can join us.  Especially in this forum. 

Comment by Kevin Dunkley on February 13, 2013 at 4:29pm

Amen, William. Glad you could join us, and really sorry to hear about your brother.

Comment by William Matis on February 13, 2013 at 2:04pm

I should probably add that I'm not saying the Bible is historically accurate, only that it gives insight into an ancient culture.

Comment by William Matis on February 13, 2013 at 2:01pm

I find it's human origins very interesting.  When you start peeling back all the textural layers and start examining what came from older source material and what came more recently you get an idea of the development of their religion.  I hate how people use the Bible today as literally the word of God but it's a very usual book in examining human history in that region.  You'd be surprised how many Atheists and Agnostics teach in theology departments.

Comment by Patricia on February 13, 2013 at 1:13pm

Still "LOVE" the bybull???????????????????

Comment by William Matis on February 12, 2013 at 10:02pm

I was a devout Mormon who only started questioning my beliefs when my brother came out as gay.  After he shot himself on the steps of an LDS stake center one year later I REALLY started to question and it led me down the path to Atheism.  Strangely I still love the Bible and find it very interesting from an academic standpoint, but I can't stand the B of M which is obviously just a cobbling together of Bible verses, J Smith's personal religious beliefs, and a very poorly constructed story that is so bad I have to shake me head in disbelief at times.

Comment by Patricia on November 14, 2012 at 4:10pm

Yes, love your fellow human as long as they are thinking/acting the way they're told to.

Comment by Annie Neri on November 14, 2012 at 3:35pm

Well, Mormonism is an interesting thing.  But I have to be fair and say that I think may religions do similar things to ex-members.  I don't think Mormons have a corner on the market on ostracizing former member.  Just last week there was a trial where the courts were trying to decide if it was legal for an Amish sect to cut their members' beards as punishment for not conforming to standards.  Now for you and me that is not a big deal, but for the people of this sect, it was a BIG deal.  And the courts decided that religious freedom be damned, you can't do that to people.  However, as in the case of Mormonism, just because you can't treat people illegally doesn't mean that you can't harm them just as bad with legal crap.  I know that there are many things that are conveyed through a nuanced voice that are just as bad as a burning cross in the front yard, if you know what I mean? 

Comment by Idaho Spud on November 14, 2012 at 7:44am

Welcome Annie.  

I was in mormonism for ~55 years and guilt was deeply ingrained in me.  I've gotten rid of a lot of it, but still have a ways to go.

My family are still firm mormons and I imagine they feel the same as yours, that I'll come back some day, however, they haven't told me that yet.  Probably because I made it very clear how firm an atheist I am.

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