Thank you for joining HERCULANEUM. Because it is a private group, it will not appear in your group section on your homepage (for some odd reason). Welcome aboard.
Hi Darrel,
Thanks for the add. I joined Recovering from Religion so that I could reply to Rich's post. I didn't grow up with the religion meme, so I don't know how appropriate it is for me to be part of this group.
Darrel, I want to thank you for your insightful and inspirational talks, you have been very helpful to me in reconciling my past affiliations. I was in a christian cult for 20 years and many of the things you are saying about indoctrination and hypnosis I've been saying to my ex-member friends for years. I look forward to reading your book.
Now that you mention it, I do remember. Didn't recognize you in your photo. Glad you found the book useful. Slaughterhouse Five is a great read but much of Vonnegut is excellent. I reread Cat's Cradle every couple of years.
Mr. Ray, I have just finished and enjoyed The God Virus. Thank you. But I am very curious. "Carrie" found enlightenment by reading a book loaned to her by a friend. It must have been a more than usually persuasive book, as she was a committed religionist and read it unwillingly. I think books have most influence if the reader is already questioning, uneasy about the previously accepted belief, and the door to new ideas is open. So I would like to know, what is the book that she read?
Dr. Ray,
I enjoyed your talk at the Atlanta Freethought Society and enjoyed your book even more. Your insight to the self-preservation aspect of the religious virus was particularly enlightening. Ironically, while recently reading Ollie North's Under Fire , I ran across an especially good example of this. In chapter 8, LTC North criticizes Nancy and Ronald Reagan for consulting astrologers. He then says "For the life of me, I can't understand how a man who purports to be a Christian can believe in that malarkey. . . the idea that a man could get up in the morning and let an interpretation of the great sidereal movement guide his day is simply beyond my understanding." I am sure it is!
I saw that your video with The Atheist Experience is getting a LOT of views on youtube! Great job.... Keep up the good work! I wish that I could have made the speech you gave in Huntsville but I couldn't get off of work. I'm sure I will see you around sometime... We must have an Alabama... atheist convention style throw down again! haha.
Yes, yes, yes....see you tonight. Looking forward to it! I was searching for your speaking schedule and see that you will be in So California the next few days. I'm letting some friends know. Travel safely!!
Thanks for the welcome! I'll be moving back to Anchorage, AK and would like to find like-minded people there. I'll most likely start at the UU fellowship. All the best!
Your book is helping me understand why I am going through what I'm going through right now. I just finished reading about the hypnosis techniques used by the church and part of me was saying "I remember them doing that." And another part saying "Why didn't I put that together myself? I knew about that technique." All I can say is I am very grateful that someone has written a book dedicated to understanding the process of de-conversion. So thank you.
Hi Darrel,
Thanks for accepting my friend request. No, I have not read The God Virus yet but are familiar with you. I attended AAI in Burbank last October and American Atheists in Newark. But your book has been recommended to me by a good friend Noelle George of the Secular Center and I plan to pick it up this week. Nice to meet you!
Hi Darrel and thanks for friending me. I am currently reading "The God Virus" and also purchased and gave a copy to a friend. We are both "underground" in our community but her husband is also an atheist whereas mine is Christian (I'm the one who changed, not him). I'm looking forward to the discussions on Atheist Nexus and in the Recovering from Religion group!
Yes -- please let me know if you are coming to Houston in August. Even though I am not "out" in my community, I have joined some of the Houston Meet-Ups and heard that I missed you earlier this year. Thanks so much for your words of encouragement!
When a member of a religious group gives up his/her religion, could you tell us exactly how the void is filled? As one of these, I do try to fill it with reason, as opposed to authority, but there is always the other side to consider which tends to cancel out any acceptance of any position taken.
I'm not a recovering religionist I've been sceptical of all manner of things from about the age of 12 onwards but thanks for the friend request - and I'll take a look at the website.
Yes, I checked out your website, and like the concept a lot. It has definitely been a struggle for me coming out of religion. I might be interested in starting a group in my area when and if I find the time for it. Right now I'm going to the local skeptics club meetings, and that is working well for now...
Thanks!
Dr. Ray thanks for your book: "the god virus: how religion infects our lives and culture". I have been on my atheist path for years. I stated one day I am done with religion. I have not completed the book yet but am almost done and will be passing it onto another friend. There are not many atheist in rural Wyoming but we are growing. Is this were I post about either comments or questions about your book?
Thank you for the friend invite! I am looking forward to reading your new book. I would love to start a group in my area but I live in an area that is rife with religion. So bad that an atheist billboard set off waves of fury. I am still in the closet so to speak, but in time.......looking forward to your podcast, too!!
Hey Darrel! If you haven't finished your study on sexuality and secularism I'd love to be a part of it! I have a very interesting personal story as a Humanist who was never religious, but who nonetheless struggled a lot before coming out as a gay man.
Thanks, Darrel. I tried to believe in God for years and even went so far as to join the Lutheran church. In the back of my mind I just knew there was something very very wrong with the church's view of evolution and other scientific topics. I started doing my homework and read everything I could get my hands on for months. Finally it just happened, I knew I was no longer a Christian and that there was no turning back. I actually felt a real sense of freedom and relief, but at the same time I was also very depressed. I am glad that I don't feel the need to try to rationalize my beliefs anymore. Thanks for adding me as a friend. The upcomming events you mentioned sounds like something I would be interesting in attending. I would like to know more about them.
It's very nice to meet you Darrel! It's especially nice to meet an atheist who's just down the street. I'l definitely check out your book, I'm always looking for something interesting to read. I'm by no means on all things religion, but I do find the topic fascinating. If you could help lead me in the direction to some of the local atheist groups, I'd really appreciate it!
Darrel, I just blogged on your survey here: http://www.goddiscussion.com/63062/lets-talk-about-sex/ Don't let the title of the website fool, if you haven't been there before. The owner of the site is an atheist and she often talks about religious abuse on her Blog Talk Radio show.
Your appearances on The Atheist Experience are some of my favourite episodes. Downloaded the Sexand Secularism report today, shall read with interest. Put the link up on facebook under the banner "Atheism is Sexy (Official)" got a few "wa-hoos" and "cools" Looking forward to seeing what else is to follow.
Hi Darrel. Last month we breakfasted together at the Lowell Center in Madison, WI (Freethought Festival) and you mentioned that you might be able to help me get my novel published, or at least give me a contact agent or publisher who handles nontheist material. As we had no writing implements handy, we could not exchange contact info. Please respond when you can. Thanks.
Rayray
Nov 13, 2009
Dallas the Phallus
Nov 14, 2009
Rayray
Nov 16, 2009
david brooklyn
Nov 16, 2009
Mac Rex
Thanks for the add. I joined Recovering from Religion so that I could reply to Rich's post. I didn't grow up with the religion meme, so I don't know how appropriate it is for me to be part of this group.
Dec 5, 2009
Mac Rex
Dec 5, 2009
L.Hunter
Dec 14, 2009
Seth R.
Seth
Jan 1, 2010
Darrel Ray
Jan 5, 2010
Darrel Ray
Jan 14, 2010
Gwendolyn Gallagher
Jan 31, 2010
Ray Bradley
I enjoyed your talk at the Atlanta Freethought Society and enjoyed your book even more. Your insight to the self-preservation aspect of the religious virus was particularly enlightening. Ironically, while recently reading Ollie North's Under Fire , I ran across an especially good example of this. In chapter 8, LTC North criticizes Nancy and Ronald Reagan for consulting astrologers. He then says "For the life of me, I can't understand how a man who purports to be a Christian can believe in that malarkey. . . the idea that a man could get up in the morning and let an interpretation of the great sidereal movement guide his day is simply beyond my understanding." I am sure it is!
Ray
Feb 8, 2010
Robert Posey
Feb 25, 2010
mwg
Feb 25, 2010
Darrel Ray
Enjoy,
Darrel
Feb 25, 2010
Matthew Harder
Mar 7, 2010
Skeptical Deb
Mar 18, 2010
Lyn Yancha
Apr 7, 2010
Noh Name
Apr 16, 2010
Nick Carpenter
May 8, 2010
Colleen Quinn
Thanks for accepting my friend request. No, I have not read The God Virus yet but are familiar with you. I attended AAI in Burbank last October and American Atheists in Newark. But your book has been recommended to me by a good friend Noelle George of the Secular Center and I plan to pick it up this week. Nice to meet you!
May 12, 2010
lOS`AMIGOS
Jun 21, 2010
Natalie
Jul 6, 2010
Natalie
Jul 6, 2010
Adelita D
Jul 12, 2010
Henry Gallagher
Jul 19, 2010
Franklin Bacon
Sep 11, 2010
Richard Healy
Sep 12, 2010
Matthew
Thanks!
Oct 6, 2010
Kevin Benbow
Oct 12, 2010
Prometheus
Oct 19, 2010
Silas Richardson
Dec 4, 2010
Rachel
Feb 14, 2011
James Croft
Hey Darrel! If you haven't finished your study on sexuality and secularism I'd love to be a part of it! I have a very interesting personal story as a Humanist who was never religious, but who nonetheless struggled a lot before coming out as a gay man.
Best,
James.
Feb 16, 2011
Dr. Cruise
Mar 11, 2011
Alex Harkleroad
May 4, 2011
Mriana
May 18, 2011
Mriana
May 19, 2011
Ruth Anthony-Gardner
May 19, 2011
Richard Healy
May 19, 2011
dr kellie
May 28, 2011
Hope
Hello, nice to meet
I'd like to thank you for you comment and glad to be friends
and yeah I am interested in sharing my story with you...you can ask me anything..
I wrote about myself here
I wish you all success
Hope
Sep 13, 2011
Steph S.
Oct 6, 2011
Ed Sweeney
Oct 16, 2011
Steph S.
I got your book from Amazon today! I can't wait to get started reading it!
Dec 29, 2011
Steph S.
Ok -- I will read it fast so that I can get your new book! Thanks for telling me about it. I will put it on my wishlist right now!
Dec 29, 2011
Sentient Biped
Just bought sex and god for my kindle! Cant wait to read it!
Feb 2, 2012
Sentient Biped
Cool! I will review your book once I have read it!
Feb 2, 2012
Joseph P
Uhhhh, am I the only one who misread 'Bonner Springs'? Must be the influence of your area of recent study, bouncing around in my Freudian lobe.
Feb 9, 2012
Edwin Neumann
Hi Darrel. Last month we breakfasted together at the Lowell Center in Madison, WI (Freethought Festival) and you mentioned that you might be able to help me get my novel published, or at least give me a contact agent or publisher who handles nontheist material. As we had no writing implements handy, we could not exchange contact info. Please respond when you can. Thanks.
May 30, 2012