Voyager
05-03-2005, 07:46 PM
I wanted to say a few things about the subtle change in my belief system over the last six years. I have noticed that since I have abandoned my fundamentalistic doctrines and bigotries, I have become a much easier person to live with (or so I am told). I even feel better about myself. I no longer look down at "sinners" with shame and indignation, nor do I condemn gays, Jews, Catholics, Baptists, Mormons, etc. to everlasting eternal hellfire.
I feel that I have become much more tolerant of people who are not like me. I have also become much less paranoid about "the world", which was really nothing more than living in fear. I try not to shame my kids. I know that would be different if I was still a fundie - I would be constantly condemning their "sinful" nature. I am so glad that I don't do that anymore. They are much happier and feel better about themselves too.
So far, my deconversion from fundamentalism has not turned me into an evil satan-worshiper like I would have expected in my fundie days. On the contrary. I love my wife and I have been faithful to her for 17 years now, I am trying to be the best dad I can to my kids, I try to be loyal and dependable in my friendships and relationships, and I still hold myself to a decent moral standard. I don't preach holiness, nor do I try to make anyone conform to my belief system. So, I feel like I am better off than I was before my deconversion from fundamentalism - even though my belief system is not as black-and-white as it used to be.
I am fairly confident that other people in my life also see me as a better person since I stopped being a fundie (all except the fundies that is - which have all but abandoned me). They would see my deconversion as a one-way ticket to Hades where I would burn with the gays and the Jehovah's Witnesses in an everlasting eternal torment.
I'd much rather be a little shaky in my spiritual belief system than to be still holding fast to a bigoted, racist, sectarian, fundamental mindset that made me think I was better than other people. I thank God for setting me free from that hell on earth!
:cool:
I feel that I have become much more tolerant of people who are not like me. I have also become much less paranoid about "the world", which was really nothing more than living in fear. I try not to shame my kids. I know that would be different if I was still a fundie - I would be constantly condemning their "sinful" nature. I am so glad that I don't do that anymore. They are much happier and feel better about themselves too.
So far, my deconversion from fundamentalism has not turned me into an evil satan-worshiper like I would have expected in my fundie days. On the contrary. I love my wife and I have been faithful to her for 17 years now, I am trying to be the best dad I can to my kids, I try to be loyal and dependable in my friendships and relationships, and I still hold myself to a decent moral standard. I don't preach holiness, nor do I try to make anyone conform to my belief system. So, I feel like I am better off than I was before my deconversion from fundamentalism - even though my belief system is not as black-and-white as it used to be.
I am fairly confident that other people in my life also see me as a better person since I stopped being a fundie (all except the fundies that is - which have all but abandoned me). They would see my deconversion as a one-way ticket to Hades where I would burn with the gays and the Jehovah's Witnesses in an everlasting eternal torment.
I'd much rather be a little shaky in my spiritual belief system than to be still holding fast to a bigoted, racist, sectarian, fundamental mindset that made me think I was better than other people. I thank God for setting me free from that hell on earth!
:cool: