Not really a coming out.

[TÐöer]

For me, there is not much of a story, I come from a flexible religion that allows you to think for yourself. And overtime, I have come to realise, that there is no way, to prove the existence of God. And if religion holds the proof, then It will imply that God does not exist. Because predicate logic has proven them wrong.

Recently however religion has hindered me from attaining life's simple happiness. A woman, whom I am fond of and likewise suddenly put a stop to our blossoming relationship, because I could not make it to an easter date.

This is the reason, why I have come out, to seek like-minded people, to know that I am not delusional, and this is not God's way of punishing me for not being an xtian. :(

To me, I believe that since God cannot be proven. It will be best to live on our own moral compass, until the day we can say "hey, I've been good." to whichever god that opens the door to heaven. (if it does occurs, which I doubt)

This also made me realise, that these religions, emphasize more on worshiping, and treating their fellow worshipers well, that they neglect basic human compassion, reasoning, and respect for their fellow man.

I will not tell you the story as I'm afraid it may bore you.

That's all for now. Glad to be here :).

[davo]

Gudday glad to meet you :) welcome! :)

[Vonnie]

Yeah, welcome, TheDoer!

Vonnie

[TÐöer]

Thanks guys.

Thanks Mr. Black.

This may be a shocker, but I'm a budhist/taoist with a lack of practice. In my teenage years, I have come to understand the message which my religion (budhism) conveys, on how we are bound to this world.

Later on in life, I was bombarded with other religions banging on my door. On how their religion are true, and all others are false. All of them say things which are comforting, but doesn't seem to make sense.

I have gradually debunked all of them. and can't help but to debunk my own religion. Many of the things mentioned in Budhism, can be modeled. However there is no way to prove life after death, or inheritence of merits. Though I can think how the idea came about, using Murphy's Law.

From what I can see, people blindly follow religion without thinking, and obey no matter how believable it is. When my aunt saw a christian introductory book next to my bed, she sent my cousins to enlighten me of my ways.

They couldn't accept that I was just curious.

Currently, I still seek my taoist gods for comfort. But logically I know what's what, and somehow the comfort is not much there anymore.

What really gets to me, and got me reaching out. Is that the woman whom I had been going out with. Suddenly rejected me using SMS. From further probing, told me it was due to religion. I have told her that I was willing to compromise, but there was no reply.

It seems that her religion has stopped both of us from finding happiness. It has stopped her from thinking, and having open healthy communication.

If I was the one rejecting. I would feel compelled to meet the person face to face, to break it to them gently. Let the other party have their say then say good bye if it doesn't work. This will give us some closure.

After further researching I noticed that there is nothing in the 10 commandments about watching others feelings. So I guess what she does is ok. :/

[TÐöer]

yeah, agreed.

I'm impressed you know about it.

I think Budhism is more of a teaching than a religion. We can continue to detach ourselves from worldly cravings. But don't really expect there to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Heck, we might just not reborn at all. Mission accomplished.

[Vonnie]

TheDoer, you mentioned in another thread that you're not in Australia. I'm curious... where are you?

Vonnie

[TÐöer]

Oh, I'm from Malaysia where Citizens have to have a religion.

Anybody else not an Aussie?

[eclectic]

Welcome TheDoer!

Thanks for your story. I have a lot of time for Buddhist philosophy, and have studied a little of it. I think it is definitely worth considering ideas such as overcoming worldly craving, and I have found great benefit from concentrated meditation - which I was taught by a Buddhist group. I think it is very helpful in this life, whether or not we have any further lives.

I also find that although I have 'come out' as an atheist, and I love the open, unmuddied feeling I get from accepting that this life is all there is... I still occasionally find a little dabbling in the occult things I used to believe in (for example I still do the odd tarot reading when I have a problem or anxiety) can still give comfort and pleasure - but I now accept that they are not 'magic', they just assist my brain in getting to a desired psychological state.

anywho, welcome. :)

[davo]

I still occasionally find a little dabbling in the occult things I used to believe in (for example I still do the odd tarot reading when I have a problem or anxiety) can still give comfort and pleasure - but I now accept that they are not 'magic', they just assist my brain in getting to a desired psychological state.


I can't find the reference, but when studying egyptian mythology, I came across reference to what was possibly the instigator of the tarot in europe. They egyptians had The Book of Thoth, basically that led to tablets with inscriptions symbolising the chapters, which they also used as a method of psychological introspection. When troubled, they would use the symbology, to help them laterally think about a question.

Now this came back over the periods of the crusades into europe in the form of cards in a game, and this card game really became known much later in around the 1400's, and I am just guessing here, that after a period of time (and we are talking 300-400 odd years, or late 1700's!) gypsies picked up that they could make money, by using the cards as a form of 'divination'.

Again, haven't researched all this, so take it with a grain of salt, the true source of the tarot is not known, but interesting nontheless.

[TÐöer]

Welcome TheDoer!
I still occasionally find a little dabbling in the occult things I used to believe in (for example I still do the odd tarot reading when I have a problem or anxiety) can still give comfort and pleasure - but I now accept that they are not 'magic', they just assist my brain in getting to a desired psychological state.


Hey, I read tarots as well. I like to think of it as helping the subconcious express itself. But of course I know, its not neccessarily the truth. Just a way of soothing our anxieties, crowd pleaser, fun and hey, it might just work.

Cheers

[eclectic]

I can't find the reference, but when studying egyptian mythology, I came across reference to what was possibly the instigator of the tarot in europe. They egyptians had The Book of Thoth, basically that led to tablets with inscriptions symbolising the chapters, which they also used as a method of psychological introspection. When troubled, they would use the symbology, to help them laterally think about a question.

Now this came back over the periods of the crusades into europe in the form of cards in a game, and this card game really became known much later in around the 1400's, and I am just guessing here, that after a period of time (and we are talking 300-400 odd years, or late 1700's!) gypsies picked up that they could make money, by using the cards as a form of 'divination'.

Again, haven't researched all this, so take it with a grain of salt, the true source of the tarot is not known, but interesting nontheless.

Thanks for the history. :) I had heard of the book of thoth, and I knew playing cards and the tarot were related, but that was about it.

hmmm... maybe I should do a thesis on the history of the tarot. (I hate working and am trying to be 'inspired' enough to head back to uni at some stage)

[_RAAF_Stupot]

Oh, I'm from Malaysia where Citizens have to have a religion.


How does that work?

When you register your birth certificate, do you have to tick a box? I'm guessing there is no 'none of the above' box.

If you actually refused to declare a religion for your child, would you be prosecuted?

[TÐöer]

It's in our national code.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rukun_Negara
* The 1st is to Belief in a God.

I've never seen atheism in any forms before. And haven't heard of anybody who tried being called an atheist. If you were to tell the nurse you had no god, she'd probably give you an annoyed look.

Not sure if "Others" is an option, that'll probably mean you're praying to some pagan tribal god. lol.

[Vonnie]

Are you Malaysian, TheDoer, or just living in Malaysia? In any case, it seems that you have chosen a "hard" path. Of course, it's the rational path, yet it seems that the path you've chosen is harder for you than it is of us, living in Australia, where at least 20% of us are godless. Good on you.

Vonnie

[TÐöer]

Yeah, I'm a Malaysian Chinese. Was afraid to reveal it at first, since I heard that some ozs are against asians.

Not really a problem. Just that I know something that believers don't and I can't openly criticize them (sedition leads to jail without trial). You would notice that I spell m uslim and i slam, in this manner, hopefully the religious police don't catch on.

I am a conformist though. Thanks for the support Vonnie.

[Vonnie]

You have to be a conformist, TheDoer. Your life pretty much depends on it! But I'm glad you found us. And we're glad to have you here.

Vonnie

[Seamus]

Oh, I'm from Malaysia where Citizens have to have a religion.





Selamat pagee, apa khabar? (sadly,I've forgotten most of my Bahasa Malayou)

Where in Malaysia?

I ask because I was based there (1969-70) and came to love the country and the people I met.

I was based at Terendak Garrison,about 10 miles from Malacca. I spent as much time as I could with friends in kampong Tanah Merah,a Malay fishing village,right on the Straights.

I've been back once, in 2000,when I had a few days in KL. This time I had money,so stayed in a good hotel on Jalan Sultan Ibrahim.

Went back to Malacca; it's changed,a LOT,in parts.Other parts seem relatively unchanged.

(Oh,yeah I'm Aussie)

[TÐöer]

Hey not bad Seamus!!

In fact I am currently living in Melaka! I have a friend working in Terendak Garrison as a mechanic too.

I am glad you like Malaysia.

I've always respected those who come to Malaysia to impart their knowledge. Where would we be, if it weren't for you guys openning up our minds to the world.

Hey, I could keep you updated if you'd like about Melaka.

[gibreel farishta]

hi and welcome, i think that also australia has a lot to thank your fellow countrymen and women for coming here . australia is becomming very
multi racial. in my extended family we have aboriginals, italians,chinese
and malaysians and myself have a convict english background.
we also have the token gay, i fear that would not be tolerated in malaysia,