the gist of Diamond

[diamond]

Well, well well. Where to start? As a child, my parents became Christians, and went to several churches in the town. They eventually along with a couple other families started a new church, until that closed as too many left town. We also left town and I went to a baptist school/church. I left year 10 and got a job, so my parents said they would no longer drag me to church and I was treated as an adult, left to make my own decisions. Obviously my first decision was to stop going to church! More out of laziness honestly, but I did start going to another church a year later with a friend from school days. There were plenty of girls at this church and they were not good girls, if you know what I mean. So my reason for going was clearly sinful. Then I moved way up north, and after a while went along to a church there with my parents and met some good people in the youth group. Although I soon hit 18 years and went to the towns pubs and clubs instead and stopped going.
Years later I moved back to Perth, and have not been to church other than the odd christening/confirmation of family etc. I have slowly changed my opinions on many things in life as I got older, and the indoctrination from the church and my parents has given way to reason as I broaden my mind by study.
The final push from believing in God, to believing in A god, to becoming an atheist was from reading my bible. It just reads too primitive to me. Surely God could have explained his works better, and I doubt if real, He would choose one people. I also had feelings of outrage, that even if He appeared to me now, I would say O.K. I believe in you, but I wont follow you, as you are a cruel/unjust tyrant who should be stopped.
My main problem now is, that I have been a free mason for some 4 years. The funny thing is, I would be thrown out if they discover my lack of belief. I really enjoy it though, and find it strange a muslim/jew/hindu/christian can participate without any worries.
Now I am finding my 5 year old asking questions thanks to Nana & Granddad. It's amazing how easy God is to implant in someones brain. We watched Evan Almighty last night where he build the ark etc, and I had to explain the story to my boy, who started to panic. I reminded him God was a story like Darth Vader, which calmed him down. I am trying to keep his mind in its atheist state until he can make up his own mind. He now thinks Morgan Freeman is God though.
Well, thats about it really. There is more, but this is the gist of it. I will soon post another thread about a family matter I need advice for, after I mull it over in my head for a bit.

[Nicko]

Originally Posted by diamond

Surely God could have explained his works better, and I doubt if real, He would choose one people.

I had much the same realisation concerning "divine revelation" even before I rejected theism. Either God reveals himself to everyone or reveals himself to no one.

My main problem now is, that I have been a free mason for some 4 years. The funny thing is, I would be thrown out if they discover my lack of belief. I really enjoy it though, and find it strange a muslim/jew/hindu/christian can participate without any worries.

Is the wording "God", "higher power", what? How much wiggle room do you have here?

If they kick you out, can you teach us the handshakes?

[Blue Lightning]

Welcome Diamond!

Originally Posted by diamond

... I reminded him God was a story like Darth Vader, which calmed him down.

Aldaron will be pleased!

(PS - you can sneak off to gaga if you want to! )

[Darwinsbulldog]

Welcome Diamond, love the sig!

[diamond]

Originally Posted by Nicko

Is the wording "God", "higher power", what? How much wiggle room do you have here?

If they kick you out, can you teach us the handshakes?

It's Supreme Being, and must have created the universe. Originally it was of course the God of the bible, but in an effort to open it to other religions, a generic term is now used.
Also no to the handshakes. Even if I wasnt a mason any more, I still promised not to reveal the secrets.

[AustralAlien]

Wait a minute, are you saying Morgan Freeman isn't God? Holy shit, *tears poster of Almighty Freeman down and rips up his vintage Morgan Freeman signed Bible*.

Also, very interesting story, thanks for sharing!