Comments on: By request: Have you been deprogrammed? http://atheists.org/blog/2005/12/27/by_request_have_you_been_deprogrammed A Blog of Atheist Thought Sat, 20 Mar 2010 05:25:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Texas_Robert http://atheists.org/blog/2005/12/27/by_request_have_you_been_deprogrammed/comment-page-1#comment-20133 Texas_Robert Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-20133 I find it interesting the amount of hatred I find on this BLOG. 'Seems like a whole lot of unhappy people to me... 'Perhaps a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Creator and Savior of all people (Muslims, Jews, Christians etc. and Atheists too...) could help change the hatred to Love - especially during this Christmas Season. Merry Christmas!! I find it interesting the amount of hatred I find on this BLOG. ‘Seems like a whole lot of unhappy people to me… ‘Perhaps a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Creator and Savior of all people (Muslims, Jews, Christians etc. and Atheists too…) could help change the hatred to Love – especially during this Christmas Season. Merry Christmas!!

]]> By: TXatheist http://atheists.org/blog/2005/12/27/by_request_have_you_been_deprogrammed/comment-page-1#comment-20141 TXatheist Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-20141 Hey fellow Texan, no hate here. I tried finding JC at 12, prayed and realized nothing happened so I just moved on. In college I met a Jehovah Witness girl and she asked for me to keep an open mind, I did and learned about xianity several times a week for more than a year. In college I was so used to accepting what the professors said as necessary truthful information that xianity was just the same, true because an authority said so. Finally, I told my girl the truth, I can't believe this xianity stuff and I really tried. You have to have a willingness to be strong enough to disagree and face the consequences. ALL of the JW guys stopped calling me to hang out once they knew I refused to go to the church, fine. My "wordly" friends stayed and treated me the same. I found a really good philosophy teacher who gave us a book "20 questions:An introduction into philosophy". It basically looks at both sides of an issue. Until someone is willing to say that xianity is no more special than any other religion and accept that they will not end up in heaven after they die they will probably remain xian, imo. After that Dan Barker and Michael Shermer wrote in a manner I could relate to and I moved on from there. Hey fellow Texan, no hate here. I tried finding JC at 12, prayed and realized nothing happened so I just moved on. In college I met a Jehovah Witness girl and she asked for me to keep an open mind, I did and learned about xianity several times a week for more than a year. In college I was so used to accepting what the professors said as necessary truthful information that xianity was just the same, true because an authority said so. Finally, I told my girl the truth, I can’t believe this xianity stuff and I really tried. You have to have a willingness to be strong enough to disagree and face the consequences. ALL of the JW guys stopped calling me to hang out once they knew I refused to go to the church, fine. My “wordly” friends stayed and treated me the same. I found a really good philosophy teacher who gave us a book “20 questions:An introduction into philosophy”. It basically looks at both sides of an issue. Until someone is willing to say that xianity is no more special than any other religion and accept that they will not end up in heaven after they die they will probably remain xian, imo. After that Dan Barker and Michael Shermer wrote in a manner I could relate to and I moved on from there.

]]> By: Slimmins http://atheists.org/blog/2005/12/27/by_request_have_you_been_deprogrammed/comment-page-1#comment-20143 Slimmins Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-20143 I've opted instead for a relationship with other people, because they're the ones who make up the Jesus nonsense anyway. Well, okay, a relationship with people who don't hold full blind fidelity to myth-man Jesus. Otherwise, coming here to communicate, and hear, and converse innovative ideas with fellow atheists also cheers me up.<br /> <br /> Texas_Robert I find an interesting amount of lack of novelty on your part. Perhaps dropping your Jesus myth would help change this? You can still keep the love; just redirect to something other than your arrogance with Jesus, especially during any time of the year. I hopes you well ;)<br /> <br /> As for the programming thing, I think the most I ever come across nowadays is slight frustration from seeing so much baloney still associated in society with much of the religious dogma. For example, all the left behind stuff. The amount of people who actually follow that comic book armageddon stuff is, well, disturbing. It is refreshing however to see more evolution shows dismissing it nowadays. I’ve opted instead for a relationship with other people, because they’re the ones who make up the Jesus nonsense anyway. Well, okay, a relationship with people who don’t hold full blind fidelity to myth-man Jesus. Otherwise, coming here to communicate, and hear, and converse innovative ideas with fellow atheists also cheers me up.

Texas_Robert I find an interesting amount of lack of novelty on your part. Perhaps dropping your Jesus myth would help change this? You can still keep the love; just redirect to something other than your arrogance with Jesus, especially during any time of the year. I hopes you well ;)

As for the programming thing, I think the most I ever come across nowadays is slight frustration from seeing so much baloney still associated in society with much of the religious dogma. For example, all the left behind stuff. The amount of people who actually follow that comic book armageddon stuff is, well, disturbing. It is refreshing however to see more evolution shows dismissing it nowadays.

]]> By: crowlogic http://atheists.org/blog/2005/12/27/by_request_have_you_been_deprogrammed/comment-page-1#comment-20144 crowlogic Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-20144 Hey there, also from texas here. Robert, there is no unhappiness here. I've never been happier in my life. I was raised in a pentecostal church and was always tought the basic chrstian bullshit (we are not worthy, we are just passing time til we go to a great place, dont question things cause its the devil planting those curious thoughts in your head). I did believe it for a bit and would always pray for help with problems and my left kept getting worse. I was miserable, and frightened that every little thing would send me to hell and I was very upset by all those people who didnd't believe thinking that they were going to hell too. <br /> <br /> When I was 15 I began to realize this was all a bit ludicrous and by 18 I was a full fledge atheist. I was not helped along this deprogramming process by anyone but I came to it myself by reasoning, logic, thinking about how stories and mythes are passed along, and critical thinking. <br /> <br /> Once I shed all these superstitions and realized I was in control of my own destiny my life got infinitely better. When I was a christian I was overweight, depressed, scared of doing anything bad, etc. Now since I told jesus to go fuck himself I've gotten in the best shape of my life, got a badass job, made tons of money, made lots of friends and generally enjoy the hell out of everyday without the burden that religous thought brings.<br /> <br /> Really, when you wake up and realize the logical truth of it all, there is no way to return. Once you realize how everything fits together there is no way to put the cat back in the bag, and that's a good thing.<br /> <br /> --Stephen<br /> <br /> "Religion is something left over from the infancy of our intelligence, it will fade away as we adopt reason and science as our guidelines." Bertrand Russell<br /> <br /> Hey there, also from texas here. Robert, there is no unhappiness here. I’ve never been happier in my life. I was raised in a pentecostal church and was always tought the basic chrstian bullshit (we are not worthy, we are just passing time til we go to a great place, dont question things cause its the devil planting those curious thoughts in your head). I did believe it for a bit and would always pray for help with problems and my left kept getting worse. I was miserable, and frightened that every little thing would send me to hell and I was very upset by all those people who didnd’t believe thinking that they were going to hell too.

When I was 15 I began to realize this was all a bit ludicrous and by 18 I was a full fledge atheist. I was not helped along this deprogramming process by anyone but I came to it myself by reasoning, logic, thinking about how stories and mythes are passed along, and critical thinking.

Once I shed all these superstitions and realized I was in control of my own destiny my life got infinitely better. When I was a christian I was overweight, depressed, scared of doing anything bad, etc. Now since I told jesus to go fuck himself I’ve gotten in the best shape of my life, got a badass job, made tons of money, made lots of friends and generally enjoy the hell out of everyday without the burden that religous thought brings.

Really, when you wake up and realize the logical truth of it all, there is no way to return. Once you realize how everything fits together there is no way to put the cat back in the bag, and that’s a good thing.

–Stephen

“Religion is something left over from the infancy of our intelligence, it will fade away as we adopt reason and science as our guidelines.” Bertrand Russell

]]> By: syphonius http://atheists.org/blog/2005/12/27/by_request_have_you_been_deprogrammed/comment-page-1#comment-20145 syphonius Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-20145 Hatred? I guess using the words 'fooled', 'fallacy', and 'deprogrammed' are what are triggering you. Not sure why since those words are used all the time to talk about cults.<br /> <br /> Oh, maybe it's because you don't believe christianity is cult. Just because you have numbers and political clout doesn't change that fact.<br /> <br /> Anyway, I'm very happy. Happily married, happy being a father, and happy at being a moral and ethical person.<br /> <br /> Shocking! All those things without having an imaginary relationship with a fictional being. You should try it some time. Happiness is up to you not the invisible man in the sky.<br /> Hatred? I guess using the words ‘fooled’, ‘fallacy’, and ‘deprogrammed’ are what are triggering you. Not sure why since those words are used all the time to talk about cults.

Oh, maybe it’s because you don’t believe christianity is cult. Just because you have numbers and political clout doesn’t change that fact.

Anyway, I’m very happy. Happily married, happy being a father, and happy at being a moral and ethical person.

Shocking! All those things without having an imaginary relationship with a fictional being. You should try it some time. Happiness is up to you not the invisible man in the sky.

]]> By: tomwright http://atheists.org/blog/2005/12/27/by_request_have_you_been_deprogrammed/comment-page-1#comment-20148 tomwright Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-20148 no deprogramming, since the initial programming never took root.<br /> <br /> Though I dislike the term, since 'programming', like 'resource', is a dehumanizing term. It is part of the thingification of people that has been taking place over the past few decades. People can not be programmed, they are not machines. To paraphrase Patrick McGoohan's character in The Prisoner: "I am not a resource, I am a free man!?<br /> <br /> I prefer 'rejected religious training'.<br /> <br /> Still the same answer, since the training never took.<br /> <br /> I realized by the time I was 10 that the whole religion thing didn't make sense. The only reason I even went to Sunday school was because there was this really cute girl that had moved into town that went there.<br /> <br /> So even before puberty I was lusting in my heart! In church no less. Shocking.<br /> no deprogramming, since the initial programming never took root.

Though I dislike the term, since ‘programming’, like ‘resource’, is a dehumanizing term. It is part of the thingification of people that has been taking place over the past few decades. People can not be programmed, they are not machines. To paraphrase Patrick McGoohan’s character in The Prisoner: “I am not a resource, I am a free man!?

I prefer ‘rejected religious training’.

Still the same answer, since the training never took.

I realized by the time I was 10 that the whole religion thing didn’t make sense. The only reason I even went to Sunday school was because there was this really cute girl that had moved into town that went there.

So even before puberty I was lusting in my heart! In church no less. Shocking.

]]> By: carl0632 http://atheists.org/blog/2005/12/27/by_request_have_you_been_deprogrammed/comment-page-1#comment-20151 carl0632 Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-20151 To carry on with the Prisoner analogy, I've often felt that the Village was sort of like the church I was brought up in, and Rover was waiting to smother me if I tried to escape. Fortunately I was able to puncture it, squeeze the air out of it, and escape. Now they all want to know why I "resigned."<br /> <br /> Be seeing you!! To carry on with the Prisoner analogy, I’ve often felt that the Village was sort of like the church I was brought up in, and Rover was waiting to smother me if I tried to escape. Fortunately I was able to puncture it, squeeze the air out of it, and escape. Now they all want to know why I “resigned.”

Be seeing you!!

]]> By: atheiststatic http://atheists.org/blog/2005/12/27/by_request_have_you_been_deprogrammed/comment-page-1#comment-20152 atheiststatic Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-20152 "I find it interesting the amount of hatred I find on this BLOG. 'Seems like a whole lot of unhappy people to me... 'Perhaps a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Creator and Savior of all people (Muslims, Jews, Christians etc. and Atheists too...) could help change the hatred to Love - especially during this Christmas Season. Merry Christmas!!"<br /> <br /> If you want to talk bout hatred, I could introduce you to my friend Andy who got his face smashed into a sidewalk for being a "Christ-killer."<br /> <br /> Or to the harrasment atheists receive just for geing atheists, ect.<br /> <br /> As for Jesus, I've tried him, and found him wanting. When I was a Christian I was constanty afraid. Then one day, I literally said "fuck God." and I instictively put my hand over my mouth! I really did that. I had a little moment of clarity at that point, and I realised that I was sick of being afraid. I had enough to fear from life, without having to worry about the sky-daddy smiting me. “I find it interesting the amount of hatred I find on this BLOG. ‘Seems like a whole lot of unhappy people to me… ‘Perhaps a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Creator and Savior of all people (Muslims, Jews, Christians etc. and Atheists too…) could help change the hatred to Love – especially during this Christmas Season. Merry Christmas!!”

If you want to talk bout hatred, I could introduce you to my friend Andy who got his face smashed into a sidewalk for being a “Christ-killer.”

Or to the harrasment atheists receive just for geing atheists, ect.

As for Jesus, I’ve tried him, and found him wanting. When I was a Christian I was constanty afraid. Then one day, I literally said “fuck God.” and I instictively put my hand over my mouth! I really did that. I had a little moment of clarity at that point, and I realised that I was sick of being afraid. I had enough to fear from life, without having to worry about the sky-daddy smiting me.

]]> By: billh http://atheists.org/blog/2005/12/27/by_request_have_you_been_deprogrammed/comment-page-1#comment-20154 billh Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-20154 I was brought up in a family that took us to church every week. Went with the flow cause everyone else did. Did not like being told I was a sinner every week. Did not like being told not to question what the church said. Did not like being told that "god acts for a reason, that we do not understand". Did not like being told basically "Don't think for yourself". Basically stopped believing in gods when I grew up and stopped believing in Santa and the tooth fairy. Left home at 17 and never went back to church. <br /> <br /> Was a member of a group called Scientology for a couple of years. Found some of it very interesting, fun and useful. Had a run in with some of them when they started telling me how to live my private life, such as who I could and could not sleep with.<br /> <br /> Have not been back to a church but twice since. Once for a friends babies Baptism, and once for my daughter. She was curious about what a church was so in fairness, I took her to a popular local church. She thought it was stupid and boring. Not interested in going again. (Could have taken her to one that speaks in tongues and with rattlesnakes, but that may not really been fair)<br /> I was brought up in a family that took us to church every week. Went with the flow cause everyone else did. Did not like being told I was a sinner every week. Did not like being told not to question what the church said. Did not like being told that “god acts for a reason, that we do not understand”. Did not like being told basically “Don’t think for yourself”. Basically stopped believing in gods when I grew up and stopped believing in Santa and the tooth fairy. Left home at 17 and never went back to church.

Was a member of a group called Scientology for a couple of years. Found some of it very interesting, fun and useful. Had a run in with some of them when they started telling me how to live my private life, such as who I could and could not sleep with.

Have not been back to a church but twice since. Once for a friends babies Baptism, and once for my daughter. She was curious about what a church was so in fairness, I took her to a popular local church. She thought it was stupid and boring. Not interested in going again. (Could have taken her to one that speaks in tongues and with rattlesnakes, but that may not really been fair)

]]> By: gently http://atheists.org/blog/2005/12/27/by_request_have_you_been_deprogrammed/comment-page-1#comment-20157 gently Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-20157 I have to say that is an interesting question, the one about being deprogrammed. As with billh above I went to Catholic Mass EVERY Sunday with my Mom. I can't ever remember believing a thing the priest said. Seemed to me they talked more about getting money from everyone than about salvation. I can also remember the Nun's calling and wondering why I wasn't putting more money in those little envelopes. I have no memory of my mom's response though.<br /> <br /> I never needed deprogramming but it did take a while before I understood what my feelings were and what those feelings were called. That was the date I officially stopped believing in fairy tales!<br /> <br /> I don't know where the hatred stuff came from. All of us seem to disagree about something in here but I have seldom felt any hatred for anyone. If one wants to see hatred go a christian revival, or tell a chirstian you are an athiest. More men, women and children on this planet have been killed, maimed and denigrated in the name of someones God than for any other reason. I think we are a pretty peaceful bunch in here! I have to say that is an interesting question, the one about being deprogrammed. As with billh above I went to Catholic Mass EVERY Sunday with my Mom. I can’t ever remember believing a thing the priest said. Seemed to me they talked more about getting money from everyone than about salvation. I can also remember the Nun’s calling and wondering why I wasn’t putting more money in those little envelopes. I have no memory of my mom’s response though.

I never needed deprogramming but it did take a while before I understood what my feelings were and what those feelings were called. That was the date I officially stopped believing in fairy tales!

I don’t know where the hatred stuff came from. All of us seem to disagree about something in here but I have seldom felt any hatred for anyone. If one wants to see hatred go a christian revival, or tell a chirstian you are an athiest. More men, women and children on this planet have been killed, maimed and denigrated in the name of someones God than for any other reason. I think we are a pretty peaceful bunch in here!

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