This is my 4597th entry. I've sat down at a computer 4597 time to throw down thoughts on something or other or share some detail about this or that. Of my 4596 previous entries, my personal favourites are those written in blood, sweat and tears. These are the entries where I truly give of myself, throwing my innermost thoughts on the screen just to see what sticks. More often than not, these entries have been about losing my religion.
There's a gaping space between my heart and soul, between what I want to believe and what I've grown to accept. More often than not, words fail to adequately articulate this internal struggle. There are things I believe, things I certainly do not and a mountain of values and ideals I've gingerly filed under "undecided". For over fifteen years I've been slowly but surely losing my religion, garnering the nerve to share a slice of this descent several times. These are the entries I wrote for myself and I've read and re-read them over and over again.
Until now, these thoughts were scattered. I had resisted giving them their own category for fear they'd appear juvenile or even pathetic to those not privy to the inner workings of my psyche. I've finally overcome this hesitation and given these entries a permanent home at http://www.mikeboon.com/losing_my_religion/.
I've said too much. I haven't said enough.
It is interesting reading your posts and following your thought processes and your critical view on religion. I think it is important that people do not confuse religion with faith or belief. One can be critical of religion and its many evils without throwing out faith and the hope that there is a god.
Did you hear about the man who was an insomniac, paranoid, dyslexic?
He stayed up all night worried if there was a dog.
I was particularly interested in how you share your belief system with your children (This is reflected in your post God hates Shrimp)
My daughters attend the public school system where they are surrounded by children with varied religious beliefs. They often come home and share part of their day and speak of their interactions with classmates. My eldest daughter (9 years) is starting to form her own belief system. When she asks questions about the world around her, I tell her "Don't read one book and follow, read two books and make up your own mind."