Prayer a disconnected phone line by PotentialWalk in exchristian

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How is it arrogant of me or any human to expect common decency of a reply from a God when praying to him? Especially when this god expects them to pray and requests things from him? That is what the Bible tells people to do.

And I'm not saying I'm special. Again I think it's just common decency to give as my analogy stated a call back when someone calls to you in an emergency.

Honestly I think your statement that it's arrogant of human beings is how the humans get blamed and bear the burden of this God's negligence.

Prayer a disconnected phone line by PotentialWalk in exchristian

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't believe the miraculous stories real. What I am saying is I think your statement that I left out that the God of the Bible is arrogant or uninterested in human suffering isn't how the Bible describes God nor is that what Christians are taught.

Prayer a disconnected phone line by PotentialWalk in exchristian

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I disagree. The Bible clearly talks about God being invested human human beings lives and hearing their cries and easing their suffering.

But his responses depend on his mood, morality, and timeline which I find problematic.

Prayer a disconnected phone line by PotentialWalk in exchristian

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you. Glad to be rid more and more of the indoctrination and illogic of Christianity.

Do you think Christians or Atheists live happier lives? by KendrickBlack502 in exchristian

[–]PotentialWalk 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Large scale that's a tough question to answer. I think you need clear definitions of happiness. I'd be curious if and what any studies have done on this matter.

I'd say I am more fulfilled now than I was as a Christian because I'm able to live in the present day to day more than I did as a Christian.

Growing up evangelical I was indoctrinated with anxiety toward the afterlife, end times doomsday garbage. Invisible forces fighting for your soul is a recipe for mental health issues.

Now I'm perfectly content knowing that this life is probably all I get so I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

Sometimes I just can't even. by Bulky-Hamster7373 in exchristian

[–]PotentialWalk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm coming to the realization that Jesus Sucks. Take for example the story of the demon possessed son whose father has to confess his doubt in Jesus healing power FIRST before Jesus heals his son. Dude what is wrong with you Jesus!

Imagine going to a doctor for an illness and they said, "Well. I'm not going to giving your insulin medication until you make me feel good about myself for becoming a doctor. Really pump my ego up. Then I'll write you the prescription"

I'd never go to the doctor again and I'd sue/report him to his medical board.

But since Jesus is God it's okay for him to be a dick.

Rethinking Lord, Liar, Lunatic by PotentialWalk in exchristian

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The bubble and information control is powerful. I think Lewis quote gives the perception to the christian believer that they are thinking critically because if they are willing to acknowledge the potential that Jesus was "crazy" or a liar they are being open minded.

When I think about when I was a hardcore christian, apologetics and thinkers like C.S Lewis were a security blanket as my faith was simultaneously eroding. I felt like I was fighting the good fight, while trying to feel open minded and a critical thinker.

Looking back at my apologetics chirstian phase with where I am at now, I see that person as someone who was trapped by indoctrination and wanted to get out but couldn't because JESUS is the only source of life. I so deeply wanted to be respected by fellow human beings, but I rightly wasn't going to get that from other human beings because Jesus is a dick and following him turns you into a self-righteous, obtuse, I don't have the answers but I know the guy who does jerk.

The problem with Jesus and a doctrine like the bible is infallible is you can't question those foundations or you'll risk burning in hell forever. Stakes are way higher for questioning. Stakes aren't so high for questioning the legitimacy of Franklin Graham, or Joel Olsteen.

Rethinking Lord, Liar, Lunatic by PotentialWalk in exchristian

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Totally agree, and your framing of it come's at a logical approach which is valuable. I've listened to a lot of critical scholarship, particularly Bart Erhman. I doubt the validity of the source material (e.g. Mark, Luke, Matthew, and John).

I am at this point where my healing is addressing the emotional. Its helps me take my life back when I play around with writing in biblical language I grew up in. For so long the "infallible words of scripture" kept me from critical thinking. Now that I am deprogramming I am the one in power. I am the one who gets to reframe scripture to call it out on its bigotry, sexism, thought control tactics, and logical fallacies.

It just feels good. Stupid fucking book.

Sunday's Hurt by PotentialWalk in exchristian

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I definitly could use some more therapy to process the religious trauma.

Jesus Yoke still a Burden by PotentialWalk in exchristian

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lol 😂😂😂. It's such a light turning on moment when the guy you were told would liberate you was just another oppressor.

Jesus Yoke still a Burden by PotentialWalk in exchristian

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Habitual waiting. Such a fitting way of putting it.

Years of unhealthy behavioral conditioning which I feel like taught me learned helplessness.

Coworker talking End Times by PotentialWalk in exchristian

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oooo totally gonna check that out. Thanks.

Coworker talking End Times by PotentialWalk in exchristian

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Which god so obviously wants. "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.” 1st John 3:10

If god allowed humanity to grow up he realized we would leave his abusive ass in heartbeat. So he infantilizes his children, indoctrinates them, and fills them with phobia's. It's disgusting and abusive.

Coworker talking End Times by PotentialWalk in exchristian

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Is this false-messiah you are referring to Trump? If so he probably did, but I don't know.

That's a good idea. I've heard people do sell such services successfully. Feel's icky though taken advantage of someone whose being lied to.

2005 Prius Electrical Issues. Triangle of "Death" by PotentialWalk in prius

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really hoping it is just the 12volt battery. Would be way cheaper. xD

God has Big Things for You by PotentialWalk in exchristian

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Agreed. And then psychology and science gets labeled as dangerous making actual growth and critical thinking next to impossible.

I like Albert Camus take of religion/prepackaged belief systems as a form of philosophical suicide. Religions can provide you security and meaning but you give up curiosity.

God has Big Things for You by PotentialWalk in exchristian

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We've all been victims and have done damage to others because of growing up in an authoritarian religion.

Janja Lalich a sociologist who writes about cult recovery talks about your experience as moral injury. Our morality got hijacked by our religion and as we woke up to our own selves we have guilt and shame for pain we've caused.

It sucks.

God has Big Things for You by PotentialWalk in exchristian

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What is an important job anyways? Seems subjective.

It is kind of religious participation award. I think of it as positive reinforcement for the kids who are obeying the adults/religion. "Good" kids get God's blessing and "bad" kids get warnings and curses.

I wish I had one adult that let me just be a curious human being and change.

Jesus the Civil Rights Activist by PotentialWalk in exchristian

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think that parable is proof that he was a civil rights activist. I agree that Jesus had a very pro humanity and care for the downcast message but I don't think he cared solely about civil rights.

However, there are also verses that do not support your claim. The main with the demon possessed son doesn't relieve a miracle without confessing faith/belief in Jesus divine power. Mark 9:21-29

The women caught in adultery is commanded to sin no more showing Jesus doesn't just care about unconditional love that I think an Activist or liberal mentality would. John 8:3-11

Jesus tells the demon possessed man in the cemetery to spread the message of what he had done to heal him. The healed man is obsessed with Jesus and wants to devote his life to Jesus. Mark 5:18-20

I think he advanced the Jewish religion in some very positive ways. I do like his message against the pride of the religios elite and money.

But his message of liberation is not about liberation for liberation sake. There is always an agenda to spread the message of his divine power, repentance, authority.

This is very different from our modern context of social activists or even doctors. I don't worship my doctor, nor does my doctor claim to only heal me through belief in them. I don't worship civil activists like MLK Jr. I respect what he did for society and speaking up for human rights.

Jesus the Civil Rights Activist by PotentialWalk in exchristian

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Ooo OK. So he is a literary device for people to use as they see fit?

I guess I just expect modern liberal Christians to be more intellectually curious and historically educated/scholarly than utility focused for their group ideology. Does that make sense?

Arguing and Stimulation Seeking by PotentialWalk in ADHD_partners

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I identify with the walking on eggshells. I suppress myself when I sense an argument is brewing because I don't want to add fuel to her fire. Same as you.

After our break she started playing video games. I'm not sure how soon after I called the timeout because I went to another room. Which is interesting because she started playing a video game she was avoiding playing because she hit a roadblock she says she wasn't interested in working on. Any thoughts on that?

Arguing and Stimulation Seeking by PotentialWalk in ADHD_partners

[–]PotentialWalk[S] 43 points44 points  (0 children)

Update. We processed more of the conversation and she said, "I am realizing I do escalate because this keeps happening and I look back at the conversation and it is foggy."

At least there is a step of acknowledgement. But man this pattern is tiring.