Greetings and Salutations

[The BullCat]

I have already posted in the atheist movie thread but I just wanted to say hello properly. I have been a reader of this site on and off for about a year. I am an atheist. I have had a very strange history when it comes to religion. As a small child I my mother was a Buddhist, and my Dad a lapsed Baptist. God was never mentioned, we never stepped foot inside of a church, religion just wasn't an issue. I went off to college and at 18 years years old, my parents decided that they were going to "get religion" in a huge way. They joined the most fundamental church in the area and just performed complete 180 personality wise. That was wierd as all get out. Of course, they tried to convert me, but I was just not interested and kept my own lifestyle until I got married. My Ex-husband was a Wiccan and I participated in a few rituals, but it was mostly his thing. Then finally, (I am embarrased to admit this) I saw a television show that finally got me to convert to Christianity, Jack and Rexella Van Inpe a husband wife televangelist team. They had a special on hell that was so horrific that I became afraid of hell for the first time in my life. I asked Jesus into my life for the very first time. The funny thing was I really didn't do it out of love for a diety or conviction for anything Jesus did, I just didn't want to just invited to God's eternal weenie roast as the weenie. I just wanted fire insurance. So I took my parents advice and joined the chapter of Pentacostals in my city that my parents were involved in and that began one of the worst periods of my life. By the time I finally left the Church I was suicidal. I was about 24 years old at the time and I am now 34 years old and although I am a proud and out atheist I am STILL recovering from the experience. Reading your site and others like it has helped me immensely. I am grateful to you guys. You may have never met me before, but ya'll have helped me more than you will ever know. Thank you for being here.

[mmfwmc]

Good to hear from you dude. This place is great, isn't it?

P.S. if you still have suicidal tendencies don't try replying to Francis, it could push you over the edge. :D:D:D

[Smellyoldgit]

Give your ol' folks a poke in the eye from me !

[nkb]

Welcome, BullCat.

I can only imagine how hard it is to break free from a hard core sect like the Pentecostals. Props to you for being successful.

[The BullCat]

Welcome, BullCat.

I can only imagine how hard it is to break free from a hard core sect like the Pentecostals. Props to you for being successful.
Thank you, it was hard as all get out. The guilt and the feeling of failure was overwhelming. But, it was better than staying in. Thier "Holiness Code" for what you wore, who you could talk to, where you could work, having to take all of your personal business in front of the church. The fact that the pastor and all of the elders expected you to have "The Holy Ghost experience every single time you went to church, and church was 4 days a week, and I couldn't speak in tongues to save my life. I honestly thought that I had to be evil to not get it. Then one day, everyone in the church decided to do a laying on of hands to excorcise the demons that were blocking my progress. It was like the village of the damned, I swear. 100 people putting their mitts on you, crying, wailing, chanting "Out of her Satan!" I got claustrophobic and tried to leave but they just took that as proof of Satan blocking my progress. They had ushers blocking the door. Then just to get them off of me, I decided to fake it and just start babbling nonsense. It worked! They totally believed it. But I hate dishonesty. I tried to confess afterwords, but they did not want to hear it. They told me "Satan was trying to steal my victory" and convice me it wasn't real. I thought I was losing my mind. 5 hours later, I finally left the building and never went back. Getting my confidence, mind and personality back was a long, slow process. I didn't dump Christianity right away, I just switched to more and more liberal views, and read so many books, watching a lot of History Channel, Discovery Channel and TLC, (after having television banned) I must say, learning about the circumstances around the authorship of the books and about all the different schools of thought about interpretation, helped immensely. Atheism finally became a real possibilty to me after I googled the phrase, Ex-Christian for a lark. I read stories of people who went through similar experiences, and were happy with no religion at all and I was off in running. Plus going to college and learning about evolution and the Big Bang theory and speaking with people of different faiths, finding RA and Ebon Musings, I am here.

[The BullCat]

LOL!! Will do.

[nkb]

... and I couldn't speak in tongues to save my life.
Not everyone is as talented as Borat.

If you have not seen the movie, Sascha Baron Cohen (as Borat) attends a Pentecostal church, and starts speaking in tongues. He does a pretty decent job (compared to the other members), but, at the same time, it sounds just like his fake Kazahkstan language.
Hilarious!

[Choobus]

[LEFT]Jack and Rexella Van Inpe

Aaargh! I hate those cunts (http://www.jvim.com/)with a fervour usually retained for those I actually meet. (I assume you mean Impe and not Inpe). I was not aware that their endless wank actually had an effect on anyone. I suppose I should be grateful that I can't imagine it working on me. As cuntish as they are, these people are true Christians (tm). They embody all of the traits one has come to expect from chrisologists.

Welcome bullcat. I hope we can help de-Impefy you as needed.

[Irreligious]

Welcome, BullCat. That was a fascinating story.

I sort of come from that tradition, but not to the extreme degree of paranoic behavior you described. The Pentecostals seem to exemplify that, or so I've heard.

We were fundamentalist Baptists when I was growing up, and one thing I'll say in favor of black Baptists, specifically, is that for all their blatant hypocrisy, they really do give a person a lot of room to fuck up.

Sure, you're expected to go to church regularly and, definitely, tithe (you better!), but the other folks in the congregation ain't up in your business 24/7. Of course, they're as gossipy as anyone else, but if you get caught fuckin' up (translation: being human), all you gotta do is make a big, noisy public display of your repentance and everybody's happy.

And you're pretty much allowed to repeat this process as many times as necessary.

These people with whom you were dealing were control freaks to the max and you were wise to get away.

[Lily]

... As cuntish as they are, these people are true Christians (tm). They embody all of the traits one has come to expect from chrisologists.

What traits? Do you see close similarities between the van Impes and me? The van Impes and Lurker? Between the van Impes and Steve? Thomas? If so, what are they? If not, why doesn't the fact that we are different count?

While Bullcat's story is horrifying (and I wish you a speedy recovery, Bullcat), you surely know that it isn't the whole story, by any means. The peculiarities of the Pentecostalism represented by the van Impes is a 20th century American phenomenon rooted in a particular class and culture. It is neither universal nor is it particularly or peculiarly Christian.

You know how big the world is. The customs and cultures of mankind are as many as there are nations, tribes and clans-- and as varied. If the van Impes of the world are your idea of Christianity, you need to get out of your lab more often. Either that or stop watching televangelists.

[Smellyoldgit]

Delighted to say that I'd never heard of this van Chimp idiot till now - a brief search threw up much of the usual shite.
Over the years, Van Impe has set many specific years and dates for the second coming of Jesus, but has continued to move his prediction later. Many of these dates have already passed, and he recently pointed to 2012 as a possible date for the second coming. Van Impe no longer claims to know the exact date of the Second Coming of Christ, but quotes verses which imply that humankind should know when the second coming is near. Prior to January 1, 2000, Van Impe frequently predicted widespread catastrophe resulting from the Y2K problem, which he believed was a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. His predictions, however, proved inaccurate.

[Wakkun]

His predictions, however, proved inaccurate.
Brought to you from the Wikipedia Department of the Bleedin' Obvious. :D

Oh and where's me manners? Welcome BullCat, me luvs a story with a happy ending :D

(Curious about the nick, BTW)

[The BullCat]

Aaargh! I hate those cunts (http://www.jvim.com/)with a fervour usually retained for those I actually meet. (I assume you mean Impe and not Inpe). I was not aware that their endless wank actually had an effect on anyone. I suppose I should be grateful that I can't imagine it working on me. As cuntish as they are, these people are true Christians (tm). They embody all of the traits one has come to expect from chrisologists.

Welcome bullcat. I hope we can help de-Impefy you as needed.
Thank you for the correction in spelling. I guess I have been successful in blocking them out of my mind so long, I don't even remember how to spell thier names right. And yes, like I said I am so embarrased to admit it, but they got through in a weak moment. Never again though!

[The BullCat]

Aaargh! I hate those cunts (http://www.jvim.com/)with a fervour usually retained for those I actually meet. (I assume you mean Impe and not Inpe). I was not aware that their endless wank actually had an effect on anyone. I suppose I should be grateful that I can't imagine it working on me. As cuntish as they are, these people are true Christians (tm). They embody all of the traits one has come to expect from chrisologists.

Welcome bullcat. I hope we can help de-Impefy you as needed.
And thank you for the welcome!

[The BullCat]

My Nick? Sure, no problem, I'll tell you. I have green eyes. Where I grew up, green eyes were called cat eyes. So for most of my life I had been called by some form of feline name, Kitten, Kitty, Miss Kitten Etc. As I posted earlier, my mother was a Buddhist and she was into astrology, both the Chinese and Western Zodiac and I happen to be an Ox in both of them. So, over time they just merged to become BullCat. When I write poetry, I change it to Taurus Felis.

[Irreligious]

...And yes, like I said I am so embarrased to admit it, but they got through in a weak moment. Never again though!
Aww, don't be embarrassed. That's precisely how they get you. Wouldn't work, otherwise. I was almost there once, myself, in my mid 20s, 2 1/2 decades ago.

I was trying with all my might to deny my sexual orientation, because I was otherwise happily married to a woman I truly believed I loved. My so-called saviors came in the guise of a lovely, cornfed midwestern couple who, after enduring some trials of their own, had recently joined the Assemblies of God Church.

Now, I was never religious a day in my life, but these young marrieds were so appealing in their candor about their own lows in their admittedly young lives that my ex (who was still a nominal Muslim then) and I agreed to accompany them to church.

The folks at the church were superficially nice and very welcoming. They all seemed to be confident and content with themselves, but I've always been an arbitrary type and, thus, could not accept at face value what they were saying to me about how they'd achieved this seemingly blissful state.

Privately, I was counseled by some of them that Jesus was absolute love, but time was of the essence and that I had to embrace him immediately or I'd have to endure his wrath. Of course, he loved me but not my "sins," or as as I interpreted it, my human imperfections. Thus, I'd have to shed the old me and become "born-again" as something that was more appealing to this loving man/deity.

Now, I never could buy that this man/deity was literally what they claimed he was supposed to be. I figured, no grownup could really be that deluded. I assumed they were speaking of him as God in a metaphorical sense. Of course they weren't, but I was naive.

Bottom line, I was so probing (not even asking tough questions, necessarily) that one of the leaders of the church told me to my face that this was not for me, because I was intellectualizing the whole magilla when it had nothing to do with that at all. He actually sent me on my way and I never looked back.

[skribb]

My Nick? Sure, no problem, I'll tell you. I have green eyes. Where I grew up, green eyes were called cat eyes. So for most of my life I had been called by some form of feline name, Kitten, Kitty, Miss Kitten Etc. As I posted earlier, my mother was a Buddhist and she was into astrology, both the Chinese and Western Zodiac and I happen to be an Ox in both of them. So, over time they just merged to become BullCat. When I write poetry, I change it to Taurus Felis.

I kinda like that. Welcome :)

[The BullCat]

Aww, don't be embarrassed. That's precisely how they get you. Wouldn't work, otherwise. I was almost there once, myself, in my mid 20s, 2 1/2 decades ago.

I was trying with all my might to deny my sexual orientation, because I was otherwise happily married to a woman I truly believed I loved. My so-called saviors came in the guise of a lovely, cornfed midwestern couple who, after enduring some trials of their own, had recently joined the Assemblies of God Church.

Now, I was never religious a day in my life, but these young marrieds were so appealing in their candor about their own lows in their admittedly young lives that my ex (who was still a nominal Muslim then) and I agreed to accompany them to church.

The folks at the church were superficially nice and very welcoming. They all seemed to be confident and content with themselves, but I've always been an arbitrary type and, thus, could not accept at face value what they were saying to me about how they'd achieved this seemingly blissful state.

Privately, I was counseled by some of them that Jesus was absolute love, but time was of the essence and that I had to embrace him immediately or I'd have to endure his wrath. Of course, he loved me but not my "sins," or as as I interpreted it, my human imperfections. Thus, I'd have to shed the old me and become "born-again" as something that was more appealing to this loving man/deity.

Now, I never could buy that this man/deity was literally what they claimed he was supposed to be. I figured, no grownup could really be that deluded. I assumed they were speaking of him as God in a metaphorical sense. Of course they weren't, but I was naive.

Bottom line, I was so probing (not even asking tough questions, necessarily) that one of the leaders of the church told me to my face that this was not for me, because I was intellectualizing the whole magilla when it had nothing to do with that at all. He actually sent me on my way and I never looked back.
Whew! I am very happy for you that it was only a close call. And you know, the sad thing is, you do meet some nice people in church. When they are outside of the building they can be cool to hang with. But to amplify your "superficially" qualifier, I came across a quote in a book called The Gift of Fear by Gavin DeBecker that went something like, "Nice isn't something people are, nice is something people do. Nice is an action verb."

[Irreligious]

...When they are outside of the building they can be cool to hang with. But to amplify your "superficially" qualifier, I came across a quote in a book called The Gift of Fear by Gavin DeBecker that went something like, "Nice isn't something people are, nice is something people do. Nice is an action verb."
Oh, absolutely. That's why I try hard to not stereotype anybody, including Christians. The only thing I can say about Christians as a group is that they have, in my experience, consistently failed to back up any of the assertions they make about the individual many of them claim is or was God incarnate.

Otherwise, many of them that I know are actually kind and generous, but flawed people like anyone else. I just make it my business to stay out of their business as it concerns deities and the supernatural, and I see to it that they stay out of mine as it regards the same. If they're not entirely wrapped up in that other alleged realm, some really are very nice folk in word and in deed.

[Sternwallow]

My Nick? ... When I write poetry, I change it to Taurus Felis.
:thumbsup: splendid :thumbsup: (and another belated welcome)

[Stargazer]

Oh, absolutely. That's why I try hard to not stereotype anybody, including Christians. The only thing I can say about Christians as a group is that they have, in my experience, consistently failed to back up any of the assertions they make about the individual many of them claim is or was God incarnate.

Otherwise, many of them that I know are actually kind and generous, but flawed people like anyone else. I just make it my business to stay out of their business as it concerns deities and the supernatural, and I see to it that they stay out of mine as it regards the same. If they're not entirely wrapped up in that other alleged realm, some really are very nice folk in word and in deed.

Just that one 800 pound gorilla in the room to tiptoe around. As long as you do that - nice people. But if you mess with the gorilla......

[Rat Bastard]

Heh, and then some bonehead like Francis walks in and tells us we can't see that gorilla.....holy crap.

[Irreligious]

Just that one 800 pound gorilla in the room to tiptoe around. As long as you do that - nice people. But if you mess with the gorilla......
How is that any different from the rest of us who hold certain ideals to be sacrosanct, for lack of a better word?

Now, don't get me wrong. I ain't defending Christianity in the least, but there are Christians who know how to mind their own business. Other Christians might claim they're not true Christians because they're not bashing everyone else over the head with their beliefs, or they subscribe to a more liberal interpretation of Biblical scripture, but they still get to decide what they call themselves. And as long as you don't make Christianity an issue, oftentimes, they won't, either. With them, I can deal.

[Stargazer]

How is that any different from the rest of us who hold certain ideals to be sacrosanct, for lack of a better word?

Now, don't get me wrong. I ain't defending Christianity in the least, but there are Christians who know how to mind their own business. Other Christians might claim they're not true Christians because they're bashing everyone else over the head with their beliefs, or they subscribe to a more liberal interpretation of Biblical scripture, but they still get to decide what they call themselves. And as long as you don't make Christianity an issue, oftentimes, they won't either. With them, I can deal.

No different, except that Christians are brainwashed (ahem, indoctrinated) to insert Christianity into everything that they do, so that they do it unthinkingly. That makes the gorilla very hard to ignore cause he keeps stepping on your toes. (ouch!)

[Irreligious]

No different, except that Christians are brainwashed (ahem, indoctrinated) to insert Christianity into everything that they do, so that they do it unthinkingly. That makes the gorilla very hard to ignore cause he keeps stepping on your toes. (ouch!)
I'm not trying to be argumentative, because I know very well that the kind of Christian of whom you speak exists in abundance, but I also know that they're not all like that.

[Stargazer]

I'm not trying to be argumentative, because I know very well that the kind of Christian of whom you speak exists in abundance, but I also know that they're not all like that.

I know them, too. They're usually less indoctrinated. They're also in the minority anymore. I can remember when religion never entered the workplace. Now, the gorilla's there, too!

[The BullCat]

Just that one 800 pound gorilla in the room to tiptoe around. As long as you do that - nice people. But if you mess with the gorilla......
Yep, I don't know what the concentration of Christians and churches is like in your city. I live in a small to midsized town depending on your definition,(Pop 20,000) in Kansas (you know, where they took Evolution away from the public school science testing standards?) and you literally cannot walk more than three blocks without hitting a church. I have had to learn the hard way to watch what I say and who I say it to. People will corner you in the frozen food section, track you back to your car and leave notes on it, ask thier friends who work with you to send you email, to convince you that you need to come to their church.

[Stargazer]

Yep, I don't know what the concentration of Christians and churches is like in your city. I live in a small to midsized town depending on your definition,(Pop 20,000) in Kansas (you know, where they took Evolution away from the public school science testing standards?) and you literally cannot walk more than three blocks without hitting a church. I have had to learn the hard way to watch what I say and who I say it to. People will corner you in the frozen food section, track you back to your car and leave notes on it, ask thier friends who work with you to send you email, to convince you that you need to come to their church.

I used to live in Daytona Beach, Florida, where, by physical count in my town there were more churches than gas stations. More recently I lived in Colorado where there were so many knocks on my door pertaining to religion, I used to put on my necklace with the American Atheists symbol on it to open the door. Now I live in the Pacific Northwest, where, mercifully, it is much less noticeable. I do sympathize with you on your location. My hope is that other redeeming features keep you there......

[Rat Bastard]

My neighbor, a biker, was doing one of his girlfriends when the JWs showed up at his door. He opened the door with a raging hard-on and asked them what the hell they wanted. They mumbled something, and left, never to return. Not all of us have the guts to do something like that.

[Stargazer]

My neighbor, a biker, was doing one of his girlfriends when the JWs showed up at his door. He opened the door with a raging hard-on and asked them what the hell they wanted. They mumbled something, and left, never to return. Not all of us have the guts to do something like that.

Seems like it was very effective, though.

[Rat Bastard]

heeheehee...and he carries his magic talisman with him wherever he goes. :o

[Stargazer]

heeheehee...and he carries his magic talisman with him wherever he goes. :o

The Anti Christ device

[Rat Bastard]

Heh, I guess, if you think about it, it might look like an inverted cross. I never really thought about that too much, being interested in the other sex, to distraction.

[Stargazer]

Heh, I guess, if you think about it, it might look like an inverted cross. I never really thought about that too much, being interested in the other sex, to distraction.

I'm just saying it worked as a Christer repellant.

[Choobus]

trouble is, most of the JW's that co,me to my door would have an immediate and negative impact on even a viagra enhanced hard on. Moreover, if one is already in such a state one probably has better thngs to do than show some unwelcome christologists how to wang chung tonight

[Stargazer]

trouble is, most of the JW's that co,me to my door would have an immediate and negative impact on even a viagra enhanced hard on. Moreover, if one is already in such a state one probably has better thngs to do than show some unwelcome christologists how to wang chung tonight

After all one must have priorities.

[Gnosital]

He opened the door with a raging hard-on and asked them what the hell they wanted.

Was it a nekkid raging hard on? Just curious... I may have need of the err... technique... some day....

[Rat Bastard]

Was it a nekkid raging hard on? Just curious... I may have need of the err... technique... some day....

I guess I left that out....he was buck naked!

[Gnosital]

Nice.