Leaving Christianity – Oh What A Relief It Is!

Although I left Christianity over 20 years ago, it took a long while for me to erase the doctrines that had been embedded within my consciousness for 15+ years. It was not an easy road.

As Stephen Van Eck wrote on the Deism.com website: “Once sucked into the parallel universe of Christianity, [a person] is too intimidated by threats and rationalizations to attempt escape. Even thinking along alternative lines will induce severe feelings of guilt.”
Writing my book helped tremendously because of all the research and reading I did. Learning how and why certain doctrines of the Christian faith (e.g., final judgment, burning fires of hell, Satan and his demons, the end-times) were introduced into the faith was extremely liberating … and removed a ton of guilt and fear.

I also found out some things about the Bible. As many others, I had been taught the Bible was “God’s Word” (even though the interpretation of what “He” said varies considerably among denominations). Through my studies, I discovered that much of what is in the bible is the result of stories, epics, myths, legends, proverbs, etc. that were passed by word of mouth from one generation to another. This is particularly true of the Hebrew Bible, but intrinsically typical of the New Testament scriptures as well. Can you imagine the burden that was lifted when I found out I wasn’t genetically inclined to sin and thus in need of someone to save me from being human??!?

Contrary to what one might think, the many discoveries I made did not turn me into an atheist. However, I definitely do not believe in a supernatural being who lives somewhere “up there,” who can be manipulated by prayer, or who has a “will.” Rather, my image of “God” is far more encompassing and has nothing to do with religious belief. In fact, I’m extremely reluctant to even use the word “god” because of all its connotations.

In any case, I find my life so much more fulfilling now. Truly, what a relief it has been!

Update 4

I trust there are still a few of you out there reading my posts …

Things are “better” — but I need to fill in some blanks.

One night last week, the pain got so bad that I went to Emergency. Of course, since my ailment is primarily (beaucoup) muscle strain, there was little they could do — but I was desperate!

As is the usual procedure, they ran some tests (all came back OK with one “keep an eye on”) and, of course, monitored my heartbeat, blood pressure, etc. in the 5-7 hours that I was there. After a dose of pain medication, the doc made some recommendations and said to definitely follow-up with my regular physician … which I did yesterday.

So the “better” is that I now have an Rx for Ibuprofen! What a miracle drug! No, the pain is still there but now it’s not as noticeable. 😁 

At my worst, there was simply no time that I wasn’t hurting. I couldn’t sit for any length of time (e.g., at the computer) without wanting to scream when I stood up. At night, there simply was no “comfortable” position so sleep hours were extremely limited, which only added to my overall “discomfort.”

While I do realize the medication is masking some of the pain, it is allowing me to move more which helps to keep the muscles loosened up. (And that allows me to move even more!)

I truly appreciate your well wishes thus far …  and hope you’ll keep sending them my way because it seems they ARE working! ❤

(Maybe by the end of next week I’ll be able to write a post on a REAL topic! 🤞)

The True Trump

Strong. Vigorous. Handsome.

OLD.

Update 3

Miss me yet?

Well, it looks like I won’t be doing much posting for awhile longer. As I mentioned in a reply to a comment in Update 2, I recently injured some additional muscles. 

Long story short: I had a hair appointment last Tuesday and since my injury wouldn’t let me drive on my own, my other-half took me in his pickup. Ordinarily, this would have worked out fine, but with my groin injury, it required me to use the overhead bar to pull myself into and out of the passenger seat. Not being young and nubile anymore, I ended up with strained muscles in my neck, shoulders, and back.

And even more pain.

So now, although the groin muscle is starting to improve, all these other places are screaming at me and hindering me from performing many of my normal activities. Including sitting at a computer to write blogs. (Once again, my mini-tablet to the rescue!)

Of course, in my younger days, I would no doubt be up and ready to return to my usual duties by now. After all, this latest activity happened over a week ago! But unfortunately, this is not the case, so it looks like I’ll continue to be incapacitated for a bit longer.

I truly appreciate all your encouraging comments and I hope to return to “full duty” in the not-TOO-distant future. ❤

Update 2

Unfortunately I’m still out of commission.

I was doing MUCH better but I had an appointment I couldn’t miss yesterday. Since I’m still not able to get in and out of my car to drive, my other-half drove me. All went well and it felt good to get out of the house.

When we got back home, he asked if I would like to go for a short drive. I guess I was high on the fresh air so I agreed.

Bad move.

Sitting in the car seemed fine and I was enjoying myself. However, being immobile for the 30 minutes or so was NOT a good decision.

So today, not only does my leg hurt, but also several other parts of my body. Actually, my leg was getting better… but it’s difficult to appreciate the improvement since so many other parts hurt.

SIGH.

Of course none of this has to do with old age!!!

Thank you all for your good thoughts. Keep ‘em coming and I’ll whip this thing yet.

Update

In case anyone is wondering why my posts have slowed down, about 2-3 weeks ago, I injured my left groin muscle. VERY painful injury.

Anyway, after going through many throes of pain, I (finally!) discovered that standing up after sitting at my computer for any length of time was a big part of the problem. So I moved to my recliner chair in the family room and started using my mini-tablet to check email, read the news, respond to blog comments, etc. Periodically, I would move my leg to different positions and this helped to keep the muscles more flexible. Thankfully, the process is working and my leg is improving. 🤗

However, this setup is not conducive to blog writing, so until I can get back to my regular computer, I hope you will bear with me.