How ~The Doctor~ rediscovered religion

[Medicus]

So on Saturday my Grandfather passed away. Yes, yes, very sad, but it was a relief, by the end he was virtually a vegetable. And since his wife died six weeks ago, he just gave up. So I'm sad he's gone, but also happy.

Anyway, today my mother, aunt, uncle, and myself visited the Church to organise his funeral service (tomorrow). The priest taking it I have some experience with: being the man who confirmed me, he would. So after everything was organised, we struck up a conversation, and I think it might have been what I was looking for.

For those of you who don't know, I've been clinically depressed for the last year, and I don't mean I've gone emo. I dropped out of school because of it, there are two large scars on my legs to attest to the self-harm I did, and I spent a night in hospital because the psychologist I was seeing feared for my safety.

What did we talk about? Everything. Religion, school, careers, current affairs, philosophy... we talked for about an hour and a half, and it was like opening my eyes for the first time. It's hard to put into words what I felt, besides from relief, and hope. I'm not a full convert, but I'll be going to Church this Sunday.

For months I've been searching for something to help me, to support me in what has literally been the worst year of my life. I don't really know what happened, but I think I finally found what I need.

On a side-note, we were talking about his experience training to be an Anglican Minister, and you have to be "approved" by about a dozen people. Long story short, they only take those who God has personally called. Anyway, he was telling me about this bloke who was in training with him. Now, this fellow said that Jesus had appeared to him - in Aisle Four of a Woolworth's supermarket. Needless to say, he was asked to leave.

[Romano B.]

I'm glad you've decided to turn your life around, Medicus. Just remember that to be a true believer, you must accept Jesus' gift of salvation, and admit your wrongdoings to him, you will be forigiven, thats all it takes to be forgiven.

Now, let me tell you something, you've taken a step in the right direction, you are on the right path. Just remember all I've said, that is the way into Heaven. Let me also assure you, Heaven is NOT a boring place where you play a harp on a cloud the whole time. Thats far from the actual truth. In Heaven, you don't need to worry about thinking of sinful thoughts, because once you are there, all thoughts of sin are forgotton. With this in mind, you could do whatever you want.

Also, you have my deepest condolences. I'm very sorry about what happened to your Grandfather. I don't think you need to be in despair though, if he honoured the Lord and accepted the gift of salvation, then you've no reason to worry, although emotions come on naturally.

Best of regards to you, Medicus!
-Sebastiano, a.k.a. Lucius Julius, your TWC Brother through our common Patron Scorch

[Thanatos]

I'm sorry, Medicus. I pray you find peace through Him.

P.S. - I'll be visiting you next year, maybe, so keep an eye out.

[Medicus]

Uh... how come you have an alt account, Lucius? If you wanted to change your name, all you have to do is ask a staff member.

Thanks for support, and your condolences.

I have a slightly different view on mortality than most people my age, since I've quite obviously been faced with it. He's gone, mourn for a little while, but get on with things. He's in a better place, and he's free of pain and suffering. Death is not to be celebrated, or to be feared, but it is to be accepted.

P.S. - I'll be visiting you next year, maybe, so keep an eye out.

Student Exchange?

Lock up your (Catholic) daughters, Thanatos is in town!

[Thanatos]

"We cannot choose how or when we are to be born, but it takes courage to take the last step." - Hua Yuanjia

You could say that, yeah, student exchange. And I wil- OY! I'M NOT A PIMP, MEDICUS! SHEESH!

[Romano B.]

Uh... how come you have an alt account, Lucius? If you wanted to change your name, all you have to do is ask a staff member.

I mostly have this alternate account because I like the username Sebastiano, but I didn't want to change the name Lucius Julius. I also reasoned that as long as I don't post disruptively, I won't be banned or suspended, and will be treated fairly as others. Another reason, my original actually, is that I signed up for the Democracy game, but for roleplay reasons, I wanted to be called Sebastiano, as it is more fitting for the Middle Ages than Lucius Julius.

P.S. Don't worry, I'll still be on my Lucius Julius account, it's just that this is the account I'll use more often now. You'll be able to recognize Lucius because I write in navy blue on that account, while in the Sebastiano account, I write in red. Hey, at least I revealed I have an alternate account, unlike some people.

[Thanatos]

I mostly have this alternate account because I like username Sebastiano, but I didn't want to change the name Lucius Julius. I also reasoned that as long as I don't post disruptively, I will not be banned, and will be treated fairly as others. Another reason, my original actually, is that I signed up for the Democracy game, but for roleplay reasons, I wanted to be called Sebastiano, as it is more fitting for the Middle Ages than Lucius Julius.

P.S. Don't worry, I'll still be on my Lucius Julius account, it's just that this is the account I'll use more often now. You'll be able to recognize Lucius because he writes in navy blue, while Sebastiano writes in red.

Somebody needs to pray to Him for help with schizophrenia.

[Romano B.]

Somebody needs to pray to Him for help with schizophrenia.

I don't get it. How am I schizophrenic? By using another account, that rightfully belongs to me? I didn't hack anyone.

[Thanatos]

I don't get it. How am I schizophrenic? By using another account, that rightfully belongs to me? I didn't hack anyone.

It was a joke, Sebastiano.

[Scar Face]

I've been through a few stages in my life where I was extremely depressed. I don't know if I was close to the same level as you, but I do [to an extent] understand the despair that comes from it. It is good, at the very least, that you may find hope through religion. But don't let it be a crutch.

[Tarif]

Sorry to hear about your loss Doctor.

Boeing will likely find this post ironic based on all the alt-talk.

[Dayman]

I'm sorry for your loss, and it's a shame that he died, but I hate to hear about the "finding religion" thing. I hope that, if you do become religious, to remain moderate and not lose your mind in the idea of it.

But do not let people like Lucius indoctrinate you while you are emotionally weak. That's just as bad as an ambulance chasing lawyer, you prey on people who are having a rough patch, and try and attack them, turn them to their own cause. Utterly despicable, no matter how nicely they try and sound. Anyone who tries to claim they know what happens when you die is a charlatan. I would never think of trying to do that to people who have just lost a loved one. That's terrible and predatory, and is almost just as bad as brainwashing children. Notice how he said that everything is okay, as long as your granddad followed what his certain sect of Christianity thinks is the path to heaven. I literally want to spit right now.

Just listen to this one piece of advice: do not make any decisions until the pain has passed. Do things with a clear mind.




PS I hate to sound like this, but am I the only atheist that hasn't regressed to religion when a family member has died?

And @ the brown wizard, how would I find it ironic? I know who you are

[Medicus]

I'm sorry for your loss, and it's a shame that he died, but I hate to hear about the "finding religion" thing. I hope that, if you do become religious, to remain moderate and not lose your mind in the idea of it.

Don't worry, I won't. I've had a lot of time to think about the whole thing. Like I said, I'm not a full convert. I still have a lot to figure out.

Just listen to this one piece of advice: do not make any decisions until the pain has passed. Do things with a clear mind.

I'm not really "wracked with grief", I'm more worried about my mother, who's already had a tough time (her mother and now have father have passed away within six weeks of each other, and she nursed her mother for two weeks before she went to hospital). I made this decision with a sound mind.

No matter what you may think, not all priests are out to brainwash you, and they certainly don't tell you to believe or burn in hell. I actually carried out an intellectual conversation with him, and we didn't stay on religion long. But that's Anglicanism for you.

PS I hate to sound like this, but am I the only atheist that hasn't regressed to religion when a family member has died?

There are probably millions of them. And I was never an atheist, not really.

[Dayman]

I'm not really "wracked with grief", I'm more worried about my mother, who's already had a tough time (her mother and now have father have passed away within six weeks of each other, and she nursed her mother for two weeks before she went to hospital). I made this decision with a sound mind.

I understand completely.

No matter what you may think, not all priests are out to brainwash you, and they certainly don't tell you to believe or burn in hell. I actually carried out an intellectual conversation with him, and we didn't stay on religion long. But that's Anglicanism for you.

You are right, not everyone is, especially so with the more moderate churches. I was a Catholic for most of my life. But there are certain types or religious, especially evangelicals, who profit from the grief of mankind.

[Medicus]

You are right, not everyone is, especially so with the more moderate churches. I was a Catholic for most of my life.

I can understand your dislike for religion if you were raised Catholic, Boeing.

Anglicanism is really modern compared to it. I've had three priests tell me that Creationism is bollocks.

[Roman Knight]

I can understand your dislike for religion if you were raised Catholic, Boeing.

Anglicanism is really modern compared to it. I've had three priests tell me that Creationism is bollocks.

Yeah, we've got an Anglican priest like that, but he didn't get a place he was hoping for in the Sydney clergy (not surre what its called) because he wasn't enough of a Christian. He says that all the stories in the bible are symbolic of something, especially the miracles, he doesn't think that Jesus was in any way empowered more than anyone else, except that he was a nice (but of an understatement) bloke. Basically he believes no religious things literally, and rather than teach us bible stories he teaches us interpretations of the bible and how to find meaning and purpose in life.

The problem is that I've got another teacher who shows us Richard Dawkins during class and I'm not really sure which way to turn and have ended up agnostic.

Sorry for the badly constructed post, I can't think straight atm

[Dayman]

I can understand your dislike for religion if you were raised Catholic, Boeing.

Anglicanism is really modern compared to it. I've had three priests tell me that Creationism is bollocks.

I've heard that. I've known a few good Catholic priests as well, including my best friend's cousin. Now, that makes my new idea to pick up chicks awkward, (get excommunicated, I mean, how "bad boy" is that?), because I would never be able to escape it from my friends family, but still.

When it comes down to it though, if someone, like you, needs religion in their lives (I had to deal with this question with a friend who tried to kill himself after his dad killed himself), in order to keep them in this life, which is the only certain one we have, than I guess it causes more good than ill, looking at things from a utilitarian point of view.

[Ummon]

I can understand your dislike for religion if you were raised Catholic, Boeing.

I was raised a Catholic (in an Atheist family, to allow me to choose) and although I am not a Catholic anymore, I don't dislike religion.

Condolences, in any case.

[TheKwas]

I can understand your dislike for religion if you were raised Catholic, Boeing.

Anglicanism is really modern compared to it. I've had three priests tell me that Creationism is bollocks.

It's official Catholic doctrine that biological creationism is 'bollocks'. Anglicanism is divided between conservative and liberal sects, with many on the conservative side of things being fierce creationists (such as my one friend and her family).

Not to get involved in petty religious wars or anything, but you should educate yourself fully about any organized religion you intend on joining.


My advice concerning using religion as a crutch is simple: caution. It can work, but it can also backfire and make things worse (losing a religion is much harder than living without a religion). Often people will join a religious community with the expectation that the intial bliss they feel from being part of a faith-based community and being in 'god's presence' (or whatever), will last forever, and when it doesn't it's hits you hard. There's plenty of stories I could tell you to illustrate this point (my mother's religion certainly helped her through hard times, but my uncle's wife slept with his Catholic priest and nearly destroyed him).

I'm disappointed that you don't see the joy that can come from a secular worldview, but as Boeing said, utility comes first.

[Medicus]

Not to get involved in petty religious wars or anything, but you should educate yourself fully about any organized religion you intend on joining.

I think it's time to reveal a little more of my life story. I attended an Anglican College for eight years, and I've spent several years going to church, with large gaps in between. So I'd say I'm fairly well educated in the whole thing. I was never one to believe "God loves you so everything's going to be alright".

My advice concerning using religion as a crutch is simple: caution. It can work, but it can also backfire and make things worse (losing a religion is much harder than living without a religion).

I haven't "found" religion, I've gone back to it. I haven't suddenly walked into a random Church and fought "hmm, this might be good for a laugh".

Often people will join a religious community with the expectation that the intial bliss they feel from being part of a faith-based community and being in 'god's presence' (or whatever), will last forever, and when it doesn't it's hits you hard.

Oh, I'm not expecting that. Religion doesn't work that way. You've got to find it yourself, not wait for someone to hand it to you. It's a personal journey.

I'm disappointed that you don't see the joy that can come from a secular worldview, but as Boeing said, utility comes first.

I'm not going to go out and protest against abortion, if that's what you think. My political views remain secular, as they always have.

good for you i hope you find peace in your new found faith

Thanks, Mansa. You get rep for not trying to convince me to become a Muslim. Even when I was leaning towards atheism, I still had a great respect for those who followed religion, whatever they believed.