So had it with religion.

[speakout]

Just hate all the judgement. My mother has just become Mormon. Sister is a fundamentalist Baptist. So they fight. They also judge me, Atheist- non married, stable relationship 20+ years and kids.
Both are embarrassed by me. Both christians I would have thought? Get along. Both use the bible? Shared values ?Nope.
Just a rant.

I think if everyone can't agree to leaving anything to do with religion out of the conversation then minimal contact with them. Try and stay away from the drama as much as you can.

It just makes me so sad. There is SO much to wonder at in the world and its almost like region makes some people loose their sense of focus and joy, as though all that wonder can just be summed up as 'god' and no more thought needs to go into anything. I really believe this world would be a much happier place if we took religion out of schools, that families can say what they like within the family, but that schools should be totally about keeping an open mind.
Well done you for keeping your open mind when those about you would rather your blindly followed

I'm no expert but isn't most religion about gods judgement? They're just passing it on down the line to you (and each other), and try as I might to be more spiritual, it seems another damn good reason to look inside yourself for spirituality rather than an external set of random rules.

You say you've 'had it' as if this is a recent thing but have you ever had any religious leanings yourself or have you always disapproved of religion, speakout?

Just reply "Love thy neighbour" and let the rest wash over you like water over a swan's back.

Their hypocrisy is their problem, not yours.

I have never had any religious leaning liltingleaf apart from the force fed stuff at school.

I guess it has come to a head recently. My mother ( we live in the same house) has recently become a Mormon ( was previously a baptist)
I support her decision. She regularly has church members come to visit for bible studies, I make hot chocolate and have a little polite chat then leave them to their stuff.
Two missionaries started asking about the family, and the subject of weddings came up. They asked what kind of wedding I had- ( I am unmarried- two kids)
My mother jumped in and started giving "details" of a quiet day, simple lunch at a local hotel etc- all complete fabrication. I remained silent as I did not want to embarrass my mother.
Last time my sister visited I caught her sprinkling holy water around the house trying to "purge demons".

I must lead a bad life.

So you all believe and don't believe in different things. And have been having disagreements about this.

Regarding your mother lying about you, it is sad that she feels she has to do this. You make your own choices according to what you believe is right. They don't have to line up with her beliefs or be the same choices she would make. You are different people you each have your own lives and choices to make. Have you spoken to her about this?

Regarding your sister's sprinkling of holy water, you could ask her to do the job properly and supply her with some cleaning cloths. Mention your cooker has been behaving really 'badly' and it could do with a good cleanse . Though cookers generally need more than a little sprinkle... Joking aside, would you feel the same about other ritualistic behaviours such as burning herbs to cleanse a room, giving dream catchers as a gift or wearing evil eye rings?

Meh. I'm Christian, non-married, stable relationship 20+ years and kids. My atheist mother is the one who gives me trouble. Some people are very judgemental, and they latch on to things that can give them the "authority" to judge. Some do it with religion, some with diet and exercise, some with politics and social justice stuff, some with animal rights. I don't think that most religions do enough to discourage people using a deity as an excuse for being a bit of shitty human being, but I don't think that it's a religion-specific problem, and In don't think that religion is the problem in itself. I know that when I am doing religion properly, I am a nicer person.

I take my hat off to you having your mother live with you.

Another one who thinks religion is the scapegoat here where the problem is people. Christianity followed properly is about respect, forgiveness and humility, not judgement or slinging holy water about. I wonder if your sister needs some help, either spiritual or psychological, or maybe both. I have previously had an obsession with demonic possession, it is horrible to feel so afraid.

Broomstickoflove you are so right about that. I hadn’t really thought of it that clearly before but everything you have said there is so true.

bathsh3ba my sister is a Pastor.

If her whole church subscribes to her way of thinking, psychological help probably better then.
Though psychological help didn't resolve the issue for me. Ultimately it was support and prayer from my vicar and home group. The Bible teaches demons have no power to harm anyone because Jesus has defeated them so your sister's position does not make Biblical sense.

I personally don't think religion will ever be the lovely thing it has potential to be. It causes wars, pain, anger, misery, often found to be corrupt and I don't quite get it. My other half believes in god, whilst I am an atheist. We have very different views but it has never been a problem for either of us. We have some very healthy debates, actually! I suggest you listen to this - it's called 'letter from god to man' and is extremely poignant! (Sorry, gone off topic a bit)

Mormons believe they are the true followers of Jesus and Christians need to be evangelised. Meanwhile Christians think Mormons have taken a wrong turn, scripturally speaking.

I’ve read that Baptists are encouraged to evangelise to Mormons who turn up on the doorstep to evangelise to them!

And of course Mormons and Baptists would be in agreement about one thing - that you need evangelising.

I don’t think you can do much about all this craziness when there is in-built 'religionism'- a discriminatory attitude to other belief systems - in holy books.

But maybe you can recharge your batteries by spending some time with friends who accept people as they are.

In matters of faith and practice, it's not what you believe that matters, but how you behave.

And this applies equally to theists and atheists.

Very sensible post JellySlice.
Every organisation has its share of bad people. Scandals and cover ups have plagued the BBC, Oxfam, FIFA to name the few that have made the headlines. Does that make the organisation itself or the vast majority of the people who belong bad ? Same applies to religion. Most Christians I know devote huge parts of their time to charitable works.