:) I've felt a little guilty about not putting that post up, but I figured it was better to get things right rather than risk insulting people. (And at that point, I would have. I don't want to hurt people.)
And within the organization I belong to, personal belief (or lack of belief) is always respected and key
Deism doesn't even have an organization. There are two "arms" online-- one that focuses on the beliefs of Deism itself-- and the militant arm, which has basically declared war on revealed/organized religion and is rather intolerant. (Which makes me a bit wary about saying I'm a Deist, to be honest. I don't want to be associated with them.)
I admire you for this.
*blushes* Thank you. There's a part of me that wants to say "it's nothing" but that isn't the truth. I'm lucky. I've always been open about my religious beliefs, and never really considered that I shouldn't be until after I left the Church. I figure that if someone is that bothered by my religion then I don't want to be friends with them, and as it goes, my form of Deism is fairly easy to explain: belief in God approached through science. It's non-threatening. And I've never denied being a non-Christian on my LJ, just that I've never gone in-depth with my beliefs. But even though I don't hide, I'm still wary. I just figure being out is better for me.
Though, on a fandom note, I do find it rather ironic that "The Well"-- a fic that still gets comments-- was quite literally the last gasp of my Catholic faith. After I wrote it, I stopped having a problem calling myself a Deist. And yet, I know that most people who read it will think I'm Christian. I'm just (unenthusiastically) waiting for a comment where I have to correct someone...
I've been pleasantly surprised by the number of people willing to share their experiences and say, "Me too," as far as being part of a religious/spiritual minority ... like you.
It's a wonderful thing to know you aren't alone.
Your Thanksgiving story horrifies me on two levels-- the religious (obviously) and the personal. I hate being touched, so I would have had a rather noticable, negative reaction. Honestly, I'm not sure which would have been the better reaction-- if they were that obviously, unthinkingly Christian, how would they have treated you had you managed to refuse? (Sorry. I play devil's advocate a lot. Ignore this if you want.) Either way, getting out of that sort of environment is nothing but good.
many who want this country to be a Christian theocracy don't really know what they're wishing for.
No, they don't. And I'd bet they think their version would be the one in power.
And within the organization I belong to, personal belief (or lack of belief) is always respected and key
Deism doesn't even have an organization. There are two "arms" online-- one that focuses on the beliefs of Deism itself-- and the militant arm, which has basically declared war on revealed/organized religion and is rather intolerant. (Which makes me a bit wary about saying I'm a Deist, to be honest. I don't want to be associated with them.)
I admire you for this.
*blushes* Thank you. There's a part of me that wants to say "it's nothing" but that isn't the truth. I'm lucky. I've always been open about my religious beliefs, and never really considered that I shouldn't be until after I left the Church. I figure that if someone is that bothered by my religion then I don't want to be friends with them, and as it goes, my form of Deism is fairly easy to explain: belief in God approached through science. It's non-threatening. And I've never denied being a non-Christian on my LJ, just that I've never gone in-depth with my beliefs. But even though I don't hide, I'm still wary. I just figure being out is better for me.
Though, on a fandom note, I do find it rather ironic that "The Well"-- a fic that still gets comments-- was quite literally the last gasp of my Catholic faith. After I wrote it, I stopped having a problem calling myself a Deist. And yet, I know that most people who read it will think I'm Christian. I'm just (unenthusiastically) waiting for a comment where I have to correct someone...
I've been pleasantly surprised by the number of people willing to share their experiences and say, "Me too," as far as being part of a religious/spiritual minority ... like you.
It's a wonderful thing to know you aren't alone.
Your Thanksgiving story horrifies me on two levels-- the religious (obviously) and the personal. I hate being touched, so I would have had a rather noticable, negative reaction. Honestly, I'm not sure which would have been the better reaction-- if they were that obviously, unthinkingly Christian, how would they have treated you had you managed to refuse? (Sorry. I play devil's advocate a lot. Ignore this if you want.) Either way, getting out of that sort of environment is nothing but good.
many who want this country to be a Christian theocracy don't really know what they're wishing for.
No, they don't. And I'd bet they think their version would be the one in power.
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