Freedom from Religion

My upbringing didn't involve any religious training.  My folks didn't go to church on Sunday (my Dad worked on Sundays) and, although my Mom had some religious beliefs, she didn't share them with me, and I never thought to ask.  But before you feel sorry for me, or offer your prayers, let me explain how this has become a huge advantage for me in this world we live in.

You see, I honestly don't know, nor do I care about, the differences between the religions of the world. Any "facts" I've picked up along the way are purely anecdotal and not to be taken as real facts, just hearsay. What makes a Christian different from a Jew ? I have no idea. How is a Presbyterian different from a Hindu ?  Don't know, don't care.  Not my concern.  Muslim ? OK.  Baptist?  Wonderful. Buddist ? Whatever trips your trigger. I've had no training or instruction in any of it.

As anyone who visits FaceBook can attest, "friends" are very fond of proclaiming their love for Jesus, or God, or something. And that's fine with me. They are, after all, my "friends" and it makes them happy.  But sometimes they can't resist using their "love" to denounce, ridicule, or denigrate others.  And that's the part of religious participation that I'm glad to be free of.

I enjoy my religious freedom.  I don't care about yours as long as you aren't trying to slap me in the face with it or ram it into my life.  There is great comfort for me to approach all people as just people without the highly emotional subject of who they "pray" to coming into play. I feel lucky to not have any built-in prejudices based upon other peoples ideas of "righteousness".

I'm fortunate to be free from religion.  I don't have to automatically distrust anyone based on teachings that may or may not have been biased or steeped in traditions that don't (or shouldn't) really apply today.

So if you're sure that your deity blesses you and yours, good for you. Participate away...But don't demand that I agree with you.  Don't assume that it's OK band with other like-minded neighbors and use your beliefs or scriptures to beat me into submission. I respect your beliefs. What ever they are. Keep them to yourself. If your organization has a symbol, don't assume it's acceptable to plaster it all over things that I'm a part of. It's not. Because it probably doesn't represent ALL OF US, and I can never be sure if it represents me.