I've been raised with the bible. Those phrases, Bible texts were literally beaten into me. I assume it was quite normal to raise with fear. Not only if it came to God but parents and the principal at school too. At that time it was called "respect". What those people, those who loved to punish, humiliate, threaten with plagues, etc didn't know was it did not impress me, they couldn't force me to fear what I did not believe in or to respect those I didn't respect. There was no need for me to do so. As a child, I kept my mouth shut and if not learned I was not willing to open it and respond. It would be a lost case anyway. Those who prefer to remain deaf can't hear.
As a child, I practiced being invisible.
It's the best thing one can do if you want not to be dragged into discussions but above all long for a few minutes of peace.
God would not give it to me which meant I had to do it myself. Doing it myself was the first thing I learned because praying brought me nothing. God did not reward me for it neither did my parents or grandmother, those who preached most scold, cursed, and hit most too.
At times I watch a film and am shocked about the abusement, the molesting Christians practicing. I shouldn't because I have been there, I saw them do it and I know about their history. The way they treated people and still do. Many films are made and the bad name Christians gave to innocent people, people who did not share the same opinion are countless.
As a single mom, I lived for several years in a very religious community.
A community that ruled the whole society including those who didn't believe or thought differently. A community that rejected women with an opinion of their own, who did not practice what they preached, ignored the 10 commandments, the rules. Although, they claimed they believed they did not live by the rules themselves.
It's a long time ago I gave up on my "membership" if it comes to the church.
The church I was baptized in no longer exists. It's a church, a community, that never cared about me as a person.
It's even longer ago I gave up on praying. To me, it wasn't different from wishing from a fallen star or blowing a birthday candle. Not one of those wishes came true. This realization made me act. Only if I did something a change in my life could take place.
I didn't need a god or fairy godmother to help me out of my misery.
The only thing I needed was someone to rely on, someone I could trust. That person was there and it was me. I was the one who could save me, build a better life for me. No god, no Santa, no wish or gnome could do that for me.
What is left from the way I am raised?
Not much. I don't read the bible, don't read it to my children. We do not visit any church and there's no baptizing for us. Those we meet with are world citizens, what they believe is private. The only thing left is some expressions. Phrases which are part of the language but even those sayings I hardly use these days. I do not believe in a (one) heaven and not in hell. I do not believe in all those punishments. Why should I if god is good and has a plan with all of us? If that's true and the lost sheep really counts there's no need to stick to the cattle, live by the rules because it's the plan not to do so. You can be the lost son, waste all the money, travel the world, and if you return back home bankrupt there will be a party.
The devil and hell... I can not remember they were preached to me.
Perhaps I can not remember it because it didn't impress me or it was not important? Was God already scary enough with all his punishments and plagues or is it because the bad things never happen in the devil's name?
I wish I could say "the devil made me do it" like I hear so many say but it's not true. Everything I do, I did. I can not blame any poor devil for it nor will praise a lord for his goodness because it's all on my account and I take full responsibility for it.
Nice one👍👍