Update, and some thoughts while I'm here.

[papermoonriver]

Please visit the info page for updated rules and specifics on how the community will be moderated.  Thanks for all your input.  And while you're there, wow!  Take a look at our numbers!

It truly is encouraging that so many of us have come together for this common purpose.  Several of you have mentioned that there is a lack of resources regarding

Comments

I have a personal relationship with FSM

[tenjvampira]

>I'm sure the atheists and agnostics, etc. can agree with me that the *intent* of religion is supposed to be to uplift people
No,it's intent is to control people. How "uplifting" is the book of Leviticus,for example?

Re: I have a personal relationship with FSM

[papermoonriver]

I can certainly respect that angle, and on a smaller scale I agree with you. What if we worked with, someone, somewhere, presents the idea of religion and spirituality with the presumption or packaging of positivity, where many people buy into it hoping to improve their lives, and then serious side effects such as the ones discussed here occur? It seems doubly wrong to me then.

Since you've brought this up, I want to specify that my feelings in this particular post are mine personally. I don't wish to put off atheists and/or agnostics by expressing them. It's all part of my personal journey and why I chose to create this space.

And BTW, I have a particular affection for FSM. :)

[1st_of_5]

i would have a small issue with your wording above "the damage that Christianity has done in the world". christianity is a belief and as such, can do nothing on its own. i would say rather that faith and belief in God is a wonderful thing, and it is faulty PEOPLE who act under a misguided sense of Christianity's tenets that cause such damage.

otherwise i am encouraged to see this group growing so fast! though it's a little disheartening to think that so many have been hurt by misguided attempts at sexual direction, it's great that we have realised it and are working toward recovery!

[papermoonriver]

Much better wording! I agree 100%.

[foureyedgirl]

I find that fascinating and strange (regarding the people who remained virgins). I somewhat admire at while at the same time finding it ridiculous. I was almost onto that route until I met the man I fell in love with. I would figure that they don't know anything other than their partner so maybe it'll be okay for them? When I was with my ex, he was my first and I of course didn't have anything to compare it to so I thought it was great.

I kind of regret waiting for as long as I did (20 years of age). If I knew in high school what I know now I would have lost my virginity much sooner [or at least have tried to]. A part of it was being scared as my mother made me think if I did have sex before marriage I would regret it forever. Yeah..