(no subject)

[vicarz]

A short time ago, I held back making a post in which I was going to thank god. I was going to thank god for not existing, or existing and failing to ever show one shred of evidence that it existed or gave a damn about anything good. I was going to thank this non-existence for making me strong enough to take control of my own damn life and fix the things that need fixing alone, since they weren't there. I held back that smartass post.

Well, today I'm in work and I'm processing the removal of someone who was severely injured in a rollover in an SUV. They are uber uber xtian, and all their correspondence is littered with xtian quotes etc. She thanx god for the two big miracles in her life - getting her job in USDA, and surviving this awful accident. Huh? How about "Fuck you god for giving me this shitty job in a slaughterhouse, the inability to strive for more, and then shredding my body in a 1-car accident without even having the decency to allow me to die an instant painless death?" How about "Take me into your kingdom, biatch, coz I mofo earned it already!" The perspective is just hilarious. I mean I can see it either way, but it seems a more negative situation than a positive one.

Comments

Um...

[elvenfrost.livejournal.com]

"Your anecdotal situation does not count as a 'study.' I think a correlational study would be more appropriate, using large numbers and general trends."

Having had grad level Testing and Measurement in college and being a person who has conducted research work, I think I would realize that I alone do "not count as a study." I did not say I am a study. i used myself as one example of a person who is a Christian and what my stats would look like.

"I doubt that a study would be outdated on such a broad topic, given the scope. People haven't changed all that much, not in relation to how socio-economic status affects them and spiritual belief sytems (guesses me)."

Of course the stats change. That's a given. Many more factors than just socio-economic status go into affecting the current ebb and tide of spirituality. You may focus your study just on socio-econimic status and the correlation and effects between it and spirituality, however, current cultural trends are going to play a part in your survey results no matter how controlled you attempt to keep the study. The trend that is being seen now more broadly is the renouncing of old traditions and traditional spiritual beliefs. This is being seen across cultures and socio-ecnomic levels. It's been becoming more and more pronounced for a period of roughly 10 years. Whether or not an officiasl study of late has been conducted would be interesting to see and what population base that they used.

Re: Um...

[elvenfrost.livejournal.com]

I feel a bit odd that we are taking up so much space in Vicar's journal on this but here goes. This is an overly simplified version of what happened. it's actually much more complex than this. Religion was never forced upon me. I was brought up Catholic but not forced to be Catholic. I renounced Catholocism with some Catholically guilt once I was old enough to really understand my choices a little better and formed my own opinion about the Catholic Faith. When I was really young Mom took me to church. Once I was older I went either by myself or Mom would go with me if I wanted her to. Dad radiated a sort of light and spirit that spoke for itself. He never talked about God he just lived the way you were supposed to. He helped everyone, made people feel good about themselves and was generally a good person. My parent's taught me morals and values plus how to distinguish between the two.
Before I entered school, Mom gave me the choice between catholic and public. I chose public b/c I had older friends who couldn't read and write very well that went to Catholic. I went through a time where I had to search for the correct spiritual fit. I studied many different religions. Pagan didn't feel right. Druid only felt partially right. Non-denominational Christian fit my beliefs and feelings the best with a little Druidish feel thrown in. The key for me however is that I don't believe in "religions". I even went through a "is there really a God" period. In the end it comes down to my spiritual choices are for me not my parents and I truly believe in a higher power. E-mail me if you'd like to continue this discussion.

Re: Um...

[translucent-eye.livejournal.com]

Curiosity question - how were you first introduced to Christianity? Was it your parents religion, and something that they brought you into? Was it a forced sunday activity for you through your childhood? Was it introduced to you through a friend? Was it a activity that you did with your family that you actually enjoyed spending time with them?

Just going along the vein of how something is introduced to someone has a great impact on how they view it later - and whether they rebel against it when the achieve freedom from their parents.

I for one am glad that religion wasn't forced upon me, I'm also glad I've been introduced to a fair number of religions - and that I've chosen that I'm more concerned with a way of life and how I deal with other people. I'll spare you my Catholicism rant - but if you're interested I'll pull up the URL for my journal entry on it.

Re: Um...

[elvenfrost.livejournal.com]

Wierd. The response to this post appears above it.