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Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board / Re: Anything again
« Last post by Hopalong on August 10, 2026, 01:10:23 PM »I really understand and resonate with the religion frustration, Hippy. I've decided there is an energy force of love (because of my Dad's face as he died). But to me it's not about a deity or a being....much less about anything at all that human language or perception is successful at putting in a book.
I believe any faith (even if it's just faith in life and/or love) that depends on guilt, shame, fear and/or coercion is poisoned. And it's sad. I know loving people who obey and are devoted to institutions that don't love them back.
My big rebellion started with a gut-level feeling that something was wrong with ANY human-written text (which of course all texts are) is "sacred." And then using language to bully or cow or....to be fair.....even inspire....is a sticky wicket. I think if i hadn't majored in linguistics my reverse awakening would have taken years longer.
Still, I do remember plenty of genuine goodness in some believers. Like my Dad's. He never prosyletized, nagged, preached or boasted about his faith, but he did live it. Everywhere, people responded to the genuine warmth and grace of his personality and in how he treated them. All of them, without judgement.
For me, though a few core friendships originated in the UU community, I no longer attend services. Yet another male minister with a personality problem drove me off. But I'm happy in the small groups I occasionally join as, like you, I only keep that connection for some human community.
I'm finding it more in the Village movement these days. No dogma, just people helping more-vulnerable people. And we have frequent gatherings. And I met C there, which has changed my life.
He's sending me daily dispatches and photos from his current adventure. He just climbed the Spanish Steps in Gibraltar. It's interesting, I have zero envy of the adventure because of my back, and need to introvert for a while. But it's pretty cool to have someone close who's in love with everything and driven by curiosity. He cares about ideas too so we'll never get bored with each other.
A poet and a microbiologist. Who knew?
Props to you, Hippy. I'm so impressed with what you're doing. Layer by layer.
hugs
Hops
I believe any faith (even if it's just faith in life and/or love) that depends on guilt, shame, fear and/or coercion is poisoned. And it's sad. I know loving people who obey and are devoted to institutions that don't love them back.
My big rebellion started with a gut-level feeling that something was wrong with ANY human-written text (which of course all texts are) is "sacred." And then using language to bully or cow or....to be fair.....even inspire....is a sticky wicket. I think if i hadn't majored in linguistics my reverse awakening would have taken years longer.
Still, I do remember plenty of genuine goodness in some believers. Like my Dad's. He never prosyletized, nagged, preached or boasted about his faith, but he did live it. Everywhere, people responded to the genuine warmth and grace of his personality and in how he treated them. All of them, without judgement.
For me, though a few core friendships originated in the UU community, I no longer attend services. Yet another male minister with a personality problem drove me off. But I'm happy in the small groups I occasionally join as, like you, I only keep that connection for some human community.
I'm finding it more in the Village movement these days. No dogma, just people helping more-vulnerable people. And we have frequent gatherings. And I met C there, which has changed my life.
He's sending me daily dispatches and photos from his current adventure. He just climbed the Spanish Steps in Gibraltar. It's interesting, I have zero envy of the adventure because of my back, and need to introvert for a while. But it's pretty cool to have someone close who's in love with everything and driven by curiosity. He cares about ideas too so we'll never get bored with each other.
A poet and a microbiologist. Who knew?
Props to you, Hippy. I'm so impressed with what you're doing. Layer by layer.
hugs
Hops