Can I be candid?

[awareness]

Originally Posted by Mysteria

I screwed up too. It just took a moment for me to return from hulk form.

Awareness, I am sorry that I misread your question and assumed it was hostile.

I guess I can sound hostile. So I'm sorry for that.

Originally Posted by Mysteria

And I apologize to EVERYONE here for similarly assuming the worst. I am embarrassed.

Me too.

Originally Posted by Mysteria

The truth is, several people have mentioned that this forum is mostly Christian, and I felt initially so discouraged and bummed out by that I was reading everything through that lens.

Most, but not everybody, remains Christian after leaving the LC. It's hard to get it out of your system, and many don't want to. I've noticed that people go thru kind of stages after leaving, and the longer one is out, and the stages they go thru, frees them more and more from the LC Kool-Aid they've been drinking for so long. Seems that Kool-Aid becomes integrated down to the cellular level, and is hard to get rid of. It takes time. Please don't hold it against anyone on this forum for being Christian. Let's be 'christian' toward each others differences, even IF they are not Christian, or if they are.

Originally Posted by Mystica

I have not been around a group of Christians for a while now.

I've tried over the years, but have found Christians are hard to be around, unless I keep my mouth shut ... which is impossible. Since the local church I have low tolerance for pretend spirituality. I've been known to snap at anyone claiming they know what God wants for me, for example.

Originally Posted by Mysteria

I *am* able to admit when I'm wrong even though I don't like doing it. :P I sometimes have to have the tantrum first. I'm sorry, Awareness. I just didn't want to lose what I thought I'd just found.

I'm just the opposite, I guess. I've been wrong so many times I've grown use to it. I can't trust myself any more.

And you've lost nothing. And won't if I can help it.

Originally Posted by Mystica

I assume everyone has noticed I have some slight anger issues...LOL

If it helps feel free to get angry at me any time. Many out here will vouch that I don't tend to get angry over any of this stuff, or our discussions, even when attacked, but I can make angry. I'm handy at that. I guess this is a case in point. lol.

Originally Posted by Mystica

Okay, to briefly touch on your question, as I'm about to leave and I want to give more thought to it, I don't believe the gods are "real" in the sense that I once believed in Jesus. I (and this is common, actually) accept them as facets and manifestations of the divine, AND at the same time hold space for them as being merely archetypes. I'm of a similar opinion that something doesn't have to be objectively real to be useful, and since none of us can prove anything anyway, except that what one believes does in some respect shape the world around them and their experience of it, I've made it a conscious choice because it makes me happy.

Now we're talking. Now I understand your paganism, to some extent anyway. I believe the gods were invented to represent unseeable forces. Poseidon is a prime example, being the god of the forces of the sea. I get it now, I hope. Question : Is paganism providing connections that you weren't connected to in the LC?

Originally Posted by Mysteria

I'm so happy and excited people here actually want to know about mine and other beliefs...and I'm also humbled, because I wasn't expecting that.

Me neither. But I'm delighted you gals have come here to share what you've gone thru since leaving the LC. We SHOULD be totally behind you. We should identify.

Originally Posted by Mysteria

Please ya'll forgive me for being awkward. I got a little spooked, that's all. I do very much want to get to know all of you.

And you will, if you will please do us the honor of hanging around.