How I did it: It took a very bad experience to make me question my belief system.  After my best efforts to remain faithful failed, I was forced to conclude that my belief system was built on a grand foundation of loosely bound myths that were widely perpetuated to keep the powerful in power.  After drawing this conclusion, I was open to see all of the good people in the world who are good just to be...good.  I was genuinely inspired by those people who follow one simple rule - the Golden Rule.  They are kind because they want others to treat them kindly - not to get ahead; not for some great reward in the sky; not to avoid eternal damnation.  Most of these people, as it turned out, were also very intelligent.  As I got to know them, I found that they were also a-theists, or nontraditionally religious.  I liked it.

Lessons & tips: Don't be afraid to question your beliefs.  It's YOUR belief, after all.  You should be able to defend it.

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Apr 08, 2010, 08:52PM PDT | 0 comments | 3 cheers