NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm trying to get officially kicked out of the Catholic Church because I am an atheist.

Here's the text of an email that I've just sent to the Archbishop of Liverpool:



"Dear Archbishop of Liverpool / members of administration of Liverpool Archdiocese

Liverpool Archdiocese is my Archdiocese. I was baptised into the faith by my parents as a baby at X Church in X, in the north of X. Obviously, at the time, I was too young and mentally undeveloped to give informed consent.

However, that was many years ago and I now deny the existence of God and the Holy Spirit - in other words, I am an atheist.

I would like to officially leave the faith.

Firstly, I would like to be de-baptised and have my details struck from all your membership lists.

Secondly, as I'm sure you're aware, my aforementioned denial of the Holy Spirit is an Unforgivable Sin (Book of Mark 3:28-29; Book of Matthew 12:30-32), which means that I am doomed to eternal hellfire (Book of Hebrews 10:26-27). Obviously, I'd quite like to avoid that, so I'd be most grateful if you could excommunicate me.

If it salves your conscience over booting me out, then please note that I am an apostate and, under article 1 of Canon 1364, that automatically earns me a latae sententiae excommunication.

Could you please indicate whether there is any fee for the return of my soul and, secondly, could you please kindly do the necessaries to have me excommunicated with all due haste? I will then look forward to receiving your official confirmation that I am now, in fact, godless. And free.

With kind regards

Bright Capitalism"



ATHEISTS:

Why don't you take the athiest challenge? Get yourself excommunicated today!
I'm getting myself kicked out, and you should too!

See you in Hell! :D

Congratulations on retrieving your soul! XD

One thing though; as an Athiest, shouldn't you NOT be saying 'see you in Hell', as that is a Religious thing?

PS: I voted even though I'm not an Athiest, but a Heathen. I guess that's okay too, right? =P

Your email to be excommunicated seems rather petty. Simply dont go to church anymore. Thats what I do...

Congratulations on retrieving your soul! XD


Don't congratulate me until I find out how many $ they're going to charge me first! The catholics are always passing around the begging bowl :p


One thing though; as an Athiest, shouldn't you NOT be saying 'see you in Hell', as that is a Religious thing?

I s'ppose so. I hadn't really thought it through!


PS: I voted even though I'm not an Athiest, but a Heathen. I guess that's okay too, right? =P


Sure. Why not? Have a happy heathen holiday :D

Your email to be excommunicated seems rather petty. Simply dont go to church anymore. Thats what I do...

I loikes petty ;0)

It just irks me that I'm a member of a faith that I, well, have no faith in. Seems, dishonest, somehow.

And it's been bugging me since I adopted the moniker 'Bright Capitalism'. I feel that I should start living up to the 'Bright' part.

Cheers

BC

<snip trite nonsense>
ATHEISTS:

Why don't you take the athiest challenge? Get yourself excommunicated today!
I'm getting myself kicked out, and you should too!

Why bother?

Why bother?


Because you feel like?
Because you want to?
Because you want to have no part of a system/group you had no say in joining?
Because you want to be utterly dissociated from a system/group that has, and is, being responsible from a great deal of evil?
Because you want to be honest to yourself and your own ideals?
Because you want to make a statement?

if you really want to be excommunicated you have to tell him that you have had an abortion or have aided women in getting abortions.

its your only chance.

if you really want to be excommunicated you have to tell him that you have had an abortion or have aided women in getting abortions.

its your only chance.

Another good reason for not wanting to be a Catholic. The prohibition of abortion. Something I have long been opposed to.

Unfortunately for me, I haven't had an abortion (I've got too many testicles for that) and I haven't aided anyone in getting one. Claiming to do so would be dishonest and I don't want to be excommunicated for dishonestly.

I want to be excommunicated because I don't believe.

We could put this to music!

*thinks*

I'm getting excommunicated in the morning,
Ding-dong the bells are gonna chime
Priests please don't kiss me
And say how you'll miss me
But get me out of church on time.

(apologies and all)

I'm trying to get officially kicked out of the Catholic Church because I am an atheist.


Meh, by the power vested in me by virtue of being a Pope I pronounce you excommunicated, de-excommunicated, and re-excommunicated. Just be careful no one pronounces you de-re-excommunicated no backsies.

You could try bigamy - it worked for Joe DiMaggio

We could put this to music!

*thinks*

I'm getting excommunicated in the morning,
Ding-dong the bells are gonna chime
Priests please don't kiss me
And say how you'll miss me
But get me out of church on time.

(apologies and all)

ROFL!!:D

Another good reason for not wanting to be a Catholic. The prohibition of abortion. Something I have long been opposed to.

Unfortunately for me, I haven't had an abortion (I've got too many testicles for that) and I haven't aided anyone in getting one. Claiming to do so would be dishonest and I don't want to be excommunicated for dishonestly.

I want to be excommunicated because I don't believe.

they dont do that.

you have to DO something awful to get excommunicated

Get yourself excommunicated today!
I'm getting myself kicked out, and you should too!
Pfft.

The only way to get excommunicated is to attack the Vatican City, or piss in the Pope's communion wine or something. This is just pettiness.

Incidentally, doing either of the excommunicable actions I suggest would be going a bit far just to quit a religion, no?

I thought that being one of teh ebil atheists and denying the Holy Spirit is something awful (well, in Catholic eyes).

Anywho, we'll soon find out

Why don't you take the athiest challenge? Get yourself excommunicated today!

Because:
A) My religion (Buddhism) is already athiestic, so telling my teacher I'm an atheist would be rather like a you telling the average NSGer the same. "Yeah? And how's that working out for ya?"
B) The Buddhist equivilant of excommunication is much more difficult.

Pfft.

The only way to get excommunicated is to attack the Vatican City, or piss in the Pope's communion wine or something. This is just pettiness.

Incidentally, doing either of the excommunicable actions I suggest would be going a bit far just to quit a religion, no?


Pfft yourself.

Yes it is petty.

Yes, doing either of those actions would indeed be going a bit far just to get excommunicated.

No, they're not the only ways. Article 1 of Canon Law 1364 clearly states that apostasy incurs a latae sententiae excommunication.

Because:
A) My religion (Buddhism) is ... <snip>

Fair enough. Incidentally, what is the Buddhist equivalent of excommunication? How do you do it?

Just get a divorce and create your own Church, it's so much easier.

You know, I once knew a guy in an online game that I play. And he had a quest to get excommunicated, but, upon doing his research, he found that he had already qualified for automatic excommunication. This disappointed him, because he wanted to do something dramatic to earn it. :D

Also, I would love to be excommunicated myself, but I was never a Catholic; I was a non-denominational Protestant, which isn't centralized enough to have excommunication.

Fair enough. Incidentally, what is the Buddhist equivalent of excommunication? How do you do it?

That's a tricky and complicated question. Part of it dpends on the school. Some schools of Buddhism have a concept that is something like Catholic exommunication. Others less so.

Here's one example:
There is a scriptural precedent, if not for political marches, at least for the monks to express strong disapproval of immoral laity. This is the Patam Nikkujana Kamma, the over-turned almsbowl. Sometimes called "buddhist excommunication" it is the symbolical cutting of a lay person by refusing to accept alms from him, physically manifested by turning the bowl upside-down. This has been done by the monks in Burma against the military rulers.
http://bhikkhublog.blogspot.com/2007_09_23_archive.html

Interesting that an atheist desires acknowledgement from organized religion that he is an atheist now. If you don't believe in Christianity why do you need papal approval to not believe/be a member?

Interesting that an atheist desires acknowledgement from organized religion that he is an atheist now. If you don't believe in Christianity why do you need papal approval to not believe/be a member?

My guess is because he thinks it'll somehow make him an atheist badass

Interesting that an athiest desires acknowledgement from organized religion that he is an athiest now. If you don't believe in Christianity why do you need papal approval to not believe/be a member?

I don't need, I want.

It's not approval either. Official confirmation, yes, approval, no.

It bugs me that I'm a member of a church that I have no belief in, don't want to be associated with in any way and had no say in joining.

You could paint in big red letters "atheists are cool" on the top of your nearest church, with your name beside it, maybe then they'l excommunicate you.
then again i don't really understand excommunication, i mean doesn't the church teach forgiveness? it seems odd to me, but then again i don't wholly understand it.

My family's Catholic. When I was 11-12 years old I wrote a letter to the Bishop of Oviedo asking him, I don't quite remember, a series of questions that to me, were stupidly relevant at the time; ex: reincarnation. I think I even forgot about the letter when 6months later we recieved a notification from the post office that we had a certified letter waiting there. My mother went to pick it up and I was with her. When she realized it was addressed to me and that it was from the Bishop's office she flipped. She actually thought I was being excommunicated. She asked me what was it all about. I was scared for a minute. I opened the letter and it was the Bishop, actually answering my silly questions. Needless to say, my mother was relieved. I still have the letter. I guess that was the first time I came across the word "excommunicated". Irrelevant, maybe, but I remember this fondly.:p

I could, but I don't think it's an excommunicable offence. You have to be an apostate, a heretic (a certain class), a blasphemer (a certain type) or you have to physically assault the Pope and so on.

Secondly, doing that would make me guilty of criminal damage. Not good where I live.

Thirdly, I live somewhere very devout. Admitting I am an atheist in such a way would be ... most unwise.

Unfortunately, the act of Baptism is considered an 'indelible act' and I can't undo it, no matter what. Excommunication is the closest that I can get to officially leaving. It merely un-entitles me to the rights of a Christian society e.g. I'm not allowed to take part in communion, for instance. On the plus side, if I accidentally kick the bucket (die) it's forbidden for the God-botherers to give me a Christian burial or bury me on holy ground.

So it's not completely useless :p

It's fucking stupid dude. Declare yourself an atheist and never walk into a church again. No one cares, unless you have a religious family who thinks you're going to burn in hell. You don't need a church's excommunication to be an atheist. And I'm sure that bishop has better things to do than to read the letters of someone who wishes to be excommunicated.

And by the way, "the unforgivable sin" is widely misinterpreted. Saying "I deny the holy spirit" does not theoretically damn you to hell. Christians believe you need the Holy Spirit in your soul to accept Jesus as your savior. Denial of the holy spirit simply means you reject Jesus as your savior, which is unforgivable because you theoretically need Jesus to save you. If you change your mind 10 years later, there's no reason you wouldn't be theoretically saved, and it is church canon that any excommunicate who is repentant should be welcomed back into the community.

Now keep in mind I consider myself an agnostic, but you're just wrong. Even if Christianity is right, you can't permanently cut yourself off from it. The only way to damn yourself is to die before you change your mind.

I don't need, I want.

It's not approval either. Official confirmation, yes, approval, no.

It bugs me that I'm a member of a church that I have no belief in, don't want to be associated with in any way and had no say in joining.

Do you go to church?
Acknowledge the pope as god's representative on earth?
Believe that jesus christ is god?

If no, then you aren't a member of the church anymore, regardless of what they might say.

My family's Catholic. When I was 11-12 years old I wrote a letter to the Bishop ...


BRILLIANT! :D

It's fucking stupid dude. Declare yourself an atheist and never walk into a church again. No one cares, unless you have a religious family who thinks you're going to burn in hell...



Got it in one. Cousin's a priest.

I'd also like to understand the paradox of church power in your view. No one can force you to step into a church, no one can force you to associate with the church, no one can force you to believe anything. Yet you feel to be a true atheist, you need that same church to acknowledge your atheism?

BRILLIANT! :D

Em.. thanks.:D

Got it in one. Cousin's a priest.

Why even bother then? There's no need to rub your beliefs in your family's face if you think it will piss them off, or make them worry about you. Why don't you just not go to church, and let your family live in ignorance that you still believe?

I'd also like to understand the paradox of church power in your view. No one can force you to step into a church, no one can force you to associate with the church, no one can force you to believe anything. Yet you feel to be a true atheist, you need that same church to acknowledge your atheism?

That was my question. Seems to me a paradox.

If I don't believe in Santa I'm not going to seek elves to tell.

Hey man, in post 11 you got excommunicated by someone who holds exactly as much power over you as anyone in the Catholic Church (or any other Church/Temple/Mosq/Circle/etc.) does.

Edit: Problem solved, yes?

they dont do that.

you have to DO something awful to get excommunicated

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#Automatic_excommunication

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_excommunicated_by_the_Roman_Catholic_Church#21st_century

I'd also like to understand the paradox of church power in your view. No one can force you to step into a church, no one can force you to associate with the church, no one can force you to believe anything. Yet you feel to be a true atheist, you need that same church to acknowledge your atheism?

No paradox.

"Yet you feel to be a true atheist, you need that same church to acknowledge your atheism?"

I don't feel any such thing. I am an atheist because I don't believe in god.

I want the church to acknowledge my atheism, yes. Why not? They will routinely persist in calling me a member of the family and a child of god, even going so far as to re-define atheists out of existence e.g. you may not call yourself a christian but by virtue of your behaviour and conduct, yadda yadda yadda.

I view organised religion as a terrible evil thing. I don't want to be associated with terrible evil things. I am officially part of an organised religion through no doing of my own. I want, officially, to leave it. I want the officials to the know that, officially.

And, more than anything else, the whole concept amuses me

Normally, starting a thread involving religion is an unforgivable sin in my book. However, your letter to the Bishop was quite humorous, so the church will make an exception in your case.

Why even bother then? There's no need to rub your beliefs in your family's face if you think it will piss them off, or make them worry about you. Why don't you just not go to church, and let your family live in ignorance that you still believe?



There's no need. There is a want. I want to express my beliefs.

I don't go to church. Haven't been inside one in years. And why should I hide my true self from my family?


Incidentally, think also of it as a conciousness-raising thing. I want to promote the cause of atheism.

That was my question. Seems to me a paradox.

If I don't believe in Santa I'm not going to seek elves to tell.


Santa, whether existing or not, doesn't have the power to shape how you, and people around you, live your life. Santa doesn't care whether you believe in him. Santa's elves aren't real either and don't preach about how you're going to hell. Santa isn't intolerant of any other colour other than red. Santa's never tried to make me feel guilty for being human. Santa doesn't routinely cause me to censor my writing (published) on religious grounds for fear of retribution.

Santa doesn't... well, I think you get the point.

There's no need. There is a want. I want to express my beliefs.

I don't go to church. Haven't been inside one in years. And why should I hide my true self from my family?

Ever hear the phrase "actions speak louder than words"?

So write the letter to your family.

My family's Catholic. When I was 11-12 years old I wrote a letter to the Bishop of Oviedo asking him, I don't quite remember, a series of questions that to me, were stupidly relevant at the time; ex: reincarnation. I think I even forgot about the letter when 6months later we recieved a notification from the post office that we had a certified letter waiting there. My mother went to pick it up and I was with her. When she realized it was addressed to me and that it was from the Bishop's office she flipped. She actually thought I was being excommunicated. She asked me what was it all about. I was scared for a minute. I opened the letter and it was the Bishop, actually answering my silly questions. Needless to say, my mother was relieved. I still have the letter. I guess that was the first time I came across the word "excommunicated". Irrelevant, maybe, but I remember this fondly.:p

LOL

Normally, starting a thread involving religion is an unforgivable sin in my book. However, your letter to the Bishop was quite humorous, so the church will make an exception in your case.


Ah, thank you. I do try to entertain and amuse. I'll post the reply if I ever get one.

Santa, whether existing or not, doesn't have the power to shape how you, and people around you, live your life. Santa doesn't care whether you believe in him. Santa's elves aren't real either and don't preach about how you're going to hell. Santa isn't intolerant of any other colour other than red. Santa's never tried to make me feel guilty for being human. Santa doesn't routinely cause me to censor my writing (published) on religious grounds for fear of retribution.

Santa doesn't... well, I think you get the point.


Errrm, you missed the point.

No paradox.

"Yet you feel to be a true atheist, you need that same church to acknowledge your atheism?"

I don't feel any such thing. I am an atheist because I don't believe in god.

I want the church to acknowledge my atheism, yes. Why not? They will routinely persist in calling me a member of the family and a child of god, even going so far as to re-define atheists out of existence e.g. you may not call yourself a christian but by virtue of your behaviour and conduct, yadda yadda yadda.

I view organised religion as a terrible evil thing. I don't want to be associated with terrible evil things. I am officially part of an organised religion through no doing of my own. I want, officially, to leave it. I want the officials to the know that, officially.

And, more than anything else, the whole concept amuses me


Once again, you're generalizing. Look, I have a lot of issues with the Catholic Church. I think their refusal to accept contraceptives, even to stop the AIDS epidemic in Africa is retarded on new levels. I think they spend way too muc on lavish decorations that should obviously help those in need instead. I was disgusted with the child molestor priests. I know the whole bloody history, the inquisition and all that shit.

But I also recognize that the Catholic church helps people. I recognize that it holds a rich history, kept many pieces of the otherwise fallen Roman Empire, gives people a beacon of hope, and inspired some amazing art.

It's not a bad organization, it's just too massive of an organization to go untouched by corruption. Directing hate at it will do nothing good for anyone.

LOL

:D

I think their refusal to accept contraceptives, even to stop the AIDS epidemic in Africa is retarded on new levels. I think they spend way too muc on lavish decorations that should obviously help those in need instead. I was disgusted with the child molestor priests. I know the whole bloody history, the inquisition and all that shit.

Yep, yep, yep, yep, yep, yep. And that isn't enough?

It's the whole ideology. The whole concept of religion that bothers me. How many times have you heard someone say "I'm a God-fearing man (or woman"? Why should anyone live in fear? I want to live in fear. I chose not to live in fear.


But I also recognize that the Catholic church helps people.


And so do people who don't do god. And they tie a lot of their aid to god. Basically compelling them to accept the testament of evil. It's the whole ideology. You cannot separate Catholicism from the very many and great evils in the Bible and the very many and great evils carried out in its name by the very people who believe in what it says. Why should I be party to that, officially?


I recognize that it holds a rich history, kept many pieces of the otherwise fallen Roman Empire, gives people a beacon of hope, and inspired some amazing art


So do a lot of things, non-god things.


It's not a bad organization, it's just too massive of an organization to go untouched by corruption. Directing hate at it will do nothing good for anyone.


Well, we'll have to disagree there. It's bad, it's evil, and, to paraphrase Oscar Wilde, if this is the way it treats its followers, then it doesn't deserve to have any.

2 Words:


Attention Hound

There is no "official". Official is an imaginary idea used to illustrate someone's percieved authority to label people. If you want to be an atheist, you are one. I'm "officially" an American even though I could care less about my government and the borders it has declared. Am I going to fill out emigration papers? Fuck no. I don't care, I'm a human being, that's all I ever will be.

2 Words:
Attention Hound



Yep. I'm trying to raise awareness of atheism. Hence the name 'Bright Capitalism'.

One can't raise awareness if one is a shrinking wallflower can one?

There is no "official". Official is an imaginary idea used to illustrate someone's percieved authority to label people. If you want to be an atheist, you are one. I'm "officially" an American even though I could care less about my government and the borders it has declared. Am I going to fill out emigration papers? Fuck no. I don't care, I'm a human being, that's all I ever will be.


I get what you're saying and your stance is admirable. I think you picked a bad analogy though.

Try being an Iranian-American and travelling in Iran on an American passport and you'll soon see what I mean.

Your 'official' status does have repercussions in this world.

Yep. I'm trying to raise awareness of atheism. Hence the name 'Bright Capitalism'.

One can't raise awareness if one is a shrinking wallflower can one?

Perhaps a better name would be:

Atheist Missionary :rolleyes:

Yep. I'm trying to raise awareness of atheism. Hence the name 'Bright Capitalism'.

What does your nation name have to do with atheism?

Perhaps a better name would be:

Atheist Missionary :rolleyes:



Perhaps :p

Incidentally, the reply to your earlier question 'but why?' can be found here: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13583032&postcount=39

What does your nation name have to do with atheism?


AHA! I'm so very glad you asked! :D

I am a 'Bright'.


"What is a bright?

* A bright is a person who has a naturalistic worldview
* A bright's worldview is free of supernatural and mystical elements
* The ethics and actions of a bright are based on a naturalistic worldview

Currently the naturalistic worldview is insufficiently expressed within most cultures, even politically/socially repressed. To be a Bright is to participate in a movement to address the situation. (Note: the upper case Bright signifies someone who fits the definition and registers on this Web site.)

There is a great diversity of persons who have a naturalistic worldview (free of supernatural and mystical elements). Some are members of existing organizations that foster a supernatural-free perspective. Far more individuals are not associated with any formal group or label. Under the broad umbrella of the naturalistic worldview, the constituency of Brights can undertake social and civic actions designed to influence a society otherwise permeated with supernaturalism.

The movement's three major aims are:

1. Promote the civic understanding and acknowledgment of the naturalistic worldview, which is free of supernatural and mystical elements

2. Gain public recognition that persons who hold such a worldview can bring principled actions to bear on matters of civic importance

3. Educate society toward accepting the full and equitable civic participation of all such individuals


You can find out more about what it's like to live with a naturalistic worldview at www.the-brights.net

The Brights. Working for a Brighter future :D

Perhaps :p

Incidentally, the reply to your earlier question 'but why?' can be found here: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13583032&postcount=39

I saw that and appreciate the response. My only other thought is that I think you are angry with your family more so than the church. Let the church alone, they didn't choose you, your family chose the church.

But regardless there is no point in being so angry about it all. Make a mature decision based on what you feel and know about yourself. Religion is about what is in your heart much more than what the institution is about.

I guess what I am saying is when you are not emotional about leaving, then you are ready to leave. In my opinion you are still very much emotional about it all....thus your feeling of want/need to write the letter.

Just my opinion of course. Can you discuss the openly with your parents? Perhaps that is the source of all the anxiety?

AHA! I'm so very glad you asked! :D

I am a 'Bright'.



You can find out more about what it's like to live with a naturalistic worldview at www.the-brights.net

The Brights. Working for a Brighter future :D

OK...

I still don't see why you care what the church thinks about you're religious affiliation or lack thereof...

I'm trying to get officially kicked out of the Catholic Church because I am an atheist.

Here's the text of an email that I've just sent to the Archbishop of Liverpool:



"Dear Archbishop of Liverpool / members of administration of Liverpool Archdiocese

Liverpool Archdiocese is my Archdiocese. I was baptised into the faith by my parents as a baby at X Church in X, in the north of X. Obviously, at the time, I was too young and mentally undeveloped to give informed consent.

However, that was many years ago and I now deny the existence of God and the Holy Spirit - in other words, I am an atheist.

I would like to officially leave the faith.

Firstly, I would like to be de-baptised and have my details struck from all your membership lists.

Secondly, as I'm sure you're aware, my aforementioned denial of the Holy Spirit is an Unforgivable Sin (Book of Mark 3:28-29; Book of Matthew 12:30-32), which means that I am doomed to eternal hellfire (Book of Hebrews 10:26-27). Obviously, I'd quite like to avoid that, so I'd be most grateful if you could excommunicate me.

If it salves your conscience over booting me out, then please note that I am an apostate and, under article 1 of Canon 1364, that automatically earns me a latae sententiae excommunication.

Could you please indicate whether there is any fee for the return of my soul and, secondly, could you please kindly do the necessaries to have me excommunicated with all due haste? I will then look forward to receiving your official confirmation that I am now, in fact, godless. And free.

With kind regards

Bright Capitalism"



ATHEISTS:

Why don't you take the athiest challenge? Get yourself excommunicated today!
I'm getting myself kicked out, and you should too!

See you in Hell! :DI've never been baptised and never will. No thanks. My parents both are atheists, too.

I saw that and appreciate the response. My only other thought is that I think you are angry ...?


Not really angry with my family, just a little annoyed. Especially as my mum and dad ain't devout(and certainly don't hold with organised religions) although my cousin is. I 'left' the church years ago. The last time I went to mass, properly went to mass because I believed, well, I reckon I was under 11 years old.

No reason not to be angry with organised religion given all the horrible things they've done over the years. In my view, there's more reason to be angry than not. That's the source of the anxiety. The thought of that horrible Ted Haggart guy telling anyone what is the right way to live makes me shudder. The fact that political power is in the hands of people who subscribe to the teachings of the Church makes me anxious.

DL's guide to being excommunicated.

Write a letter detailing your exploits of having mass gay orgies while using condoms and performing numerous abortions, all while worshiping satan.

Send it directly to the pope himself.
Skip the middleman.

I've never been baptised and never will. No thanks. My parents both are atheists, too.

Good on ya and ya parents. Because, according to official Church doctrine, my soul now belongs to Jay-sus and I can't have it back. Not even if I get myself ex-communicated.


I still don't see why you care what the church thinks about you're religious affiliation or lack thereof...


The answer to this is as 'Sagittarya' said: "Official is an imaginary idea used to illustrate someone's percieved authority to label people."

I am not a Catholic, despite being baptised by one. I am not a Catholic, despite their perceived claim on my soul. I am not a Catholic, I reject the Church's attempt to impose its authority on me. I am not a Catholic, I will not live as one. I am not a Catholic, I will not be labelled as one. I am not a Catholic, I want them to know that.

Yep. I'm trying to raise awareness of atheism. Hence the name 'Bright Capitalism'.

One can't raise awareness if one is a shrinking wallflower can one?

Oh let me assure you, your Bishop is quite well aware of atheism, as are the rest of us. You know that.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not judging. When I became a Mormon I wrote a letter to the Catholic Church to ask them to remove my name from the records because I'd joined the Mormon Church. I didn't make any snide remarks in it tor expound on my reasoning, but I would be lying if I said I didn't do it in part so they'd KNOW I'd done it.

But I also didn't start a thread on an Internet forum to crow about it and call attention to it, either.

I am not a Catholic, despite being baptised by one. I am not a Catholic, despite their perceived claim on my soul. I am not a Catholic, I reject the Church's attempt to impose its authority on me. I am not a Catholic, I will not live as one. I am not a Catholic, I will not be labelled as one. I am not a Catholic, I want them to know that.

You sound like you're trying to convince yourself.

Good on ya and ya parents. Because, according to official Church doctrine, my soul now belongs to Jay-sus and I can't have it back. Not even if I get myself ex-communicated.



The answer to this is as 'Sagittarya' said: "Official is an imaginary idea used to illustrate someone's percieved authority to label people."

I am not a Catholic, despite being baptised by one. I am not a Catholic, despite their perceived claim on my soul. I am not a Catholic, I reject the Church's attempt to impose its authority on me. I am not a Catholic, I will not live as one. I am not a Catholic, I will not be labelled as one. I am not a Catholic, I want them to know that.

OK, still seems silly to me though...
Of course I am not in your situation, I have never, from anyone's pov, been a christian.

Not really angry with my family, just a little annoyed. Especially as my mum and dad ain't devout(and certainly don't hold with organised religions) although my cousin is. I 'left' the church years ago. The last time I went to mass, properly went to mass because I believed, well, I reckon I was under 11 years old.

No reason not to be angry with organised religion given all the horrible things they've done over the years. In my view, there's more reason to be angry than not. That's the source of the anxiety. The thought of that horrible Ted Haggart guy telling anyone what is the right way to live makes me shudder. The fact that political power is in the hands of people who subscribe to the teachings of the Church makes me anxious.

I see what you are saying about your parents.

You will be anxious a lot in your lifetime I am afraid then. Because there will always be people in power who do not think exactly the way you do. If the world were all exactly alike it would be boring as hell anyway. ;)

The only thing in life any of us can actually do is abide by our own beliefs. Regardless of what the Ted Haggarts of the world say or even do, it cannot change what is in your heart and what you know to be right for your values. I can't stand what Ted Haggart has to say, but he (nor anyone) has the power to pervert my faith in God. I give no man that much power over me.

If you choose atheism, do it for what is in your heart not what is in another man's heart.

Ah, thank you. I do try to entertain and amuse. I'll post the reply if I ever get one.

There is a reason LG is the most loved nation here: Entertainment and amusement are the sole reasons many use NSG. For me, debate is acceptable only if a joke can be made somewhere.

Oh let me assure you, your Bishop is quite well aware of atheism, as are the rest of us. You know that. ... But I also didn't start a thread on an Internet forum to crow about it and call attention to it, either.

Whereas I did, for that exact reason: to call attention to it.


Currently the naturalistic worldview is insufficiently expressed within most cultures, even politically/socially repressed ... To be a Bright is to participate in a movement to address the situation.



I didn't make any snide remarks in it tor expound on my reasoning


Whereas I did because (a) it's there to provide amusement to those that have a sense of humour (b) to illustrate the ridiculousness of the whole concept... the Church claims that:

* once you get a bit of water poured on your head
*which carries invisible powers granted by an omnipotent, invisible, omniscient being
*that no one has ever seen or has ever had any evidence of
* and that water flows over an invisible, intangible essence called a 'soul' - upon which all bad deeds are marked and which survives after death of the organism -
*and that water washes away a bad thing that two people did about six thousand years ago in a mythical garden (except it didn't because the origin of humanity is older than 6,000 years and bigger than two individuals)
*and that makes you 'innocent'
*and once that water's on your head then you're part of a club that you can never, ever leave - not even if you ask to leave

Well, I think that's ridiculous and the sheer ridiculousness of it needs pointing out. By snidery and sarcasm if necessary.

Whereas I did because (a) it's there to provide amusement to those that have a sense of humour (b) to illustrate the ridiculousness of the whole concept... the Church claims that:

* once you get a bit of water poured on your head
*which carries invisible powers granted by an omnipotent, invisible, omniscient being
*that no one has ever seen or has ever had any evidence of
* and that water flows over an invisible, intangible essence called a 'soul' - upon which all bad deeds are marked and which survives after death of the organism -
*and that water washes away a bad thing that two people did about six thousand years ago in a mythical garden (except it didn't because the origin of humanity is older than 6,000 years and bigger than two individuals)
*and that makes you 'innocent'
*and once that water's on your head then you're part of a club that you can never, ever leave - not even if you ask to leave

Well, I think that's ridiculous and the sheer ridiculousness of it needs pointing out. By snidery and sarcasm if necessary.

Dude, not to pick a fight or anything, but if that's your level of understanding of Christianity, then it's no wonder it doesn't make sense to you.

But I also didn't start a thread on an Internet forum to crow about it and call attention to it, either.

The ends justify the means. On the internet, the ends should always be comprised of laughter.

Someone never got enough attention as a child...

Dude, not to pick a fight or anything, but if that's your level of understanding of Christianity, then it's no wonder it doesn't make sense to you.

Oh you took the words right out of my fingers.

there will always be people in power who do not think exactly the way you do. If the world were all exactly alike it would be boring as hell anyway. ;)


Oh, I dunno. I can think up some pretty weird and fun shit ;)



The only thing in life any of us can actually do is abide by our own beliefs.


If that were only so. Where I am living now, I have to abide (in part at least) by the beliefs of others. Religious others. And I cannot act as I otherwise would. 'Tis sad.



If you choose atheism, do it for what is in your heart not what is in another man's heart.

I did choose atheism - a long time ago. I chose it then for what is in my head - logic, science, rationality. And I still choose it now for what is in my head, but I also now choose it for what is in my heart - a desire to be free of the limiting beliefs of others, a yearning for peace that eludes us so long as we divide ourselves by reference to a non-existent god, a compassion - for all the poor wretches who have been and are now being maimed, killed, tortured or otherwise forced to live miserable lives in the name for the sake of sanctity.

This is what is in my heart and this is why I choose to be part of a movement that promotes a naturalistic worldview.

The ends justify the means. On the internet, the ends should always be comprised of laughter.

Roger that.

Oh you took the words right out of my fingers.

Great minds...

Right, I'm off for the night. It's getting very late where I live.

Night all

Bright Capitalism

Those of you who replied in the poll

'Yeah, I'm an atheist and I wanna get excommunicated'

TG me! I wanna keep in touch and find out how your efforts go :D

Roger that.

Since I found the letter to the Bishop humorous, I deem this thread justifiable. It was not a letter whining about how evil the Catholic Church was, it was a letter which was genuinely funny.

Oh, I dunno. I can think up some pretty weird and fun shit ;)




If that were only so. Where I am living now, I have to abide (in part at least) by the beliefs of others. Religious others. And I cannot act as I otherwise would. 'Tis sad.




I did choose atheism - a long time ago. I chose it then for what is in my head - logic, science, rationality. And I still choose it now for what is in my head, but I also now choose it for what is in my heart - a desire to be free of the limiting beliefs of others, a yearning for peace that eludes us so long as we divide ourselves by reference to a non-existent god, a compassion - for all the poor wretches who have been and are now being maimed, killed, tortured or otherwise forced to live miserable lives in the name for the sake of sanctity.

This is what is in my heart and this is why I choose to be part of a movement that promotes a naturalistic worldview.

Interesting, you realize that many people practice religion on the very same grounds. :p

Btw, it would be naive to think that the lack of logic, science, rationality are requirements to be religious. That's a misnomer. That is not to say some people are devoid of these things. But so are plenty of non-believers. ;)

Interesting, you realize that many people practice religion on the very same grounds. :p

Btw, it would be naive to think that the lack of logic, science, rationality are requirements to be religious. That's a misnomer. That is not to say some people are devoid of these things. But so are plenty of non-believers. ;)

:jumps into a lake to avoid the hornets form the nest PQ just stirred up"

Fair enough. Incidentally, what is the Buddhist equivalent of excommunication? How do you do it?

Properly speaking there is no Buddhist equivalent to RC excommunication.

The nearest thing would be a monk committing one of the 4 offenses entailing "defeat". That would bar him from ever becoming a monk again during his current lifetime. That does not bar them from being a Buddhist though. The 4 actions are:

1. Sexual intercourse
2. Killing a human being (or assenting to one being killed)
3. An untruthful claim to super-natural powers to a lay-person
4. Theft

Further than that Tibetan Vajrayanists have "Samaya vows" which they take to specific teachers, it is considered especially heinous to break those vows it does not, however, bar one from being a Buddhist.

:jumps into a lake to avoid the hornets form the nest PQ just stirred up"

*throws the hornet nest in after Neo B*

*throws the hornet nest in after Neo B*

*starts rubbing sticks together*

What? You drowned the bees, so someone has to get some sort of flame going...

Secondly, as I'm sure you're aware, my aforementioned denial of the Holy Spirit is an Unforgivable Sin (Book of Mark 3:28-29; Book of Matthew 12:30-32), which means that I am doomed to eternal hellfire (Book of Hebrews 10:26-27). Obviously, I'd quite like to avoid that, so I'd be most grateful if you could excommunicate me.

I'm going to have to say this to get this out of my system - it ISN'T an unforgivable sin.

Denial of the Holy Spirit is a sin that is "unforgivable" because if you keep denying it, then that means that you'll never accept Jesus. Thus making it the only sin that is unforgivable (since sin can only be forgiven if you accept Jesus).

So the denial of the Holy Spirit being an unforgivable sin is just figurative speech for that. I really had to say that - some Atheists were going crazy over that one sentence and thinking that their cool when they say "flying friend".

I'm going to have to say this to get this out of my system - it ISN'T an unforgivable sin.

Denial of the Holy Spirit is a sin that is "unforgivable" because if you keep denying it, then that means that you'll never accept Jesus. Thus making it the only sin that is unforgivable (since sin can only be forgiven if you accept Jesus).

So the denial of the Holy Spirit being an unforgivable sin is just figurative speech for that. I really had to say that - some Atheists were going crazy over that one sentence and thinking that their cool when they say "flying friend".

gotta love the bible. anything can be a figure of speech for anything.

what other book can be pro-war,slavery,women,sex,ect and anti-war,slavery,women,sex,ect at the same time?

:jumps into a lake to avoid the hornets form the nest PQ just stirred up"

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/Pelecanus_photos/a9919.jpg

I'm going to have to say this to get this out of my system - it ISN'T an unforgivable sin.

Denial of the Holy Spirit is a sin that is "unforgivable" because if you keep denying it, then that means that you'll never accept Jesus. Thus making it the only sin that is unforgivable (since sin can only be forgiven if you accept Jesus).

So the denial of the Holy Spirit being an unforgivable sin is just figurative speech for that. I really had to say that - some Atheists were going crazy over that one sentence and thinking that their cool when they say "flying friend".

Would I be 'cool' if I referred to him as the "Imaginary Jewish Zombie" instead?

;)

*starts rubbing sticks together*

What? You drowned the bees, so someone has to get some sort of flame going...

*offers a blowtorch*

If you're gonna get excommunicated, do it interestingly. Prank the pope. For instance, get access to that snazzy Popemobile of his and rig it with nozzles that shoot jets of chocolate syrup and whipped cream from numerous angles. Then the next time he's riding through town in his Popemobile, with the flick of a switch, a tornado of brown and white fills the glass case. :)

*throws the hornet nest in after Neo B*

Now that's just wrong...

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/Pelecanus_photos/a9919.jpg

And what will YOU use to ward them off if I have the can?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#Automatic_excommunication

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_excommunicated_by_the_Roman_Catholic_Church#21st_century

1. Apostasy (canon 1364),
2. Heresy (canon 1364),
3. Schism (canon 1364),
4. Desecration of the Eucharist (canon 1367),
5. Physical violence against the Pope (canon 1370),
6. Attempted sacramental absolution of a partner in a sin against the sixth commandment of the Decalogue ("Thou shalt not commit adultery.") (canon 1378 §1),
7. Ordination of a bishop without papal mandate (canon 1382),
8. Direct violation of the sacramental seal of confession by a confessor (canon 1388),
9. Procurement of a completed abortion (canon 1398), or
10. Being a conspiring or necessary accomplice in any of the above (canon 1329).

So supposing somebody was to sodomise the Pope with a box of communion wafers while shouting "Don't worry if you're enjoying this: there's no God so as the leader of the real Catholic Church I forgive you for it"...

Good on ya and ya parents. Because, according to official Church doctrine, my soul now belongs to Jay-sus and I can't have it back. Not even if I get myself ex-communicated.



The answer to this is as 'Sagittarya' said: "Official is an imaginary idea used to illustrate someone's percieved authority to label people."

I am not a Catholic, despite being baptised by one. I am not a Catholic, despite their perceived claim on my soul. I am not a Catholic, I reject the Church's attempt to impose its authority on me. I am not a Catholic, I will not live as one. I am not a Catholic, I will not be labelled as one. I am not a Catholic, I want them to know that.If you have no soul, what exactly do they have a claim on?

DL's guide to being excommunicated.

Write a letter detailing your exploits of having mass gay orgies while using condoms and performing numerous abortions, all while worshiping satan.

Send it directly to the pope himself.
Skip the middleman.

His email address is benedictxvi@vatican.va. :)

I'm going to have to say this to get this out of my system - it ISN'T an unforgivable sin.

Denial of the Holy Spirit is a sin that is "unforgivable" because if you keep denying it, then that means that you'll never accept Jesus. Thus making it the only sin that is unforgivable (since sin can only be forgiven if you accept Jesus).

So the denial of the Holy Spirit being an unforgivable sin is just figurative speech for that. I really had to say that - some Atheists were going crazy over that one sentence and thinking that their cool when they say "flying friend".

That's your interpretation, and I can think of at least three others which I've heard from Christians. People put far more meaning into the Bible than they take out.

Excommunication and similar thigns are overrated. As a former jew, I qualify for cherem (jewishg excommunication, esssentially) on these accounts:

1. insulting a learned man, even after his death [Nixon was a college graduate]
11. violating the second day of a holiday, even though its observance is only a custom; [hell, I ignore keeping kosher on the first day of holidays too!]
12. performing work on the afternoon of the day preceding Passover;
13. taking the name of God in vain;
14. causing others to profane the name of God;
17. putting a stumbling-block in the way of the blind, that is to say, tempting one to sin (Lifnei iver); [assuming, of coruse, that violating kosher laws and viewing Dragoness hentai qualify as sins]
21. masturbation [Congratulation, 99% of NSG qualifies for cherem!]

IIRC some of the ruelks for cherem have changed since then, but...

That's your interpretation, and I can think of at least three others which I've heard from Christians. People put far more meaning into the Bible than they take out.

Don't get me wrong - I'm a Deist. I'm excommunicated myself because of my support of abortion as a US Constitutional Right.

So supposing somebody was to sodomise the Pope with a box of communion wafers while shouting "Don't worry if you're enjoying this: there's no God so as the leader of the real Catholic Church I forgive you for it"...

That'd probably do it. And it'd be a lot more interestign than an e-mail. :p

ATHEISTS:

Why don't you take the athiest challenge? Get yourself excommunicated today!
I'm getting myself kicked out, and you should too!

See you in Hell! :D

That's pettier than most of the things I witnessed middle school girls doing to each other when I was in seventh grade.

Not only that, but it's kinda lame.

1. insulting a learned man, even after his death [Nixon was a college graduate]

Insulting Nixon earns you an excommunication from Judaism? I'm amazed there are any Jews left!

[Congratulation, 99% of NSG qualifies for cherem!]

...and the other 1% are liars. :D

That'd probably do it. And it'd be a lot more interestign than an e-mail. :p

Get a video camera and meet me at the Vatican in 48 hours, k? :D

Wave your penis at the pope.

Most likely you'll get a form reply.

Sorry to see you go. If you want to come back, the light will be left on for you. In the meantime, your name is off the rolls per your request. Best wishes.

This is in spite of my flippant response earlier.

I was baptized in the Catholic Church almost 25 years ago (as an adult, more's the pity). A few years later, when I realized that my economic status (poor) marginalized me in the eyes of the priesthood and that I was, basically, an agnostic, I left. The Catholic Church (or any religious organization, for that matter) only has the amount of power over you that you permit. They can't own you or your soul. Baptism is nothing more than dribbling water over you that someone has mumbled some words over. It can't be revoked because there is nothing to revoke. The most liberating day of my life was the day I realized that I was not required to believe anything. When I realized that, the authority of any religious organization became moot.

They don't need to formally excommunicate you (and if you need that then you've chosen to give them power over you) because you've already excommunicated them.

It seems that many people have the same desire to extricate themselves from Catholicism: http://www.secularism.org.uk/debaptism.html


Some people in this thread have asked why it should be necessary to take this kind of action, rather than just not going to church. For me, the reason is to take control of and to resolve my own situation. To simplify it horribly, its like telling someone you don't want to see them again instead of just not answering the phone. The end result is probably the same, but its tidier, clearer and more honest if you resolve it properly, and it can be put behind you that much more quickly.

There's that thing about Catholics who don't practise being "lapsed" as though they just forgot to go to church and can renew their membership any time just by showing up. Perhaps that is the case for some, perhaps they like to feel that the church is still there if they change their minds. I am not one of those people and consider myself an ex-Catholic rather than a lapsed one. Hope this makes sense.

As I'm aware excommunication has become a rather internal thing for the roman catholic church. Last time I know of any one being excommunication was back at the turn of the millenium. I think some females were ordained as priests. Pope didn't like this happening. Gave an ultimatum to say that their ordination wasn't official. the y didn't respond. He excommunicated them.

Your email to be excommunicated seems rather petty. Simply dont go to church anymore. Thats what I do...

That's how I read it, too.

"NYAAAAH! I'm picking up my soul and going home."

That's how I read it, too.

"NYAAAAH! I'm picking up my soul and going home."

And the more he talks about it, that's pretty much what it is about...

I don't really support this thread's militant style. And I'm no fan of the Catholic Church, but I recognize that in the last hundred years or so, they've done more good for the world than evil.

Religious people deserve the same respect as any person. We all make arational decisions in our lives. I always put my left sock on first in the morning: would it be right to unleash a Richard-Dawkins-esque crusade against me?

I don't really support this thread's militant style. And I'm no fan of the Catholic Church, but I recognize that in the last hundred years or so, they've done more good for the world than evil.

Religious people deserve the same respect as any person. We all make arational decisions in our lives. I always put my left sock on first in the morning: would it be right to unleash a Richard-Dawkins-esque crusade against me?

Well, yes, of course...
You're supposed to put the right sock on first.

Well, yes, of course...
You're supposed to put the right sock on first.

Em... I iz confused. What sock?

Em... I iz confused. What sock?

The right one?
:D

Man, what a lot of bother to go through for something you don't give a damn about.

Next: handing out free hamburger packs to devout Hindus and telling small children that Santa Claus doesn't exist. After lunch, why not rearrange the furniture on the visually impaired?

The right one?
:D

Meaning?:D

Meaning?:D

Not the wrong one?

Not the wrong one?

Em... ok?

I always put my left sock on first in the morning: would it be right to unleash a Richard-Dawkins-esque crusade against me?Well, yes, of course...
You're supposed to put the right sock on first.
Make slightly more sense now?
Em... ok?

Make slightly more sense now?

Yeah. Thanks!:p

Why don't you take the athiest challenge? Get yourself excommunicated today!

Oh, sounds like fun. I’ve glanced over the list of excommunicative offences. Desecration of the Eucharist looks promising! If you need inspiration, take it from Joris-Karl Huysmans’ Là-bas:

"Hmmm," said Durtal to Hyacinthe, who was penetrating the mysteries of a spiral staircase, "A lot of fuss for a glass of water!"

But she had already entered a musty room. The paper was peeling from the walls, which were nearly covered with pictures torn out of illustrated weeklies and tacked up with hairpins. The floor was all in pieces. There were a wooden bed without any curtains, a chamber pot with a piece broken out of the side, a wash bowl and two chairs.

The man brought a decanter of gin, a large one of water, some sugar, and glasses, then went downstairs.

Her eyes were sombre, mad. She enlaced Durtal.

"No!" he shouted, furious at having fallen into this trap. "I've had enough of that. It's late. Your husband is waiting for you. It's time for you to go back to him—"

She did not even hear him.

"I want you," she said, and she took him treacherously and obliged him to desire her. She disrobed, threw her skirts on the floor, opened wide the abominable couch, and raising her chemise in the back she rubbed her spine up and down over the coarse grain of the sheets. A look of swooning ecstasy was in her eyes and a smile of joy on her lips.

She seized him, and, with ghoulish fury, dragged him into obscenities of whose existence he had never dreamed. Suddenly, when he was able to escape, he shuddered, for he perceived that the bed was strewn with fragments of hosts.

"Oh, you fill me with horror! Dress, and let's get out of here."

While, with a faraway look in her eyes, she was silently putting on her clothes, he sat down on a chair. The fetidness of the room nauseated him. Then, too—he was not absolutely convinced of Transubstantiation—he did not believe very firmly that the Saviour resided in that soiled bread—but—In spite of himself, the sacrilege he had involuntarily participated in saddened him.

Pfft.

The only way to get excommunicated is to attack the Vatican City, or piss in the Pope's communion wine or something. This is just pettiness.

Incidentally, doing either of the excommunicable actions I suggest would be going a bit far just to quit a religion, no?
ooooo the possibilities . . . .attack the Vatican u say . . . .hmmmmm

ooooo the possibilities . . . .attack the Vatican u say . . . .hmmmmm

Don´t forget Piss on the Pope´s wine... I rather liked that one.:D

Wave your penis at the pope.-The pope surely won't be impressed by this. However, there are some priests who would want to get to know you...

-The pope surely won't be impressed by this. However, there are some priests who would want to get to know you...

And may I add know you... deeply.:D

You know, you can just renounce your baptism. There's no real need to get excommunicated. I've kept mine in the interests of keeping all bases covered, but haven't been to confession in... counts on fingers... something like twenty years. But if I confessed and did penance, I'd be dandy!

Your email to be excommunicated seems rather petty. Simply dont go to church anymore. Thats what I do...

Very true, although since my parents are atheists, this doesn't really have any resonance for me at all.

You know, you can just renounce your baptism. There's no real need to get excommunicated. I've kept mine in the interests of keeping all bases covered, but haven't been to confession in... counts on fingers... something like twenty years. But if I confessed and did penance, I'd be dandy!

Meh, too much work. Plus, drastic measures tend to be better and lasting.;)

That's quite a useless thing to do. All the more in you don't believe in God anymore. You should just play WoW.

That's quite a useless thing to do. All the more in you don't believe in God anymore. You should just play WoW.

Or... post here for the heck of it.:D

ATHEISTS:

Why don't you take the athiest challenge? Get yourself excommunicated today!
I'm getting myself kicked out, and you should too!

See you in Hell! :D

1. I'm not an atheist
2. I don't care what my former religion thinks.
3. I'm not enough of a douchebag wanker to waste my time on something that petty.
4. I hate self-righteous atheists as much as I hate self-righteous religious fundamentalist whackos.
5. I hate attention whores.

Im not Catholic, Im Baptist Christian.;)

I'm trying to get officially kicked out of the Catholic Church because I am an atheist.

Here's the text of an email that I've just sent to the Archbishop of Liverpool:



"Dear Archbishop of Liverpool / members of administration of Liverpool Archdiocese

Liverpool Archdiocese is my Archdiocese. I was baptised into the faith by my parents as a baby at X Church in X, in the north of X. Obviously, at the time, I was too young and mentally undeveloped to give informed consent.

However, that was many years ago and I now deny the existence of God and the Holy Spirit - in other words, I am an atheist.

I would like to officially leave the faith.

Firstly, I would like to be de-baptised and have my details struck from all your membership lists.

Secondly, as I'm sure you're aware, my aforementioned denial of the Holy Spirit is an Unforgivable Sin (Book of Mark 3:28-29; Book of Matthew 12:30-32), which means that I am doomed to eternal hellfire (Book of Hebrews 10:26-27). Obviously, I'd quite like to avoid that, so I'd be most grateful if you could excommunicate me.

If it salves your conscience over booting me out, then please note that I am an apostate and, under article 1 of Canon 1364, that automatically earns me a latae sententiae excommunication.

Could you please indicate whether there is any fee for the return of my soul and, secondly, could you please kindly do the necessaries to have me excommunicated with all due haste? I will then look forward to receiving your official confirmation that I am now, in fact, godless. And free.

With kind regards

Bright Capitalism"



ATHEISTS:

Why don't you take the athiest challenge? Get yourself excommunicated today!
I'm getting myself kicked out, and you should too!

See you in Hell! :D

The most inane part about this, is that you will not cease to be Catholic upon excommunication, you will merely be prohibited from participating in Latin Rites
(i.e. Holy Communion, Confession/Reconciliation, the Last Rites).

1. I'm not an atheist
2. I don't care what my former religion thinks.
3. I'm not enough of a douchebag wanker to waste my time on something that petty.
4. I hate self-righteous atheists as much as I hate self-righteous religious fundamentalist whackos.
5. I hate attention whores.

Must be a full-time job hating all these people :D

Must be a full-time job hating all these people :D

Indeed it must be.:D

You're already excommunicated. Apostasy = automatic excommunication (canon 1364).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#Automatic_excommunication

You're already excommunicated. Apostasy = automatic excommunication (canon 1364).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#Automatic_excommunication

Does anyone have a lolcat that says "Pwned" or something equally appropriate?

Does anyone have a lolcat that says "Pwned" or something equally appropriate?

Let me...:D
http://vtipy.netroof.eu/data/images/dog-pwned-cat.jpg

-The pope surely won't be impressed by this.

You haven't seen mine.

I don't really support this thread's militant style. And I'm no fan of the Catholic Church, but I recognize that in the last hundred years or so, they've done more good for the world than evil.

Religious people deserve the same respect as any person. We all make arational decisions in our lives. I always put my left sock on first in the morning: would it be right to unleash a Richard-Dawkins-esque crusade against me?

*sighs* Not this crap again.


Do you demand state-funding for the maintenance of your 'put the left sock on first' clubs?
Are over a third of state-schools indoctrinating children into only ever putting their left sock on first, with many of them discriminating against the children of the hated 'righties'?
Are even non-leftie controled schools obliged by law to hold a collective act of left-socking every day, which children are forced to attend?
Are a collection of vocal sock-manufacturers awarded seats in the House of Lords based purely on their profession rather than their merit?
Are left-sockers invited to every public debate on moral issues because of the order in which they put on their socks, even when they clearly don't have a clue about the facts underlying the issue?
Have death threats been made against people who point out that it really doesn't matter which order you put your socks on, and that always starting with the left is silly?
Are left-sockers frequently seen on the streets, threatening non-believers with hellfire?
Are the campaigns to restrict the rights of homosexuals and women invariably driven by left-sockers?


Of course not, but if you replace 'left-sockism' with 'religion' then you'll see that all of this is done in the UK. If religious beliefs are a purely private matter, in the same way as sock order, then I can't see many people bothering about it; but when religion infringes on my life and liberties then don't expect me to be respectful towards it.

Yes, believers do have a right to the same respect to which anyone else is due: acceptance of their basic freedoms, notably their freedom of belief and speech; any further respect must be earned in the same way that anyone else earns it.

Until the Roman Catholic Church supports complete legal equality for homosexuals and non-Catholics then they won't get an ounce of undeserved respect from me.

Must be a full-time job hating all these people :D

Surprisingly, no. I don't thing about them really unless I come into contact with them, like in this thread. So no, it takes very little effort, almost none at all.

I don't really support this thread's militant style. And I'm no fan of the Catholic Church, but I recognize that in the last hundred years or so, they've done more good for the world than evil.

Religious people deserve the same respect as any person. We all make a rational decisions in our lives. I always put my left sock on first in the morning: would it be right to unleash a Richard-Dawkins-esque crusade against me?

Ready...aim...

*sighs* Not this crap again.


Do you demand state-funding for the maintenance of your 'put the left sock on first' clubs?
Are over a third of state-schools indoctrinating children into only ever putting their left sock on first, with many of them discriminating against the children of the hated 'righties'?
Are even non-leftie controled schools obliged by law to hold a collective act of left-socking every day, which children are forced to attend?
Are a collection of vocal sock-manufacturers awarded seats in the House of Lords based purely on their profession rather than their merit?
Are left-sockers invited to every public debate on moral issues because of the order in which they put on their socks, even when they clearly don't have a clue about the facts underlying the issue?
Have death threats been made against people who point out that it really doesn't matter which order you put your socks on, and that always starting with the left is silly?
Are left-sockers frequently seen on the streets, threatening non-believers with hellfire?
Are the campaigns to restrict the rights of homosexuals and women invariably driven by left-sockers?


Of course not, but if you replace 'left-sockism' with 'religion' then you'll see that all of this is done in the UK. If religious beliefs are a purely private matter, in the same way as sock order, then I can't see many people bothering about it; but when religion infringes on my life and liberties then don't expect me to be respectful towards it.

Yes, believers do have a right to the same respect to which anyone else is due: acceptance of their basic freedoms, notably their freedom of belief and speech; any further respect must be earned in the same way that anyone else earns it.

Until the Roman Catholic Church supports complete legal equality for homosexuals and non-Catholics then they won't get an ounce of undeserved respect from me.

...PWND! Excellently put.

And may I add know you... deeply.:D

Yeah, when the Lord said "suffer the little children, come unto me, that's not what he was talkin' about. [/Carlin]

"no, I don't want to be excommunicated"

It takes effort to do shit like that.