As easy as that.
After a lot of thought, I decided to end my membership in the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids recently. To remain a member at this point would have been complete hypocrisy, so I just did it. I called and asked that my membership be canceled, and that was all it took. Now I'm "discontinued." I don't know if this means I'm not a Lutheran anymore, or if I have to call some main office, but it's a step in a direction I want to move.
Let me say that growing up a Lutheran was a good upbringing. There are so many good aspects of all Christian churches - the teachings about love, honesty, and decency - that are important for children to learn.
But the suspension of belief on SO many issues with no effort made to realistically explain them;
the insistence on obedience to certain rules of the Bible and complete disregard for others;
the message of acceptance constantly undermined by the "fact" that non-Christians were going to hell;
the insistence on the existence of hell (and many, many other ethereal places and teachings and beings) with no proof;
no proof of ANYTHING really except that certain historical figures existed;
the insistence on unearned faith and trust to explain these unprovable things;
the realization that the Bible is a book written by PEOPLE to control other people, ostensibly to help them, but nevertheless control them;
and lastly, because of the disgusting display of hatred and killing being played out in the world under the auspices of religion right now
really led me to decide that buying into this one hook, line, and sinker wasn't going to cut it for me anymore.
I would rather think and come to my own conclusions (or not!) than have stories written by someone with an agenda fed to me as irrevocable truth...
And I don't believe Jesus was God's son, so that kind of takes me out of the game right there.
As my beliefs evolve, who knows what the future will bring, but I just felt like it was time to stop pretending. This is the great thing about being free of an established religion - I get to feel out what I think is right, my beliefs get to constantly evolve based on new information and new experiences I have. I don't have to do what I'm told by someone who thinks they know better than I do. I have the chance to discover the divinity within myself.
I'll probably just watch TV, though.
KIDDING.
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"I'll probably just watch TV, though.
KIDDING."
NOT KIDDING. ;)
Forget about calling them. You should have just printed this out and nailed it to their door.
I didn't know that you had to call to quit a religion. I didn't even know I was a member of the Dell Rapids Lutheran Church. I guess it makes sense though since I was baptized and confirmed there. To be honest, I won't believe any one religion until I get to where I am going after this life and find out what all the mystery is about.
I praise you for being honest with yourself! You call to remove your name from the membership list of a particular parish or congregation. No need to do anything further. If you were baptised, you will always be considered a Christian, just a non- practicing one. (Many people that are still attending church, "quit" a long time ago.)
I'm not sure about the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids, but many Christian churches do not teach that non Christians are going to hell. Also, many Christian religions teach that the Bible is not fact, but truth. A big difference. As a wise person once said, "All stories are true, and some of them actually happened."
You mentioned the fact that there are many teachings with no "proof". That is what faith is!
Can you prove that you love your parents. No, but that doesn't make it any less true!
Most people don't really know what their religions teach and for that matter many organized Christian religions don't follow much of what Jesus taught. As you mentioned, the horrible things that are going on in the world in the name of Religion proves that we don't follow the teaching of Jesus. An awesome book on this is, Jesus before Christianity.
Finally, many religions encourage individuals to think and come to their own conclusions. Hopefully, with an informed conscience and not just by what feels good at the time.
I am not trying to convince you that you need to be a member The Dell Rapids Lutheran Church or any church for that matter. In fact as you mentioned, being a member, but never participating is complete hypocrisy. And the fact that you don't believe that Jesus is God's son is another good reason to not belong to an organized religion. But continually seeking the truth, and the divinity within in yourself and others is what life is all about. Check out the song by Peter Mayer, Holy Now.
http://petermayer.net/music/?id=4
It speaks of growing in the understanding that what is Holy doesn't just exist in Church, but in everything.
well, i hope you never want to see wyatt again because with your stupid thoughts you aren't going to. but me and him will be in heaven together laughing at you!!!
welcome to the next level, g-dog.