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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Religion / Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer (2291 Views)
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Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by ColdHardTruth: 9:22am On Oct 27, 2016 |
www.nairaland.com/attachments/4406967_roryfenton11_jpeg5e7fb6c80995cfedca89f40d4dfdc7b4 There is nothing more liberating than simply being yourself. There is probably also nothing harder. For many across the UK struggling to leave their family's religion, this is exactly the challenge they face everyday. I know – I was one of them. Raised Catholic in Northern Ireland, religion was never sold to me as a matter of conscience, it was a matter of identity. To lose my faith would be to lose a part of myself. So when I started to doubt my faith as a teenager and later again as a student, I tried to sweep my doubts under the carpet, embarrassed that someone might see what seemed to me a failure to believe. All I had ever known was Catholicism and I had learnt to view atheism through Catholic eyes. To be atheist, I believed, was to lose hope, to lose morality and to lose purpose. At first the realisation that I did not believe the religion of my parents was far from liberating, it felt like an illness. So I sought a cure for my atheism. I became heavily involved in Catholic groups, attending mass twice a week and going abroad on pilgrimage. I focussed on the parts of my religion I did believe in, such as charity, and told myself that belief in the rest would surely come. I remember being on retreat, aged 19, with the intention of finally deciding that I believed in God. Looking back, it does seem incredible that I would head to the countryside with a religious group with the intention of believing in a God I wasn't sure existed. I spent the weekend reading non-stop through Catholic apologetics but yet again I could only agree with the call to be a moral person and even then felt things weren't as black and white as they were presented to me. Eventually I realised that to believe would require not a book but a leap of faith. To simply, blindly, accept what the Church said to be true. I had to believe. But I couldn't. I couldn't because I didn't. Catholicism went against my beliefs, it went against who I was and in truth I wasn't a Catholic. This realisation was not the liberation it is for some, it was a grim acceptance. But through chance, I heard of humanism. Actually, I heard about it through a priest who was criticising it. "They arrogantly wish to live good lives without God". That sounded perfect. It has taken three years from then to get to the stage now where I feel truly comfortable and free in not just my atheism but more importantly in my humanism, my belief in good without God. This is why I am so excited to share this. I know how difficult it can be to accept a loss of faith but I also know what it's like on the other side, to be "out" and fully yourself. I wish I could have had access to something like this as a teenager and my hope for readers is that they might be spared some of the struggle I went through. source CC RaphieMontella , Weah96 , SirWere , sonofluc1fer , Stephendamsoho , EyeHateGod , FearGodAndLive , LennyCool, Kevoh , Johnnydon22 , Akintom , Hardmirror , GRIMMJOE , CoolUsername , 1990news , JSoE , Etesam , Audray , Edenoscar , DeSepiero , charix , GoodMuyis , jonbellion , menxer , 7 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by ColdHardTruth: 9:34am On Oct 27, 2016 |
Seun , Plaetton , ilovetheline, JackBizzle, Kay17, AgentOfAllah, Ayomikun37 , hahn , sonOfLucifer , frank317 muskeeto , Decker , PastorAIO , ValentineMary , Pyrrho , braithwaite , dragonEmperor , theoneJabulani , lepasharon , cloudgoddess , ifenes , Hopefullandlord , brigance , stephenmorris , thehomer , dalaman , Ranchhoddas , CAPSLOCKED , lilbrown007 , Elohim1, Pastafarian |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by Pastafarian: 10:02am On Oct 27, 2016 |
So when I started to doubt my faith as a teenager and later again as a student, I tried to sweep my doubts under the carpet, embarrassed that someone might see what seemed to me a failure to believe. All I had ever known was Catholicism and I had learnt to view atheism through Catholic eyes. To be atheist, I believed, was to lose hope, to lose morality and to lose purpose. At first the realisation that I did not believe the religion of my parents was far from liberating, it felt like an illness. This captures what almost every atheist had to go through before leaving religion 6 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by raphieMontella: 10:03am On Oct 27, 2016 |
On www.exchristian.net stories/deconverts like this show like every week.. |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by EyeHateGod: 10:42am On Oct 27, 2016 |
winner01 after reading the thread or i guess he wouldn't 10 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by hahn(m): 10:50am On Oct 27, 2016 |
EyeHateGod: Who knows, winner01 might just be white ![]() ![]() 1 Like |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by winner01(m): 10:50am On Oct 27, 2016 |
EyeHateGod:Ehyaa im really crying because atheism has been growing since the 15th century and still less than 10% of the worlds population today. ![]() Catholic turned atheist ![]() What can we do than to pray for them. 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by EyeHateGod: 10:55am On Oct 27, 2016 |
winner01: Of course you are Lol We didn't go around enslaving people to convert them na like Christians did abi did we? Change takes time all though the way m seeing it now it seams Atheism is spreading like wildfire right now Did u just say prayer? instead of praying for him why don't you do something at least with your hands? Like maybe go to orphanage and provide them with food? We all know prayer is Waste it can't fly Planes ![]() 7 Likes |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by BodyKiss(m): 11:03am On Oct 27, 2016 |
winner01: Why so generous today? It's no longer 2%? 2 Likes |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by winner01(m): 11:13am On Oct 27, 2016 |
BodyKiss:So you dont know that 2% is less than 10% I just helped you include deists, agnostics etc na ![]() 2 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by DeSepiero(m): 11:34am On Oct 27, 2016 |
All these conversion stories have elements of humanism in them. It was beautifully expressed by Akdegreat in his wonderful story. I wish there were more humanists. |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by felixomor1: 11:35am On Oct 27, 2016 |
winner01: Of course, he doesn't know. |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by raphieMontella: 11:36am On Oct 27, 2016 |
DeSepiero:secular humanism. |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by Edenoscar(m): 11:38am On Oct 27, 2016 |
winner01: no worry nah una plenty pass If you dont belong to any of this you're also part of the 2% Catholic Church- 1,166 million *. Latin Church- 1,149 million *. Catholic Charismatic Renewal- 160 million *. Personal Ordinariate for former Anglicans- 0.005 million *. Eastern Catholic Churches- 17 million *. Alexandrian Rite *. Ethiopian Catholic Church- 0.2 million *. Coptic Catholic Church- 0.2 million *. Antiochene Rite *. Maronite Catholic Church- 3.1 million *. Syro-Malankara Catholic Church- 0.4 million *. Syriac Catholic Church- 0.1 million *. Armenian Rite *. Armenian Catholic Church- 0.4 million Breakaway Catholic Churches- 28 million *. Philippine Independent Church- 6 million *. Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association- 5 million *. Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church- 5 million *. Traditionalist Mexican-American Catholic Church- 2 million *. Old Catholic Church- 0.1 million *. Polish National Catholic Church- 0.025 million *. Apostolic Catholic Church- 0.005 million Baptist churches- 75-105 million *. Southern Baptist Convention- 15.7 million *. National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.- 8.5 million *. National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.- 3.1 million *. Nigerian Baptist Convention- 2.5 million *. Progressive National Baptist Convention- 2.5 million *. Baptist General Convention of Texas- 2.3 million *. Baptist Union of Uganda- 1.5 million *. American Baptist Churches USA- 1.4 million *. Brazilian Baptist Convention- 1.3 million *. Baptist Bible Fellowship International- 1.2 million *. Baptist Community of the Congo River- 1 million *. National Primitive Baptist Convention of the U.S.A.- 1 million Lutheranism- 70-90 million *. Evangelical Church in Germany- 24.5 million *. Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus- 7.9 million *. Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania- 6.5 million *. Church of Sweden- 6.3 million *. United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India- 4.5 million *. Batak Christian Protestant Church- 4.5 million Nondenominational evangelicalism- 80 million *. Calvary Chapel- 25 million *. Born Again Movement- 3 million *. Association of Vineyard Churches- 15 million *. Christian and Missionary Alliance- 4 million *. Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)- 1.2 million *. African initiatedProtestant churches - 60 million *. Zion Christian Church- 15 million *. Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim- 10 million *. Kimbanguist Church- 5.5 million *. Church of the Lord (Aladura)- 3.6 million *. Council of African Instituted Churches- 3 million *. Church of Christ Light of the Holy Spirit- 1.4 million *. African Church of the Holy Spirit- 0.7 million *. African Israel Church Nineveh- 0.5 million *. Seventh-day Adventist Church- 18.1 million *. New Apostolic Church- 10 million i didnt even include mountain of fire an co |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by winner01(m): 11:40am On Oct 27, 2016 |
DeSepiero:Akdegreat did not claim to be an atheist. |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by KingEbukaNaija: 11:44am On Oct 27, 2016 |
Edenoscar: I really don't get the point |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by jonbellion(m): 11:48am On Oct 27, 2016 |
Edenoscar:lol and they aaaaaaall broke out from the catholic church. It's only rational for Catholics to think that they are all preaching heresy. But wait oo if God is speaking to all his people why would he divide them like this na ![]() 4 Likes |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by Edenoscar(m): 11:55am On Oct 27, 2016 |
KingEbukaNaija:does he belong to any of the numerous denominations listed if not then he's also part of the 2% minority |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by Edenoscar(m): 12:01pm On Oct 27, 2016 |
jonbellion:they claim you have nothing to lose when you worship God,lets even agree chriatianity is the right religion which of the numerous denomination is the right one since they all have different beliefs and doctrines,and they all claim that God speaks to them and only them |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by KingEbukaNaija: 12:03pm On Oct 27, 2016 |
Edenoscar: You really don't have a point . They are all Christians , constituting 32 percent of the world's population , while the remaining > 48 percent belong to other religions . Atheists and their ilks (agnostics et al ) are just close to 15-18 percent or even way much lower like winner said . And those who say there is no God with certitude are an infinitesimal percent of the world's population . Let's take a quick test , on the scale of 1-10 how certain are you there is no God ? |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by hahn(m): 12:20pm On Oct 27, 2016 |
KingEbukaNaija: They are all Christians but Christians follow Christ in over 33,000 different ways and can't agree on most teachings in the bible? Talk about confusion ![]() 4 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by raphieMontella: 12:28pm On Oct 27, 2016 |
hahn:brother....you havent seen confusion in christianity yet.. They are like 5 & 6 1 Like 1 Share
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Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by BodyKiss(m): 12:31pm On Oct 27, 2016 |
winner01: Lying has become second nature to you. Here is what you posted. Ehyaa im really crying because atheism has been growing since the 15th century and still less than 10% of the worlds population today. 2% is less than 10%, so is 9.99%. You can deceive yourself and hide behind logical fallacy all you want, it won't stop the reality that atheism is spreading. Anyone who can read between the lines will see that reality is creeping into your head. You no longer stand by your 2%. That's a good start. |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by KingEbukaNaija: 12:42pm On Oct 27, 2016 |
hahn: Confusion ? Do you think their differing views about Christ will preclude them from going to heaven ? God wants you to worship Him in truth and in spirit and he assents to true religion which is helping the poor and doing good to people . James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. And of course Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. The bible exhorts us to avoid schisms and have a consensus on exegesis on all biblical texts . 1 Corinthians 1:10 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by Edenoscar(m): 12:45pm On Oct 27, 2016 |
KingEbukaNaija:you really dont understand my point do you? |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by KingEbukaNaija: 12:50pm On Oct 27, 2016 |
Edenoscar: You really don't have a point . So answer my question , on the scale of 1-10 how certain are you God does not exist . |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by KingEbukaNaija: 12:51pm On Oct 27, 2016 |
ColdHardTruth is winner01's epigone - fact . 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by GRIMMJOE(m): 12:58pm On Oct 27, 2016 |
Op your going to burn in hell and God is going to enjoy the smell of you being barbecued. ![]() While i will be in heaven literally doing nothing,and sing Parises to God,even do human created ability to sing ![]() ![]() |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by GRIMMJOE(m): 1:01pm On Oct 27, 2016 |
KingEbukaNaija:some one is reconsidering ![]() |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by KingEbukaNaija: 1:09pm On Oct 27, 2016 |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by GRIMMJOE(m): 1:12pm On Oct 27, 2016 |
KingEbukaNaija:You see people like winner may have discovered the truth,buth won't come clean because of established pride. #Just saying though |
Re: Rory Fenton: From "Atheist hating" Catholic to Atheist Advocate/Writer by hahn(m): 1:39pm On Oct 27, 2016 |
KingEbukaNaija: Same with Allah and Vishnu. Well, following Christ is not the only criteria for entering heaven. Some Christians even believe that weavons reduce your chances. So, you might believe in Jesus but still end up in hell for fixing brazilian hair. James 1:27 By unspotted, what does it mean? And of course Is killing in the name of Jesus also allowed? Like the crusades, spanish inquisition and also killing of witches and wizards in the name of Christ The bible exhorts us to avoid schisms and have a consensus on exegesis on all biblical texts . Did this command come before or after the 33,000 denominations were formed? 1 Like |
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