My original church no longer exists. (Eli Lilly owned the land and eventually wanted it for a parking lot so kicked the church off the property) I wonder if I need to contact my local church? I’d love to get a letter. It would give me warm fuzzies to think of a pastor standing up in front of a tut-tutting congregation saying this awsome words.

I must make known to you that our fellow member name , by his continued impenitence has despised his/her Baptism. He/She was under Church discipline and, although repeatedly admonished from the Word of God, has refused to repent. Following the direction of our Lord in the Gospel according to St. Matthew, I and other members of this congregation have pleaded repeatedly with him/her to receive Christ’s forgiveness won for (him/her) on the cross, but to no avail. Nevertheless, name refuses to hear the Church.

In order to show the seriousness of his/her refusal to be forgiven and as a last effort to win him/her back to our Lord, I announce that name is now excommunicated from the holy Christian Church. Until he/she repents, name may not come to this or any other Christian altar for the Lord’s Supper. He/She is also not permitted to serve as a sponsor at Holy Baptism nor engage in any other rights or privileges of the Church, except to hear the preaching of God’s Word

It’s not that I so much despise my baptism, I really could care less, especially as I can’t remember it, it’s more like sending away for an autographed picture of a celebrity so you can frame it on the wall.

Complete

Eve, Both would make it doubly scary! A Halloween “combo”.

This thinking can be so scary; it reminds me that I’ve got a post on the Inquisition due. Or do you think the Great European Witch Hunts are more “Halloweeny?” Or both?

Eve, It’s because Jay would really like to be part of OUR group but is afraid to let go of the gawd beliefs because he has been brainwashed into believing that someone will hurt him if he doubts or gives up the sky daddy beliefs. Losing something is hard and scary…even if what one loses is a belief created in the imaginations of men.

Could it be - oh, I don’t know - maybe - that even though you theists constitute the vast majority of the population in this country and continue to try to force us to live according to your rules even though we may disagree with them

The more believers can keep in the “borg system” the more they can justify their beliefs. Their faulty logic is that the more people who believe, the more “true” it must be. We are a threat because they have that little speck of doubt that could mushroom into full disbelief if they just let go of the lies.

If we’re as “childish” as you claim we are (and sometimes we are, just for the fun of it; besides, doesn’t religion value childlike behavior?), then what in the name of the Great Goddess Isis’ left breast are you doing here on our site?

Could it be - oh, I don’t know - maybe - that even though you theists constitute the vast majority of the population in this country and continue to try to force us to live according to your rules even though we may disagree with them, you can’t stand the idea of a place for agnostic/atheists to come and blow off steam at your antics?

Why would The Catholic Church care if you died Catholic? Are you expecting them to use it in a new advertisement campaign? “More Catholics die everyday than any other religion.” That is more illogical the the “master roster” theory.

elaphe_mo: Sending a letter made you feel a bit stronger and more comfortable as an atheist? You don’t believe in God; now what? you really really don’t believe in God. Are there degrees to this? merit badges maybe?

Going through the trouble of getting excomunicated when you do not believe in that Church, its rules or its God seems rather childish.

As a child, when you quit the game, took your ball and went home because you didn’t like the rules, did you write a letter to your (former) friends confirming that you quit?

Elaphe, I’m pretty sure that was the main point of the Atheist Foundation of America, Inc.’s piece, to empower people as openly identified freethinkers; I had some doubts myself about whether or not the RCC really does keep a “master roster” of all catholics everywhere. They most likely only care when and if you’re a public personality of some kind, or if you die with no or few funeral instructions; as long as you still show up as having been baptized catholic, and no other religion/denomination pops up to “claim” you, they can still say you died catholic.

Say No To Christ: Does the closest [parish] to my home count?

I don’t see why not; seems as good a place to start as any!

Marcus, you’re welcome!

Jeff, what you’re doing is a common defense mechanism psychologists call projection, but cheer up! Keep going to therapy, and soon you’ll be able to catch yourself at it, and substitute healthier attitudes and behaviors.