Reply #22

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[Thorn]

I guess my main baggage isn't necessarily religious: "Smart people don't believe in magic."

My major baggage is similiar, but specifically religions:  "Smart people don't believe in gods.  Religion is a crutch for people who can't deal."  It doesn't help that I can't deal with the idea of an atheistic universe.  So whenever I'm feeling particularly down on myself, this is one of the first things to rush to the surface.

It goes back to my childhood as a Pentacostal.  In my church at least, the intellect was highly suspect.  Which, once I rejected that path, somehow got translated subconsciously into "religious people are idiots."  Been trying to shake that for years.  The fluffier element of the pagan community isn't helping.  Thank the gods for all the sane, intelligent people on TC!

Anyway, this is why I'll add a big "Me too!"  to Shad's comment below.

I believe - but sometimes I have a very hard time accepting my own beliefs.

My other stuff is psychological and not specifically related to my faith.  I've got a lot of anxiety when dealing with groups, so I tend to avoid them.  Then theres the fear/depression cycle.

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