I enjoyed this Steve, maybe moreso for your biting sarcasm. You were defnintely "on a roll". Kind of wished I'd read something like this years ago when I was caught up in the whole shame/guilt cylce of religion myself.
One part that struck me was how you mentioned that the teachings contradict each other by design, in order to just make your brain explode.
Countless times I tried to understand the Christian concept of free-will yet it's all pre-destined. That god loved us so he killed his only son, and you had to genuinely love him for that.
I've debated it, read countless explanations for it, and it still doesn't make sense. I had to let it go. I was afraid to of course, terrified actually, but I didn't feel this grateful love I was supposed to. A couple years later, and I make peace with it.
However this is the first time I recall reading that perhaps my confusion was by design. Very thought provoking article.
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