u/Acrobatic-Law-1935

AITD for asking a creator how much they are using AI? I like their work and find it helpful. I am in personal contact with them, so this wasn’t getting in touch out of the blue to ask about this. They are upfront about using AI as a tool, which I appreciate. I asked whether they use it to come up with the substance/content of their writing, or just for the presentation like images etc. I was polite and didn’t say anything negative, but after hitting send I’m worried that it might come off as hostile because AI can be a controversial topic. I’m probably worrying over nothing, but could I be the drama? Too late to unsend but I read it over and I don’t think it was unkind. Im worried that the question was too intrusive. I don’t know the rules over this.

I went to the post office today in my village and there was a “god loves you” leaflet stuck up next to the door. I didn’t read it to see who put it there. There are JWs as well as a couple of churches, or it could have been someone from outside the village.

I don’t know what they think it will achieve. Maybe capture someone at a vulnerable moment? I thought about tearing it down but it’s in view of the counter so I left it. maybe I should ask to put up a “Lucifer wants you to be the best version of yourself” flier next to it because I know some people will complain and they won’t see the double standard.

yesterday I was talking to my therapist about my religious trauma and she shared a quote someone told her.

God can only be two of the following:

• All knowing
• All powerful
• All good

I think it’s true! A god who is all three does not fit with the reality of the world.

when I was a Christian this was something that people tied themselves in knots to try and explain away. The starting point is that god is all three, and so we had to find explanations that would fit. But looking at the world without that preconception makes it clear that god cannot be all three, and therefore what Christianity says about god is false.

I tried being atheist, but I’m not really. It’s simpler and more comfortable for me in many ways, but it’s not the way I operate. I am animistic and have a strong sense of the spiritual. Always have. I am slowly trying to find a way to practice spirituality without fear and anxiety but it’s so hard. There’s bouts of fear I’m wrong and going to hell (which i no longer believe in). There’s fear of being wrong in whatever tradition I’m exploring, hard to shake the belief that there is one correct way to think and practice. I also struggle with feeling insecure and powerless, like I’m in danger from spiritual entities and have no strength of my own. I want someone to tell me what to think and do, and to reassure me and be an intermediary between me and the divine.

Except I don’t want any of those things! I want to be independent and strong and have sovereignty over my own spiritual practice.

How do you get over those fears and insecurities? Is there anything that helps or is it just time?

I am doing much better on the letting go of fear around leaving Christianity, but its still lurking. I sometimes fear god is real and is angry with me ,or that demons are real and are after me, or hell is real and I’m gong there.

I get frustrated with myself when these thoughts come up. But it also makes me realise how manipulative the religion is to still have such a hold on me. It’s very cleverly crafted to suck you in and keep hold of you. Tell you there’s a problem and offer the solution that needs constant topping up. Carrot and stick to keep you once you’re in.