This was a post I made on my LJ back in 2004. As another Fall Equinox rolls around, I was reminded of this post and the people from it who are still in my life. I no longer call myself Pagan, but most of the sentiments I felt then are no less true for me now. Enjoy.

There are lots of things that squick me out about religion. I was raised Southern Baptist, but that died around the time I became sexually active. I became Pagan in college, but that began to die the first time I tried to speak to deities out loud in a ritual (”Who the fuck am I talking to?!”) and finally ended when I went to a burn for the first time and realized that everything I wanted from religion was available without religion.

Some things that squick me out: rules and regulations about everything from what are the right clothes to wear for celebrations to how to conduct romantic relationships. Here’s a new one by way of the Friendly Atheist: God is an abusive partner!