Hi everyone

[gwyn428]

I used to be a very religious person during the previous 6-7 years and then I observed that I never sincerely believed in anything. Then I came to the conclusion that all of these things like God, other gods, angels, demons, afterlives, karma, et cetera, do not even exist. Letting go of religion made me happy and I no longer feel like I have a heavy and unwanted burden on my shoulders.

Currently I am catching up on science and I really enjoy learning. Right now I am reading Relativity: The Special and the General Theory by Albert Einstein and the next book I want to get is The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. I think I may be a biology person rather than a cosmology person; but the latter does help me understand our universe.  

I hope to make new friends here!

[oldschooldoc]

Gwyn, nice to have you here. I'm glad to hear you shed your oppression as most here have...it is very freeing! Einstein and Darwin right off the bat, huh? Nice. Origin is a long read, but very worth it! As is Voyage of the Beagle, Darwin's journal of his second voyage. So how recently did you find yourself on the side of logic and reason?

[Squid]

Welcome aboard.  Those are two great works to read.  I will tell you that Darwin's book while it is an amazing scientific work can be a bit bland in many parts (my personal opinion though) but I still recommend anyone who is interested in evolution to read it.

[gwyn428]

Thanks for the welcomes.  

oldschooldoc

I have to admit, I do not actually know the right place to start off in catching up on science, but I felt a pull toward Einstein and Darwin. The latter may be much easier for myself since physics will probably never be my field of study (other than learning cool facts).. maybe I just need to get into the real basics like Newton? I did though learn about his three laws of motion. The third law, to me atleast, tells me about what the First Cause must had been concerning the Big Bang. Evolution, which is equally amazing as physics, may be the thing for me to go deep into.

As far as being on the side of logic and reason, I think I have always been but just wasn't ready to embrace them. In the past I've had a few profound "spiritual experiences" but I was always skeptical about what they really were. Concerning so called sacred texts, I found problems with each one of them. In the end, logic and reason became dominant and sentenced religion, mysticism, and superstition to death. I embraced the side of logic and reason and I came to the rational conclusion of Atheism in December of 2008, which is pretty recent.

Squid

Thank you. Yeah, the next book I will get is Origin. Heheh, and I am excited about it. I wish that I had gotten into science years ago instead of religion because now I realize that I wasted so much time ignoring this amazing world. But it was a good learning experience though because I understand religion for what it really is.

I see that you two are in Texas! I am located in the northern part.

[Whitney]

Hi gwyn, welcome to the forum.  What northern part of Texas are you in?  I'm in Dallas.

[McQ]

Welcome to the forum, Gwyn! Thanks for the intro!

[gwyn428]

Thanks  

I am also in Dallas. Born here, living here, but don't want to stay here.

[DennisK]

Welcome.  It's good to have you here.

Thank you. Yeah, the next book I will get is Origin. Heheh, and I am excited about it. I wish that I had gotten into science years ago instead of religion because now I realize that I wasted so much time ignoring this amazing world. But it was a good learning experience though because I understand religion for what it really is.

I can totally relate.  I am 37 and am just now beginning my education in science.  It's a sad reflection of our education system when I can get through with a B average with no real effort and an IQ barely breaking single digits.