I've never been a big fan of introducing myself...

[AnefIsEnuf]

But, I'll wing it. (That was all I had prepared. Now I am staring blankly at my screen.)  

Hi, I'm AnefIsEnuf, I am 29 and I have been an atheist for probably ten years. I was raised Byzantine Catholic, and I started to doubt my religion around the age of 11. After that, I started exploring other religions and spiritualities, but came to find that none of them made more sense to me than the others. After a lot of self reflection and studying, and a lifelong love of science, I found that the answers that I found in science made me feel a satisfaction that religion had never given me.
I went through a period in my life where I was bitter and angry toward religion, and those who practice, but I have a sneaking suspicion that is relatively common among people who find atheism, rather than being raised by atheist parents. Though, I'm sure that can swing both ways, and in a multitude of variations. Now, I much prefer to strive for tolerance and acceptance, and to squash some of the stereotypes and fears that people have of atheists. I figure you catch more flies with honey, eh?
I feel like I need a place where I am no longer in the minority. I need a place to feel supported and comfortable to express my opinions, without a mixed bag. In the past, I have tried several outlets.. and some have been more effective than others, but it seems that it is impossible to honestly express my beliefs without someone being offended, no matter how polite or sugar-coated it is. I am exhausted from debating, I don't want to debate. I just want to discuss.
I hope this is the place where I can finally do exactly that.

[McQ]

Welcome to the forum. I grew up catholic, but I'm still going to have to hit up Google to see what a Byzantine catholic is! Thanks for sharing your background and for your intro. You did a great job with it, so give yourself a pat on the back!

Hope you enjoy this crazy place.

[Recusant]

Hello and welcome to HAF, AnefIsEnuf. I think your suspicion is correct regarding the relatively common phenomenon of people coming from religion to atheism and going through a period of bitterness and anger toward religion and the religious. Some of us never quite overcome that bitterness and anger.  It's good to hear that you have, though.

I have to admit that we do get into debates here, but you are quite welcome to give them a miss, and just discuss things; I think that there's more going on at HAF than unrelieved adversarial back and forth! Members here definitely try to provide support and comfort. We are a mixed bag, though, which I hope is not too much of a disappointment to you.   

Notes for new members from Tank:

The Rules.

Users who comply with forum rules will graduate to full membership after 10 posts. Till that time your ability to post is limited to the "Getting to Know You" section of the forum. It is our hope that this small restriction improves the overall atmosphere of HAF.

Some threads you might find interesting.
Where did you get your username from?
10 Things About Yourself
Tell us A Bit About Where You're From
Photography
Non-religious pet peeves
Pets...what do you have?
How to tell your family you are an atheist.*

*You will need 10 posts before you can add a post to this thread, but you can read it at any time.

In addition, you may find the following of interest: "Rules for Conducting a Discussion" by Dr. Mortimer J. Adler.

I hope you enjoy your time reading and posting here!

[AnefIsEnuf]

Thank you for the warm welcome.

I should have specified, I am exhausted from debating with theists... specifically Christians, which is to be expected, as I am in the United States. Not that I won't ever do that again, I suspect that is unavoidable (which is partly my own fault), but I just want to be around other like-minded people. It gets lonely out there in a world of believers. Sometimes it wears me out.
I haven't even begun to look around the site, just yet. I read the front page, then I read the rules/guidelines... and I liked them, so I joined. Not very thorough, but I have a feeling I'm going to like it here.

Thanks very much for the links, looking forward to sifting through them.

[Firebird]

Welcome Anef! I've only been here for about a month, but I think you'll like it here.

[Anne D.]

Welcome! Really enjoyed your thoughtful intro.

[The Magic Pudding]

I figure you catch more flies with honey, eh?

As compared to what?
Flies seem to enjoy unsavoury things and spreading malady comes naturally.
Flies, you meant that as one of those metaphor things didn't you?  Silly Pudding.

Hello, welcome AnefIsEnuf.

[AnefIsEnuf]

I figure you catch more flies with honey, eh?

As compared to what?
Flies seem to enjoy unsavoury things and spreading malady comes naturally.
Flies, you meant that as one of those metaphor things didn't you?  Silly Pudding.

Hello, welcome AnefIsEnuf.

Ohh. So true. Well said.

[Ali]

Welcome Anef!  I think you'll like it here.  I know I do.   

[Tank]

Welcome Anef!  I think you'll like it here.  I know I do.   

That's good to know, it makes killing off all those F***ing spammers worthwhile 

[AnefIsEnuf]

Thanks! Nice to meet you all.

[Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism]

Welcome! As far as I can tell a byzantine catholic is a Catholic who uses Greek liturgical rites and the koine greek and modern Greek languages.

[xSilverPhinx]

Welcome!

[plasticman]

Hello...nice to meet you

*stretches arm out 30 foot to shake your hand*