I'm coming out as an atheist.

[Hector Valdez]

Burgeoning Atheism

It was a tiny drop of water, that led to a crack in the foundation.
That, in turn, led to a rotted base, which led to the collapse of the
structure. Much effort must be made to clear the debris, but the first
patch of ground has been turned.

I have decided to come out as an atheist. I have been roman catholic for most of my life, and now...I just don't know anymore. The whole story of Catholicism, I used to view as a beautiful mythology that was worth believing in, even if it sounded ludicrous. But now, it just sounds ludicrous. Ludicrous and ugly. I feel--like the standard beauty of the Papal See places strictures on what I can view as beautiful. And so, I have decided to stop. Just stop. I am tired of the Catholic church. Just tired.

[Stevil]

Wow, congratulations.

I have always pondered why there are so many Catholics, it seems much more restrictive than many other Christian flavours.

Things that I would have thought would push people away from Catholocism are:
- The infallibility claim of the church
- The insistence that females are unworthy of priesthood
- Follower's insistence that girls shouldn't be at the alter
- The persecution of homosexuals
- The guilt
- The restrictiveness on sex and sex education
- The insistence that IVF is immoral
- The seemingly incompatible view that the Adam and Eve story is literal but evolution is also factual.

[DeterminedJuliet]

I was a Catholic for a very long time. If you would like an ex-Catholic buddy to talk to, I'm always around. 

[Amicale]

I was also a Catholic for a very long time, and I understand the doubt you're facing right now. Same as DJ said, if you need someone, I'm also here.

The Church sets itself up as infallible -- if you don't belong to it specifically, never mind the rest of Christianity, they see you as lacking something intrinsic. If you ask questions, they throw one of their standard apologetics arguments out at you, and expect you to just be content with that, and "have faith" that the Church knows what it's doing, and knows what's best for you. You're expected to pledge unwavering devotion and support to the Pope, and if you don't, you're thought of as a sedevacantist and dismissed. Or if you question the hierarchy at all, you're considered an outright infidel unworthy of the Church, and therefore much more worthy of being excommunicated to "teach you a lesson". They even assure you that it's for your own good.

I'd say it's pretty obvious that they don't try too hard to keep people wanting to stay IN the church. Instead, they find loads of reasons to boot them out.

Ah, well. Once I was out (my own choice), I started asking more questions. Questions lead to critical thought, and that can only be a good thing.

[Firebird]

Congrats. Sounds like this forum has thoroughly corrupted you in a good way :-D

[Hector Valdez]

Congrats. Sounds like this forum has thoroughly corrupted you in a good way :-D

And It's all your fault, dammit! 

[musicality]

I was a Catholic as well...devout to the T..coming out as an atheist was one of the most bittersweet moments of my life...And I'm here for chit chat if you need it

[Tank]

Congratulations on finding your way out from under the comfort blanket of institutionalised superstition known as religion. As you can see from the posts above you are not alone in your experiences. Spread your mind and enjoy your new found freedom. There's nobody looking over your shoulder now, in fact there never was.

Regards
Chris

[OldGit]

Excellent move!  You did the right thing, now there's only looking forward.

[Too Few Lions]

Good on you Semaestro. I've always had a particular dislike for the Catholic church since learning about their persecution of people like the Cathars in my youth, and then reading about their historical persecution of non-Christians and non-Catholics in my adulthood. They've been responsible for a hell of a lot of bloodshed and suffering throughout history.

[Amicale]

Congratulations on finding your way out from under the comfort blanket of institutionalised superstition known as religion. As you can see from the posts above you are not alone in your experiences. Spread your mind and enjoy your new found freedom. There's nobody looking over your shoulder now, in fact there never was.

Regards
Chris

It's funny, though. I don't know about anyone else here who's left the Catholic church or religion in general... but for me, it's taken (and is still taking) a long time to try and get over the feeling or idea that there's someone looking over your shoulder. I guess it gets ingrained in your head, "knowing" that God's watching everything you do or everything you think.

Coming out of that into atheism's been one of the most incredible experiences of my life... just to know that my thoughts ARE my own, nobody's reading my mind or judging me for the ideas in my head (unless I think something and then stupidly open my big mouth and broadcast it to all and sundry  ). But... It's liberating, to think what I'd like to think. Semaestro, I'm guessing right now, you're kinda feeling the same way?

[En_Route]

Wow, congratulations.

I have always pondered why there are so many Catholics, it seems much more restrictive than many other Christian flavours.

Things that I would have thought would push people away from Catholocism are:
- The infallibility claim of the church
- The insistence that females are unworthy of priesthood
- Follower's insistence that girls shouldn't be at the alter
- The persecution of homosexuals
- The guilt
- The restrictiveness on sex and sex education
- The insistence that IVF is immoral
- The seemingly incompatible view that the Adam and Eve story is literal but evolution is also factual.

I don't think Catholic=Creationists. A lot of Catholics,certainly in Ireland, have also  jettisoned the guilt,homophobia and sexual
self-loathing and practise a kind of fairly benign and tolerant Catholicism-lite. Given the hope that their beliefs provides and the consolation in bereavement and tragedy,I'd guess this is probably overall quite conducive to their psychological well-being and doesn't much adversely impact on others. It's almost a pity in a way it is such flagrant claptrap.

[DeterminedJuliet]

Some Catholics = Creationists. My Dad is one.

[En_Route]

Some Catholics = Creationists. My Dad is one.

He could still be a Catholic without being a Creationist. But fair play to him; if you are going to subscribe to gibberish you might as well go the whole hog.

[Sandra Craft]

And so, I have decided to stop. Just stop. I am tired of the Catholic church. Just tired

Not intending to encourage religiousity in any way, but do you think you could be religious/spiritual without the Catholic church?  I tried that for several years after jettisoning Xtianity and it ultimately didn't work, but it seems right for some people.