A little about myself. 57 born into the Catholic faith to a devote family. Never had a real connection with the church. Left the faith when I left home at 18 wandered about for a few years then was attracted to one of the biggest cults out there...**lets just say they have a nasty habit of knocking on your door to get you out of bed Saturday mornings** only took me 28 years to figure that one out a nd left...then I began pondering on my life and came to the conclusion I never really believed in god...just tried to fit in and be accepted. Got tired of the god industry and went solo 8 years ago. I was the angry Atheist for the first couple of years and just figured I'm never going to let this go if I can't let go of the concept that something that doesn't exist is still pi**ing me off...so happy Atheist here...
Welcome to the forum. Former Catholic here myself, but no cults for me. ;) Were you referring to the Mormons?
JW's...actually...
Hi Zeroday
You went the long way around didn't you! It's not unusual though ;D
Thanks for making the effort to sign up and join in.
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Regards
Chris
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Hello and welcome to HAF, zeroday. It sounds as if you've had an interesting journey on your way to losing even the pretense of belief. I'm not going to ask you about your time with the Jehovah's Witnesses, since this section of the forum is meant for light conversation, but if you're willing later, it could be a worthwhile topic.
I hope you enjoy your time reading and posting here! (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg825.imageshack.us%2Fimg825%2F7082%2Fsmileykp.gif&hash=44804682878b80211a94c6a1e69670528bd9c4a7)
Hi Zeroday, and welcome! Sounds like you've had quite a trip to get to your atheism. I'm sure that probably helps you have insight into some of the reasons that people seek out and keep to religion. :) Welcome, and I hope you enjoy your time here.
Quote from: zeroday on August 06, 2012, 05:27:33 PM
JW's...actually...
It seems you have 28 years worth of birthday parties and holiday celebrations to make up for then. Again, welcome.
Quote from: Recusant on August 06, 2012, 05:32:28 PM
Hello and welcome to HAF, zeroday. It sounds as if you've had an interesting journey on your way to losing even the pretense of belief. I'm not going to ask you about your time with the Jehovah's Witnesses, since this section of the forum is meant for light conversation, but if you're willing later, it could be a worthwhile topic.
I hope you enjoy your time reading and posting here! (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg825.imageshack.us%2Fimg825%2F7082%2Fsmileykp.gif&hash=44804682878b80211a94c6a1e69670528bd9c4a7)
I would love to Recusant...if someone wants to start a topic "Ask an exJW" thread I would be glad to answer any and all questions... I'm an administer at an exJW forum you would be surprised at how many exJW's are Atheist...
Quote from: zeroday on August 06, 2012, 05:42:16 PM
Quote from: Recusant on August 06, 2012, 05:32:28 PM
Hello and welcome to HAF, zeroday. It sounds as if you've had an interesting journey on your way to losing even the pretense of belief. I'm not going to ask you about your time with the Jehovah's Witnesses, since this section of the forum is meant for light conversation, but if you're willing later, it could be a worthwhile topic.
I hope you enjoy your time reading and posting here! (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg825.imageshack.us%2Fimg825%2F7082%2Fsmileykp.gif&hash=44804682878b80211a94c6a1e69670528bd9c4a7)
I would love to Recusant...if someone wants to start a topic "Ask an exJW" thread I would be glad to answer any and all questions... I'm an administer at an exJW forum you would be surprised at how many exJW's are Atheist...
Ooooh, that sounds interesting! Once you get your 10 posts and get let loose on the rest of the forum, we should definitely do that.
Quote from: hismikeness on August 06, 2012, 05:37:44 PM
Quote from: zeroday on August 06, 2012, 05:27:33 PM
JW's...actually...
It seems you have 28 years worth of birthday parties and holiday celebrations to make up for then. Again, welcome.
That's really quite funny as I'm still not into the birthday thing. I forget all my families birthdays and have a sister that texts me to remind me LOL...
Welcome, zeroday. You'll find a lot of folks here have similar stories.
Quote from: zeroday on August 06, 2012, 05:42:16 PM
Quote from: Recusant on August 06, 2012, 05:32:28 PM
Hello and welcome to HAF, zeroday. It sounds as if you've had an interesting journey on your way to losing even the pretense of belief. I'm not going to ask you about your time with the Jehovah's Witnesses, since this section of the forum is meant for light conversation, but if you're willing later, it could be a worthwhile topic.
I hope you enjoy your time reading and posting here! (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg825.imageshack.us%2Fimg825%2F7082%2Fsmileykp.gif&hash=44804682878b80211a94c6a1e69670528bd9c4a7)
I would love to Recusant...if someone wants to start a topic "Ask an exJW" thread I would be glad to answer any and all questions... I'm an administer at an exJW forum you would be surprised at how many exJW's are Atheist...
Having had experiences on a number of atheist forums I definitely think that despite the shunning issue ex-JWs are the highest proportion of a particular religion. Catholics form the majority of ex-theists simply because there are so many Catholics to start with. But the contradictions in the JW way of life drive a higher proportion of them away from their faith in the end.
Welcome! I myself don't know that much about Jehova's Witnessess, so I'm interested to hear more.
Welcome to the forum! I have only been an atheist for going on 4 years now. I am still kind of in the angry phase, but am trying hard to better myself. I already learned one thing. Theists, beer and myself do not mix very well. When I heard someone on the bus saying that gay people don't deserve rights I almost lost it completely, but managed to not even say a word to the man. So yeah I'd say we all go through that anger part at some point.
Yea I learned pretty quick beer and forum arguments do not end well...I think my anger ended when I realized I was trying to do what I hated about theists...trying to preach and convert...I realized change comes from within and not outside sources...as far as hating god I realized it wasn't god I hated but the god industry and decided to live and let live. I am more than happy to discuss with believers but they soon back themselves into and fall back on "faith" pretty hard to argue...
Quote from: zeroday on August 07, 2012, 12:22:33 AM
Yea I learned pretty quick beer and forum arguments do not end well...I think my anger ended when I realized I was trying to do what I hated about theists...trying to preach and convert...I realized change comes from within and not outside sources...as far as hating god I realized it wasn't god I hated but the god industry and decided to live and let live. I am more than happy to discuss with believers but they soon back themselves into and fall back on "faith" pretty hard to argue...
I try not to convert, but if somebody is in doubt I always make sure to have a little free thinking session. I have never met a smart person in doubt who could honestly say at the end of the conversation that the bible wasn't mostly bullshit. It's hard to convert someone who doesn't already doubt anyway.
Welcome. Your story sounds interesting.
Quote from: zeroday on August 07, 2012, 12:22:33 AM
I am more than happy to discuss with believers but they soon back themselves into and fall back on "faith" pretty hard to argue...
Problem is when they fall back on faith to try and convince as well...
Welcome aboard. I'm more the "annoyed atheist" at this point, and this board helps keep me sane. Mostly. Glad to have you.
Zeroday, welcome to HAF. I hope you enjoy it here, and I'm looking forward to hearing more from you about your experiences and what your life's like now. :) Glad to meet you, I'm looking forward to seeing you around the forums!
Thanks everyone for the welcome. I'm pretty active on the exJW scene around the Internet. We try hard to undo some of the harm we might have done. Information is a powerful weapon one thing cults fear the most. H
re's a quite in one of their publications:
"Does 'the faithful and discreet slave' [Watchtower organization] endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate?—Matt. 24:45, 47. No, it does not. And yet, in various parts of the world, a few associates of our organization have formed groups to do independent research on Bible-related subjects. Some have pursued an independent group study of Biblical Hebrew and Greek so as to analyze the accuracy of the New World Translation. ...They have also held conferences and produced publications to present their findings and to supplement what is provided at our Christian meetings and through our literature. ...Thus, 'the faithful and discreet slave' does not endorse any literature, meetings, or Web sites that are not produced or organized under its oversight... For those who wish to do extra Bible study and research, we recommend that they explore Insight on the Scriptures, 'All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial,' and our other publications...."—Kingdom Ministry, September 2007, p. 3
It begs the question:why do they have so much to hide, and why can't their beliefs stand on their own two feet without the need to omit and contradicting information?
Do many people question this while still in the faith?
No one questions anything and believe me they have plenty to hide.
It was always easy to guard against apostates before the Internet they could see where they were coming from now with the Internet anyone can do research behind closed doors this is their number one threat now...
You'll have to excuse some of my typos when I post I'm a truck driver on the road all week and I post using my iPad 3. I just got it although I love it it takes some getting use to not using a mouse... There 10 posts...LOL
A fellow post whore!!! :D
Lol kills the time when I'm sitting in this truck waiting to get loaded...
iPad3? My world hasn't caught up to that yet. :D
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on August 07, 2012, 08:51:02 PM
iPad3? My world hasn't caught up to that yet. :D
This thing is great I love it...
Quote from: zeroday on August 07, 2012, 07:55:27 PM
You'll have to excuse some of my typos when I post I'm a truck driver on the road all week and I post using my iPad 3. I just got it although I love it it takes some getting use to not using a mouse... There 10 posts...LOL
Have you tried the dictation feature? There should be a little microphone logo on the keyboard to the left of the space bar which will beep and then you can talk to it and it types for you. It is surprisingly accurate. You do, though, have to speak your punctuation.
Hello comma how are you question mark and the like.
I'll have to try that thanks...