Hi everyone!
Here to introduce myself, and a couple of reasons why I decided to join. I am 18, and currently finishing up my senior year of high school. Reflecting upon the last four years, I realize that my status of "closet atheist" must change, and so I hope interacting with other atheists will encourage me to become a little more confident. I've always been an extremely quiet and nice girl, somewhat at odds with the brashly outspoken athiests in my community. I live in a very conservative and evangelical section of California, so I've been pretty much starved for secular discussion, or any discussion for that matter. Anyway, I look forward to participating on this forum :)
Hello Amaltha
Well you have come to the right place to have any discussion you like, so get stuck in!
Thanks for making the effort to sign up and join in.
Welcome to HAF. (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg32.imageshack.us%2Fimg32%2F2922%2Fcheersi.gif&hash=d22c932723fd55512134b1ae98b018246ccbb424)
Regards
Chris
Notes for new members.
The Rules. (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=1522.0)
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" (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php#2) 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? (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=5133.0)
10 Things About Yourself (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=4940.0)
Tell us A Bit About Where You're From (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=8215.0)
Photography (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=7607.0)
Non-religious pet peeves (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=6917.0)
Pets...what do you have? (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=7.0)
Favorite Song, with video (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=8830.0)
How to tell your family you are an atheist. (http://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=5111.0)*
*You will need 10 posts before you can add a post to this thread, but you can read it at any time.
Hello Amalthea, welcome to HAF.
Im new here too. Welcome! :)
I liken atheism to Neo having swallowed the red pill in the movie, The Matrix. Metaphorically, you took the red pill at some point in your life and woke up from the walking ignorance of theism. The fact that the majority of the people all around you are still asleep makes it difficult to know how to, or even if you should tell others. We live in a land overrun with Xian zombies and many don't react well to those who are not of the body.
But, first you have to reach the 10 post minimum before we can get into all that so tell us more about yourself.
Hello and welcome to HAF, Amalthea. I hope that you'll find some of what you're looking for here. Also, you will likely get a chance to experience a freer exchange of ideas when you escape from high school and begin your time in college/university. That's something to look forward to!
I hope you enjoy your time reading and posting here. (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg830.imageshack.us%2Fimg830%2F860%2Fsmilew.gif&hash=8238eab24d16418eb1c8cd60d971239ab1363c74)
Quote from: MadBomr101 on December 27, 2011, 08:30:08 PM
I liken atheism to Neo having swallowed the red pill in the movie, The Matrix. Metaphorically, you took the red pill at some point in your life and woke up from the walking ignorance of theism. The fact that the majority of the people all around you are still asleep makes it difficult to know how to, or even if you should tell others. We live in a land overrun with Xian zombies and many don't react well to those who are not of the body.
But, first you have to reach the 10 post minimum before we can get into all that so tell us more about yourself.
I never actually had to break away from any close religious influence, as my parents are both scientists and atheists. I was a pantheist as a little kid, when the world still seemed so magical and orchestrated. I still try to keep that reverential attitude toward nature, but I do not believe in any supernatural controlling force. The biggest issue I face is with my peers, adults included. These kids are just too lazy to form opinions other than that of their parents, who in turn base all decisions upon snippets of "news" heard on talk shows. Not everyone of course, but surely the majority!
Quote from: Amalthea on December 27, 2011, 08:55:49 PM
Quote from: MadBomr101 on December 27, 2011, 08:30:08 PM
I liken atheism to Neo having swallowed the red pill in the movie, The Matrix. Metaphorically, you took the red pill at some point in your life and woke up from the walking ignorance of theism. The fact that the majority of the people all around you are still asleep makes it difficult to know how to, or even if you should tell others. We live in a land overrun with Xian zombies and many don't react well to those who are not of the body.
But, first you have to reach the 10 post minimum before we can get into all that so tell us more about yourself.
I never actually had to break away from any close religious influence, as my parents are both scientists and atheists. I was a pantheist as a little kid, when the world still seemed so magical and orchestrated. I still try to keep that reverential attitude toward nature, but I do not believe in any supernatural controlling force. The biggest issue I face is with my peers, adults included. These kids are just too lazy to form opinions other than that of their parents, who in turn base all decisions upon snippets of "news" heard on talk shows. Not everyone of course, but surely the majority!
The problem you suffer from is that you actually bother to think, assess evidence and make up your own mind. This is a very rare quality and ability and will always make you stand out from the crowd.
Quote from: Tank on December 27, 2011, 09:08:19 PMThe problem you suffer from is that you actually bother to think, assess evidence and make up your own mind. This is a very rare quality and ability and will always make you stand out from the crowd.
Very true. Of course, the problem she and the rest of us have, is that the crowd is primarily populated by superstitious, magical thinking believers in the all-powerful, cosmic wonder twins, God and Jesus, who are, apparantly, the same person. Many in that crowd will be quick to condemn and/or marginalize her for not being as gullible and ignorant as they. I wear my condemnation by those Xians as a badge of honor. ;D
In time, Amalthea, you'll get the hang of it too.
Hello and welcome!!! :)
Hi Amalthea,
I'm actually a closet Atheist as well, I think you will find there are a lot of us in society.
Welcome to the forum.
Welcome!
Hello and welcome. I admire your self-awareness at such a young age. It can be a little intimidating to be the odd man out, especially when people think by having different beliefs, you're soul is damned for eternity. I congratulate you on having the courage to acknowledge your individuality. One of the other members commented that you will get a more open exchange of religious ideas when you go to college and that is true. I'm 35 but I just graduated from college with a psychology degree. My minor was Sociology and I took a class called Sociology of Religion and it was so interesting. It explained a lot of the reasoning behind certain belief systems (why Hindus consider the cow sacred, how sects begin and gain strength, and why certain religions have dietary laws). If your school offers that class, you would probably really like it. Anyway, welcome
Quote from: Amalthea on December 27, 2011, 07:42:46 PM
Hi everyone!
Here to introduce myself, and a couple of reasons why I decided to join. I am 18, and currently finishing up my senior year of high school. Reflecting upon the last four years, I realize that my status of "closet atheist" must change, and so I hope interacting with other atheists will encourage me to become a little more confident. I've always been an extremely quiet and nice girl, somewhat at odds with the brashly outspoken athiests in my community. I live in a very conservative and evangelical section of California, so I've been pretty much starved for secular discussion, or any discussion for that matter. Anyway, I look forward to participating on this forum :)
Have you considered rural northwest Indiana for college? ;D
Well it was worth a shot. See the "Merry Christmas!" thread for my story.
Quote from: carley on December 28, 2011, 01:34:53 AM
One of the other members commented that you will get a more open exchange of religious ideas when you go to college and that is true. I'm 35 but I just graduated from college with a psychology degree. My minor was Sociology and I took a class called Sociology of Religion and it was so interesting. It explained a lot of the reasoning behind certain belief systems (why Hindus consider the cow sacred, how sects begin and gain strength, and why certain religions have dietary laws). If your school offers that class, you would probably really like it. Anyway, welcome
That does sound like an interesting class. I'm taking an excellent Intro. to Western Philosophy course at my high school right now, and now and then we read chapters out of
The Golden Bough by Sir James George Frazer, which also illustrates how religions came about in certain geographic areas. I do really look forward to college, where such classes are filled with students who actually care about the content.
Welcome Amalthea, I'm also a new user. Speaking from personal experience, it was a breath of fresh air when I moved away from my hometown. Hopefully the same will hold true for you.
Quote from: MadBomr101 on December 27, 2011, 09:38:00 PM
Of course, the problem she and the rest of us have, is that the crowd is primarily populated by superstitious, magical thinking believers in the all-powerful, cosmic wonder twins, God and Jesus, who are, apparantly, the same person.
I sooo love it here. :-*
Quote from: Cerulean on January 02, 2012, 01:47:46 PM
Quote from: MadBomr101 on December 27, 2011, 09:38:00 PM
Of course, the problem she and the rest of us have, is that the crowd is primarily populated by superstitious, magical thinking believers in the all-powerful, cosmic wonder twins, God and Jesus, who are, apparantly, the same person.
I sooo love it here. :-*
That's good to hear ;D
Jeebus, just call me fashionably late but welcome to the forum!
Hi Amalthea! And welcome. I am new here too. I just have to say, I wish that I had already embraced my identity as an atheist when I was 18. I think that's great. Anyway, welcome, and I am looking forward to having some great secular convos with you too!
Quote from: Ali on January 03, 2012, 04:14:25 AM
I just have to say, I wish that I had already embraced my identity as an atheist when I was 18. I think that's great.
Me too! I always considered myself Nothing. But hey hey, I'm an Atheist! And that is Something. ;)
I am new too! Thought I'd congratulate and encourage some! I was an atheist coming out of high school but didn't actually 'come out' until my Junior year of college! I have always been told that Christians are good and atheists have always had a negative stigma attached to them. People need to come out and show that being an atheist does not mean you are a bad person or do not have moral values! We need to represent ourselves in a more positive light and remove stereotypes!
Great job!
Thanks for posting!
Have a great day!
wonderful and Cosmos
Quote from: Amalthea on December 27, 2011, 07:42:46 PM
Hi everyone!
Here to introduce myself, and a couple of reasons why I decided to join. I am 18, and currently finishing up my senior year of high school. Reflecting upon the last four years, I realize that my status of "closet atheist" must change, and so I hope interacting with other atheists will encourage me to become a little more confident. I've always been an extremely quiet and nice girl, somewhat at odds with the brashly outspoken athiests in my community. I live in a very conservative and evangelical section of California, so I've been pretty much starved for secular discussion, or any discussion for that matter. Anyway, I look forward to participating on this forum :)
Welcome! They have conservative parts of California?? I had no idea!!
Hi Amalthea welcome to the forums, new here myself but I can say as a more recent deconverted xtian my life is now really starting to take off. Atheist discussions on forums and discussions with others to help me really start thinking critically and skeptically on many more topics. Getting rid of god was the first step. I'm envious that you were able to be free from religious constraint, I didn't have that opportunity quite as clearly defined. Those still stuck in the "matrix" as someone mentioned earlier in the thread don't really know that they are stuck there. When you are raised that way, there is a general inability to differentiate properly, it takes time and patience. It wasn't just one thing that sparked my thinking but several comments throughout my life to build the questioning of the bible and religion that spurred me to life without god.
Welcome again.
Quote from: Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism on April 30, 2012, 06:18:29 PM
Welcome! They have conservative parts of California?? I had no idea!!
I would cry if I weren't so busy laughing. Check out Orange County some time, it's neo-Nazi central.
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on April 30, 2012, 08:02:47 PM
Quote from: Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism on April 30, 2012, 06:18:29 PM
Welcome! They have conservative parts of California?? I had no idea!!
I would cry if I weren't so busy laughing. Check out Orange County some time, it's neo-Nazi central.
I could never check out Orange county because of that horrible movie with Jack Black. I am really surprised though. California seems to be one of the most liberal states in the nation.
Quote from: Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism on April 30, 2012, 08:53:03 PM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on April 30, 2012, 08:02:47 PM
Quote from: Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism on April 30, 2012, 06:18:29 PM
Welcome! They have conservative parts of California?? I had no idea!!
I would cry if I weren't so busy laughing. Check out Orange County some time, it's neo-Nazi central.
I could never check out Orange county because of that horrible movie with Jack Black. I am really surprised though. California seems to be one of the most liberal states in the nation.
Yeah, everybody thinks that and, while there are liberal spots, for the most part CA is a conservative state.
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on May 01, 2012, 01:03:22 AM
Quote from: Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism on April 30, 2012, 08:53:03 PM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on April 30, 2012, 08:02:47 PM
Quote from: Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism on April 30, 2012, 06:18:29 PM
Welcome! They have conservative parts of California?? I had no idea!!
I would cry if I weren't so busy laughing. Check out Orange County some time, it's neo-Nazi central.
I could never check out Orange county because of that horrible movie with Jack Black. I am really surprised though. California seems to be one of the most liberal states in the nation.
Yeah, everybody thinks that and, while there are liberal spots, for the most part CA is a conservative state.
Yeah I wondered about that. I mean they actually voted in that goofy ass Arnold for governor. Didn't he sign a bill to decriminalize marijuana then vote against it? I heard something about that like 2 years ago.
Quote from: Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism on May 01, 2012, 03:42:15 PM
Didn't he sign a bill to decriminalize marijuana then vote against it? I heard something about that like 2 years ago.
I think that's what they call playing both ends against the middle. Too bad so many of us are in the middle.
Its good that young community is moving up and expressing themselves
hi, i'm new too.
still in the closet though...
hate to be condescending, but i'm impressed by your self-awareness at just 18, especially since i'm in my 30's and only recently took the red pill. when i was 18 i did walk away from the church, only to return a few years later, but thats a longer story for after my first 10 posts lol
x