Title: I pinpointed the day I became an atheist
Post by: master jedi mike on February 24, 2010, 04:59:51 PM
Post by: master jedi mike on February 24, 2010, 04:59:51 PM
It was when I was 10. I was lying in bed thinking happy thoughts like I wanted to be nice to everything and everyone and do good deeds and stuff. I thought, "I'm a Christian" because that's what Christians do.
I woke up in the morning with an epiphany: If I wasn't a Christian when I decided I wanted to do good things for people and be nice and everything, why would that automatically make me a Christian? I realized I could be a good person without having to be any, ANY kind of religion at all.
It was later exacerbated when my mother wanted me to take first communion and go through catechism and all that. The priest said I had to confess all my sins to god and he'd forgive me. I thought, "isn't god all-knowing? Doesn't he/she/it already know what I did wrong in my life? Doesn't he/she/it already know that whatever I did, I felt sorry for it or would eventually feel sorry for it?"
There's also the whole "god works in mysterious ways" and, "god has a plan" BS that I never bought into but that's another thread.
I woke up in the morning with an epiphany: If I wasn't a Christian when I decided I wanted to do good things for people and be nice and everything, why would that automatically make me a Christian? I realized I could be a good person without having to be any, ANY kind of religion at all.
It was later exacerbated when my mother wanted me to take first communion and go through catechism and all that. The priest said I had to confess all my sins to god and he'd forgive me. I thought, "isn't god all-knowing? Doesn't he/she/it already know what I did wrong in my life? Doesn't he/she/it already know that whatever I did, I felt sorry for it or would eventually feel sorry for it?"
There's also the whole "god works in mysterious ways" and, "god has a plan" BS that I never bought into but that's another thread.
Title: Re: I pinpointed the day I became an atheist
Post by: notself on February 24, 2010, 06:00:23 PM
Post by: notself on February 24, 2010, 06:00:23 PM
mjm,
I started on the path to realize I was an atheist when I was very young for much the same reason as you. I didn't understand why there was a need for a priest between me and god. Once I began to see the church as an obstacle, the teachings of the church came under closer examination. In order to find out more I read the bible cover to cover with all the footnotes. The bible has caused more people to wake up from theocracy than all philosophers put together. What an evil, illogical book.
I started on the path to realize I was an atheist when I was very young for much the same reason as you. I didn't understand why there was a need for a priest between me and god. Once I began to see the church as an obstacle, the teachings of the church came under closer examination. In order to find out more I read the bible cover to cover with all the footnotes. The bible has caused more people to wake up from theocracy than all philosophers put together. What an evil, illogical book.
Title: Re: I pinpointed the day I became an atheist
Post by: hismikeness on February 24, 2010, 08:16:33 PM
Post by: hismikeness on February 24, 2010, 08:16:33 PM
Quote from: "master jedi mike""isn't god all-knowing? Doesn't he/she/it already know what I did wrong in my life? Doesn't he/she/it already know that whatever I did, I felt sorry for it or would eventually feel sorry for it?"
Oh, how the Catholic guilt is back doored in to a young one's life. The key is you have to say it and feel sorry for it.
Total crap
Hismikeness
Title: Re: I pinpointed the day I became an atheist
Post by: Ellainix on February 25, 2010, 01:29:28 AM
Post by: Ellainix on February 25, 2010, 01:29:28 AM
I have always been an Atheist, I am an Atheist now, and I always will be an Atheist.
Title: Re: I pinpointed the day I became an atheist
Post by: buttercupbaby on February 28, 2010, 06:36:41 PM
Post by: buttercupbaby on February 28, 2010, 06:36:41 PM
I was an atheist when I was a little kid. Then the catholic church got a hold of me. My mental illness lasted 40 years. I am better now. 
Title: Re: I pinpointed the day I became an atheist
Post by: Dries on March 01, 2010, 05:09:47 PM
Post by: Dries on March 01, 2010, 05:09:47 PM
Quote from: "buttercupbaby"I was an atheist when I was a little kid. Then the catholic church got a hold of me. My mental illness lasted 40 years. I am better now. :bananacolor: