Title: Another happy atheist
Post by: FruitFly75 on February 03, 2011, 01:26:29 AM
Post by: FruitFly75 on February 03, 2011, 01:26:29 AM
Hello there!
My name is Heather and I live in the Washington, DC area. I found this site while on :)
I wasn't always an atheist, I was raised in a very born-again Christian home. Went to church all the time, homeschooled or sent to private Christian school, sheltered from "the evil secular humanist society we live in" BS. That all changed when I went to a Christian college. There, I saw abuse, rape, harrassment, all kinds of horrible stuff go on, and it was just swept under the rug. I saw so much hypocrisy and it made me start to wonder what kind of mess I'd gotten myself into.
Over the years, I'd drift in and out of churches. Just couldn't find one that would really do anything for me, and I felt very empty and like it was just a waste of time. I gave it another go though, when I met my now ex-husband. I took classes to become a Catholic shortly before we married, and tried to throw myself into it, thinking maybe it would erase the doubts. But it didn't. And when my ex became abusive and his whole family turned on me, I went OK. That's it, I'm done with this whole Christianity thing. It's doing nothing for me, I keep seeing nothing but ugly stuff come from it, and I don't want any part of it anymore.
Since then, when I see all the horrible things that happen to good people, the senseless things that happen, it's made me go wait, it's not that I have a problem with Christianity, it's just that I don't believe that there really is a loving, kind higher power, at all. I was an atheist all along and just didn't know it, heh.
I'm happy now with myself and where I am in my life for the most part, and feel better now that I've come to terms with what I believe (or don't believe really). I have friends of many different faiths and I respect them for that, as long as they don't shove their religions down my throat. I tell people that I label myself a "happy atheist." I don't go around screaming at people if they believe in a god or whatnot, that's up to them.
Anyways, glad to find this forum and looking forward to talking to you guys!
Heather
My name is Heather and I live in the Washington, DC area. I found this site while on :)
I wasn't always an atheist, I was raised in a very born-again Christian home. Went to church all the time, homeschooled or sent to private Christian school, sheltered from "the evil secular humanist society we live in" BS. That all changed when I went to a Christian college. There, I saw abuse, rape, harrassment, all kinds of horrible stuff go on, and it was just swept under the rug. I saw so much hypocrisy and it made me start to wonder what kind of mess I'd gotten myself into.
Over the years, I'd drift in and out of churches. Just couldn't find one that would really do anything for me, and I felt very empty and like it was just a waste of time. I gave it another go though, when I met my now ex-husband. I took classes to become a Catholic shortly before we married, and tried to throw myself into it, thinking maybe it would erase the doubts. But it didn't. And when my ex became abusive and his whole family turned on me, I went OK. That's it, I'm done with this whole Christianity thing. It's doing nothing for me, I keep seeing nothing but ugly stuff come from it, and I don't want any part of it anymore.
Since then, when I see all the horrible things that happen to good people, the senseless things that happen, it's made me go wait, it's not that I have a problem with Christianity, it's just that I don't believe that there really is a loving, kind higher power, at all. I was an atheist all along and just didn't know it, heh.
I'm happy now with myself and where I am in my life for the most part, and feel better now that I've come to terms with what I believe (or don't believe really). I have friends of many different faiths and I respect them for that, as long as they don't shove their religions down my throat. I tell people that I label myself a "happy atheist." I don't go around screaming at people if they believe in a god or whatnot, that's up to them.
Anyways, glad to find this forum and looking forward to talking to you guys!
Heather
Title: Re: Another happy atheist
Post by: Recusant on February 03, 2011, 02:26:13 AM
Post by: Recusant on February 03, 2011, 02:26:13 AM
Hello and welcome to HAF, Heather. (https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg830.imageshack.us%2Fimg830%2F860%2Fsmilew.gif&hash=8238eab24d16418eb1c8cd60d971239ab1363c74)
I spent most of this past summer in the Washington DC area. It was almost as bad as summer in Missouri.
(Talking about climate, of course.)
Your story resonated with me. The hypocrisy of Christians is for many of us the beginning of the path to discarding the superstitions they preach; it certainly was one of the reasons I began to question Christianity. I suppose that we shouldn't blame Christians for being human, but when people talk one way and act another, one begins to doubt how valid their talking really is. It's good to hear that you feel better after coming to terms with religion.
I hope you enjoy your time reading and posting here.
I spent most of this past summer in the Washington DC area. It was almost as bad as summer in Missouri.
(Talking about climate, of course.) Your story resonated with me. The hypocrisy of Christians is for many of us the beginning of the path to discarding the superstitions they preach; it certainly was one of the reasons I began to question Christianity. I suppose that we shouldn't blame Christians for being human, but when people talk one way and act another, one begins to doubt how valid their talking really is. It's good to hear that you feel better after coming to terms with religion.
I hope you enjoy your time reading and posting here.
Title: Re: Another happy atheist
Post by: terranus on February 03, 2011, 05:09:00 AM
Post by: terranus on February 03, 2011, 05:09:00 AM
Bonvenon al la Forumo!
[spoiler:10e2yr3n]Welcome to the Forum![/spoiler:10e2yr3n]
[spoiler:10e2yr3n]Welcome to the Forum![/spoiler:10e2yr3n]
Title: Re: Another happy atheist
Post by: JoeBobSmith on February 03, 2011, 06:41:10 AM
Post by: JoeBobSmith on February 03, 2011, 06:41:10 AM
:-*
Title: Re: Another happy atheist
Post by: Tank on February 03, 2011, 06:39:05 PM
Post by: Tank on February 03, 2011, 06:39:05 PM
Hello Heather
Welcome to Happy Atheists, glad you found your way here. It's always good to see another person throw off the blanket of institutionalised superstition A.K.A. Religion.
Regards
Chris
Welcome to Happy Atheists, glad you found your way here. It's always good to see another person throw off the blanket of institutionalised superstition A.K.A. Religion.
Regards
Chris
Title: Re: Another happy atheist
Post by: AnimatedDirt on February 03, 2011, 07:12:01 PM
Post by: AnimatedDirt on February 03, 2011, 07:12:01 PM
Hi Heather,
Sorry you had that experience. It's not the same the world over, however I'm not sure those words will soothe now.
I hope you find this an enjoyable place. I have...and I'm on the deluded side.
Welcome.
Sorry you had that experience. It's not the same the world over, however I'm not sure those words will soothe now.
I hope you find this an enjoyable place. I have...and I'm on the deluded side.
Welcome.Quote from: "Recusant"I suppose that we shouldn't blame Christians for being human, but when people talk one way and act another, one begins to doubt how valid their talking really is.I feel the same exact way, and to a greater degree, for politicians...especially from the top down. I suppose that makes me apolitical.
Title: Re: Another happy atheist
Post by: fester30 on February 04, 2011, 01:59:24 PM
Post by: fester30 on February 04, 2011, 01:59:24 PM
Welcome Heather! What a coincidence... I was in D.C. once! Problem is I didn't realize before I went that there were places that I needed to have lots of one dollar bills ready. I was new to such places because I was very young. They made me feel curious, yet, uncomfortable. Next time I visit government buildings I will know better.
Okay well that's all I have. Guess that's not all that special of a coincidence... so... ummm. Okie Dokie then buh bye!
Okay well that's all I have. Guess that's not all that special of a coincidence... so... ummm. Okie Dokie then buh bye!