New Here

[Cerulean]

Hello. I'm so glad to have found this forum - this is my first time seeking out other atheists. I think I am just a little fed-up being in the closet, and the isolation of it all has finally gotten to me. Coincidence that this is coming so soon after Christmas, hmmm?

I am always respectful of my friends'/family's religious beliefs, and keep my opinions to myself, but I don't know what I am going to do if one more person asks me to pray for something or someone. I'm hesitant to start this dialogue with anyone because I know the flood gates will open and I won't be able to shut up about it. Best to open them here, I guess.

Until a few years ago, I considered myself agnostic, but as I have gotten older any uncertainty I had about the existence of a god has completely disappeared. My mother, who never took me to church when I was growing up, is now constantly asking me to keep someone in my prayers, or pray for this person or that person. It's hypocritical and makes me nuts.

I heard Bill Maher describe religion as "ridiculous, childish non-sense" and those were the most powerful words I have ever heard. It gave me permission to feel the way I really feel - and while I am ok with it, I know not many peple in my life will be. Yes, part of me doesn't want them to think less of me, but I am also afraid their reaction will make me think less of them.

Anyway, I haven't looked around much, but I am looking forward to a little support, some venting and maybe some good-spirited debate. Glad to be here!

[DeterminedJuliet]

Anyway, I haven't looked around much, but I am looking forward to a little support, some venting and maybe some good-spirited debate. Glad to be here!

That's pretty much HAF in a nutshell! Welcome, I hope you like it here.

[Recusant]

Hello and welcome to HAF, Cerulean. I like your username a lot! I hope you'll find some of what you're looking for here. (I joined this site on Christmas day a few years ago myself, so I can sympathize with that impulse.  )

Notes for new members from Tank.

The Rules.

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" 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?
10 Things About Yourself
Tell us A Bit About Where You're From
Photography
Non-religious pet peeves
Pets...what do you have?
How to tell your family you are an atheist.*

*You will need 10 posts before you can add a post to this thread, but you can read it at any time.

In addition, you may find the following of interest: "Rules for Conducting a Discussion" by Dr. Mortimer J. Adler.

I hope you enjoy your time reading and posting here!

[Tank]

Hi Cerulean

Christmas and Easter tend to be busy periods on atheist forums when it comes to new ex-christian members. I wonder why? 

Welcome to HAF.

Regards
Chris

[Whitney]

Welcome to HAF.

I realized a few years back (ok, maybe more than just a few now) on Christmas Eve that I no longer could accept the Christian view and very likely no longer believed in god.

[xSilverPhinx]

Welcome!

[Dee]

Hi Cerulean!
I liked your introduction, a lot of it struck home with me.  Welcome!

[The Magic Pudding]

Hello

Cerulean is such a mellifluous word, I'm going to designate some of my blue things cerulean.
A cerulean hat would be nice.

[Firebird]

Hi Cerulean, and thanks for responding on my intro thread too, nice to have another newcomer! Also a big Bill Maher fan. I love how he's not afraid to say what he thinks, even when asking something controversial to his guests.

[Cerulean]

Thanks for the warm fuzzies everyone! Looking forward to poking around a bit if work will stop getting in my way!

[Crocoduck]

Hello Cerulean
I think I may be getting a pimple would you PLEASE pray for me?

HAHAHAHA

Welcome to HAF

[znk666]

Welcome then comrade,glad you could join us!

[Ateo]

As a new member myself, still in purgatory, welcome. I think my background matches yours in many ways, so I feel I understand where your at.

At first, a long time ago and far away, when the question arose and I said I was an agnostic, I felt like I was holding back. Later on, I knew I was just lying. However, by saying I was an agnostic, I was avoiding a religious discussion where I was the center point of all arguments,  and there was an expectation that I would (or could) provide good, solid evidence to explain my position.

That spotlight is bright too, and I had very few bullets. I found out that if you turn your back on that spotlight, it will give you a painful sunburn on the back of your neck. You've been branded and you haven't fired a shot, just F'n lovely.

I think that is why people with this background, once they publicly commit to non theism, tend to be excessively aggressive when presented for the hundredth time, with an inane, lame response. Each of us can provide a hundred examples of these, like " but look at the complexity of the human eye" as if they have just provided conclusive, undeniable proof a sole creator.

But I ramble into territory that requires I have ONE more posting.  Then I am free to use up all that old ammo. Shooting unfounded claims, whimsical ideas, sucky thinking, but not people. Platforms, belief systems, fundamentalism, but not people. There are ,however, grey areas. You have to take into account and allow for stray bullets, ricochet shots. I'm going to save the self defense argument for a time when I REALLY need it.

Once again, welcome.

[Tank]

@ Ateo

That was your 10th post, you are now free to roam the forum!

[Ateo]

Thanks Tank ......... love it. I'm an Atheist and I'm Happy.

Ya, Tank's Ten is a good idea, I feel like I have accomplished a task and earned my membership. How do I get my avatar?