hello HAF. Im new.

[ryan.]

My name is Ryan, i just turned 17 yesterday. I've been an atheist since about middle school. Not sure how it happened, all i know is that i was religious and now im not  ???

I have not came out to my family. My mom isn't nesecarily religious, but she beleives in God. My younger sister is agnostic and my older sister is a strong Mormon. Outside my immediate family i have very religious grandparents and cousins. 

I am a facebook atheist. My friends refer to me as "offensive", or a "pessimest", but i strongly disagree. I dont know many atheists, so thats why im here. 

[xSilverPhinx]

Welcome!

[Sandra Craft]

Yes, welcome.  It's not the same as real life but you'll get to know plenty more atheists here.  You said one of your sisters is a Mormon, is that the family religion or is it just her?  My mother's 2nd husband was a Mormon so I spent some time with that group growing up -- interesting people.

[ryan.]

She's from another family, we have different fathers.

[Recusant]

Hello and welcome to HAF, ryan. So do your facebook friends think that you're offensive and a pessimist just because you have "atheist" on your page? If so, that seems shallow to me, but I guess one must consider the medium. . . .

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.*

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

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[Tank]

Hi Ryan
Hundreds of millions of us atheists out here 

Thanks for making the effort to sign up and join in.

Welcome to HAF.

Regards
Chris

[Too Few Lions]

hi Ryan, welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy our atheistic company, there's nothing offensive or pessimistic about not believing in sky fairies!

[Buddy]

Hi Ryan! Welcome to our little corner of the interwebs.

[Ali]

Hi ryan and welcome!  I hope you enjoy it here!

[Sandra Craft]

She's from another family, we have different fathers.

That's the story in my family too -- total of 7 kids (5 surviving), 3 different fathers.  Like I said, my mother's 2nd husband was Mormon and during my time with them I even got baptised for the dead.  Now that it looks like Mitt Romney will be the Repub candidate, I wonder if those sorts of details will start to come out and how much of a circus this will turn into?

[ryan.]

Hello and welcome to HAF, ryan. So do your facebook friends think that you're offensive and a pessimist just because you have "atheist" on your page? If so, that seems shallow to me, but I guess one must consider the medium. . . .

I've actually listed myself as "Pastafarian." 

[Buddy]

Hello and welcome to HAF, ryan. So do your facebook friends think that you're offensive and a pessimist just because you have "atheist" on your page? If so, that seems shallow to me, but I guess one must consider the medium. . . .

I've actually listed myself as "Pastafarian." 

Maybe if the FSM was real, he wouldn't have give what's his face such a small member. 

[ryan.]

But instead a long noodly one.

[Firebird]

Welcome Ryan! Glad to have you here

[happyhappa]

Hi Ryan!
It sounds like, fortunately for you, you come from an immediate family that is open to a bunch of different beliefs.
What is it like being an Athiest who hasn't really "come out" yet.
I only ask because I have been in a similar position.

I have found the posts on this forum to be very informative and supportive!
I hope that we can become friends!