Hello!

[Harmonie]

To start off, I am 23 years old and a Music student.

I'm joining here pretty much right after I just turned back to being an Atheist.

That's a long story. I'll try to keep it as short as possible here. Pre-2004 I was 100% Christian. Or, moreover, I had never even been exposed to Atheism, or at least not in a positive light. I live in Oklahoma, and around here being an Atheist, or even questioning the existence of God is very much looked down upon. Even in my family, which is more liberal than many (Coming out as an Atheist would be worse than coming out as a homosexual in this family). When I was exposed to the arguments of the Atheist, I was persuaded. Not to say that I am easily persuaded here, I already had a ground to stand on. I wasn't really feeling being an Christian. Church was boring and otherwise I wasn't feeling it. When I see many Christians speak of their belief and relationship with God I can not relate to them in the least.

Anyway, I'm already making this too long. D:

My point is, these arguments sort of 'awakened' me. I became an Atheist very quickly after being exposed to the idea and arguments. In time I became a bit of a militant Atheist - I tend to get very passionate when I align myself with one side.

That was my first go as an Atheist. About two years later, I had some big issues come into my life... This is the part I don't like to talk about... When that happened, I turned back to Christianity, or moreover I wanted to. I wanted to believe there was a God that could help me. Now I think we all know this is a very weak case to become a Christian. However, the way I acted as an Atheist also disgusted me, which kind of helped me go that way even more because I was really being a bit of a jerk.

Way deep down, I was still an Atheist, but my reaction to the issues that had come into my life and desperately wanting divine help had buried it so far down there that I was really deluding myself. Only recently, like a week ago (four years later), have I had to come to terms that I just can't be a Christian. It's not what I really am. The arguments set forth by Atheists as to why a God is so improbable just seems so much more valid in my mind.

However, I really don't want to fall back into my 'militant' Atheist ways. I'm afraid no matter what I am going to be passionate. I just hope I can keep from doing what I did before... Which was flat out telling a friend of mine that she was living a lie. I know much more extreme Atheists exist, but if I can, I much prefer to keep the peace.

Anyway, I hope that works for an introduction. I have a feeling I went off too much for something I could have said in far less words. I tend to do that.  

[Amicale]

Welcome, Radiant!

Yeah, I understand you. When we're newly beginning something we're invested in, it's natural to go gung-ho over it, and sometimes a bit over the top, whether it's religion/lack thereof, a new relationship, a job, a baby, etc etc. We feel like we want to/have to tell the whole world about it... so sometimes, we try our best to shout it from the rooftops (while slapping people upside the head with it, whoops, lol), and the whole world rolls their eyes and quietly inserts their earplugs if we get too in-your-face about our newest obsession. In time, the passion will fade somewhat, at least enough for us to see that we don't need to be an evangelist/walking advertisement every moment of our lives.

So, no worries -- I think now that you're exploring non-belief, this is a nifty place to do it!

[Traveler]

Hello and welcome!!! I, too, feel a bit militant at times on the forums, but in real life I'm a total peacenik. I think it helps that I've never believed in god, so I haven't had to go through withdrawal. Best of luck to you, and I hope you enjoy the forum!

[MadBomr101]

However, I really don't want to fall back into my 'militant' Atheist ways. I'm afraid no matter what I am going to be passionate. I just hope I can keep from doing what I did before... Which was flat out telling a friend of mine that she was living a lie. I know much more extreme Atheists exist, but if I can, I much prefer to keep the peace.

It's cool that you rejected drinking the Xian kool-aid but be cautious about using atheism as an excuse to be a dickweed the way many Xians use their faith.  It's good that you acknowledge that.  I view atheism as a warm blanket of enlightenment that I can put on when the Xians around me are making their ridiculous claims and I just roll my eyes and smile to myself thinking, "Thank God I'm not one of them."

We'll just overlook the cognitive dissonance involved with an atheist using the phrase, "Thank God."

[roadrunner]

I never bought into the whole morality argument as Xian (i learned that lingo here) or even now. I think its just the initial jolt of not feeling tethered anymore. like a dog without a leash.

When you were behaving it was because you wanted to (maybe you also got an extra boost out of fear of god) but it was always you all along. You are the same person with the same tools so there is no excuse to go "sinning" now you just need a new motivator. nobody was watching you before you did right becuase deep down you wanted to and were motivated to do so. god did serve as motivation but now you just have to find a new one. It is a bit scary to know that there is a big guy who is invisible following you watching every move you make. When you are told that all your life its overwhelming and to finally open your eyes and realize that he isnt there can play with your mind which is where all actions start.

[The Magic Pudding]

Hello Radiant, I have a pig for you.
His name is Wilbur and he is radiant too.
You're not allowed to eat him.
Watch out for the wicked atheists here,
they'll baconise him before you can blink.

[Amicale]

Hello Radiant, I have a pig for you.
His name is Wilbur and he is radiant too.
You're not allowed to eat him.
Watch out for the wicked atheists here,
they'll baconise him before you can blink.

ROFL, I'll admit it, when I saw Radiant's username, I also thought of Wilbur! Thankfully, Radiant didn't choose Templeton's suggestion, "Crunchy". *grin*

[Tank]

Hi Rad 

If I may be so bold as to suggest something. The next time you are talking to somebody or writting something imagine you are talking or writing to yourself. Then consider how you would feel if you were on the recieving of what you are saying or writing. If you would have been upset then you need to reconsider your approach to the conversation. Do unto others as you would have done unto you 

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

Welcome to HAF.

Regards
Chris

Notes for new members.
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?
Favorite Song, with video
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.

[Too Few Lions]

hi Radiant
nice intro, welcome to the forum. You'll find plenty of like minded folk here

[Guardian85]

Welcome to the thingy.

Don't feed the Asmo.

[Crocoduck]

Welcome Radiant
I don't think of myself as a militant atheist but I do enjoy having a laugh at crazy fundies.

[Recusant]

Hello and welcome to HAF, Radiant. I think that one can be passionate without being a jerk, though it may take some time to find the proper balance. One thing that might help is to keep in mind how you yourself sought comfort in religion during the rough patch in your life. Many Christians find emotional comfort in their religion, and there's little enough of that to be had in this world. I'm glad to hear that you realized for yourself that the way you previously expressed your passion wasn't the best way to go; it will help you in the future, I'm sure.

There are areas of life where religion does actual harm; I would suggest that if your nature inclines you to a passionate approach, you choose an area where there is good reason put your energy. One example out of many such causes; Americans United.

I hope you enjoy your time reading and posting here!

[happyhappa]

Hi there!
It was really nice to read your story and how your journey began.
I am a fledgling in all of this and you're journey sounds similar to mine.
I'm sure that I will have many questions for people as time goes on!

[Harmonie]

Thanks for the welcomes everybody!  

Welcome, Radiant!

Yeah, I understand you. When we're newly beginning something we're invested in, it's natural to go gung-ho over it, and sometimes a bit over the top, whether it's religion/lack thereof, a new relationship, a job, a baby, etc etc. We feel like we want to/have to tell the whole world about it... so sometimes, we try our best to shout it from the rooftops (while slapping people upside the head with it, whoops, lol), and the whole world rolls their eyes and quietly inserts their earplugs if we get too in-your-face about our newest obsession. In time, the passion will fade somewhat, at least enough for us to see that we don't need to be an evangelist/walking advertisement every moment of our lives.

So, no worries -- I think now that you're exploring non-belief, this is a nifty place to do it!

That's the issue, though. This is a bit different for me. When I said what I did to that friend I had been an atheist for a year or two (I forget). So it wasn't necessarily 'new' to me. Unless being new to atheism lasts longer. lol

Hi Rad  

If I may be so bold as to suggest something. The next time you are talking to somebody or writting something imagine you are talking or writing to yourself. Then consider how you would feel if you were on the recieving of what you are saying or writing. If you would have been upset then you need to reconsider your approach to the conversation. Do unto others as you would have done unto you  

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

Welcome to HAF.

Regards
Chris

Thinking back on it, my attitude may have come a lot from how she was treating me. She was never a mean-spirited girl or anything, but when I let it be known that I wasn't religious (I don't remember how) it started to become something that she would always start talking about and repeat stuff like "Jesus loves you!", and it probably came to the point where I snapped. Naturally I won't be like "you're living a lie!" although I do tend to feel that way about the beliefs myself.

It's been five years. I may have said something more along the lines of "Christianity and the Bible is a lie" because that makes more sense. Either way, maybe it was more about me being pushed too far. I spoke to her mostly in a class that I hated having to be in and I was just unhappy about being in there in general. It made my attitude negative all by itself.

There are areas of life where religion does actual harm; I would suggest that if your nature inclines you to a passionate approach, you choose an area where there is good reason put your energy. One example out of many such causes; Americans United.

I'd never even heard of that. I've always been very behind the separation of church and state. It's neat to know that there is an organization that thinks so too (it's hard to believe sometimes with how often it is violated).

[Firebird]

Welcome Radiant!
There's lots of organizations out there. AU is definitely a good one. There's also the Freedom From Religion Foundation and the American Humanist Association among many others.