Oh, why hello there.

[Blake]

Hello everyone, my name is Blake and I am an atheist. I'm here mainly looking to observe and participate where I can but I have found that I enjoy reading others' thoughts as much as seeing my own. Now time for a little background so you all can get to know me.

I'll start with the beginning, as a child my parents raised me never addressing the matter of god/s or the origin of anything really. I was left to my own devices to determine such important issues. In sixth grade my parents started me at a Catholic private school. Still, I was not expected to believe in God and my parents allowed me to determine things on my own. The school is unlike many catholic schools in that only roughly 30% of the students are catholic and there are many students who have many different beliefs. I am still attending this school as a senior in high school now which means I have spent seven years in different religion classes ranging from "Catholic Christianity" to "World Religions". After my first real exposure to religion I was sucked in, I considered myself to be christian for about a year. I soon began to realize however that I was unhappy with my new-found faith. For several years I was agnostic until finally becoming an atheist after further exposure to science and the rest of the world.

Sorry to have bored you all with my life story condensed into only a paragraph. I look forward to getting to know the rest of you all soon and am excited to finally allow myself the opportunity to share thoughts and ideas with others of similar beliefs (Aside from a couple of other atheists at school).

[Tank]

Hello Blake

Good to see you stick to the sensible view of the world!

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.*
"Rules for Conducting a Discussion" by Dr. Mortimer J. Adler*

*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]

welcome to the forum Blake, it looks like your parents gave you a good upbringing in allowing you the freedom to make your own decisions.

[Asmodean]

welcome to the forum Blake, it looks like your parents gave you a good upbringing in allowing you the freedom to make your own decisions.

...OR a bad one in not giving a shit (Not that I think it is the case here)

Welcome!

[Guardian85]

One more for the sin fest! 

No seriously, welcome to the thing.

[xSilverPhinx]

Welcome!

[Amicale]

Hey, Blake, a warm welcome to you!! 

[Tank]

@ Amicale

That's brilliant!

[Ali]

Hi Blake!   Welcome!

[Recusant]

Hello and welcome to HAF, Blake. I'm bemused by the number of people who, like you, write fine, readable and interesting intro posts then apologize for being boring, or make some other self-deprecatory comment.  ???  It's always good to have another articulate member to add their perspective, and I look forward to your contributions to our discussions.

I hope you enjoy your time reading and posting here.

[Anne D.]

Really enjoyed your intro, Blake. Welcome!

[Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism]

Welcome! I am glad to hear from another person who did not have religion pushed on them by their family.  Mine didn't even go to church on Xmas.  All about the gifts in my family.