Hello there

[SweetLaura286]

Hi everyone, my name is Laura and I am a happy atheist! I never knew this wonderful resource existed, and I already feel right at home. The quote by Madalyn O'Hair on the first page spoke to me in a way that I have never felt before. I had my own atheist version of a 'religious experience'. I shared with my husband my favorite parts, as if it was treasured scripture. It captured my feelings and thoughts exactly, in eloquent wording.

I am somewhat 'closeted'. My closest friends know. My parents kind of know although we don't discuss it (She's not SUPER religious or at all closed minded, although she does go to church every Sunday. Her father (my grandfather) was a minister when she was growing up) but I do not feel comfortable posting the things I would like to on Facebook. Mostly because of extended family. I don't like to offend anyone.... although isn't it funny that I feel like my words will offend, when I am continually offended by many of them??

In High School my boyfriend was very religious and belonged to a spirited and opinionated Methodist church. I didn't fit in with them, although I did get swept into the religious experience for a while. 'Felt Jesus' and all of that. Came to my senses.

I, too experience the same thing that I have heard from plenty of other good atheists "You are soo kind giving yadda yadda." and "God bless you" when I do something for someone. I clench my teeth and smile and nod. But I feel different from them.

So this is something I keep to myself, but it feels like this is a space that I could share this. I now keep a list that I have titled Philanthropic Accomplishments and like I said, it's a private list. But it has really lifted my spirits and given me something to strive for. I write down all the volunteer work I do, donations I have made (both monetary and time), specific good deeds to non family members/close friends. And I try to do as many as possible. It's a little 'game' I play with myself. I do sometimes get a little irritated about the discrepancies of what I am able to do on my very very very meager wages, vs. a church. But I think that's a topic for another day. Anyways.... nice to meet all of you! Happy to feel part of a community.

[Tank]

Hi Laura

This place was made for 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.*
"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.

[xSilverPhinx]

Welcome!

[Buddy]

Good to meet you Laura! 

[Sandra Craft]

Welcome!  You'll fit right in here -- it's nice for a change, isn't it?

[Guardian85]

Wow. It's been raining newbies lately....

Anyway, the more, the merrier! Welcome.

I have a good feeling about this one....

[Jimmy]

Hi Laura! Welcome!!! Thanks for sharing your story with us.  I'm really new here too and enjoy the company already and I hope you do too!

[The Magic Pudding]

Hello

I did muse on other things to say but I threw them away.

[Non Sum]

Welcome Laura 

Been here only one day, my own self.  I wonder what put you onto this site in the first place?  For me, it was a story on NPR regarding the up-coming atheist gathering in DC which mentioned this site's name.  I'm curious if any readers here are intending to attend?

I'll look forward to our future dialogues, Laura.  Have a line from:

Woody Allen:
"Not only is there no God, but try getting a plumber on weekends."

(7 down, 3 to go, but who's counting.)

[SweetLaura286]

That's what brought me here as well, an article about the event in DC. Thank you all for the kind welcome... It's very nice to meet all of you!

[Anne D.]

Welcome, Laura. Nice to meet you 

[Too Few Lions]

great intro Laura, welcome to the forum.

[lebrecht52]

You do make a lot of enemies when you are OUT...
That has never stopped me.
I am proud to be an Atheist. I have not seen much love or compassion in the people who call themselves Christians lately.
One does not need God or Jesus or any other deity to be a good person.

[el_presidente]

I, too experience the same thing that I have heard from plenty of other good atheists "You are soo kind giving yadda yadda." and "God bless you" when I do something for someone. I clench my teeth and smile and nod. But I feel different from them.

So this is something I keep to myself, but it feels like this is a space that I could share this. I now keep a list that I have titled Philanthropic Accomplishments and like I said, it's a private list. But it has really lifted my spirits and given me something to strive for. I write down all the volunteer work I do, donations I have made (both monetary and time), specific good deeds to non family members/close friends. And I try to do as many as possible. It's a little 'game' I play with myself. I do sometimes get a little irritated about the discrepancies of what I am able to do on my very very very meager wages, vs. a church. But I think that's a topic for another day. Anyways.... nice to meet all of you! Happy to feel part of a community.

Good for you.  There's a lot of voices out there that say atheists don't help others, and it's something that bothers me.  It's difficult to wave my arms and say "See?!  I'm an atheist!  I just did something good!" when I have so many reasons not to admit to people that I'm an atheist. 

Oh well.  If we're putting time and money toward helping others, that's the important part.  So I repeat: good for you. 

[OldGit]

Greetings, SweetLaura!  You sound just like our kind of person.