Extremely glad I joined

[flickroon]

Hello everyone,

Today I decided to join an atheist or humanist forum. When reading this I immediately felt excited about the idea of joining the discussions that I read on here.

I was raised a subtle Catholic (and I mean 'subtle' because my religious learning didn't grow any bigger than singing bedtime songs about angels, attending Church at Christmas and receiving communion). My family raised me with the belief that Christianity is the foundation of life, the central that it all comes down to. Because we were never active in Church life I didn't even begin to think about the fictitious level behind Christianity.

While I got older and suddenly grew into my puberty, I began to struggle with the things that I had been taught. I wanted to explore different types of religion, didn't want to believe in the Christian God, but the way my mother would tell me that 'God sees everything' (innocently, but still) resulted in me feeling bad about certain choices I was making in my life. I felt as though I was never going to be good in my own eyes unless I would pray to and believe in a God I felt didn't exist. A seven-year conflict of insecurity and minor depression followed.

Now in my twenties, it wasn't until recently that I realized that I am perfectly fine the way I am. The choices I make are mine and they are mine for a reason: my mind is the greatest asset I will ever own, and by thinking rationally I can make decisions for myself that are based on evidence, not on fear or hope in something that has never really been seen.

Why do I consider myself an atheist? (Or rather Humanist, but that title is fine by me, too)
- I believe in science, not religion
- I detest the way  religions claim that they want the best for everyone, while they only want the best for those who strongly believe what they believe
- I oppose the idea that people say that they "can now accept everyone, no matter who, how or what they are, all because of what the Lord showed them", which - in my opinion - only states that they are incapable of seeing the kindness in humans without a higher power
- (this is probably my strongest point) I find it silly and inconsiderate that people pass on their beliefs as if they are universal truth, without giving their children and other youngsters room to breathe and think. Many people around me believe in a God because... well, just... because. If there is one thing that you can do without thinking clearly, it is not thinking clearly about what you believe in or stand for.


I'd love to read replies, especially from people who agree with me (I've never actually talked to someone who does - I am always the arrogant, stubborn bully).

Thank you!


P.S.: okay, honestly, this is what pushed me over the edge and made me register: http://atheism.about.com/b/2009/01/20/c ... -lives.htm

[Squid]

The whole "touched by God" religious experience thing has always been a cornerstone for faith, especially for the "reborn".  Now, neuroscience is unraveling the mechanisms behind these experiences and they are becoming more and more naturally explainable - no "hand of god" touching anyone in their naughty areas needed.  When I bring up such evidence it usually really upsets anyone deeply attached to their perceived need for a personal deity.

Welcome aboard btw.

[joeactor]

... I was touched by God... I tried to sue, but God doesn't have a permanent place of residence.  Just wrote "Everywhere and Nowhere" on his job application...

Welcome flickroon!

Glad you found us - we're a happy, thinking, considerate bunch of folks here.
(heck, they even tolerate me!)

I was also raised Catholic, tho I went to church weekly.  Teen years were the turning point for me as well, but I only turned half way ;-)

Cheers,
JoeActor

[karadan]

The whole "touched by God" religious experience thing has always been a cornerstone for faith, especially for the "reborn".  Now, neuroscience is unraveling the mechanisms behind these experiences and they are becoming more and more naturally explainable - no "hand of god" touching anyone in their naughty areas needed.  When I bring up such evidence it usually really upsets anyone deeply attached to their perceived need for a personal deity.

Welcome aboard btw.

Psychosis is a bitch. No one believes a giant bananna monster is out to get you.  

[DennisK]

It sounds like we have had similar paths to reason.  Welcome.  Kick off your shoes.

[Whitney]

Hi flickroon, our stories are almost the same except that my mom was Presbyterian and we went to church at least once a week, often twice.  I was in the low/mid twenties before I manage to really figure things out (which really wasn't that long ago since I'm just 27).

I'm glad to have you here.

[McQ]

Glad to have you here as well. Thanks for the introduction. I'm a recovering catholic myself. Or is that recovered? Hmmm.

This is a pretty darned good place to hang out. We even let (whispers so no one else will here) ***actors*** in here. So you know we must be a happy and tolerant lot.  

[gwyn428]

Welcome Flickroon! I am glad to see a fellow Humanist here.  

[flickroon]

Thanks everyone for the kind messages.
I have never in my life had people tell me that they completely agree with me. Just yesterday my friend looked up in shock as we were watching the inauguration, because I said: "Can we skip through the Jesus part and just make this a good moment in history?". She couldn't believe that I would say such a thing, and she's not even religious.

I am looking forward to joining you in discussions and fun talks about things we have in common, because I do the opposite every day in real life.

[adimagejim]

Hey...

Recently joined and wanted to relate that my path to atheism was on the "God's Plan" route.

I've watched people on their knees so often begging for intervention from a higher power. Of course, when it doesn't come they comfort themselves with the "it must be part of God's Plan" or "it's for the best" line.

So many times, in the midst of people's deepest grief I've wanted to scream, "Really? Really! This (insert unfortunate event here) was God's Plan! Then let me clue you in...your God needs to stop drinking on his day job and smell the freakin' coffee. Because if God is all powerful and this is his wisest plan, he's either stupid or negligent!" Of course, I never do.

Logically it is impossible for free will and an interventionist God's Plan to co-exist. Thus, no God or a really lame God. Either way, I'll do my best and take my chances.

Jim