Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nelson on February 19, 2012 at 12:11am

Brandon! Welcome! Good to have you with us. And congrats on looking on reality wide-eyed and unflinching for the first time. You'll find a great group of thoughtful knowledgeable and supportive people here. :)

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Permalink Reply by Zach Winkler on February 19, 2012 at 10:39pm

Like Nelson typed, welcome. I'm still relatively new to this site (I've only been here for about 8 months, I think) and it has been wonderful (mostly). There is lots of diversity in opinions over all the great topics people seem to bring-up and I love being able to share my opinion in a nice polite environment (it is rare to find that in a religious environment).

I also had some of the restraints on my mind in regards to my past religious beliefs (Christianity), and you should find that they just slowly seep away as your mind becomes more open. Or at-least that's what I experienced. And not every part of Christianity is bad, just hold on to the good parts and find the correct rationalization for it, instead of relying on a deity's all-powerful judgment to scare you into obeying (if you know what I mean).

I look forward to reading your opinions in discussions! :)

 

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Permalink Reply by KNentrup on February 20, 2012 at 3:10pm

Brandon,

I am writing because of your statement, "I still feel lingering parts of Christianity, of which I don't like." That resonates with me. I was into the whole thing whole hog. And leaving it all behind has been a slow process. I had learned and practiced to pray without ceasing, and that was hard to give up. I had been taught to be thankful for everything, to God, and that was hard to change into just being grateful in general. When there was a problem, I didn't have my, sadly, imaginary Jesus to consult and listen to. I don't know if any of this is what you mean.

It has been a year for me, and I luckily have an atheist husband so we can support one another. That has been the best thing. He has given me space to grieve, and I have needed it.

I am glad you have found this place and hope it helps. I wish you well. Kim

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Permalink Reply by Brandon Howard on February 20, 2012 at 4:49pm

Yes, this is much of how I feel.

It is an odd feeling. There are times when I just suddenly slip into habit of attempting to talk to God. I remind myself that isn't what I believe anymore, but it just feels weird. I don't like holding on to these things and whats more is that if I tell my Christian friends, they will tell me that is God trying to communicate with me or that I don't really believe that God doesn't exist. It's bothersome.

I'm glad that there are other people that have experienced something similar. It is amazing how well religion can indoctrinate someone with such deep beliefs. I mean, I've grown up in the church, my very psychology was affected from these people. I'm not angry about it, just astounded by the fact that these things are so deep within me. I will have to work at cleansing myself of this, excuse me, bull shit.

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Permalink Reply by Alma Salazar on February 20, 2012 at 3:29pm

Hi Brandon! I'm new too. I am glad i found this site too, because i personally dont know any atheist so most people disagree with my dis-beliefs! My husband and most of my friends know i am atheist, except my parents and my mother & father in law. My parents are christians and my mother & father in law's are Catholics. I am not sure when i am going to tell them because i am not sure how they are going to react :/ especially my parents because they are so fundamentalist christians.

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Permalink Reply by Brandon Howard on February 20, 2012 at 4:53pm

I suffer the same type of difficulty. I told one of my good friends that I am an atheist and he has taken it fairly well, but I don't know about the rest of my friends and family. A few of my family members fully support me while others I am unsure of how they will react. I fear telling my mother because I don't want her to feel like she has failed because I don't believe in God. I don't want to hurt her like that. And then there are my other friends. I've actually been cleaning out my friends list on Facebook of the people I know wouldn't approve.

I guess it will just come in time. I saw in a post on here that someone asked why it was so urgent to tell the people. I don't think it is. I mean, it wouldn't be wise to lie about it, but if it comes up or is asked, then that bridge will be crossed.

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