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Comment by Christine Vyrnon on October 31, 2009 at 2:42pm

A great site for the de-converted: de-conversion.com and .org

Comment by mona anne kot on October 26, 2009 at 11:28am

Hehehe ya, we're still young ;)

Comment by Skycomet the Fallen Angel on October 16, 2009 at 12:28pm

Yeah... I just made up the term "veteran atheist" to describe someone who has been an atheist for at least several years. There seems to be a surprising lack of terminology for our culture. hmmm.... lol

Comment by mona anne kot on October 15, 2009 at 11:55pm

Skycomet
you explained that perfectly I'm using that in the future to explain atheism, to theists.

Thank you for the response it means allot, I see that I'm not the only one, and I'm so happy I joined this site, it's just what I need...

And I'm here for you guys to if there’s any questions at all, my specialty is Islam hehe, seems to be very few ex Muslims here, hmm....

A veteran atheist is an experienced atheist right?

Comment by Skycomet the Fallen Angel on October 15, 2009 at 2:41pm

Oh yeah.... Because atheism is simply a "lack of Belief in God" I used the word "deconversion" rather than "conversion," because you're not "converting to something" you're "deconverting away from something."

Comment by Skycomet the Fallen Angel on October 15, 2009 at 2:40pm

Dear Mona Jaffal,
Thank you so much for joining our group. We have at least 1 member already who is a "veteran" atheist. If you look at the "members box," you will see that one of them is "Morgan Matthew." He is a veteran Atheist and the creator of this site [thinkatheist]. He would be a good person to go to if you have questions or need the support of a veteran. Also, if you want to rant, well, that's what your blog is for... lots of atheists on this site are very encouraging and understanding of your feelings.
Believe me! Many of us have gone through similar experiences to the ones you're describing. I was born into a "highly religious" Protestant Christian family and they did a similar sort of "religious brainwashing on me," they just did the Christian version. About 4 years ago, my "Faith" suddenly vanished and I spent four years trying to figure out what I was [with no support from my family or "off-line" friends]. Then, also about 6 months ago, I discovered I "qualified" as an atheist and it was a turning point in my life.
You're right, I didn't use the words "religious deconversion" by accident. ;) Many religious people speak of "converting" when they change from one religion to another. However, I was highly offended by my Christian family saying that I had "converted" to atheism [like I chose to lose my faith, I didn't, it just happened.] and that "atheism was a religion", which it's not. When thinking of atheism vs. theism; one should think about the opposites of "darkness" and "light." "Light" is a "thing" unto itself. It is a type of energy that is [as physicists say] made of tiny sub-atomic particles called "photons." So, light can be considered a "thing," because it is a "physical state of being." However, darkness is different entirely. It may be "the opposite of light." But darkness is NOT a "thing unto itself." There are no particles that make up darknesss, darkness is a description of what IS NOT THERE, not WHAT IS. [Dark = the absence of light]. In the same way one can think of theism and atheism. Theism is like light... it has a dogma, a positive belief, etc. Atheism, however, is like darkness, it is merely a description of what is not there. ["a" comes from the Greek for "without." and "theism" comes from the greek "theos" meaning "God." - so atheism just means "without God."]
Good luck! We're all there with you! ;)

Comment by mona anne kot on October 15, 2009 at 7:35am

Hey

Thank you, this is a great group...

I'm still struggling, my parents are Muslim, (my single mom) and the whole family is.

I'm 20 and I've been questioning life for a very long time, but I had the guts to start questions Islam only around 2 years ago, I became an atheist less then 6 months ago...

But after 19 years of religious brainwashing, it’s difficult, I also don't know many outspoken & proud atheists, it makes it harder.

I can't talk to my family about it, at least not in a direct and clear way, I can't talk to my Muslim friends about it either, so it's hard, and I'm depressed at the moment all I do is sit online so I can speak to like minded people...

I read the words religious Deconversion and it really makes allot of sense, I feel I have go thru this difficult period, to really get rid of the religious mentality and be more confident in the future :)

Peace ♥
And a big hug :)

Comment by Skycomet the Fallen Angel on October 5, 2009 at 3:25pm

Welcome to The Religious Deconversion Support Group. This group is set up especially so that "Newbie Atheists" can talk/ ask questions/ vent with "more experienced Atheists." Feel free to join, even if you're not new... WE NEED EXPERIENCED ATHEISTS TOO!