I like so many others on here felt deep rooted pain when the fog of religion started lifting. I had been told if I do the right thing life would be GLORY to GLORY. And I would be so blessed and y'all know the rest. I had racked my brain asking God what was wrong with me that when I asked to be saved God still would make my changing impossible. All these Christians claim your a new creature in Christ and the old is gone. I felt like I was the only one that couldn't ever get saving right. Then I experienced drug rehab for 8 months in a pentocostal church in Anniston, AL called the Center of Hope. And thanks to that experience I realized all the stories, promises etc was all a smoke and mirror screen of BS. I didn't decide atheist overnight I did the normal "something isn't adding up here" process. I truly was hurt and felt scammed lied to etc. Life free of religion has been much more relaxed. No getting up on Sunday for weekly brainwashing or giving my money away only to be treated less than everyone else. Enough of my bitch session, life is good now. I live for this life and this life only. Bc I know my life is extremely insignificant on the broad scale and I want to do things rt!! It took me 30 years to grow up so no more time to waste. Thankful to be ALIVE!!! And Im glad to be a part of this forum!!
Welcome. don't feel too bad. I went from a Mormon at age 42 to a Christian (Assemblies of God, etc. for like 20 years, so you got out while still fairly young. Rejoice in your freedom there, youngster. :-D
Thanks a lot Stromboli!!! I am hoping to have a baby with my hub soon. We experienced a prego loss so that's why my fingers are crossed. But n e way I am interested to see how raising a child w out religion goes. I expect death would be easier if I hadn't thought all these years that we would just hug at the pearly gates again. Now I'm faced w reality of gone. U think it would be easier if I hadn't of been lied to?
Welcome!
I'm not the best one to welcome you here, but oh well.
When I was 19 I tried the Christian path. It didn't make sense what they told me. They kept telling me that I had to look at the scriptures in context. So, I decided on my own to just read the bible cover to cover. I didn't get through Exodus, before I decided it was a bunch of hooey. Left the church and was glad I did. Still didn't have any direction, but at least I didn't have to try to make sense of the bullshit. Also, I got to keep my tithe for myself and didn't have to listen to salespeople any more. The gang that got me started, avoided me as being an unclean apostate. Which kind of annoyed me, but then decided I liked not being around them. Then a couple more of them dropped out, and I had new friends who accepted me as I was, not as they wanted me to be. We were all happier away from the church.
Screw the church. Nothing but a bunch of hypocrites, liers, horndogs, politicians, and power faggots. (No I'm not talking about those with a different sexual proclivity.) And let's not forget the fat ugly wannabe broodmares, looking for a stud to keep them in feed the rest of their lives. God, if feels good to be away from all those holy rollers. :-D
I tried intermittently to believe 'enough', but enough was never enough and wasn't going to start whipping my own back for god so.. eh..fuck it. It's all bullshit and I've never looked back. Here at the VOA atheism amoung the homeless is growing.. That's good news, but there are others who still think they have to study for the big exam.. You see them buried balls deep in their buybulls.
It feels amazing when you step bk from religion and see the earth for the rock that it is!!! This planet is remarkable! I am such a lucky sperm! And isn't it sad that people go all their life only to never find out they were lied to about the end! It truly is the works of a cunning con.
I have mentioned this in other posts throughout the forum, but I live next door to a Jesus freak family. Dad goes away on "mission" trips to Vegas, Hawaii, Brazil....Ireland.....basically the jak as is never home with his family. She is at home w the kids, she doesn't work either. Im sure the church foots most or all or probably more than just the bills. And they still make sure to whine about not havn money. If we are "godly" and saved and going to heaven, then I'm sure we would give em money. But since I dnt gv a fk and don't care about some1 who doesn't get up and get a real job I'm not helpn em. They prob have boat loads of money that lil old ladies on fixd incomes have given. Neighbor are nice, but I hate their cause!!!!
Quote from: "fingerscrossed2013"Thanks a lot Stromboli!!! I am hoping to have a baby with my hub soon. We experienced a prego loss so that's why my fingers are crossed. But n e way I am interested to see how raising a child w out religion goes. I expect death would be easier if I hadn't thought all these years that we would just hug at the pearly gates again. Now I'm faced w reality of gone. U think it would be easier if I hadn't of been lied to?
In the end, truth triumphs over hopeless belief. As an old man, I have lost many loved ones in my life. At this stage, I feel better knowing that there is no complication in death, only the eternal quiet of oblivion. It is far less cumbersome to accept than dealing with the "I'm not good enough, must strive harder" BS of religion. I would've had concerns about my brother, a lapsed Mormon, that he wouldn't be saved. I don't have those concerns; rather peace of mind knowing there no judgment to worry about.
:-D We are glad to have you fingerscrossed2013! Good luck! Solitary
QuoteBut n e way I am interested to see how raising a child w out religion goes.
It shouldn't be too hard. Kids don't really need religion for anything. Hardest part is probably to arm their minds against other people trying to push religion on it. Kids are very easy in believing what grown ups say, so it's probably a good idea to start early with telling them to think about whether something that is said to them makes sense.
And be prepared to have them doubting santa clause, the rules you put on them, and a whole bunch of other stuff. If you really want to do it right, you'll have to prepared to talk with them on those subjects and don't just subject them to "because I say so", because they'll start accepting that argument from other people as well.
This forum is the best! And I have joined quite a few forums. This one has a LOT of activity, and I feel like everyone is just AWESOME! thank you all for such a kind welcome. And some great advice too!!!
Quote from: "fingerscrossed2013"This forum is the best! And I have joined quite a few forums. This one has a LOT of activity, and I feel like everyone is just AWESOME! thank you all for such a kind welcome. And some great advice too!!!
well keep yer fingerscrossed cause that attitude will probably only last a week...
Quote from: "fingerscrossed2013"I have mentioned this in other posts throughout the forum, but I live next door to a Jesus freak family. Dad goes away on "mission" trips to Vegas, Hawaii, Brazil....Ireland.....basically the jak as is never home with his family. She is at home w the kids, she doesn't work either. Im sure the church foots most or all or probably more than just the bills. And they still make sure to whine about not havn money. If we are "godly" and saved and going to heaven, then I'm sure we would give em money. But since I dnt gv a fk and don't care about some1 who doesn't get up and get a real job I'm not helpn em. They prob have boat loads of money that lil old ladies on fixd incomes have given. Neighbor are nice, but I hate their cause!!!!
Hawaii needs missionaries? Whut? :rollin: :shock:
Welcome fingerscrossed. Hope you're happy here! 8-) PS I am originally from TN.
Witch, I am in East TN. Thank you!!! And yah aitm my fingers are crossed. Lol.
Quote from: "fingerscrossed2013"Witch, I am in East TN. Thank you!!! And yah aitm my fingers are crossed. Lol.
I grew up in Maryville. Went to college at Carson Newman then UT in Knox. Welcome - again.
I was raised as a small child in Red Bank, Chattanooga, and Nashville Tenn. We lived with the Darkies in Nashville where I almost got tarred and feathered after drinking out of a "For Niggers Only" drinking fountain when I was six years old in the Land of Dixie. :roll: :cry: Solitary
Glad to have you with us, fingers.
Thanks ALOT y'all!!! Witch, I live in the same county as CNC!!! Small world
Hi all, New to this forum. The name of this post caught my eye, I too am a closet atheist in TN.
Raised a Christian and been a vocal about my religion until just recently. Now I am struggling with how to proceed. I came to the realization that my faith didn't line up with reality over a year ago. There just wasn't any real evidence.
But now I am surrounded by Christians and my how social network is predicated on this. So at some point, I'll have to come out of the closet, but where to start? I would appreciate advise and other experiences on how to come out.
Thanks
Quote from: "fingerscrossed2013"Thanks ALOT y'all!!! Witch, I live in the same county as CNC!!! Small world
Oh that IS a small world. LOL Well next time you drive near Carson Newman give it a wave for me. LOL
Hope all is well with you and you like it here.
cheers
Well Dawkins, that is a tough place to be. You are a smart person obviously bc you woke up from the fantasy you had been instilled w since birth. I imagine you could at least withdraw yourself from some of the crowd you are in right? In a way I was lucky bc I have always kept my friends to a minimum. And quite frankly, once I met my husband we left a LOT of old ways behind. Drug use, etc. So that took care of any friends in my circle and we have started fresh. Basically I have never really had any "good" friends bc I lived a bad lifestyle. But anyway Dawkins, I wish you the best of luck. And please don't feel like you owe anyone an explanation. You take things on your own time and update me on how your life is soon plz.
Thanks again everyone for posting.
Witch, CNC is a "christian" school!! LOL I know you are aware. Curious about how terrible that must have been. lol
Quote from: "fingerscrossed2013"Well Dawkins, that is a tough place to be. You are a smart person obviously bc you woke up from the fantasy you had been instilled w since birth. I imagine you could at least withdraw yourself from some of the crowd you are in right? In a way I was lucky bc I have always kept my friends to a minimum. And quite frankly, once I met my husband we left a LOT of old ways behind. Drug use, etc. So that took care of any friends in my circle and we have started fresh. Basically I have never really had any "good" friends bc I lived a bad lifestyle. But anyway Dawkins, I wish you the best of luck. And please don't feel like you owe anyone an explanation. You take things on your own time and update me on how your life is soon plz.
Thanks again everyone for posting.
Witch, CNC is a "christian" school!! LOL I know you are aware. Curious about how terrible that must have been. lol
....erm..... I got kicked out (asked to leave nicely) for refusing to attend chapel. Which is why Ii transferred to UT.
Quote from: "fingerscrossed2013"Well Dawkins, that is a tough place to be. You are a smart person obviously bc you woke up from the fantasy you had been instilled w since birth. I imagine you could at least withdraw yourself from some of the crowd you are in right? In a way I was lucky bc I have always kept my friends to a minimum. And quite frankly, once I met my husband we left a LOT of old ways behind. Drug use, etc. So that took care of any friends in my circle and we have started fresh. Basically I have never really had any "good" friends bc I lived a bad lifestyle. But anyway Dawkins, I wish you the best of luck. And please don't feel like you owe anyone an explanation. You take things on your own time and update me on how your life is soon plz.
Thanks again everyone for posting.
Witch, CNC is a "christian" school!! LOL I know you are aware. Curious about how terrible that must have been. lol
Nice to have you here.