Another New Guy, That's Me.

[Wallflower]

I suppose I'm representative of a newer wave of blasphemy, as I'm only seventeen. At age ten I attended my last formal service, and I suspect being baptized that year had something to do with it. Now that my soul was safe for all eternity, I had a little while to wait around and think.

I officially referred to myself as a non-believer by age thirteen, although even then I recognized the need to keep my opinions to myself. Instead I occupied my time with learning everything I could about everything I knew, dealing with my own mortality, all that jazz I'm sure you've all been through, etc. etc. It's not been an especially smooth transition, but it was one I'm glad I made. In retrospect, I feel I was pretty lucky compared to some of the horror stories I've read on AF. I just kinda reasoned it all out before I even knew there was such thing as a non-believer community.

So as college looms on the horizon, I wonder about the future. Does anybody know what it's like to be an open atheist in a college setting? I don't imagine it's only one way other the other, but I'd really like to hear others' comments before jumping into a potential beehive. I've read a lot about how to come out to family, and while I'm not doing real great on that front, I'm not too worried about it at the moment - I'd prefer to wait it out  (I live in Kansas, and while the area I live in is pretty amazing compared to the national image of Kansas, it is right on the edge of all that, and I've got family in both regions. It can't end well.). Any experience would be greatly appreciated.

[Atheon]

So as college looms on the horizon, I wonder about the future. Does anybody know what it's like to be an open atheist in a college setting?

Colleges and universities are home to a wide variety of opinions and ideas, offering open-minded settings. Open atheists are pretty normal at universities (note I'm not talking about fundie schools like Brigham Young, Bob Jones or Oral Roberts!).

I attended what's considered a mainstream Christian college, but even there, it was a very open-minded environment and I knew a fair number of non-theistic types there. (At the time I called myself "agnostic".)

[Sal1981]

Welcome.

[Plu]

Welcome to the forums. Didn't we already have a guy called DolceVita?

[Sal1981]

Welcome to the forums. Didn't we already have a guy called DolceVita?

memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=22646

[Jason78]

I suppose I'm representative of a newer wave of blasphemy, as I'm only seventeen.

Nah.  Not believing in gods has been cool ever since they were invented.

[Sal1981]

I suppose I'm representative of a newer wave of blasphemy, as I'm only seventeen.

Nah.  Not believing in gods has been cool ever since they were invented.

Great, hipster atheism -.-

[Wallflower]

Oops. Can I change my username? I didn't notice there was anyone else by that name.

[La Dolce Vita]

Will they be able to tell us apart?'

Welcome!

[aitm]

awww, I think its cute. Twins......kinda...

[antediluvian]

Welcome non-believer.  Go forth and multiply.
More non-believers needed.