Newb Athiest

[MarineWarrior]

I just found this forum and decided to register.  I am a somewhat new atheist.  I don't know if I was ever a true believer even though I was raised in the baptist church and my grandfather was the pastor.  I've been around the world thanks to the Marine Corps.  I've had a chance to see other religions first hand and so I always questioned who was right.  Back in August of this year (2014) I watched "The Unbelievers" on Netflix.  From there I started reading "A Universe from Nothing".  I was a couple of chapters into the book reading just a little each day when one day my younger brother passed away.  For most of my family that pushed them further into the church but for me it had the opposite effect.  I have since been watching religious debates featuring Dawkins, Hitchens, Harris and Dennett.  I also watch anything with Krauss in it.  I'm reading "The God Delusion" now and up next is "god is not Great".  I think I have always been an atheist at heart but only now am I admitting it to myself.  I look forward to being a part of this community.

Rich

[wolf39us]

Welcome to the dark side Rich!

There are many of us here who came from religious backgrounds (myself not included though).  Our discussions aren't limited here so feel free to discuss whatever you want!

[aitm]

welcome to our home. Hope you enjoy some of us....

[SGOS]

I've had a chance to see other religions first hand and so I always questioned who was right.

Most of us probably wondered about that at one time.  Of course, the "who is right?" question eventually leads to "is any one of them right?"  But why would one have to be right?  It's not like someone has to be right.  They can all be wrong too and they most likely are too.  Probably so wrong that even if their were a god, he would be amazed at how wrong all the religions are.  I'm sticking with stuff that doesn't require a suspension of my belief in reality.  Reality has served me well.  It doesn't need to be fixed with magic prayers and funny rituals by guys wearing silly hats while they talk to the sky.

[GrinningYMIR]

Welcome to the forum

[hrdlr110]

You're a born again atheist. All atheists that come from belief are born again. At birth you didn't believe, and at some stage you were indoctrinated. Welcome back to the lack of belief you had at birth! Unbaptism optional.

[hrdlr110]

Oops.......just read that maybe you never believed! I must stop skimming, comprehension drops! You're not a born again atheist - you're more like me. Been Lutheran, been Mormon, but never bought into any of it. The Mormon stint was for a girl.

[Green Bottle]

Welcome to the Madhouse....

[stromboli]

Welcome. Several ex-military on here. Consider yourself a smart man and one who chose to exercise his intelligence. Still in the Marines? I was in the Navy myself.

[kilodelta]

Welcome. As a former Marine, I think it's great to have you on board.

If you were in during 1999-2003, I may have gassed you! So, yeah. I'm sure we'll get along famously.

Have you come across anything in the Marines that imposed religion? I didn't experience any of that while I was in. I think the Marines are doing it right, unlike the Air Force.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-rodda/cadets-for-christ-solicit_b_800382.html

[Mr.Obvious]

Welcome to our little band of heathens.
My condolences regarding your brother.

[MarineWarrior]

Welcome. As a former Marine, I think it's great to have you on board.

If you were in during 1999-2003, I may have gassed you! So, yeah. I'm sure we'll get along famously.

Have you come across anything in the Marines that imposed religion? I didn't experience any of that while I was in. I think the Marines are doing it right, unlike the Air Force.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-rodda/cadets-for-christ-solicit_b_800382.html

I was in from 1997-2009.  '97-2001 I was in the Reserves as an MP and then once I finished college I went to OCS.  If you were in Quantico in 2001-2002 then you probably got me.  The gas chamber at The Basic School in Quantico was by far the worst one I ever experienced.  I viewed it as a chance for the enlisted Marines to exact some form of vengeance on officers everywhere.  Probably more like indoctrination for all 2nd Lieutenants. 

[kilodelta]

I was in from 1997-2009.  '97-2001 I was in the Reserves as an MP and then once I finished college I went to OCS.  If you were in Quantico in 2001-2002 then you probably got me.  The gas chamber at The Basic School in Quantico was by far the worst one I ever experienced.  I viewed it as a chance for the enlisted Marines to exact some form of vengeance on officers everywhere.  Probably more like indoctrination for all 2nd Lieutenants. 

That wasn't me. But yeah, the schools, to include boot camp, have less regulated CS chambers. The chambers that I ran were by the book... except I always gave the Marines extra PT in there. I also gave odd numbers for the repetition to cause many of them to have to do 10 extra push ups. "Twenty one side straddle hops"

Good on you for getting your commission. Prior enlisted seem to make the best officers. I hope you got a good job when you got out.

[PickelledEggs]

Welcome, dude!

Once your faith goes lack, it never comes back. I'm reading God is Not Great right now actually. A great read.

Enjoy your stay! Just remember that for this summer's annual BBQ it's BYOB (that's bring your own baby) We will supply the seasonings and marinades.

[stromboli]

welcome to our home. Hope you enjoy some of us....

Do I detect a note of discontentment there?