Did you ever believe in a god?

[GSOgymrat]

Just curious how many people here once believed in god(s) and now don't believe compared to those who never believed. These experiences seem to be very different. I never believed.

[Draconic Aiur]

When I was younger I thought maybe but then that's childhood innocence naivety right there.

[pr126]

Never

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Never

Very never. Religion was not an issue in our home, so I was not indoctrinated. Simplified my life no end.

[SGOS]

I did, as everyone here should know by now.  Apparently, never with the faith required to sustain it as a reasoning adult, but there was a time way back where I did not question that belief.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I did, as everyone here should know by now.  Apparently, never with the faith required to sustain it as a reasoning adult, but there was a time way back where I did not question that belief.

Questioning belief is fatal to religion, and one of the reasons that it's a major no-no in many belief systems. I love to enjoy folks who find all kinds of plot-holes in movies and still believe the Bible is the inerrant word of God.

[AllRight]

I believed for many years until very recently as I was indoctrinated at a very young age (2 or 3 is as far back as I can remember these discussions) to believe god was "everywhere". I was raised in a traditionally christian home by parents who I do not discuss my atheistic beliefs with as my dad especially would likely be very mad at me. As an adult I was late to the table in terms of critical thinking skills but looking back, things started to unravel for me years ago when I studied my husband's religion and found the doctrine to have more holes than Swiss chess. I started to study other denominations and religions and the only logical conclusion I could come to was they are all man made.  That and experiencing the hypocrisy of "loving" religious people who disown family members for not believing the same as them.

I feel so much less anxiety and much more enjoyment out of life now that I know god is not "everywhere".

[stromboli]

Grew up in the Mormon church. Left Mormonism at age 42 and became a Christian because I wanted a peer group for my kids/family and most of the material I read denouncing Mormonism was Christian based. I did everything for 18 years including serving as a youth leader in a Jesus People Ministry church. Was involved in founding 2 churches in the area, and for some years I did Thanksgiving dinners for shut in people and the elderly. I don't regret that, but I'd like to have back all the tithing I contributed over the years. Many thousands of dollars. In for a penny....I make a commitment I stick with it.

42 years a Mormon and 18 years a Christian. It took my wife longer to agree with me on atheism, but our next to last church, a Prosperity Gospel, was so full of shit it was impossible to believe. The last was a Free Will Baptist. I have been there and read the pamphlets. I have researched religion for years and and am very, very firm in my atheism.

[Mermaid]

I was always a skeptic since I was old enough to grasp what it was. I grew up in a family of unquestioning believers, we were affiliated with a church, but not religious, and didn't really attend all that much. I was a true believer for like two weeks when I was in confirmation classes. It felt good, I have to admit, but then, yeah. The skepticism and logic crept back in.

[Mike Cl]

As a child I did not think about it until 10 or so.  Then went to a couple of churches in Alabama.  Tried to believe, but just couldn't swing it.  Dabbled in it until mid adulthood.  Seriously tried for 6/7 years but still could not swing it.  So, basically, I never did believe in god.

[josephpalazzo]

I resent this question as it's a conspiracy to makes us all feel guilty...;-)

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I resent this question as it's a conspiracy to makes us all feel guilty...;-)

Some of us, that is.

[josephpalazzo]

Some of us, that is.

I was speaking of the intention, not the result...

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I was speaking of the intention, not the result...

Eh?

[leo]

I stopped believing in the gawd at age 15 and  The Catholic dogmas are very silly.