PopeInTheWoods

I was a fairly devout Catholic until 17 or so. I simply never thought to question some of those stories, which were presented to me as supported historical fact. Not so much the outlandish miracles, but the historical-sounding stuff about the Hebrews fleeing Egypt, Jesus's sermons and crucifixion, etc.

Andy

Postcard73

Well, I was raised Presbyterian but didn't give it much thought. I hated to go to church, but it was basically because I thought it was boring. The validity of what I was being told didn't concern me. When I was in college, I got caught up in the Southern Baptist experience, and I ended up at a SB school. This lasted for several years. I gradually drifted to agnosticism starting around 1997, and I finally concluded I was an atheist a few months ago. I think I'd been an atheist at heart for a while, but I wasn't quite ready to completely deny the existence of any god. I'd been denying the xian God since I first drifted from the church...

Because I became a fundy while in college, I took several courses on xian philosophy, NT, OT, etc. As a result, I had the chance to deeply study xian writings that I probably would have ignored had I been a lifelong atheist. The primary benefit of this is that I know what the Bible says. If somebody wants to throw Bible verses in my face, then they better know what they're talking about, because I can toss 'em right back. And as several other folks have mentioned, I think I have a better understanding of the fundy mindset because I have experienced it for myself. On the other hand, I have known several lifelong atheists. While their path was different than mine, we'd still reached the same point. I've never met an atheist who decided to deny the existence of god on a whim. As such, they have very valid arguments too...

mike_decock

Hey, I'm just making sweeping generalizations based on my limited experience .

-Mike...

Evolutionist

heh, name one person who doesn't....

demoninho

The whole god concept never occured to me until my fundy girlfriend's(and mother of my son) family tried to break up our relation calling me a demon a keep me from my son.

RTS

I'm an x-Catholic. Did the whole alter boy routine as a youth, and was once selected as "Bible Student of the Year" in Catechism. I questioned the tall tales and dogma from as far back as I can remember. And I'm proud to say I have been a non-believer in the religious dogmatic stupidstitions for more than half my life now (I'm in the over 40 demographic). I categorize myself as "weak atheist".

We must realize, from a psychological standpoint, the format of the church service is well designed. Music to arouse the individual's receptiveness, the camaraderie and approval from 100% of persons present, the meme of universal love, the brainwashing sermon spoken by one of the whitewashed chosen, and mostly, the absolute support of "GOD" if you appease him with fervent prayer and total submission. It really gets them Serotonin, dopamine and endorphin neuro-chemicals a'flowin'. It's an adiction... a chemical addiction as strong as heroin.

For those of us who realize the sickness of religious fervor, and understand the illogical absurdity of this belief, convincing those stricken that they are ill is an insurmountable if not impossible task. And kicking the crutch out from under the afflicted will only strengthen their resistance. Appeal to Reason is our only logical approach. But reasoning with drug induced, unreasonable believers is mostly unproductive. Then again, if one in many thousands is awaken from the matrix of religion... it's worth it!

Religion is propagated by adults indoctrinating infants and young children who can not think critically.

This should be the true meaning of the clich� "STOP THE MADNESS"!!!

Postcard73

I doubt you would have had the same experience if you lived in the SE United States. Around here, it's pretty much impossible to ignore the concept of god even if you want to...

edit: I wasn't very clear. I think it would have been a lot harder to avoid the concept of god as long as you did if you lived around here...

SignOfTheCross

Please give us some examples of what was so hard for you to accept?

Peace,
SOTC

Mageth

Please give us some examples of what was so hard for you to accept?

In my case, that would be the whole kit and kaboodle.

SignOfTheCross

Oh yes, you must know what you're talking about if you got "Bible student of the year".

Peace,
SOTC