Nope! As a child, was forced to attend baptist church. That'll really turn any sane person against religion. I'm quite happy with science, common sense and knowledge. The more educated one becomes, the more likely they'll reject religion.
No I was not raised in a very religious family.
yes.sometimes but When you taste the cup of truth you can not be convinced of the illusions of religions
its not easy to be atheist in my counrty . sometimes i wish i was as stupid as religious ppl and that my life would be easier but then i look at my way of thinking and just smile bkz i know i will always choose being like this
Hang in there and hopefully find a way out. America is not perfect but we still have freedom of religion and from religion. I think of you sometimes. I hate that you are being held back from reaching your potential f peace of mind and all the opportunities available to women that are not there yet.
@CaseyGoodwin i'm glad you've found freedom from religion in america. i live in florida, i'm a senior- seems everyone where i live are "christians". it gets rather lonely and frustrating when ppl don't want to talk to me, will openly chastise me and comment "i'm a christian! don't talk like that" (i was joking about a patch i was wearing to remove a wart). in a hurricane evac last year i was refused shelter in a neighbors's sister's home cuz I said god damn- told me they were christians- i'd thought supposed christians were charitable, didn't they want the time i woulda been confined due to the storm to "save my soul"?
No but I miss the sense of community
I have considered starting an atheist church. A place to commune for positive reasons. I would like to have motorcycle poker runs and other fund raising projects to benefit various local charitable causes on a personal level. Not a write check to an organization thing, more like a build a wheelchair ramp at a disabled, fixed income persons house. Back to school supplies for kids that can't afford any. Meals to elderly etc. Show people that they can do good things without sticking a church label on it. Everything positive that is done in the community can and should be accomplished without the god baggage attached to it.
Some of the ritual aspects. As a former catholic and wiccan, ritual was a big part. Its hard to define all the aspects to it, but I do miss that.
that's like asking a prisoner if he/she misses prison.
Some probably have things about it they miss, like friends they've made lol I guess they get used to being in there. But I see what you're saying lol most of it you don't miss. I don't miss most of the things from being a christian.
Stockholm syndrome
i don't miss anything.
I don't think that's really fair. Lots of people lose friends when they leave a church, or simply miss the fellowship. Not everything about religion is bad.
I love the amazing art produced under the auspices of the christian church, Michelangelo being my favorite. I especially like Jesus throwing the money-changers out of the temple and the strong sense of forgiveness, acceptance and doing unto others in the new testament. However I didn't have to give these up just because I am not christian any more. These ideals/ideas can exist outside of a religion. Oh, and I get my ritual fix from 12-step meetings and lifting. So there ain't much I miss.
I miss singing in the choir and greeting people, 8 also had a friend there that I lost contact with after I left. There are things I miss for sure, even being in the holy ghost cause it felt freeing to let it all out.. I'm much freer and happier as an atheist though.
I miss that good old gospel music sung by those who have talent beyond anything commercially produced out here. That is what I miss. The music.
Yes I do miss the social connections and events. The holidays seem less bright. I still love the holiday lights. When, where and how does a single anti theist, find reason in the holiday spirit? Is love just another biochemical reaction destined to always fade over time? Mostly I miss having a community to be a part of. Here in the Bible belt it is not easy to find friends with common ground.