My entire political outlook changed. When one believes in an afterlife, it can be argued that this life is short and rather meaningless in the grand scheme of things. Coming terms with the finality of life brought on a desire advocate for a strong societal safety net - I now believe that a great effort should be made allow everyone an opportunity have a good life. Not long after applying myself that dirty word "atheist", I switched from an R a D.

Also, I now have my Sundays .

I follow my own path. I don't waste my money for someone else's gravy train. I can think as I like and not have to practice thought control. I don't partake in ritualistic cannibalism. I do not belong to a herd of people following the 'advice' of another human being. I think and choose for myself.

No fear of Hell, punishments, anxiety if I'll be one of the 144,000 chosen ones, if I'll see my family in heaven, no spirits floating around,etc. I just go through life confident of myself on doing my choices.

To be honest, it has not enhanced my life as far as I can tell.

Church goers have a fellowship that I do not have along with a bunch of social functions. Perhaps it would be different if I lived in a big town but I live in a town where nothing is going on during Sunday outside of church

So not being a believer has made me more socially isolated than believers.

I have always been an avid reader and when I was a christian I spent many hours studying the pages of the bible. It's a big reason I'm agnostic now. And while I have lost friends, community, and some of my old identity, I have gained a passion for religion, culture, and history like never before! My study of various religious texts has opened a new world for me and I've learned so much! Now the trick is not to share what I've learned with my religious family members. I have no desire to make anyone question their beliefs unless provoked. But it's just so interesting to me! Damn I need some non religious friends...

Freedom from religion is free from the fake didactic rules religion imposes. It means I have freedom to believe what I want separate from what a church tells me. It allows me the freedom to treat others with mutual respect. It means living life my way freedom from heaven and hell and the constant fear of missing some imaginary mark. It’s trying to be the best person I can be without checking if my views are in some rulebook with points being kept by some imaginary scorekeeper. It removes oneself from the equation of what’s right and wrong especially in regards to religions or denominations and who’s right and wrong. What’s right and wrong is personal and usually is related to treatment of others.