It seemed like revelation. Though many experiences seem this way to 8 year olds, no doubt.

At 13, just before confirmation. My grandmother was the most devout Catholic that I ever knew. Old World Catholic, like in an Italian movie. She divorced my unfaithful grandfather and the True Church denied her the sacraments. She still went to church every Sunday. I realized then that there was a tear in the fabric of organized religion. By 15 I had graduated from agnostic to athiest and I grew out of my snotty, anti-thiest stage as I matured.

Aggie, Sometimes I do stop and think about I got here. I'd have say it began in Catholic school. Having religion class every day gave this curious boy way too much time to ask questions. My parents didn't really encourage inquisitiveness, but I have it in buckets. Early on, the answers didn't work. There was too much unhappiness in the world and in my own life. I actually developed that all my unhappiness was a test from god and that nothing existed outside of my site. The whole world could not be rotten. It had to be me. As I grew older, I met friends who were actually atheist. I didn't know it was even possible. I continued to fight the brightening light. In college I found out about BF Skinner, who said freewill was an illusion. it made total sense to me and still does. That relieved a lot of guilt. How can I feel guilty if my doubt was "caused?" I think I was driving one day and I somehow gave myself permission to be atheist. I felt as if the weight of a book full of Trump lies had been lifted. It felt true, enlightening. A few weirdnesses. I get defensive when people criticize the Catholic Church. But I get defensive when people criticize Texas and holy creeping Jesus in a three-way, we are so damned backward. I enjoy an occassional mass. I know it is just a sentimental journey and I enjoy it. Love going to rosaries. The chanting does something for me. So I think it was both a revelation and a decision. Well, ok, not a decision. But it felt great!

I seem to remember having dobuts int eh bakc of my mind ALWAYS. It was nto really a relief until i "came out" and let everyon know I didnt' believe. It was a relief to not have to pretend ow walk on egg shells to avoid offendign people and just be myself, take me or leave me.

I saw through religion and Santa Claus at about age six. Two events sealed my fate and forced me to take a stand. First a young lady asked if I believed in God to which I replied no. Secondly my quest to become a Boy Scout ended when I was told I had to be reverant and attend church. It was a bit later I was referred to as an atheist by a military recruiter. I thought the question could be just left blank in case I had a terrifying moment that would make me call out to some deity.

It was certainly a decision. Facts over fiction. For me, it was very relieving and liberating.

I was always skeptical as a little lad, got thrown out of Sunday school for asking too many difficult questions as a five year old. When I was six my uncle wouldn't come into a church for a wedding and when I asked him later why he told me he didn't believe gods existed and told me he was an atheist. At that point I realised I was too, I could never understand why no one had an answer to why there were different religions in the world and why they were localised at I was so young

It was a realization that magic does not exist and that anything that requires you believe in magic is a lie. Religion requires you believe in magic therefore it is a lie. This realization was like a great weight lifted from my shoulders and it give me the elation of total freedom that my destiny was my own.

I always questioned religion. Though I did go through the I’m not religious I’m spiritual phase. I really didn’t even think about religion for many years. My husband (ex) got in a fight one night and he said to the effect that I don’t even believe in God. I was about to correct him, I don’t believe in religion....... but I just realized that I didn’t believe in God! He was absolutely correct.

Even at 7, when I found out that Santa was not real, the Easter Bunny was not real and my extension was God was not real. " you have to believe, have faith" never moved me. I files it in my compartment of myths and legends and have been comfortable since. My family were more secular humanists. My children, 20s have no interest in religion beyond examining and studying different cultures.
Secular Humanism is a very action orientation for me.

When I was a child growing up Catholic my life was surrounded by the church - but not really. Sundays I stared at how beautiful the church with it's cathedral ceilings and amazing colorful windows, but was really in it for the time with my extended family. I loved being with them. Listening to the adults talk. Eating grandma's food.

My grandma died when I was young, and church changed for me. Less family time. Weekends my aunt (super religious) now took me to see my family around town. If not for her, I'd not have seen them often. My mom was a hermit and lived her baking and alone time. I know this is when I became somewhat cognisant that church wasn't all that and a bag of chips.

In high school I think my parents grew tired of trying to drag me out of bed to church. When I would go, I'd actually be paying attention to what the preist said. And I
I'd make remarks, grumbles. Hahahaha. My mom was embarrassed, but I'd point out these horrible things the preist said and she'd agree with me. Most of my objections had to do with how subservient women had to be to men. W. T. H.

My mom (still very Catholic, she wants to see her mom and brothers and sister again) thinks I'm like this because my hallmate in college was a former nun. Lol. She is too much