Leaving religion for me happened so slowly I didnt really notice it. I remember where I was the first time my inner voice said "this isn't real, there's no god." Maybe because it was the end of a 5 year process of de-conversion, there was no flood of emotion, but rather a quiet relief, and a welcome sense of peace. The dissonance I was unaware of inside me evaporated into the recesses of my mind like a vivid dream after morning coffee.
I remember smiling to myself and just thinking...now what? I still don't really know the answer to that question 2 years later, but the peace is still there. I appreciate this community and hopefully i will find others close by me that i can physically talk to and share these experiences together. Until then, I'm glad to be here with you all.
I had a very similar experience over time. I had committed myself to get closer to God but re-reading his work with an open mind. As I did, I saw things with new eyes and 4 years later after several core beliefs having been peeled away by study, I realized that I didn’t believe the root of it all was true anymore.
And the longer it's been, the more obvious it seems.
As long as you have that peace you are OK. Abandoning faith gave me great peace but I am guarded and sometimes fearful of others today as I see the real world. It is violent out there but I simply guard my actions and have no hatred or enemies. I have no need of "revenge" that so many around me seem to be scripted into.
Good job! Your lucky you got out in a smooth way. Some people have trouble with the “goin to hell” thing. I still remember the terror I had for a short time.
Part of my deconversion was realizing that if heaven and hell were real places, after about a week or two of being in either one would feel experientially similar. That helped, actually. Would I rather be forced to worship something for eternity or forced to get tortured for eternity...since it's kind of a toss up I'll choose...neither. lol
Welcome!
Now what? You can be evidence-based (as opposed to faith-based) and still live a “well lived life” of meaning and purpose.
Looking back into the not so distant past, I think my bullshit detector was working, I just listen to it more now.