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.
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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.
Grenage
Level 4
Sep 12, 2019
2
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.
DenoPenno
Level 9
Sep 11, 2019
3
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.
bradnyijuan
Level 7
Sep 11, 2019
1
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.
dare2dream
Level 7
Sep 11, 2019
2
Looking back into the not so distant past, I think my bullshit detector was working, I just listen to it more now. 
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