You are indeed a fortunate individual.

Read up on the damage ‘missionaries’-especially Catholic ones-on tribal societies. Or Manifest Destiny. Unbiased historical facts are essential to seeing the effects of Xtian religion on the world. Starting with the Council of Nicea. The Crusades, Inquisition, witch trials...all in the name of ‘god’. Studying ancient to modern history really confirmed my unbelief when I was in college. I also recommend Howard Zinn’s American history.

I’m happy for you in that you were never in a religious environment. I wish everyone could say that in the future. Religion being abolished would give people the freedom to think for themselves and do good for the world.

Doctrine has a very strange effect on children. I used to pray for forgiveness until I feel asleep because our denomination taught that those who die with un-repented sin are damned to hell. Now I hardly think about it.

The only thing that comes close to "the divine," to me today is nature. From which we receive so many gifts, but also disease, poison, etc. It has the power to nourish or destroy life. Much of it left to chance. Is it awe inspiring? Yes. Worthy of worship? No. Nature will not notice worship nor respect it, and worshiping it will not spare one from sometimes fatal encounters. Likewise the universe is endless, and would it notice worship of it? Would it demand it? I live in awe and wonder, curious of what is around me, but not a worshiper.

I am lucky that I do not live in the US that seems to be so entrenched in religious rubbish. Must be horrible for people who live in the 'bible belt'. My heart goes out to them, thoughts and prayers, oh sorry forgot which web site I was on.

" It has always been more of a non issue for me."--this is labeled an Apathist

an "I do not give a fuck about all that" position.

For most of my life, my atheism is a non issue, though I do feel strongly about separation of church and state.

I, like you, don't like labels. I do not believe in bullshit and that's about it, some members here love to label themselves and some don't.

I am immeasurably envious of your background. To grow up in such a secular environment to the extent where no religious demographical identifier even existed seems like a utopia.

Yeah..the agnostics here often come from a religious background, or have at least READ books on religion enough to know more about the Bible than most Christians. I don't know any Christians who know much at all about their religion because they are so proud of never reading.

It sounds like you might be an Apatheist.

Some of the ‘religious insight’ here can be somewhat jaundiced due to difficult experiences, especially from the American cohort ,re Christianity

It is sometimes overlooked that there are six world religions not one and a myriad of subsets and indigenous religions which make up the panoply.

Good luck. This is certainly a vibrant and, at most times, respectful community

Glad you're getting something out of your time here.