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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]McLean atheist -- have you always been an atheist?  By that I mean someone who was raised without religion or someone for whom religion never "took"?   If so, you're rare, (right now,  at least).

I know a few atheists like this and they often don't get the variations of belief that are out there.  Some believers are pretty mellow -- I certainly was when I was a believer - not a bible thumper, not dogmatic, not really that committed - and I think there are a lot of people like that - not much different from an atheist except for a comforting, but vague overlay of  faith.[/quote]

I was raised without religion. However, I remember in my early teens, laying awake at night, crying in fear that I would die and become nothing. I remember comforting myself by convincing myself that there is an afterlife, a heaven, and all my family would be there. That got me trough it and I would say that I kind of just avoided thinking about it any more, throughout college and my twenties.

After my first son was born, I felt a great lifting of this burden. The purpose of my existence at once became crystal clear, as well as what I must do. I still get a twinge of sadness when I think that I'll become nothing when I die, and the world will go on without me, but this is sadness and not fear.

Growing up in the US, I am surrounded by religious people, some more than others. My girlfriends all came from believing families, though as you say, some are more religious than others. I once dated a girl who sang in her church's choir. I've been invited to attend service in various denominations - I am still giddy about that time I took sacrament when the plate of crackers was passed in front of me. My host nudged me and said "don't eat it!" but it was too late.

What grew clearer with age is that religion doesn't make sense, and mild religion makes even less sense. To illustrate, lets grant that religion's claims are true, that there is a God or super power. If that's the case, then what's more important than ever lasting life after this one? How could any rational person not focus their entire lives on reaching this goal? Never mind any of our worldly desires and possessions, they are worthless! I would study the scriptures closely to learn the truth contained within. Anything in conflict with the revealed truth must be ignored or destroyed. What's more important than the truth that will deliver us to ever lasting life? Therefore, in this regard, I have far more respect for fundamentalists - at least they are honest with themselves and others about what they truly believe, and have the conviction to see things through. [/quote]

I was with you until you said: "I have far more respect for fundamentalists - at least they are honest with themselves and others about what they truly believe, and have the conviction to see things through."

They may be firm in their beliefs, but many of their beliefs are in conflict with modern science - not good.   And fundamentalists believe they should impose their beliefs on others.

Also, I'd say you are too hung up on the scriptures (much the way fundamentalists are).  Liberal Christians may go overboard in interpreting the Bible to mean whatever they want it to mean, but truly, there is a lot of Biblical scholarship out there, written by seminary professors (not apologists) that indicates that much of the Bible was not meant to be taken literally.[/quote]

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