Anonymous wrote:I had doubts as a young child, but it wasn't until I was 22/23 where it just clicked, and I felt the freedom to disbelieve. It went rapidly from not believing in religion, to not believing in a god (which god? why not many gods? if you don't have religion, where are your ideas about 'god' coming from except conditioning).

I've definitely faced some negativity - having been told that atheists can't have morals or ethics, can't have a purpose, must have made their decision out of trauma or anger at "god."

It was none of those things for me. It's a purely rational decision based on the absence of evidence, and the realization that religion - and the gods attribute to those religions - are entirely made by human beings and based on the needs and situations of the time.

Me too. It doesn't define me, either.

I grew up Catholic. Started to drift in college...went atheist after taking an astronomy class. So much randomness/space...just didn't make sense to me anymore.

Never experienced any bad vibes in the real world other than from my extremely religious parents who are pretty bummed out about it. Had some battle royales over wedding/children's baptisms etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If anyone knew for certain there will be no religions.
It's much simpler. I believe that there is no god or any higher power. I don't think about, it is not a part of my life.

Actually this is a good argument for believing, too. If God used his powers to make us do exactly what he wants from us, then we’d all basically be robots
without free will or anything we like to call “humanity.” I like a little ambiguity in my religion.

I don't like religion in my ambiguity.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If anyone knew for certain there will be no religions.
It's much simpler. I believe that there is no god or any higher power. I don't think about, it is not a part of my life.

Actually this is a good argument for believing, too. If God used his powers to make us do exactly what he wants from us, then we’d all basically be robots
without free will or anything we like to call “humanity.” I like a little ambiguity in my religion.

Depends. If youre saying that the essence of religion is faith, and actual knowledge would take the mystery and faith out of the religious experience, that’s one thing. OTOH, if you’re suggesting that if you’re not sure then you should be religious “just in case,” then you should look up Pascal’s Wager.

Anonymous wrote:My parents were athetists and I grew up never questioong that god existed. I went through a brief period in my 20s thinking I should be open minded and maybe god existed but ultimately I could never buy it. Yes, there are unanswered questions about the universe and why/how we are here but none at of the organized religions answer that question (if you believe in science). I definitely have a moral compass And teach my children right (as I see it) from wrong. I never knew religion and I don't need it.

A few questions, pp. When you were growing up, how did you handle other kids talking about church, celebrating Christmas, etc? What DID your parents tell you about religion? How did your DH and his family react when they learned you weren't religious? How did you handle the wedding? Hope you come back to respond to this.

Pp here. I should add that my husband does believe in god. And I'm fine with that too. If anyone wants to believe it's fine with me. I think I it's meaningless and yes, I do think that people that lean on religion for comfort are weak but if that's what they want to do, it's really none of my business. My husband isn't happy that our kids are non believers I. His religion but he understands when I point out since he is the believer it's up there to him to make the case for our kids not me. I would never say anything dismissive about my husband's religion to my kids but nor I can be honest with myself and talk it up. In any case, as an athetist (low caps is fine) I really could care less! I try to be a good person. Most of the time I'm sucessful. Sometimes I have moments of regret I feel bad about later. But, I fail to see why anyone religious is morally superior to me.

My parents were athetists and I grew up never questioong that god existed. I went through a brief period in my 20s thinking I should be open minded and maybe god existed but ultimately I could never buy it. Yes, there are unanswered questions about the universe and why/how we are here but none at of the organized religions answer that question (if you believe in science). I definitely have a moral compass And teach my children right (as I see it) from wrong. I never knew religion and I don't need it.