AndrewTomlinson Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Hello everyone. I'm really glad to have found this community. I de-converted nearly 10 years ago and since then I've been essentially going at it alone. I figure it's time to put myself out there. I don't have an exciting story, but I'd like to share it anyway. I was born into a "Christian home" - which of course simply means that my parents were Christian and did everything in their power to make sure I would be too. My father was a pastor for a while when I was young. Both parents continue to be actively involved in their church. Both of them make a point to immerse themselves in their faith, thinking of everything in terms of "God's will" and such. It seems they never pass up an opportunity to invoke the name of Jesus or extol the virtues of the divine. When I was younger, I learned all of biblical teachings easily. I've always had kind of an affinity for rulebooks. I learned all the proper phrases and all the "right answers". I could even debate meaningless circles around non-believers. Of course, I imagined that it made sense at the time. However, as I grew older it became apparent that I didn't feel any of it. I really felt guilty about that. I was supposed to feel something, wasn't I? The divine ebb and flow of salvation tickling my soul? But I didn't. I became generally apathetic once I'd moved out on my own. In college I was exposed to the idea of actually examining and questioning what I believed. Of course, I was brought up being told that anything not found in the bible was a lie and that doubt was a sin. So it took a while. But eventually I asked myself, does any of this actually make sense? Why do I believe? Other than "because I was told to", I could come up with no reason. So I abandoned faith altogether. Presently, I have no belief in anything "supernatural". Souls, afterlives, gods and magic of any kind... once I questioned it, I see no evidence for them. They make great fantasy - and I enjoy swords-and-sorcery novels, movies, games, etc. - but they don't fit reality. Today, my favourite personalities would have to be the likes of Lawrence Krauss and Bill Nye. The reality we can know and observe is so much more amazing than the fiction of barbarian tribes. I couldn't turn back if I wanted to. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateur Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Welcome, Andrew! Presently, I have no belief in anything "supernatural". Souls, afterlives, gods and magic of any kind... once I questioned it, I see no evidence for them. They make great fantasy - and I enjoy swords-and-sorcery novels, movies, games, etc. - but they don't fit reality. Today, my favourite personalities would have to be the likes of Lawrence Krauss and Bill Nye. The reality we can know and observe is so much more amazing than the fiction of barbarian tribes. I couldn't turn back if I wanted to. I, too, see no reason to believe in anything supernatural, tho I do enjoy books and movies with that subject as a nice fantasy and escape. I agree a thousand times that actual reality is much more amazing than the old fairy tales! I think you'll enjoy this group. I know I do. I enjoy the interesting discussions and questions, and I've learned a thing or two along the way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mymistake Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Hi Andrew, welcome to ex-C. Nice to hear from you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disillusioned Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 I couldn't turn back if I wanted to. That's the really important thing, isn't it? I never decided not to believe, one day I just realized that I didn't anymore. Nowadays I'm quite happy that Christianity is not true, but that's really beside the point. I just don't buy it. It has nothing to do with what I want. Glad you're here. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Hi Andrew. Welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewTomlinson Posted March 23, 2015 Author Share Posted March 23, 2015 Thank you all for the warm welcome. That's the really important thing, isn't it? I never decided not to believe, one day I just realized that I didn't anymore. Nowadays I'm quite happy that Christianity is not true, but that's really beside the point. I just don't buy it. It has nothing to do with what I want. Glad you're here. I do agree. I can't switch faith back on. Even if I could, the story of the bible is so awful, when you read it skeptically... I could never bring myself to hope for that kind of nightmare again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StJeffTheIncomprehensible Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Hi Andrew, Wonderful to meet you! I hope you find something here and there to help you along your journey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellinas Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Hello and welcome. Yes, I agree that I find it incomprehensible that I might ever revert to the tyranny of Christianity. Once you've had the chance to be yourself, conformity to an imposed religion seems unthinkable. Enjoy your time here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator TrueFreedom Posted March 24, 2015 Moderator Share Posted March 24, 2015 Welcome, Andrew! I also like to keep my bullshit meter calibrated, though I do try to respect those with a differing epistemology. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewTomlinson Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 Welcome, Andrew! I also like to keep my bullshit meter calibrated, though I do try to respect those with a differing epistemology. Certainly, but maintaining calm respect becomes terribly difficult at times. I really like Lawrence Krauss, as I mentioned, but I cringe sometimes when he really starts going at it with people who claim unyielding philosophical and religious "truth". I can't hardly blame him though. I remember what I was like when I would "debate" things as a Christian. I didn't listen to myself, let alone the other person. No one could have convinced me to de-convert. It only happened because it was my idea to ask the questions. Love the avatar, by the way. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burny Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Welcome! Glad you found freedom. Hopefully you can continue to find peace in skepticism! Even though we can't convince people to deconvert, we can surely plant the seeds that might one day free their brainwashed kids... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeCycle Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Hello everyone. I'm really glad to have found this community. I de-converted nearly 10 years ago and since then I've been essentially going at it alone. I figure it's time to put myself out there. I don't have an exciting story, but I'd like to share it anyway. I was born into a "Christian home" - which of course simply means that my parents were Christian and did everything in their power to make sure I would be too. My father was a pastor for a while when I was young. Both parents continue to be actively involved in their church. Both of them make a point to immerse themselves in their faith, thinking of everything in terms of "God's will" and such. It seems they never pass up an opportunity to invoke the name of Jesus or extol the virtues of the divine. When I was younger, I learned all of biblical teachings easily. I've always had kind of an affinity for rulebooks. I learned all the proper phrases and all the "right answers". I could even debate meaningless circles around non-believers. Of course, I imagined that it made sense at the time. However, as I grew older it became apparent that I didn't feel any of it. I really felt guilty about that. I was supposed to feel something, wasn't I? The divine ebb and flow of salvation tickling my soul? But I didn't. I became generally apathetic once I'd moved out on my own. In college I was exposed to the idea of actually examining and questioning what I believed. Of course, I was brought up being told that anything not found in the bible was a lie and that doubt was a sin. So it took a while. But eventually I asked myself, does any of this actually make sense? Why do I believe? Other than "because I was told to", I could come up with no reason. So I abandoned faith altogether. Presently, I have no belief in anything "supernatural". Souls, afterlives, gods and magic of any kind... once I questioned it, I see no evidence for them. They make great fantasy - and I enjoy swords-and-sorcery novels, movies, games, etc. - but they don't fit reality. Today, my favourite personalities would have to be the likes of Lawrence Krauss and Bill Nye. The reality we can know and observe is so much more amazing than the fiction of barbarian tribes. I couldn't turn back if I wanted to. And that right there is what most Christians don't get. We believe by way of convincing... All of us, not just believers and their faith. Our beliefs are largely the sum of variables such as circumstance and experience... Choice is mixed in there somewhere but it isn't the lone dictator for belief many think it is. Also, about doubt being sinful... Think about what that says about the deity that make that so. Insecure? Dishonest? Paranoid? The list goes on and on for reasons why doubt would be frowned upon. Doubt causes us to learn because it's oftentimes the catalyst to the pursuit of knowledge. And knowledge helps us better understand the world around us and realize that no gods are necessary. So, I'm not sure if it's by design or if it's by mere chance that doubt is a "sin." But it certainly makes a great mechanism to protect the lie. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlin Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 43 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
♦ ficino ♦ Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Also, about doubt being sinful... Think about what that says about the deity that make that so. Insecure? Dishonest? Paranoid? The list goes on and on for reasons why doubt would be frowned upon. Doubt causes us to learn because it's oftentimes the catalyst to the pursuit of knowledge. And knowledge helps us better understand the world around us and realize that no gods are necessary. So, I'm not sure if it's by design or if it's by mere chance that doubt is a "sin." But it certainly makes a great mechanism to protect the lie. Welcome here, Andrew! You are blessed (heh heh) to get out of the cult early. LifeCycle, good point about the sort of deity that tells you doubt is a sin AND then speaks that, and its other messages, in a jumble of texts such as the Bible. When I was a young Christian pentecostal, I went to a Jesus rally where one preacher got onto the topic of evolution. He said, "what if God just created the world with built-in age, to freak everyone out" (or something like that). Even then, I dimly realized that this rhetorical question proposed a thesis that was, 1. unfalsifiable, and 2. totally stupid, and 3. shows up God as very messed up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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