It's cute seeing scooby trying to use our individualism against us.  "They disagree about what atheism actually means!"  Well, not really.  The only thing atheism actually means is a lack of  belief in gods, nothing more.  Why we lack belief, how it impacts (or not) our lives, the extent of that unbelief (see: gnostic vs. agnostic atheism) are all different from person to person.  Moreover, while skepticism is often tied to atheism, it  isn't always, and neither is secular humanism.

Do we sometimes become disappointed if someone who was once atheist becomes religious?  Sure.  Because a lot of us see being religious as being delusional.  But you'll notice that we don't tend to threaten those people with bullying, or ostracism, or try to exploit their fears or doubts when they're vulnerable.  Most of us have important people in our lives that are religious, and unlike them, being an atheist isn't our driving force.  There's no hell or loss of another's soul to be concerned with on our side.  What we're usually concerned with is their happiness and wellbeing, because as many people here can tell you, not every church is happy or positive.

(February 12, 2016 at 2:27 am)scoobysnack Wrote:

(February 12, 2016 at 2:10 am)GeneralDog Wrote: Yea, OCD is likely something I'll put up with until I die. Its just how it works, you loose one obsession you gain three more. If I do learn to deal with the OCD thoughts it wouldn't be because god would want me to? I'm born sick but forced to be strong? Not how it works man. You've linked me to the same website about 4 times, please state more sources than just one.

I used to think the same thing about my depression since it was all I knew. One day you might just snap out of it. Only you can be in charge of your emotions. Not trying to downplay OCD since I haven't experienced it, but just don't let it determine who you are. You ARE who you determine you will BE! Like I said time is the cure, and don't give up, because you are young. I'm 34, and still feel like I'm a kid, but have many more experiences than when I was younger and they all form who you are.

I don't mean to keep posting the same sources, but there are hundreds of perspectives on that source from all walks of life, from the suicidal, religious, atheist, scientists, skeptical, believers, teachers etc.

I hope you check out the links I gave you though. All I want to do is help, since I've been where you are.

So far you have only demonstrated that you are an unreliable source of information to me. It was a smart move to try and get me at a weak point, if you would've came a few days earlier it would've been a better result honestly.
I see no need to check out the links. It all seems on the same level as flat earth to me. You can believe it and have fun with it, but I don't want a part of it.

Yeah... unfortunately theists descending on people when they see them as vulnerable is a recurring theme on the forum. It's despicable, and it doesn't work either. I've not seen a single person, even when vulnerable, remotely phased by these opportunistic attacks.

If someone said to me atheism has been making them extremely unhappy, and they just found religion and now they are starting to get things back together, I'd just want to support them and make sure they are OK. I wouldn't start by suggesting they go straight back to the thing that was causing pain.

Of course, not all our theists are like this. We actually have some really lovely ones. You'll find out who I mean soon enough

Yeah, we have a few awesome theists on here. They're good people who don't push their beliefs down anyone's throats, and are really just looking to hang out with people from different backgrounds and walks of life. I could gladly be real-life friends with them.

And then there are the others.

(February 8, 2016 at 6:55 pm)GeneralDog Wrote: He now says "I have zero doubt about god.". I now say "I am just as sure that god isn't any more real than fairies and santa."

"Zero doubt"???  Not even William Lane Craig will admit to having zero doubt (a "Category 1" on the Dawkins' scale.)  What category do you consider yourself?

(February 8, 2016 at 6:55 pm)GeneralDog Wrote: My parents are wondering if I am an atheist, I can tell. I am scared they will convert me.

If you think that your parents are trying to "deconvert" you, now is the time to start using the Tor Browser:

https://www.torproject.org/download/down...sy.html.en

Just "hide" it in some obscure directory on your hard drive.

Things were going great earlier today. Now I had a though "What if this is just a phase?". I had a small bit of anxiety and tried to tell myself "Just reason things out and you will be fine, no one else I know (Besides my brother but he did at a different time) converted to atheism and back. Just use logic." I just got some doubt and I'm having a hard time ignoring the doubt.

Doesn't your mother or close friends want you to think for yourself and be happy with your own decisions?

It's funny how religious people hate free individual thought.
It goes against their sheepish hive mind.

Religion is about the only socially acceptable way of being a preaching ass to anybody and getting away with it.

When you get confident, you'll tell them you'll start believing in Santa again because his followers don't constantly go around telling you how you should live your life.

(February 12, 2016 at 10:00 pm)GeneralDog Wrote: Things were going great earlier today. Now I had a though "What if this is just a phase?". I had a small bit of anxiety and tried to tell myself "Just reason things out and you will be fine, no one else I know (Besides my brother but he did at a different time) converted to atheism and back. Just use logic." I just got some doubt and I'm having a hard time ignoring the doubt.

What if it is just a phase where you're curious?  How does attempting to figure out what you do and don't believe harm you?  Hint: it doesn't.

Don't be afraid of the journey to self-discovery, wherever it may lead you.  And understand that the journey doesn't really end until you die.  No one knows everything, and everyone's belief systems get challenged as we go through life.  

I figured out I was an atheist about 15 years ago.  It took a fair amount of thinking, doubting, and going through the motions of what I thought society wanted me to be before getting to that point.  And, yeah, I've had doubts along the way, and facing them has made me stronger.

And here's the thing: there may very well be something in the future that convinces me that atheism is wrong.  I don't know what that something may be, but I allow for the possibility.  And if that does happen, so what?  All any of us can do is go with the best information available to us at the time and an honest assessment of it.  

So, don't fear being wrong.  Mistakes and errors are how we learn and grow.  And don't fear not being something, or being something other than what you thought you were.  You have a lifetime to figure it out, and the journey itself is meaningful.

tldr; try not to sweat the idea of being wrong.  There's no downside to considering all options and the wider world around you.

(February 12, 2016 at 1:16 am)GeneralDog Wrote: I have taken time to explore near death experiences. There is a chemical called DMT that gets released when we are near death and it can be taken as a recreation drug and people describe it similar to religious or spiritiual things.
Never heard of the guy, I will look further into it.

You are a natural skeptic. You look for natural explanations and don't stop at "WOW Miracle." Whether you remain Christian (doubtful given your other posts) or not, I suggest that you are suited to a career requiring a thorough education be it in the sciences, engineering, academics, or business. Skepticism will serve you well. Just don't let anyone suggest credulity or faith are better.