Raised Catholic, it didn't stick

[brewer]

Welcome!

Love your user name. One of my fav movies. Take out your Swiss army knife and cut me here, just a little.............

[Minimalist]

Hello, Vid.

Nothing in the world better than being an ex-catholick.

[Jenny A]

Welcome.

[The Valkyrie]

Welcome from another ex-Catholic.

Got out when I was 13.

[drfuzzy]

Welcome Vid! Jump on in, we don't bite!  Well, we don't bite much. Unless you ask us to. Some of the preachers who drop in sometimes try to bite.  They usually miss.

[robvalue]

I've never seen the preachers here even hit the post. If anything, their desparate descent upon what they perceive to be vulnerable people hurts their cause.

[TrueChristian]

It's weird for me to think about this again, but when I was younger I was even an Altar Boy.  I tried to make myself accept all this stuff in a serious literal way.  One day though, I think the literal interpretation of all this stuff, kind of like every screw up being recorded in a ledger to be used against me, and of finally the ultimate threat of Hell.  I think internally I finally made a choice that I just couldn't live like that and afterward the grip of religion on me gradually loosened.  

The whole thing is a pain in the ass because the only person I've told is my brother.  He still thinks there must be a God, but he is more of a Deist I guess.  My dad oddly enough never went to Church, but my mom was and still is hardcore "Irish" Catholic so I've never told her I doubt religion and have even gone to some religious things like Christmas Mass out of politeness even though I honestly think it's all so boring.  

Curiously, I think this has also resulted in me moving away from Christian Conservatism.  That's partly why I signed up to a site like this to hear diverse and skeptical opinions.  I live in America and when I see serious candidates like Rick Santorum it freaks me out.  Or anytime in politics I hear the rhetoric that this is a Christian nation and if I don't like it I should leave.  Sometimes, I do consider going Expatriate if I could ever afford a move like that. 

As for beliefs now, I feel I'm kind of a Sam Harris type of Atheist.  I have a spiritual side and see value in things like Secular Meditation.

Your not worried about Hell? Eternity is an awfully long time to spend in agony..

Why risk it by abandoning the faith . I don't get some people.. some times

[mediocrates]

Your not worried about Hell? Eternity is an awfully long time to spend in agony..

Why risk it by abandoning the faith . I don't get some people.. some times

oh, and welcome Videodrome!

[TrueChristian]

Im just saying Chrsitians have ana mount of certainty that atheists don't have.

What if it turns out atheists are wrong and they end up cooking forever?

Atheists might want Hell to stop. They might wish it would stop. But I have news for you. IT WILL NEVER STOP!

This poor, young impressionable poster had better get back in God's graces before it's too late!!

[mediocrates]

This poor, young impressionable poster had better get back in God's graces before it's too late!!

You sound like you're preaching to a child! or worse, about a child!

Be as condescending as possible.  That'll teach them.