Coming out of the closest as an atheist

[passionatefool]

Lets talk about our experience and how we become an atheist, and how people react to it.

For me, most of the reaction was disappointment. I was extremely religious but I was a Buddhist. But I was a Pure Land buddhist which is very similar to Christianity, you recite and have faith in this one specific buddha and after you die, he will come and take you to a Pure Land/Buddha Land where there is no suffering, only bliss. One difference is that you are not suppose to remain in this Buddha Land, you are suppose to become a Buddha and have your own Buddha land.....Anyway I was a youth group leader and even teach Buddhism to younger kids. I was very active and do alot for the monastery I attended.

Initially I wanted to ordain and enter the monastic life. So when I left Buddhism, most of the elders and the Bhiksus were really disappointed and "surprised", but their general attitude toward it was "Well, the Buddha's words are true but you go search for what works for you". The reaction from my Dharma brothers are something of a mix between sadness, disappointment, and anger.

I actually explored different traditions of Buddhism and religions for a while after that, I remained a Chan/Zen buddhist for a while, then I became "spiritual" but then I ultimately abandon buddhism and religion completely in general.

What's funny is that the reaction I got from my friends (all Christians) when I tell them I'm an atheist is more hostile and aggressive. Though not happy, they prefer that I'm a Buddhist, but when I'm an atheist, it is the end of the world. Most of them are very eager to debate me and somewhat find me offensive, atleast to them.

Sometimes it is harder to come out of the closest as an atheist than a gay lol.

[Minimalist]

Hello, P/F


Once you dismiss one god they pretty much all fall by the wayside.

Welcome.

[passionatefool]

Hello, P/F


Once you dismiss one god they pretty much all fall by the wayside.

Welcome.

Lol thanks

and yep, that is pretty much how it is. Sometimes I wonder why religions fight among themselves, they are all pretty similar.

[Minimalist]

Sometimes I wonder why religions fight among themselves

Market share.

[Diamond]

Though not happy, they prefer that I'm a Buddhist, but when I'm an atheist, it is the end of the world.

Wait...what?
I guess it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you believe in something.

My story:
I was never that religious. The only reason why I was a Christian before is because it was the only thing that I knew. I actually began to question my beliefs when I found out about other beliefs. But I stuck with Christianity for a few more years because, well, I didn't want to be wrong if I decided to go with something else/Pascal's Wager.

The first person I came out to was my best friend, who was not at all surprised. "You've been questioning religion a lot", she said. Then I told a few more friends, who also didn't mind but had tons of questions for me. Next thing I knew, I just came right out with it anytime any of my classmates asked, regardless of whether or not they'd like me afterwards. I didn't care.
Then I told my mother, who was not as open about it, especially my reasons for becoming an atheist. We got into a big fight in which she kept trying to convince me I'm "just an agnostic", her reason being that she would accept me if I were agnostic. But then she decided we would just "agree to disagree". We haven't talked about it since then.

[passionatefool]

Then I told my mother, who was not as open about it, especially my reasons for becoming an atheist. We got into a big fight in which she kept trying to convince me I'm "just an agnostic", her reason being that she would accept me if I were agnostic. But then she decided we would just "agree to disagree". We haven't talked about it since then.

Lmao that is kind of funny...but sad. So agnostic is curable by Christian, atheist is hopeless lol....

but I hope it didn't messed up your relationship with your mom. I bet it's hard because it is such a daily thing that involves family like going to church.

[Erinome]

All my friends freaked. They were all fundamental/evangelical christians. When having a debate about religion, I asked my friend why she believed that the earth is less than 10k years old, and she said because that's what the bible says, yada yada. I got angry and said that it was stupid to believe that, considering the overwhelming evidence, and began to tell her all about it. She said my intelligence is a curse.

My intelligence is a curse!??!!??"

No, bitch, I don't think so... but your stupidity is making me want to spike your drink with birth control so you don't breed more stupid people.

[Faith No More]

When I hit the age of reason at twelve, I realized it was all made up. The only people I had to 'come out' to were my parents, because I wanted them to stop forcing me to go to church. They obliged and we never talked about it again.

[frankiej]

I have been an atheist all my life... No biggie.

People don't seem annoyed at my atheist, but my constant rambling about science that they don't understand
I always sit there every couple of minutes and ask "did you know......?". I never run out of interesting facts.

[Godless]

When I was a kid I believed in God and Father Xmas.
I gave up beliving in God first because Father Xmas seemed to me to be
more believable. It's easier to get down one chimney at a time than be
able to go down ALL chimneys at the same time.