Oh yes, I did believe. Definetely in a God, and somewhat in Jesus, but not the way my church taught me to believe. I was quite active too, I was a "Big Sister" (I don't know what it's called in other countries, but it is a person who helps the priests during Confirmation and Children's camps etc.) for a few years. I was a regular at our parish' café/club for teenagers that we had every Friday evening. I prayed too, and oddly enough I always got what I prayed for. Well, I still get what I want/need, so I just guess I'm lucky and had nothing to do with my prayer. The first thing that gave me doubts was the story about Eve and the tree of knowledge. I was quite young when I started to ask why God considered a sin to know about things. After that I started to question more and more things, and eventually it lead me to understand that I actually am an atheist.
When I was young, there was a god with infinite power protecting me. Is there anyone else who felt that way? And was sure about it? but the first time I fell in love, I was thrown down - or maybe I broke free - and I bade farewell to God and became human. Now I don't have God's protection, and I walk on the ground without wings, but I don't regret this hardship. I want to live as a person. -Arina Tanemura
