Hello Forum. I have always been bad at introductions but here it goes.
I am 15yrs old and am currently attending High School in Canada. I was born into a Christian home and from an early age was pretty much forced to believe in dGod, believing all of it as it was what my parents told me was right, and when you are young your parents are infallible. As I got older I began to feel there was something wrong, and at the age of 12 I realised I was an atheist. Upon this realisation I became calmer and happier and life made more sense. I had reached an understanding, albeit minor, with the world around me. Unfortunately I was unable to figure out a way to tell my all-Christian family. As a result I was unable to enjoy life due to having to pretend that I was still one of them. I believe this has played a role in the depression that has plagued me in recent years.
I am stuck in a Bible Belt, and the consequences are that I've only ever me one atheist, my Science teacher. I acknowledge the fact that there are likely more, but to be an atheist is taboo, and they will likely receive much of the true "Christian Love." I have come to this forum to meet with fellow atheists, and get a better understanding about the world around me. From my brief glance into this Forum I am sure I will enjoy this place. I am extremely shy online, and so please give me some time to warm up.
Thanks for reading. In closing I have a pressing question to ask. Should I come out of the closet and potentially lose lifelong friends, create a rift in the family, and lose all freedoms I have gained from trust, but in exchange feel free to live my life my way. Rather should I continue to suffer silently and wait until I graduate to let my family know?
I am 15yrs old and am currently attending High School in Canada. I was born into a Christian home and from an early age was pretty much forced to believe in dGod, believing all of it as it was what my parents told me was right, and when you are young your parents are infallible. As I got older I began to feel there was something wrong, and at the age of 12 I realised I was an atheist. Upon this realisation I became calmer and happier and life made more sense. I had reached an understanding, albeit minor, with the world around me. Unfortunately I was unable to figure out a way to tell my all-Christian family. As a result I was unable to enjoy life due to having to pretend that I was still one of them. I believe this has played a role in the depression that has plagued me in recent years.
I am stuck in a Bible Belt, and the consequences are that I've only ever me one atheist, my Science teacher. I acknowledge the fact that there are likely more, but to be an atheist is taboo, and they will likely receive much of the true "Christian Love." I have come to this forum to meet with fellow atheists, and get a better understanding about the world around me. From my brief glance into this Forum I am sure I will enjoy this place. I am extremely shy online, and so please give me some time to warm up.
Thanks for reading. In closing I have a pressing question to ask. Should I come out of the closet and potentially lose lifelong friends, create a rift in the family, and lose all freedoms I have gained from trust, but in exchange feel free to live my life my way. Rather should I continue to suffer silently and wait until I graduate to let my family know?
"Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will of lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones."
-Marcus Aurelius (Maybe)
-Marcus Aurelius (Maybe)
