RE: At what age did you become an atheist?
April 12, 2014 at 12:49 pm
(This post was last modified: April 12, 2014 at 12:51 pm by Whateverist.)
I don't mind saying that I knew I was an atheist about 10. For a couple of years before that I started thinking about it. But some time in 5th grade I became very clear and final about it.
I was raised by a Methodist father who, fortunately, wasn't home much since he was in the navy. My mother wasn't as steadfast about it. But I went to church until sometime before I started school. Never read the bible. Made up most of what I believed loosely weaving in the character of Jesus/god (just one deity there as I saw it). I imagined God as an ancient being who was morally best. I never wondered about his role in creating the physical world. Didn't care. It was about how to be and it provided that long view that didn't terminate at death. What I got from it was a desire to worthy as an eternal friend to this God, who I imagined would be lonely surrounded by all we inferior, younger beings. So I endeavored to think about what was important and to act in the way that was most respectful of others. I wanted to be a moral colleague of God, to stand on my own feet and own the consequences of my actions for my own reasons. So it was never about following rules for me. To my mind, that would cast me forever into a subservient position.
I don't regret having believed what I did. It certainly had an influence on who I've become. I've just let go of anticipating an after-life, eternal significant other. Now I look for admirable others amongst my own kind and have not always been disappointed.
I was raised by a Methodist father who, fortunately, wasn't home much since he was in the navy. My mother wasn't as steadfast about it. But I went to church until sometime before I started school. Never read the bible. Made up most of what I believed loosely weaving in the character of Jesus/god (just one deity there as I saw it). I imagined God as an ancient being who was morally best. I never wondered about his role in creating the physical world. Didn't care. It was about how to be and it provided that long view that didn't terminate at death. What I got from it was a desire to worthy as an eternal friend to this God, who I imagined would be lonely surrounded by all we inferior, younger beings. So I endeavored to think about what was important and to act in the way that was most respectful of others. I wanted to be a moral colleague of God, to stand on my own feet and own the consequences of my actions for my own reasons. So it was never about following rules for me. To my mind, that would cast me forever into a subservient position.
I don't regret having believed what I did. It certainly had an influence on who I've become. I've just let go of anticipating an after-life, eternal significant other. Now I look for admirable others amongst my own kind and have not always been disappointed.
