Accepting Atheism

[Amalynne0]

Through a series of choices and events, I am estranged from much of my family--the majority of whom would have severely judged and shamed me for my atheism. My family, the ones I still see, have been shocked... not as much disappointed, but unsettled. I was as hardcore Christian as one could get and its disturbed quite a few people to see that my faith could be decimated... I'm sure this is mostly because my disbelief has caused them to question their own faith. This, to me, has been the most beneficial result of my publicly declared atheism.

Many friends though, much from a Christian and highly conservative community, have gone so far as to shame me via social media and make very aggressive attempts to restore my faith--I don't need anymore vehement voicemails or cookie baskets with little nettling notes about faith left at my doorstep. I have had doubts for years, and thought myself an atheist quietly for nearly 2 years now while breaking away from church life.

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Oh those are special cookies, Losty. You really outdid yourself this time. Welcome aboard socal gal. I live in Northern California (Berkeley) but rebeccarox lives down your way along with our soccer expert (with the hard to remember username) and I'm not sure who else. Somewhere there used to be a map with pins showing where everyone lives, or at least those who aren't in witness protection programs.

I know what you mean about Southern feeling like another bible belt. I briefly lived with my parents in Westminster, California a long time ago. My father was a holy roller who went to church every Sunday. Fortunately he had been in the navy and my mother didn't bring us to church while he was frequently away to sea, from before I started school to after I graduated high school. By then I was an atheist, working, living on my own in the bay area. When my parents and my three youngest siblings moved down to Westminster they started up going to church again. I feel very fortunate to be born in the sweet spot to miss out.

You'd like it better up here culturally, no John Burch society and no super churches as far as I know.

Yes, I'm actually looking to move up to the bay area. I did my undergrad up-state and the community and culture was so much more vibrant and free-thinking. I have been wondering where I can go where atheism isn't shunned so. In Southern California people really look down on you--at least in Orange County, if you don't drink the Kool-Aid.