Want to be in the community.

[TheGamingAtheist]

Hi, I'm an atheist from a small town in Ohio. I'm 13 and am very new to the whole online forum idea. I have read posts on this site for some time and would also like to have my story told.

I grew up in a catholic household but my parents are fairly lenient when it comes to religion. We went to a Methodist church for a while when I was little but we eventually left. I guess it became too hard to fit in our schedule. I never really got religion. My parents read me the children's bible but all I got from it was a bunch of colorful stories that made no sense.

Eventually, I caught on but still didn't care. Then I started going to public school. I'm a fairly smart kid and so I got through class easily and suddenly had loads of time to study much more complex things (evolution, anthropology, etc.) I started to realize around the age of 10 it was all total crap (religion was) and I deconverted.

My parents have no idea though. They probably would be shocked and send me to bible camp or something. At school, most people don't know except for a small group of friends. I did manage to convince one to join the "dark side" and become an atheist. We have very spirited discussions of religion and the total garbage it implies.

I will say one thing. Despite ignorance having kept most things the same, religious holidays are awkward when I say grace. I try to say it fast and meaningless. Anyway, I'm glad to see I'm not alone and there are others out there who go through similar stuff. Thanks.

I wouldn't claim atheism to be the "dark side" , kiddo. It is most definitely the bright side of things. You're no longer having to deal with the thought of Jesus watching you take a poop!

Anyways, welcome to the forum. It is also nice to see that such a young person can communicate in a very mature manner. Very impressed! Most 13 year olds around here say the f word in every other sentence.