(March 18, 2015 at 7:17 pm)Judi Lynn Wrote: Totally new here but not new to having my view changed. I live with my fiancee, who is wiccan. We have four children between us. We have three cats who love to spaz out at midnight and particularly 3am. We live in a small rural town where the bars outnumber the churches. I am of Italian heritage. I love to cook, garden, roller skate, fly in planes and spend time with my children.
A part of why I am where I am in my journey is because I had a mother who could never decide what religion she wanted to follow. At one point in time I was told I was catholic. As a child I've also been told I was Methodist, Lutheran, Non-denominational and Pentecostal. I was left confused and bewildered as a kid.
I'm still learning. What I do know is that part of my converting to atheism stems from anger. A lot of it. Part of it comes from being put through a sense of confusion during childhood. But, as I have learned more and more about atheism, I am realizing that while my continuing to be an atheist will remain, my reasons for being one are changing. I am no longer angry at god. I simply believe that for me, there is none.
As I said, this is a learning process for me. I welcome input and education from those around me. I want to learn, to, as I've told my children, be a sponge so I can soak up the knowledge.
With that said - here I am!
You don't "convert". "Atheist" is a position, not a club, you don't become an atheist to fit in. Yes there are atheist orgs, and clubs sure, but you don't join any of them just to fill a sense of belonging. Not that you cant or shouldn't ever flock to other atheists, just that that should not be your main goal.
It is a learning process and that is why you don't "convert". You come to that as a position because the evidence for a god simply is not there.
"Atheist" simply means "off" on god claims. It is not a moral code, political party or economic view. Outside "off" being the core position of all atheists on god claims, we can be just as diverse in education, class, political views. I know atheists who like Ayn Rand as much as Paul Ryan who is a Catholic. I also know others who like Che(revolutoinary) whose ideas lead to Cuba. I am no fan of that either.
Thinking and learning are far more important than fitting in.
I was an atheist a few years before 01 before I got on line. But prior to that I really had no deep arguments for not believing. Since 01 I have read authors like Dawkins and Stenger and Hitchens an Harris, and quite a few others. As well as brain picking other atheists almost every day in those 14 years since 01.
Just be yourself, don't try to fit in, like who you like and if you don't like other atheists that is ok too. If you end up not liking me, that is fine too. You are an individual first and foremost.
