Ex theists: what did you believe?

[robvalue]

That must have been really rough, I'm sorry to hear that. You've been very brave.

It's this general trend of people being happier that provides some of my motivation for encouraging theists to think about their beliefs. It's frustrating when a grown adult is clinging to stories they must know can't be true; but I know it's the indoctrination setting up walls of defences in the mind so I don't think badly of them. They are victims, and are still slaves to their invisible abusers. I can wave the key to their shackles in their face all day long, but I'm battling cognitive dissidence and the desire to cling on to what has always been "true". That's why I try not to be pushy, and just encourage them to think about their beliefs. If they do that, I'm happy.

I remember Matt Dillahunty saying he is grateful to the atheists who took the time to talk to him and ask him questions. Do any of you have any similar experiences, and do you feel grateful to anyone for having got the ball rolling?