The Bible made me an Atheist.

[Dotard]

Well, it wasn't as simplistic as that. But that's basicly what happened.

I was raised a good christian boy. Went to church, prayed and all that. Then I joined the Army.

I was always a loner growing up. I could count all those I called my Friend on 1/2 a hand. After basic training, advanced training and all that I got my permanent station. I found myself quite bored during my off duty hours and during one of my many calls to home my father suggested bible reading to fill the lonely hours.

So I did. I began reading it from Genesis 1:1 and dredged my way thru it. It was pure hell getting thru all the this one begat that one. But I persevered.

I prayed before each reading session for God to enlighten me and help me to understand. But the stories kept getting more and more ludicrous. Talking snakes and donkeys, men magicly parting seas, God showing folks his 'hind-parts'.....

The things this God did were down right criminal. Downright insane.

Thus began my skepticism. Took many a year after that of questioning and reasoning to come to conclusions about the nature of God. The first conclusion was there is no God(s). No Ghosts, no goblins, no warlocks, no witches, no talking unicorns and no invisible dragons.

During my 'quest' I found many good books on the whole question. The Skeptics guide to the Bible and Why I am not a Christian being two and my favorites. In these books and others I read and saw that there were many many before me that had the same thoughts, questions and conclusions about the whole matter and they were saying and questioning all this WAY before I was born. Suddenly I was no longer alone.

I met others who thought as I was thinking. I realized the world was full of like minded people as myself. Suddenly I was no longer alone.

20 some odd years later I find myself on the internets and out in the world explaining to folks why I don't believe what I don't believe and trying to help them see what I have seen.