How has atheism changed you?

[ElDinero]

I was never religious and always found the idea of God to be hilarious, however it's only maybe two or three years ago that I started actually thinking about and rationalising my atheism. I think the skills that I learnt and had to put to use while figuring out exactly why I found the idea of God to be laughable, I have now been able to apply to other areas of my life. To that end, my atheism has informed many things about me, including making me think more about my moral compass, my application of reason, the way I deal with other people and so on.

Generally, I feel like I think about things on an altogether different level than I used to and feel it's given me greater insight and made my life both simpler and better.

[sindyann26]

It has freed me to think, rationalize, and act without boundaries and fear. The "Why's" and "Hows" of life immediately made more sense once I threw God out of the equation.

[Tea Earl Grey Hot]

Since becoming an atheist, I no longer look like an idiot trying to send my thoughts to an invisible being at the end of the universe just to thank for dinner.

[Manowar]

Since I became an Atheist I no longer worry that I might be offending God if i have an bad thought about someone, or if I get angry or curse, etc. I am much happier and a rational thinker. Atheists Rule!!!!

Manowar

[Mister Agenda]

Rational skepticism really changed me. Atheism is just one of the ways in which it did.

[goddamnit]

PROS: My de-conversion has been a relief because I was taught about Hell fires. I feel like my life belongs to me rather than a supernatural deity. At the time of my de-conversion, the interest in anti-theism motivated me to try harder in relevant classes like philosophy, biology, and medieval history. Watching and reading content from Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and eminent public skeptics led me to internalize aspects of their speech and speak better. (Good speech is very good for job interviews!) Participating in online forums (and YouTube comments) like this turned me into a better writer.

CONS: There is probably a small spark of hope in some areas that died. Thinking there is a chance of Heaven can be nice. I am a bit of an outcast in my family when it comes to religion.