Hi Everyone

[InfidelRudy]

Hi, this is Rudy, 28, male, software engineer from India, currently in New York, USA.

I come from a Hindu society. It is quite surprising that I am an atheist today considering the strong religious background I carry. My grandmother, a sort of family matriarch, is a devout hindu who use to perform all sort of "puja"s (worship ceremony) to various hindu gods and goddesses throughout the year. I grew up watching numerous hindu rituals being performed everyday, with occasional large auspicious ceremonies at least 2-3 days every month. Though I used to enjoy the family gatherings and the feasts, i never believed in any of the religious crap associated with them, thanks to my rationalist father who, without being didactic on my spiritual views, imparted logic and reasoning in my mind in such a way that I ended up being a skeptic very early in my life. I never prayed as long as I remember, (though I feigned a lot to keep people happy) and as I grew up, I studied more and more about different religion and spirituality, which only confirmed my skeptic views.

I want to be a part of this forum to discuss and analyze the various topics related to religion and atheism with my fellow atheists.

[Retorth]

Hey Rudy!

I hail from the sunny island of Singapore, and I have a handful of hindu friends. I have to say, it's refreshing to see someone of your transformation, faith-wise. It's a pleasure having you with us. Looking forward to your inputs!

[Tiberius]

Welcome to the forums Rudy! I think you are possibly our first "Hindu" atheist unless I'm very mistaken. We usually only get people from Christian backgrounds here

[theVOID]

Welcome Always been a little uneducated about the Hindu faith, hopefully that can change.

[fr0d0]

Yes welcome indeed Rudi! Can't wait to hear what you've got to say!

[Kyuuketsuki]

Welcome Rudy,

Kyu

[leo-rcc]

Welcome Rudy. I've read some of the very elaborate stories in Hinduism, and honestly they make a much better read than the bible ever could from a entertainment standpoint. I sometimes wonder what those people that made that stuff up had been smoking.

[Violet]

Welcome Rudy. I admit that a strong surge of intrigue and curiosity swelled within me as i read you used to be a hindu, and are now an atheist. Welcome again

[Ryft]

Greetings, earthling. Welcome to the forums.

[InfidelRudy]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. It is Interesting to know that I might be the only "Hindu" atheist in the forum. But I assure you, there are many like me in my society who have rejected faith altogether, some of whom I know personally.

But I have to admit that being an atheist is no big deal in the contemporary Hindu society. People really dont care in most of the cases. I had no problem in my family when I let them know my disbeliefs. (There is an interesting thing about the position of disbelievers in Hinduism. Search for "Atheism in Hinduism" in wiki and let me know what you think. I am not authorized to post link, sorry about that.)

Personally, I consider myself as a cultural Hindu, who is well aware of the history,tradition and culture of the Hindu society, but does not believe in the spiritual and faith-related part of it. That is to say, I love being part of the religious ceremonies out of respect to the tradition and culture, but not as a believer. There are certain things in every religion which I respect , like I do appreciate the philosophies at times (Hindu, Buddist and Sufi-Islamic philosophies are very interesting at times), but only as an outside observer. I think, in 21st century, religion's place should be confined as a branch in the historical, cultural and anthropological study of human society. Like Ptolemi's universe. Important, but not applicable.