Dear ex-theists

[fr0d0]

I became a Christian at about 25. I deconverted some 5 to 7 years later initially because I felt I wasn't given time to think for myself in the church I was attending. Some African pastor was saying he didn't waste time on people that didn't attend church at least 3 times a week. I could have been stronger but I just had to break out of it.

[DarkHorse]

"Born again" Christian (because, as you know, there's no other way to be).

Grew up in a Christian home, with a pastor as a dad, and step mother pretending to be religious in order to keep him happy (overheard her a few times talking to her family). I had read the bible through a few times by the age of 14, but certain things just never sat right with me. I couldn't really put my finger on it at the time, but as the years continued to go on, I started really noticing the contradictions (whereas before I think I had buried the doubts). Also listening to christian TV channels, and different pastors preaching. Spent most of my time in church. I finished high school, then went on to study theology and ministry. All the questions I had, and the doubts were either silenced by people telling me it's wrong to question god, and I must just have faith...or them twisting the words of the bible so much that it didn't make sense how the hell they got to that meaning.

I got so sick of it that I started reading up about different religions and scientific writings, feeling guilty all the while. It all happened gradually, and now, a few years later, I find myself believing in a god less and less. The god of christianity at least, is long out of my system.

[Alex K]

I had become such an idiot with the idea that everyone of my family members were destined for eternal punishment. lol

Lol, but in some families, that's a very tempting thought, isn't it

---

and step mother pretending to be religious in order to keep him happy (overheard her a few times talking to her family).

Now that sounds like it'd make an interesting story! Was she like a real atheist or did she simply not agree with the born again level of christianity?

[Chad32]

I used to be the best little church girl, especially as my life begun to get tougher. I was taught from very young that God is all I need in life and hell is too hot to be an un-believer
Then the internet shone its beautiful lights on me and BAM I was free to explore the world beyond church.
I began to watch debates and video's on youtube. I questioned why a religion claiming to be so loving does not accept same sex love.
Then became a Wiccan, broke off from that too. I kept on questioning my beliefs until the belief seemed absurd.

So here I am. Ta da.

The internet played a big factor in my deconversion too. Before then, I had my doubts but didn't really have anyone to talk to or any sources outside my bubble. This is the kind of thing people really fear when they want you to stay away from information that conflicts with the bible. It just opens the floodgates, and there's no turning back for most people.

[DarkHorse]

I had become such an idiot with the idea that everyone of my family members were destined for eternal punishment. lol

Lol, but in some families, that's a very tempting thought, isn't it

---

and step mother pretending to be religious in order to keep him happy (overheard her a few times talking to her family).

Now that sounds like it'd make an interesting story! Was she like a real atheist or did she simply not agree with the born again level of christianity?

I have no idea what she was. All I know was that when my dad went on about some aspect of his beliefs, I'd sometimes also catch her rolling her eyes. I never really asked her, and now she's long gone, so can't ask now. Damn, now I wish I had spoken to her about it. Oh well, no big deal.

[Bad Writer]

I don't know if I've asked you yet what the "incident" was, but I can think of a few scenarios when we are talking about the Catholic Church, and most of those are unsavory.

No, no...this was a long time ago back when they still had their perversion well concealed.

Like I said, I was 11 and sitting at this lousy little fucking desk feeling my ass slowly go numb when I noticed the girl sitting next to me crying. I figured she was bored to tears like I was but finally Sister Mary Numb Nutz in the front of the room noticed her and asked what was wrong. The kid stammered out that her dog had died the night before. The nun made some "I'm so sorry" sounds and started to go back to her rehearsed speech about jesus or something when the kid asked if she would see her dog in heaven? The nun said "no...heaven is only for people." The kid burst out into loud sobs and I recalled thinking " that was a pretty lousy way of handling that...couldn't you just say "yes" to make her feel better." When fucking jesus didn't climb down off his crucifix and kick me in the ass it occurred to me that these people were more concerned with themselves than anyone else. From that point on I regarded them differently.

It didn't matter much. Within 2 years I stopped going to church and when I was 21 and studying Roman History in college I realized that their whole fucking story was fundamentally flawed.

But it all goes back to that one insensitive nun.

Fuck her.

Ha! I loved the "Sister Mary Numb Nutz" bit. Fuck her indeed (Lord knows she needs a good fuck). The breadth of knowledge that you bring to the table concerning the historicity of those times always amazes me. Your experience makes certain that the excerpts you use stay close at hand and readily available.

Speaking of which, I'm about to read The Bible Unearthed, thanks to you mentioning it to Clueless Morgan, who in turn mentioned it to me. I'm really looking forward to it.

[LittleAFish]

I used to be the best little church girl, especially as my life begun to get tougher. I was taught from very young that God is all I need in life and hell is too hot to be an un-believer
Then the internet shone its beautiful lights on me and BAM I was free to explore the world beyond church.
I began to watch debates and video's on youtube. I questioned why a religion claiming to be so loving does not accept same sex love.
Then became a Wiccan, broke off from that too. I kept on questioning my beliefs until the belief seemed absurd.

So here I am. Ta da.

The internet played a big factor in my deconversion too. Before then, I had my doubts but didn't really have anyone to talk to or any sources outside my bubble. This is the kind of thing people really fear when they want you to stay away from information that conflicts with the bible. It just opens the floodgates, and there's no turning back for most people.

The internet is wonderful. I've learnt more valuable things from what I've read online than from anyone else in reality.

[Minimalist]

Speaking of which, I'm about to read The Bible Unearthed, thanks to you mentioning it to Clueless Morgan, who in turn mentioned it to me. I'm really looking forward to it.

It's pretty well done. I do think Finkelstein goes off the rails at the end of the discussion, at least in the sense of violating his own methodology but I'll let you read it first and see if you spot it.

[Chad32]

The internet played a big factor in my deconversion too. Before then, I had my doubts but didn't really have anyone to talk to or any sources outside my bubble. This is the kind of thing people really fear when they want you to stay away from information that conflicts with the bible. It just opens the floodgates, and there's no turning back for most people.

The internet is wonderful. I've learnt more valuable things from what I've read online than from anyone else in reality.

The internet, and the porn information it provides has got to be one of the best things of our time. I was an adult before we got it in our house, and I started using it, and it is way better than what I thought it would be at first.

[LittleAFish]

The internet is wonderful. I've learnt more valuable things from what I've read online than from anyone else in reality.

The internet, and the porn information it provides has got to be one of the best things of our time. I was an adult before we got it in our house, and I started using it, and it is way better than what I thought it would be at first.

Porn is not very bad at all.
When did you become an atheist? Before or after gaining internet access? Or did your discoveries online consolidate your knowledge? Sorry if I'm asuming all this.