Figured I'd share my story if anyone was interested.
My father came from a really really strict french catholic family (one of my middle names is Joseph for example). However he did not practice his religion much as an adult so as a kid I never attended church. As someone who was interested in science and knowledge as a teenager I quickly came to the realization how bogus religious institutions were as young as age 12-14. With a select few friends I made fun of religions growing up, finally talking to my non-religious mom in late teens sometime. I refused to attend the best school (for me as in ice hockey-wise) in Edmonton (where I was living at the time) since it was a Christian School and I knew I'd never be able to pass the religion class since I'd be snickering and arguing the teacher the entire time. That was status quo for quite some time.
As I grew older and my knowledge base grew my atheism only grew. I've dealt with lots of personal issues in my life but that's one thing that's never faltered. Just in the few months have I really come into my own realizing I need to "own up" to atheism though. So since then I've been getting involved with atheist communinties and "came out" to my friends. This has now labeled me as the "atheist guy".
So last winter at 24 I finally talked to my dad about it. His response was the most patronizing thing every person indoctrinated believes. He says he was "as strong" in atheist beliefs as me at my age but now he's seen the light of god. He doesn't/can't believe that a non-belief is a real thing, it's just a phase. So while he doesn't believe in the word for word part of the bible, I mean it's just so clear that the world had a higher power anyone who doesn't believe is just acting out. Unfortunately at the time I was ill equipped to deal with his arguments. I know now more articulate arguments for what I instinctively knew to be true but at the time it was frustrating explaining to him the burden of proof. I quickly realized my mom only wanted to keep peace. My dad kept wanting me to explain how I KNEW god didn't exist, when that's not at all what I was trying to say. Listening to Matt Dillahunty, Richard Dawkins and others has really helped me to understand how to convey my points.
Still I remain on an island as the "atheist guy" with friends. Even friends who make fun of Christianity and the idea of god(s) with me in private in public view me on this island. It's frustrating that otherwise logical and sensible human beings feel the need to cling to this fantasy, at least in public, in order to be accepted or feel their lives "have purpose".
I'm hoping for the day when "coming out" as an atheist is the social norm not as a ridiculed minority. As people get smarter I know the day will come, but it's still frustrating for me today.
Anyways thanks to anyone who read that entire rant. Hope to chat with you all soon.
My father came from a really really strict french catholic family (one of my middle names is Joseph for example). However he did not practice his religion much as an adult so as a kid I never attended church. As someone who was interested in science and knowledge as a teenager I quickly came to the realization how bogus religious institutions were as young as age 12-14. With a select few friends I made fun of religions growing up, finally talking to my non-religious mom in late teens sometime. I refused to attend the best school (for me as in ice hockey-wise) in Edmonton (where I was living at the time) since it was a Christian School and I knew I'd never be able to pass the religion class since I'd be snickering and arguing the teacher the entire time. That was status quo for quite some time.
As I grew older and my knowledge base grew my atheism only grew. I've dealt with lots of personal issues in my life but that's one thing that's never faltered. Just in the few months have I really come into my own realizing I need to "own up" to atheism though. So since then I've been getting involved with atheist communinties and "came out" to my friends. This has now labeled me as the "atheist guy".
So last winter at 24 I finally talked to my dad about it. His response was the most patronizing thing every person indoctrinated believes. He says he was "as strong" in atheist beliefs as me at my age but now he's seen the light of god. He doesn't/can't believe that a non-belief is a real thing, it's just a phase. So while he doesn't believe in the word for word part of the bible, I mean it's just so clear that the world had a higher power anyone who doesn't believe is just acting out. Unfortunately at the time I was ill equipped to deal with his arguments. I know now more articulate arguments for what I instinctively knew to be true but at the time it was frustrating explaining to him the burden of proof. I quickly realized my mom only wanted to keep peace. My dad kept wanting me to explain how I KNEW god didn't exist, when that's not at all what I was trying to say. Listening to Matt Dillahunty, Richard Dawkins and others has really helped me to understand how to convey my points.
Still I remain on an island as the "atheist guy" with friends. Even friends who make fun of Christianity and the idea of god(s) with me in private in public view me on this island. It's frustrating that otherwise logical and sensible human beings feel the need to cling to this fantasy, at least in public, in order to be accepted or feel their lives "have purpose".
I'm hoping for the day when "coming out" as an atheist is the social norm not as a ridiculed minority. As people get smarter I know the day will come, but it's still frustrating for me today.
Anyways thanks to anyone who read that entire rant. Hope to chat with you all soon.
