Hello

[JimmyM35]

Hello All! My name is Jimmy, I'm 35 and from Oklahoma. I was raised Pentecostel. I never really bought in to the church or even asked to become a member or be saved. I was still a huge faker until my early 20's, I would go with my girlfriend whose now my wife. At this point in life I'd start to question family and friends beliefs. I would point out errors in the bible or problems with creationism. In Oklahoma this is never warmly received. It's even ignored by my own family and explained off as I'll come around. I can't even express or debate at work my own beliefs. I hear how atheist are talked about and only recieve bible verses or snarls if I make a sarcastic Jesus comment here or there. I'm successful and have worked for an energy company the last 7 years. We (Atheist) are definetley discriminated and looked down upon in the Bible Belt. I know it wouldn't help my career to bring it up with friends at work, so I don't. Still a huge faker or at least that's the way it seems. I have 3 daughters the oldest and youngest attend church with their mother. My middle one is the question asker, She is also an Atheist. I've never did anything but answer her questions and ask her to use her brain to research what she's being told. Just want her to ask questions and think for herself, would want the same if she was buying a house,car or into religion. This is deeply unpopular with mine and my spouses family. Guess I created an account to know that I'm not alone and that others feel the way I do. I'm a proud family man, veteran and Atheist. Unfortunately I just can't say all 3 out loud sometimes. I enjoy fishing, boating and OU Sooner football. I'm looking forward to hearing others experiences. Different beliefs have put a great deal of stress on my marriage. I fear that once the kids are out of the house the wedge, her fears of not being together in the afterlife will be too great. I feel it's a losing battle, just feel more and more like I have to be me and able to express my own beliefs. Thanks in advance for reading.

[Diablo]

Welcome to the forum, Jimmy. You'll find plenty like-minded people to talk to here.

That's a tough position to be in, I must say. Living in largely-secular Europe as I do makes life much easier. Hang in there.

[pocaracas]

Welcome!
Many bible-belters around, so you'll fit right in.
me? I'm from across the pond in Portugal, where, despite it being touted as a traditionally catholic country, people are so relaxed about religion that most the sub-40 (or even sub-50) are, at least, non-practicing believers. We couldn't care less what people believe about after they die.
It's while they live that counts... tell that to your wife.
Make your lives count, not your wishes about what comes after... for all we know, nothing comes after.

[KichigaiNeko]

[SteelCurtain]

Jimmy!

Sorry about your state. It seems to be on of the worst for idiotic backwards bigotry. I would listen to Seth Andrews of The Thinking Atheist podcast. His story is very much like yours. Lives in OK, raised pentecostal, and left the church some time ago and is a vocal atheist, to his family's chagrin.

http://www.thethinkingatheist.com/blog/8...ouragement

[rexbeccarox]

Welcome, Jimmy

[JimmyM35]

Thanks for the welcome everybody! Steel Curtain, I'll for sure check out Seth's podcast. Thanks for the info!

[ShaMan]

Front row! Pack yer shit son

[CindysRain]

Hello All! My name is Jimmy, I'm 35 and from Oklahoma. I was raised Pentecostel. I never really bought in to the church or even asked to become a member or be saved. I was still a huge faker until my early 20's, I would go with my girlfriend whose now my wife. At this point in life I'd start to question family and friends beliefs. I would point out errors in the bible or problems with creationism. In Oklahoma this is never warmly received. It's even ignored by my own family and explained off as I'll come around. I can't even express or debate at work my own beliefs. I hear how atheist are talked about and only recieve bible verses or snarls if I make a sarcastic Jesus comment here or there. I'm successful and have worked for an energy company the last 7 years. We (Atheist) are definetley discriminated and looked down upon in the Bible Belt. I know it wouldn't help my career to bring it up with friends at work, so I don't. Still a huge faker or at least that's the way it seems. I have 3 daughters the oldest and youngest attend church with their mother. My middle one is the question asker, She is also an Atheist. I've never did anything but answer her questions and ask her to use her brain to research what she's being told. Just want her to ask questions and think for herself, would want the same if she was buying a house,car or into religion. This is deeply unpopular with mine and my spouses family. Guess I created an account to know that I'm not alone and that others feel the way I do. I'm a proud family man, veteran and Atheist. Unfortunately I just can't say all 3 out loud sometimes. I enjoy fishing, boating and OU Sooner football. I'm looking forward to hearing others experiences. Different beliefs have put a great deal of stress on my marriage. I fear that once the kids are out of the house the wedge, her fears of not being together in the afterlife will be too great. I feel it's a losing battle, just feel more and more like I have to be me and able to express my own beliefs. Thanks in advance for reading.

I have quite a few christian family that don't know I'm atheist yet, so I understand.

Here you can openly talk about your atheism. Enjoy.

Welcome

[ignoramus]

Hi Jimmy. You seem to know how to compromise to keep the majority happy.
You're a good man. Just keep playing the game.
Why fight over nothing? That's really all it is at the end of the day? Nothing!

Take care...

You'll fit right in here.