My first post

[Brakeman]

Welcome from the Brakeman..

[robvalue]

Hey Michael welcome

Thanks for sharing your story. You are very brave and an accomplished critical thinker to have been able to see through religion at such a young age, especially after having been indoctrinated so hard.

I'm sorry you've had to deal with the fallout, the yank back into reality. It's not your fault, religion was thrust on you without your consent. I can understand how the idea of an eternal life you felt certain of fading can be scary. But as I'm sure you're now aware, it has never been anything more than wishful thinking, and believing in something doesn't make it true. In all likelihood, if there is any sort of life after death, atheists will get just the same as everyone else. Fantasising about it your whole life, like many people do, is just a waste of probably the only life we have and to a large extent devalues this life.

Watching YouTube vids is a great idea, there are loads of atheist channels I love! If you're interested, this is the links page on my website where I list them:

http://robvalue.wix.com/atheism#!links/cd1k

I hope you stick around, I look forward to hearing more from you

Just a warning, we have a few opportunistic christians who hang around this forum, and they'll probably start trying to make you feel guilty. They do it to everyone. 

[AFTT47]

Welcome!

It sounds you had a bit of challenges in your upbringing but you sound like you're doing fine. Stick with us and you'll gain knowledge and confidence.

[robvalue]

Hey, we need a sign up here for all newcomers. "Don't feed the vultures."

[Minimalist]

Hi, Mike.


I have socks older than you but that's okay.  You are the future.

[XAccess]

Hey Michael welcome

Thanks for sharing your story. You are very brave and an accomplished critical thinker to have been able to see through religion at such a young age, especially after having been indoctrinated so hard.

I'm sorry you've had to deal with the fallout, the yank back into reality. It's not your fault, religion was thrust on you without your consent. I can understand how the idea of an eternal life you felt certain of fading can be scary. But as I'm sure you're now aware, it has never been anything more than wishful thinking, and believing in something doesn't make it true. In all likelihood, if there is any sort of life after death, atheists will get just the same as everyone else. Fantasising about it your whole life, like many people do, is just a waste of probably the only life we have and to a large extent devalues this life.

Watching YouTube vids is a great idea, there are loads of atheist channels I love! If you're interested, this is the links page on my website where I list them:

http://robvalue.wix.com/atheism#!links/cd1k

I hope you stick around, I look forward to hearing more from you

Just a warning, we have a few opportunistic christians who hang around this forum, and they'll probably start trying to make you feel guilty. They do it to everyone. 

Thanks for sharing this, I've seen some of these channels but I'll check some of the rest out. Also thanks for the warning about the "opportunistic christians" lol.

[Kitty Galore]

Hey Michael! Welcome!

So happy you found us here, this is a great place to meet like minded friends of all ages. We have threads on religion, but also daily life, media, games, music, pretty much everything. If you are struggling there are good people here to talk to that are honest and caring. Welcome again!

Kitty

[pocaracas]

Welcome aboard, enjoy the show... We'll be here all week.

[Norman Humann]

Hiyas, Michael. Welcome to the forums!

I can relate to what you're saying. I've been through religious brain washing myself. And hey, you're not the only teenager here. I'm 16. I'm certain we had more this age somewhere around.

[Lucanus]

Welcome Michael! I'm sure you'll have a great time hanging around with us!

I used to be a teenager like you, but then I took a twentieth birthday to the... oh, screw it