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My Deconversion Story
#1
My Deconversion Story
Hi. My name is Noah, and I am 15 years old. I have been an atheist for about a year and a half now.

About early fall of 2013, I randomly saw an internet debate on some website over the existence of God. And I admit, at first I thought you guys were real idiots. See, I live in a family of 7 who goes to church (Baptist) three times a week, and I always thought there were certain evidences of God's existence (such as the complexity of nature, something can't come from nothing, etc.). But once I got interested in the subject, I realized in only the matter of a couple months that I could no longer be a Christian and at the same time think of myself as an intellectually honest person. So I started talking to my sister about it, and she literally freaked out, although I don't blame her. To the rest of my family and pretty much everyone we know, "atheist" is about synonymous with "evil". She eventually told my parents, and they weren't altogether to happy, and I admit it isn't very easy living in a house where your own parents think your lack of belief is based only on your rebellion from God and morality. They didn't exactly disown me, but I know they're not going to pay for college unless it is a Christian establishment. One time my dad and I got into a mostly polite discussion (on my part, at least) and it soon became painfully obvious that he knows little to nothing about evolution, even though he pretends to. Even though he was quite condescending, he brings it up all the time that atheists are mean and disrespectful people. In my opinion, that assumption as at best an Ad Hominem attack, and at worst a pathetic stereotype and a lie. So now this is the first time I've really talked with other atheists on the internet, so I hope I can get to know some of you and perhaps learn a thing or two.

-Noah Smile
The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts. -Bertrand Russell

Even if god did exist, he has yet to prove it, and our doubt is justified.
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#2
RE: My Deconversion Story
(June 2, 2015 at 1:25 pm)NoahtheTeenageAtheist Wrote: And I admit, at first I thought you guys were real idiots.

Oh don't worry, plenty of us are.

Welcome!
In every country and every age, the priest had been hostile to Liberty.
- Thomas Jefferson
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#3
RE: My Deconversion Story
Welcome!

I am an ex-Southern Baptist myself.

"A wise man ... proportions his belief to the evidence."
— David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Section X, Part I.
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#4
RE: My Deconversion Story
We are absolutely idiots to those that have to prove their god into existence, but never deliver. I know this with certainty.

Welcome Enjoy the forum.
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#5
RE: My Deconversion Story
Thanks everyone!
The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts. -Bertrand Russell

Even if god did exist, he has yet to prove it, and our doubt is justified.
Reply
#6
RE: My Deconversion Story
Hi Noah Hi

Sucks about your parents. I hope maybe they'll learn to accept your views and do pay for your education....it must be tough. But keep your head up!
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#7
RE: My Deconversion Story
Ah, damn, that sounds like a terrible situation.  If I were you, every time your dad mentions mean old atheists, I would start talking about your favorite ways to cook babies, kind of like Bubba talks about shrimp in Forrest Gump.  



Even if the open windows of science at first make us shiver after the cozy indoor warmth of traditional humanizing myths, in the end the fresh air brings vigor, and the great spaces have a splendor of their own - Bertrand Russell
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#8
RE: My Deconversion Story
Heya Noah, welcome Smile Nice to meet you!

Thanks for sharing your story. That did make me laugh, you thought we were idiots Big Grin I can understand that, given the propaganda against us. The fact that we need to be represented in such a ridiculous way shows how scared religion is of atheism. Atheists are just people who, for whatever reason, don't find the god claims convincing. A lot of people, like yourself, come the route of simply asking questions and finding no good answers.

You're quite right, there are no good arguments for god. There are lots and lots of totally flawed arguments. And there is no evidence. There is not even a coherent definition of what it is so we'd know it if we found it. Even people who believe in it wouldn't know it from a super-powerful alien if they met it. How could they? They've got nothing real to compare it to. The main reason people believe is, like you, it's been drummed into their head at an early age. Some of us are too logical or questioning for it to stick. Congratulations on seeing through it at such a young age Smile

That sucks how your parents are treating you. It could be worse, certainly, but it should be a lot better. Parents should accept their kids whatever their choices. And atheism is not a choice, it's a state of mind. Would they rather you pretended to believe? How would that help anyone?

If you have any questions about atheism or anything else, ask away!
Feel free to send me a private message.
Please visit my website here! It's got lots of information about atheism/theism and support for new atheists.

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#9
RE: My Deconversion Story
Welcome to AF. You're about the same age I was when my lack of belief in God or anything supernatural really 'solidified', though in my situation both my parents were atheists, so I imagine your journey has been quite a lot tougher. If your folks won't pay for your college...then make your own way through life and once you're in a good position, see about securing it for yourself. That they would sacrifice their son's future over an ideological disagreement says a lot more about them than it does you, believe me. I hope you can get along with each other and heal this rift though, it may pass in time.
Hope you enjoy yourself here, and good luck for the future Smile
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If you have any serious concerns, are being harassed, or just need someone to talk to, feel free to contact me via PM
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#10
RE: My Deconversion Story
Welcome to AF! Sorry about your shitty situation. You might want to buckle down, seriously apply yourself in school and earn a scholarship. Even if your parents were willing to pay for college in a real school, they would have to be rich to do that for 7 kids.
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.

Albert Einstein
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