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Hello, everyone.
July 13, 2015 at 11:07 pm
I've been lurking here for a couple of days, and decided to sign up. I thought it would be a good idea to have a place to interact with like-minded people from time to time. This is my first time posting here. I'm sure someone will let me know if I'm not introducing myself right.
I was a Christian believer for many years. It's harder to say how long I've been an atheist..... I guess I consciously acknowledged that fact only a few months ago. But, the process that led me to non-belief was a gradual chipping away that actually took many years. I quit attending church over a decade ago, because I refuse to align myself with assholes. I stopped praying soon after, because I felt like lunatic whenever i did. Through all of this, I still identified as a Christian. Deep down, though knew that my religious belief and reality were on a collision course.
So I guess, I was just preparing myself.
Anyway, I'm sure i'm one of many. I think I'll check out some of their stories now! Goodnight.
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RE: Hello, everyone.
July 13, 2015 at 11:09 pm
Welcome aboard.
Many of us are former theists. It's like putting down a heavy load isn't it?
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RE: Hello, everyone.
July 13, 2015 at 11:09 pm
Welcome, Thena 
Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.
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RE: Hello, everyone.
July 13, 2015 at 11:15 pm
Welcome!
I think it is common for former theists to have gradually rid themselves of their religion. It took several years for me, from serious doubts to being a complete atheist. I had no need to label myself as anything in particular, and took my time about it, as I wanted to get things figured out correctly more than I wanted them figured out quickly. I think that is usually best, unless there is some pressing action that depends on a quick decision. And quick action only requires a quick decision on how to act, not a firm conviction that one is right.
"A wise man ... proportions his belief to the evidence."
— David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Section X, Part I.
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RE: Hello, everyone.
July 13, 2015 at 11:16 pm
Welcome Thena
Enjoy your stay.
Drop by the pool or the piano bar if you have the time.
So how, exactly, does God know that She's NOT a brain in a vat? 
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RE: Hello, everyone.
July 13, 2015 at 11:31 pm
(This post was last modified: July 13, 2015 at 11:31 pm by ignoramus.)
Welcome matey. You sound sensible!
Life is so much easier when you're not apologising for that "book".
But we're dangerously low and need to up our quota of loonies!
Otherwise, it'll just be dirty jokes all day!
PS,
Min, how can a wise and respected man like you ever get sucked in?
We all want to know!
No God, No fear.
Know God, Know fear.
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RE: Hello, everyone.
July 14, 2015 at 12:28 am
If your actual name is Thena, that is a beautiful and esoteric name. I like it!
"There remain four irreducible objections to religious faith: that it wholly misrepresents the origins of man and the cosmos, that because of this original error it manages to combine the maximum servility with the maximum of solipsism, that it is both the result and the cause of dangerous sexual repression, and that it is ultimately grounded on wish-thinking." ~Christopher Hitchens, god is not Great
PM me your email address to join the Slack chat! I'll give you a taco(or five) if you join! --->There's an app and everything!<---
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RE: Hello, everyone.
July 14, 2015 at 12:38 am
(July 13, 2015 at 11:16 pm)JuliaL Wrote: Welcome Thena
Enjoy your stay.
Drop by the pool or the piano bar if you have the time.
You'll be happy to know suits are optional .. both in the pool and at the piano bar. Welcome.
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RE: Hello, everyone.
July 14, 2015 at 12:42 am
I'd love to hear more about what was the first doubt that started your change, but for now have a warm welcome and make yourself at home.
Quote:To know yet to think that one does not know is best; Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.
- Lau Tzu
Join me on atheistforums Slack  (pester tibs via pm if you need invite) 
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RE: Hello, everyone.
July 14, 2015 at 1:14 am
(July 13, 2015 at 11:07 pm)Thena323 Wrote: I've been lurking here for a couple of days, and decided to sign up. I thought it would be a good idea to have a place to interact with like-minded people from time to time. This is my first time posting here. I'm sure someone will let me know if I'm not introducing myself right.
I was a Christian believer for many years. It's harder to say how long I've been an atheist..... I guess I consciously acknowledged that fact only a few months ago. But, the process that led me to non-belief was a gradual chipping away that actually took many years. I quit attending church over a decade ago, because I refuse to align myself with assholes. I stopped praying soon after, because I felt like lunatic whenever i did. Through all of this, I still identified as a Christian. Deep down, though knew that my religious belief and reality were on a collision course.
So I guess, I was just preparing myself.
Anyway, I'm sure i'm one of many. I think I'll check out some of their stories now! Goodnight.
Awesome! Looking forward to your posts. You are warmly welcomed.
I bet you'll turn out to be a great addition to the community.
Last but not least,
Keep it real. 
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