So.. I'm new here
November 25, 2011 at 10:14 pm
(This post was last modified: November 25, 2011 at 10:20 pm by Krusedullen.)
I registered because I'm interested in the theism/atheism topic. I've been in to it for quite some time now, but i have never joined a forum like this before. I remember the exact moment when I first became interested in the atheism/theism discussion.
I was about 15 years old. I was listening to the teacher reading a story from the bible (it must have been around Easter, i think) as a part of the class (it was a part of the Norwegian school curriculum from grade 2-7). And then suddenly it struck me. People actually believe in this stuff!! There are actually some people out there that believe this.
I couldn't remember meeting anyone who had stated that they actually did. I bet the teacher reading from the bible didn't believe in it. But in school we have these meetings, like two times a year where we sing these songs. And we pray for our lunch at school every day... so SOMEONE must believe this stuff or else we wouldn't be doing this. Up until that moment I had just assumed that it was done purely for the sake of tradition. But for some reason, that very second, it occurred to me that there were people who actually believed in the christian story. And I was completely shocked by that realization.
Norway is weird that way. We have a state religion. It's implemented in our schools (well actually not anymore as of recent). We become members of the state church upon birth (also recently abolished). But other than that - in private or public conversation, religion just doesn't come up. We don't go to church (Norway has around 3% church attendance) and you don't hear any Norwegians say "god bless you" or "thank god". People just don't talk about the guy... accept those ten seconds at school lunch, or those two times a year (Christmas and Easter) when we had to gather and listen to bible stories and sing songs (actually at Christmas it was mandatory church service).
That day when I came home, I made an internet search. I came on YouTube, and found videos about religious people and their beliefs. And I found out that some people actually believes that the Bible is true. I still remember my shock and disbelief when I found out. And that's how i was introduced to the atheist community of YouTube.
I'm proud to say the I'm not that blue-eyed anymore. I've gotten used to the fact that there are crazy people out there, and that (luckily) the majority of them are either on the other side of the Atlantic ocean or on the other side of the Mediterranean sea.
I was about 15 years old. I was listening to the teacher reading a story from the bible (it must have been around Easter, i think) as a part of the class (it was a part of the Norwegian school curriculum from grade 2-7). And then suddenly it struck me. People actually believe in this stuff!! There are actually some people out there that believe this.
I couldn't remember meeting anyone who had stated that they actually did. I bet the teacher reading from the bible didn't believe in it. But in school we have these meetings, like two times a year where we sing these songs. And we pray for our lunch at school every day... so SOMEONE must believe this stuff or else we wouldn't be doing this. Up until that moment I had just assumed that it was done purely for the sake of tradition. But for some reason, that very second, it occurred to me that there were people who actually believed in the christian story. And I was completely shocked by that realization.
Norway is weird that way. We have a state religion. It's implemented in our schools (well actually not anymore as of recent). We become members of the state church upon birth (also recently abolished). But other than that - in private or public conversation, religion just doesn't come up. We don't go to church (Norway has around 3% church attendance) and you don't hear any Norwegians say "god bless you" or "thank god". People just don't talk about the guy... accept those ten seconds at school lunch, or those two times a year (Christmas and Easter) when we had to gather and listen to bible stories and sing songs (actually at Christmas it was mandatory church service).
That day when I came home, I made an internet search. I came on YouTube, and found videos about religious people and their beliefs. And I found out that some people actually believes that the Bible is true. I still remember my shock and disbelief when I found out. And that's how i was introduced to the atheist community of YouTube.
I'm proud to say the I'm not that blue-eyed anymore. I've gotten used to the fact that there are crazy people out there, and that (luckily) the majority of them are either on the other side of the Atlantic ocean or on the other side of the Mediterranean sea.
