What's Your Background?

[Icefire9atla]

Interesting that so far, things appear evenly split.

I was never religious because my parents were from different denominations and couldn't decide which church to go to.

 

[DeistPaladin]

Interesting that so far, things appear evenly split.

Agreed. I'm used to seeing an 80/20 split, in favor of ex's. Perhaps it's because I'm used to polling American freethinkers. Indoctrination runs higher here in America so there are more people who escape it.

 

[Quincunx]

I wasn't raised religious at all. Both my parents are non-religious.

My brother and me had a rather free upbringing, in the sense we weren't told what to do or what to think. But we were exposed to a lot of information about the world, human history, archaeology, etc. This is because my father has been an amateur archaeologist for nearly 30 years (meaning he didn't study for it, but I'll take 30 years experience any day). And thus we went to alot of important historical landscapes, landmarks, buildings, etc. (especially in France since it's so rich on history and archaeology) which has played a large role in my upbringing. Heck, when I was 6 or something I found my first palaeolithic flint axe head in France, so I knew early on about the history of pur species and their way of life.

I can't imagine what it is like to grow up in a rather sheltered religious household, as my parents took me out into the world to see interesting things and to wonder and discuss about how everything came about. To show genuine interest in these things, and to be taught interesting facts about them, explore them... instead of being told that god did it.

 

[Filtereyez]

Wow! Where to start - this could be a novel LOL.

I was raised in a family with Christian morals who associated themselves with Christianity by name only, no church involved. I've lived a rather hard and busy life, do to poverty and a struggle to get out of it I was put to work as soon as I was able to hold a broom to help build the family business and at age 14 was supporting myself with full-time work and have not stopped yet. I have served my country for 7 years half of which included war time battles. With all of these experiences and the things these eyes should have never seen, it was rather predictable I would be soon searching for a "savior".

Then a most horrid event took place that almost left two family members for dead and verily hanging on for their lives, not only did this pull the family together but it also sent us running to the church for comfort. And as one would assume they were there with open arms. 15 years i spent under the same church roof, vowing to take it all the way. I was gonna be different than the rest of the Sunday warriors, i was gonna walk in HIM and HIM in me, and yes I did a good job. I was a children's pastor and served as an elder of the church and had a fire in me that could not be extinguished. Picture a Ray Comfort on steroids and that was me.

Eventually my church caught the "Purpose Drivin" bug, a worldly business system designed to make fail proof profit, applied to the church for the growth and the same. I stood up for God with bible in hand and scripture to show them the ways of their errors....and well I was kindly asked to leave, no problem right? my bible told me their would be trials like these, surely I could get through this. Well the friggin trials never stopped, one after another and yet I stood strong. Then the final straw........Psoriasis made an appearance....oh no, not a few spots, but 85% coverage!!! Google it look it up, and get back to me and answer me this, "How could a loving God take one of his most dedicated warriors, drag him through the mud, muck, and mier and then plague him with that much (remember 85% coverage) disease? Well thats what I asked him, and as you guessed....no answer. Ever since I have declared bullshit on HIM! Now I have decided to listen to the other side of the story which has brought me here.......I cant refute that the God of the bible does not exist, my turning away from Him and conclusion of his non-existence is derived, or proof if that is what u want to call it, is based on the same thing that They claim led them to Him, personal experience.

I have studied hard this past year not only to understand this new side of the fence I find myself on, but also to find the facts to solidify my own personal beleif that Christianity has robbed me of the best years of my life, I have a happiness now I never new existed. So yes I'm new to atheism so be kind to me I hope to learn much here.........

~ Filtereyez

 

[Spase]

My parents were/are both atheists.

They both grew up in a very religious environment (the southeast in the US) and so they moved out to CA to have kids where we wouldn't be corrupted. I remember as a kid being asked if I believed God existed on a playground and I think I said yes because it seemed like the right thing to say but I honestly had no concept of God.. My answer was literally my cover for not knowing what the kid was talking about. My parents tried to be very open to teaching us about religions, I think because at least my mother really resented her indoctrination and didn't want to do the same thing to us but it really never came up much. Left to our own devices my brother and I just weren't interested. Now as their adult son I get to hear my dad rail against religious nuts LOL

All my extended family (except a couple people) are religious, most of them very religious.. but they live on the other coast and at this point are pretty well used to us being the heathens from California so they don't try to preach to us or anything.