I started questioning faith when I learned that Santa Clause was not real. I was about 8 years old and found my dad setting up presents on christmas eve, when I was supposed to be sleeping. This rattled my sense of everything and began to question my religion for the next few years. I began to realize, that every question that I would ask of my mom, priest, or catechism teacher, would end up leading to the same ultimate answer. You should "just believe". That was not good enough for me, and I told my mom that I did not believe in god when I was 12. She replied by slapping me in the face. I didn't hear the word "atheist" until I was about 14. When I looked it up I realized that's what I am. I'm 32 now and I still like to tease my mom about the time she slapped me. She still wants me to "just believe".
I'm curious to know other atheists experiences, since I only know one other person who is an atheist.
How did you first realize that you didn't "just believe"?
How did your family react?
2006-08-10
19:32:06
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28 answers
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asked by
downdrain
4
in
Religion & Spirituality