Atheists: Did you grow up in an Atheist (or secular) household or a religious one? How did it impact you?

Question

Today, at age 22, I basically found out my dad is an Atheist. He believes in a concept of god like the one Einstein did (i.e. The universe and existance is god). All my youth I was taught the religious BS by my mom who know is now becoming a deist thanks to me. So, did you grow up in an Atheist (or secular) household or a religious one? How did it impact you?

Answer 1

I grew up Baptist with a mom who abused me physically & mentally. As soon as I turned 18 I stopped going to church, and started searching for answers. Its taken a long time for me to find what I do beleive in, but now I too am a DEIST.

And yes it has impacted me hugely. My spouse is a lapsed catholic. We have not been to church at all since we were married except for our sons baptism and one funeral. My son was baptised catholic and is in a catholic school, ONLY because the classes and the schools generally are smaller and the education is better. Catholic schools generally dont have as many problems and bad reputations that the public schools have (And our local public school has a VERY bad rep).

Answer 2

When I was 5 years old my mother became a Seventh Day Adventist, my Dad didn't. I went to church, or Sabbath School every Saturday with my Mum and the religion dictated our lifestyle. We kept the Sabbath Holy so I couldn't play weekend sports which were always on Saturday. My younger childhood was harder cause as with any new Christian my Mum became rather fanatical and strict, I wasn't allowed to read comics, watch certain things on TV, we couldn't even swim or ride our bikes on the Sabbath! She relaxed over a lot of it after a few years but was still Seventh Day Adventists. The one thing I did enjoy were the yearly camps, they were fun. As I got older, though not until I was into my 20's, I drifted away from the church. I found it contradictory and shallow. Not just Seventh Dayers, but organised, corporate religion in general. I hated the whole guilt-trippin' thing and often found that guilt was my most common emotion, rather than gaining positive from religion. I am now more drawn towards Paganism and esoterica. I have 4 siblings and 2 of them are still heavily into the church.

Answer 3

I was raised Mormon in Utah. Everyone around me was Mormon. My town was 95% Mormon. All my relatives were Mormon. I went on a Mormon mission. I was married in a Mormon temple. I have a Mormon wife and Mormon kids (that last part hurts).

Growing up in a religious household impacted the way I looked at everything from science to politics to explaining the randomness of life. I had a great upbringing because my parents were not too psycho about it and they were just doing what they knew but it did take over 30 years for the light bulb to finally turn on and now my kids are being indoctrinated!

Answer 4

I grew up in a very holy and grassroots Catholic home. My Ma and Pa are still very much into their chosen religion - it does good things for them and for those around them, because unlike most people I've come across, they've taken their faith to heart. It was a good place to grow up in.

When I was 20 I took my first tab of LSD. shortly after that I went to church - for the last time as it turned out.

since then I spent many years questing for a vehicle for my Spirituality. Finally found one as I became aware of the strengths of the messages of the Buddha. Grew into it over a number of years. fits well with my concepts of what the world is and how i fit into it.

It's also done a bucketload of good for me as a person and those around me. Not gunna try to convert you - I'm not even going to tell you what it is that I like about it - that's not what you asked. Mind you, you're gunna get plenty of suggestions about how to run yer life from those who'll dislike your questioning...

All I can do is ask you to have a look at what the Buddha said. Try the Dalai Lama's site for a grand overview from an incredibly inspiring man.

Love and Light,

Jarrah

Answer 5

Strongly roman catholic, was born-again and Saved though these are not typically roman catholic ideas. By the time I was 17, I had already read the entire Summa Theologicae, and was preparing for seminary to become a priest.

The more and more I studied of the Bible though, the less and less a theist I was. It took some time and struggle, but eventually I realized it was all crap.

Answer 6

I was raised in a christian home. It was not a pleasant upbringing--all the abuse of a secular home, but no one will believe you because your parents are such nice christians. I left as soon as I graduated high school. At first I thought it was my family that was the problem, but gradually came to realize that religion made them who they were. I see them occasionally now, but it is always hard.

Answer 7

i grew up with an atheist father and a super catholic mom. when i keep telling my mom im an atheist she gets out the holy water, and thats what i was raised under. my dad was cool with that kind of stuff,like when he told his jewish family he thought god was a retarded concept

Answer 8

I grew up without religion (Catholic-never went to church EVER). At 15 my parents turned Pentecostal. That solidified my belief that a quest for knowledge and understanding of "other" possibilities, was the route for me.;>)

Answer 9

I was born believing in god (Hindu) then now I am an atheist. It just happened due to some simple reasoning and questioning.

Answer 10

I was raised a Methodist, nearly became a priest (I'm serious about that). Then discovered a whole lot of untruths and hypocrisy in the church. Dug deeper and deconverted. It was great!!!!