Atheism: Atheists answer only?

Question

I am an atheist( Former christian), 17 years old, and I feel sooooo much happier now being an atheist. I turned to atheism a year ago when I realized that god was a fairy tale and that christianity is a big con game. I am appalled that my family wanted me to believe in all of that. I am able to do the things I want to do without having to say to myself 1. This is a sin 2. God will put me in hell if I do this!!! It feels GREAT to be atheist. My question is for all of those atheists out there, are you a former christian? And are you happy being atheist?

Answer 1

Yes, I'm a former Christian, and just as happy. There are members of my family programmed to believe that all atheists are miserable and sinful, and I have had to tell them to stop annoying me. I still consider myself to be a strong moralist. It is such a relief to believe in the truth, and not have to worry about imaginary demons and superstitions. It was hard to believe in a religion that made little sense and was filled with inconsistencies.

Answer 2

I was raised a Christian. I stepped away when a very close friend of mine died, and I began questioning how any All-Powerful God of love could allow the suffering he went through. I started asking questions which must have been too hard to answer, as I quickly started to learn how to translate Christian answers:

1) "The Lord works in mysterious ways." Translation: I don't know.
2) "It is all a part of the Lord's plan, and He knows best." Translation: Everything is how it's supposed to be, now stop questioning things and just accept it.
3) "Who are you to question God?" Translation: Stop asking questions NOW. You're punching holes in this lie we're trying to sell ourselves.

For the first time, I read the Bible from cover to cover. I was horrified, to say the least. Then I started asking even more questions--this time, to my very own critical processes. How did this God stand up to reason? How logical were His actions? Furthermore, why do the actions of Christians seem to indicate that THEY don't even really believe this stuff? (Mourning instead of celebrating at funerals, fearing death and disease, seeking medical help instead of praying disease away...ect, ect, ect.)

I discarded Christianity fairly quickly. Once the ball was rolling, it wouldn't stop. I dove into other religions, and couldn't find the answers there, either. So I generalized the idea of a Supreme Diety and put it up to a logic test. The result?

I'm an Atheist. What's that tell you?

It's funny. As an Atheist, I've faced my own death several times. I honestly don't think I'd have faired too well if I had kept my faith in God. Seeing things as they truly are is refreshing.

Answer 3

Yep, I was a former Christian. I was a Catholic and then I became a Born-Again Fundy.

and yes I am very happy to be an Atheist...I become more tolerant with other people. Living in fairytale is such a drag. The reason why I'm happy with atheism is not about freedom from everything...It's freedom to religion and superstition is what I'm really happy about. Life became more meaningful and interesting without the dogmas and doctrines of a certain church. Truth became more vivid.

Answer 4

Yes, I'm an ex-Christian.
No, I didn't find it easy arriving at my atheism, but I was driven to it, largely by my study of the bible and the history of Christianity.

Overall, yes, I prefer where I am but socially, culturally, Christianity worked for me. I was reluctant to leave it, but I became convinced that, at core, Christianity is not what it claims to be. Conviction of truth won out over comfort and convenience. (Social acceptance now, a perfect and powerful loving father and future eternal happiness are appealing concepts, though atheism has it's own consolations).

Kat issues the self-reassuring doctrine: " People who say they are "former Christians" have no idea what true Christianity is, they are merely following a set of traditions"

Sorry, Kat. I became a Christian as an adult. It wasn't a thing of traditions. I was a bible-believing born-again tongues-speaker.
It can happen to any Christian indistinguishable to the most sincere and spiritual you can find. While I was a Christian *I* would have said something similar to your statement.

Answer 5

I'm an agnostic, which is kissing cousin to atheists (don't believe or disbelieve in God, waiting for proof one way or the other).
I to was dismayed by the hypocrisy of the church (when I tried Christianity) and other religions as well. I have been happier as a result, but do find that I sometimes miss out by not having some form of faith/religion. I think I'm just not built for it though. Perhaps one day I'll find a belief in a higher power, but if I do, it won't be in the form of any of the existing religions.
Although I've often thought I should start my own religion. We could sit down and discuss what beliefs we like and toss out the ones we don't. Then get tax-exempt status and really stick it to the common people, buy shoes and rolls Royce's with their donations...
Anyone want to try this with me???

Answer 6

I've always been an Atheist but I felt really guilty and ashamed for years that I just couldn't grasp the Invisible Jesus concept. It wasn't until I really started to evaluate my beliefs and study the Christian religion that I came to the same conclusion you did -- there's no more proof of Jesus than there is of Santa Claus -- and, also like you, felt worlds better about myself.

Of course, now that I'm getting older, I see the effect this ancient mythology has on our culture, on my fellow humans, and it's very depressing.

Answer 7

Was raised catholic. Around age 9, I started to actually think about the things I was being taught at church and Sunday school. I never really bought into it. By age 11, I was pretty sure that religion was imaginary. Before long, I was an atheist.
I have never doubted my lack of belief. Reading some of the questions and answers posted on this forum have strongly confirmed my position.

Answer 8

I am a former Christian Catholic, and i love being an atheist! I finally feel free, without having to care whether people agree with me or not.

Answer 9

i used to follow a religon... and then i realized that there was a lot of contradictions in religons... and i found al lot of bad things abt religons and things better abt atheism... so i turned atheist... i was happy for a while... but then i found Islam, and i converted to Islam... but i kno how you feel right now... i felt happy as an atheist too... but no where near as happy as i am now... i'm not trying to tell you to convert... i'm not like those ppl who try to convert everyone to their own religon... but im just saying stay openminded... to atheism, and all other religons... maybe you'll find that there is something better than atheism, maybe you wont... but either way wich ever path you chose... weather it be atheism or whatever, make sure that YOU are SURE that is the way you wanna be and that you have GOOD reason to be that way... maybe you shld go to a religous/atheism debate... which ever path you chose debating will only stregnthn it... so if you chose to stay atheist, more power to you! but im just saying have a good resaon for it!
GOOD LUCK!

Answer 10

I never went to church, however I did beleive in god, I hated atheists, and I worried about sinning or displeasing god in strange ways. For example I always made sure I never pointed or pressed anything with my middle finger, which would mean I was giving the finger to god. Strange indeed. Eventually I became aware of my surroundings and the origin of life, and became an athiest. I am very happy as an athiest and I enjoy debating with anyone who beleives in god.

Answer 11

i dont consider myself atheist or agnostic. I'm pretty open minded.. and think anything is possible. I am 100% content and very greatful for my life .. and the people I have had the pleasure in knowing. its b/c of this i dont need to go and search for god.. even if he did exist.. i wouldn't care. I live as kind ..truthful and as generous as I can with my own morals

Just b/c you dont believe in the bible.. doesn't mean that god or a god cant exist.. If he does.. he has been greatly flawed