Comments on: I’m a Freshman

By: godlessgirl

godlessgirl — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:44:55 +0000

Cheers to you! Glad to be with ya on the other side of the curtain!

By: BrainUser

BrainUser — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:53:12 +0000

Very nicely written description of your emergence from the darkness of dogma. I, too, came out of that unfortunate dungeon that is fundamentalist Christianity and so grateful for it. We're both "newbs" but at least we're enlightened newbs who no longer have to worry about fairy tale gods, demons and other nonsense.

Reality Rocks!

By: godlessgirl

godlessgirl — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 02:33:20 +0000

Your comment (thank you for it) made me consider how I started out in Christianity.
Isn't it interesting how we can go through the motions of our traditions and not even realize until much, much later that we can ask questions and do things differently? Not many children are gifted with the minds to choose differently than their parents.

By: Jetson

Jetson — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:00:32 +0000

Excellent story (I just stumbled it.) While I can;t say I was ever a fervent Christian, I grew up in the Catholic Church, going through all of the Catholic rituals, sacraments, etc. And I never really believed the stories I was hearing. I am now spending plenty of time reading the Bible and reminding myself that I don't need to pretend or consider religion as being more important than everything else.

Good to hear your story and your transition!

By: godlessgirl

godlessgirl — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:01:29 +0000

I'm so glad to have a 'kindred spirit' (for lack of a better term) in this sort of transition. As a Christian, I thought people left the religion for emotional reasons, and I didn't respect that (and still don't, to an extent). But when I found myself leaving against my best wishes, my entire view was turned on its head. I'm glad you and I can understand how it feels. thanks for the comment!

By: Camels With Hammers

Camels With Hammers — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:38:56 +0000

Great post, godless girl. I rarely read anyone's experience so eerily parallel my own. The process by which those of us who are devoutly and happily religious leave faith for intellectual reasons and against our own wills is poorly understood by those who haven't lived through it. And, worse, it's foolishly trivialized and obnoxiously belittled by many of the self-righteously religious. And the lifelong atheists don't identify much either. So, it's nice to read someone really articulate that experience for once.

By: methanopyrus

methanopyrus — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:23:46 +0000

While I've often found myself with more questions than answers, I'm content to know that any answers I do settle on will be supported by evidence and reason, not myths.

By: godlessgirl

godlessgirl — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:15:21 +0000

Did you find answers elsewhere or just gather more questions? I think I did the latter, but became content with the lack of answers.

By: methanopyrus

methanopyrus — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:30:32 +0000

I'm a couple days late on this but this story made me smile, because I know the feeling. For me, the reason I 'graduated' was that I eventually became completely dissatisfied with the answers that religion offered.

By: AnonyMouse

AnonyMouse — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:25:19 +0000

I disagree with your assessment that she has "switched faith" – atheism is a matter of faith like cleanliness is a matter of dirt – but what I really disagree with is your trivialization of the situation.

Leaving Christianity was the most painful thing I ever did. For me, God and religion had been a kind of security blanket. They were always there for me, even when I was alone. They would always help me, even when things looked hopeless. I could always count on God to set things right when I couldn't, and to teach me better when I made mistakes.

Becoming an atheist meant giving all that up. Now, instead of looking to someone else to help me with my problems, I have to do it myself. Rather than having a loving family of people who support me and my beliefs, I am surrounded by people who would antagonize and belittle me. And instead of resting happily in the knowledge that everything will become clear after I die, I must go out and find my answers – and occasionally be contented to know that no answers will be found in my lifetime.

Losing your religion isn't like changing the towels in your bathroom. If your faith meant anything to you at all, it becomes a huge and significant life transition.