Hi everyone,
I am a recently converted atheist although I think I've pretty much been one since elementary school. My parents forced me into Sunday school, my grandparents took me to church on sundays, made me have communion, have a proper catholic wedding (which ended in a cheating divorce). So needless to say I had religion shoved down my throats since I was little. I never understood worshipping someone that we never had proof existed. So now that I've come to a point in my life where I chose to spend my life with someone my family and some friends don't approve of, I figure why not finish pissing them off completely and come out as an atheist, something I've always been but kept to myself out of respect to others. If anyone out there lives in the Erie, Pa area, I'll be moving up there at the beginning of May. I'd like to meet some fellow atheists and maybe some new friends. Also how do you deal with people asking the "question"?
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The "question" has not been asked of me because I'm not easily approachable on a personal level. I keep it that way because I'm a recluse and friends, such that they are, do not factor into that.
Good that you're getting honest with yourself. It's never too late for that and unloading people who would mold you into who you are not. Cath-a-holics are the worst breed, IMO. I was raised one as well and the ceremony, pageantry and obligations of that creed can take a toll on an otherwise honest person.
Good luck all around with the shedding of the creed and getting new digs.
Welcome robsgirl
I am sorry to hear about having religion forced down your throat for so long. Glad to hear despite all that you are true to yourself and remained skeptical of what religion tries to sell.
If your cheating ex is devout enough, at least you can smile in knowing he thinks he is going to burn in hell for eternity for committing a major sin. Although he probably rationalized that away at least in part. How hypocritical are these religious people eh?
Welcome robsgirl,
So glad your making choices for so self, It took me a while to get there but its a lot more fulfilling to discover your own path :)
If you are happy with this new partner and your family and friends don't approve Then I suggest showing your loved ones by example how happy you are. they will probably continue to be deluded by their faith but at least they won't try as hard to "Save You"
That gets exhausting after awhile. glad ur here:)
I can say that I went through a very similar experience to what you have described, but my guess is that you tried to convince yourself that you believed in god to be accepted by your family. but if I had known you at the time I would have told you to keep it to yourself especially if you had some people who you wanted to keep with you but if you didn't I would just have said go for it. cause that's what I did and it turned out better than I was expecting
Welcome back to your natural form of Humanity. I swear, you're gonna have some fun anytime someone starts preaching his "holy" ideals on your neighborhood or city.
Thank you everyone for your responses! Yes, I tried to go along with what my family wanted and pretended to be the "happy catholic", now that I'm free and speaking my mind and believing what I truly feel I'm now an outcast! So I'm moving to Erie and starting a new life! A life true to myself.
Welcome to the AR robsgirl7.
Welcome. I've had similar experiences and this forum has been a lifesaver.
Welcome home. A nice dose of reality is refreshing, huh?
Welcome
Robsgirl7,
Just remember that you are a fully grown woman with your own experiences and desires. Your family and friends married who they wanted too and when they want to deny you that right they are treating you as a child. Hopefully the person will be good for you but that's your choice. Nothing is guaranteed. If you are willing to take the worse without complaining about it then go for it and tell your family and friends that they don't get a say in your relationships. If they won't respect you as an adult you will have to cut them loose.
If someone asks about your religion tell them that you follow Jesus' advice and that you don't make a public display of your religion and that you do all of your praying in private. It's like telling them to mind their own business, which isn't minding your business.
Welcome Robsgirl.
I don't use the term 'converted' myself as that sounds like a theological term to me. Sorry if this sounds pedantic, but I prefer to say that I'm no longer superstitious and so no longer religious. (I haven't been since childhood).
Erie Atheists and Agnostics...
https://www.meetup.com/Erie-Atheists-and-Agnostics/
Pen' Non-Believers...
http://www.panonbelievers.org/atheist-map/
Humanists..
https://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php/locations/
https://americanhumanist.org/
I'm sure you'll find others. Good luck.