What has your experience been with regards to atheism/agnosticism/skepticism?

[EvoUK]

*Note; this is my first poll I've attempted, so hopefully it'll work!*

i WOULD ASK THAT THIS IS A POLL FOR ATHEIST AND AGNOSTICS ETC ONLY. THIS IS THE NATURALISM FORUM, BUT I'M JUST RE-STATING THAT THIS ISN'T A POLL FOR THEISTS- EVEN LIBERAL ONES

The questions in the poll are pretty self-explanatory- what was your experience with atheism/theism/religion in genral growing up, and how did it effect you?

[Minnesota]

I clicked, "Grew up theist - relaxed to agnostic" because it was the only choice mentioning agnosticism. Where I would quibble is in the word "relaxed." As I indicted elsewhere, in another thread, I was pretty much forced into being a Lutheran when in my early teens. However, by the time I had graduated from high school, it was quite apparent to me that the basis of Christianity was pretty hollow. Neither its tenets, its structure, nor its demands made much sense. Too much depended on giving up my rationality and common sense, and adopting an emotional basis for belief. But, in spite of my opposition to Christianity, I still kept open the possibility of a superhuman, god-like force in the universe: there were too many questions about existence that had not been answered by philosophers or the atheistic position. And this is pretty much where it stands today. I absolutely deny a Christian god, but not the possibility of some other form of supreme being.

[EvoUK]

As you can probably imagine, it's quite hard to write a poll including everybody- I assumed (and was right, it seems) that those who didn't match the poll would explain why in thier post, as Min did.

[EvoUK]

As for my reply to the poll- here it is:

Being British, religion never really came up when I was growing up. I was christened, and so was my sister, but it was seen mostly as a tradition by both my parents (I found out later my dad was against it, but wasn't bothered enough to make a fuss).

Growing up in a private school (I have no idea how different or similar it is in a public school) we were made to say the lords prayer every assembly, and went to the church about twice a year (christmas and harvest). Apart from that, the only churches I've been in were for marrages, funerals and christenings- same as most other Britons I'm aware of.

I have no idea about my mothers views of religion (however, whatever she feels about it- she never brings it up- so I would guess her to be like my dad), but I know my dad's anti-organised religion, and apatheist.

The first time I properly gave god, religion etc some real thought was when I was in year 11 (about 16 or 17 I think) when my headmaster used to take us for "religious studies" once a week. By that, he basically tried to expand our minds with literature, thinking about philosophy etc, rather than any formal teaching about religion.

My headmaster was strongly religious, and set an essay about morals and ethics. Writing that essay was the first time I gave the subject any serious thought- and went from apatheist to looking into the subject with some interest for a year or so, before concluding that I was a strong atheist.

As you can probably imagine, I voted for the "raised secular, atheist" option...

[Durthorin]

As you can probably imagine, it's quite hard to write a poll including everybody- I assumed (and was right, it seems) that those who didn't match the poll would explain why in thier post, as Min did.
Don't know where I would stand in that...

Danu Bless, Dur

[Jeiel]

*Note; this is my first poll I've attempted, so hopefully it'll work!*

i WOULD ASK THAT THIS IS A POLL FOR ATHEIST AND AGNOSTICS ETC ONLY. THIS IS THE NATURALISM FORUM, BUT I'M JUST RE-STATING THAT THIS ISN'T A POLL FOR THEISTS- EVEN LIBERAL ONES

The questions in the poll are pretty self-explanatory- what was your experience with atheism/theism/religion in genral growing up, and how did it effect you?

My sincere apologies for voting without reading your post.
(I guess I ruined your first poll. :blush: )

Anyway, I voted Other.
Sorry for that.
I was just browsing the new posts and voted before thinking.

(Today I also almost voted in the atheist icon thread...
That was very stupid, but not as stupid as this time.)

I'm giving you some pearls to try and make it up to you...

I feel such a n00b

[C. D. Ward]

Raised Roman Catholic, switched to Episcopal in college, left the church altogether about 10 years later...

12 years of Catholic school down the tubes...:hehe:

[EvoUK]

Don't know where I would stand in that...

Well, perhaps you could explain a little about yourself (or link it)- not to catagorise or box you or anything- you've just sparked my interest.

[Chuck Lee]

I grew up in a Christian environment, but I've always been agnostic. I was simply unable to take the Biblical stories at face value, although I didn't discount them either. Lacking solid evidence (solid to me at least), my mind is always forced to consider other possibilities, which seriously detracts from any kind of religious faith.

[Durthorin]

Well, perhaps you could explain a little about yourself (or link it)- not to catagorise or box you or anything- you've just sparked my interest.
I grew up a "social Christian", my family went to church for weddings, deaths and infrequent holidays but if asked would have responded as to faith "Christian". Due to a number of turns that life takes .. I started taking what I consider an agnostic/Deiest attitude towards all religions.. Yes, there is something out there.. and no one on this planet has any more clue than anyone else as to what, why and etc.. From there I progressed to a phase of my life that was bleakly atheist.. I came to believe that nothing was real that could not be seen, touched or expressed as objective by research.. that included things like love and compassion. I do not say this is how most who are atheist think.. it was just how "I" thought at the time. At this point I started studying Kendo and martial arts in a serious manner.. which brought my in contact with Zen. It reawakened in me a need or a recognition that in me there was a real need for a spirtual component in my life. The next phase of my path was when I met my wife of over 20 some odd years who was a deeply commited Southern Baptist Christian.. We dated and were enagged for 3 years a time in which I came to know Christ and was baptised etc.. for eight some odd years I was a Born Again Christian.. and as fundimentalist in my views as many Christians you have seen.

Problem is I did not stay one, I had some problems with how I looked at Christianity and the Christian or at least Southern Baptist version of Diety. I had during that eight years met a nice young woman who was also a Witch. We spared over our faiths.. I trying to convert her from her "Pagan" ways.. she just made a deal if she listened to me I had to listen to her. A moment in time came for me when I had what is refered to as a crisis of faith and called out.. In my world, the Old Gods answered.. I have been a Pagan ever since.. 19 close to 20 years now I think.. Its been an interesting path.

See what I mean when I ask, where would I stand in that? I think Other. :smile:

Danu Bless, Dur

[EvoUK]

Very interesting story- to me it seems a toss up between Atheist-deconverted (I really should have said non-theist... less negative connetations), and atheist-raised secular.

Not that it matters- Other would do just as well... :smile:

[rach12]

Hmmm.... I seem to have problems with voting and then changing my mind. :metro:

I think I did believe in the Christian god at one time when I was young. It's what my mother taught me and all I knew. I remember praying for good things to happen to me and my loved ones because my mom told me that's what I was supposed to do - none of it came to fruition. I remember talking to God because that's what I was told to do - he didn't talk back. Everything I needed from god in order to believe in him as a child, god didn't deliver. I saw absolutely no evidence that god was in control of this world. And I was born needing to see evidence.

I didn't know there were other choices until I learned my father was a Buddhist.

What really started my *deconversion,* if you can call it that because I'm not sure I ever was a Christian (can a child be a Christian?), was hearing that non-Christians were bound for hell. My father was going to hell and the converted mass murderer was going to heaven?? Not possible.

Basically the more I learned about Christianity, the more is seemed like it was the biggest joke played on humanity. I came to the conclusion Christianity was nothing but a brainwashing cult with no basis in reality. It's sole purpose was to control the masses. At that time, I considered myself agnostic - mainly because I had no real interest in religion. It was unimportant to me.

In the last 3 or so years, I've come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as god. As for the supernatural? I don't think any of it exists. I think everything that happens in this universe ultimately has a natural explanation. We just don't happen to understand everything yet. Perhaps we never will be capable of understanding everything, and that's okay with me.

[Seasanctuary]

I believed in God until he told me to stop.

[Ghettochild]

grew up catholic decided to become atheist at 6, the whole god thing seemed to disney.

[BeHereNow]

I believed in God until he told me to stop.

You stole my answer. Not fair.

[Kulindrichnus]

Always atheist, although do remember I only consider atheism a side-effect of a more important anti-supernaturalistic attitude. Secular and academic upbringing, neither parents nor grandparents ever lent credibility to religion. More than enough contact with Christianity due to its' longstanding infiltration of British society and in particular singing hymns and saying the Lords' Prayer at school (comprehensive, not posh like Evo! :wink: ), an unfortunate practice that ought not to have been allowed. Consequently, a shamefully state-sponsored insufficient contact with all other religions.

K

[TransverseWave]

The questions in the poll are pretty self-explanatory- what was your experience with atheism/theism/religion in genral growing up, and how did it effect you?

There are three options in the poll that might have some applicability; I picked the one I did because I suppose deconversion describes more of the experience than the others. My family is strongly conservative Christian, and I think my faith lasted as long as it did because of the apologetic material I was exposed to when I was young. The experience of deconversion was painful, and there are aspects of Christianity I deeply regret losing, along with things I'm relieved to be quit of.

[EvoUK]

comprehensive, not posh like Evo!

Heh, someone's jealous... lol

Btw, private schools are rarely "posh", that's a misconception... ;)

[Didaktylos]

Let's see - the home I grew up in was always non-religious but I was subjected to the official rituals included in British state education. I got the impression that one of my headmasters was a genuinely devout (probably High Church) Anglican, but he didin't seem to regard it as his business to "win souls for the Lord". Otherwise, I got the impression that the schools performed the rituals and ceremonies that was included in what they were paid for.

[EvoUK]

Actually, speaking of the British education system- has anyone heard on the news that there is a lack of RE teachers in secondary schools (highschool equivilent to those US citizens out there) nowdays?

Apparently, many RE teachers aren't qualified in that area, and it's causing a stir in the relevent activist groups in the UK. Personally, I see this as directly reflecting the UK apathy towards religion...

[Bill Mutz]

Well, my parents were active Christians, but the whole commitment to blind faith thing set off alarm bells with me from the start. I kind of went along with it for a while, but I think I was born a hardline materialist because I was always like "but...how?" if you know what I mean. So to be honest with you I think that I was always a bit of an agnostic and eventually turned away from the religion completely, influenced in somewhat equal parts by Douglas Adams and a gradual loss of interest.

[SteveF]

My parents are both atheists but the rest of my small family are theists. Spent a lot of time with my methodist grandparents when I was a kid (well more of one than now!) and a lot of time at their chapel - even sung in the choir a bit. Also my best friends Dad was a minister. I went with him to a strongly religious primary school for 7 years - church twice a week, prayers and choir every day. After that my education was secular.

Not really sure why my parents sent my too a religious school. It was a good one which probably played a pretty big part, outweighing the religious aspect. Surrounded by all this I gradually made my own mind up about religion. I believed when I was really little but grew out of it.

I think the concept of a God as we know it; you know big chap with a white beard, is an absolute joke that stopped being funny sometime in the middle ages. However, like Evo, I don't rule out some supreme thing up there. Maybe physics will discover some odd force that kicked things off in a God like sense and that will come close. Anyhoo, just idly speculating.

[Ghettochild]

I think that we will never ever ever find the beginning

[sylas]

Grew up very Christian. My parents were missionaries, and later back to a regular parish ministry. Became an active Christian in my own right as a natural progression from their guidance and teaching. My eventual deconversion, around age 25, was an intellectual one. The initial seed was, ironically, a regular Christian study group in which I was participating at the time, studying the creeds of the church. I continued to work on my own through some of the issues that came up for me in that study, based on the notion of working out what I would give as my own personal statements of belief. But the end result, after some months, was deconversion.

Cheers -- Sylas

[anthrogirl]

grew up Conservative Fundamental Baptist. I always had difficulty with what apeared to be the cruelty of the church. Cruelty towards non-believers, as well as fellow Christians. I never agreed with the racism, sexism, and general intolerance of the organization. It was all too politically motivated--even in a historical sense.
I went to a private Christian high school--the mascot was the "Crusaders" (!)--as if the crusades are something to be proud of!
Also, Christianity is largely a "borrowed" religion--how these people get out of seminary without understanding their historical roots is beyond me! Intellectually, none of it makes sense to me.
The notion that we are here to convert the world to this White, patriarchal religion at the cost of thousands of indigenous cultures is, IMO, abhorrant. I thinks it's a tragedy that third-world peoples are lured to Christianity via it's promise of medical treatment and food, in exchange for their souls-- it smacks of a certain symbolic emblem described in the book of Revalations.
That being said, I would never deny someone's right to choose their religion--whatever it is. And I don't begrudge Christians for choosing theirs...

anthrogirl