I Was An Atheist By Third Grade

[Bayard]

78. Great minds think alike

And all that. That's the main problem I've always had with organized religion--you are not allowed to think for yourself, and certainly not deviate.

I was raised hard-core Southern Baptist. If that doesn't turn you off religion, nothing will. Onward Christian Soldiers! I think I was 9 or 10 when I couldn't stand the pressure anymore, and marched down the aisle to get baptized. No epiphany or otherworldly voices, just fed up with the expectation.

Church was Sunday morning, Sunday and Wednesday nights. By the time I was going into junior high, we had moved, and church was this small town, closed-minded affair. Hated it. Started not wanting to go. It had all just started sounding so stupid. Virgin birth? Who are you kidding? The world created in 7 days? Give me a break! My Mom had the preacher come to our house to talk to me. I think she believed I was possessed

Over the years, I keep seeing more things that re-enforce a lack of belief in the great wizard in the sky, especially in my own family. They endured terrible illnesses, poverty, and loss. They were great believers that were continually stomped on. One of the worst phrases in the English language--It was God's will.

What I do believe in these days is trying to live in harmony with nature. Appreciate, love, and respect it. I also believe in Paying It Forward--try to help out those you can.