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no_hypocrisy

(49,095 posts)
38. In stages.
Thu May 2, 2024, 05:53 PM
May 2024

Born an atheist.

Became an atheist humanist in October, 1984. Two things coincided: Finished 3-1/2 years of therapy where I became self-confident and self-reliant. I didn't need parents or God, and went to my first humanist get-together. Discovered I was more humanist than Jewish.

From there, I discovered freethought and became involved with the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

And from there, I discovered the Ethical Culture Society (Felix Adler).

I have discovered communities where I fit in, unlike Judaism where I felt I was being judged for not being "Jewish" enough.

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I went to Sunday School as a Presbyterian. I loved applegrove May 2024 #1
My parents sent me to a different Christian Bible School every summer. LakeArenal May 2024 #2
About 25 years of age. I got tired of it being crammed down my throat AND Ferrets are Cool May 2024 #3
A few years after realizing there is no Santa Claus or Easter Bunny. Silent Type May 2024 #4
Not sure the age but young. My Dad tried to shove religion down our throats. CousinIT May 2024 #5
God has become a tool for the oligarchs Farmer-Rick May 2024 #63
When God said to me that he didn't exist. Doodley May 2024 #6
Due to family, church people, and friends' pressure, I joined the church and was baptized when I was thirteen years old. spike jones May 2024 #7
By 18 after 9 years of Catholic school. MOMFUDSKI May 2024 #8
George Carlin said SCantiGOP May 2024 #49
Teenager, 15 or 16 I guess vanamonde May 2024 #9
As George Carlin said, "I was a Catholic, until I hit the age of reason." (paraphrasing) alwaysinasnit May 2024 #10
0. Just like everyone. Voltaire2 May 2024 #11
Unfortunately almost everyone on the planet is indoctrinated Bundbuster May 2024 #12
Your Unitarians had doctrine!? CCExile May 2024 #25
Back in the 1950's most Unitarians in that church Bundbuster May 2024 #47
I've heard Unitarians described as SCantiGOP May 2024 #50
Yep. Cultural Christian. We know all the bible stories, but CCExile May 2024 #52
Pretty late in life--50ish. Timeflyer May 2024 #13
Probably about the time I found out Santa doc03 May 2024 #14
I never believed the Bible stories from the children's lessons in Church. pandr32 May 2024 #15
Age: 21. Occasion: The night my 19 year old brother died in a car wreck. watrwefitinfor May 2024 #16
Thanks for sharing, very thoughtful and forthright Bundbuster May 2024 #17
Around seven. Susan Calvin May 2024 #18
At about the same age as you. BigmanPigman May 2024 #19
LOL - my atheist father would throw me a smirk as he read the Sunday paper on the couch Bundbuster May 2024 #21
It solidified in my early teens. canuckledragger May 2024 #20
Started questioning around 12 Faux pas May 2024 #22
About 8. When professional wrestling would come on TV after the church programs Sunday mornings. sybylla May 2024 #23
I went to Catholic School. If you weren't Catholic you couldn't go to heaven. twodogsbarking May 2024 #24
Thought you were going to go the Billy Joel route unblock May 2024 #28
I was 12. When my dad died. I hadn't been brainwashed, indoctrinated or groomed in anyway before that and ever brewens May 2024 #26
Always. First time I had the concept of god explained to me I said "what the f*ck is this sh*t?" unblock May 2024 #27
Uvalde maptap22 May 2024 #29
(( )) Deuxcents May 2024 #45
about age 15. just decided this God stuff made no sense. NoRethugFriends May 2024 #30
I went to Catholic school 12 years. I dont ever remember believing really. Srkdqltr May 2024 #31
As an alter boy I learned mass in Latin. Arne May 2024 #32
I was christened in the Church of England Skittles May 2024 #33
...made up this religion so he could divorce his wife to marry his pregnant girlfriend, who he later had beheaded. Bundbuster May 2024 #44
*SNORT* Skittles May 2024 #61
I think it was probably about 13 or 14...I grew up in the First Baptist Church walkingman May 2024 #34
During high school Cartoonist May 2024 #35
In my 30s AmBlue May 2024 #36
Over a period of years. R. P. McMurphy May 2024 #37
In stages. no_hypocrisy May 2024 #38
About 18 gibraltar72 May 2024 #39
HA!!! gay texan May 2024 #57
I was raised Mormon YodaMom2 May 2024 #40
Welcome to DU, YodaMom2, and especially to this Forum Bundbuster May 2024 #43
Thanks! YodaMom2 May 2024 #46
Watching my grandfather watch Oral Roberts beveeheart May 2024 #41
Assume I was born that way. Freethinker65 May 2024 #42
Catholic - mindlessly ate meat on a Friday - caught by my neighbor rurallib May 2024 #48
I was a skeptic before I was a teenager, and a card-carrying atheist by around 15. Chainfire May 2024 #51
2022 CountAllVotes May 2024 #53
Around 30, flakey_foont May 2024 #54
Seeing the control of repukes in the White House since 2000 I have become more agnostic! kimbutgar May 2024 #55
16 or 17, via rock n roll gay texan May 2024 #56
I've never been a believer. chowder66 May 2024 #58
11 years old if..fish..had..wings May 2024 #59
Some time later in grade school, but a seed of doubt was planted early on. dgauss May 2024 #60
Was around ten or twelve for me too Woodwizard May 2024 #62
When I discovered girls wyldwolf May 2024 #64
Would a weekly newsletter on the weirdness of religion in the world be appropriate here? Ranting Randy Jul 2024 #65
i think that age as well.. i have a memory of 'discussing' heaven with a friend and i... samnsara Aug 2024 #66
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