New member

[Argus]

Hello to all. Just joined today.

I've read several good books lately including The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins and Letter To A Christian Nation by Sam Harris. Currently I am reading The Ancestor's Tale - Richard Dawkins and Tears In Heaven - Ian Ross Vayro.

I had an extremely strict christian upbringing which promised fire and brimstone and everlasting torment for non-believers and eternal bliss for members of our church as the chosen bride of christ.

I was an adopted child and during my childhood was told by brothers and sisters of the faith that I was not likely to enter the kingdom of heaven as I was not born into the apostolic religion. God-fearing adult relatives even went as far as to say that I was possessed by the devil as I was always hanging in the background and watching the other children rather than joining in their games.

Thankfully I have been unconverted for some years now. Although I stopped going to church early on I didn't instantly became a non-believer in god but soon realised that there were many different religions who all believed that they were the chosen ones. They couldn't all be right. I also tended to be on the side of evolution versus creationism.

Only over the past 5 years have I become strongly atheistic. This has probably come about through my interest in philosophy. On pondering the reasons we exist and our origins it is startlingly obvious to me now that all religion is an invention of mankind that came about because humanity needed there to be something to aim for after death. Sadly for all believers they are born, live and die just like all other animals and whether they live as a devout christian, jew or islamist will have no impact at the time of their death.

I'd be interested if anyone can recommend good books on related topics.

[robertkd]

Welcome Argus,

seems a sad but typical story from those whom are delusionally blessed, glad that you have made the journey to reality.

I have, fortunately never been under the spell so can only imagine the effects it has, I have had several friends fall under the spell some of which have since came to their senses.

I have also read RD's 'The Greatest Show on Earth', it's a good read but I would also recommend a title from Sean Sinjin called 'MEME' it a 'humanist' style book but is an excellent read.

Another good recent read has been Richard Brodie "Virus of the Mind' whilst amongst my current reading is the classic 'On the Origin of Species' figured as I haven't actually read it and it is significantly 2009 I had better at least find out what is is about,. ;)

[davo]

Greets Argus! Hope you enjoy your time here

[rolandmckay]

Argus, firstly welcome as I am a newbie also. There is a great book written by Mark Ridley (3rd ed.) Evolution which will explain why Creationism is total BS. There is a tutorial on line 'Mark Ridley Evolution tutorials' which will lead you into this subject.

The essential reason that creationists are vehemently opposed to Evolution is that it denies Adam and Eve upon which Christianity depends for the supremely obscene concept of Original Sin, Atonement, Salvation and the need for Saviours such as Jesus Christ. Without this essential belief, all fundamental Chistianity falls with the the Fall.

Religion is destined for fossilization as the bible is already fossilized, can't adapt, frozen in time heading for a Museum of Mythology.