Not coming out...

[Soup Dragon]

I was reflecting on my 'coming out story' recently.

I don't really have one, and that's what got me thinking.

My mother broke away from religion many years ago. Though she went to a convent school I don't think her family were all that religiously inspired. (note to self, I really must chat more with the family there's so much I don't really know about their past and therefore to a degree my own!)

Anyway, she told me she saw images on TV about the time I was born showing a famine in Africa. Lots of malnourished and dying children covered in flies and obviously having a life (if they were lucky) that contrasted completely with mine. She was hit with a "if there was a god, he wouldn't let this happen" moment. What little link to religion was broken that day never to return.

Due to this epiphany I was always brought up as an atheist... writing that, it sounds too strong somehow... it was all very passive and whilst I wasn't really actually 'taught' anything formally by my mum (I say mum all the time as my father was a trucky and often away from home so the bringing up of the kids was down to mum) I was always allowed to think for myself.

Fast forward a handful of decades. Never having thought about religion much other than the odd annoyance here and there as I progressed through life it did seem to start bothering me more, probably only over the last half a dozen years or so. So I've been an Atheist more or less all my life. I've never really been a fan of labels, and the arguments about the meaning of the word we often have here turn me off it a little more at times. But at the end of the day I guess that's what I'd call myself if pushed today, or maybe secular humanist...? (lets not go there here! ).

So prior to a handful of years ago I would have been one of the uncountable non-believers that often get mentioned in these circles.

Anyway. I eventually came across this forum (along with a couple of others). And as you will know, because you're probably thinking 'shit who's this', I don't contribute that much but I do read a fair amount when I get the chance. I'm a little short on confidence but may try a little harder to get move involved in this community in the future.

And this is were I'm struggling to phrase what I mean... This forum has contributed to me thinking about things in a different (and fun it as to be said) way. Views that I'd previously probably just have taken at face value I now find myself challenging, even if just in my own head. Obviously in a real world situation you can't challenge everything thrown at you or you'd look a bit of a dick! I'm still nowhere near as clear a thinker or as knowledgeable as some of the main contributors here though and that holds me back a little.

BUT. I've never had to think round a BIG problem like the 'truth' of religion. None of my new way of thinking has been on that scale, I can't think of a bigger hurdle off the top of my head. If I was brought up by very religious parents I'm just not sure what sort of person I would be today. I know I'd obviously be different, but would I have the wherewithal like many have shown here to break those shackles, I'm just not sure.

So I find myself having quite a degree of respect for all those out there that have had years of indoctrination/brainwashing, call it what you will, and still managed to see the light and move into the real world, nay the universe.

I'm old, but I'm still learning and get quite a lot of value from the contributors of this particular forum. I wish I was younger and had started reading more 'sciencey' literature a lot sooner. Any youngsters on here, cram it in there!

I guess this is another of 'Soup's non-post' but I felt like writing some thoughts down.

[4lan]

Thanks for sharing.

4lan

[Goldenmane]

Nice post, SD.

Originally Posted by Soup Dragon

So I find myself having quite a degree of respect for all those out there that have had years of indoctrination/brainwashing, call it what you will, and still managed to see the light and move into the real world, nay the universe.

It's not actually that difficult, really. I might even consider it somewhat inevitable, as long as one is actually curious about the world.

[Xeno]

Originally Posted by Goldenmane

Nice post, SD.



It's not actually that difficult, really. I might even consider it somewhat inevitable, as long as one is actually curious about the world.

I am inclined to agree, with both of the above comments. I was not as bolshie about religion as some others here so by that token it was open to enquiry like anything else in my family or society, even though the consequences at first sight seemed more dramatic. It is asking questions and expecting answers to be rationally consistent with one another that takes you places.

[matter of fact]

[quote=Soup Dragon;247571]I was reflecting on my 'coming out story' recently.


I'm old, but I'm still learning and get quite a lot of value from the contributors of this particular forum. I wish I was younger and had started reading more 'sciencey' literature a lot sooner. Any youngsters on here, cram it in there!

Me to SD, i deciced to become more active in my atheism and having a ball.

[Soup Dragon]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm trying to dip my toe in here a little more, this seemed a good place to start.

Goldenmane and Xeno - That's interesting... I still admire the fact that you were able to think enough round the problem, and not as I've seen in many visitors cave in and default to what's most comfortable, lets say.

I wonder if everyone found it as easy (if that's not a bad word!)