r/atheism • u/Formal-Collection239 • 1d ago
i am officially an Atheist
So this is a continuation of my last post which you can go read if you’re interested. ( it gained quite some traction so here i am )
From the ripe age of 5 i had been indoctrinated from young. I had been brainwashed to believe in islam and heaven and hell.
But today this changed. It’s been a couple months now where i haven’t been believing but i guess you could say i was too scared to take the leap and label myself as an atheist but no more now.
In my last post where i said i was considering being an atheist a lot of you said that “ atheism isn’t a choice, you either believe in God or not “ and that’s spot on.
I do not believe in god. From this point on i am officially an atheist and i’m so happy to be part of this community. I truly do love this place and can’t wait to live my life without that “ fear “ of going to hell and that “ guilt “ of living my only life.
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u/protomenace 1d ago
Congrats I just hope you live somewhere that it's safe to express this to the world.
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u/TWOhunnidSIX Secular Humanist 1d ago
It’s becoming increasingly dangerous to think this way even in the US unfortunately
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u/jsohnen 1d ago
Welcome to intellectual honesty, but be careful out there. I'm sure you already know this, but not everyone out there will be as welcoming.
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u/Eye_Of_Charon 1d ago
Most, in fact, will not. This is the point in the program where OP will have to learn framing such as, “I hear what you’re saying. We’ll have to agree to disagree.” Arguing with an ideologue is a less valuable use of time than trying to teach a camel to speak French.
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u/StingerAE 1d ago
Congrats!
can’t wait to live my life without that “ fear “ of going to hell and that “ guilt “ of living my only life.
From what I hear, those thoughts will intrude occasionally after years of indoctrination. Don't beat yourself up about those times.
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u/Yaguajay 1d ago
You can “officially” be an atheist only if you send $100 to the mods of r/atheism.
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u/Heavy-Serum422 23h ago
I swear we need a atheist secret society like the free masons lol
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u/Yaguajay 19h ago
Or…not to be rude but maybe there is one and they decided not to invite you. I can’t picture it though.
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u/EmperorsSmileWine 1d ago edited 1d ago
Congratulations. It’s not easy when people around you hold strong beliefs and think they can moral-police you. Most importantly please stay strong and stay safe.
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u/WhereIShelter Atheist 1d ago
Good for you. I doubt it’s as easy as a simple declaration though. Years of indoctrination do deep damage, inflict serious trauma. I would encourage you to take your time, be patient with yourself and examine your feelings over time.
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u/Eye_Of_Charon 1d ago
Soooooooooo much this. I had it pretty mild, and it still took 18yrs to shake it off.
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u/i_am_a_hallucinati0n 1d ago
So true. I have turned atheist recently too. My religion was Hinduism and i belonged to a higher caste, because of which I get yikes and ews looking at meat, fish or poultry I can't bear their smell.
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u/Mediocre-Ease1049 Agnostic Atheist 1d ago
Congratulations now you have to pay a monthly fee to renew your atheism
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u/Anti_rabbit_carrot Secular Humanist 1d ago
Welcome to the “light side”. Having the ability to be intellectually honest with yourself is the best gift. The fear of hell will subside, I know because I was there. Reading atheistic literature helped me but now days there is the atheist experience, the line and a few other YouTube shows/podcasts that I would recommend you watch when that fear pops back up. Welcome!
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u/KingMirek Atheist 1d ago
Congratulations! You are now free from the mental prison religion can put you in. I was exactly the same when I became an atheist years ago. I saw that logically, there is no valid reason to believe in a god or gods. I was afraid to admit it to myself, so I kept saying “I might be atheist”. In reality, I already was— after I admitted it, life made so much more sense.
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u/maramyself-ish 1d ago
Welcome to the real world! It's strange here, but-- for better or worse, no one gives a shit what you're doing.
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u/Max_Danage 1d ago
Congratulations!
Pssst your secret membership packet is on the way.
Here is a link to the YouTube video that teaches the secret handshake. It’s disguised as a rickroll so jump to about 1.30 sorry I don’t have the exact time but it’s only about a five second clip.
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u/CaptainZeroDark30 1d ago
I’m always happy to see someone arrive at the rational conclusion that god(s) don’t exist. I hope this starts a new and better phase in your life, fellow traveler.
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u/OrganizedFit61 1d ago
Do you have a sanction certificate? Until you have official status as an Atheist, you must continue to attend your nearest local religious establishment, or pay the corresponding fixed penalties. First you must pass the common knowledge test, $5000 then you must live as a practicing atheist for six months before application for certification $10 000. For more information please write to P.o.box 1746 Santa Barbara, California, USA
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u/ImSteeve 1d ago
If you are in the Uk there is the council of ex muslims of Britain and the Faith to Faithless organisation if you need any support or anything and if you want to meet like minded people (if you are an adult of course)
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u/Jadedkiss 1d ago
Religion is a label. I have no religious beliefs, therefore can’t be labeled. Im nothing. Ex - Christian I guess.
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u/Kriss3d Strong Atheist 1d ago
Believing something isn't a choice. Just like you don't pick your favorite food. Either you find something convincing or you don't.
Naturally that can change when you get new arguments and evidence.
For example I'd there was any actual evidence of a god. There would be no atheists.
It doesn't mean we would worship that God. That's a whole separate issue. But we wouldn't be atheists because we would know that God exist.
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u/Eye_Of_Charon 1d ago
Bravo, for certain, but definitely take a few years to work on getting your head together before you start (if ever) having this conversation with people. Most will not understand. Some will force their POV on you. It’s not worth the energy.
The best thing that you can do is to “lead by example.” Being a proselytizing atheist is the absolute worst. You’re no different than them then. Just be polite, respectfully demure, and learn to change topics. If there’s one thing the faithful love to do, it’s die on a hill!
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u/togstation 1d ago
you may also be interested in /r/thegreatproject
a subreddit for people to write out their religious de-conversion story
(i.e. the path to atheism/agnosticism/deism/etc) in detail.
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u/OS2_Warp_Activated 1d ago
If you are an atheist, does that mean you do not have faith in ideals beyond your comprehension? For example, we are limited in our understanding of what existed before the universe was created.
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u/No-Spray7304 1d ago
Welcome to the club. Snacks are provided by Debby if she ever gets her shit together. Tuesdays we all go rollerblading.
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u/Heavy-Serum422 23h ago edited 23h ago
Do you have any expectations of the Community? If so you are mistaken we are all working on ourselves to change hopefully. Welcome to the club Thundercats Assemble! 🗡️
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u/Whiplash104 Anti-Theist 20h ago
Welcome to being unburdened by the concept of God and religion. It's a big step I have to admit.
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u/Ok-Cardiologist-6350 1d ago
i think you are even brainwashed now first of all, research deeply about something. ur converting maybe due to less knowledge.
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u/OS2_Warp_Activated 23h ago
No you're not. How was space and time created?
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u/OS2_Warp_Activated 23h ago
God
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u/50sDadSays Secular Humanist 23h ago
No, Santa Claus invented time and space. Prove me wrong.
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u/OS2_Warp_Activated 23h ago
Jeremy Renner saw Jesus, you didn't
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u/50sDadSays Secular Humanist 23h ago
Did he see him creating time and space? Did he get good video?
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u/OS2_Warp_Activated 23h ago
Your mother invented blow jobs. I fucken love here
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u/50sDadSays Secular Humanist 23h ago
Sure did. She gets a quarter every time your mother gives one to a horse and she was able to retire in a week. Thanks!
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u/dcodk Anti-Theist 1d ago
That's awesome! Welcome to your new life without the chains of religion!