I was born into a Christian family. I prayed to God for years. I argued with people that didn't believe what I believed. I got angry with them. I refused to see all of the holes in the bible. Later on in life I opened my eyes. I became aware of the hypocrisy of those around me that believed in Christianity. I became aware of the true nature of human beings. I no longer saw people as the special creation of God. I saw people as liars that desperately wanted to be special.

My atheism was born out of anger. I felt betrayed and lied to. I felt upset that people were giving and receiving false hope. Any person claiming to know the truth made me angry because I knew that no one knew the truth. I felt jealous of their delusions. Anytime that I wanted to be a "believer" again, I felt like I was being a weak and pathetic liar. My anger, jealousy and pride fueled my desire to fight religious people and their beliefs.

I'm done with the resentment. I don't care if I'm wrong or right anymore. I only care about the comfort, happiness and confidence that faith, or lack thereof, gives people. People's beliefs should be respected. I currently believe that there might be more to this life than meets the eye. I could be wrong. I think more people should admit when they might be wrong.

I like religious freedom but I don't like how some people use religion as a tool to use, abuse and control people.

I have learned to accept and respect the flaws of humanity. We are all in this together. I think we are all confused and frustrated with this mysterious existence.

This may be the only life we get. Let's respect each other. Let's stop fighting about who is wrong or right and try to make life easier for each other while we're here.

Thanks for sharing your heart filled beliefs. I wouldn't call myself a atheist, but I am for sure strongly against most religious views. I use to attend church with my family. And a few times over my life I have stuck my foot back into the doors, only to realize they like to slam them and stomp on ones feet. I do not know if I can shower a rain of hate against believers, for it is their right to do so. My anger goes against those who harm others in the church, and are protected. I live my life now to keep myself, my beautiful family, and others I meet in this chaos of life happy. If I can make people smile each day, it is a day worth living. I am spiritual to a point, but that is VERY open. Anything given to, created, or modified by man is destined to get twisted and watered down. A fact we all must live with. Again, thanks for your post.

Spoken from the heart my friend. Thank you for sharing your wise perspective.

With Love,

Your Brother

It is my moral obligation to tolerate your beliefs as long as they don't interfere with mine.
It is not my obligation to offer you respect for your beliefs.

Religion is a sickness, a disease, a cancer.

Religious folk are a container of thus.

A cancer container that must cease.

Mindless fools on their track of Armageddon present a danger to all.

The cancer must be terminated, this danger eliminated...

I think respect is a little more important than faith, Although both mutually are important. Just not so much in the religious ways,IMO.

I wouldn't say that I'm an athiest because that "IMO" implies an absolute. I will say that I do NOT believe, follow, or agree with any religion that I am aware exists today. I do respect other individual's belief's as long as they do not interfere with my wellbeing and they are respectful themselves. Most of us are in search for an answer to what all this is, or a purpose to life.. though I feel none of us can say for sure that we know that answer or purpose, this is why I can't agree with religion as it also implies an absolute.

It really is a fight for your mind.....Without even addressing your indifference to Christianity, I can see the system using its poison on you, its not too late to turn back.

I never really understood the respect that religions get, why? Any other time someone is acting stupid, everyone has no problem pointing it out. I'd be a laughing stock if at seventeen years old I believed in Santa Claus, regardless of how much comfort it provided me. I have a problem any time someone decides to resort to ignorance in order to find comfort.

A favourite quote of mine:

" I may disagree strongly with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."