to all athiests?

I do believe in a higher power than myself... things are put together all too well to not have some force behind it. My problem is with organized religion. You don't have to go to a church to be in god's house just walk outside that is the house that was created for us. Think about the savage acts that we carried out "in the name of god" the crusades, 9/11, ect. ect. it goes on through out history. I personally don't believe that this is what the higher power had intended. That is my "issue" with god and I would imagine that I am not the only one.

You're under the mistaken impression that atheists are "angry" over something.

Not receiving a pony has nothing to do with it. An atheist is someone who is educated, nothing more. People who read the bible, read mythology, study science, and history, have no option other than atheism.

If you still believe in the Christian god, specifically, you simply haven't exposed yourself to all the scientific and historical facts that completely disprove your religion.

Once you understand that your religion is false, you will become an agnostic. And the next question an agnostic will ask is, "Why do I even believe in a god anyway? The only reason I ever even conceived of a god was because the Christians told me to (since birth)."

And that's when you become an atheist. Life becomes a whole lot clearer once you understand this.

I was raised a Baptist and as I got older, began attending other churches. Finding they all relied on "because I said so" as the only foundation for their doctrine, I began investigating the history of religion and the bible.

And, have concluded that there was no creator and it is a fact that supernatural entities ("Gods") do not exist in fact. While all things are possible, there is no objectively verifiable evidence to support the claim that supernatural entities ("Gods") exist.

Which means they do not in fact exist.

It was a process that led to a decision. Rather than calling myself an agnostic, I prefer the more direct term atheist.

No intelligent, rational person would ever deny the possibility that all things are possible, but being possible and existing in fact are two different subjects.

Atheism has a far more solid foundation than any religion that relies on superstition and myths as it's foundation.

I don't need the love of imaginary friends, or stuffed animals to live a happy, rewarding life.

Ok, I'll bite. Seriously, it was during my mid elementary school years. During Sunday School I would become increasingly annoyed at how many times I was 'taught' something that completely contradicted what I had learned the previous Monday-Friday in public school. Like the scientific facts of the matter: Immaculate conceptions, women made from the rib, the parting of the Red Sea, Noahs Ark (2 of every animal on EARTH! C'mon!) Sodam and Gamorrah (the pillars of salt thing), and so many more incredible stories like this. To a young mind, thirsty for knowledge, in a LOGICAL world, the contradictions made no sense. So I chose the logical vs the illogical. This experience was repeated many times later in my learning years until finally I had to give up the Church. I will never look back nor will I look to a mythical explanation to our existence. With true science comes true enlightenment. Your beliefs are apparent to me by the way you phrased your question. And I respect that. I may not agree, but I respect you nonetheless. I would, however, like to offer you food for thought: Ask yourself- Is your belief (and remember, ALL beliefs are subjective) based on a factual, LOGICAL, and scientific view of the World that you live in or is it based on what you were told by others (i.e. family upbringing or the Church)? Understanding the World for YOURSELF, by YOURSELF is far more enlightening than relying on an idealogy that was born in the age of extreme human ignorance. I hope this was helpful for you. Take Care!

It stems more from the Revelation that what kind of "perfect" being would need to kill so often? Why would this faultless character need to flood the earth and start over? Why kill the first born children of Egypt. Why inspire others to kill in your name. Not directly mind you, but by slyly putting the notion that other religions are detrimental to your own. Was 1.5 million or so deaths enough in the crusades?

Also think of the need for a moral population. Religion is a great way to teach morals (other than the killing part that no one adheres to). Back when the bible was written, there was a need to insight fear into the people to behave appropriately. The need is gone for the intellectual circles. Soon the poor will be able to educate themselves to be free of religion.

When I had my own revelation about my lack of any faith, I was sitting in church listening to some guy in his bathrobe reading from some kind of storybook, then telling me that I was going to hell for being who I am, who "God" created -what's more, for things I'd never done. I realized that it was nothing more than a show. Theatrics. Designed to guilt you. I also knew that these people knew no more (or perhaps less) about the world around them. The claimed time and time again to know the answers to life and pointed to one crazed, unmedicated middle-easterner who supposedly made water into wine, created fish and bread for people to eat, died, then rose like a zombie from the dead, then hovered up into the sky. Yeah. Whatever. I wonder how many hits of acid it took for them to write that!

Regardless, I quickly realized that not only is relgion a "dog and pony show", but it was a way of controlling the masses, a way of raking in money from those who need it most - and so that a church can continue building it's empire. Which leads me to my most important moment:

My most powerful revelation happened when I went to Rome. I had a few days "leave" and went via overnight train. I had heard of it's beauty, museums, etc. and wanted to see the history. After the typically tourist destinations, our troop ended up going to the Vatican.

At first, I was in awe. It truly was a piece of art. As I walked the long, vast expansive corridores, looking up at the towering statues of gold saints and martyrs, the ornate and complex stained glass and wood working, I realized that any number of the items could get pawned and feed a nation for years!

Meanwhile, people are literally starving to death and WE are bombarded with pleas for donations, to adopt children in far off countries. The Vatican has every means at its disposal to put a permanent end to this. Too bad pride, greed, selfishness and politics, rather than being humble, rule the day.

I kept thinking to myelf: No god would ever let things get this out-of-hand.

So, there you have it: two complete markers of my "fall from grace". ;-)

I think I've answered your quesiton completely.

I was not raised in a household with religion. My parents were not religious people, and so they decided to let me (when I was old enough) to form my own decision on religion. My Grandmother who was a fan of religion used to drag my brothers and I to church, I have no real recollection of this, only that I knew I had no interest. I am 31 years old, and I find that you can believe what you would like, just do not push it onto other people. I have never been interested in learning about this issue, nor do I want to. I get by everyday, very happily, without the added stress of whether or not I am going to burn in hell etc. I would rather just live my life, and take it as it comes! Also people who say Atheists are terrible people, this is just somebody who just not understand where we are coming from. To each their own! Religion or not, it is your decision.

I was 16, sitting in church. I looked around and realized how big of hypocrites I was sitting with. I knew one guy who was cheating on his wife, yet had the nerve to sit there and smile and sing like nothing was wrong. I knew people who drank did drugs and slept around and still went to church on Sunday like it was all OK and they were better than everyone else because they were 'saved'. It made me sick.

Then I started to question the stories in the bible. How did Noah fit all those thousands of animals onto one boat? How could the earth only be 6,000 years old when there was so much evidence that it was not? Why were there so many contradictions in the Bible?

And I wondered, "if god is so perfect and wonderful, why does he need my worship? why would a perfect god punish people forever just because they didnt believe? Is god that insecure and that cruel that he must threaten people just to get them to worship him?"

I got up, walked out, and never looked back. And I've never regretted it, and never been happier.

wow. seems a lot of common denominators.

I've always heard, that most atheists come out of a Christian home.

I can believe that now. Nobody is going to take something shoved down their throat. Why does all guys look for preachers daughters?. They are the first to rebel.

A kid today, being in America, in a Christian home, I see where that could be real tuff. If you had a fanatics for parents, I see where kids are drug addicts, alcohol abuse.

I would hate to be 15 years old today, and starting over.

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When I grew up and looked seriously at the evidence. It seems that most Christians have little confidence and are extremely gullible. both pre-requisites for those that preach such nonsense to you. In the end you actually become scared to let go of your Christianity, especially as your God rules by fear. I genuinly feel sorry for you. I bet you're American as well so that's a double wammy.