#MyAtheistSelf project submission from  behind-the-chair: My name is Brittany, I exist here. I didn’t really grow up with religion so I guess you can say I’ve always been an atheist. My Grandfather, who raised me, was brought up in a very strict Catholic house in Ireland so he did all he could to escape that once he came to the States. However, attending Mass once a week is still embedded in his brain even though he also practices Buddhism and meditation. But I digress…I DID give Catholicism the ol’ college try in my teens but that fell through pretty much immediately when I realized I would never conform to hatred, bigotry and misogyny. I live in sin with my boyfriend Alex in Tucson, AZ. We refuse to get married until EVERYONE can get married. Until then, we’re quite happy not having a piece of paper define our love. I don’t hate religion….I just hate what it has brought this world to. 

#MyAtheistSelf project submission from  behind-the-chair:

My name is Brittany, I exist here.

I didn’t really grow up with religion so I guess you can say I’ve always been an atheist. My Grandfather, who raised me, was brought up in a very strict Catholic house in Ireland so he did all he could to escape that once he came to the States. However, attending Mass once a week is still embedded in his brain even though he also practices Buddhism and meditation.

But I digress…I DID give Catholicism the ol’ college try in my teens but that fell through pretty much immediately when I realized I would never conform to hatred, bigotry and misogyny.

I live in sin with my boyfriend Alex in Tucson, AZ. We refuse to get married until EVERYONE can get married. Until then, we’re quite happy not having a piece of paper define our love.

I don’t hate religion….I just hate what it has brought this world to. 

#MyAtheistSelf project submission from  123456789hell0 : My story: My name is Amanda, and I am 18 years old. I have lived with my mom my whole life, who is not religious. Growing up, I remember my mom telling me that “God” is someone parents make up so that their children will behave a certain way. I still to this day remember her telling me that. When I was a very young kid, I went to church, but only to play with my friends and the toys in the children’s room. As I became a pre-teen, I went to church with my friends. Not to praise “God” or because I was a Christian, I went because there was always games, food, and people my age to be around. I always knew I wasn’t the same as everyone there, and it was when I was 16 I decided my religion. I believe in science. I don’t believe in things that you can’t see or prove. Therefore, I decided to become an Atheist. I have had a lot of my friends question it. As long as I don’t shove my beliefs down there throat, they don’t bring up theres at all. I love being Atheist, and I will stay that way my whole life. I will not have a religious wedding, and I will not force my kids to be Atheist, I will let them CHOSE what they want to be, and I’m fine with that. Want to follow me? :  http://www.ffuckyeahmanda.tumblr.com   (:

#MyAtheistSelf project submission from  123456789hell0 :

My story: My name is Amanda, and I am 18 years old. I have lived with my mom my whole life, who is not religious. Growing up, I remember my mom telling me that “God” is someone parents make up so that their children will behave a certain way. I still to this day remember her telling me that. When I was a very young kid, I went to church, but only to play with my friends and the toys in the children’s room.

As I became a pre-teen, I went to church with my friends. Not to praise “God” or because I was a Christian, I went because there was always games, food, and people my age to be around. I always knew I wasn’t the same as everyone there, and it was when I was 16 I decided my religion. I believe in science. I don’t believe in things that you can’t see or prove. Therefore, I decided to become an Atheist. I have had a lot of my friends question it. As long as I don’t shove my beliefs down there throat, they don’t bring up theres at all.

I love being Atheist, and I will stay that way my whole life. I will not have a religious wedding, and I will not force my kids to be Atheist, I will let them CHOSE what they want to be, and I’m fine with that.

Want to follow me? :  http://www.ffuckyeahmanda.tumblr.com   (:

#MyAtheistSelf project submission from   wearethewalkingscum: Name: Alexiss.  Where: Michigan, US.  Bio: I’m 16. I grew up in a very religious family, my mom was my sunday school teacher growing up and she works at a church now. I never really “believed” in God growing up. I’ve always searched for reasoning and proof for things, and that’s just something that i never found solid enough proof for me to believe it. I finally told my mom that i didn’t believe in God about 6 months ago, and she started crying and said that she was just scared and now she doesn’t have the peace of mind that when she dies she’ll see me in heaven. I have respect for certain religions, for example i can completely understand why someone would be a Buddhist and i can respect that. But certain religions i cannot stand. The abrahamic faiths are pretty good examples. I’m not really a complete Atheist, i’m getting into Laveyan Satanism more now.

#MyAtheistSelf project submission from   wearethewalkingscum:

Name: Alexiss. 

Where: Michigan, US. 

Bio: I’m 16. I grew up in a very religious family, my mom was my sunday school teacher growing up and she works at a church now. I never really “believed” in God growing up. I’ve always searched for reasoning and proof for things, and that’s just something that i never found solid enough proof for me to believe it. I finally told my mom that i didn’t believe in God about 6 months ago, and she started crying and said that she was just scared and now she doesn’t have the peace of mind that when she dies she’ll see me in heaven. I have respect for certain religions, for example i can completely understand why someone would be a Buddhist and i can respect that. But certain religions i cannot stand. The abrahamic faiths are pretty good examples.

I’m not really a complete Atheist, i’m getting into Laveyan Satanism more now.

#MyAtheistSelf project submission from ahmerde: Name: MaryCountry: United StatesBio: I’m 19, pansexual, and was raised Catholic. I lived with my grandmother most of my life, while she had “exiled” my mum from the family for being a lesbian. I went to church every Sunday, and I went to CCD (Catholic church school) every Sunday. I was raised strictly, as my grandfather served in the military his whole life. I can remember challenging these beliefs as young as 7 or 8. Around the age I learned my mum was a lesbian, about 10, I started lashing out at my CCD instructors when they brought up homosexuals and how they’re damned to hell. From then on, I was constantly being asked to leave the classroom. It only got worse when I got older because, even in high school, I was more educated than most of my instructors. I had logic they couldn’t fight with. I was baptized, received my first communion, and did my first confession. When it came time to be confirmed, I put my foot down. My mum told me to do it to please my grandmother. I was outraged. Religion and belief systems are a personal choice and should be made for yourself. I told her that I just wasn’t ready to commit myself to a religion for the rest of my life, and if I ever changed my mind, God would still be there. I fought, and fought with the church about it. Eventually, my family got a call from the head of the church, and he said, “We think it would be best if Mary didn’t come to church anymore.” That is one of the reasons I hate religion the most. I wasn’t denying a god, I simple wanted to take my time and learn more, but they were so afraid of a 17 year old, educated, smart, opinionated woman, that they had to basically exile me. After that I dabbled in agnosticism and atheism. I’m still not 100% sure what I believe, and I have the rest of my life to ponder the mysteries of the world, but I do know that I absolutely hate organized religion. 

#MyAtheistSelf project submission from ahmerde:

Name: Mary
Country: United States
Bio: I’m 19, pansexual, and was raised Catholic. I lived with my grandmother most of my life, while she had “exiled” my mum from the family for being a lesbian. I went to church every Sunday, and I went to CCD (Catholic church school) every Sunday. I was raised strictly, as my grandfather served in the military his whole life. I can remember challenging these beliefs as young as 7 or 8. Around the age I learned my mum was a lesbian, about 10, I started lashing out at my CCD instructors when they brought up homosexuals and how they’re damned to hell. From then on, I was constantly being asked to leave the classroom. It only got worse when I got older because, even in high school, I was more educated than most of my instructors. I had logic they couldn’t fight with. I was baptized, received my first communion, and did my first confession. When it came time to be confirmed, I put my foot down. My mum told me to do it to please my grandmother. I was outraged. Religion and belief systems are a personal choice and should be made for yourself. I told her that I just wasn’t ready to commit myself to a religion for the rest of my life, and if I ever changed my mind, God would still be there. I fought, and fought with the church about it. Eventually, my family got a call from the head of the church, and he said, “We think it would be best if Mary didn’t come to church anymore.” That is one of the reasons I hate religion the most. I wasn’t denying a god, I simple wanted to take my time and learn more, but they were so afraid of a 17 year old, educated, smart, opinionated woman, that they had to basically exile me. After that I dabbled in agnosticism and atheism. I’m still not 100% sure what I believe, and I have the rest of my life to ponder the mysteries of the world, but I do know that I absolutely hate organized religion. 

#MyAtheistSelf project submission fromerratic-explosions: Name: Jéan-Lé Jésus Des Ètages Bio: 17/Male/Trinidad and Tobago       I’m interested in particularly everything. I sail, dive, write poetry, play guitar and have been a boy scout for the last 10 years. My recent distractions include designing tumblr themes and playing Interactive Fiction [if you wanna play with me, send a message (please). I’m now starting it though.]I’m currently studying Literature, Sociology, Applied Maths, IT and tend to ramble [my apologies].My Story is unspectacular. My mother converted her Indian family from Hinduism to Christianity and, although she was never fervently religious, she always considered her Christian beliefs to be a fact of life. My father -now on his second divorce- ‘inherited’ Catholicism from his French father. I was raised in a Protestant church and whenever we had Bible camp and such, they always voted me as their best ‘student.’ I had a real knack for interpreting the scripture and applying it to everyday life. Especially when it came to ‘metaphoring’ my way out of tricky situations. The parts that I disagreed with like the suggestion that my Muslim friends (no matter how kind/awesome they are) were going to burn in hell were made bearable by the belief that Christianity was a way of life and that God would obviously be wise enough to see beyond silly things like labels or religions. Then, at around age 12, I had a history class on the Mayans and Aztecs, and the teacher discussed their religions. The idea that these people practiced blood-letting and human sacrifice as part of their religion was disturbing to most, but it made sense to me. That was their religion. To them, those were their gods, that was their reality. The implications of what a religion was had started to sink in. I asked the question, “What makes my god any more real than theirs?” The only answer was the fact that my family worships him. From then I was not a Christian. I resigned that there was a god or being or thing… and that I would pick a religion that seems ‘real’ when I got the chance to visit and learn about all the faiths. 3 or 4 years later, I studied religion some more, discovered Tim Minchin and the whole atheist community on the internet and I labelled myself as an agnostic atheist. I never did learn about all the available religions, but fundamentally, I believe that religion is something that the world is better off without. In an attempt to prove me wrong, I will be conducting a sociological study in the coming months of the various religious groups in my island where I’m going to participate in their religious ceremonies and study their beliefs. That was my story :) thanks for reading, and I hope you don’t die today or any other misfortune like that ^_^     

#MyAtheistSelf project submission fromerratic-explosions:

Name: Jéan-Lé Jésus Des Ètages

Bio: 17/Male/Trinidad and Tobago
       I’m interested in particularly everything. I sail, dive, write poetry, play guitar and have been a boy scout for the last 10 years. My recent distractions include designing tumblr themes and playing Interactive Fiction [if you wanna play with me, send a message (please). I’m now starting it though.]
I’m currently studying Literature, Sociology, Applied Maths, IT and tend to ramble [my apologies].

My Story is unspectacular. My mother converted her Indian family from Hinduism to Christianity and, although she was never fervently religious, she always considered her Christian beliefs to be a fact of life. My father -now on his second divorce- ‘inherited’ Catholicism from his French father. I was raised in a Protestant church and whenever we had Bible camp and such, they always voted me as their best ‘student.’ I had a real knack for interpreting the scripture and applying it to everyday life. Especially when it came to ‘metaphoring’ my way out of tricky situations. The parts that I disagreed with like the suggestion that my Muslim friends (no matter how kind/awesome they are) were going to burn in hell were made bearable by the belief that Christianity was a way of life and that God would obviously be wise enough to see beyond silly things like labels or religions.

Then, at around age 12, I had a history class on the Mayans and Aztecs, and the teacher discussed their religions. The idea that these people practiced blood-letting and human sacrifice as part of their religion was disturbing to most, but it made sense to me. That was their religion. To them, those were their gods, that was their reality. The implications of what a religion was had started to sink in.

I asked the question, “What makes my god any more real than theirs?” The only answer was the fact that my family worships him. From then I was not a Christian. I resigned that there was a god or being or thing… and that I would pick a religion that seems ‘real’ when I got the chance to visit and learn about all the faiths. 3 or 4 years later, I studied religion some more, discovered Tim Minchin and the whole atheist community on the internet and I labelled myself as an agnostic atheist.

I never did learn about all the available religions, but fundamentally, I believe that religion is something that the world is better off without.
In an attempt to prove me wrong, I will be conducting a sociological study in the coming months of the various religious groups in my island where I’m going to participate in their religious ceremonies and study their beliefs.

That was my story :) thanks for reading, and I hope you don’t die today or any other misfortune like that ^_^     

#MyAtheistSelf project submission frommusicalpaws: Nicole. 20 years old. Lesbian. United States. When I was younger, I lived with my mother who was an extremely religious person. She would drag my brother and I to church 3 times a week, and have us pray every night. At the time it was all I knew, so I worshiped god just like I thought everyone else was supposed to. By the time I was in 5th grade I started living with my dad, so I stopped going to church. My freshman year of high school my history class had us learn about the 3 major religions(Judaism, Christianity, Islam) and philosophies. At this time I was already questioning my sexuality, but began also questioning my belief in any higher being. Soon I walked up to my dad(who, had went to church is whole life, and still believes in god) and announced that I was an atheist, and the next time I saw my mom I handed her the bible she gave to me when I was younger, explaining I didn’t need it anymore. (Explaining to her that I was an atheist would have set off her already unstable mental state, so I just left it at that) And ta-da! I feel like I’ve become a lot less ignorant to the world around me now that I don’t believe in any god/religion. 

#MyAtheistSelf project submission frommusicalpaws:

Nicole. 20 years old. Lesbian. United States.

When I was younger, I lived with my mother who was an extremely religious person. She would drag my brother and I to church 3 times a week, and have us pray every night. At the time it was all I knew, so I worshiped god just like I thought everyone else was supposed to. By the time I was in 5th grade I started living with my dad, so I stopped going to church. My freshman year of high school my history class had us learn about the 3 major religions(Judaism, Christianity, Islam) and philosophies. At this time I was already questioning my sexuality, but began also questioning my belief in any higher being. Soon I walked up to my dad(who, had went to church is whole life, and still believes in god) and announced that I was an atheist, and the next time I saw my mom I handed her the bible she gave to me when I was younger, explaining I didn’t need it anymore. (Explaining to her that I was an atheist would have set off her already unstable mental state, so I just left it at that) And ta-da! I feel like I’ve become a lot less ignorant to the world around me now that I don’t believe in any god/religion. 

#MyAtheistSelf project submission from resurrectionjo: Joanna, 23, Kansas.Bio: Born and raised in the Bible Belt, I was constantly surrounded and exposed to Christianity. There is -literally- a church on every corner in my town. I’m not sure why my parents decided to settle here; since they are far from devout. My father raised me to look at all things with a certain amount of skepticism, and religion was no exception. He despises the money-hungry churches and backwards thinking of Christian America. He is very well-versed with the scripture though, being raised a Methodist. He’s never admitted it, but I think he’s a closet atheist or at very least an agnostic. On the other hand, my mother was raised in foster home to foster home and the brunt of Holy Roller Baptist culture. When the church and community turned her away for being pregnant at 14, she felt betrayed and has not claimed to be any specific domination and even dabbled in cults in her youth. So, we said our little novelty prayers before dinner and bed but did not attend church or even talk about God or religion. It simply didn’t come up. In 2nd grade, I was asked what church I went to by my teacher and when I told her I didn’t go to any church, she stared at me in real disbelief. From that moment on I felt like an outcast and eventually I buckled from the need to belong and attended church with some family friends. On my own free will and curiosity, mind you.Everything hit me at once during bible studies, sermons, and the like. Hit me like a ton of wow, this-is-creepy-and-weird-bricks. I quietly went along though, thinking maybe I’d “get it”  if I just kept trying. I was even saved. I remember so vividly clasping hands with another girl as the church leader redeemed our souls from fiery hell (though we were only 11.) and as he spoke, all I could think was “What am I supposed to feel?” Needless to say I wasn’t convinced at that point. That same year I went to a church camp and it was literally Hell on earth. I felt as if the others could sense my lack of faith. I had no friends there and even the camp leaders disliked me. I witnessed lake baptisms and public humiliation of sinners and heard things like “Girls, when you wear tank tops, you give the boys unholy thoughts.”  After that, I was done. At 12 years old I denounced religion all together and became a non-believer (I hadn’t heard the term ‘atheist’ yet). Since then I’ve been met with a lot of confusion, pity, and avoidance. But no matter how many times someone says “Oh, I feel so sorry for you, I’ll pray for your soul…” I am steadfast in my way of life and I still try to learn as much about the world as I can. As a teenager I was hostile towards religious peers but I’ve grown to be respectful towards people of faith because I know what it feels like to be ridiculed. I’m a proud and open atheist and I’ve never been happier.

#MyAtheistSelf project submission from resurrectionjo:

Joanna, 23, Kansas.

Bio: Born and raised in the Bible Belt, I was constantly surrounded and exposed to Christianity. There is -literally- a church on every corner in my town. I’m not sure why my parents decided to settle here; since they are far from devout. My father raised me to look at all things with a certain amount of skepticism, and religion was no exception. He despises the money-hungry churches and backwards thinking of Christian America. He is very well-versed with the scripture though, being raised a Methodist. He’s never admitted it, but I think he’s a closet atheist or at very least an agnostic. On the other hand, my mother was raised in foster home to foster home and the brunt of Holy Roller Baptist culture. When the church and community turned her away for being pregnant at 14, she felt betrayed and has not claimed to be any specific domination and even dabbled in cults in her youth. 

So, we said our little novelty prayers before dinner and bed but did not attend church or even talk about God or religion. It simply didn’t come up. In 2nd grade, I was asked what church I went to by my teacher and when I told her I didn’t go to any church, she stared at me in real disbelief. From that moment on I felt like an outcast and eventually I buckled from the need to belong and attended church with some family friends. On my own free will and curiosity, mind you.

Everything hit me at once during bible studies, sermons, and the like. Hit me like a ton of wow, this-is-creepy-and-weird-bricks. I quietly went along though, thinking maybe I’d “get it”  if I just kept trying. I was even saved. I remember so vividly clasping hands with another girl as the church leader redeemed our souls from fiery hell (though we were only 11.) and as he spoke, all I could think was “What am I supposed to feel?” 

Needless to say I wasn’t convinced at that point. That same year I went to a church camp and it was literally Hell on earth. I felt as if the others could sense my lack of faith. I had no friends there and even the camp leaders disliked me. I witnessed lake baptisms and public humiliation of sinners and heard things like “Girls, when you wear tank tops, you give the boys unholy thoughts.” 

After that, I was done. At 12 years old I denounced religion all together and became a non-believer (I hadn’t heard the term ‘atheist’ yet). Since then I’ve been met with a lot of confusion, pity, and avoidance. But no matter how many times someone says “Oh, I feel so sorry for you, I’ll pray for your soul…” I am steadfast in my way of life and I still try to learn as much about the world as I can. As a teenager I was hostile towards religious peers but I’ve grown to be respectful towards people of faith because I know what it feels like to be ridiculed. I’m a proud and open atheist and I’ve never been happier.

#MyAtheistSelf project submission frompastaistheopiateofthemasses: Name: Rusiru Age: 15 Location: Born in Sri Lanka, raised in New York.  My Story: Lucky for me I was born into a Theravada Buddhist, Sri Lankan family. And since Theravada Buddism is really not a religion and more of philosophy I wasn’t raised under Gods either. And my parents, especially my mother, were fairly neutral and even a bit liberal in their views so I wasn’t raised in a super conservative or “traditional” family either, so I was free to develop my own thoughts. But even so, idk what influenced me, I grew up with super conservative views as a kid. Up until around 2 years ago, I was homophobic, pro-life, and had other Republican views; not very atheist, huh? But then, sometime over the Summer of 2010, I started getting exposed to more and more videos and articles on New Atheism, humanism, and liberalism through the internet and it really intrigued me because it was just so….logical. Treating all people the way you wanted to be treated, the importance of liberty and equality, the inconsistencies of religion, living the one life you have to its fullest; those were all things I started looking into and following as I delved deeper and deeper into the philosophical aspects of humanism, liberalism, and New Atheism.  So as I learned about atheism and its commonly associated philosophies, I felt more passionate about my new views and that’s resulted in me becoming the vocal liberal atheist I am today! :D

#MyAtheistSelf project submission frompastaistheopiateofthemasses:

Name: Rusiru

Age: 15

Location: Born in Sri Lanka, raised in New York. 

My Story: Lucky for me I was born into a Theravada Buddhist, Sri Lankan family. And since Theravada Buddism is really not a religion and more of philosophy I wasn’t raised under Gods either. And my parents, especially my mother, were fairly neutral and even a bit liberal in their views so I wasn’t raised in a super conservative or “traditional” family either, so I was free to develop my own thoughts. But even so, idk what influenced me, I grew up with super conservative views as a kid. Up until around 2 years ago, I was homophobic, pro-life, and had other Republican views; not very atheist, huh? But then, sometime over the Summer of 2010, I started getting exposed to more and more videos and articles on New Atheism, humanism, and liberalism through the internet and it really intrigued me because it was just so….logical. Treating all people the way you wanted to be treated, the importance of liberty and equality, the inconsistencies of religion, living the one life you have to its fullest; those were all things I started looking into and following as I delved deeper and deeper into the philosophical aspects of humanism, liberalism, and New Atheism.  So as I learned about atheism and its commonly associated philosophies, I felt more passionate about my new views and that’s resulted in me becoming the vocal liberal atheist I am today! :D

#MyAtheistSelf project submission fromthe-albino-giraffe: Name: Ellison (Elly) Johnson From: Born in Nome, Alaska. Ages 4-9 in Cape Coral, Florida. Now in Denver, Colorado. Bio: 15-year-old high school sophomore that loves science My Story: I was born in a very Christian home, my mom was a missionary, my dad was our church youth leader. I grew up thinking I believed in God (I capitalize it because I’m a grammar Nazi, the same reason I capitalize Voldemort,) but whenever I sat down and actually thought about it, a magic man in the sky, watching everyone? Really? Even as a young child I had my doubts. I really started questioning my beliefs at around 14, and worked very hard to stay Christian, because I thought there was something wrong with me. Last Summer I realized that I didn’t actually have to believe in a deity. I’ve been a strong atheist ever since. My parents know I am an atheist. My mom is now an agnostic and my dad is a Liberal Christian. My 14-year-old brother has been an apatheist for a few months, but is now an agnostic and will probably be an atheist by the time he’s my age. My extended family on my dads side is extremely Christian (and extremely Swedish .-.) and if they ever found out I was an atheist, they would be appalled, and probably blame my dad. Even though he makes me go to youth group. My parents are very accepting and extremely loving, they just don’t want me to burn in Hell.

#MyAtheistSelf project submission fromthe-albino-giraffe:

Name: Ellison (Elly) Johnson

From: Born in Nome, Alaska. Ages 4-9 in Cape Coral, Florida. Now in Denver, Colorado.

Bio: 15-year-old high school sophomore that loves science

My Story: I was born in a very Christian home, my mom was a missionary, my dad was our church youth leader. I grew up thinking I believed in God (I capitalize it because I’m a grammar Nazi, the same reason I capitalize Voldemort,) but whenever I sat down and actually thought about it, a magic man in the sky, watching everyone? Really? Even as a young child I had my doubts. I really started questioning my beliefs at around 14, and worked very hard to stay Christian, because I thought there was something wrong with me. Last Summer I realized that I didn’t actually have to believe in a deity. I’ve been a strong atheist ever since. My parents know I am an atheist. My mom is now an agnostic and my dad is a Liberal Christian. My 14-year-old brother has been an apatheist for a few months, but is now an agnostic and will probably be an atheist by the time he’s my age. My extended family on my dads side is extremely Christian (and extremely Swedish .-.) and if they ever found out I was an atheist, they would be appalled, and probably blame my dad. Even though he makes me go to youth group.

My parents are very accepting and extremely loving, they just don’t want me to burn in Hell.

Submission from fajeetas: Name:  Hilary (fajeetas) Country: United States Bio:  20 years old from a small town in Illinois My Story:  I come from a very Christian family with more than one preacher in it. I stopped believing that my religion was the right way to go about life when I was about 7 or 8, and soon after stopped believing in god. I spent my teen years arguing with my parents and relatives about the existence of god and how religion was doing nothing but holding the world back, which caused a lot of tension and bitterness. I just recently came to my senses and stopped trying to convert them, and am now in college studying political science. (:

Submission from fajeetas:

Name:  Hilary (fajeetas)

Country: United States

Bio:  20 years old from a small town in Illinois

My Story:  I come from a very Christian family with more than one preacher in it. I stopped believing that my religion was the right way to go about life when I was about 7 or 8, and soon after stopped believing in god. I spent my teen years arguing with my parents and relatives about the existence of god and how religion was doing nothing but holding the world back, which caused a lot of tension and bitterness. I just recently came to my senses and stopped trying to convert them, and am now in college studying political science. (: