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    1. #1
      Member Rakjavik's Avatar
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      Your deconversion story?

      Since this forum is mostly atheists as far as I can see, I always find it interesting why people deconvert.

      I was raised in VA, part of the bible belt. Which means that my fundie parents were right at home. I was raised a southern baptist at first. Which means that we went to boring ass churches who only sang hymns and made you go to sleep during the sermon. In a truly TC fasion (TC meaning true christian, because they have like a trademark or something on that shit to where 75 percent of the christians aren't true christians) my family decided that we needed to go to a home church. (meaning that it is not a church but a group of families that get together and worship at someones home because the churches are not getting it right)

      So ANYWAY!!!! I'm trying to figure out what to explain and what is useless info.... so bare (bear??) with me here.

      So me and my twin bro were both sent to Jesus camp. I don't know if you have seen the docu Jesus camp, but that was basically what we were sent to. It was a brainwashing experience. They talk about guilt and basically make you feel like a piece of shit. Then they say, hey come and rededicate your life to christ, while playing that god damn song. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuxh3hW2at0)

      OK, so to sum up real quick, no music with distortion, no evolution, fantasy=satan, you get the point.

      Me and my bro moved out at 17, after my very christian parents divorced. Pretty much from the second I moved out of that house, I was agnostic. I stayed agnostic until my brother started lending me books (letter to a christian nation, God is not great, god delusion)

      So since then, I have become what I call, an anti-theist. I am actually keeping this short (I know really?) I can go on to explain about my parents finding out I was looking at gay porn, my youth pastor betraying me, going to a christian shrink, and much more.

      But anyway, was there a point? Hmm.... Maybe not, but this has been my deconversion story, thanks for reading. How about you?

    2. #2
      D.V. Editor-in-Chief Original Poster's Avatar
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      Yeah sure I've been motivated by my fear of death to seek answers about the afterlife. I was never really atheist, but I felt like since God could nor an afterlife could be proven, out of principle one had to act as if they did not. No matter what I thought or played with in my head, my actions still reflected a world with no God or afterlife.

      But the more I researched, the more an afterlife became a real possibility. We're raised in this world with a perpsective put in our heads superceding just religion, but our society in general, which is completely off set from reality. Some of our commonly held notions about existence are off base and need to be rethough and looked at again or existence won't make sense. The universe is not what it seems to be.

      Right, so for me there was a deconversion, a time of criticism, the threshhold where I lost all my unnecessary beliefs and random superstitions I was programmed with, but then there was a time when I looked at what should be saved when it came to esoteric concepts. My problem with atheists is they react to christianity or new agers defensively, they read one book about how god probably isn't real and it's game set match, they stop looking for answers. A true skeptic never stops searching for truth.

      Everything works out in the end, sometimes even badly.


    3. #3
      Member Rakjavik's Avatar
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      Quote Originally Posted by Omnius Deus View Post
      My problem with atheists is they react to christianity or new agers defensively, they read one book about how god probably isn't real and it's game set match, they stop looking for answers. A true skeptic never stops searching for truth.
      I would disagree. In my experiece, with other atheists, we are always looking for other answers. When it comes to the solidified religions, yes we will react with usually very negative...... reactions. Because these have been disproven by science. But at least in me, I am very open to everything, I am open to the search for truth. Most athiests are. We just need some evidence

      I think if people actually discussed these issues with atheists, they would find that they are very openminded people as long as you stay logical. Maybe I should have been born Vulcan, but I think it is true.

    4. #4
      .. / .- –– / .- .-. guitarboy's Avatar
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      is this sight in any way anti catholic cause im really religious,? don't flame me.

    5. #5
      D.V. Editor-in-Chief Original Poster's Avatar
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      There are people here that are anti catholic but that's a good thing, your beliefs are't worth shit if they can't with stand a little criticism. Just don't take it personally. The site itself is open to all religions.

      Everything works out in the end, sometimes even badly.


    6. #6
      .. / .- –– / .- .-. guitarboy's Avatar
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      ok thanks i was afraid for a minute is was some sorta cult (no offense)

    7. #7
      Member Rakjavik's Avatar
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      Quote Originally Posted by guitarboy View Post
      ok thanks i was afraid for a minute is was some sorta cult (no offense)
      Last time I checked, we are not a cult lol.

      We are wiling to listen and discuss anybodys faith. But we will analyze and respond with logic and evidence. At least the atheists.

    8. #8
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      Uh, hello, my name is Erik, I-uhh I have been an atheist since I was 8 years old. I am 17 years old, and I am here to deal- I mean, meet people with similar err, feelings and opinions.

      So hey

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    9. #9
      Omnipotent Being. nitsuJ's Avatar
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      Most of the time to be a cult you need a religion, which atheists lack.

    10. #10
      Member Photolysis's Avatar
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      I was never part of a religion, so I never needed to deconvert.

      Comes from having parents that allowed me to make my own choices, and being born in a country that, whilst ironically has no seperation of church and state, is quite secular.

    11. #11
      Drivel's Advocate Xaqaria's Avatar
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      Deconvert is not a word. What you did was converted to atheism. I know you like it better when it sounds like you undid something but thats not the case.

      The ability to happily respond to any adversity is the divine.
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    12. #12
      Member Rakjavik's Avatar
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      Quote Originally Posted by Xaqaria View Post
      Deconvert is not a word. What you did was converted to atheism. I know you like it better when it sounds like you undid something but thats not the case.
      Atheism is not a conversion. It is merely not believing in something that you previously believed in.

    13. #13
      I has a bucket suttsman's Avatar
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      I was christian, converted to not-give-a-fuck-about-religionism this year.

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      Quote Originally Posted by Oscar
      ...so you went to italy and you didnt even see the eiffel tower?

    14. #14
      Drivel's Advocate Xaqaria's Avatar
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      Quote Originally Posted by Rakjavik View Post
      Atheism is not a conversion. It is merely not believing in something that you previously believed in.
      And then believing something NEW!!!

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    15. #15
      Purple Dinosaur ClassyElf's Avatar
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      Quote Originally Posted by Rakjavik View Post
      Atheism is not a conversion. It is merely not believing in something that you previously believed in.
      People can convert to unbelief from belief. (Although I don't see the big deal about using the word deconverted.)


      and to the guy that said deconvert isn't a word. It may not be a word in Webster's dictionary, but it has it's place in the English language nevertheless.

      http://www.allwords.com/word-deconvert.html
      Last edited by ClassyElf; 09-27-2008 at 08:41 PM.
      I live in your philosophy and religion forums.

    16. #16
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      I reached the age of reason.
      Deconversion complete.

    17. #17
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      One day, after school, when my sunday school teacher told me the dinosaurs never existed (I was nine at the time and into that stuff) I decided that church was too weird for me.

      Then, at 11 I decided that god was probably jsut an exaggeration of some kind.

      Then, at 13 I realized that it's ALL a bucket of shit pretending to be something meaningful.

      Now, I am an Agnostic Atheist.

    18. #18
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      Quote Originally Posted by Xaqaria View Post
      And then believing something NEW!!!
      There's nothing to believe in.

      It is the lack of believing in somehting else. (Theism/Deism)

    19. #19
      Drivel's Advocate Xaqaria's Avatar
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      Quote Originally Posted by Seismosaur View Post
      There's nothing to believe in.

      It is the lack of believing in somehting else. (Theism/Deism)
      Sorry, atheism is not a lack of belief. You can say it a thousand times and feel like your position is more credible because of it but it will never be true. The lack of belief only amounts to the statement, "I don't know" and even that could be called a belief from some perspectives. Anything more than a statement of ignorance is a belief, end of story.

      Quote Originally Posted by ClassyElf View Post
      People can convert to unbelief from belief. (Although I don't see the big deal about using the word deconverted.)


      and to the guy that said deconvert isn't a word. It may not be a word in Webster's dictionary, but it has it's place in the English language nevertheless.

      http://www.allwords.com/word-deconvert.html
      The definition of "deconvert" listed on that website does not allow for atheism, it only allows for the rejection of a certain set of beliefs, like christianity. If one were to say, "I don't believe christianity anymore and now I don't know what to believe" they would fit that definition. If they say, "I don't believe christianity anymore and now I am an atheist." They wouldn't.
      Last edited by Xaqaria; 09-27-2008 at 08:47 PM.

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    20. #20
      Purple Dinosaur ClassyElf's Avatar
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      Quote Originally Posted by Xaqaria View Post
      The definition of "deconvert" listed on that website does not allow for atheism, it only allows for the rejection of a certain set of beliefs, like christianity. If one were to say, "I don't believe christianity anymore and now I don't know what to believe" they would fit that definition. If they say, "I don't believe christianity anymore and now I am an atheist." They wouldn't.
      Alright, as long as everyone knows what the user of the word is talking about I'm sure the exact definition of the word isn't going to affect the conversation in any way, so let's try to veer back on topic here.


      I deconverted from Christianity into deism after reading and studying the Bible. Shortly after that I read "The God Delusion" and "Evidence That Demands a Verdict". I decided that the christian apologetical book left far to many holes and in many cases just pointed out new holes so I converted to agnostic atheism. After spending time on religious discussion and Christian forums on the net for a while I converted to atheism. I've been an atheist for about a year now.

      My family believes I'm possessed by the devil and I have a pastor sending me letters to my house regularly telling me he's praying for me to come back to God.
      I live in your philosophy and religion forums.

    21. #21
      I has a bucket suttsman's Avatar
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      Quote Originally Posted by ClassyElf View Post
      Alright, as long as everyone knows what the user of the word is talking about I'm sure the exact definition of the word isn't going to affect the conversation in any way, so let's try to veer back on topic here.


      I deconverted from Christianity into deism after reading and studying the Bible. Shortly after that I read "The God Delusion" and "Evidence That Demands a Verdict". I decided that the christian apologetical book left far to many holes and in many cases just pointed out new holes so I converted to agnostic atheism. After spending time on religious discussion and Christian forums on the net for a while I converted to atheism. I've been an atheist for about a year now.

      My family believes I'm possessed by the devil and I have a pastor sending me letters to my house regularly telling me he's praying for me to come back to God.
      I couldn't help but laugh at the last part. I'm afraid to tell my parents I don't fully believe in God for that same reason, or getting kicked out of the house.

      So my story is a bit like Seis's, except I realized it was bullshit at age 15. (I had to at least pretend to believe to get Confirmation and get moneyz from my family) Then I read some of the stuff atheists have been saying here, and (no offense) I don't really want to be like that. So I took Jon Lajoie's advice and I started not giving a fuck about religion. I realized it doesn't really matter how the universe started, but it did, and since I only have a limited time on earth, I should stop wondering and start living.

      Signature skilled by ClouD
      Quote Originally Posted by Oscar
      ...so you went to italy and you didnt even see the eiffel tower?

    22. #22
      Member Needcatscan's Avatar
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      Quote Originally Posted by suttsman View Post
      I couldn't help but laugh at the last part. I'm afraid to tell my parents I don't fully believe in God for that same reason, or getting kicked out of the house.

      So my story is a bit like Seis's, except I realized it was bullshit at age 15. (I had to at least pretend to believe to get Confirmation and get moneyz from my family) Then I read some of the stuff atheists have been saying here, and (no offense) I don't really want to be like that. So I took Jon Lajoie's advice and I started not giving a fuck about religion. I realized it doesn't really matter how the universe started, but it did, and since I only have a limited time on earth, I should stop wondering and start living.
      No offense taken My wife follows the same belief system; when people ask me what religion we are I say I'm an atheist and she is an "I-don't-give-a-crapist". And her dad is a minister too, so that makes it interesting.

      Considering Rak is my brother my story is similar to his (minus the gay porn) and I went from 17-years-old to around 21 with the "religion isn't worth my time" attitude until I read Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins; that's when I "converted" (happy Xaq?) to atheism.

      Also suttsman, atheists aren't an organized group of people with any sort of dogma, so you can be an atheist and not act like anyone on this board. It's just a lack of belief in a supreme being; it doesn't prescribe being venoment towards religious people. Some of us just choose to be.
      Quote Originally Posted by Photolysis
      If rational arguments worked on people who were religious, there'd be no religion.

      Trying to reason with dogma is not renowned for its results.

    23. #23
      Member Scatterbrain's Avatar
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      Quote Originally Posted by Xaqaria View Post
      Sorry, atheism is not a lack of belief. You can say it a thousand times and feel like your position is more credible because of it but it will never be true. The lack of belief only amounts to the statement, "I don't know" and even that could be called a belief from some perspectives. Anything more than a statement of ignorance is a belief, end of story.



      The definition of "deconvert" listed on that website does not allow for atheism, it only allows for the rejection of a certain set of beliefs, like christianity. If one were to say, "I don't believe christianity anymore and now I don't know what to believe" they would fit that definition. If they say, "I don't believe christianity anymore and now I am an atheist." They wouldn't.
      Haha, I thought it would take some more posts before someone came shooting the bash-atheism-through-semantics bullshit.
      - Are you an idiot?
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    24. #24
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      <span class='glow_9400D3'>LucidDreamGod</span>'s Avatar
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      I used to have this obsession over dinosaurs and the science of them (not just them like certain kids just liking the look of them), I used to look at books to learn lots of things about how old the world was and such. Somewhat later I became interested in what explanations god could give me, what he had to say about the history of the world, and just how did he bring all this about and the science behind it. So I had been going to this church each night to play games only, but me and my parents and the preacher decided that I should try out bible studies.

      So I went to bible studies to learn about god, and what I began learning was puzzling to me, about some mortal man named Jesus, and I didn't understand what he had to do with this world, there was practically little detail of the world, and it all sounded like fairy tails, I remember telling my friends and brother that I loved god and Jesus and all, but the more I thought about Jesus and the dinosaurs the more my head hurt.

      Later on I went to bible studies again (a different church) with a friend of mine, I can remember having probably the most embarrassing time of my life there, I had a panic attack during this play thing in front of everyone, and lost control of myself, that didn't stop my belief in god however, though it did traumatize me to never want to stand up in front of people ever again (I will take a lower grade if I absolutely have to, never had to yet).

      But my older brother was an atheist, and I had known this but never really thought into it but once or twice, I had thought it was something a bit different then it was too. Later, talking on AIM with my older brother in Iraq he sent me some atheist links, and I immediately took it in, very interested that people doubted the bible, such a thing I had never known up to that point, I was about 12-13 years old at the time.
      Last edited by LucidDreamGod; 09-27-2008 at 10:36 PM.



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    25. #25
      Drivel's Advocate Xaqaria's Avatar
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      Quote Originally Posted by Scatterbrain View Post
      Haha, I thought it would take some more posts before someone came shooting the bash-atheism-through-semantics bullshit.
      How can I bash a lack of something?! Thats just silly. Are you upset that I don't respect your lack of belief?

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