Quote (Valhalls_Sun @ Oct 17 2014 12:40pm)

First Blue; The schools have a strict separation of church and state, evolution is taught no creationism, the bible is not taught and there is no prayer in school the only things the schools are not allowed to teach are religious ideals, which I'm 100% in agreement with.

Red: You may have a slightly mistaken view of our culture, having been a minister I still have some friends that are also serving small churches like I did, I've openly discussed my lack of faith with them  via internet, and we write back and forth about faith based missues and non-faith based issues.
  Also before becoming disabled I worked construction and the crews that I worked with were always comfortable talking about belief or not believing. We as a society having been based based on freedoms take the freedom of speech very dearly and for the most part at least in my experience IRL, when talking person to person, folks aren't really that worried about opening up.

To think that the way that society thinks could change or alter my destiny is silly, I'll go along with the environment around me molded me, but then I was surrounded by religion yet I didn't even think that I believed in god until I was flying to a trauma hospital in a chopper with a cluster of blood vessels bleeding out in my brain. that molded me the titanium plates screwed to my skull molded me, the scoliosis mixed with the dissolving discs in my spine causing my back to slowly break and cripple me that's molding me. but to say that the atmosphere of other's beliefs could affect my own thinking isn't giving me much credit now is it?

Have you grown up surrounded by atheists ? no religion around to rebel against? was there any that affected you?

Quote (Voyaging @ Oct 17 2014 01:07pm)

I'm an atheist. I was a Christian. I was happier when I was a Christian. The world is a horrible place.

Quote (Voyaging @ 17 Oct 2014 19:07)

I'm an atheist. I was a Christian. I was happier when I was a Christian. The world is a horrible place.

Quote (WidowMaKer_MK @ 17 Oct 2014 19:11)

...I am certainly happier as a Christian than I ever was an an atheoagnostic .

Quote (Plaguelord @ Oct 17 2014 02:46pm)

Did you one day just feel inspired to be a Christian?

I try to be as open minded as possible, and I've often hoped for some kind of answer or explanation through spirituality, but I've never felt anything that makes me believe that a God exists.

At times I wish I could believe in the things religion has to offer, but I'd be lying to myself to pretend that I do.

Quote (WidowMaKer_MK @ 17 Oct 2014 19:55)

...God already knows if you will respond to His call and the response comes from the heart , not the mind .

Quote (Matthew 22:14 NKJV)

For many are called, but few are chosen.

Quote (Luke 13:24 NKJV)

Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

Quote (Romans 9:27 NKJV)

Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant will be saved.

Quote (Plaguelord @ Oct 17 2014 03:33pm)

I'm being as receptive as I possibly can, and yet I feel nothing that would indicate being called on.

Quote (Voyaging @ 17 Oct 2014 11:07)

I'm an atheist. I was a Christian. I was happier when I was a Christian. The world is a horrible place.