The other day I came to the realization that one of the greatest things to have ever happened to me was to stop believing in God. Because of this I have been able to open my mind to so many things that have shaped me to who I am today. When I was a believer I would shun things because they were "of the devil" or were secular so I really lost out in experience and intellectual development, but ever since I let it go I have dabbled in so many things that have impacted my life in so many ways. I have been more open to relationships, various recreational activities, communication etc. I feel more fulfilled than I ever have in my life and I have no regrets.
What about you?
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It would appear that not only did you stop believing in god but you also shed a large part of yourself and blossomed into something you were not before unrestricted and more open-minded. I do however believe someone can believe in a god and have not shunned such things. It is entirely possible for someone to believe in a rendition of God and still have a brilliant mind.
That being said I think the best thing that ever happened to me was I was born. With having had been born I would never have had the opportunity to enjoy any of the other great things that have happened in my lifetime. I too once believed in what I thought to be God and losing that belief did not have so much the same impact on my life, probably because at a very young age I began to doubt the religion I was brought up in because it did not make sense and seemed hypocritical. You could say I never really shunned much because I believed in God. You could say I was a Doubting Tomas. I had doubt and questions the religious group I was raise to believe had all the answers i needed could not answer. As far as regrets go, regrets I have a few, I feel it great though that it turned out so well for you.
Horray for being born :D Sometimes I have that notion, sometimes I don't lol.
I think it is very interesting how young people (I suppose 13 and younger?) doubt the concept of God. I guess in that case it wouldn't be so significant since you are able to freely explore right out of the gate. I believed in God up until I was 19 so, in my opinion, I was fairly restricted during years where I should have been wild. Nonetheless I have no regrets and am enjoying freedom to explore.
It's terrible how religion makes a lot of people become very close minded and avoid having relationships with people who dont share their beliefs. Some individuals won't be friends with others because they dont share their religious point of view, or maybe because they have another sexual prreference, or simply because they look different. A lot of religions have caused this issues and it's up to each person to realize how stupid it is to reject others for suh reasons.
The same can be said for non-religious folk who bar their kids from mingling with religious folk but I do feel that religion ultimately has its grip in many households. It is very unfortunate to think about children's minds being molded from day 1 to live according to the requirements of a higher spirit that they will never see. Their life is literally being hijacked and when they decide to let go it will be such an awakening experience as it was for me...
Any sort of segregation or discrimination is terrible and a clear sign of ignorance.
It can be a very difficult transition for some people who have been brainwashed for decades and are trying to break those chains, but eventually the smart individuals have the courage to question religion in general.
I remember coming to the same church every Sunday since I was 13. I would sit in the same hall, hear the same speech, and pray the same prayers. One thing that sticks in my mind is that how I came there every week, and every week they told me that by the time I open my eyes onto their weekly prayer, I would wake up being born again, Jesus has washed all my sins and now I am as pure as a baby.
Years later my doubts of Christianity has became bigger and bigger. Until a point where I realized I don't want to be born again next Sunday just because I will be sinful again in starting the next Monday. I'm tired of being a baby, I wanna grow up. They say men are sinful creations, I guess I just have to live with it and realize that I don't need to apologize. And I can see now it is the best decision I've ever made.