Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Atheists & Agnostics
In reply to the discussion: At what age did you become an atheist/agnostic? And what brought that about? [View all]dgauss
(885 posts)60. Some time later in grade school, but a seed of doubt was planted early on.
When I was 5 or 6 I went to a bible camp type of thing for a few months. I think it was over the summer and probably just a way for my single mother to get the kids out of the house for a few hours.
It was sort of like Kindergarten, but about Christianity. We had fun activities meant to teach us about Jesus, such as singing Christian children's songs. One of them was "I'm in the Lord's Army."
I may never march in the infantry
Ride in the cavalry
Shoot the artillery
I may never shoot for the enemy
But Im in the Lords army!
Something didn't seem right about that right off the bat. We had been seeing pictures of Jesus in the white robe, benevolent, palms up, welcoming to all. Then we're supposed to march in some kind of Jesus Army? That was a seed of inconsistency and stuck with me.
Over the next 5 or so years the gradual introduction of ides about science, history, mythology led me to the Santa moment: Oh, that's not literally true.
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
63 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
At what age did you become an atheist/agnostic? And what brought that about? [View all]
Bundbuster
May 1
OP
Due to family, church people, and friends' pressure, I joined the church and was baptized when I was thirteen years old.
spike jones
May 1
#7
As George Carlin said, "I was a Catholic, until I hit the age of reason." (paraphrasing)
alwaysinasnit
May 1
#10
LOL - my atheist father would throw me a smirk as he read the Sunday paper on the couch
Bundbuster
May 1
#21
About 8. When professional wrestling would come on TV after the church programs Sunday mornings.
sybylla
May 2
#23
I went to Catholic School. If you weren't Catholic you couldn't go to heaven.
twodogsbarking
May 2
#24
I was 12. When my dad died. I hadn't been brainwashed, indoctrinated or groomed in anyway before that and ever
brewens
May 2
#26
Always. First time I had the concept of god explained to me I said "what the f*ck is this sh*t?"
unblock
May 2
#27
...made up this religion so he could divorce his wife to marry his pregnant girlfriend, who he later had beheaded.
Bundbuster
May 2
#44
I was a skeptic before I was a teenager, and a card-carrying atheist by around 15.
Chainfire
May 2
#51