Atheists, what do you most miss about the time you were a theist?

[SalmaSalma]

basically, which characteristic or feature of your previous religion/faith do you mostly miss about now that you have become an atheist?
(for those who have converted to atheism)

 

[dust1n]

While, I don't necessarily miss fellowship with Christians in particular, I did like the idea of "fellowship," or essentially the idea of hanging out in a recreation room, and eating food and just sincerely enjoying the company of others. While, I guess we all do this in a secular manner in our day to day lives, it would be cool if there were more food. Food is a message of love for the world.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

basically, which characteristic or feature of your previous religion/faith do you mostly miss about now that you have become an atheist?
(for those who have converted to atheism)

Well thats tricky for me. I never believed in deities and never knew the extent and way deitie were viewed as real until I practiced Catholicism. Conversion was more a realization of how false an deity existing is outside the human conception of him.

I miss fellowship in Mass. I like ritual and it made me feel one with the community

I miss prayer. I went everyday to Mass and prayed to believe Jesus is God rather than a human who shares in the divinity of life

I miss study and conversations about different viewpoints in catholicism without being insulted for my differences

I miss confession. I believe God is life. Asking for forgiveness in and of itself is a blessing undiscribable

I miss the Eucharist. Once I finally understood it I dont feel its right to recieve it unless I am one with Christ as God

I miss the religious atmosphere no protestwnt church can give

I miss a lot

 

[MissAlice]

It's strange that there are aspects I miss given that I was never really fond of, and to a degree skeptical to. The only aspects I missed but sort of doubted were the chances of seeing my family and friends after death. I would say for most of my life, death resulting into grief and depression was my biggest motivator to defend "religion". My view of religion was watered down. I was constantly trying to find a religion compatible to my values. What makes this more ironic is the fact that the more skeptical I became, the more defensive I would get with atheists. It took a long time to accept the inevitable.

I would also say personal prayer is still somewhat an element I miss but too hard to express in words. Prayer I was a substitute for loneliness and life's frustrations. But truth be told, I sort of knew I was talking into thin air. Still, there was something comforting of it with silly new age rituals like incense and candles involved.

 

[Treks]

1. The food. Sikh langar is delicious!

2. Sikh japna - meditation on a word or phase.

3. Reading Sikh scripture (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji) and feeling so light and wonderful and connected as it can make one feel.

4. A sense of "higher" duty and purpose, something to stand for, feeling special.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

While, I don't necessarily miss fellowship with Christians in particular, I did like the idea of "fellowship," or essentially the idea of hanging out in a recreation room, and eating food and just sincerely enjoying the company of others. While, I guess we all do this in a secular manner in our day to day lives, it would be cool if there were more food. Food is a message of love for the world.

True. I liked the southern baptist church i went to when i was young. They have powerful music and their basement kitchen is full of nothing but food. After sermon, that was our hotspot.

 

[LuisDantas]

So many of you used to think of yourselves as theists? I am a bit surprised.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

So many of you used to think of yourselves as theists? I am a bit surprised.

Some of us whlere labeled theist. I never knew what a thiest was until I met the internet.

 

[Twilight Hue]

basically, which characteristic or feature of your previous religion/faith do you mostly miss about now that you have become an atheist?
(for those who have converted to atheism)

Well just to make a correction first, in that I just simply returned to that particular point before any introduction to any religion began. It needs to be stressed this was not a conversion at all. More as a homecoming back to originality. Default in a practicable sense.

Probably the most appealing and missed would be that fraternal sense of brotherhood and sisterhood one finds in a group facing a cause together where support and comfort were shared among each other. There were many fond memories forged as a result, although since friends and acquaintances have long since departed each in their respective ways over the course of time.

Of course those days are now gone forever, yet not really sad about it as I miss those times and treasured memories with a smile more than tears.

 

[viole]

basically, which characteristic or feature of your previous religion/faith do you mostly miss about now that you have become an atheist?
(for those who have converted to atheism)

More or less the same things I missed when I stopped believing that Santa loves me and brings me nice presents.

Ciao

- viole

 

[VioletVortex]

I'm not exactly an atheist. I'm an atheist when it comes to religion and God, but I believe in the Occult.
I became an atheist when I was 9 years old, after watching a few television shows on science, and learning how the universe was created, through the "big bang." I remember upsetting my grandmother over this, which I somehow thought was funny. I remember reading the baby bible with my mother when I was a baby. I really just viewed the bible as a story about god, which is what it is.This really stopped when I was around five years old, when I was what would be best defined as agnostic. Just like every other five year old who was raised in a mainly secular environment. I didn't care. My mother was the only Christian in my house. She didn't force it on me.


As I stated, I became an atheist at 9, but I didn't know what it was called then. I got made fun of at school, for celebrating Christmas, but not being a Christian.


When I was 13, I started becoming aware of true religious matters, through listening to the music I listen to, which is heavy metal. It's a very political and religious genre. I learned about the Occult.

When I was 14, I became a LaVeyan Satanist, which lasted about a month, when I began to identify as an independent Atheistic Satanist. Now, at 15, I have more Spiritual Satanic views, but I'm not much different from last year.


I sometimes feel guilty about my religious views. The main thing I miss about being agnostic is the "innocence" that comes with it. This so called innocence has just been attached to certain things by society. I try to remember this, the guilt I usually feel is false guilt.


Sorry I got into my whole religious life story, I just wanted to give some background so it would be easy to tell what my religious upbringing was. It was mostly secular.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

I don't ever recall being a theist, but I attended church, and would have been viewed as a theist.
But...ummm...I don't really miss ANYTHING about church, to be honest. Not trying to be edgy or anything, I just suspect it never worked for me, and I never actually believed, so I tended to get mildly annoyed by things others may find fellowship in.

I do like theological conversations, and am social, but my church never really promoted much debate or higher level thought (at least, not amongst kids, and I was young), and I got more fellowship from my sports teams. It probably says a lot more about the particular church I was a member of than anything else though. That's how I see it.

 

[VioletVortex]

I've never been to church. I used to think it was "god's house," though. This was when I was a toddler.
I though that god served the people breakfast there.


That was stupid of me.

 

[Altfish]

I used to go to church as a youngster but it was always a chore, a waste of good playing (Yes 'playing' not 'praying') time. I quite enjoyed singing some of the hymns but then I discovered gigs and things.

No, can't say I miss anything about church time.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I was a theist, though not a strong theist. Became an atheist some 30 years ago, and a strong atheist at that. But I have not severed my connection with Hinduism. Hindu Gods and Goddesses are to me like Santa is for Christians, nice stories, some from which we can learn a few lessons of life. I, therefore, do not miss anything.

 

[SalmaSalma]

I'm not exactly an atheist. I'm an atheist when it comes to religion and God, but I believe in the Occult.
I became an atheist when I was 9 years old, after watching a few television shows on science, and learning how the universe was created, through the "big bang." I remember upsetting my grandmother over this, which I somehow thought was funny. I remember reading the baby bible with my mother when I was a baby. I really just viewed the bible as a story about god, which is what it is.This really stopped when I was around five years old, when I was what would be best defined as agnostic. Just like every other five year old who was raised in a mainly secular environment. I didn't care. My mother was the only Christian in my house. She didn't force it on me.


As I stated, I became an atheist at 9, but I didn't know what it was called then. I got made fun of at school, for celebrating Christmas, but not being a Christian.


When I was 13, I started becoming aware of true religious matters, through listening to the music I listen to, which is heavy metal. It's a very political and religious genre. I learned about the Occult.

When I was 14, I became a LaVeyan Satanist, which lasted about a month, when I began to identify as an independent Atheistic Satanist. Now, at 15, I have more Spiritual Satanic views, but I'm not much different from last year.


I sometimes feel guilty about my religious views. The main thing I miss about being agnostic is the "innocence" that comes with it. This so called innocence has just been attached to certain things by society. I try to remember this, the guilt I usually feel is false guilt.


Sorry I got into my whole religious life story, I just wanted to give some background so it would be easy to tell what my religious upbringing was. It was mostly secular.

WOW...Its actually quite interesting to hear your story and how conscious you are about religious matters in general. I've hardly seen anyone changing their religious views at the age of 5 or 9. thanks for sharing your story.